The Buckhead Theatre opened in 1930 at 3110 Roswell Road, a focal point of the Buckhead Triangle intersection. This former movie theatre now hosts a variety of performances and events such as lectures, comedy, Broadway plays, concerts, private and public events. The Theatre opened on June 2, 1930, and quickly became a popular movie house & icon of Buckhead nightlife.
The Buckhead Theater was taken over by Weis Theaters in 1962, and became known as the Capri Theater. The Capri was a first-run movie theater in the 60’s, showing films like “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and other top films of the day. The Capri Theater operated as a movie theater until 1977.
Renowned Atlanta concert promoter Alex Cooley turned the defunct movie theater into a short-lived music venue from January 1979 until July 1980. Opening night of the new Capri Ballroom featured Waylon Jennings inside, and a terrible ice storm outside. Other notable acts to perform at the Capri Ballroom included Patti Smith, Peter Tosh, the Boomtown Rats, and Santana.
The theater went back to the movies in 1980, when it became Atlanta’s first cinema and draft house. The Buckhead Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse was a movie theater, but the venue hosted two live concerts while under that name. Punk rock bands Husker Du and the Ramones played the Buckhead Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse in February and March of 1987 respectively.
In the early 90’s, the theatre became The Roxy led by renowned promoter Alex Cooley. The Roxy enjoyed countless sold-out performances by some of the most legendary names in music. However, years of rowdy crowds took their toll on the theatre and The Roxy closed in 2009.
Developer and owner Charlie Loudermilk was determined to preserve the historic building, and it was reopened in 2013 under its original name after a $6 million renovation. The Buckhead Theatre still hosts sold out concerts and community/corporate events on one of the most prominent streets on Buckhead. The neighborhood looks quite different these days, including the 22 story Hannover Buckhead Village apartment tower next door to the theatre.
Loudermilk Park occupies the space across the street from the theatre, where a statue of the late Charlie Loudermilk gives a perpetual “thumbs up” to one of his many contributions to the Buckhead community.
The Buckhead Library continues to support local artists, and especially the photography community, with the “Dreamscapes” exhibit. The exhibit is part of Atlanta Celebrates Photography (ACP), and includes an opening reception from 1:00-5:00pm on August 13.
Dreamscapes features images created by neuro-diverse artists on their own, and through various local photography workshops. Photographers were encouraged to create images that communicate their dreams using a medium that transcends language and description.
Many of the photographs on display were created by residents of Two Sparrows Village. Two Sparrows is a co-housing community for neuro-diverse adults. Artistic director Lisa Kiely told us, “Two Sparrows Village was established to create communities where adults living with intellectual disabilities can discover a world of possibilities and achieve independence according to their abilities. Our vision is to provide a supportive living environment for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism to thrive. Our mission is to provide opportunities for life-long learning, meaningful friendships, and opportunities to contribute to their communities.”
Lisa Kiely and Corinne Adams, with Two Sparrows Village, ACP and Illuminate Atlanta, thought this would be a wonderful way to bring all the organizations together and to share with the greater community. Along with local photographers and instructors like Sara Keith of the Atlanta School of Photography, and the Buckhead Library, Lisa and Corinne have provided a wonderful opportunity for undiscovered artists to explore their creativity and share their work with the community.
The exhibit, “Dreamscapes”, will be on display at the Buckhead Library through September 30.
BUCKHEAD LIBRARY INFO:
Tel. 404-613-7350
269 Buckhead Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Library hours: M-Tu 10-8, W-Sat 10-6, Sun-closed
This gallery of images is from a recent photography workshop, hosted by Sara Keith. The workshop description from the organizers:
The Two Sparrows workshop explored color and perspective. We asked ourselves how we could creatively introduce color into our images? Using color gels (tinted sheer plastic sheets), students experimented with different colors in a range of environments. Then, we used miniatures to create small scenes to learn about perspective. Creative problem solving and artistic solutions were folded in as the students took on semi-independent learning, while we gave plenty of time for hands-on exercises.
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
