ABOUT TOWN: André Kertész: Postcards From Paris now at the High
Origami, cabaret, Verdi, Irish shenanigans and more elsewhere
The early work of Hungarian photographer André Kertész is now on display at the High Museum until late May. Kertész established himself as an avant-garde artist, diarist and documentarian in 1920s Paris, the world’s cultural capital at the time, rising to prominence alongside the likes of Berenice Abbott and Man Ray. He printed many of his photographs on carte postale, or postcard paper, crafting his images in a darkroom into a new format. The High exhibition is the first of its kind, gathering these rare prints under one roof and hinting at the expansive nature of his later work. With the onset of World War II, Kertész moved to New York, where he at first struggled to succeed, gradually gaining recognition and becoming a seminal figure in photojournalism with solo shows, books, awards, and, ultimately, critical acclaim. “I write with light,” Kertész said of his oeuvre, while the great Henri Cartier-Bresson commented, “We all owe him a great deal.”
André Kertész: Postcards From Paris, High Museum. $16.50 general admission. Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 12 noon–5 p.m. Mon., closed. Through May 29. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street NE; Atlanta 30309. 404-733-4400 high.org @HighMuseumofArt
Now through Thu., June 30
O’Keeffe: One Hundred Flowers, The Illuminarium — Illuminarium Experiences presents an immersive journey of color, texture, and scent through the iconic floral paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, the “Mother of American Modernism.” The show amplifies her images “to create a stimulating art experience that transports audiences directly into living paintings” backed by a powerful all-female soundtrack. “Georgia O’Keeffe is one of the most admired Modernist painters and a celebrated icon for her crusade in creating a space for female artists,” says CEO Alan Greenberg. “We are inviting the public to experience her work like never before – a showcase of living-and-breathing virtual gardens of her most acclaimed pieces. This is the only opportunity for viewers to interact directly with her work, some of which is not on public display. For those not familiar with her art, this is a fantastic introduction, and we hope guests will continue their education well after their visit to Illuminarium.”
$25 - $45 7 p.m. nightly for adults over 21. The Illuminarium, 550 Somerset Terrace NE; Atlanta 30306. 404 341 1000 illuminarium.com @IlluminariumATL
Sat., May 7 - Sun., Oct. 16
Origami in the Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden — Folded paper meets metal sculpture at Origami in the Garden, starting May 7 and continuing until October at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. “We need to be outside experiencing the small things like flowers and bees, ‘’ says co-creator Jennifer Box. “As a bonus, visitors can have a cultural experience viewing the exhibit artworks that mimic such themes.” She and partner Kevin Box have mounted a traveling exhibition featuring nearly 70 sculptures inspired by the ancient Japanese art of paper folding known as origami. In their largest outdoor display so far, the two Santa Fe artists will present dozens of massive birds, emerging butterflies, blooming flowers, grazing deer and other flora and fauna themes - all made from paper and wax that is fabricated into cast-metal pieces. Collaborators include world-renowned origami artists Robert J. Lang, Te Jui Fu, Beth Johnson and Michael G. LaFosse. “These remarkable artworks feel at home in the wondrous setting of botanical gardens,” a press release said, “since paper originates in plant life and origami is made of paper.”
$22 - $41. Free for members & children under 3. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta 30309. 404-876-5859 atlantabg.org @ATLbotanical
Sun., May 8, 15, 22
The Wake: A New Play With Old Irish Songs, Shakespeare Tavern — A wake brings together a motley assortment of cronies and ne’er-do-wells to remember one of their own. Finn O’Conner has left behind a trail of devastation and the event perpetuates it, throwing in memories, laughs, traditional songs, brawls and score-settling. The playwright is industry veteran Vynnie Meli, who also penned some of the lyrics. Additional music is by Scott DePoy, who has acted in theaters all over Atlanta and appeared on the Cold Mountain soundtrack, as well as singing at the Academy Awards with Elvis Costello and Alison Krauss. “You can’t not be happy listening to Irish music,’’ says Meli. “So when I hear Scott DePoy and this delightful cast start in with their harp, pipes, mandolin, banjo, bodhran and guitars — joy.” Direction is by Mira Hirsch. The cast consists of Trevor Goble, Christina Leidel, Rivka Levin, Spencer Stephens and Clark Taylor. Organizers say it will make for a lively evening onstage and in the audience. “You don’t have to wear your Sunday best, but a thick skin might come in handy.”
$20 - 25. 7:30 p.m. Sun., May 8, 15 & 22 The Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree Street NE; Atlanta 30308. 404-874-5299 shakespearetavern.com @shakespearetav
Sat., May 14
Jeremy Jordan, The Art Farm at Serenbe — The Art Farm is kicking off an open-air cabaret series called Broadway in the Woods with a performance by singer and actor Jeremy Jordan, known for his Tony-nominated role in the play “Newsies.” The Serenbe hype says “The powerhouse singer will recount the iconic moments from his budding career by performing the songs that have propelled him to stardom.” Other stage work has included “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” and “West Side Story.” On television Jordan appeared in “Law and Order,” “Smash” and “Supergirl” and he acted in movies such as Joyful Noise with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah and The Last Five Years opposite Anna Kendrick. Jordan recently signed on to portray the lead role in a biopic of Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart titled Spinning Gold.
$150 – ($1,000 special limited VIP meet-and-greet is a separate admission ticket at a different location). The Art Farm at Serenbe, 10455 Atlanta Newnan Road, Palmetto 30268. 678-427-4525 artfarmatserenbe.org @artfarmserenbe
Sat., May 21
David Feldman and ATL Collective, Plywood Place — A bash to celebrate entrepreneur David Feldman’s book Small By Design: The Entrepreneur’s Guide for Growing Big While Staying Small is happening at Plywood Place in May. The event will feature a set by ATL Collective, of which Feldman is a member; the band is known for covering entire classic albums. Feldman is also a founder of the creative branding agency 3Owl in Atlanta, a columnist for Forbes, and a guest lecturer in marketing at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, from where he holds a dual degree in music and business. Small By Design, his first book, “reveals how small businesses can make a major impact with a minimalist mindset,” a press release says. “The value a company creates is not a function of its size, and according to Feldman, the clutter of conventional growth often gets in the way of sustainable success and rewarding relationships.”
$25 entry fee includes cocktails and a signed copy of the book. 7 p.m. Plywood Place, 933 Lee Street SW; Atlanta 30310 eventbrite.com @PlywoodPeople
Thu., May 19 - Fri., May 20
Voices of Verdi, Atlanta Symphony Hall — Giuseppe Verdi gets a whole evening to himself in this two-part program presenting Act III from “Rigoletto” followed by the third act from “Aida.” The Italian composer, who died in 1901, found great success with many of his operatic works - titles such as “Otello,” “Nabucco,” “Il Trovatore” and “La Traviata.” Based on Victor Hugo’s play The King Amuses Himself, “Rigoletto” initially upset censors and critics with its negative depiction of royalty but eventually found favor after a few tweaks from the composer. “Aida,” inspired by the Suez Canal opening, figures prominently in the global operatic canon, having been performed at New York’s Metropolitan Opera more than a thousand times. The concert features mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, sopranos Michelle Bradley and Jasmine Habersham, tenors Clay Hilley and Santiago Ballerini, bass Burak Bilgili and baritone Reginald Smith; the conductor is Nicola Luisotti.
Call 404-733-5000 for ticket prices. 8 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree Street NE; Atlanta 30309. aso.org @AtlantaSymphony
Wed., May 25 - Sun., Jun. 26
Trading Places, The Alliance Theatre — The Alliance is staging the premiere of the “Trading Places” musical which is based on the Eddie Murphy-Dan Aykroyd hit film of the same name. Directed by Kenny Leon, it features music from Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (First Date) and is written by Thomas Lennon (Night at the Museum, Reno 911).The piece is a contemporary reimagining of the original comedy but is still set in the 1980s. Broadway actor Aneesa Folds plays con artist Billie Rae Valentine and Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham is financier Louis Winthorpe III. In the plot, Valentine and Pinkham are manipulated into switching jobs and fortunes after being tricked by two rich brothers. “We’re exploring the idea of what would happen if we all traded places with someone else, even for a day, literally putting yourself in someone else’s shoes,” Leon says in a press release. “It’s relevant; it’s uplifting; everyone will feel heard and represented, and you’re going to laugh a lot. It’s the perfect play for right now.”
$25 - $78 Teens $10. 7:30 p.m. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree Street NE; Atlanta 30309. 404.733.4600 alliancetheatre.org @alliancetheatre
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