Atlanta Magazine

A writer recalls a childhood trip to Wakulla Springs, Florida—and the freedom that came with diving into prehistoric waters.

Stadium views and showstopping martinis with Italian fare downtown, a hopping tofu house that also serves winning Korean ‘cue in Duluth, and a new haven for Mediterranean indulgence in Suwanee.

The party was already in full swing by the time Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz appeared. It was opening night for Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, a traveling exhibit featuring a selection of the couple’s extensive art collection, and Atlanta had turned out for the occasion. With pulsing beats filling the lobby atrium—courtesy of DJs Runna and Princess Cut—a crowd of hundreds of stylish Atlantans had descended on the High Museum of Art to schmooze, dance, and enjoy the work of dozens of celebrated Black artists, from Gordon Parks to Amy Sherald.

Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie brought their Freaks on Parade tour to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre on Thursday night. Here, check out the scenes photographer Perry Julien captured at the show.

Plus: new hotel openings across the Southeast, a golf getaway in northwest Georgia, and an inclusive stay in South Carolina.

Ever since third grade, Loren Rosko had fantasized about being like Jessica Rabbit, the curvy cartoon supper-club singer in the 1988 movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. When assigned to decorate a cardboard cutout to represent her future career, Rosko cut an hourglass shape and added a velvet dress, blond hair, red lips, and a microphone. “I used to watch black-and-white movies with my mom, where you see the audience dressed up, drinking fancy martinis, having a meal, and watching a show,” she says. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to do that.”

Little Tart Bakeshop and Big Softie owner Sarah O’Brien just launched the second outpost of her soft-serve ice cream shop—the original opened in Summerhill in 2019. Located at 632 North Highland Avenue, Big Softie is just a few doors down from Colette Bread & Bakeshop, which was started by O’Brien’s friend and first-ever Little Tart hire, baker Sarah Dodge.

Chef Craig Richards knows how to cater to a theater crowd. His pasta-driven restaurant Lyla Lila is located a mere two minutes from the Fox, and regular show-goers know to make reservations in advanced. Now Richards is capitalizing on that experience, taking over the Table 1280 space on the Woodruff Arts Center campus. Come 2025, he’ll open a fine dining restaurant called Elise, offering both a la carte options and a tasting menu.

Acclaimed reggae artist Buju Banton brought his Overcomer tour to State Farm Arena on Sunday evening. Here, check out the scenes photographer Perry Julien captured at the show.