The Fashion Show

Rapping out of Atlanta, Gucci Mane embodies hip hop’s street style.

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What is Atlanta’s style?  In a word, versatile.  In a genre, southern.  Our friends and neighbors rock khaki, clubwear, hoodies, gingham, seersucker, sundresses, navy blazers, roper boots, jeans and “t’s”, and even couture.  This diversity is not totally surprising, we are a bustling metropolis after all.  What is surprising is the skyrocketing popularity of our style over the past few years.  From the streets (and runways) of New York, to cooking it up on cable like Top Chef’s Hugh Acheson, from gracing the stage at the Grammy’s, to winning wardrobes in Hollywood, the South is hot.  We’ve even got the world’s most desired undergarments coming out of Atlanta thanks to Sidewalk Radio friend, Sara Blakely and Spanx.  But, it hasn’t always been this way.  We’re joined by some of Atlanta’s favorite friends and faces in fashion to explore where we came from and why we’re now getting this major attention on the national stage.  Hold on to your hats, y’all, it’s “The Fashion Show”, southern style.

Sid Mashburn did not just open a store, he created a community built upon being friendly, being genuine, being stylish, and most of all…being himself. Photo credit: Peggy Sirota/GQ

Sid Mashburn is an Atlanta superstar and super cool guy from Mississippi (with a stint in New York, of course) who tells us he always wanted to be a radio DJ.  Well, if our interview is any indication, Mr. Mashburn has a career beyond being a fashion icon.  A designer, a trendsetter, and a named favorite of Garden & Gun, GQ, and the New York Times, Sid is certainly at the top of his game; wife Ann Mashburn being a huge contributor and a powerhouse in her own right. He is kind, charming, and always interested to ask about you instead of talk about himself.  We’re happy go lucky to have Sid join Gene in the studio this month to share his insights about personal style, the Atlanta look, and what it takes to build a fashion community.

“Recipe for Press” author Amy Flurry knows her way around fashion, and is now finding her way into collections through the Paper Cut Project.

Amy Flurry’s Paper Cut Project is museum worthy and people are taking notice.

With 18 years of writing and editing experience, the ever stylish author, Amy Flurry, has made a lot of friends in the fashion business.  But, it was something that started as a side project that has famous fashion houses like Hermes calling when they want to dress up their style.  Flurry and business partner Nikki Nye create works that artistically accentuate fashion through their Paper Cut Project and it has designers like Kate Spade, mags like Italian Vogue and the likes of Christie’s all clammoring for their creations.  Working out of the ultra cool ‘n collaborative Athens, GA, Amy talks to us about styling for fashion one piece (of paper) at a time.

Victorian era dress like the kind you’ll see at Oakland Cemetery’s “Sunday in the Park” costume contest.

If looks could kill, people wouldn’t have to be buried far from where they’ll be watching Historic Oakland Cemetery’s “Sunday in the Park” costume contest.  On October 6th, Cynthia Crowder, Victorian era fashion expert and Head Judge for the contest, will be overseeing the origins of Atlanta style.  In anticipation of the event, Cynthia was kind enough to bring the history of fashion in to the Sidewalk Radio studio, giving us a glimpse of the past, along with a look into the future.  As it turns out, a science fiction twist on Victorian is all the rage, showing up in a very fashion forward manner in the material world and even at “Sunday in the Park”: It’s called steampunk, and we dig it.

In 1957, Bruce Teilhaber moved to Atlanta to join his father in-law in business at Friedman’s Fine Shoes.

Lookin’ for green alligator shoes in a size 22? Bruce Teilhaber at Friedman’s Fine Shoes is your man.

Opening in 1929, and now in its 83rd year of business, Friedman’s still occupies its original location downtown at 209 Mitchell Street.  What makes Friedman’s unique is the experience, the clientele and the sizes.  Specializing in sizes 14 – 22, its where the big boys come to shop.  Professional athletes literally come in by the busload (Former Saints owner John Mecom, Jr.once treated the entire team and coaching staff to a $25,000 shopping spree).  Today, fans of Friedman’s include: Charles Barkley, Tony Gonzalez, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal (size 22 in case you’re wondering), Gene Upshaw, Tony Dorsett, Gary Sheffield, Eddie George, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis to name a few.  Bruce and son Brett Teilhaber (who now runs the family business with his 3 brothers), bring in Brooklyn accents and larger than life personalities to talk about where the celebrity set athletes go to get their kicks.

Since 1929, 209 Mitchell Street has been home to Friedman’s Shoes. In 2011, Living Walls added a giant alligator to the exterior. Alligator on the inside has been a staple for decades.

This show is not to be missed.  If you like clothes, characters, colorful stories, fashion, fond memories, or just want a behind the scenes look into Atlanta’s style, you’ve got to tune in.

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Freedom: From Civil War to Civil Rights.

President Abraham Lincoln. November 1863.

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Freedom is a very large and very important concept. Our country is build on it. Our civic and personal identity tied to it. Our physical landscape is both scarred and improved by it. People have fought for it, people have died for it. One thing for sure about freedom, it’s not free. But, it is absolutely worth it.

Joining us in the studio this month are four guests each with their own experience and their own story to tell about freedom and the journey our nation and our world has taken from the Civil War to Civil Rights in pursuit of it.

We’ll start with the Civil War and Gordon Jones, Senior Military Historian with the Atlanta History Center.  Jones shares historical accounts of the American Civil War, the impact the war had on freedom, and a sincere sensibility about the importance of storytelling in relation to history.

Brer Rabbit, Brer Terrapin, and wolf as illustrated for Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus tales.

Lain Shakespeare is the great, great, great grandson of Joel Chandler Harris, a great man in the journey of freedom.  Shakespeare is Board Chairman of The Wren’s Nest, the now historic house museum in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood, where Harris wrote his world famous Uncle Remus tales.  Lain shares stories about the “trickster hero” role (both Brer Rabbit and Harris) in the pursuit of Civil Rights, and a bit about the history of Harris himself.

“If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?”

- John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis has been “Getting into good trouble since 1960″ and the world is a better place for it.  It was a true honor to have Civil Rights icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Congressman Lewis, on this month’s show.  Lewis has been a true leader in the pursuit of freedom since he joined the Civil Rights Movement as a 15-year-old.  Lewis was beaten unconscious and nearly to death in Selma, Alabama, spoke at the March on Washington, and joins our host Gene Kansas in the studio this month to speak about being a voice for freedom.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights as designed by the award-winning team of architects at Freelon/HOK.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights CEO Doug Shipman looks toward the future.

A new leader in the quest for freedom is National Center for Civil and Human Rights CEO Doug Shipman.  Charismatic, compassionate and with an eye toward progress, Shipman is poised to help lead us into the future of freedom.  Doug shares an insider’s look into the new Center, now under construction in Atlanta, and how the design of the campus plays a large part in connecting and understanding.  The Center will focus on education, its physical design helping to create a dialogue for people from all over the world.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”- Martin Luther King Jr.

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This show is dedicated to Winston “Bud” Newell, a man who served our country in WWII, an adoring husband, a fabulous father, a giver of great toasts, a lover of jazz, a friend to all, and a gentle and loving uncle.  He will be missed, but his spirit lives on.

If you are a fan of Sidewalk Radio, please take a moment to rate and review us on iTunes!  Thank you.

ART STROLL: MODERN ATLANTA HOME TOUR

Modern Atlanta’s 5th Annual education and exhibition series kicks off on Friday June 1st and promises to be the biggest and best thus far.  MA Co-Founder Elayne DeLeo joins Gene in the studio to talk about this years program, entitled “Design is Human”, and give some insight and info about the always popular Modern Atlanta Home Tour.

The Home Tour is going to be spectacular, and so is the Program Book created by Armchair Media. Get yourself one, and get out to the tour!

This episode of ART STROLL airs on Monday June 4th at 8:20 am and 6:20 pm on AM1690 “The Voice of the Arts”, but don’t wait until then to enjoy MA.  Program highlights feature the highest echelon in design from architecture to interiors to visual arts…all the things we love over here on Sidewalk Radio and ART STROLL.

Axor Bouroullec designed by Rowan & Bouroullec for Hansgrohe. 2012 MA Design Exhibition.

MA “Design is Human” runs June 1st – June 10th.

Definitely do not miss the Home Tour on June 9th & June 10th.

Get your tickets to the Modern Atlanta Home Tour now.  Enjoy!

One more “do not miss” event in MA…For all of you Michael Habachy fans (count us in on that list), make sure to head on over to Room & Board on the Westside for a design talk on Thursday June 7th, 6:00 – 8:00.

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Show #20: Memorial Days

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Memorials are here to remind us, to motivate us, to inspire us.

This month we explore and remember the leadership, courage and creativity that molded art, music, and educational arenas in Atlanta, and places far beyond. What we find is that memorials are community building, not necessarily isolated to one static place. The most meaningful of them are ideas, omnipresent and affective. Our guides for this journey include a business leader, an author, and a poet. Their stories take us on a journey to discover the legacies who helped shape our community, and in its own collaborative way, create an audible memorial through the context.

The Woodruff Arts Center is a memorial to those who lost their lives following their love of the arts.

Fifty years ago on June 3, 1962, Atlanta lost 106 patrons and loved ones in the most devastating tragedy our art community has ever seen. On takeoff back to Atlanta, after spending three weeks of cultural tourism in Europe, their plane exploded in a fiery crash at Orly field just outside of Paris, France. Orly shook the community to its core, yet in response catalyzed Atlanta’s arts and business communities to create a memorial. That memorial is the Woodruff Arts Center. Joe Bankoff, President and CEO of the Woodruff, joins Gene in the studio this month to discuss the positive impacts of this memorial and the leadership that made it possible.

Pearl Cleage will be reading her poem “Wish You Were Here” on June 3rd as part of the Woodruff Arts Center’s Orly Community Day. Photo credit: Uptown Magazine.

Author, playwright, and poet Pearl Cleage is well accomplished and well known for her work. But the invitation to commemorate Orly through her poetry was a unique challenge. How does a woman – who at one time felt like The Woodruff was not a place for her – speak to the families who’s loved ones are memorialized therein? She does it with kindness, with care, with love and with respect. Pearl takes time to read a part of her poem “Wish You Were Here”, making the listener feel like they were there. It is both sad and satisfying at the same time. Pearl will be reading “Wish You Were Here” in its entirety on June 3rd as part of the Woodruff Arts Center’s Orly Community Day.

Blind Willie McTell provided his own memorial through his music.

Blind Willie McTell, who played in Atlanta and around the South through the 1940′s and 50′s inspired the likes of Bob Dylan and The Allman Brothers with his captivating guitar playing. He also inspired local author David Fulmer to add McTell as a character in novels, as a documentary subject, and in a controversial move, to replace McTell’s tombstone with a memorial Fulmer felt more appropriate to the legacy. Fulmer’s colorful and charismatic story-telling brings a great conversation along with the perspective of music as a memorial.

Of course, this month’s show is also in the honor and spirit of Memorial Day, a day that we remember and celebrate the men and women who have bravely given their lives for our united freedom. This idea of “freedom” is priceless and their sacrifice is the lifeblood of our nation.

EXTRA: THE TODD MURPHY INTERVIEW

Todd Murphy’s work is featured in museums, high-end galleries, buildings, and private collections.

Renowned Atlanta artist Todd Murphy joins Gene in the studio (via Brooklyn) for this Sidewalk Radio Special to talk art, life, adventure and the future of the gallery.  It’s a fascinating interview with one of the country’s most prolific creative talents.  Enjoy.

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ART STROLL: ORLY COMMUNITY DAY

“From the devastation at Orly came a social consciousness intent on creating community. Roy Lichtenstein’s “House III”, a sculpture of optical illusion at the High Museum, must be enjoyed from multiple angles, much like the creation of the Woodruff Arts Center.” – Gene Kansas, Host of Sidewalk Radio & Art Stroll.

50 years ago on June 3, 1962, the single greatest disaster in Atlanta’s art world took place when 122 art patrons lost their lives in a crash at Orly Field in France.  The terrible moment created grief, heartache and sadness.  The silver lining was a catalyzing movement in Atlanta’s arts and business communities to create a memorial.  That memorial is The Woodruff Arts Center.

Pearl Cleage will be reading her poem “Wish You Were Here” at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Orly Community Day on June 3rd. Photo credit: Access Atlanta.

This June 3rd, we remember those who lost their lives and celebrate what they stood for at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Orly Community Day.  There are plenty of fun – and free – activities planned. The Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, Young Audiences, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (all part of Woodruff’s offerings) will play a part, but sure to be among the most touching of those activities will be a reading by author, poet, and playwright Pearl Cleage of her poem “Wish You Were Here” written in commemoration of those who perished.

Pearl was kind enough to visit us in the studio to read a segment of her poem and talk to us about what a memorial means to her.

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Show #18: Art Collection

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Often when we talk about an “art collection”  it comes from the context and perspective of the collector; however typical to Sidewalk Radio, we like to look at things a bit differently.  In this month’s episode we explore the art of collecting by assembling a collection of our own: the appraiser, the artist, the cultural curator, and the puppet master (well, of sorts).  What we find is that the art of collecting is a varied, and many times individual, process of understanding.

Spalding Nix and Gene Kansas in the Sidewalk Radio studio.

Joining Gene in the studio to discuss the value of art is gallery owner, creator of the respected “Culture Club”, and certified art appraiser Spalding Nix of Spalding Nix Fine Art.  Spalding helps paint the picture of value from sentimental artifacts (like his treasured Rolling Stones t-shirts) to stratospheric trophy collecting like Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”, predicted to sell this summer at auction in the neighborhood of $100,000,000; smart money is on the Russians to snap this up.

Todd Murphy. Narrow Road to the Far South #24, 2011.

We’re very happy to talk with celebrated artist Todd Murphy, who’s passion and profession drove him to sail to Antarctica.  Todd’s recent collection Narrow Road to the Far South was born from his journey aboard an ice-cutter plowing the frigid waters, and is now showcased at locally famed Jackson Fine Art.  On a recent visit “home” Todd hopped on over to our Midtown studios (by way of Brooklyn) to discuss his voyage, what he likes to collect, how his art is collected, and the use of collected elements used to create art.

An empty shell of a building is turned into a colorful artistic statement…check out the video and work by Jeff Demetriou Fake Love at Flux 2011.

Leading the charge of rallying new patrons to the arts, and doing a fine job himself at supporting art across Atlanta, is Louis Corrigan, creator of Flux Projects.  But, Louis is more than just a guy who likes and supports art.  Corrigan is a collector of artists, helping to coordinate their creativity in a way that curates the city.  Flux’s temporary public art (not to mention the extreme creativity and interaction supplied by the artists),  brought 10,000 people out on a single night to see art last October in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood.  Corrigan wants to get that number to 1,000,000 city-wide and we believe he can make that happen.  Louis joins Gene to talk about the importance of collecting from a cultural perspective.

A true work of art, Big Bird is a puppet with staying power.  This larger than life Jim Henson creation is on display at Center for Puppetry Arts.

Then there is Daniel Summers, Jr., Marketing Director at the Center for Puppetry Arts.  Daniel is no puppet on a string, but rather his own master creation of theatrics, knowledge, entertainment and expertise.  Daniel talks about the collection at the Center for Puppetry Arts (they have over 2000 puppets in their collection), the history of puppetry, and how puppets are working works of art.

All in all, we are very happy with our “collection” and hope you will be too.

Show #10: MARTA ART, ARCHITECTURE & HISTORY

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MARTA is more than a method of transportation, it’s about connecting people, neighborhoods, promoting business, and conservation.  And then of course there’s the art, architecture and history.  In essence, MARTA is integrally important to Atlanta.

“Hot-Lanta Fan” by Ted Freeman juxtaposed to original pediment of Eiseman Building. Photo by Heather Alhadeff.

As we all know, this summer has been notoriously hot.  It is serendipitous that our art interview focuses on a sculpture called Hot-Lanta Fan, a work by industrial designer and all-around creative Ted Freeman.  Freeman’s work was selected by MARTA as one of seven works of public art exhibited at the highest-traffic stations, his at Five Points Station.  Ted joins Gene to talk art and his love for Atlanta.

The Eiseman Building was torn down in the mid 1970′s, but its ornate pediment was saved and is now housed within the Five Points MARTA Station.

Brian Bell with BLDGS Architects is a Harvard graduate, a Georgia Tech professor, and a patron to the arts, but it’s his love for and knowledge about MARTA that brings him into the studio.  Bell, along with business partner David Yocum, bake in a rich, historical perspective to their work, and Brian shares the history of MARTA’s architecture along with some personal sentiments for spots like King Memorial Station, Decatur Station, Arts Center and Five Points Station to name a few.

Certainly it is not surprising to know that city planning has played a big part in MARTA’s making, and Heather Alhadeff, a Senior Transportation Planner with Perkins+Will, has been on the forefront of our city’s efforts for many years starting with her work in Mayor Franklin’s administration on Atlanta’s first, true transportation plan.  Heather also practices what she preaches, taking MARTA daily, and joins Gene to share her insights about the process and effect of planning for transit.

The new Manager of Streetcar Development, and long-time MARTA mainstay, Paul Grether, is the glue that brings the whole show together.  Paul imparts his extensive knowledge about the origin of MARTA and the promise of its future.  Additionally, Grether goes into some of the behind the scenes details about how MARTA came to be, and what its predecessors were like in the early days of Atlanta history.

Atlanta’s fist public transportation came in the form of mule-drawn wagons.

Show #7: Field of Dreams

This photo by Palm Beach society photographer Bob Davidoff shows (future) Atlanta Braves batboy Richard Danielpour, then 12 and now a renowned composer, sharing a moment in the Atlanta dugout with baseball legend Hank Aaron in March 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968.

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Hank Aaron is much more than a ballplayer in the advancement of civil rights, and the Atlanta Braves are much more than a baseball team to Atlanta.  Both, tied together in history, are place-makers and community builders.  Aaron, an icon for equality on the field, helped create a place for African Americans off, and the Braves helped launch a medium-sized city to an international metropolis with a lasting legacy of sports accentuated by World Series Championships and Olympic Games.  Mr. Bill Bartholomay, Chairman Emeritus of the Atlanta Braves, and the man responsible for bringing the Braves to Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, is the father of our home team’s birth and their ongoing legacy.  Mr. Bartholomay joins Gene to discuss his nostalgia for early days, why he chose Atlanta, the impact of baseball on the community, and the future of the franchise.

Director of Athletics for Georgia State University, Cheryl L. Levick, is no stranger to winning.  With more than 44 National Championships during her career as a player, a coach and an administrator, it is her goal, her purpose, and her passion to make Georgia State a winner on a major scale.  And, the fans seem to love it.  Levick shares her role in bringing a football program to GSU, bringing service to our community, and bringing good grades to the classrooms of her student athletes.  Her game plan for success is impressive and the cheering crowds add living proof to the impact athletics is having.

VP of Development with Green Street Properties, Jim Irwin, is responsible for building with materials that go way beyond “sticks and bricks”.  It was during his tenure with Barry Real Estate, and his emersion in and understanding of the community of Fort Wayne, Indiana that helped him and his team from Hardball Capital create one of the most creative stadiums baseball, both minor and major league, has ever seen.  Parkview Field is home to the Fort Wayne Tincaps, and Jim talks today’s modern methods for building excitement, amenities, stadiums and fan bases within communities as he joins Gene in the studio this month.

And, then there’s Chris Fennell.  ”Bats Baseball”, a public art sculpture he created for the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, uses 800 baseball bats (600 donated by Louisville Slugger) to help make his own artistic dream a reality and help contribute to making Southside Park in Atlanta a truly special place.  Fennell, a MFA graduate from Georgia, uses site-specific items from the communities he creates within to physically build something on a metaphoric level.  The artist spends time between road trips (Nashville to Idaho) to discuss the meaning of his work and what community means to him.

Chris Fennell at the studio during the building of “Bats Baseball”.