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Pat Conroy Reads from "South of Broad" Aug. 19

One of the South's most popular writers ever, Pat Conroy, returns to his one-time hometown with his first new novel in 14 years. 

The New York Times bestselling author of The Great Santini, The Lords of Discipline and The Prince of Tides presents South of Broad, a rich tale of complex friendships spanning decades and set largely in the city of Charleston, South Carolina.

"An Evening with Pat Conroy" is presented by A Cappella Books and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. The event takes place on Wednesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. at the Day Chapel of the Carter Center, located at 453 Freedom Parkway in Atlanta.

Tickets are $30 apiece and include a pre-signed first edition of the new novel. Conroy will not sign books at the event. Tickets are available from A Cappella Books in Little 5 Points,  (404) 681-5123 or www.acappellabooks.com.

Conroy will discuss his new work as well as his long, distinguished literary career with his wife, the novelist Cassandra King and Atlanta Magazine Book Editor Teresa Weaver. Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission.   

Neighborhoods Plan National Night Out

A number of Atlanta neighborhoods will be taking part in National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, a nationwide movement to build communities and strengthen partnerships between residents, businesses and the police department. 

Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA) will host its Annual National Night Out starting at 7 p.m. across from Atlanta Fire Station #1 at the intersection of Nelson/Chapel/Elliott Streets. Members of the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Department, City Council and others will be in attendance. There will be crime prevention materials and tips and will be helping spread the word on what the CHNA and APD are doing to help Castleberry Hill be crime free.

Virginia Highland/Atkins Park residents will meet on Aug. 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Arcadia Street on the west side of John Howell Park. Whole Foods will be donating free dinner for the first 250 residents in line, along with neighborhood musicians, and children's activities. New features this year will be $3 New Orleans sno-cones, and a chance to get a caricature portrait for $5 - bring along your wallet for these.

Atlanta City Councilmembers Joyce M. Sheperd and Carla Smith will be attending National Night Out at Perkerson Park, 770 Deckner Ave., from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 4. Representatives from the City of Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Rescue, Bureau of Code Compliance, the Department of Public Works and others will be on hand at Perkerson Park to offer public safety tips and address questions and concerns, especially concerning Districts 1 and 12. There will also be a school supply giveaway as well food and activities, including face painting and a moon walk for young people. Comcast Cable Communications will sponsor “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” on a large outdoor screen starting at 9:00 p.m. Moviegoers can bring chairs, blankets, and their own food and beverages for the night time entertainment.

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2008. www.nationalnightout.org.

Make a Film in 24 Hours

“On Your Mark. Get Set. Action!” The 3rd annual Film Racing Tour is coming to Atlanta on August 7th. Filmmakers of all levels of experience are invited to challenge their creative comfort zones by writing, shooting and editing an original film in just 24 hours. The 2009 tour will visit 20 cities across North America and offer aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to have their work premiere on the big screen and to compete for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

For the Atlanta Film Race, filmmakers are e-mailed a theme (such as revenge or greed) and surprise element (such as a prop or an action that must be performed in the film) at 10PM on Friday, August 7th. The filmmakers, who may work in teams, then have 24 hours to create an original short film no longer than 4 minutes and submit their finished film at a designated drop-off location by the 10PM deadline the next evening. All of the completed films will premiere for the public at a special screening at the Midtown Arts Cinema on August 13th. The top films from Atlanta will compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes against winning films from across North America.

Film Racing is operated by NYC Midnight Movie Making Madness, LLC, an organization that has been holding unique film competitions since 2002. Since launching the Film Racing Tour in 2007, NYC Midnight has awarded over $120,000 in cash and prizes. “It’s very important for us to provide our top filmmakers with the prizes and exposure to help them take their career goals to the next level,” says Competition Director, Charlie Weisman. “In addition to the prizes, Film Racing presents anyone who ever wanted to make a film the opportunity to go through the entire process overnight, and be rewarded with the unbeatable experience of seeing an audience react to their work on the big screen.” he said. “With digital technology, creative minds and a little inspiration, anything is possible. Even in 24 hours.”

The previous Atlanta Film Races produced a wide variety of comedies, dramas and thrillers that exhibited the filmmakers’ resourcefulness, creativity and sense of humor. Last year’s winner “Lady Lilacs Garden Apparel” (written and directed by Jamie Olmstead and available online) was an audience favorite that had the crowd of hundreds in stitches during the premiere screening. The event promoters expect the 2009 Atlanta Film Race to generate dozens of extraordinary films that capture the spirit of indie filmmaking. “Big budget movie-making is a slow, tedious process. The Film Race offers instant gratification for the filmmakers - and the audience,” says Film Race Producer Jason Koornick.

The entry fee for the Atlanta Film Race is US$95 per team before July 16th and US$115 until the final registration deadline of August 5th, 2009. Visit the official competition website at www.filmracing.com to register, learn more and watch winning films from past events. Interested teams can also enter the discount code “FILMRACER” to receive $10 off the entry fee. Join our Facebook group under “Film Racing”.

In the Loop Blog Change This Friday!

When we launch our new website on July 31, our blogs will be incorporated into our new site at www.AtlantaINtownPaper.com. We will still be updating In the Loop on a daily basis with events, breaking news, ticket sales and much more. Our new website will be a daily one-stop to find out what's happening in the community, the latest from local restaurants, tips and information on living green, updates from the real estate community, links to all the stories that appear in our monthly print edition and you can follow our Twitter feed from there, too. Bookmark www.AtlantaINtownPaper.com now and get ready for a whole new experience coming Friday!

Inman Park Dine Out, July 29

The Inman Park Dine Out is set for Wednesday, July 29. Inman Park restaurants and businesses will contribute a portion of their sales for the day, creating a neighborhood-wide fundraiser to support the Inman Park Security Patrol. Participating businesses will contribute 20% of overall sales for the day to the cause.

The Albert
Park's Edge Café
Luna Nueva
The Porter
Jake's Ice Cream
Highland Cigar
Fritti
Sotto Sotto
Zaya
Serpas
Front Page News
Shaun's
Jac
Intown Business Center
Dad's Garage
For shows on July 30, 31 and August 1
Float Spa
The Art Department
Sanctuary Realty
Hall's of Fine Wines
At the Collective
New Image Dentistry
Inman Park Pet Works
Ed Bair Computer Services
Wax
Cacao Laboratoire du Chocolat and
Boutique

For more information, visit this link.

Eyedrum Art Auction Benefit, Aug. 14

As an immediate response to its financial crisis, Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery announces an Art Auction Benefit to be held Friday, Aug. 14, from 7-10 p.m.

The benefit will include a silent auction of visual art from local emerging and established artists, a live auction of art services, Eyedrum merchandise for sale, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Local talent and friends of Eyedrum will provide live entertainment at the event.

Admission is $10 for guests and free for Eyedrum members; admission includes one complimentary drink ticket. The event is co-sponsored by Eyedrum neighbors Stella Trattoria and Cabbagetown Market, and Decatur Atlanta Printing.

Funds raised at the benefit will go directly toward operating costs and help sustain programming at Eyedrum.

After 10 successful years in Atlanta, funding and donations recently have waned, putting Eyedrum’s livelihood in jeopardy. The organization is still awaiting word from its landlord, Braden Fellman, on the terms of its lease and monthly rent. In addition, a committee is taking shape to address the long-term plans of the organization, including a possible move to a smaller location and a paid staffer. While the disbanding of the organization is a possibility, board members are encouraged by the incredible outpouring of support from across the Atlanta arts community.

To volunteer, contribute, or for more information about the Art Auction Benefit, e-mail eyedrumauction@gmail.com. For more visit, www.eyedrum.org

Atlanta Pet Rescue Summer Social, July 30

The Atlanta Pet Rescue Summer Social fundraiser is July 30. Click the image to read details or visit www.atlantapetrescue.org.