It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Westmar’s Weekend Picks

For Atlanta natives, visitors, and transplant residents, this is quite possibly the best time of the year. The proverbial “festival season” is well underway.  The Hawks have home court in the playoffs, the Braves are about to open up a four game home stand, and the weather is picture perfect. There is literally a smorgasbord of things to do in the city right now; so much in fact that it is nearly impossible to make the rounds and attend all the events. We have decided to provide you with our top picks of the weekend, to help you make your decisions. If you are only able to make it to one of these events, or are able to get a healthy sampling of them all, you are certain to have a great weekend.

#1 Atlanta Hawks Playoffs (Game 1 Sunday 7pm)

The Celtics are coming to town to square off against our beloved Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. If anyone remembers the playoff battles we have shared in the past, this series should definitely be pleasing to both casual fans and die hard basketball enthusiasts alike.  Tickets are still available, so if you have the time I would definitely suggest making a trip down to the Highlight Factory for Game 1 on Sunday. Tip Off is set for Sunday at 7pm.

#2 Inman Park Festival (April 28- 29)

This marks the 41^st rendition of Atlanta’s Inman Park Festival, and as usual it will feature tons of food, tons of music, and of course the Inman Park Festival Parade that is set to begin at 2:00pm on Saturday.  Festival events begin each day at 11:00am and keep on going until about 8:30pm, giving you plenty of time to enjoy yourself at the festival before heading out for the night. If you are able to head over to the festival, you should make a point to check out the parade and the musical styling’s of Ike Stubblefied & Friends Saturday afternoon at the Delta Park tent. Ike’s set will begin at 5:30pm, so there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle with fellow festival goers, grab something to eat, and peruse the Street Market for all sorts of cool odds and ends you can purchase. If money is a little tight, there is no need to worry, as always the Inman Park Festival is FREE!

3# Lebowski Fest (April 27-28)

This is bar far one of the coolest festivals to hit the scene in recent years. As one might guess, Lebowski Fest is based on the cult classic film released in 1998 and will feature all things Lebowski. This festival that originated in Louisville in 2002 has made its way to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, London, Edinburgh, and finally to the Peach State. The event kicks off tonight at the Masquerade featuring a little live music and of course a screening of the film. The real fun starts on Saturday, as 300 Atlanta will feature trivia, costume contests and of course unlimited bowling. If you have yet to see The Big Lebowski, I recommend seeing the film before you head out to the event. Otherwise, the epic pageantry and grandeur that will smack you in the face the second you put on your bowling shoes will be lost on you.

4# Atlanta Braves Home Stand (April 27-April 30)

There really isn’t much to say here. It’s the Braves…head down to the Ted and show your support. Braves games can often be one of the best ways to go out with a large group of friends before going out for the night. You may be up in the cheap seats, but you will still be able to get a good view of all the action on the field with all of your buddies.

5# Georgia Renaissance Festival (April 14-June 3)

As Georgia festivals go, this one is a little bit pricey ($20 bucks at the gate, $18 in advance), but is perennially one of the most popular. Whether you are into jousting, hypnotists, acrobats, or eating giant turkey legs, there is definitely a ton of medieval fun to be had. History buffs should check out the 16^th Century Weapons of War demonstration that is conducted before each jousting session or the Conversation with Leonardo Di Vinci exhibit.

#6 Sterling on the Lake: Arts Fest 2012 (April 28) 

If you are into the arts, an artist yourself or most importantly have a full tank of gas, you should definitely make the trek up to Flowery Branch this weekend. If you enjoy photography, sketching, or  painting, you can not only get your creative juices flowing through viewing the work of local artists, but you can also learn a few new techniques in the many demonstrations the festival will offer.

I personally plan on attending game 1 of the playoffs, and will make that my sole focus for this weekend. However, if I were to plan the perfect Atlanta weekend it would go a little something like this...

Friday:

After Classes 4:00pm-6:00pm: A solid two hours of decompressing by the pool. I would look at my text books and think about getting a little studying in for my upcoming final exams, but that would get in the way of me attending the Braves game tonight. The Braves will win 10-7 in a nail biter, and I would go back home feeling the sense of pride that only comes from an Atlanta sports team win.

Saturday:

Saturday would begin slow, but end with a bang! After sleeping in till about noon, I would have the perfect amount of time to shower and throw on some clothes to make it down to the Inman Park Festival, arriving with ample time to see the parade and make new friends as I bounce around from tent to tent.  Around 5:00pm, I would start making moves to head on over to Lebowski Fest for a little bowling, a little more people-watching, and a whole heap of good times.

Sunday:

Sunday would be a very big day, so little to nothing will be accomplished or attempted as I anxiously await heading to Phillips Arena to watch my Hawks trounce the Boston Celtics. The key to being a Hawks fan is emotional preparation, which requires an ample amount of mediation and relaxation before game time. During this crucial period of your day, you must find a mentality and temperament that allows you to be optimistic and pumped up enough to root your team on to victory, but realistic enough that you don’t end up crying in the corner or destroying some of your personal property after a tough loss. Personally, I have experienced all three of these reactions due to my immense passion for the Hawks, but that is another story for another time. 

Westmar's Got Talent

Diamond Sands

Here at Westmar we have residents with all different types of hobbies and interest that allow them to express their inner creativity. We sat down with Diamond Sands to discuss both her past and current projects, as well what motivates and inspires her to create her works.

How long have you been painting and drawing?

I have been drawing since I was really small, like five or six, but I didnt get into painting until I took classes at Spelman.

What made you start creating your own art?

Well, I started early, because I was basically an only child. My siblings were several years older than I was, so I looked to express and entertain myself in other ways. I have always  been  artistically inclined, so it really just comes naturally to me.

Resident rendition of President Barack Obama

What does your art mean to you?

It means a lot! Art is really personal for me. When I finished the Obama piece, I was in 10th grade. It was way before he was elected president. A lot of people have asked to buy it, but the only person I would let have it would be him...at least for a little while. So much of my art comes from my own personal experiences, so it truly means a lot to me.

Who is your favorite artist?

 Probably Pablo Picasso, becasue he was a master of so many different styles...He could really do anything. Realism, impressionism, no matter what the style he chose, he had truly mastered it. That's just crazy to me.

Contemporary Artist Kara Walker

What are your views on the art community here in Atlanta? 

 I feel like so many young people in my generation are artistic in some way. Whether it's fashion, music or painting, there are so many artistic creative people. The Atlanta art community is definitley growing, and there are lots of different events to get involved in. Last year I went to Mason Mirror, and met Kara Walker who is a famous contemporary artist. When I met her I was shell shocked! I was like, I just wrote a paper on you in class...it is so nice to meet you!   

How do you see art playing a role in your professional career?

I am going to school for art so that in the future I can become an art therapist. My art has helped me to express myself, so I would like to teach others how to tap into feelings that they may struggle with or didn't know they had through their inner creativity.

Support The Home Team

Chipper Jones Goes Yard!!

The Atlanta Braves are one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional sports. A story filled with a few victories, a lot of near misses and far too much heartache. Simply put, the life of the Braves fan is a frustrating one.

As the years have passed, and we are further removed from the glory days of the early to mid-90’s, true Braves fans are becoming hard to find. The Ted has nowhere near the same level of excitement and energy as it used to. While we no longer have The “Crime Dog” Fred McGriff, Maddux, Smoltz, or Glavine, we do have several young stars with an abundance of talent on display every night.

For the Braves to return to their winning ways they will need more than solid pitching and a potent offense; They will also need a fan base willing to support them through thick and thin. Forbes Magazine rated Atlanta as the most ‘Miserable Sports City’ in America.  Geographically, ‘Braves Country’ is the largest sports market in America, encompassing almost the entire southeastern portion of the country.  However, the fan base is composed largely of fair weather and half-hearted fans. 

For the Braves to return to prominence, they will need our support! With that being said, we will be sending a group of Westmar residents to the Ted to cheer on the home team.

The first four Westmar Residents to share or re-post this article on their Facebook Page will receive a FREE Atlanta Braves Prize pack. After the article is shared, each participant must make a comment on the Westmar Facebook page regarding the Atlanta Braves photo that will be posted on our wall at 5:00pm today. The first four residents to comment will be our lucky winners.

Braves Prize Pack items:        

• Atlanta Braves Hat
•  (1) Ticket to see the Atlanta Braves take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 27^th
• Atlanta Braves T-shirt

Weekend Planning

For most college students each weekend begins the same.  A collective of friends gathers together, and racks their brains, trying to find something to do for the weekend. Something that’s a little different from the norm, something that’s fun, and without a doubt and perhaps most importantly, something that’s cost effective. Being adventurous and adding variety to your social life can be a tad difficult, especially when you are on a budget. So, we thought we might help out by providing a few ideas for fun things to do this weekend, without being too hard on your wallet.

Its spring time in Atlanta, which means the Atlanta Fair, has come back to Turner Field.  If the weather permits, you can head over after you classes to enjoy a few rides, and eat some tasty carnival food staples. General Admission is only $5.00, and ride tickets are $1.00 each. For around $10.00 apiece you and a group of friends can go enjoy yourselves, and do something outside of your normal weekend routine. If you are looking to go out and dance, or maybe spend time at a lounge, there are several other inexpensive places for you and your friends to go hangout.

You can close the evening out at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, or TheSound Table. Both Sound Table and Sister Louisa’s offer a great sampling of the bourgeoning Atlanta night life scene, which attempts to buck the trends of what we expect when enjoying a night on the town. Sound Table, offers some of the best DJ’s in the city playing a wide range of music that will keep the party going until the wee hours of the morning; While Sister Louisa’s offers a unique atmosphere, with décor that will be the topic of conversation for days to come. 

You can kick off your Saturday night by grabbing a bite to eat at Park Tavern, located right next to Piedmont Park. After 10pm, Park Tavern offers half off on any Sushi Dish! Enjoy great views of the park, and the Atlanta Skyline as you relax with friends before heading out on the town.

After having a solid meal, you might want to head on over to the Graveyard. As The self-described “Sunny place for shady people”, Graveyard Tavern in East Atlanta has been a popular hangout for Atlanta natives and visitors for several years now. Partygoers are able to eat, dance, and enjoy a few cocktails at reasonable prices that won’t break the bank. Not to mention that there are no cover charges.

If Graveyard isn’t quite your style, or you are looking to bounce around a bit with your friends, East Atlanta Village offers several night spots that are in walking distance of one and other. You can stop by East Side Lounge or 529 to dance the night away to some great live music, or to one of their awesome DJ’s.

One of the great things about Atlanta is that there is always something new and exciting to do, as long as you are willing to be a bit daring, and step outside of your comfort zones.