Around Atlanta
Fall and Holiday Concerts Return at Gas South Arena
It was back on August 17 that Gwinnett had its long-awaited 2021 return of live music for large audiences. Then for the first time since March 2020, I attended with friends a full-house concert—there were more than 13,000 fans, starved for big-time entertainment. For about 18 months, the COVID pandemic had shut down concert venues nationwide. Our live music indoor quarantine was first lifted at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 30097, only minutes from Peachtree Corners. Masks were recommended by management but not required. The tunes took place in an older, familiar building that has assumed a brand new name.
James Taylor & Jackson Browne inaugurated the Gas South Arena
The newly named Gas South Arena, the scene of this happiness, was formerly known as the Infinite Energy Arena. A bit of a curve ball, new corporate sponsorship. (Gas South is based in the ATL, serving more than 425,000 natural gas customers from all sectors throughout much of the southeast, also NJ and Ohio.) The building name change had been legally complete. However, all of the Infinite Energy Arena signs were to be removed from the Gas South Arena District campus.
In the inaugural Gas South concert James Taylor, 73, and Jackson Browne, 74, lived up to their reputations as enduring 1970s-80s music hits icons. Because they both were backed by an All-Star band, they also offered long, bluesy jams. Their songs, separate and together, were terrific.
The newly named Gas South Arena can hardly be called a startup operation. But the pandemic’s interruption has been so long, it made fans and performers appreciate a wonderful new re-start. In September there were scheduled two big shows, led by country music star Blake Shelton and also legendary British guitarist and blues & rock singer Eric Clapton. As we move into October this fall, Gas South Arena is set to hit stride during the winter holidays.
Except for new signage at Gas South Arena, the popular building is seemingly the same—fans and performers have long appreciated the charming former Infinite Energy Center arena. It’s comfortable without the nosebleed seats of stadium arenas and it attracts top acts. Easy outdoor parking is in an adjacent lot. Convenient location in Gwinnett off I-85 with a surprisingly intimate concert hall for 13,500 makes the scene fan-friendly.
Under the old Infinite Energy Arena brand the venue has long represented the ATL on major popular music tours. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, for example, gave a memorable performance there in 2017. The building is energized with its new name. All systems are go for the concert season at Gas South Arena.
Fall and Holiday 2021 Concerts at Gas South Arena
Following is a schedule of the impressive, eclectic array of musical events scheduled this fall from October-December, going into Christmastime:
Oct. 8: Mexican music star Pepe Aguilar.
Oct. 10: Contemporary Christian band MercyMe.
Oct. 30: Dominican recording artist El Alfa.
Nov. 6: Cumbia (Latin traditional rhythm folk singers) Los Angeles Azules.
Nov. 13: Mexican singer and 3-time Latin Grammy winner Christian Nodal.
Dec. 2. Two female-fronted rock groups joining forces, Evanescence & Halestorm.
Dec. 3. Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Farruko.
Dec. 12 (afternoon and evening performances) Heavy metal rock symphonic Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays a classic winter holiday show and also their new program, Christmas Eve and other stories. They rocked the old Infinite Energy Arena in 2019 but of course took last year off for the pandemic. This group is so popular and associated with Christmas so much that it employs equally accomplished East and West Coast ensembles when they tour, always in December. They routinely offer 2 shows per concert date. So if you want some great musical entertainment, then visit the Gas South District site for more info. Schedule can be subject to change.
The megahit musical Jersey Boys makes its regional premiere in City Springs Theatre Company’s (CSTC) first-ever, five-week run at the Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs.
Directed by Atlanta’s-own Shane DeLancey, and choreographed by Meg Gillentine, Jersey Boys tells the rags-to-riches story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The show details their remarkable journey from the streets to the top of the charts, to their 1990 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Leading the cast of Jersey Boys is Haden Rider as Frankie Valli. Rider is a City Springs Theatre Company veteran, with recent roles in both Legally Blonde (Emmett) and Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik).
Presented by Resurgens Spine Center, Jersey Boys runs from July 12 through August 11, and shines a special spotlight on home-grown talent, as the show’s four leading men are all Atlanta-area residents.
With phenomenal music, memorable characters and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history.
“City Springs Theatre Company is very proud to be the first in the southeast region to present Jersey Boys,” said CSTC Artistic Director and Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley. “Our audiences have been asking for this particular show since we opened. The production is truly stacked with talent onstage and off, and we’re pulling out all the stops to bring audiences an experience that will rival any previous version of the show.”
Jersey Boys premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2005, prior to its 13-year Broadway run, from 2005 to 2017. There have been productions of the show in Las Vegas, UK/Ireland, Toronto, Melbourne, Singapore, South Africa, the Netherlands, Japan, Dubai and China.
Jersey Boys features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
Individual tickets to see Jersey Boys are on sale now ($42 – $108), with discounts for seniors, students, groups and active and retired military personnel.
CSTC’s Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Call 404-477-4365 or visit CitySpringsTheatre.com for more information.
This production contains adult language and is recommended for mature audiences.
Performance schedule:
Friday, July 12 | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 13 | 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 14 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16 | 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 18 | 8:00 p.m.
Friday, July 19 | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 20 | 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23 | 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 25 | 8:00 p.m.
Friday, July 26 | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 27 | 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 28 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30 | 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31 | 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 1 | 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 2 | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 3 | 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 4 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 6 | 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 7 | 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 8 | 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 9 | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 | 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 11 | 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever and a collaborative of Titanic collectors announced today the launch of its latest exhibition Titanic: An Immersive Voyage.
The companies also announced that Milan, Italy and Atlanta, Georgia have been selected as the initial host cities for the next generation experience. Titanic: An Immersive Voyage is scheduled to open in Atlanta on July 25.
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage will feature more than 300 artifacts from Titanic and its sister vessels the Olympic and the Britannic, as well as objects from Carpathia and Californian, two additional ships key to Titanic’s story.
Items to be showcased in the experience were curated from multiple collections including treasures from Kevin Saucier, the owner of one of the largest private collections of Titanic memorabilia in the world. Priceless artifacts from the collection of Spencer Knarr will also be featured in the all-new Titanic experience. Mr. Knarr started his collection at the age of 12.
“Titanic is the most enchanting ship of all time and is revered by many as an iconic gem,” said John Zaller, Executive Producer at Exhibition Hub. “We’re delighted to tell this immortal story in our signature humanistic and immersive style, and to share it with guests around the world. We could not be more appreciative of the collectors who have joined us on this journey.”
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage represents an entirely new approach to the story of the world’s most famous ocean liner. The experience features more than 300 artifacts, and dramatic room re-creations from the ship, along with advanced theatrical techniques and breathtaking technological overlays that place guests inside the story of the celebrated Titanic.
“Titanic: An Immersive Voyage engages the Titanic story like never before,” said Zaller. “Our expertise in exhibition design and immersive storytelling creates an unforgettable emotional connection to Titanic.”
“The mold for a Titanic exhibition was in need of a refresh,” said Mr. Knarr. “And, Exhibition Hub, with its success in creating immersive experiences, was just the company to do it. I’m really excited to have been invited to participate.”
Knarr’s fellow collector echoed those sentiments.
“One meeting with John Zaller and Exhibition Hub was a lock,” said. Mr. Saucier. “It’s a great way to break away from the traditional exhibit case and create a worldwide touring show. There are collectors who keep their treasures hidden and there are those of us that want to share with the world.”
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage uses cutting-edge storytelling technology to create a powerful emotional connection between visitors and those 2,200 souls onboard. The experience also features hands-on activities, in-depth learning opportunities, projection mapping, a detailed audio tour, educational materials, a special selfie zone, a unique green-screen photo opportunity and an expansive retail store with items from Titanic and her sister ships for sale.
More Information – The waitlist for tickets is now open and tickets will officially go on sale on June 17. Visit expo-titanic.com/atlanta to join the list.
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