The Atlanta History Center was alive with energy last Sunday for its annual Day of the Dead observance. Standing in the middle of a throng (heavily Latino but with plenty of others, too) viewing large-scale commemorative altars, the Buckhead institution’s president and CEO Sheffield Hale was almost giddy at the turnout.
The history center has worked hard in recent years to connect with metro residents of Latin heritage through programming partnerships with organizations including the Institute of Mexico and Latin American Association and events such as September’s Big Read featuring Mexican-American author Luis Alberto Urrea.
Starting Saturday, Nov. 15, it will attempt to build on that momentum with the bilingual (English and Spanish) nationally touring exhibition “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music.” Sabor is a Spanish word that translates to “flavor,” which is fitting for a show that celebrates musical contributions of U.S. Latinos from the 1940s to today and explores the social history and individual creativity that produced stars such as Tito Puente, Ritchie Valens, Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana and Selena.
“American Sabor” was developed by Seattle’s EMP Museum and the University of Washington and organized for its national tour by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services.
The exhibit focuses on five major centers of Latino popular music production, each of them unique: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio and San Francisco. Intended for all ages, it includes two short films, listening stations and even a small dance floor where guests can try out new moves to the music.
"American Sabor" is complemented by an interactive website (americansabor.org) that offers expanded content, historic photographs, lesson plans, video of oral histories from Latin music stars, a jukebox with a special "American Sabor" playlist and an interactive mixing board.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the history center will present a slate of programs, lectures and film screenings. History center admission is free during Saturday’s opening and for several Ford Free Weekends.
Through Feb. 8. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, noon-5:30 p.m. Sundays. $16.50; $13 ages 65 and up and students 13 and up; $11 ages 4-12. 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-814-4000, www.atlanta historycenter.com.
DANCE
Ailey bringing ‘Odetta’ tribute
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has announced it will make its annual tour stop at the Fox Theatre, performing six shows (of three programs) from Feb. 11 to 15.
This year’s big premiere is “Odetta,” Matthew Rushing’s tribute to the powerful singer, songwriter, actress and activist, but as usual all performances will be capped by Ailey’s classic “Revelations.”
Shows will be at 8 p.m. Feb. 11-13, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 14 and 3 p.m. Feb. 15. Programs for each are listed under the calendar at www.alvinailey.org.
Special ticket deals include:
- Every ticket in the house for the new Ailey Fan program on Feb. 11 is $25 (not counting ticket fees).
- Student tickets for Feb. 12's performance are $10 with valid student ID. (Must be purchased at the Fox box office before 5:30 p.m. on show night; limit two per ID, subject to availability).
- Matinee tickets on Feb. 14 are buy one, get one half off, with a free post-performance Q&A with the dancers.
Available at the Fox box office (660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta), www.alvinailey.org, www.foxtheatre.org or 1-855-285-8499. Group discounts (10 or more): 404-881-2000.
VISUAL ART
Small-scale works for holiday giving
Swan Coach House Gallery curator Marianne Lambert probably knows more metro artists than anyone else in the city, and she always taps the top established and emerging ones for the Buckhead gallery’s annual holiday exhibition “Little Things Mean a Lot.”
The 15th edition, featuring works by more than 125 Atlanta artists that are replaced with a new piece by the same maker when one sells, opens with a 6-9 p.m. reception Thursday. Look for paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fiber works and ceramics.
Through Jan. 2. 3130 Slaton Drive, Atlanta. 404-266-2636, www.swancoachhouse.com/gallery.
EVENT
Madison hosts Civil War symposium
Atlantan Stephen Davis, author of “What the Yankees Did to Us: Sherman’s Bombardment and the Wrecking of Atlanta,” will be the keynote speaker of a Civil War symposium at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center on Nov. 16. The free program, “Yankees Marching By: A 150th Anniversary Symposium on the Civil War in Madison and Morgan County,” will be held 2 to 5 p.m.
Marvin Greer, an Atlanta History Center interpreter, will address African-American life during the war.
An hour east of downtown Atlanta, Madison is renown for its handsome antebellum homes spared during Gen. William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea. Yet between Nov. 16 and 19, 1864, thousands of Union troops ripped up railroad tracks, destroyed strategic properties and commandeered supplies there.
434 S. Main St., Madison. 1-877-233-0598, www.mmcc-arts.org.
