Election Tuesday
June 17 — Hello, Silver Streak readers!A reminder that polls are open until 7 p.m. tonight for the special statewide primary for the Public Service Commission. Visit here for your polling location.
🏹 This week we have more on musician, poet, and Renaissance man Kodac Harrison, whose debut memoir, “Chasing My Vagabond Heart,” chronicles his 40 years in the Atlanta arts scene. We also have details on the James Beard shutout for Buckhead’s Aria, and a theatre review of ‘Young John Lewis,’ which now has shows running through July 6.
And now for a few headlines:
🌳 The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a controversial update to the city’s tree protection ordinance at Monday’s meeting.
⚽ Atlanta got its first taste of global soccer excitement yesterday with Chelsea FC’s victory over Los Angeles FC, 2-0. Five remaining 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the next scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. between Inter Miami CF and FC Porto.
⚕️Charis Books and More is hosting a virtual conversation on pelvic floor health featuring Dr. Jessica Reale and Dr. Sara Reardon, author of “FLOORED: A Complete Guide to Women’s Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage.” Registration for the July 1 event is required here.
🧠 Serenity Mental Health Center in Sandy Springs is now offering transcranial magnetic stimulation and ketamine therapy to treat mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression.
🐕 Dogs destroying sensitive plants, biting people, and attacking wild animals have led the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to remind visitors that dogs must be leashed at all times when visiting the park.
🕓 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter.
• Georgia’s James Beard shut out
• Theatre review: ‘Young John Lewis’
• Atlanta arts legend debuts new memoir
AND
• Stories of Atlanta | Lance Russell
Enjoy!
Atlanta (and Georgia) restaurants shut out of 2025 James Beard Awards
🔪 The James Beard Foundation held its annual chef and restaurant awards in Chicago on Monday, June 16, an awards ceremony referred to as the “Oscars of the food world.”
Sadly, it was another shutout for Atlanta (and Georgia) this year, with only Aria representing the entire state. Aria was up for a medal in the Outstanding Hospitality category. The James Beard Award went to Atomix in New York City.
But the 2025 James Beard nomination becomes a fitting tribute to recently retired Chef Gerry Klaskala and his ardent commitment to hospitality at Aria, which has been a core tenet at the restaurant since it opened 25 years ago on East Paces Ferry Road.
🍽️ Read more from Beth McKibben here.
Atlanta’s Trusted Source for Orthopedic Care
SPONSORED BY PEACHTREE ORTHOPEDICS
🏃➡️ The last thing anybody has time for is an injury that disrupts their week. But, Peachtree Orthopedics is here to make life easier.
For 70 years, we’ve been committed to helping Atlantans return to the activities they love. At our 11 convenient locations, we have 43 leading physicians, all of whom are fellowship-trained, with specialties in every body part.
Injured in the evening or on the weekend? Skip the ER. Our UrgentORTHO clinic offers same-day, evening, and Saturday hours.
➞ It’s time to get back to doing what you love. Peachtree Orthopedics is here to help you Get Better.
Photo by Casey G. FordTheatre Review: ‘Young John Lewis’ could be the next ‘Hamilton’
🎶 Seeing the world premiere of “Young John Lewis” at Theatrical Outfit feels like being on the precipice of something big – you know that a couple of years down the line, you’ll be bragging that you saw it before it was on Broadway.
The musical, with book and lyrics by Psalmayene 24 and music by Eugene H. Russell IV, has the potential to become the next “Hamilton,” but instead of taking inspiration from hip-hop to make colorblind the racist foundation of America, “Young John Lewis” utilizes the genre to face the realities of race in America head-on.
➳ Read Katie Burkholder’s full review of the musical, which will now run through July 6.
Kodac Harrison’s new memoir chronicles 40 years as a musician and poet
📖 Kodac Harrison’s new memoir, “Chasing My Vagabond Heart,” chronicles more than 40 years in the life of the musician, poet, artist, photographer, and emcee. And while he might call himself a vagabond, the term “Renaissance man” more aptly describes his devotion to Atlanta’s art scene.
Harrison, 76, began working on the memoir more than 13 years ago, then put it away while touring, releasing albums and poetry collections, and getting married to his wife, Patty. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he pulled the book out of the drawer and began again.
Harrison will be in conversation with fellow poet Rupert Fike at The Book Bird in Avondale Estates on Wed., June 18, starting at 7 p.m.
🗣️ Find out more about Harrison’s storied career here.
‘Drinking, Gambling, and Unruly Behavior’: Stories of Atlanta by Lance Russell
VIA SAPORTAREPORT
🕰️ One might be tempted to think that Atlanta’s history has unfolded in a smooth, orderly fashion – one event after another in a precise and predictable manner, much like the hands on a clock. One should resist that temptation. The history of Atlanta was marked by challenges, setbacks, unexpected results, and, as with any major endeavor, a fair share of under-the-table wheeling and dealing.
The City of Atlanta’s coming-out party is a story filled with shady characters, opportunistic politicians, and less-than-legal actions, all taken under the cover of being for the greater good. This week, we also set the stage and define the characters in preparation for next week’s story about one of the most controversial nights in the history of Atlanta.
⚖️ Learn more about Atlanta’s efforts to become legal on this week’s Stories of Atlanta.
Explore more of our newsletters
💡 Did you know Silver Streak has other newsletters that go deeper into what’s happening across metro Atlanta?
➡ Stacks: Our newest newsletter covering Atlanta’s literary scene, author profiles, book reviews, and more comes out the second Sunday of each month.
➡ Sketchbook: All about Atlanta’s art scene. Artist profiles, art openings, museum events. Wednesdays.
➡ Side Dish: News about the food scene. Beyond just openings and closings, Side Dish includes recipes and a regular feature on pop-ups. Thursdays.
➡ Scene: The only newsletter focused on the movie world. Reviews, interviews, podcasts. Fridays.
📧 All of our newsletters are free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we never sell your data. Subscribe here.
🖋️ Today’s Silver Streak was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
