THEATER
High school music nominees announced
Nominations for the Shuler Hensley Awards (also known as the the Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards) are out, and Fayette’s Starr’s Mill High School leads the pack with 14. Other nominee leaders are Atlanta International School and West Forsyth High School (12 each) and Milton High School (10). In all, 32 schools received either a nomination or an honorable mention. Full list: www.shulerawards.org. The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre awards ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. April 18. Tickets, $16, via Ticketmaster outlets, 1-800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com. HOWARD POUSNER

Continue reading Shuler Hensley high school musical nominees announced »

MUSEUM
Designer lets them eat cake

Lisa Humphreys of Couture Cakes will demonstrate the techniques behind her artfully designed creations, and even serve samples, during a “Drink in Design” presentation, 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Museum of Design Atlanta in Midtown. Humphreys’ cakes are featured in “Darkly, Deeply, Beautifully Blue,” a living room vignette inspired by Marie Antoinette that was created by Caryn Grossman and Chris Buxbaum of cg creative interiors. It recently took best of show honors in “The South’s Next Wave: Design Challenge” exhibit, on view through Sunday. “Drink in Design” is $10, $8 seniors, $5 students. 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-979-6455, www.museumofdesign.org. HOWARD POUSNER

ARTS
WonderRoot seeks fellowship applicants

WonderRoot arts center in Reynoldstown is accepting applications for its second Walthall Artist Fellowship, a career development program for metro Atlanta visual and performance artists at pivotal points in their careers, through …

Continue reading Culture notes: MODA designer lets them eat cake; WonderRoot seeks fellowship applicants »

ARTS
Fox tours put landmark in the spotlight
Anyone who has ever attended a Fox Theatre performance knows that the gilded 1929 movie palace is like a show unto itself, a magic carpet ride of Moorish and other exotic design influences.

Beginning April 1, the Fox will be the main attraction during new walking tours of the landmark at Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The hour-long tour will visit more than 10 locations throughout the building, including the main auditorium and balcony, mezzanine lounges featuring the original furniture chosen by Eve Fox, the globetrotting wife of movie-mogul William Fox, the Egyptian Ballroom and Spanish Room.

The employee-led tours will not travel onstage or backstage.

They will be offered at 10 and 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 10 and 11 a.m. Saturdays. Tickets — $18, $15 military and seniors, free for children 10 and under — via 1-855-285-8499, www.foxatltix.com or the Fox ticket office.

The Fox’s in-house …

Continue reading Culture notes: New Fox Theatre tours put landmark in the spotlight; Saturday Evening Post covers at Booth Museum »

THEATER
Serenbe’s 2013-14 season
The south Fulton County theater troupe Serenbe Playhouse has announced the lineup for its fourth season, which it has dubbed “A Season of Change”: a world premiere adaptation of Margery Williams’ “The Velveteen Rabbit” (June 7-July 27), Lee Blessing’s political drama “A Walk in the Woods” (June 27-July 14) and “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock[CQ] Musical” (July 25-Aug. 11). A major fundraiser, “The Dali Gala,” will precede the season on May 18. 770-463-1110, www.serenbeplayhouse.com. HOWARD POUSNER

DANCE
New Georgia Ballet leader named
Marietta-based the Georgia Ballet has selected a new artistic director, Alexandre Proia, who begins April 1. The French-born Proia danced with Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet and the Martha Graham Dance Company. In addition to responsibility over the professional dance company, the choreographer-instructor also will assume interim responsibility for the nonprofit Georgia Ballet School. HOWARD …

Continue reading Culture notes: Serenbe Playhouse’s 2013-14 season; Georgia Ballet names new leader »

VISUAL ART
City to dedicate Freedom Park public art

“Tree of Life,” a sculpture by Mexico City artist Yvonne Domenge, will be dedicated into the City of Atlanta Public Art Collection at its new site in Freedom Park at 4 p.m. March 20.

Located along North Avenue east of Oakdale Road, the bright red work features an abstracted 16-foot-tall “tree” and a pair of companion “seeds” (4-by-3-foot orange pods).

The grouping was part of a public art exhibition, “Interconnected,” in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The artist then decided to donate the six objects to cities across the U.S. Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs submitted a proposal that brings Domenge’s related trio to Freedom Park.

The artist will speak at the free ceremony, as will Mayor Kasim Reed and other city officials. Domenge also will give a free lecture on her public art practice and process at 6 p.m. March 20 at the High Museum of Art’s Hill Auditorium. 404-546-6788,

Continue reading Culture notes: City to dedicate Freedom Park public art; photo ‘Crusade’ benefit; Kahlo-Rivera designers to speak; Parks show closing »

“Dr. Seuss’s the Cat in the Hat” and “1001 Nights: A Love Story About Loving Stories” are highlights of the Center for Puppetry Arts’ just-announced 15-show 2013-14 season.

The puppetry center has sought to produce “Cat in the Hat” for 35 years, artistic director Jon Ludwig said, but rights were an issue until the smash run of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s adaption by playwright Katie Mitchell. “This was the book that got me reading,” he added, “and it should be a fun show for the kids and adults who have grown up reading it.”

“1001 Nights,” co-produced by the puppetry center and Flying Carpet Theatre Company of New York City, is an early work by Tony-winning composer-lyricist Robert Lopez of “Avenue Q” and “The Book of Mormon” fame. The story is about a princess who saves a kingdom, with cliffhangers and catchy tunes.

“Flying Carpet and the center have been mutual fans of each other’s work for some time,” Ludwig said. …

Continue reading ‘Cat in the Hat,’ Lopez’s ‘1001 Nights’ highlight puppetry season »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

The Hudgens Center for the Arts has announced four finalists for its second Hudgens Prize, which comes with a $50,000 award plus a solo exhibition at the Duluth arts center.

The finalists for the prize, one of the country’s largest for visual artists, are Christopher Chambers, Robbie Land, Derek Larson and Pam Longobardi. All of the artists are from Atlanta, except Larson, who is a Statesboro resident.

Chambers is primarily an installation artist whose work merges multiple disciplines. Land is a live-action and animation filmmaker and installation artist. Larson, director of Georgia Southern University’s 4D/New Media program, is a digital/multidisciplinary artist. Longobardi, a Georgia State University art professor, is an environmental artist.

They were chosen from among 370 applicants by a three-member jury: Doryun Chong, associate curator at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); Toby Kamps, chief curator of Houson’s Menil …

Continue reading 4 Georgia artists are finalists for $50,000 Hudgens Prize »

By Howard Pousner
hpousner@ajc.com

Even if you’re not among the 200 million people worldwide conversant in French, you may find the free and ticketed cultural programs being presented during the 14th Francophonie Festival,  March 16 through March 25, of interest.

Held at Alliance Francaise in Midtown, the fest includes film showings, a lecture and a friendship brunch. Highlights:

• Screening of “Incendies,” a 2011 Oscar nominee for best foreign language film. The Canadian drama from director Deniscq Villeneuve follows a twin brother and sister who attempt to unravel the mystery of their mother’s life on a journey to the Middle East. 7 p.m. March 19. Free.

• Screening of the kid-friendly “A Cat in Paris,” a 2012 Academy Award nominee for best animated feature, an artfully drawn caper about a Parisian kitty who leads a double life. 2:30 p.m. March 23 (5 p.m. showing sold out). Free.

• The Francophonie Friendship Brunch, 12:30-2:30 p.m. March 24 at Violette …

Continue reading Festival events have French accents »

THEATER
Jane Krakowski to headline Alliance benefit
The Alliance Theatre has announced that “30 Rock” star Jane Krakowski will be the entertainer for its annual “A Tony Evening” gala on May 18. The fifth annual event, benefiting Alliance educational program for youth and families, will honor Georgia Power president and CEO Paul Bowers and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind “Sesame Street,” for their support of arts in early childhood education. Stephanie Blank is serving as event chairwoman. Tickets: $300, $500 couple. 404-733-4612, www.alliancetheatre.org/atonyevening. HOWARD POUSNER

ARTS
Rialto leader Leslie Gordon to be knighted
Rialto Center for the Arts director Leslie Gordon will bestowed with the French honor of Knight in the National Order of Arts and Letters in a private ceremony on March 27. Denis[CQ, ONE N] Barbet, Consul General of France in Atlanta, noted the many French artists that Gordon has brought to Atlanta in recent years, including musician Angélique …

Continue reading Jane Krakowski to headline Alliance benefit »

Michael Simanga, hired by the National Black Arts Festival a year ago to create a new strategic direction for the Atlanta institution and to orchestrate this summer’s 25th anniversary event, announced his resignation Friday.

An NBAF statement suggested the July festival, presented mainly in Centennial Olympic Park in recent years, will go on.

Simanga’s resignation is effective March 15, when he completes his one-year contract as executive director. He is departing to “pursue other opportunities,” the statement said.

Simanga was the NBAF’s third director in four years. Still, the former Fulton County arts and culture official was seen by many as an insider who could be a stabilizing force.

But signs of instability remained. In December, Simanga eliminated the NBAF’s six full-time staff positions, converting three of the employees to contract roles. He called it a strategic shift aimed at making the festival sustainable.

NBAF board Chairman Evern Cooper Epps credited …

Continue reading National Black Arts Festival leader Michael Simanga resigns »