city ablaze
In the breathless aftermath of Atlanta's role as the 1996 Olympic host city, the High Museum opened a far-reaching exhibit of Henri Matisse's paintings, drawings, sculpture, cutouts, prints, illustrated books, sets of liturgical vestment, and a stained-glass window. The 140-piece collection, on loan from New York's Museum of Modern Art, held the city in its colorful grips and inspired a number of companion events across the city. Restaurants offered decadent desserts fashioned after key paintings; colorful banners waved from every street corner; schools exhibited student work inspired by field-trips to the museum; literary salons staged readings from works penned during Matisse's life; lectures on the life and times of Matisse abound.
Atlanta's understanding of the impact a community-wide embrace can exert on a city's cultural advancement and economic future was exciting and felt progressive.
At the time, I was working my way through college by planning parties in the tony enclave of Buckhead, and French-theme bashes were all the rage. The society set sported Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent while their glasses overflowed with champagne.
When I returned home to Charleston some years later, Spoleto's increasing influence on the greater city was evidenced by the growing number of companion events surrounding the Festival. I was delighted to discover the often provocative arts festival had evolved into a tour de force that sets the city ablaze with art, culture, cuisine, cocktails, and fashion every year.
The third annual Taste of Spoleto, held Friday night, gave locals the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to selected performances, view video of this year's productions and sample wine while noshing on Italian hors d'oeuvres. This event previously featured festive table dressing and party decoration ideas and while the growing attendance may have rendered that aspect space prohibitive, recipe cards that correlate to the hors d'oeuvres served at the Taste of Spoleto might inspire guests to plan their own pre or post performance soiree.
Bonus: Eagle-eyed guests might have spotted the beautiful Nicole Cabell who was hurrying to a rehearsal of "Roméo et Juliette," in which she plays the lead. She was accompanied by stage directors Olivier DeLoeuil and Jean Phillippe Clarac.
Judging by the line to purchase tickets at last night's event, which stretched across the entire Gaillard lobby, it would appear the local audience eagerly awaits the 2006 Spoleto Festival USA.
Karla and Matt Crum purchase performance tickets and share their enthusiasm for the Spoleto Soiree.
Atlanta's understanding of the impact a community-wide embrace can exert on a city's cultural advancement and economic future was exciting and felt progressive.
At the time, I was working my way through college by planning parties in the tony enclave of Buckhead, and French-theme bashes were all the rage. The society set sported Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent while their glasses overflowed with champagne.
When I returned home to Charleston some years later, Spoleto's increasing influence on the greater city was evidenced by the growing number of companion events surrounding the Festival. I was delighted to discover the often provocative arts festival had evolved into a tour de force that sets the city ablaze with art, culture, cuisine, cocktails, and fashion every year.
The third annual Taste of Spoleto, held Friday night, gave locals the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to selected performances, view video of this year's productions and sample wine while noshing on Italian hors d'oeuvres. This event previously featured festive table dressing and party decoration ideas and while the growing attendance may have rendered that aspect space prohibitive, recipe cards that correlate to the hors d'oeuvres served at the Taste of Spoleto might inspire guests to plan their own pre or post performance soiree.
Bonus: Eagle-eyed guests might have spotted the beautiful Nicole Cabell who was hurrying to a rehearsal of "Roméo et Juliette," in which she plays the lead. She was accompanied by stage directors Olivier DeLoeuil and Jean Phillippe Clarac.
Judging by the line to purchase tickets at last night's event, which stretched across the entire Gaillard lobby, it would appear the local audience eagerly awaits the 2006 Spoleto Festival USA.
Karla and Matt Crum purchase performance tickets and share their enthusiasm for the Spoleto Soiree.
posted by Ida One at 10:47 AM
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