The Atlanta History Center, located in Buckhead off of West Paces Ferry Road, is bringing the Day of the Dead celebration to Atlanta this weekend. On Sunday, November 2nd, from noon to 5 p.m., visit the Atlanta History Center for educational experience about the famous Mexican festival. On display will be decorated altars that honor deceased family members, much like the altars you would find in Mexico during this celebration. Historians will be on hand to tell stories about the Day of the Dead. Authentic Mexican food and music will also be featured on Sunday. This is a prime opportunity to learn some of the traditions of a different culture that shouldn’t be very foreign to us as Mexico is our neighboring county. The program, presented in collaboration with teh Instituto de Mexico and the Mexican Consulate, takes place outdoors and is free and open to the general public. This is a prime cultural experience and extremely convenient for anyone living in the Buckhead area. The Astoria at the Aramore is opening in a matter of days, meaning that soon unique exhibits like this one will be a part of your regular routine.

Avignon has basically become synonymous with luxury townhomes in Vinings. What you may not realize though is the community features single family villas and condos as well as the townhomes. The timeless European architecture found in all of the townhomes at Avignon at Vinings is also found in the single-family villas and condos. Two single-family villas are currently open for tours, so stop by the community for a first-hand look. But, for a sneak preview, here is a detailed description (as well as a couple of photos) of one of the single family villas currently for sale:

Designed by Harrison Design Associates, this elegant Brick and Stone Country Manor home has 10’ ceilings throughout the main living area.   Large formal dining room and coffered ceiling library flank the gracious foyer. A butler’s Pantry with built-ins and wine chiller separates the dining room from the kitchen, which features custom Thornhill cabinets, a large island with prep sink and seating for four, Wolf, Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances complete the gracious sized kitchen. This home has a mud room and laundry off garage.  Family Room with 48” fireplace opens to the kitchen/breakfast area and the covered veranda. (more…)

For the wine connoisseur residents at Avignon at Vinings that have full intentions on taking advantage of the wine tasting room in the clubhouse, this is an event you won’t want to miss. The South City Kitchen is hosting “The Power of Pinot” next Thursday night - November 6th from 6:30 to 8:30. The South City Kitchen is a very popular local restaurant that hosts fantastic events like this one on a regular basis. Living only moments from such charming restaurants is only one of the many perks you will have when choosing to purchase a new townhome in Vinings at Avignon.

This is so much more than just a dinner party as each meal  has been specifically chosen to pair with a specific wine. As the title of the event suggests, the wines are all Pinots - Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Let’s start with the passed hors d’oeuvres (more…)

Perfectly in time for the Halloween season, the Fox Theatre is proud to welcome Wicked, the smash-hit that has impressed audiences all over the nation. I am sure you are very familiar with the story of Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the East from the Wizard of Oz. Well, there is more to that story than meets the eye, and it just may be that the Wicked Witch of the East wasn’t so “wicked” after all. So, be sure to head to the Fox for a fun-filled musical that retells one of the most famous stories of all time. The last time this extraordinary musical made its way to the Fabulous Fox Theatre, it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Back for a longer run, Wicked is currently at the Fox until November 2nd and tickets are still available. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of seats is held daily. Just show up two and one-half hours prior to show time to enter your name in the drawing. Keep in mind that residents at the Astoria will be able to conveniently take advantage of Atlanta events such as this.

Residents at Avignon at Vinings are extremely excited about the opening of the community clubhouse. Kairos Development Corporation is in the final stages of construction on the clubhouse and completion is expected at the end of October. Upon completion, the European inspired clubhouse will include a wine tasting room, large outdoor deck with skyline views and caterer’s kitchen as well as a wellness center, which will include a spa and fitness facilities. Adjacent to the clubhouse will be a pool and cabana with televisions and a bar and grill. The surface of the pool was recently poured and landscaping is currently being put in throughout the pool area. Lovely topography invites homeowners to relax and unwind at outdoor gathering spaces with scenic views of Atlanta and Buckhead. Avignon at Vinings is an exclusive retreat that will also offer residents beautiful open park areas and a fenced dog park. The new clubhouse only accents the unique lifestyle provided by these luxury new homes in Vinings.

For those that are fans of the Atlanta Ballet, take notice to the fact that they are no longer performing at the Fox Theatre. Instead, the ballet company has moved to the Cobb Performing Arts Centre, and it is here that you can see the Atlanta Ballet perform the fairytale classic, Swan Lake. From October 23 to November 2, the Atlanta Ballet will do eight performances at CPAC. Swan Lake is an enchanting fairytale of everlasting love that takes audiences on a roller coaster of emotions, from heartache to happiness. This exquisite ballet has become the cornerstone of dance for more than a century, and there is no question as to why. If you have yet to experience Swan Lake, this is a must-see event, and tickets are currently on-sale.

The Cobb Performing Arts Centre is in the same neighborhood as Avignon at Vinings. (more…)

The long wait is just about complete as the Astoria at the Aramore building will be complete and open by the end of October. The photos here are the most recent shots of the Astoria exterior, and, as you can see, these luxury Atlanta condos are just about complete. Notice the floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase beautiful views of the downtown Atlanta skyline and the Buckhead skyline. You can also see the amenities deck, which features a swimming pool, heated spa and outdoor fireplace. What you are not able to see is the completed interiors of the units. The Astoria condos were designed with the ultimate luxury in mind, which means fine finishes and intricate detail can be found throughout each home.

However, it isn’t possible to give a list of the standard features found in every home, because the same features are not found in every home. When you buy a new Atlanta condo at the Astoria at the Aramore, you are given creative freedom to customize your unit any way you want. An interior designer will work closely with you to help determine which fine finishes and luxurious features will be perfect for your style and needs. This ensures that your condo is truly one-of-a-kind and made specifically with you in mind. (more…)

Coming to Atlantic Station is the highly anticipated Taste of Atlanta event. On October 11th and 12th people from all over the city will fill the streets of Atlantic Station to try samples of the most popular dishes from some of Atlanta’s most famous restaurants. Just to get your taste buds watering I’ll give you a brief list of a few of the restaurants on display this weekend at Atlantic Station: Cafe Intermezzo, The Capital Grille, Fado, Geisha House, Loca Luna, The Oceanaire, Rathbun’s, the Melting Pot, Strip and so many more. There will be a wide variety of cuisine for you to try and you may just discover a new favorite restaurant in Atlanta. While food is the main event, there are many other forms of entertainment offered throughout the weekend. There will be live cooking demonstrations, including one from Trisha Yearwood, from national and local celebrity chefs - so not only will you be sampling an abundance of tasty cuisine, but you’ll actually get to learn how to create it at home. (more…)