Credit: High Museum

Not so fast 

Wednesday, May 13 — After being canceled last year due to rain, the annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade is set to return on Sept. 19. Lantern-making classes with founder Chantelle Rytter will be announced in the coming months. 

🌞 Sunny and 79° today.  

🚨 A “credible bomb threat” was reported yesterday at a political rally in Macon for gubernatorial candidate and current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.  

⚖️ An Atlanta man was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing hard drives containing unreleased Beyoncé music from a rental vehicle. 

🚲 According to a report in the AJC, a city council proposal to add dedicated bike and scooter lanes along the Atlanta Beltline was tabled after transit advocates warned it could kill long-planned light rail.

🗣️ A state senate panel issued subpoenas to Stacey Abrams and her allies over allegations of election law violations during the 2018 election.

⚖️ The founder of First Liberty Building & Loan took a guilty plea in a $140 million Ponzi scheme targeting Republican and Christian investors. 

💨 The Dunwoody City Council tabled an ordinance on regulating vape shops and extended a moratorium on new permits until Aug. 10.

🗳️ The Tucker City Council voted to establish the Tucker Youth Council, a program that allows Tucker High School students to participate in local government.  

📚 Author Karla Montalván discusses her debut novel, “The Sun and All the Other Stars,” with Tanya Sam, tonight at the Duluth Library at 6:30 p.m.

🏀 The Dream are 2-0 after beating Dallas 77-72 on the road last night.

ELSEWHERE

📈 Consumer prices rose 3.8% annually in April, the highest rate since May 2023, driven largely by an 18% jump in energy costs. Tomato prices are up 23% over the past year.

🇨🇳 President Donald Trump is en route to Beijing for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with talks expected to focus on fentanyl, trade, and the Iran war. 

🇮🇱 Israel’s governing coalition neared collapse after a key ultra-Orthodox partner called for dissolving parliament over a military draft exemption dispute.

🎗️ Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player and a former Atlanta Hawk, died Tuesday of brain cancer. He was 47.

PICTURE THIS: The GHSA Boys and Girls tennis championships are today in Rome, GA. Of local interest on the Boys side, Marist plays Westminster (4A), Dunwoody faces Riverwood (5A), and Greater Atlanta Christian plays Darlington (Private School). For the Girls, finals include Holy Innocents’ v. Mt. Bethel Christian (Private School), S. Forsyth v. Walton (6A), Milton v. Lakeside, Evans (5A), and Westminster v. Cambridge (4A).

🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:

• Bowie-inspired wine bar

• The Reset

AND 

• Concert Picks


🏫 Ben Franklin Academy is a learning community that activates mastery. How? By offering 47 AP and Honors level courses, individualized instruction and demonstrated proficiency with subject matter before moving on! And it’s not too late to enroll for next school year. At Ben Franklin Academy, the learning is built to last. Learn more hereSPONSOR MESSAGE


Photo by Brandon Amato.

1. Under Pressure Wine Bar channels Ziggy Stardust

🍷 A David Bowie-inspired wine bar is set to open this fall at the Fountain Oaks complex in Sandy Springs, just north of Chastain Park.

Owned by sommelier Juan Fernando Cortés (The Chastain, Stanky Wine) and Atlanta restaurateur Adam Berlin (Buena Vida Tapas, Chicheria Mexican Kitchen, Amasa Mexican Kitchen), Under Pressure Wine Bar will feature a cellar comprising more than 1,500 bottles, with nearly 20% of its cellar and by-the-glass list dedicated to sparkling wines. 

Designed by SOGO Studios, Under Pressure takes over the former Pig-N-Chik BBQ space on Roswell Road. Partially rooted in music, the soundtrack, artwork, and concert posters adorning the walls at Under Pressure will create what Cortés and Berlin describe as a “Bowie-inspired vibe.”

🧑🎤 More on this story here.


Amy Sherald: American Sublime 

SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM

🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date comes to Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime opens May 15 as the final stop of this national tour, bringing one of the leading artists of her generation back to Georgia. Secure your tickets before it’s gone.

Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.

➞ Get tickets here.


Photo by Bonfire

2. The Atlanta Mile

SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY

“The Reset by Rough Draft” is edited by Laura Scholz, one of Atlanta’s most respected lifestyle journalists. Send Laura tips and ideas via email. In June, The Reset will become a weekly newsletter with even more content, and you can subscribe here.

🧠 May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders are common and treatable, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. 

🍹 The Atlanta celebration of The Great Curious Cocktail Party (pictured) is at non-alcoholic bottle shop The Zero Co tonight from 5-8 p.m. At the annual sober meet-up, guests can enjoy complimentary spirit-free Curious Elixirs cocktails (pictured) plus popsicles, tarot readings, and music by DJ Knuckles. RSVP for the free celebration here.

🧘 The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead will host New Moon Soothing Floating Sound Bath Therapy on May 16 at 7 p.m. The 75-minute session will incorporate sound therapy, breathwork, and guided visualization in the property’s heated, indoor saline pool.

👩🏿⚕️ Spring into Health, a free LGBTQ+ health and wellness fair hosted by Black Educated Lesbians, takes place on May 16, from 12-4 p.m. at the Decatur Recreation Center. The event includes free health screenings, mini wellness and educational sessions, and local vendors.

🏳️🌈 Pride Run ATL returns to Piedmont Park on June 7. Register for the annual event here, and join sponsors West Stride and Front Runners Atlanta for Saturday Stride Club: Pride Edition on May 16. Participants are encouraged to wear Pride singlets or rainbow gear for the group walk/run, which departs from West Stride at 8:30 a.m. 

🏃🏼♀️ Registration is now open for Atlanta Run Club (ARC)’s second annual Atlanta Mile, an all-levels one-mile race on June 13. The race starts and finishes at Ambient + Studio and coincides with ARC’s anniversary weekend.

❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. 


Free Zumba/Hip hop Cardio!

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE

💃 Dance, sweat, and vibe with Atlanta Beltline’s free Zumba & Hip Hop Cardio class this morning! This high-energy workout blends upbeat music, easy-to-follow moves, and full-body cardio designed for all fitness levels. Come relieve stress, build confidence, and move to the beat with your community.

📍Grant Park | 10:00-10:45 a.m. Every Saturday | Free to register!


🎸 City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs bring unforgettable nights of music under the stars. Enjoy live bands, great vibes, and community fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. These events are free! Learn more and see the full schedule here. SPONSOR MESSAGE


Photo via roughdraftatlanta.com

3. Concert Picks

Wed., May 13 

🌑 Brit Floyd @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

💛 FATTMACK @ Center Stage

🪞 Mac DeMarco @ The Eastern

🌅 Whitney @ Terminal West

Thurs., May 14 

😡 Iration @ Buckhead Theatre

💊 Drug Church + White Reaper @ Terminal West

🦊 Fox N’ Vead @ Vinyl

Fri., May 15 

🫣 Terror + Pain of Truth @ Terminal West

🔥 Bella White @ Aisle 5

🖤 Black Angels @ Variety Playhouse

💧 Elmiene @ Coca-Cola Roxy

🎸 Sting (pictured) @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

Sat., May 16 

🥃 Marcus King + Penelope Road @ Fox Theatre

🫦 BERTHA: Grateful Drag @ Terminal West

🇲🇽 Palomazo Norteño @ Gas South Arena

🎚️ Max Styler @ District Atlanta

Sun., May 17 

💰 Katelyn Tarver @ Aisle 5

🦋 Yves @ Center Stage

Mon., May 18

🇨🇴 Andres Cepeda @ Variety Playhouse

Tues., May 19

🍋 Don Toliver @ State Farm Arena

🍷 The New Pornographers + Will Sheff @ Variety Playhouse

😈 Natalie Nunn @ Buckhead Theatre

Wed., May 20 

🎷 HeART Museum: A Jazz Gallery w/ Travis Hall @ Vinyl

🎠 Kiesza + Rye Rye @ Terminal West


❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE


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This report was compiled and written by Rough Draft Atlanta's staff.