Peace out
Wednesday, April 8 — Hours after warning that “a whole civilization will die,” President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran last night. Israel says it will honor the agreement with Iran, but that it doesn’t apply to Lebanon. Oil prices are down, and stock futures are higher this morning. Get live updates here.
☁️ Cloudy with a high of 67° today.
🗳️ Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller defeated Democrat Shawn Harris in a runoff to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. In state legislative special elections, Republicans held Senate District 53, while Democrats retained House Districts 94 and 130.
🧳 Delta Air Lines raised its first checked bag fee to $45 from $35, joining other airlines in hiking fees as they absorb rising jet fuel costs.
🚨 Police arrested rapper Lil Tjay on a disorderly conduct charge following a fight at a South Florida casino in which Atlanta rapper Offset was shot.
⚾ Georgia State University says it wants to build an athletics hub around its existing football and under-construction baseball stadiums in Summerhill.
🌳 Tucker Town Green has already received more than 10,000 visitors since it opened last November.
🏆 Campbell-Stone’s senior living community in Sandy Springs received an award for resident satisfaction.
⚾ Despite a bench-clearing brawl involving former Brave Jorge Soler, Atlanta beat the Angels 7-2 last night.
ELSEWHERE
🧀 A liberal won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, giving progressives a 5-2 majority through at least 2030.
🇮🇶 An American journalist who was abducted in Baghdad by an Iran-backed militia was freed Tuesday.
🛑 The U.K. barred Ye, formerly Kanye West, from entering the country over antisemitic posts and songs, prompting organizers to cancel the Wireless Festival, where he was meant to headline.
🌕 NASA released the first images of the moon from Artemis II’s lunar flyby.
PICTURE THIS: Midtown Alliance began preliminary work on turning property on 14th Street, once destined for a condo tower, into a new public space. Plans call for regrading and leveling the site to create an open, multi-use lawn and walking paths around the perimeter.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• 90th Atlanta Dogwood Festival
• ‘Norcross Then & Now’
• Wellness Wednesday
AND
• Concert Picks
🚍 MARTA bus routes change NEXT WEEK on Sat., April 18. The NextGen Bus Network will feature simplified routes, more frequent buses, easier connections, and less waiting. Find a map of your new route and more info here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. 90th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park this weekend
🌸 The 90th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park from Fri., April 10-Sun., April 12, for a weekend of art, music, and food.
This year’s festival will have an admission charge to help offset the cost of producing the event, following a budget shortfall in 2025. Tickets for Friday are $5 per adult (13+), and are $10 per adult (13+) on Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass is available for all three days for $15.
The festival will include a 5K, an artist market, live music and performances, a kids village, and more.
🎶 Learn more about the festival here.
Sculpting Space, Shaping Experience
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
🧑🎨 Step into the expansive world of Isamu Noguchi, where sculpture, design, and space converge in unexpected ways. Discover nearly 200 works ranging from iconic furniture to unrealized visions and large-scale installations that reveal an artist redefining how we live, play, and experience form.
Plus, celebrate with a luminous community lantern parade from the High Museum of Art to Piedmont Park on April 23, featuring hands-on lantern-making workshops inspired by Noguchi’s iconic Akari lanterns with Chantelle Rytter.
2. Interactive exhibit invites community to shape Norcross’ future
🚃 The city invites residents and visitors to the “Norcross Then & Now” exhibit, April 13–30 at the Norcross Welcome Center & History Museum.
Hosted as part of Georgia Cities Week, the exhibit offers a unique look at Norcross’ journey from a railroad town in 1870 to a growing, international community in the 21st century.
Guests can explore how the city has evolved while gaining a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and moments that continue to shape its future.
🏙️ Learn more about the exhibit here.
3. Wellness Wednesday
🏸 Participate in a library play day for children and families on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Lilburn Branch Library with LiveHealthy Gwinnett. Enjoy health lessons, games, activities, and more.
🫂 Join the Lilburn Branch Library on Tues., April 14 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate Autism Awareness Month (pictured). Learn tips and information with Michelle Gunby from ATL Spectrum.
❤️🩹 Take care of your health and learn about lifestyle medicine for women at the Northeast Spruill Oaks Library on Wed., April 15 at 10 a.m. Join life coach Sona Tank and hear about the six pillars of lifestyle medicine.
🧡 The Latin American Association’s Compañeros Award Luncheon returns next week, honoring leaders uplifting Georgia’s Latino community. Join us in celebrating this year’s awardees and their impact in our region. Single tickets available here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Concert Picks
Wed., April 8
💀 Slaughter To Prevail @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🏖️ Jae Stephens @ Vinyl
🎸 Steel Panther @ Buckhead Theatre
🐕 Billie Marten @ Terminal West
🎤 Zero 9:36 @ The Loft
Thurs., April 9
🎻 Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony @ Atlanta Symphony Hall (also Fri.)
🖤 Black Label Society @ Tabernacle
🎶 B2K, Bow Wow, Waka Flocka Flame, Pretty Ricky, and Amerie @ State Farm Arena
🌙 Moonchild @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Fri., April 10
🎤 Adam Chaffins & Brit Taylor @ Eddie’s Attic
🎃 Helloween @ Tabernacle
🔥 Nate Smith @ Buckhead Theatre
🌂 Raq Baby @ The Loft
😴 Shake Awake & Them In Uniform @ Vinyl
Sat., April 11
👠 The Devil Wears Prada @ The Masquerade
🏅 rum.gold @ Vinyl
🔉 Sarah Kinsley (pictured) @ The Loft
🐈 Mr. Bill @ Terminal West
🪄 Music for the Very Young: Tin Man’s Oz @ Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families (various shows through April 19)
Sun., April 12
🧱 The Black Jacket Symphony Performing Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
🎷 Gerald Albright and Jeff Lorber @ Gas South Theater
🙏 1300SAINT @ The Loft
🐺 The Growlers @ Variety Playhouse
Mon., April 13
🐯 Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman @ Atlanta Symphony Hall
⭐ Quarters @ Terminal West
🕶️ Dark Tranquillity @ The Masquerade
Tues., April 14
🐦⬛ Allie X @ Variety Playhouse
🔥 Dave @ Coca-Cola Roxy
Wed., April 15
✨ Glixen + Trauma Ray @ The Masquerade
🩸 The Amity Affliction & August Burns Red @ Tabernacle
🐑 Lamb of God @ Coca-Cola Roxy
🌟 Ashley Kutcher @ Vinyl
❤️🔥 Naïka @ Center Stage Theater
🚍 MARTA bus routes change NEXT WEEK on Sat., April 18. The NextGen Bus Network will feature simplified routes, more frequent buses, easier connections, and less waiting. Find a map of your new route and more info here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Play News Word Atlanta, our daily word game.
💡 Help support independent local media by becoming a Rough Draft member today. Pick up some cool swag, including our new, limited-edition LOCAL hoodie.
📤 Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy getting this newsletter? Forward them this link to subscribe.
