Wednesday WindDown
Atlanta is famous for its soul-crushing rush hour traffic, but on Wednesdays evenings, you can forgo it entirely by relaxing after work at Centennial Park! Not only is it good to be out in the fresh air and sunshine after a day in the cubicle, you’ll also be treated to live music:
Every Wednesday from June to October an event called Wednesday WindDown fills the air with music that reminds you that summer is about frivolity, buoyant spirits, laughing with friends, and shaking a tail-feather or two.
From 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Centennial's Southern Company Amphitheater is chock full of people ready to jam and have a good time. Some have even arrived more than an hour beforehand to secure themselves a good spot.
Anywhere you sit will give you a great view of the stage, and for nearly three hours, your body will rock to live jazz, funk, soul, or blues music.
Check Centennial Park’s website for an up-to-date list of the acts slated to perform. When I went on August 6th, it was Jamaica’s 52nd Independence Day, and the musical acts played songs to celebrate the Jamaican culture and spirit, sponsored by WRFG 89.3 FM.
Press PLAY ►:
I went with a photographer friend of mine to capture the event:
Alright, Paul Biagui, we get it: your camera is bigger than mine! Ha!
We saw a few characters, particularly this lovely lady:
And I first spotted this woman while she was posing for someone else's picture. I had to take a picture of the person who was taking a picture of her:
DO. YOU. SEE. THOSE. FINGERNAILS??
I mean, I'm speechless. Yet... so full of questions. O_o
Those questions will remain unasked. Because I don't want to know.
But all jokes aside, I definitely believe in self-expression. I love people who can be unapologetically themselves. I would've high-fived her if I could figure out how to do it without injuring myself.
The whole event was pretty fun, and if the mood to shop struck you, there were fun items to browse. I particularly liked these:
OK, so if you plan to attend Wednesday WindDown, here's what you need to know:
- Invite everybody to come with you. This music event is a great opportunity to catch up with friends, get the homebodies out of the house, and make memories together.
- Bring a cooler with food and drinks (no glass, please), as you will work up an appetite. (But you’re welcome to buy refreshments from the food stalls at the park.)
- And finally, think of your bum: do you want to sit in a chair or on a blanket? A blanket can accommodate more people… but it is harder to pop up and down to dance from a blanket, so choose wisely!
All in all, Wednesday WindDown is a terrific, well-organized, free interlude during your week. It brings a different twist to your traditional happy hour; while most happy hours are all about alcohol, this one give you a different buzz – the buzz of endorphins from dancing, that is.
On top of that, it all takes place next to Atlanta's beautiful new Ferris Wheel. Check it out at twilight. (You'll see an even lovelier view of it from the helipad at Ventanas in this post.)
Just beautiful.
You'll find Wednesday WindDown in the Southern Company Amphitheater, which is located near the park entrance closest to CNN Center. There is ample parking in nearby decks and parking lots, and even on the street if you snag a spot (always pay the meter!).
(I originally wrote this post for Atlanta Intown!)