Grant Park Summer Shade Festival announces 2025 music and entertainment lineup
The Grant Park Conservancy has announced the music and entertainment lineup for the 23rd annual Summer Shade Festival, set for Aug. 23 to 24 in Atlanta’s oldest park.
The free two-day event will feature performances across two stages, beginning with yoga on Saturday morning and continuing with acts including Yes Ma’am, Velvet Edge, The Constellations, Rare Birds, KJ and the FunkMaysons, Migrant Worker, Das Kaiser, The Higher Choir and a headline set by Dropsonic. Sunday’s schedule includes Lee Harvey Wallbanger, Slow Parade, Predawn Pours, Nero Simon and the Sunsetters, Jackson County Line and Just Roxie. Local musicians and DJs will also perform throughout the weekend.
In addition to live music, the festival will feature family-friendly activities such as Deep South Wrestling shows, martial arts demonstrations and a Move and Groove session for children. Visitors can also explore a vintage market with a 1960s vinyl set by Turnin’ & Burnin’, browse art from more than 100 artists and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors. The weekend begins with the Adams 5K Run for the Park.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Grant Park Conservancy, which supports restoration and maintenance of the historic park. More details are available here.
— Derek Prall
Petitioners urge DeKalb County Commissioners to return Intrenchment Creek Park land to the public
The South River Watershed Alliance is organizing a petition to urge DeKalb County officials to buy 40 acres of Intrenchment Creek Park back from Ryan Millsap to return the land to the public.
Millsap received the section of the park in a 2021 land swap with the intention of developing a Blackhall Studios site, but has since sold the company and is reportedly considering selling the land to a data center developer.
Those who support protecting and preserving Intrenchment Creek Park for community use can sign the petition before the Tuesday, Aug. 26 board meeting when SRWA will present it to DeKalb County Commissioners.
— Grace Donnelly
Lenox Square adds 18 new and expanded retailers in 2025
Lenox Square will welcome 18 new and expanded retailers and restaurants in 2025. The Atlanta shopping center is adding a mix of luxury brands, fashion retailers and dining options, with several making their debut in the city.
Already open at Lenox Square are Rolex, Good American, Ray-Ban, Rowan and Claire’s. Additional openings scheduled later this year include IWC, Panerai, AllSaints, Mejuri, Cole Haan, Garage, Lovisa, Levi’s, Burberry, Ferragamo, Kelly’s Cajun Grill, Great American Cookie Company/Marble Slab and Starbucks.
David Vinehout, vice president of leasing at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, said the new lineup highlights the center’s momentum and focus on offering a variety of experiences. He noted the mix of first-to-market concepts and brand expansions reinforces Lenox Square’s reputation as a destination for luxury, fashion and lifestyle.
— Derek Prall
College Football Hall of Fame hosts Football Fest and Free Day
The College Football Hall of Fame will welcome fans with free admission on Saturday, Aug. 23, for its annual Football Fest & Free Day presented by the Peach Bowl. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., marks the return of the college football season with live entertainment, interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities.
Highlights include the College GameDay bus, DJs Jay Envy, Euphoria and Danny M, as well as MC Carlos Morales. Two reimagined exhibits debut during the event: Southern Company’s “Celebrating HBCUs,” featuring AI-powered visualizations of band members and majorettes and Coca-Cola’s “Fight Song Karaoke,” a gamified singalong experience on large LED screens.
The celebration also features inflatables, prize giveaways and appearances from Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck, mascots, cheerleaders and marching bands. Youth football and cheer clinics led by Atlanta Falcons staff will be offered with advance reservations.
New this year, guests can purchase VIP tours at a discounted rate of $35, which include guided access, a Hall of Fame-branded water bottle and a Chick-fil-A sandwich gift card. Visitors may reserve free tickets here. The Hall encourages attendees to use MARTA or nearby parking options.
— Derek Prall
Georgia Film Academy opens new training facility at Assembly Studios
The Georgia Film Academy has opened a 32,000-square-foot instructional facility at Assembly Studios in Doraville, marking a major milestone for Georgia’s film and television industry. The new site, located adjacent to the Assembly Atlanta campus, provides hands-on training with purpose-built soundstages, classrooms and equipment designed to mirror professional production environments.
The opening event featured remarks from University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Georgia Film Office Deputy Commissioner Lee Thomas, Gray Media CEO Hilton H. Howell Jr. and Georgia Film Academy Assistant Vice Chancellor Scott Votaw. Guests toured the facility, which officials said will prepare students for careers in Georgia’s fast-growing entertainment industry.
Certifications available through the program include film and television production, post-production,and live production, streaming and esports. The academy also offers a paid apprenticeship program, giving students direct experience on professional sets. Alumni have contributed to major productions such as “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Creed III,” and “Stranger Things.”
Assembly Studios, built on the former General Motors site in Doraville, serves as both a studio complex and innovation hub. The new facility expands the Georgia Film Academy’s statewide footprint, joining its base at Trilith Studios and five satellite locations across Georgia.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta History Center to open ‘Our War Too: Women in Service’ exhibit
The Atlanta History Center will debut “Our War Too: Women in Service” on Oct. 14, a traveling exhibition from The National WWII Museum that highlights the contributions of nearly 350,000 American women who served during World War II. The exhibition will remain on view through August 2026 in the Nicholson Gallery.
The display examines the roles of servicewomen in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, including the Women’s Army Corps, WAVES, SPARs, Women Marines, Women Airforce Service Pilots and the Army and Navy Nurse Corps. Organized by The National WWII Museum, the exhibition incorporates personal artifacts, immersive technology and original film content to tell their stories.
A key feature is “I Was There,” an interactive biography experience developed with StoryFile technology. Visitors can ask questions of three WWII servicewomen — Romay Davis of the 688th Central Postal Directory Battalion, Army nurse Virginia Wilterdink and Coast Guard baker Florence Smith — and receive responses recorded from interviews.
Other highlights include interactive scrapbooks and film installations. The exhibition is sponsored by the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation with local support from Atlanta-based donors. It follows “More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron,” which closes Sept. 7.
— Derek Prall
It’s great that the event includes activities for families and supports the Grant Park Conservancy. Can’t wait to enjoy the weekend vibes!