Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Storytelling with Curtis at the National Black Arts Festival

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Things have been a little bonkers with us lately, and our blog hasn’t been getting the attention it deserves.  Sorry, baby — I still love you.

Part of the reason?  It’s festival season, which means we do things like go to the National Black Arts Festival for three days.  Go ahead, see for yourself (and enjoy some storytelling while you’re at it) –

That’s Curtis, storyteller extraordinaire, in our tent on the second day of the NBAF.  He was filmed by the wonderful Spenser Simrill, Jr., who also recorded Akbar here a few months ago.  Remember?

While being awesome all over town takes time, you can still get your fix if you follow us on Twitter, where the Wren’s Nest is consistently amusing.  In the meantime, don’t worry — more excuses posts coming soon!

Wren’s Nest Fest 2010: Success!

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Wren’s Nest Fest was this past Friday, June 11th, and I think the best word to describe it would be “bonkers.”

This is not because of the volunteers (hard-working and wonderful) –

nor the attractions (please — like miniature farm animals even know how to do anything besides be incredible) –

nor the entertainment (our clown also provides sno-cones and popcorn — it’s fool-proof).

Nope, this year was bonkers because we had a whopping 750 attendees.  You know how many that is?  A MILLION.

(Oh, you think that sentence didn’t make sense?  Try entertaining 750 people for 5 hours, including a woman who insists you bring in police to ensure no one cuts in line for lunch.  She is firmly holding your wrist the entire time.  Now you make your brain work.  I thought so.)

Each year, Wren’s Nest is this amazing combination of community support, gleeful small children, and fun times, with a healthy smattering of “you’re kidding me.”  In short, it earns one of the best naps of the year, period.  I might still be napping — I’m not sure.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out this year — we very literally could not do it without you.  Check out the pictures if you’ve got a minute.

West Fest — Complete with a Wren’s Nest Concert — is This Weekend!

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West Fest is a three-part West End extravaganza taking place this weekend.  Being sooo into extravaganzas like you are, you should totally come.

Let’s break down the three parts, chronological-style!

First comes the Wren’s Nest.  This Friday night, from 7 – 10pm, the Wren’s Nest will host the West Fest benefit concert, featuring Avery Sunshine and Elliot Holden.  Here’s some video, not of anything too related, but instead of something else musical that happened in our amphitheater that we like to bring up as often as possible:

On Saturday comes the Fest!  Gordon-White Park — the first BeltLine park — will host the festival from 10am – 6pm on Saturday.  The Fest is new this year and while the details are a touch nebulous, nothing has ever been so confirmed as its dog parade.  I’ve also heard rumor of an artists’ market, and I personally guarantee a beautiful day in the sunshine.

Finally, on both Saturday and Sunday, there’s the Tour of Homes!  (My, whoever that is on that page is BEAUTIFUL.  In fact, she haunts my dreams!)  The tour is pretty much my favorite thing every year — not only is it a great way to get to know our lovely historic neighborhood and the neighbors therein, but shoot, these houses are awesome.

Here are our pictures from last year’s concert and tour of homes.

Also, if you’re in the mood to house hunt, this is a great opportunity.  There are usually a couple places on the tour for sale (the bonkers one above, for example), and you’re bound to pass several more as you stroll.  Plus, you get to meet all of your potential neighbors in advance!  That’s worth its weight in, I don’t know, hula hoops.

You can buy tickets for all events right here.

Decatur Old House Fair — Right Up Our Hallway!

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This may come as a shock to you, but the Wren’s Nest is more than a National Historic Landmark celebrating literature, folklore, and African American history.  It is also an old house.

A surprising (to me, I guess) number of visitors come here just as eager to discuss 100-year-old window panes as they do the work of Joel Chandler Harris.  Living in an old house is a unifying factor, I tell you what, and Lain and I are in the know.  (Let me just say that space heaters become really, really important.)

Which is why we’re so excited about the second annual Decatur Old House Fair on March 6th.  The fair brings together experts in repair and maintenance, design, energy efficiency and historic research with owners of old houses and the likes of you and me.

Last year’s fair — with the awesome tagline “The Greenest House is the One Already Built” — yielded our relationship with Tom Bretherton, who ended up installing our windows during our restoration.

In fact, Lain had such a great time he’s now on the 2010 volunteer committee.  If joining a committee isn’t a sign of love, I don’t know what is.

Added bonus: one of our Board members, Ken Thomas, is co-leading the “Researching Your Old House and What Style is My House?” seminar.  Yay Ken!

Hope to see you there!

Victorian Christmas is This Sunday from 12 – 4pm! We’re Telling You So You’ll Come!

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Well here we are, post-Thanksgiving and into December.  That can only mean one thing — our annual Victorian Christmas Open House!

This Sunday, December 6th between 12 and 4, we’ll be offering tours of the museum, storytelling, activities for the kids, delicious real food, and everyone’s favorite not-real food, birthday cake!

Why birthday cake, you ask?  Because we’re rapidly approaching Joel Chandler Harris’ 164th birthday, silly.

It’s all free and a great opportunity to see the home at its best. Not only has our recent restoration made the place undeniably lovely, but we never look better than when we’ve been gussied up with historically accurate decorations.

Last year’s Victorian Christmas included highlights such as:

• a kid being called out by Catherine, volunteer and Asian Cajun, for taking 14 cookies at once
• no one touching the cold beverages
• a child rolling down the front stairs and emerging completely unscathed thanks to the padding of her down coat.

Though it may seem impossible, I think we can top it this year.

So hey!  Join us!  It’ll be great.

Decatur Book Festival Pictures and a Happy Blog

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Hey look at this!  I mean, for real, this.  Our blog.  Look at it.  Looking better, right?

Thanks for your patience with our blog; there was many a kink to be ironed out, but now everyone can be happy again.  Especially since we have Decatur Book Festival pictures for you!

This is what Lain and I look like when we’re not in front of our computers.  You know, uneasy.

As a reminder, though the pictures are posted on Facebook, you do NOT need a facebook account to view them.  Just click on this link, sit back, and enjoy.

Free Admission and Storytelling Today at the Wren’s Nest House Museum

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You heard me.

We open at 10.  Last tour at 2:30.  Akbar Imhotep will tell Brer Rabbit stories at 11, 12, and 1.  Maybe even at 2 o’clock if you’re good.

Here’s what it’ll sound like –

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Akbar Imhotep: How Brer Coon Gets His Meat

Sold?  I thought so.

Ravinia Club Fundraiser Tomorrow, Proudly Serving Wren’s Nest Libations!

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Way back in February we presented a contest — name a Wren’s Nest themed adult beverage and win a bag of… things. To say the very least, it went well.

And now — well, tomorrow from 5:30pm – 8pm to be exact — the inspiration for this contest is upon us: the Wren’s Nest fundraiser hosted by the Ravinia Club.  All proceeds from the (cash) bar on the evening’s featured specialty drink benefit the Wren’s Nest.  Heard of it?

Now, before I get to the drink-christening, allow me to convince you to join us at the Ravinia Club:

• Everyone is welcome!  What a nice sentiment!
• Usually when you toast the Wren’s Nest, people have no idea what you’re talking about.  Tomorrow you’ll be in knowing company.
• I bet you love prizes.  You’ll find tomorrow’s raffle — fine wines, tickets to sporting events, massage gift certificates and more — so delightful.
• Wren’s Nest Rambler Akbar Imhotep will be spinning yarns throughout the evening.  If you haven’t seen Akbar yet, now is the time to hang your head in shame.
• Complimentary hors d’oeuvres mean you can stuff your face while pretending to be super classy.  At least that’s what I’ll be doing.

Are you sold yet?  I hope so.  You don’t even need to buy tickets; you can just show up and enjoy a…

Marga-Remus!

You may also enjoy 3 – 8 of them.

Yep, it’s a margarita, which our inside sources tell us the club makes deliciously.  It also has “Remus” in the name, which makes it themed and super clever.

So, we’ll see you there, right?  Here’s a map to the Ravinia Club.  Join us at 5:30 – 8 pm.

Any questions?  Leave ‘em in the comments.

Pictures From Wren’s Nest Fest 2009

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We hosted Wren’s Nest Fest on Friday, and it was a great success.  Over 500 kids attended, and I didn’t see anyone crying.  Please, check out the pictures.

Why should you take a look?  Two words — miniature animals.  This rooster was the only normal-sized thing in attendance.

I’d like to thank Amelia for organizing Wren’s Nest Fest.  I’d also like to thank our fantastic volunteers for outstanding performances in cookie decorating, face painting, and moonbounce monitoring.  I’d also like to thank myself for taking the pictures — they are exquisite.

We couldn’t have done it without your help.

Photos from the West End Concert and Tour of Homes

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WEND, our neighborhood association here in West End, celebrated the kickoff of their Tour of Homes at the Wren’s Nest on Friday night.

We had a great time.  The 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra opened for Maria Howell, she often of the Sambuca Jazz Cafe (…and Army Wives!). 

Take a look at the pictures I snapped.

The weather held until 9:53 pm when we were pummeled with rain.  Your loyal staff did not have to usher anyone off the grounds at 1 am as we occasionally must do, and I don’t think anyone left disappointed.  Great success!

The West End Tour of Homes followed on Saturday and Sunday.

Amelia and I skipped out on the Wren’s Nest to catch the last hour of the tour.  I took a few pictures to show you what you missed.

The Wren’s Nest isn’t the only storied home in West End, and we’re honored to share our neighborhood with the rest of Atlanta.  Thank you to WEND, and specifically to Vonda Henry, for making the West End Tour of Homes such a successful event.