About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2024)
LOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2024 • PAGE 6 Smoke Rise students win national film award Students from Smoke Rise Academy for Arts won the school’s second Freddie G. Excellence in Music award. Photo by Marcus Woollen BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Students from Smoke Rise Academy of Arts in Tucker won a Freddie G. Excellence in Music award and were recognized for other accomplishments at the 2024 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta (JTF Atlanta) in January. The students attended the festival from Jan. 12 through 14 at Cobb Convention Center in Atlanta. Students Jacob Kim and Eliza Schloss were named Junior Theater Festival All- Stars, which a news release states recognizes a group of outstanding performers. Cierra Thomas and Erin Moore joined Kim and Schloss as Smoke Rise students honored at the event. The news release states that the two made it to the call-back for a yet- to-be announced project promoting musical theater in schools. The Smoke Rise students all earned their awards and recognitions based on a 15-minute performance they put on at the theater festival. Smoke Rise students presented Disney's Aladdin JR. to a judges' panel consisting of Shay Rodgers—a choreographer for educational videos produced by Theatrics and Creator of the Academy for Theatre Under the Stars— and Robert Hindsman, an adult programs manager with Alliance Theatre Education. Rodgers had high praise for the DeKalb students from Smoke Rise, calling their production the most amazing production Rodgers has ever seen at the event. "This piece was Broadway caliber," said Rodgers. "The world that was created right in front of our eyes was magical and unforgettable. I have truly never seen a production this amazing at JTF. I look forward to seeing what else they create in the future. The group trust is amazing. The lifts that were created show so much trust within each individual." "I can't imagine how many hours of rehearsal went into this SEE AWARDS ON PAGE 7 MARDI GRAS Continued From Page 1 From 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 10, revelers can enjoy live music, dancing, food, and drinks. Masquerade masks and costumes are encouraged. Admission is $35 per person. Visit rbgentertainment.com for more information and to purchase tickets. BROOKHAVEN C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar, located at 3930 Peachtree Road NE, is celebrating Mardi Gras with its annual Fat Tuesday party on Feb. 13. Starting at 11 a.m., the restaurant will be offering traditional Fat Tuesday dishes such as BBQ shrimp and beignets, as well as drink specials. Guests will also receive Mardi Gras beads and other swag. Visit http://www.candsoysterbar. com/brookhaven/home/index.html for more information. STONECREST A party bus will be taking participants right into the heart of the Mardi Gras action during a trip from Stonecrest to New Orleans, Louisiana. According to organizers, the party bus will be jam-packed with non-stop music, snacks, soft drinks, and Jello shots. Guides will be along for the ride to share the history of Mardi Gras, stated organizers. The bus will load passengers at Stonecrest Mall, located at 2929 Turner Hill Road in Stonecrest on Feb. 10, 2024, beginning at 1:30 a.m. near the JCPenney parking lot. It will depart from New Orleans to return to Stonecrest on Feb. 11 at 2 a.m. with stops for food along the way. Tickets for the party bus are $150 per person. Participants must be 21 and older. Visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/mardi-gras-day-party-bus- trip-15000-tickets-788761114727 for more information and to purchase tickets. STONE MOUNTAIN Come out for a Mardi Gras parade featuring colorfully decorated floats, cars and umbrellas during the Stone Mountain Village Mardi Gras Dance and Umbrella Parade. The parade is set to begin at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in downtown Stone Mountain located at 5384 Manor Drive. From 1 to 5 p.m., there will be live music, arts and crafts and food trucks. Those coming to observe the parade can bring folding chairs. Visit stonemountaincity.org for more information. DEKALB Continued From Page 1 Tools such as tax allocation districts (also known as tax increment financing), which governments use to help generate new economic development in underdeveloped or distressed areas according to Decide DeKalb's website, will be an important part of drawing businesses to South DeKalb, said DeBarr. An example of how tax allocation districts can attract businesses is Eden's redevelopment of North DeKalb Mall, which is currently ongoing, said DeBarr. "That tax allocation district served as a signal to the private sector that we're serious about seeing the redevelopment of this mall," he said. "Eden stepped in and they're doing a robust redevelopment project. Now, we want to replicate that in other malls in DeKalb County, like the Gallery at South DeKalb. That's part of the reason we created the South DeKalb Tax Allocation District." The challenges throughout the county, such as access to public transportation and affordable housing, are nothing new and the approach to tackling these issues "requires thoughtful strategy," according to DeBarr. "This year, my hope is that we are launching, executing, and implementing a strategic South DeKalb plan which will include solutions to housing concerns," said DeBarr. "What we're looking to do, when we're talking about driving economic prosperity into South DeKalb beyond Memorial Drive is not an easy feat." DeBarr pointed to what he called a recent economic success for the area with the opening of Shadowbox Studios (formerly known as Blackhall Studios) which is located at 1415 Constitution Road in unincorporated DeKalb County. Currently, the studio spans more than 100 acres and features nine soundstages totaling 200,000 square feet with 650,000 square feet of support space, including warehouse, mill and office space, according to Shadowbox Studios' website. "Through our efforts, we were able to attract and recruit Shadowbox Studios here and we need to do more of that," DeBarr said. "We need companies to know that we have staff dedicated to helping them grow this region." For more information, visit decidedekalb.com.
