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Atlanta’s water crisis impacts art scene, Lavender Fest and project spending platform Speedchain

Theo

Evaluation Thursday

June 13 — A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect today, meaning children, people sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor activities by late afternoon and early evening.

🌞 Sunny and 90° today.

🤔 The suspect accused of carjacking a Gwinnett County bus Tuesday also witnessed the shooting in the Peachtree Center food court.

🚧 The westbound shoulder of I-285, from Mt. Vernon Highway to Riverside Drive, will be closed for three months starting today as work continues on a new auxiliary lane.

🔎 An investigation is underway after a bomb threat at a downtown Atlanta building that houses the U.S. consulate and passport offices.

➡ Fifty-three years after the disappearance of a business jet with three Cousins ​​Property executives on board over Vermont, experts believe they have found the wreckage in Lake Champlain.

🐾 PAWS Atlanta, which operates the Fulton and DeKalb animal shelters, has named Crystal Bowman as its new executive director.

🏀 The Atlanta Dream gets their first taste of the regular season against Caitlin Clark when they play Indiana tonight at 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN)

🎟️ Tickets are now on sale for Atlanta Opera’s production of “Rent” and “La bohème” at Pullman Yards this September.

SOMEWHERE ELSE

➡ At its annual meeting in Indianapolis, the Southern Baptist Convention voted against in vitro fertilization, but delegates, called messengers, narrowly rejected a proposal to constitutionally ban female pastors.

💵 The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged.

🏀 NBA legend Jerry West, the player who inspired the league’s logo, died yesterday at age 86.

🕖 Here is the content of today’s newsletter:

• Water crisis impacts A&E scene
• Lavender festival
• Quick chain start
AND
• Quick bites

Have a good day and drink lots of water,
Collin and Sammie

🏡 Relax in this Aspen-inspired home in Johns Creek, listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. This gated ranch spans 7.5 acres and features a porte cochere, gourmet kitchen, infinity pool, spacious porches, and equestrian facilities, offering the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury.

MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR

Photo by Casey G. Ford

1. The water crisis has led to heavy losses for the arts and entertainment scene

💧 Atlanta’s arts and entertainment venues continue to rack up losses from the week-long crisis related to burst water pipes that hit the city on May 31.

Plaza Theater owner Chris Escobar said the beloved theater lost $10,000 during the two days it was closed, while Theatrical Outfit canceled performances of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (photo) represented a loss of $7,500.

The Fox Theater lost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” after being forced to cancel K-pop group P1 Harmony, and State Farm Arena wouldn’t even discuss the revenue lost from having to reschedule two concerts by Megan Thee Stallion.

➡️ Read Sammie’s full report here.

RELATED

➡ New details have emerged regarding the recovery fund created by the city of Atlanta to help small businesses affected by the water crisis. Grants will vary between $2,000 and $10,000 depending on the number of days the business is closed. The Atlanta City Council is expected to approve an ordinance creating the fund at its June 17 meeting.

Charming Rustic Retreat on Lake Laceola

SPONSORED BY ATLANTA FINE HOMES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

🏔 Experience breathtaking views of the North Georgia mountains from this listed lakefront retreat Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. This rustic wooden lodge features a gourmet kitchen, a spacious great room, six charming bedrooms, and an expansive two-story deck. A boathouse overlooks Lake Laceola and mirrors the design of the main house, ensuring lakeside bliss.

Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty is metro Atlanta’s premier residential real estate company and number one in sales of luxury homes over $1.5 million.

👉🏼 Check out our current listings here.

Photo by Matt Glatzer Photography

2. Out Front will host the first Lavender Fest

🏳️‍🌈 Out Front Theater Company will host the inaugural season of the Lavender Performing Arts Festival – Lavender Fest for short – June 19-23.

Lavender Fest will be a series of nine shows over a five-day period, featuring queer talent from across the United States and around the world. Festival director Ty Autry (pictured) presented the idea to Out Front founder and artistic director Paul Conroy about two years ago. Autry serves on Out Front’s artistic advisory board and has always wanted to create a performing arts festival.

“The problem with fringe festivals or performing arts festivals like this is that we allow young artists to experiment with their work, and also to share avant-garde, strange or strange stories,” said Autry said. “When you come to see a show at one of these festivals, you might never see it again, or something like that.”

🎭 Learn more about Lavender Fest here.

Photo courtesy of Hypepotamus

3. Behind Atlanta-based project spending platform Speedchain

📱 The fintech world is dominated by neobanks, mobile payments and peer-to-peer lending companies. The world’s biggest fintechs, like Stripe and Chime, have become household names by focusing on how consumers pay and move their money.

But there’s a part of the financial world that fintech hasn’t really touched, says Atlanta-based entrepreneur Daniel Cage. This includes developing tools to help finance teams operate more efficiently. This is especially true for businesses that generate revenue through complex projects, such as general contractors and field services in the construction industry.

The reality is that finance teams often don’t have data or insight into how other departments within their company are spending money on different projects. It’s common for teams to work on multiple projects at the same time, but traditional financial tools lack the sophisticated categorization needed to track how employees in a modern business spend money. Cage and his team are looking to solve this problem with a new type of business project and expense management tool, Speedchain.

➡️ More information on this Hypepotamus story here.

🏡 High ceilings, walls of glass, and mahogany accents await you in this modern home in the heart of Buckhead. Listed with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International RealtyThis elegant custom-built retreat features a glamorous entry foyer, SieMatic kitchen, spa-inspired master suite, wine cellar and walk-in pool.

MESSAGE FROM THE SPONSOR

Photo courtesy of Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

4. Quick Bites

VIA SIDE DISH, A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER| REGISTER HERE

🥓 Early risers can now grab a bite to eat on the BeltLine from the Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall walk-up counter (pictured). Their new breakfast service, called Morningbird, is available Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. The menu features a selection of Southern classics, including a smoked honey glazed honey bun, a city ham and chow chow cheddar biscuit, and a burnt banana cold brew. with burnt-to-order bananas.

☕Perc Coffee has opened its new location on Wieuca Road near Chastain Park.

🌮 July 1st will mark the grand opening of Velvet Taco in Dunwoody. This will be the third location in Georgia.

🔥 Vegan Street Fair returns to Atlanta for a second year this weekend. Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 at Atlantucky Brewing on Northside Dr., expect tastes from local vegan and vegan restaurants. Follow their Instagram for more updates here.

🍷 The Atlanta Fish Market is hosting its second annual Caymus Wine Dinner on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27. The six-course dinner will feature a range of seafood – including sautéed Chilean sea bass and tuna carpaccio – as well as surf specialties and turf selections. Tickets can be purchased here.

🧠 Ready to show off your intelligence? Stop by the Pour Taproom in the Krog District for Boozy Brains Trivia every Wednesday starting at 7:30 p.m.

🍻 Charity Lager is now available at six locations, including Reformation Brewery in Woodstock, Canton and Smyrna. Designed as a beer with a purpose, proceeds from Charity Lager support the SHARE military initiative at Shepherd Center.

🍺 And speaking of beer, a new Brass Tap is now open in Marietta on Terrell Mill Road.

🎉 Earlier this week, Beth McKibben reported on Savi Provisions’ arrival at Grant Park Gateway, beating out two other finalists for the prized location. Savi has also just opened a 16th Location in the Atlanta area, this time in Virginia-Highland on North Highland Avenue.

🐕‍🦺 Thursday, June 20 will be the next monthly summer “Yappy Hour” at the InterContinental Buckhead. In collaboration with Livable Buckhead, The Americano will offer free dog treats, water bowls and light bites for humans. Cocktails and additional food are available for purchase. Admission is free, but RSVP is recommended.

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📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.

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