2012 Atlanta Jazz Festival

Atlanta Jazz Festival, 2012

Could not find my Atlanta jazz photos, so enjoy this non-'lanta jazz file photo. Jazz is always sweet, no matter where it is played or heard.


Since I have readers from all over the country and since I still keep in touch with Atlanta (or they keep in touch with me), my home town (actually Decatur, a stone's throw from hot'lanta), here is some news you jazz fans may enjoy:

Atlanta Jazz Festival Celebrates 35 Years
Of Southern Hospitality And World Class Jazz!

“We are reaching an important milestone as the Atlanta Jazz Festival celebrates 35 years,” states Camille Russell Love, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.  “We salute the leaders whose vision and hard work created this preeminent cultural event, featuring jazz legends and new artists.  We continue the rich tradition of presenting world class jazz, combined with southern hospitality.”

This year’s schedule includes jazz greats Roy Ayers, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Tito Puente Jr. & Orchestra, Robert Glasper Experiment and Kathleen Bertrand.  Newcomers include the Grace Kelly Quintet and Yolanda Rabun.

There will be three concerts at the Loews Atlanta Hotel.  Ojeda Penn will perform on May 24 from 8-10 pm and admission is free.  Johnny O’Neal will perform in the Kickoff Cabaret on May 25 from 8-11 pm. Tickets prices are $35 per person or $200 for a table for 4.  Tickets are available at www.ticketalternative.com.  AJF Late Night Jazz Jam will be held on May 27 from 10 pm-2 am.  Tickets are $35 per person and available at www.ticketalternative.com.

The festival is back in Piedmont Park with three days of music over Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28.  The event is FREE.  Two stages will feature live music all three days from 1 pm-11 pm.

The 35th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.  For information, visit www.atlantafestivals.com.

I spent many years enjoying this festival. Wish I could make it this year. Atlanta, you know how to "jazz" it up. I miss the fun and I miss my Atlanta Journal!  Maybe next year. 

Near Atlanta September 15-16, 2012? Don't miss one of my favorite events, The Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont Park. And if you are passing through, you gotta visit The Varsity in downtown Atlanta. Try a Frosted Orange,  a chili-dog (I don't eat meat but those were good when I did eat meat), hand-cut fries and onion rings. And send me a photo of your food. I will be so jealous. Want some Varisty-menu lingo according to the great Flossie Mae? Order this way:

"Hot Dog a hot dog with chili and mustard
Chili Dog same as a hot dog
Naked Dog a plain hot dog in a bun
M.K. Dog a naked dog with mustard and ketchup
Regular C Dog a chili dog with ketchup only
Red Dog a naked dog with ketchup only
Yellow Dog a naked dog with mustard only
Yankee Dog same as a yellow dog
Heavy Dog a hot dog with extra chili
Walk a Dog (or Steak) a hot dog (or hamburger) to go
Steak a hamburger with mustard, ketchup, and pickle
Chili Steak a hamburger with chili
Glorified Steak a hamburger with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato
Mary Brown Steak (or Dog) a plain hamburger (or hot dog) without a bun
Naked Steak a plain steak
Sally Rand a naked steak
Sally Rand Through the Garden a naked steak with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise
N.I. Orange a Varsity Orange without ice
F.O. a frosted orange shake
Joe-ree coffee with cream
P.C. plain chocolate milk (always served with ice)
N.I.P.C. a P.C. without ice."  ~ Flossie Mae sang this menu at your car window. Those were really the good-old days.