Friday, May 9, 2008
We Need Your Help at Wren’s Nest Fest
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Events, Celebrity Requests, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable // 12:51 pm
Summer is on the horizon here in Atlanta, which can mean only one thing: Wren’s Nest Fest!
Well, that or it’s time to stock up on deodorant. Your call.
(Real poster to come soon. In the meantime, be in awe of my photoshop skillz.)
Wren’s Nest Fest, our annual community festival, will be held Friday, June 13th (spooky!) from 9am to 4pm. Now, you’ll certainly hear more about this event as it approaches, but in the meantime, we’ve got a favor to ask.
From reading this blog, you may have ascertained that the Wren’s Nest is not exactly rolling around on piles of jewels and gold coins.
If a house could roll, I mean. And if any house could, it would be this one. But I digress.
The point is, we work on the cheap, and can’t afford to do otherwise. Which means we depend on the kindness of others quite a bit, and we REALLY need that kind of kindness on June 13th.
(This could be you!)
If you are able to volunteer to help out (if that wasn’t clear, that’s what what I’m asking — for you to come here and do unpaid labor), we’ll do our best to cater to your specialties.
You’re an artist? Looks like it’s facepainting for you!
A top-rated chef? You’ll grill the best hot dogs ever!
Animal enthusiast? You’ll be great at telling children to pet bunnies gently. I said GENTLY!
Greedy cash-monger? You can work the admission table!
Hate children? You can tell them what to do and pretend they’re your underlings! No touching!
Best of all, as thanks for your help, you will receive a complimentary… t-shirt! HOLY MOLY!
(Oh! The bounty! Though this year’s will be electric blue, just so you know.)
If you think you’ll be able to help out for even a couple of hours, please let us know. The comments section is a great place to start. Thanks!
Comments: 1Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office
Posted by: lain // Category: Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Joel Chandler Harris, The Office // 11:20 am
Earlier this year, the staff of the Wren’s Nest directed you to an awesome Uncle Remus name drop on The Office. Please recall–
Recently, in a series of mind-boggling coincidences, evidence has linked Joel Chandler Harris not only to the themes and jokes of The Office, but also to the professional development of its cast.
In short–Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office.
Curious? Read on.
The other night I was hanging around Twain’s Billiards and Tap, obviously researching the friendship between Joel Chandler Harris and Mark Twain. (You may recall that Joel Chandler Harris also MADE Mark Twain.)
From across the bar an acquaintance recognized this executive director diligently taking notes. We had a brief discussion–
Her: “Say, do you know the television show ‘The Office’?”
Me: “I don’t really have time for this.”
Her: “Do you know Kevin from The Office?”
Me: “Look–I am very busy.”
Her: “Do you know that he grew up in Atlanta?”
Me: “Yes, yes, as did fellow cast member Ed Helms. I noted it in my blog several months ago, thankyouverymuch. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy drin–researching.”
Her: “Wait! Did you know that in 6th grade Kevin from The Office performed in a school play based on the Uncle Remus stories?”
Me: “Lady! Pleas– No, no I did not.”
Her: “Did you know that an encore performance of that very play was performed on the stage at the Wren’s Nest?”
(Probably not the same performance.)
Me: “Get. Out.”
I thanked her for the information, and promptly returned to my research.
Now, if we can assume that…
(a) Joel Chandler Harris created both the character Uncle Remus and the now-museum home The Wren’s Nest,
(b) Kevin from The Office’s professional career got its start in a 6th grade play that was based on the Uncle Remus stories and performed at the Wren’s Nest,
(c) Ed Helms, who also grew up in Atlanta, has also quite probably visited the Wren’s Nest,
(d) This one time the writers from The Office used “Uncle Remus” as a punchline,
…then we can safely deduce that Joel Chandler Harris MADE the second best show currently on television. (The first best is definitely Rock of Love. I mean 30 Rock. One of those, anyway.)
What’s that?
You say Ricky Gervais made The Office? Please.
Stephen Merchant? Nope.
Mindy Kaling? Come on! Be serious.
It was Joel Chandler Harris people, Joel Chandler Harris. Clearly, royalties are in order.
In closing, thank you to Mark Twain who inspired (one might say made) Twain’s Billiards and Tap, which supplied the venue for this fortuitous meeting and inspiration for this blog post.
And thank you again to Joel Chandler Harris who inspired (ahem) Mark Twain.
Comments: 0New, Polished Version of the Wren’s Nest Theme Song
Posted by: lain // Category: Fame and Fortune, Sing Songery // 8:47 pm
The braintrust that is the Duck and Herring Company has done three important things recently–
- Released their brand-spankin’-new Warm Weather Pocket Field Guide.
- Recorded a soon-to-be-released podcast for said Field Guide.
- Recorded an updated, polished version of the Wren’s Nest Theme Song for said podcast.
The staff of the Wren’s Nest recommends that you buy the Warm Weather Pocket Field Guide while supplies last, then listen to the new version of our theme song below.
We’ll keep you posted on the podcast.
Previously–the live version.
Comments: 0Decatur Storytelling Festival Pictures and Recap
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Storytelling, Events, Birds of a feather, Birds other than wrens // 11:25 am
On Monday when I said I would cover the remainder of our weekend exploits “tomorrow”, I clearly meant, “the next day I work at the Nest, which will be Wednesday, because working part-time is great though unnecessarily confusing!”
Getting on with it, Lain and I set up at the Decatur Storytelling Festival Saturday, which the Wren’s Nest sort of sponsored–one of our storytellers, Donald, was the emcee, while Curtis, another Wren’s Nest Rambler, performed.
(Curtis with a great shirt.)
It was a really neat concept, with great attractions including the craziest balloon-animal-maker I have ever seen. Seriously. Skywriting planes made out of balloons?! I mostly stared at her in favor of talking to people.
(Not the balloon artist, but Queen Glitter was still worth a stare.)
The location was also very unique, though apparently not as unusual as Lain and I originally thought. It was held in the Decatur Cemetery (which is beautiful, p.s.) and as Donald’s white-folks-in-residence we discovered that “white people always want to tell stories in cemeteries”.
Is that on stuff white people like?
(Fowl, cemetery.)
But I’ll tell you this: no matter where they are, children will go ABSOLUTELY CRAZY upon seeing a giant Curious George mascot. We would hear a child gasp and look to see a poof of dust where the child had been. It was nuts.
(Hannah, Isaac, and C.G.)
There were also (both real and fake) ducks to chase, faces to be painted, and, you know, storytelling to watch… but mostly kids exclaimed “CURIOUS GEORGE! Mom, hold my bubbles!” and subsequently disappeared.
(Donald with the also-ran. Donald, Duck. Get it?)
The only downside to the whole event was the gross weather. Somehow, it was the coldest 66 degrees I’ve ever felt. It was damp, windy, and rain was threatening, which certainly affected attendance.
And our will to live. See:
Now, if you missed this storytelling event (and… you did), there’s another on the (immediate) horizon! Tonight Wordsmith’s is hosting Story-Time for Grownups (naughty?). While there won’t be any mascots (that we know of), there will be drinks. Success!
Comments: 1New Picture of Joel Chandler Harris
Posted by: lain // Category: Marketing Tricks, Good Questions, Joel Chandler Harris // 1:25 pm
Well, it’s not really new, but it’s new to the internet. This was Joel Chandler Harris in 1873. He was about 28.
This picture has been sitting in an old scrapbook for years, along with a million other old clippings, pictures, and memorabilia. I figure we need a few interns working in 24 hour shifts for a couple years to scan in everything.
Anyway, I think this picture is phenomenal.
Huey Partners–the folks who designed our handsome brochure–scanned it in. They’re designing some old-timey advertisements for us, and I think this image may make the cut.
Now all we need is a place to print the advertisements on the cheap.
And by cheap I mean for free!
Back in the day, when we had a representative from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, we’d get a couple thousand dollars worth of donated ad space. That isn’t the case anymore.
Anyone want to hook us up?
Comments: 5Everybody’s Working on the Weekend
Posted by: Amelia // Category: West End, Events, Shirking Responsibility, Ladies Night // 12:33 pm
Now, I know the kids these days often use their Friday nights for wooing their sweethearts and going to the disco, but here at the Wren’s Nest, we have bigger and better things to do.
Specifically, host a great and totally confusing (for us) concert! Woot!
(Theresa Hightower, doing what she does best: singing about thinly veiled sexual euphemisms! Dentist’s drill, anyone?)
Friday night the Wren’s Nest hosted (totally awesome) Theresa Hightower to kick off the West End Tour of Homes. We used our splendid amphitheater and guests brought their own food and drink, which made things pretty easy on our end.
(Food adorably carted in a wagon and Theresa Hightower in the background.)
In fact, we had so little responsibility, we actually had no idea what was going on. Luckily, there was wine, so we quickly got over our worry and had a grand old time. Like these people:
Or these people, including Board Chair-to-be Janice:
Or even these people, featuring recently-blogged-about West End Developer Suna Om (she gave me her card!):
Frankly, a good time was had by all and the only downside was that we had to lie and say our bathroom was out of order.
Sometimes people forget that port-o-lets are not just for decoration. And yes, while you really have to go, we really need to not have people trying to bust into the museum. Sigh.
Part 2 of our weekend adventures coming tomorrow!
Until then, you can tide yourself over with pictures on the Wren’s Nest’s facebook page! (Not a fan of the Wren’s Nest yet? Don’t talk to us. You sicken me. Err, become one today!)
Comments: 1Amelia Crowned May Queen
Posted by: lain // Category: Mercenary Amelia Trace, Victorious!, Not As Cruel Games // 3:31 pm
It was a tight race, but turns out we’re really, really biased. Your favorite Wren’s Nest blogger Amelia is the new May Queen Champion for 2008.
Better luck next year, everyone else.
Previously– May Queens from 1909 - 1983.
Comments: 4May Day at the Wren’s Nest and Photo Gallery
Posted by: lain // Category: West End, Atlanta, What Would JCH Do?, High School Hijinx, Historical Quagmires // 12:13 pm
Well, it looks like the Wren’s Nest is bringing back the May Day Festival. I know this because I read it in this morning’s paper.
Also, because we’re helping organize it. Durr.
If you read the article, you’ll note that there was a May Day celebration here at the Wren’s Nest for over 70 years.
Our amphitheater was built in the 1920s for the celebration, and the walkway that leads up to it commemorates each May Queen from 1909 - 1983.
It was a very formal affair, and quite a big deal to the organizations in charge of the Wren’s Nest before our current non-profit board took over in 1984.
In fact, the May Day festival ended up eclipsing Joel Chandler Harris and the Brer Rabbit stories in terms of organizational priorities. From what I can gather, it was done under the guise of “what Joel Chandler Harris would have wanted.” I think it was more “what they wanted,” but oh well.
The same sort of excuse was used to justify segregation of the Wren’s Nest, and as we now know, that claim was absolutely false.
That said, the May Day festival was a pretty neat tradition. There would be a parade down Gordon Street (now R.D.A.), and it would culminate in our back yard.
We’ve got a scrapbook of pictures from each year, and I’ve included one from each decade below. Have fun!
Mary Colcord was the first May Queen of the Flower Festival. Here she is in 1909.
–
Before Ludacris, I suppose this is how you dropped dem bows in Atlanta. Look at the size of those things!
Christine McEachern was the May Queen in 1915. She’s surrounded by: (standing, left to right) Mary Gresham, Julia Greene, Louise Nichols, Evelyn Jordan, Maude Foster, Dorothy Brogdon, and (seated) Kathryn Stoy and Margaret White.
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Elizabeth Camp in 1927.
She’s surrounded by (standing, left to right) Sara Harrison, Madeline Wrigley, Beatrice Robinson, and Sara McCormack. Then, seated: Jane Spink, Charlotte Richards, Virginia Dillon, and Celeste Houston.
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Betty O’Kelly was the May Queen in 1932.
Apparently you had to be escorted to the stage by a boy your same age who handed you the “Queen’s Scepter.” I met the guy who did the escorting in 1944, and he said that his lines were, “O Queen! Here is thy scepter!” because the year before the kid said, “Hey lady, here’s ya’ stick.”
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Probably 1948. These girls look like Rockettes in training or something. As you can see here–this was a pretty big deal, apparently.
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Jane Brooke was Queen in 1949. I like the color of the flowers.
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Some of the ones taken in the 50s and beyond were clearly not taken at the Wren’s Nest. This one is Judy Carlsen from 1958.
–
Here’s Judy’s stone. All of them look like this with a couple changes in size and font, and each is in a different state of repair.
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Here’s Kathryn LaRose Wright from 1963.
She’s with John Hunsinger, Paul Jenson, Missy Wright, Kitty Gundt, John Chapman, and Julie Hinton.
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Eugenia Marie Conway from 1975. Flower children meet the Flower Festival.
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Not the best picture quality, but Margaret Lynd Rhodes was the final May Queen, in 1983.
Comments: 8Sneak Preview of the West End Tour of Homes
Posted by: Amelia // Category: West End // 1:23 pm
Though it’ll be in tomorrow’s print edition, today’s online Atlanta Journal-Constitution features a lovely article about a West End resident, complete with an awesome photo gallery.
Barbara English’s home will be featured this weekend in the West End Tour of Homes, which will be on and popping this Saturday and Sunday.
(Unquestionably the Wren’s Nest staff’s favorite picture. That window is 11 feet tall!)
While Lain has mentioned this weekend’s many Wren’s Nest-related events already, we’re not afraid to drive the point home. Especially since this tour of homes offers a glimpse into many gorgeous abodes that, suffice it to say, people don’t always associate with this neighborhood.
Let’s recap–
The Kickoff Concert for the Tour of Homes featuring Theresa Hightower is here at the Wren’s Nest on Friday, May 2nd at 7 pm. Tickets for the concert are $25.
The Actual Tour of Homes will run on Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday May 4th from 1 - 5 pm. Tickets for the tour are $15.
The Wren’s Nest will be open from 10 - 5 that Saturday and 12 - 5 that Sunday.
And maybe, if you’re lucky, we’ll put our terrifying dummies on the porch to celebrate the occasion.
Comments: 3Georgia Blog Carnival and Our West End Newsletter
Posted by: lain // Category: West End // 8:34 pm
Two new posts are up–
1. Georgia Blog Carnival links to our discussion on the word “bastard” as well as plenty of other posts about and occurring in Georgia
2. Our West End Newsletter posted its latest issue online. If you’re interested in what’s happening in West End, check it out.
If you’re not so interested, you can just read the article we wrote about the Grounds Coffeehouse.
Comments: 0