Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Sea Lions, Dolphins, Penguins and So Much More!

Part of its year-long 10th anniversary celebration, Georgia Aquarium is debuting new and re-mastered experiences for its next 22,000,000 visitors! 

Opening to the public tomorrow, March 31, 2016, is the brand new California Sea Lion Experience in SunTrust Pier 225 and a wholly new dolphin show titled AT&T Dolphin Celebration. They've also renovated their 4D Funbelievable Theater, now featuring a "Happy Feet" short; they've added new touch pools AND keep an eye out for their new penguin "waddle" experience!


SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lions | Georgia Aquarium
SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lions | Georgia Aquarium

California Sea Lion Experience in SunTrust Pier 225


California sea lions are the newest members of the Georgia Aquarium family, and every one of them is a rescue! The new sea lion experience in SunTrust Pier 225 is educational and playful with a generous splash of fun! The adorable sea lions, one of them weighing in at 500 pounds!, and their dedicated trainers will be teaching guests about sea lions and how the Aquarium is caring for them, all during a live training session!


SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion "Hello" | Georgia Aquarium
SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion "Hello" | Georgia Aquarium

Being the space geek that I am, you can imagine how delighted I was to learn that two of the smaller, younger sea lions are named Neptune and Jupiter! Yes, yes, I know Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, but my ears heard planet and planet. Either way, they're both so adorable! When I attended the media preview event, we saw five sea lions! 

In 2010, I saw the famous PIER 39 sea lions in San Francisco, California, and immediately fell in love with the pinnipeds. I am personally absolutely excited to see the research and conservation efforts being made by Georgia Aquarium for these lovable creatures. And the new show is awesome!


SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion | Georgia Aquarium
SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion | Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium Fun Facts

Allow me please to share a few fun facts about Georgia Aquarium...

  • More than 22 million guests, including students, tourists and celebrities (such as Jennifer Lawrence, Betty White and Usher, to name a few), have visited Georgia Aquarium since it opened in 2005!
  • Each minute, the Aquarium's life support system filters more than 170,000 gallons of water!
  • Guests from all 50 states and 143 countries on six continents have visited Georgia Aquarium!
  • Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums, with more than 10 million gallons of water in more than 100 habitats and is one of the most abundant collections of aquatic life anywhere!
  • Georgia Aquarium is the only aquarium in North America that is home to manta rays and whale sharks, the largest fish in the world!
Speaking of whale sharks, in 2014 my best friend Barry gifted me a Journey With Gentle Giants experience...we swam in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, the largest at Georgia Aquarium, WITH the whale sharks and manta rays! It was the most AMAZING experience! I highly recommend it...it's with a very small group and it's worth every penny! [OUR SWIM



SunTrust Pier 225 | Georgia Aquarium
SunTrust Pier 225 | Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium's 4D Funbelievable Theater

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that in all the years I've been visiting Georgia Aquarium I'd never been to their 4D Funbelievable Theater. On the evening of the Media Preview, I made a point to go. It's totally awesome! The film is 3D, there's some slight motion in your chairs, there's wind, there's snow, there's bubbles (simulating being underwater), there are leg ticklers...it's a very cool experience.

The current movie being featured is a short of Happy Feet, which I'd never seen, but thoroughly enjoyed! I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that the next day I went out and purchased the movie so I could watch all 108 minutes of it. I especially enjoyed, in the special features, Savion Glover encouraging people to find their own heartsong, to artistically express themselves in whatever way brings them joy. 


SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion Kisses | Georgia Aquarium | Photo: Travis S. Taylor
SunTrust Pier 225 | Sea Lion Kisses | Georgia Aquarium | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Sea Lion Kisses

The above photo is the only one in this post that I made myself. The others are courtesy of Georgia Aquarium. 

On the evening of the Media Preview, the reason I got this awesome shot is that I sat in the Splash Zone, in one of the front rows. Most everyone was sitting in the farther back rows, but I wanted the full experience! It turned out to be the best seat in the house! I hardly got a sprinkle, but that could change show to show.

I should mention that photography and video are expressly prohibited during the new show (we had special permission the night of the Media Preview). It's, of course, for the safety of the animals and trainers.   


AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium
AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium

AT&T Dolphin Celebration

The wholly new dolphin show, AT&T Dolphin Celebration, is magnificent! The previous show, awesome in its own right, was part fantasy and part dolphin entertainment. The new show is entertaining education and pure delightful dolphin entertainment, taken up quite a few notches! 

I mentioned the Splash Zone in the sea lion show...Dolphin Celebration has a SOAK ZONE, and when they say "SOAK", they mean SOAK! I didn't sit there that night, but one of the other guests did and she got SOAKED! Great fun!

I was super excited to see my friend Sue, of Field Trips With Sue, that night. I got to hang out with her and her husband for part of the evening. Sue was one of the bloggers who inspired my writing of wanderlust ATLANTA when I started and I'm ever grateful to her for that. When you're planning your family vacation, do visit Field Trips With Sue for some awesome ideas! 


AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium
AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium

I immediately have lots of favorite moments in Dolphin Celebration, but I think my absolute favorite is the feat pictured above. What you don't see is that the dolphins are turning the trainer in a spiral motion...one of the coolest underwater things I've ever seen! 


AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium
AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium

New Touch Pools

If you've been to Georgia Aquarium before you know how wonderful the touch pools are. Now there are more and new ones! They're located throughout the galleries, so if you're not sure where to find them, ask any Aquarium employee or volunteer.

I'd like to offer, and encourage you to as well, a huge "Thank you!" to Georgia Aquarium volunteers. They serve 9,000 - 13,000 hours a month and have volunteered more than 1.6 million hours since the Aquarium opened. That's a lotta love! I have friends who work at the Aquarium and volunteer at the Aquarium, so I'm often regaled with fascinating stories of what goes on behind the scenes, which enhances my experience every time I visit.


AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium
AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium

Veterans Immersion Program

Georgia Aquarium's Veterans Immersion Program isn't new, but being former U.S. Navy myself, I'm compelled to mention and am grateful to the Aquarium for what they're doing for our brave men and women who have served our country. The program offers military personnel who have been physically, emotionally or mentally wounded, the opportunity to SCUBA dive or swim in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, complementing current rehabilitation and reintegration programs. 

The Aquarium also offers Military Mondays, complimentary admission on Mondays to active military personnel.


AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium
AT&T Dolphin Celebration | Georgia Aquarium

Animal Encounter Programs

Experiencing the five major galleries of Georgia Aquarium in an exhilarating and fantastical experience on its own. But if you want more, they offer some pretty incredible Animal Encounter and Animal Interaction experiences, including dolphins, penguins, whale sharks, otters and more!

Happy 10th Anniversary, Georgia Aquarium!

As you can see, there's a LOT going on at Georgia Aquarium, celebrating its year-long celebration of its 10th anniversary. Go see the new California sea lion experience at SunTrust Pier 225 and the wholly new Dolphin Celebration show and all of their other fantastic new and updated offerings!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Orchid Daze 2016

A world-class exhibition, Orchid Daze: Nature's Wonders at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is magnificent! It's on display through Sunday, April 10, but go soon so you can so you can also see the hundreds of thousands of magnificent spring blooms throughout the 30-acre Garden!


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There are events associated with Orchid Daze, including one more Orchid Market Weekend, hosted in the Visitor Center—the next one is Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10. There's another Orchid Care Clinic coming up on Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, reservations required. 

Also going on right now is the annual Atlanta Blooms! exhibition featuring hundreds of thousands of blossoming tulips, daffodils, crocus and more! Having had a mild winter, you'll want to get to the Garden to see all the blossoms on the earlier side this year.


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden


My first visit to this year's Orchid Daze exhibition was also the first time I'd been to the Garden since December (cue: dropped jaw) and it was the first day of spring, one of the most anticipated dates on my calendar! 

I know, I know...why hadn't I been to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in so long? I had an extremely busy winter, but I was amazed and delighted at how refreshed everything at the Garden seemed. The Fuqua Orchid Center is manicured more than I ever recall it being, but not to the point that it seems unnatural...it's quite stunning. 


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you're a first time visitor you should know that the Orchid Daze exhibition is displayed in three distinct areas. The introduction to the exhibition is in the lobby of the Fuqua Conservatory, which leads into the Tropical Rotunda. I overheard a visitor in the Conservatory lobby on this particular visit ask is wife, "Is this all?" She excitedly informed him that there was more.

After meandering through the Tropical Rotunda—which is absolutely stunning!—the Orchid Daze exhibition continues in the lobby of the Fuqua Orchid Center. AND it continues further in the adjacent Orchid Center Display Room. Be sure to visit the High Elevation Display Room, also adjacent to the Orchid Center lobby.


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

If you're an avid orchid enthusiast I highly recommend subscribing to The Orchid Column, the Atlanta Botanical Garden's orchid blog written (and filled with gorgeous photography) by Fuqua Orchid Center Manager Becky Brinkman...it's an awesome blog!

Oh, and be sure to read the "How We Did It" post, which discusses the execution of this year's Orchid Daze exhibition!


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

In recent years the Orchid Daze exhibition has been themed after various artists (2015, 2014, 2013) and they've been magnificent, but this year's show is particularly exceptional! 


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

While these orbs presumably represent "worlds", being the space geek that I am, I saw an orchid constellation, so of course I Googled "constellations named for orchids". In my brief search I didn't find any, but I did come across Greek guitarist Andreas Kapsalis who performs "Orchid Constellation" in this video. Having lived in Greece listening to Greek music for more than two years, this was a treat.


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

On this particular visit I renewed my Garden membership—I've opted for the dual membership for quite a few years now, so that I may bring a visitor who gets to enjoy the Garden as my guest and then goes and shares with everyone they know just how remarkable and spectacular it is. 

This is the Atlanta Botanical Garden's 40th anniversary, so there's a LOT of fantastic programming going on. If you've ever considered becoming a member, this is the year to do so.


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

We went earlier in the morning and the lighting was prefect! If you can arrange an early visit and you're a shutterbug, you'll appreciate the early day light as much as I did.


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

When we were at the Garden to see Orchid Daze the Atlanta Bonsai Society was hosting their annual show in Day Hall. It's always been a fantastic show, but this year was exceptional! From the entries to the way they were displayed, I was thoroughly impressed! I made a few photos with my phone, but none to share here, sorry. Be sure to mark your calendar for next year's show!


Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden
Orchid Daze 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I love the color yellow! Dark red is my favorite color of all, but yellow has been a lifelong favorite, too. The flower pictured above is not an orchid, but it's one of the many, many non-orchid flowers in the Fuqua Orchid Center. That's to say that the flora in the Orchid Center is as diverse as the species of orchid. 

Orchid Daze: Nature's Wonders at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is on display through Sunday, April 10. It's free with admission! Be sure to make time to explore the full 30 acres of our magnificent Garden!

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Atlanta Ballet's "20/20: Visionary" is Powerful!

Atlanta Ballet is currently performing one of their magnificent trio programs. Through Sunday, 20/20: Visionary "features three distinct works, each created exclusively for Atlanta Ballet, promising a variety of movement, music and diverse themes." And it does exactly that! There's a 20-minute intermission between performances allowing an opportunity to "reset" one's senses for the next powerful performance. 

20/20: Visionary is one of many planned tributes to Atlanta Ballet's Artistic Director John McFall. After 21 years with Atlanta Ballet, he will be retiring in June.


PLAYGROUND

Douglas Lee on "Playground" | Atlanta Ballet (Click image to view video)
Douglas Lee on "Playground" | Atlanta Ballet
(Click image to view interview)

Playground, a world premiere, is bought to us by British choreographer Douglas Lee, and it is my personal favorite of the trio of performances in 20/20: Visionary.

"...Lee has developed a distinct choreographic voice, which is characterized by stunning sculptural images created by the use of exquisite and complex partnering and a masterful use of the classic vocabulary."

Lee's Playground immediately engages a sense of happy nostalgia and takes you to a carefree time of joyously playing with other children. It also reminds us of some of the challenges that childhood playgrounds bought us...bullying and fighting. Then it magnificently reveals the beauty and reward of learning to play together, for the joy of it.

It left me longing for simpler times and yearning for that contagious laughter that only children at play can give the world...it left me grateful for having revisited those experiences.



Unfortunately, I'm not privy to any production photos of Playground, but please allow me to share with you that the lighting in this show is absolutely, without question, spectacular!

Lighting Designer Les Dickert was in the audience last night, but I didn't get a chance to share with him how much I enjoyed his work. The lighting is perfectly balanced and enchanting, subtle and revealing. "Congratulations!" Les on such beautiful lighting!


BOILING POINT


Boiling Point in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers
Boiling Point in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers

Boiling Point, choreographed by the acclaimed Darrell Grand Moultrie, "is a buoyant, fast-paced work that heats up the stage as dancers put their bodies to their limits, showcasing the searing, demanding athleticism of dance." 

This is the kind of performance that gifts the epiphany that this is a number that can ONLY be performed by dancers classically trained in the art of ballet. 


Boiling Point in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers
Boiling Point in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers

One of my favorite moves in this piece was when a ballerina danced across the stage and was leaping into the darkness of offstage when another dancer counteracted her forward motion quickly and elegantly then gracefully delivering her again to the stage. That single move, executed so beautifully, is the kind of precision mixed with elegance that keeps me returning to the ballet, again and again.  


HOME IN 7

Home in 7, in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers
Home in 7, in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers

Home in 7, first performed in Atlanta in 2010, is an Atlanta-inspired piece with spoken word by Marc Bamuthi Joseph (pictured above, left) and live music by the magnificent violinist Daniel Barnard Roumain. Choreographed by Amy Seiwert, who had never visited Atlanta, 12 Atlanta Ballet dancers beautifully performed this emotionally charged piece.


Home in 7, in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers
Home in 7, in 20/20 | Atlanta Ballet | Photo: Charlie McCullers

The dancing is magnificent, the music is beautiful, and the poetry is remarkable. But, having read that the piece was to be "unique and reflective of Atlanta"—a city I love—I was hoping that it would speak more to our strengths, to our progress. It's quite sobering, instead, bringing to light parts of our past that aren't so pleasant, but at the same time should not be forgotten.


SEE "20/20" BY SUNDAY

20/20: Visionary is a beautiful tribute to Artistic Director John McFall and we all wish him a fulfilling retirement come June of this year. I'm anxious to see what direction the new Artistic Director, Gennadi Nedvigin, brings to our world class Atlanta Ballet!

This Atlanta Ballet show has only four performances over three days, only two performances remaining at the time of my publishing this...so get your tickets now and treat yourself to a wonderfully magnificent and powerful experience!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Make-Believe America (for real at MODA)

I recently had the honor and pleasure of meeting and speaking with Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D., Executive Director of the New Mexico History Museum and curator of Make-Believe: America: U.S. Cultural Exhibitions in the Cold War, now on display at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA).

Dr. Wulf, certainly an expert in his field, is charismatic, engaging and, without question, passionate about design being its own language. I wholeheartedly agree!

Andrew Wulf, Ph.D. | Make-Believe America | MODA
Andrew Wulf, Ph.D. | Make-Believe America | MODA

The exhibition also takes a look at the crucial years of American exhibitions abroad, beginning with the formation of an official system of exhibiting American commercial wares and political ideas at trade fairs, through official exchanges with the U.S.S.R., to pavilions at World's Fairs and finally to museum exhibitions that signaled a return to the display of founding American values.

"Policy wonks had no interest in meddling with design questions and exhibition people did not report to those responsible for pushing policies. The less involved the government bureaucracy, the better off you were." - Jack Masey


Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

This exhibition delves into the height of U.S. cultural exhibitions (1955-1975) and demonstrates the ways in which design was used as a persuasive force. Make-BelieveAmerica provides examples of work created by exhibition teams that included renowned designers such as Jack Masey, Herbert Bayer, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and R. Buckminster Fuller.

This particular spot in the exhibition (pictured above), at the back of the first gallery on the right, is where I personally recommend visitors begin. The designers noted here are the catalysts and the masterminds behind how America would be viewed by the world from the 1950s onward.

As I understand, Jack Masey passed away a few days ago at the age of 94, and was a mentor to Make-Believe America curator Andy Wulf, who attributes everything he knows about cultural diplomacy exhibitions and World's Fairs to Mr. Masey. His passing is indeed an incredibly sad loss for the design world. RIP, Mr. Masey.


Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

During Dr. Wulf's tour, he shared many fascinating facts, one of which was that during the Space Race, NASA artifacts displayed at World's Fairs and other exhibitions were loaned just for the asking! 

Having been a volunteer at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum when I lived in D.C., I can't imagine that would be the case today...our space history artifacts are far too valuable to casually lend out! 

At the 1970 Osaka, Japan, World's Fair, the first World's Fair in Asia, on display were a Moon rock and there was a baseball exhibition featuring one of Babe Ruth's jerseys! Not only were the exhibition designers trying to showcase America's successful trip to and return from the Moon, they were trying to present the lighter side of America.

One of the structures at the Osaka World's Fair was quite revolutionary, at the time. It was wholly supported by air pressure! To relieve public concern that "The BAND-AID" might collapse on the visiting audiences, a representative climbed the massive construction and stabbed it with a Samurai sword! It, of course, did not collapse.  


Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

For a more in depth review of the exhibition, I invite you to read the ArtsATL review of the exhibition...they share a considerable insight of the MODA exhibition. An excerpt from their review:

"...Make-Believe America tells a significant story about how there was an interesting time when 20th century design itself became a sort of weapon in the Cold War, one used by a country to launch a beautiful image of itself into the world’s consciousness."


Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Make-Believe America | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

While this exhibition is light on physical artifacts, it's rich in imagery, the lexicon of design and information about a unique time in America's history. I found it quite fascinating and think you will, too! 

Go see Make-Believe: America: U.S. Cultural Exhibitions in the Cold War at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), now through June 12, 2016. I think you'll be amazed at what you discover!

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Joelanta Toy Convention 2016

Earlier today I attended Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention at the Century Center Marriott. I'd attended this convention a couple of years ago and had a great time. When my friend Nikki heard about it, she was all about going...so, after having brunch at Babs Midtown, we went to check out the toys!  


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

The above is part of a large diorama inspired by Star WarsWhat did you think of the new Star Wars movie? I loved seeing the original cast members and Rey is my favorite new character. 

My friends Patti and Eric treated me to the film when it first came out. We saw it in 3D at Atlantic Station, in their VIP 21+ theaters, of which I believe they have two, with reserved seating and recliner seats. Great experience!


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

This convention is all about toys an there are LOTS of toys there! I was at this convention two years ago and it has grown exponentially since! Walking around the vendor booths, I was flooded with childhood memories...almost overwhelming, but no so much that it deterred from any of the fun I was having!  


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

There was a costume contest and the contestants were all fantastic! Of course, having served in the U.S. Navy myself, getting a photo with "Shipwreck"—a Navy sailor fighting on the side of G.I. Joe—was a must. He totally nailed his costume...parrot, anchor and tattoos included. 


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

One of the things I was most looking forward to was the dioramas. A couple of years ago, the biggest one was a huge zombie car crash scene, with a flaming zombie! This year...Star Wars! There's a LOT going on inside the cylinders and towers. 


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention is dedicated to memory of Cody Martin Lane, an avid collector and member of the Atlanta G.I. Joe Collectors Club. He lost a long battle with a degenerative neurological disorder called CIDP at the age of 17.

Proceeds from this convention go to the founding and eventual creation of the Cody Lane Memorial Toy and Diorama Museum


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

I went to Joelanta this year with my friend Nikki, a fellow sci-fi enthusiast. I introduced her to Chris Hamer of Urbnpop and she ran into a number of her friends who she introduced me to. Kinda cool to realize that even in the toy convention industry it's a small world.


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

Like similar conventions, Joelanta has special guests, panels, contests, lots of vendors and more! This is a two-day convention and both times I've attended I've only been able to go the afternoon of the second day. Hopefully next year I'll be able to participate in the first full day, which has a lot more events!


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

I'm totally a car enthusiast...have been since I was a little kid. Also being a cinema buff, it's awesome to see cars from Ghostbusters, Batman and any movie that has zombies!


Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

There was a room with multiple dioramas, many of them incredibly detailed! I've always been a fan of design (my minor in college was Web Graphic Design and I used to work part-time for an interior designer), which I think is why I like dioramas so much. Also being a space enthusiast, I really like the one above pictured diorama.




Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016
Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention 2016

The photo above is a tiny part of a much larger diorama. The surprise element of eating an ice cream I thought was hilarious! Kudos to all the diorama creators...they truly were fantastic!

Joelanta & The Great Atlanta Toy Convention is one of Metro Atlanta's many smaller conventions. If you're a collector or a toy enthusiast, be sure to mark your calendar and attend next year's convention. This convention is growing...I only see it getting better and better and better!