A Final Star Wars Night at Turner Field

I finally made it to Star Wars Night at Turner Filed, an extra-fun Atlanta Braves game. The fun was out of this world, "in a galaxy far, far away"...yet really close! And the fun began as soon as you stepped inside the gate.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As most everyone knows, this is the final season the Atlanta Braves will play in Turner Field. We're not sure "exactly" what's going to happen to the field, but I sincerely hope it finds a new home, avoiding the wrecking ball. I hope the Braves like their new home, but I'm going to miss having them so close to downtown!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I made sure to make it to the field in time to see the on-field Star Wars Parade, which started 45 minutes before game time.

Some of the parade participants were fascinated with the view from the field. The youngster pictured above looks so very much like my great nephew Johnny, also a curious little fellow. 

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

The field was fully wrapped by time all the participants made it out. There were some excellent costumes and it looked like everyone on the field, including staff and players, were having a great time!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

If you're making plans to attend a Braves game that has a parade, do make time to see it...it's great fun! Check the schedule for games that have a parade.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Of all the Star Wars characters, Yoda is my all-time favorite. And he's the one I most often quote, for inspiration: "The is no try. Do or do not." I love the droids, too, but Yoda is wise and tell it how it is. I admire that directness.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As I mentioned, there were some awesome costumes for Star Wars Night! There were characters and cosplayers throughout the stadium and up by the giant drum near the main entrance, but the parade is when you get to see the costumes best.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I went to "Zombie Night" at Turner Field last year, they had zombiefied everyone on the scoreboard. For Star Wars Night, they used bad guys (Jabba, Boba Fett or Darth Vader) for the opposing team's photos. But there was video of them getting ready to bat, so it was all in fun.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

For the Atlanta Braves, they dressed them in good guys costumes! They played a great game, but a few Jedi mind tricks for the win would have been nice.

The next Zombie Night at Turner Field is scheduled for Friday, July 15. I had a great time at last year's, as I did at this year's Star Wars Night. I highly recommend going! Just remember to get there at least an hour early so that you have time for photo ops and to see the on-field parade!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves

I've been talking about Star Wars and not much about baseball, of which I am truly a fan. There was some excellent playing this game. In fact, we went into overtime with a 5-5 score. 

At the bottom of the 10th, with bases loaded, we thought we'd win the game. But that wasn't the Braves' destiny...not that night anyway. 

The game finished 5-7 at the bottom of of the 12th inning...it was a long game, but a good game!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

And as is tradition for Friday night home games, there were fireworks! On this particular evening, however, the fireworks were choreographed to Star Wars music.

The evening was great fun...I'm so glad I finally went to a Star Wars Night at Turner Field and I wish the Atlanta Braves all the best next year at their new home.

Reminiscing Ancient Greece...and Zorba

At the invitation of my sweet friend Maria, with Lykion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta, I recently attended the regional premiere of the newly restored Academy Award-winning film (7 nominations, 3 wins) Zorba the Greek, featuring guest speaker Katherine Quinn, widow of actor and star of Zobra the Greek Anthony Quinn.

The film was screened in White Hall on the campus of Emory University. Across the quad from White Hall is the Michael C. Carlos Museum, which has a magnificent Greek art collection that spans thousands of years! Loving a themed excursion, I stopped by the Museum before going to see the movie.  

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

I first met Maria at the annual Atlanta Greek Festival in 2013. We talked enthusiastically about the more than two years that I lived in Greece, when I was 19, and she has since very kindly kept me aware of Greek cultural events around town. Her kindness is exactly the kind of hospitality I experienced when I lived in Greece. So many wonderful memories! 

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

Katherine Quinn shared with us the mission and some of the accomplishments of the Anthony Quinn Foundation, of which she is the Founder and President. She was wholly delightful and excited to present to the sold-out, nearly 100% Greek audience. 

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

The Foundation's mission is "to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems".

I learned, as I believe did many that day, that Anthony Quinn was a prolific artist. In fact, he did not want to be an actor, but wanted to be an architect or a painter. His acting life also was quite prolific, as well, starring in 180 films and winning two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe...all the while painting and sculpting more than 5,000 pieces throughout his life.

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

Quinn, who was born in Mexico—he wasn't at all Greek—to parents who fought in the Mexican Revolution, was raised in Los Angeles. In high school he won an architecture competition, the prize for which was being mentored by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright! Wright had Quinn enrolled in acting classes to improve his speech—for future professional opportunities in the architecture arena. As many of us have experienced, a single action can direct a lifetime.

Stele of Glaukotas | Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

The film, Zorba the Greek, takes place on Crete, the largest island of Greece. Crete was the last of my many, many excursions when living in Greece, and was one of the most fun! 

The film, as brilliant as it is, brings to light certain archaic social injustices, which were difficult to watch. The magnificent Crete I knew in the mid 1980s was quite a different place from what was depicted in the movie. Again, the acting was brilliant and definitely deserving of its three Oscars, but my experience was nothing like what I saw on screen! 

Discus | Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

The above artifact, in the Greek collection at the Carlos Museum, is a discus. Seeing it immediately took me back to my visit to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and farther into the future when I attended some of the 1996 Olympic Games right here in Atlanta. That's to say that seeing the Greek collection on every visit to the Michael C. Carlos Museum is a special event for me. 

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

As many know, Turner Field—home of the Atlanta Braves for one more season—was our Olympic Stadium in 1996 before being converted into a baseball stadium. With the move of the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County next season, the fate of our former Olympic Stadium is uncertain. I for one hope that it does not meet with the wrecking ball, as does too many of our treasures. In the meantime, I highly recommend a tour of Turner Field!

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

Whether a visiting tourist or a local, I encourage you to avail yourself of the many arts and cultural programs offered at Emory University through Arts at Emory, which features film, dance, music, theater and more.

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

This wasn't my first time to see a movie in Emory University's White Hall. In fact, I saw quite a few there when they hosted a series last year titled, "Movies Made in Georgia".

Michael C. Carlos Museum | Greek Collection

If you've not been to the Michael C. Carlos Museum, make your way there. You'll not only get to see their magnificent Greek collection, you'll see art and antiquities from all over the world, including quite a few Egyptian mummies!

Zombie Night at Turner Field

The fantastic Atlanta Braves hosted Zombie Night last evening at Turner Field. They host a number of Theme Nights throughout the year, but this one I definitely wanted to experience! Zombies are fun, but I also love baseball, so this experience was a home run!

Zombie Night at Turner Field

These lovely young zombies were at the entrance to greet fellow zombies and baseball fans alike. Who knew the two fandoms would meld so brilliantly! MLB published a brief video about the evening: Zombie Night.

Those who purchased a special Zombie Night ticket had special seating, were invited to the talents of zombie makeup artists, participated in the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade, and were gifted a Zombie Survival Kit!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | On-field Zombie Parade

We arrived early to be sure we saw the pre-game on-field Zombie Parade! There were hundreds of participants! There were lots of (uncharacteristically) smiling zombies—excited to be on-field, no doubt—and then there were some who were considerably more convincing that the Zombie Apocalypse had indeed arrived... 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Zombie & Travis

I almost fell prey to the undead!

But I'm a fan of The Walking Dead and have learned a thing or two about Zombie Apocalypse survival. Thank you, Rick, Daryl and Michonne! The theme music to The Walking Dead was playing on the loud speakers during the Parade, so that helped me tune in to those television-learned zombie attack survival skills.

Speaking of The Walking Dead, Atlanta Movie Tours was part of the pre-game festivities! In case you didn't know, they offer two Big Zombie tours (Big Zombie Tour 1 & Big Zombie Tour 2), and both are fascinating!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Awesome Zombie Girl

THIS young lady was totally into Zombie Night. She has a promising career in theater, cinema or perhaps modeling...whatever she decides, I think she's going to be brilliant! I applaud parents to take their kids out to experience so much of what life (and Atlanta) has to offer. Always make childhood fun...they only have one!

Turner Field offers a number of Theme Nights throughout the season. In addition to Zombie Night, there's Military Appreciation Night, Star Wars Night and Bark in the Park, to name only a few.

Zombie Night at Turner Field

Throughout the evening we were treated to zombies and zombie families (see the one above) on the Jumbotron. Even some of the Turner Field staff were sporting zombie makeup. 

Speaking of Turner Field staff, I was delighted at how pleasant everyone was. Thank you Turner Field staff for helping to make it such a fun night!  

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I noticed that the competition had been "zombiefied" on the Jumbotron, I thought how brilliant and what fun! Then I realized that they "zombiefied" ALL the players, Braves included. Total fun!

Atlanta Braves

Oh! And there was a baseball game going on, too! 

Actually, I've been an Atlanta Braves fan since I attended my first Braves game in 1990, the year before they started winning pennant after pennant—and a World Series—throughout that decade. The players have changed since then, but they're still my Braves AND they won the game on this evening...2:1 against the Phillies. Go Braves!

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I always enjoy meeting new people and these ladies and gentlemen were awesome! The two on the left told me that they're engaged! A heartfelt wanderlust ATLANTA "Congratulations and a long and happy life together" to you both!

We met in the Braves Chop House, which I'm not entirely certain I've ever visited. I've had seats at every point in Turner Field, from behind home plate to the nosebleeds! And I've enjoyed every single vista! 

Embarrassingly, the last time I had seats behind home plate, one of the ladies seated next to me was texting her mother who was watching the game on television and saw her on TV...and me devouring a hot dog! I sincerely hope that wasn't part of my 15 minutes of fame! 

Zombie Night at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves | Barry

There's a LOT going on throughout Turner Field during an Atlanta Braves game. One surprise last night was that the gift shops were having a 70% off sale (on the greatest majority of their inventory). Also, there are the batting cages; LOTS of dining options; the Braves Chop House; the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame & Museum; lots of photo ops, the Coca-Cola Sky Field...the list goes on and on and on...there's LOTS to see and do here!

And, did you know that you can tour Turner Field? I've done this tour and it's fantastic! It starts in the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame. I definitely and wholeheartedly recommend this tour. And if you didn't know, Turner Field was our 1996 Olympic Stadium re-purposed for the Atlanta Braves. That geographic area is in transition as the Braves are moving to Cobb County...I just hope that we/Atlanta gets to keep this historic landmark!

Fireworks at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Friday evenings are Fireworks Night at Turner Field and it's a magnificent show! One of the best in the Southeast, for sure. 

There are a number of Atlanta Braves games at Turner Field now through October 4, 2015, and there are a few more Theme Nights. So, make your way over and enjoy all the fun that this wonderful venue has to offer!

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

A significant number of the human race on planet Earth remember the lighting of the 1996 Olympic Flame Tower by Muhammad Ali in 1996. It's certainly a memory that's emblazoned on my memory—in slow-motion nonetheless—that was not only touching, it was incredibly exciting!

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

Many will remember that the Olympic Flame Tower was after the 1996 Olympic Games, and the Paralympic Games two weeks later (for which I was lucky to get tickets to the Opening Ceremonies and saw Master of Ceremonies Christopher Reeve, of whom I'd been a huge fan since his portrayal of Superman, and Liza Minelli, at the Opening Ceremonies), relocated not too far away from the Stadium—now Turner Field—to the corner of Capitol Avenue and Fulton Street.

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

"Still exuding nobility and stature" is what the announcers said of the surprise torch lighter that evening at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games. I still get goosebumps remembers Muhammad Ali's lighting of the Olympic Flame Tower...the world watching.

1996 Olympic Flame Tower

The Tower has recently undergone a refurbishing...it's been painted (bright shiny white with primary colors on the torch!) and now it's lit again. It's not lit every night, and I'm still not sure what the schedule is, but when you come across it, take a photo and post it...this is an incredibly unique piece of Atlanta history!

Go Braves!

Yes, it's true and I share so with pride...I am an Atlanta Braves fan! And have been since my pro baseball game in 1990.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field, Travis S. Taylor

The first game I attended, in 1990, was the year before the Braves started winning pennant after pennant after pennant—and a World Series.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

I was never a sports guy growing up, but the Braves changed that for me. Now I enjoy baseball, soccer, rugby, and play the occasional tennis and golf game.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

There's a lot going on at Turner Field, although this particular night was all about the game...a game the Braves won 9-8.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

Admittedly, I'm not up on the players as well as I once was. I totally remember Javier Lopez and funny enough he moved to the Baltimore Orioles when I lived in Washington, D.C. But, of course I was always a fan of the home team, so when I lived in DC, I supported the Nats...the Washington Nationals, but my love for the Braves never went away.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

I've toured Turner Field—a fantastic tour by the way—and there tons to see. This brilliant Coca-Cola bottle on the Coca-Cola Sky Field is amazing! the label on the bottle is a video screen...that erupts in siren lights when we score or who's-up-next. Glad to see Coca-Cola supporting the Braves!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

It was great to be back at Turner Field...I've missed baseball. So glad to see so many out on a Monday night (this game was Monday, July 29, 2013, playing the Colorado Rockies).

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

If you're visiting Atlanta during baseball season, definitely consider a Braves game. And  be sure you explore the Field...there's lots going on! Really...check out the tours!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

The parents of one of the friends I was there with was also there and they had field-side seats. I helped her bring dogs, pretzels, and beer to them, thus a great field view. Granted my own seats were pretty amazing.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

And you gotta love how much fun Turner Field has with the Jumbotron! The fan sightings between innings are brilliant!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

Go Braves! A mantra I'll chant at games for years to come, for sure. Now then, if you find yourself searching for a game to attend and your schedule is pretty open, try to go on a Friday night...they do fireworks after the game!

Been to an Atlanta Braves game lately?

Cover: Let's Go Braves!

I can hardly believe there's less than two months of baseball season remaining...I'm already missing the Atlanta Braves just thinking about it. I just checked the Braves schedule and the last home game is Sunday, September 30 in a challenge against the Mets. That'll be a fully charged game!

Turner Field Stadium Seating

Don't worry...this isn't what the stadium looks like on game day. I actually took this during a behind-the-scenes tour--which was fantastic! Our tour guide was totally engaging and "hit a home run" with all who were on the tour. 

The Turner Field Tours enhance one's experience of the game. Not to the point that you're distracted thinking about what's going on behind the scenes when trying to absorb the game. Rather, by understanding where the players have been and where they're going. It makes Turner Field feel a little more like 'home.'

Also, many of the enjoyment opportunities available to fans you may not learn about for a long time without having gone on a tour...the misters at Coca-Cola Sky Field, for instance. That's something you'll appreciate knowing about on those blistering hot days!

As a matter of fact, the Braves offer visitors 101 Things to Do while at Turner Field.

Get you tickets to a Braves game and enjoy the above pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo. When you're done here, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more!

Centennial Olympic Games Museum

Earlier today, the Atlanta History Center posted on their Facebook Page a photo of a 1948 Olympic Torch. They also surprised a number of their fans with the 'announcement' that they have the largest, on-display collection of Olympic torches in the United States.

Olympic Torch Collection at the Atlanta History Center

The collection is housed in the Center's spectacular Centennial Olympic Games Museum. I've been on numerous occasions and ALWAYS see something new. I lived here during the '96 Olympics—hosted by Atlanta—and have wonderful memories of that time...so seeing reminders like this give me an "at home" comfort.

The city-wide beautification projects, in preparation for the inevitable arrival of Olympic fans, were much needed and bought a lot of new art to Atlanta. The infrastructure updates were quite welcomed--including the high-occupancy traffic lanes that had actually been planned in the 1970s! It was a time of great transformation.

1948 Olympic Torch
on display at the Atlanta History Center

Everyone knows the more obvious '96 Olympic Games legacy attractions--Centennial Olympic Park (which actually wasn't part of the original plan!) and Turner Field (which was converted from our Olympic Stadium to a ball field after the Games), but not nearly enough locals know of the Centennial Olympic Games Museum. I hope that changes.

When you get to the Atlanta History Center, grab a map—you're going to need it because there's a LOT to see on the 33-acre complex—and note where the Museum is so that you're sure to experience it.

Alright...the image at the top of this post is a pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo for you to enjoy as you wish. When you're done here, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos, links to Atlanta happenings and attractions, and thousands of photos! Please "Like" the Page while you're there!

Cover: Turner Field

Time for another Facebook Cover Photo! This one is of gigantic baseballs that line the plaza immediately in front of Turner Field...the field that was converted from our 1996 Centennial Olympic Stadium to Turner Field—Home of the Atlanta Braves.

Baseballs Aligning Plaza in Front of Turner Field

The conversion was brilliant! Unlike so many other cities that host the Olympic Games, we didn't end up with a multi-million dollar stadium sitting unused because no one could fill it. Instead, the converted stadium is regularly packed out for home games and often used for charity walks and other activities.

And they give a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour, which includes visits to the Atlanta Braves Museum & Hall of Fame, press box, locker room, dugout, and even onto the field!

Often on Friday night home games, they'll have a post-game fireworks display. But I'll save that for another Cover Photo.

ATLANTApix: Giant Baseballs at Turner Field

Giant Baseballs at Turner Field

Turner Field is one of the most gracious baseball fields I've ever been to. Even before you enter the ballpark, there's lots to see and do, including making some great souvenir photos with a field of giant baseballs!

The plaza just outside the main gate, at the north end of the Field, is where one may purchase tickets to a game(s), enter the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame, see a multitude of statuary featuring baseball greats, and a lot more.

Buy a ticket to a game and you get to enjoy quite a bit more in the Grand Entry Plaza. That's where the 100-foot diameter photograph of Hank Aaron's actual 715th home run ball serves as a siren (of the Greek mythology sort) to lure baseball fans and baseball-curious alike to Braves Country.

The giant baseballs are just as much fun as they are big...Turner Field, you've hit a home run with this tourist!

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Mickey is a Braves Fan!

Mickey Mouse is a Braves Fan!

I've been an Atlanta Braves fan since the late 1980s and it's great to know that I'm in good company. As it turns out, Mickey Mouse (photo) is also a fan! And an enthusiastic one at that.

Mickey is at Turner Field for every home game ready, willing, and able to pose for photos with fellow Braves fans...and he'll never blink!

There are lots of other distractions to enjoy when visiting Turner Field, including: taking a few swings in the batting cages; taking in the incredible view of the Atlanta skyline at the Coca-Cola Sky Field; and taking a guided tour of Turner Field. And that's only a few of the 101 Things To Do at Turner Field.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Happy 4th of July, America!

Georgia State Capitol Rotunda

Atlanta has so many incredible options for celebrating the Fourth of July, America's Independence Day. 

From post-game fireworks at Turner Field, fireworks in Centennial Olympic Park, fireworks at Lenox Square, and fireworks at Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta will be sparkling for a great deal of the evening.

There are lots of fireworks observation parties too, including Georgia Aquarium, the Sundial atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, and a rooftop pool party at Melia Hotel in Midtown featuring DJ Vicki Powell.

Another option for recognizing this national holiday, of the historical exploration sort, is a tour of the Georgia State Capitol, where a portrait of George Washington hangs in the towering rotunda (photo). The free Capitol tours are closed on the July 4th, but resume the following business day.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!