Illustrator Haddon Sundblom’s annual paintings of Santa for the Coca-Cola Co. from 1931 to 1964 are such icons of American advertising that they have been exhibited everywhere from the Louvre in Paris to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and, of course, at Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola.
From Dec. 1 to 16, 14 of the original oils will be shown at another place that bubbles with Coke connections: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, the former home of soft drink heir Charles Howard Candler. The vintage paintings are one highlight of the 40th edition of Christmas at Callanwolde at the Druid Hills mansion.
Even without Sundblom’s nostalgic Santas, Callanwolde is an eye-catching place around the holidays, when interior and floral designers transform every nook and cranny of the 27,000-square-foot, Tudor Revival-style manse with fine furnishings, decorative flourishes and, of course, a crop of Christmas trees.
Several large holiday decorations usually seen only internally by Coca-Cola employees, including a giant polar bear created from 4,500 recycled white Coke caps, also will be displayed at Callanwolde.
Christmas at Callanwolde’s list of special events is almost as long as Santa’s gift list, including a VIP opening party 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4 featuring music by von Grey and food and drink ($100 per person); Legoland Breakfast with Santa, 9-10:30 a.m. Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 ($25); Build A Bear Teddy Bear Tea, 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 ($25); Cocoa & Caroling outdoors in the amphitheater 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 2 (free); a showing of “Elf” along with music by blues singer Dianne Durrett and children’s dance, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 12 (free with mansion admission); and dual artist markets daily (free with mansion admission).
11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Dec. 1-16. Tickets, $20 ($15 each for groups), at www.callanwolde.org or at the door. 980 Briarcliff Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-872-5338.
THEATER
Serenbe Playhouse announces four shows
Even as it prepares to embrace the chill in the air by staging an outdoor production of Rachel Teagle’s new adaption of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” Serenbe Playhouse has warmer thoughts on its mind. The theater in south Fulton County’s Chattahoochee Hills municipality has announced a spring production and its three-play summer lineup:
- March 26-April 11: "Man of La Mancha," to be performed at the Labyrinth at the Serenbe development.
- May 29-Aug. 2: "The Secret Garden," Teagle's adaption of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic, to be presented in a new English garden space at Serenbe.
- June 11-28: "A Streetcar Named Desire," at Serenbe's Art Farm Stage.
- July 23-Aug. 16: "Evita," at Serenbe's Open Air Space. Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for students.
As a reminder, Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” which inspired Disney’s recent animated blockbuster “Frozen,” will be presented Dec. 4-21 at the new Swann Ridge section at Serenbe. Read more about it and other holiday theater highlights on Friday in the Go Guide section.
Season tickets now on sale: 770-463-1110, www.serenbeplayhouse.com.
South African musical tapestry at Rialto
Celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa, the internationally touring musical “Africa Umoja” decamps at the Rialto Center for the Arts from Nov. 25 to 30.
An all-South African cast of 32 takes audience members on a journey through South African history, melding traditions of storytelling, drumming, dance and song.
“Umoja,” translating as “together” in Zulu, was chosen for the title by co-writers Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni. The colorful show features music by composers including Mariam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. After seeing performances, songwriter Paul Hone offered “Long Road to Freedom,” a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and Allen Simone offered the Martin Luther King Jr. tribute “I Have a Dream,” both now included in the revue.
8 p.m. nightly. 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. Tickets, $53-$88: 404-413-9849, rialto.gsu.edu. More information: www.umojausatour.com.
MUSIC
Boy Choir presents songs of the season
In its 57th season, the Atlanta Boy Choir is well seasoned in putting on holiday concerts.
Directed by founder Fletcher Wolfe, it kicks off its multi-concert season with its Holiday Spectacular at 7:30 pm Dec. 5 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Featuring 65 boys, 40 men and a chamber orchestra, the concert will feature Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs and selections from masterworks by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns. Tickets, $20. 435 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.
Another season highlight comes 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 when the choir presents a Holiday Extravaganza concert at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Tickets: $20.
Full holiday schedule: 404-378-0064, www.atlantaboychoir.org.
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