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Cocktails • Dinner • Lunch • Brunch RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED: OLIVERSMACON.COM • OPENTABLE 478.305.7475 OPEN TUESDAY - SUNDAY 496 2ND STREET, DOWNTOWN MACON FOODIE FUNDRAISER THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS PRESENTING SPONSOR Burgess Pigment Company | Alex's PC Solutions NOVEMBER 16, 2023 Join us in dining out at our participating restaurants on Eat at one of the participating restaurants and they will donate 5% of sales for that day to the Loaves and Fishes Ministry of Macon PHOTO BY JAVE BJORKMAN BRONZE SPONSORS Raymond James| Dozier Law Firm SILVER SPONSORS Renasant Bank RESTAURANTS El Sazon | Grey Goose Player's Club | Oh Honey Bake Shop | Ingleside Village Pizza Dawson's Kitchen | El Sombrero | Sid's Sandwich Shop | Jonahs on Johnston Bears Den | Texas Border Grill PATRON SPONSORS Butler Automotive Group | Buzzell, Weish and Hill LLP Sheridan Construction | Signature Dentistry of Macon DONOR SPONSORS Heart of Georgia Insurance Del's Automotive Atlanta Black Theatre Festival Aug. 31 - Sept. 2, Douglass Theatre FOUNDED IN 2011 by poet, bestselling author, and producer Toni Simmons Henson as a four-day event featuring 40 plays showcasing preeminent theatre producers, writers, artists, and art lovers, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival (ABTF) made its Macon debut five years ago. Their goal was gathering to celebrate creative works for and about the Black experience. This Labor Day weekend, ABTF returns to Central Georgia at the historic Douglass Theatre, anchored by the theme of "Meeting in Macon at the Corner of Art and Soul." The event will feature world-class plays, film screenings, speakers, stage readings, and a Creative Arts Conference. The initial collaboration between ABTF and The Douglass began in 2018, facilitated by retired Douglass Theatre executive director Gina Ward. The pandemic paused the continuation of the partnership, but Henson and Dr. Shelton Land – who served as ABTF's Artistic Director and remains active as a member of its Advisory Board – decided the time was right to revive the collaboration. "In support of Dr. Land's success and wanting to shine the spotlight on this significant venue of Black culture, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is excitedly returning to the Douglass," said Henson. Land believes the attention from the ABTF will not only amplify and raise the profile of the venue, but also of the benefits and opportunities for the local artists and community to participate, engage, experience, and enjoy world-class Black theatre. "Exposure to what Macon has to offer first time visitors, and the discovery of what ABTF has to offer for aspiring and established artists who may not be familiar with the festival, is a win for all," he added. True to its mission and vision, the 2023 ABTF will celebrate the creativity of artists from around the globe, insisted Henson and Land. Both expect it to be one of the festival's best years ever. They say attendees will see why it is considered a "can't-be-missed" arts and culture event by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Tickets for this year's Atlanta Black Theatre Festival can be purchased by visiting douglasstheatre.org or in person at the Douglass Theatre box office during normal hours of operation. Additional information about the ABTF can be found at atlantabtf.org. — CLARENCE W. THOMAS, JR. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 | maconmagazine.com 123