Breaking Benjamin with Starset at The Tabernacle

Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin.

 

Breaking Benjamin and Starset played to a sold-out crowd at the Tabernacle on Thursday, Feb 18.  The opening act, Starset, was amazing to watch.  Dustin Bates (lead vocals), Ron DeChant (bass), Brock Richards (guitar) and Adam Gilbert (drums) held true to the scientific and political themes of the album “Transmissions,” hypnotizing the crowd with their incredible, cinematic rock style a la robotic suits. 

After a brief stage change, it was time for Breaking Benjamin's performance.  Lead vocalist Benjamin Burnley, accompanied by Keith Wallen (rhythm guitar), Shaun Foist (drums), Aaron Bruch (bass) and Jasen Rauch (lead guitar), took the crowd back in time to the early 2000s, opening with their hit songs “So Cold” and “Follow.”

Breaking Benjamin went into hiatus in 2010 in light of legal issues with former band members in addition to continuing health issues suffered by Burnley. It was thought that the band had broken up and would not be making a return. These rumors were dismissed in the latter part of 2014 when Burnley announced the reformation of the band and the future release of a new album. On June 23, the album “Dark Before Dawn” was released with incredible fan support and record-setting success.

Throughout the evening, Burnley continuously gave thanks and praise to the fans.  Look out world, Breaking Benjamin is back and better than ever!

Chattahoochee Hills Eventing: A Day on Carl Bouckaert’s Farm

Show Jumping at Chattahoochee Hills schooling event on Feb. 13th.

 

Chattahoochee Hills Eventing is located on Olympic Three Day Event rider Carl Bouckaert’s farm in Chattahoochee Hill country. Just 15 miles west of Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, this 8,000 acre equestrian paradise is filled with well-established rolling pastures, lakes, and woodlands that run 12 miles along the Chattahoochee River.

I had the pleasure of photographing the first schooling event of the 2016 season on Saturday, Feb. 13.  Thank you Hugh Lochore and Laura King for your kindness, and a very special thank you to Charlotte Von Wolfle Greer for helping me navigate the property and your gracious hospitality throughout the day.

Highlights below:

Hello Jonas: Scenes from the DC Blizzard of 2016

Capitol Hill

 

Snowpocalypse may have dumped more than two feet of snow on the nation's capital, but my friends and I made the most of it.  With camera in hand, we set off for an adventure in the snow.  Our views were epic and we were able to get closer than most to The White House.

Thank you for memories that will last a lifetime, Kathy and Julia!

Highlights below:

Atlanta Ballet Presents Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet

Christian Clark and Nadia Mara in “Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet,"
 presented by Atlanta Ballet

 

High-kicking Cancan choreography and a story of love, adventure and indulgence revolving around the world-famous Moulin Rouge cabaret came to life in Atlanta Ballet's reprise of “Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet," on Friday, February 5th.   The production - which Atlanta Ballet presented the U.S. premiere of in 2010 - is the original creation of renowned Canadian choreographer Jorden Morris, who sets his full-length ballet in the late 1880s when the Moulin Rouge first opened its doors. To create an engaging and authentic experience, this fan-favorite features a score of more than 29 pieces of music from period French composers.

 

Originally built in 1889 by Joseph Oller, the Moulin Rouge is best known as the birthplace of the Quadrille and the provocative Cancan dance. During its heyday, the cabaret was an extravagant place featuring huge dance floors, wall-to-wall mirrors and elegant galleries. This excess was accompanied by a wild atmosphere on stage featuring gaudy Cancan girls in long skirts and heavily frilled undergarments who performed high kicks, splits, cartwheels and other acrobatic tricks.

 

The story involves a young painter, Mathew (Christian Clark), who comes to Paris and meets Toulouse-Lautrec (John Welker) who becomes his sponsor and protector. Young Mathew falls in love with laundress/dancer Natalie, played by  the lovely Nadia Mara. The owner of the Moulin Rouge, Zidler (Jonah Hopper), hires Natalie on the spot, then proceeds to fall in love with her as does Mathew;  the results are tragic.

 

This critically-acclaimed production transformed the stage into a grand spectacle of elegance and seduction, magnifying the euphoria of Paris. Atlanta Ballet's corps of dancers pushed the envelope, yet again,  as it wove the grace of classical ballet with the athleticism and artistry of the French Cancan and the verve of the tango.  The exceptional dancing was delivered like a moving picture across the stage.

 

Atlanta Ballet's “Moulin Rouge®—The Ballet," runs thru February 13th.  This stellar production is a must-see!  For tickets, visit www.atlantaballet.com.

 

Highlights below: