Posted by | Ray Cornelius 

The ATL may be known for its reality and music stars but there are also a number of actors and artists who are making their mark in the city as well. Check out a few them below and get caught up with what’s happening AROUND ATLANTA.

Congratulations to my fraternity brother, Eric J. Little (A-PHI). He has been tapped by Tony-winner Kenny Leon to direct the upcoming Muhammad Ali drama, Fetch Clay, Make Man, written by Will Power. The show, was originally supposed to be directed by triple threat star, Jasmine Guy, who had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict. The play is set in the days leading up to one of Cassius Clay’s most anticipated fights and his unlikely friendship with the controversial Hollywood star Stepin Fetchit. The cast includes Rob Demery in the role of Muhammad Ali and Brad Raymond portraying Stepin FetchitAmari Cheatom, Brian Kurlander and Danielle Deadwyler, who was most recently seen on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, round out the cast.This is Little’s directorial debut and the show runs October 28-November 22 at the Southwest Arts Center. Click here for tickets!

This weekend is your last chance to see my friend and acting buddy, Naima Carter Russell in the Tony-winning Broadway musical, Memphis, playing at downtown’s Rialto Center for the Arts. The Suzi Bass Award Nominee stars as “Felicia” alongside her acting husband, Eugene H. Russell IV as “Gator.” The show is inspired by the underground clubs of 1950s Memphis and follows the forbidden love of a white DJ who falls for everything he shouldn’t like R&B music and a magnetic black singer chasing stardom. Click here for tickets and take your dancing shoes.

Big Ups to Visual Artist, Fahamu Pecou!  He will curate ELEVATE 2015, Atlanta’s annual visual arts program and festival. Pecou is a internationally recognized visual/performing artist and scholar, whose hip-hop inspired art work is admired by Beyoncé  and Jay Z and has been featured on Fox’s Empire and ABC’s black-ish. ELEVATE, which is now in it’s fifth season, aims to promote city-wide cultural growth among residents by exhibiting large-scale public art installations, visual performances, and education. This year’s theme is F.I.L.A (Forever I Love Atlanta) and features a special art installation presented by Rico Wade and Ray Murray of the Atlanta-based hip-hop production company Organized Noize.  ELEVATE 2015 begins in October. Click here for more information!

Photo Credits: Eric J. Little (Facebook/BreeAnne Clowdus), Naima Carter (Facebook) Fahamu Pecou (10Squared)

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