The city of Atlanta is preparing for a momentous Mother’s Day weekend. They are hosting thousands of festivalgoers at an Auburn Avenue annual street festival from Friday, May 11 to Sunday, May 13, 2012.
Historic Auburn Avenue is dubbed as the birthplace of Atlanta’s black middle class and the district that’s always buzzing with black businesses, institutions, entertainment and culture. In keeping the tradition alive, the late Charles E. Johnson founded the Spirit of Sweet Auburn (SOSA).
Johnson’s daughter, Deneen Johnson-Jordan, is stepping her pumps into dad’s big footprints to produce this year’s Sweet Auburn Springfest, which is predicted to attract 350,000 attendees from across the globe.
On Thursday, May 10, 2012, at The Legends, Heroes and Heroines Awards Dinner, SOSA will honor community leaders including Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery; Congressman John Lewis; Georgia state House Representative Tyrone Brooks; Dr. M.L. King Jr.’s nephew, Isaac Newton Farris; Greg Pridgeon (CEO of Rockdale County and member of the Gandhi Foundation); Brenda Muhammad (director of Atlanta Victim Assistance); and Willie A. Watkins (proprietor of Willie Watkins Funeral Home Inc., SCLC board member and NAACP executive member). The evening’s keynote will be given by motivational speaker Mike Howard.
On Friday, May 11, 2012, the Sweet Auburn Springfest 2012 will be in full swing through Sunday, May 13, 2012. This year’s theme is “Keeping the Legacy Alive: Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present, Building The Future.” The Pre-Sweet Auburn Springfest Show kicks off at Underground Atlanta at noon.
At the Festival, which stretches from Courtland to Jackson Street, attendees should expect to make new friends and be prepared to be entertained, fed and tanned. Meet with fellow grown folks at V-103 Dobbs Plaza Stage where bands will perform live. The Just 4 Women Stage, Youth Stage, Calhoun Park Stage, Big Bethel Amphitheater Gospel Stage, Inspirational Stage and the Senior Stage lining the seven blocks will offer unforgettable entertainment.
The artists lineup includes the legendary B.B. King’s youngest daughter, blues singer Claudette King, comedian Malachi, hip-hop soul singer Renee Gardner, rapper Kaos, acoustic artists Neferiti and the Neftumes, and so much more. –yvette caslin
Festival hours are Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. For a complete schedule and list of acts, please visit www.sweetauburn.com.
