ATLANTA SHOUTOUTS

For almost a decade, World Oceans Arts has considered Atlanta to be, along with New York, a major hub and base camp. Although our projects have reached as far as California and eastern Europe and the Pacific Northwest, our presence has been most enduring and visible in Atlanta. We would like to point out a few of the many people and organizations here which have made a difference in the artistic life of the city and the entire country.

Speaking of the Northwest, it's almost beginning to feel like Seattle (birthplace of Starbucks) in hotLanta. We salute all the coffee houses and cafes and hard-working baristas who can be found almost every few blocks. A big salute also to all the public transit workers who make it possible for us to reach those places without combatting rush hour driving.

Atlanta is full of people and groups which strive to make life better and more meaningful.....CNN and all the other news media, who keep us in touch with every aspect of an increasingly frenetic world.......All Saints Episcopal parish which does so many things to lift this city up......the shelters and churches and individuals who do what they can to ease life for the many homeless people.....the city itself which does a lot to preserve many beautiful parks and countless trees in a sea of growing sprawl......Atlanta Audubon and the Humane Society, who remind us that life in those parks is not just human.....all the spokespeople and organizations who are encouraging citizens to vote next week, in recognition of how important it is for citizens to have a voice in how our nation is run.....all the people who are bold enough to speak out in protection of African Americans and LGBTs and immigrants and children and other often-ignored groups.....American Behcet's Disease Association, WOA's primary humanitarian partner over the past couple of years. 

The arts are greatly varied and robust in Atlanta, not just due to the Hollywood invasion but to many local entities who do great projects. Special congratulations go to Oglethorpe's recent Cabaret production, and all the musically talented Scotties who just gave two concerts on their beautiful campus, and all the professional and community theatre groups and art cinemas and music and comedy venues around town.

A few personal shoutouts too: Rachel (Rachael?) and everyone on the set of HBO's Brooklyn.....BG and other new friends.......two visitors from Michigan who helped me go joyously back to my roots in our conversation.......all the strangers who randomly smile and greet passersby on the street because -- well, after all, it is still the old South, isn't it?

--James Gibson
 

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