KURIOS™ – Cabinet of Curiosities – has arrived in Atlanta.
This new Cirque du Soleil extravaganza is now playing at Atlantic Station from Thursday, March 3, through Sunday, March 8. Check out the trailer for KURIOS!
In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his “curious” jump to life one by one.
KURIOS™ – Cabinet of Curiosities is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production since 1984. Cabinets of curiosities are the ancestors of museums, also known as the “cabinets of wonder” in the Renaissance Europe. Aristocrats, members of the merchant class and early practitioners of science formed collections of historical relics, works of art or mysterious travel souvenirs or artefacts. The show has a cast of 46 artists from 15 different countries. About 60% of the artists have already worked with Cirque du Soleil before.
The 116 tour members come from 22 different countries. Some have been touring with Cirque du Soleil for more than 20 years.
For more information about KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities now playing at Atlantic Station click here
Bud Light Apple recently launched in select test markets across the U.S. We’re happy the South was one of them! As y’all know we Southerners do appreciate a sweet beer. Bud Light Apple is a welcome addition to our local beer selection. Plus it works as a great base for a cocktail!
I even got mine gift-wrapped and delivered it to a friend for a brunch gathering! The hosts were tickled that we brought a new beer to sample (which I really should do more often since I’m blessed to get offers like this to promote new products). Bud Light Apple was a hit at the party.
A photo posted by Pretty Southern (@pretty_southern) on
Bud Light Apple would make a delicious pairing with baked apples or homemade apple butter. It’s a perfect beer for picnics, tailgating before a sports event, or even just a refreshing drink after a long day at the office. To find out if Bud Light Apple is available in your area, click here!
It may be in a more urban setting, but it has all the charm and offerings of a countryside winery. To be honest, I didn’t know it was there until I made plans to go with some coworkers a couple weekends ago. But I love visiting wineries, and I was beginning to think there weren’t that many around here. Fortunately that’s not the case. Living in North Carolina had me spoiled, where I had five wineries within 10 miles.
Wine-making started as a hobby for owner Ray DeBarge. In fact, he made his first bottle of wine as a teenager. It eventually grew into a passion that has since evolved into a business that makes many Chattanoogans and visitors happy. The Southside winery has been in operation for four years. They took their time perfecting their wines and starting to distribute; now they’re up and running and ready to make their mark in Chattanooga.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should add DeBarge Winery to your to-do list in Chattanooga.
5. It’s local. Call me a wine snob, but I’ll take a local wine over a bottle from the grocery store almost any day. Supporting local business is always a good move, too. Southerners love to keep the local economy blooming.
4. There are two locations. Yes, TWO spots to enjoy DeBarge wines. The urban winery is in Chattanooga, and the vineyards are in Lafayette, Ga., just 45 minutes down the road. The vineyards grow the grapes and send them up to the Southside urban winery for wine-making. I also hear the vineyards are a great spot for a picnic in the spring and summer.
3. Super friendly and knowledgable staff. Whatever question I had, the two people working there could answer it to the fullest of their ability. And they didn’t mind answering the same question multiple times.
2. It’s affordable. $5 for a 4-wine tasting is pretty cheap. And they don’t mind if you go for more than one round of tasting. They offer 12 wines for sampling at a time, including dry whites, dry reds, a dry rosé and semi-sweets. I did two rounds of tasting and loved all eight of the wines I sampled. Bottle prices range from $15 to $30, depending on availability and seasonality.
And… 1. The wine is delicious. DeBarge specializes in drier, European-style wine stored in the best wine storage, which is a great contrast to the sweeter wines we’re more used to in the South. Exact wines and blends vary throughout the year, so you might have a different mix each time you visit. Of the eight wines I sipped, the Chardanooga (Chardonel and Cayuga white blend), Cloudland White (Chardonnay, Vidal Blac and Traminette blend) and Oregon Riesling were my favorites. I’m not prejudiced against red wine, though; the Ridge Runner semi-sweet red blend was also wonderful.
Bonus reason: If you want to see the wine-making process up close and personal, DeBarge offers behind-the-scenes tours of their winery, at the Southside urban winery and at their North Georgia vineyards. Another bonus reason: it’s a great venue for special events.
One more bonus reason: You can join their Wine Club to get shipments of wine delivered to your door, and get free tours and information on exclusive events.
Are you convinced yet? I’ll see you at the tasting bar, where I’ll be sipping on some Chardanooga wine. For more information about DeBarge Vineyards, check out their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.
Editor’s Note A version of this post originally appeared on Kate’s blog, A Thought and a Half.
Beginning this month, STK Atlanta is offering a new wallet-friendly “T&A” menu, a.k.a. Tito’s Handmade Vodka & Appetizers, every Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Featuring handcrafted Tito’s cocktails made with Atlanta’s own 18.21 Bitters and elevated bar bites created by Executive Chef Mark Alba, all T&A menu items are just $5.
Simple Syrup, 18.21 Japanese Lime and Chili Bitters
For more information about STK, please visit www.stkhouse.com. STK Atlanta is located at 1075 Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta on the corner of Peachtree and 12th Streets in the 12th & Midtown development. Stay connected on Twitter and Instagram at @eatstk #stkatlanta.
It’s just over a month into 2016 and Mother Nature has already blessed us with a big blizzard. Fortunately Chattanooga didn’t get hit too badly, but my friends and family in other states are still digging out.
Winter stinks. It’s just not a fun three months. It’s cold, gray, dreary and colorless. And then there’s snow and icky winter weather. As soon as the s-word is mentioned, my mind goes into overdrive. The weather forecasts often change, and snow accumulation ranges aren’t always descriptive enough. The meteorologists on TV say your area will get six inches of snow. What does six inches of snow look like? How do you prepare? How long can you expect to stay inside? Will schools be closed?
What does that even mean? #SouthernProblems
Snow in my parents’ backyard, ca. 2013
This is where my years living in the Great White North come into play. I hate snow, but I know how to deal with it. My sweet mother hates winter almost more than I do.
So, with inspiration from my sweet mother’s snow-fueled sass, here’s a more accurate and more descriptive snow accumulation scale. In fact, it’s probably the only snow accumulation scale Southerners need.
The Only Snow Accumulation Scale a Southerner Needs:
0 – 6 inches: No worries. You can shovel your way out easily, and it’ll probably all melt by the end of the day, if not before. You might not even need a shovel (but buy one just in case). Oooh and ahhh at it while it’s around. Schools will probably still close, or at least run on delays.
6 – 12 inches: Girl Scout mode. Be prepared, but it’s not the end of the world. The shelves at the store won’t quite be empty. Go out and play in the snow. Build a snowman. Get some cookies, too, because, you know, Girl Scout mode and all.
12 – 18 inches: Grocery store, Target and Chick-fil-a run. Make those runs as early as possible. Shelves will empty faster this time. Make sure you have bread, eggs, milk, canned food, batteries, blankets, etc., and charge all of your electronic devices. Grab some extra layers of clothes. Schools will definitely be closed. Get a chicken sandwich and waffle fries while you can. Maybe even buy an extra one for the next day.
Snow at Elon, January 2015
18 – 24 inches: Hunker down. It might be a while before you can get out. Accept that cabin fever will set in eventually. Break out your favorite board game for entertainment. Yeah, remember board games? Scrabble is my jam. Coloring books are also great. I’m an adult, I promise.
24 – 30 inches: Hope and pray that maybe the weatherman missed it and it won’t be so bad. They’re wrong sometimes, you know. But if they’re right, schools will probably be closed for a week.
36+ inches: Just pray. Pray and wonder how unfair it is that people can get paid six figures for being wrong, one way or another.
Once you’ve assessed the appropriate accumulation, you can prepare and plan accordingly. Now if only the meteorologists on TV could get behind this, then winter might be more bearable.
Until then, I’ll be sitting on my couch, wrapped in my heated blanket, drinking frozen hot chocolate and waiting for winter to go away. I really hope that groundhog was right.
Join Executive Chef Kevin Ouzts and his culinary team at The Cockentrice for an afternoon in Burgundy, France on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m. Featuring six wine and cheese pairings with accompaniments from the rolling hills of Burgundy, Chef Ouzts along with host and General Manager Clayton Morey will share what this region has to offer for just $45 a person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are available at www.satinburg.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, please call The Cockentrice at (470) 428-2733 or visit www.thecockentrice.com. The Cockentrice is located at 99 Krog Street in Suite V Atlanta, GA 30307.
A celebration of charcuterie and meat cookery, The Cockentrice melds traditional and modern cooking techniques plucked from the rich heritage of the Southern United States and beyond. Open in Krog Street Market in Atlanta, Ga. and owned and led by Executive Chef Kevin Ouzts, the new American charcuterie restaurant features a decisive menu utilizing the preeminent ingredients he has become known for at The Spotted Trotter. With on-site butchers purveying the finest pastured meats and cheese mongers partnering hand-in-hand with premium local dairies, it’s The Cockentrice’s mission to pay tribute to the farmers and its fiercely supportive food community by making food the right way with every dish. The restaurant also has an expansive patio and a full bar featuring craft cocktails, local brews, wine and more. The Cockentrice is located at Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. For more information, visit www.thecockentrice.com or call 470.428.2733. Stay connected on Twitter at @cockentrice and on Instagram at @thecockentrice.
