Believe it or not, there was a time when Atlanta liked to tear down glorious old buildings to make way for unlovely new parking garages and other cathedrals of utility.
Thank goodness that nonsense is over.
To celebrate, the Fox Theatre and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation are teaming up for “A Legendary Encore,” a cocktail soiree celebrating the 40th anniversary of the mercifully successful “Save the Fox” campaign. In 1974, local citizens banded together to spare the Fox from the wrecking ball and raised the money to restore the opulent gem in time for its grand reopening in 1975.
"This celebration will honor those who kept the legend alive 40 years ago," said event co-chair Jay Myers. "Because of these individuals and the help of our great community, we were able to rescue a landmark from demolition. We are proud to celebrate the board during the gala."
The event will be 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fox. Tickets are $150 for members or $200 for nonmembers. (The $200 ticket includes a membership in both the Trust and the Friends of the Fox organization.) Tickets for guests younger than 40 are $100. The dress is cocktail attire.
All founding board members will be honored during the event. Attending board members are scheduled to include Bill Allison, John Busby, Pat Connell, Rodney Cook, Clayton Farnham, Jim Goldin, Joe Patton and Preston Stevens.
Proceeds from the event will be shared by both organizations. The Fox Theatre’s portion will support the outreach programs of the Fox Theatre Institute, which revitalizes community theaters. The Georgia Trust’s portion will aid its mission of reclaiming, restoring and revitalizing Georgia’s historic places.
Event co-chairs include Carolyn Llorens and Caroline Tucker representing the Georgia Trust, and Myers and Ingrid Saunders Jones representing the Fox.
“A Legendary Encore” will feature live entertainment, a full bar and delectable nibbles from Atlanta’s finest caterers.
See www.georgiatrust.org or call 404-885-7812 for more information or to make your reservations.
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