Atlanta Prepares For Nat'l Black Arts Festival

ATLANTA - lThe National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) has unveiled its 2011 Gala, A Salute to the Silver Screen. The Gala will be an event on July 16, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the glamorous and world-famous Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. This year’s Gala honors the many achievements of African Americans in the film industry.  Proceeds from the event benefit NBAF’s year-round programming including film, visual arts, the summer festival and performing arts; in addition to the award-winning education and public programming and events.

Each year, the Gala offers a one-of-a-kind experience for more than 500 of Atlanta’s cultural, business and arts enthusiasts—and this year is no exception. NBAF goes above and beyond its previous galas with Oscar-inspired items for sale; an elegant, seated dinner and the signature service of the Ritz-Carlton. The regal atmosphere of the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead adds the perfect touch of sophistication and flair to the evening where guests will enjoy a reception with a signature cocktail by Bombay Sapphire. Guests with be dazzled by the Hollywood-inspired décor provided by Tony Brewer and Company and entertained by the Joe Gransden Big Band with music from the silver screen. This fundraiser also includes both silent and live auctions where guests can bid on a host of amazing packages and items generously donated from local businesses. A Salute to the Silver Screen is sure to provide guests with a truly memorable experience.

“The NBAF Gala is the highlight of the Atlanta summer social season,” said Sonya Halpern, NBAF Board Member and Co-Chair of the 2011 NBAF Gala. “The Gala is a fun and entertaining event, but more importantly, guests will leave the Gala knowing that [their] support has made a difference...it is because of our supporters that [we at] NBAF can do the work we do.”

NBAF gives special recognition to the Gala leadership and is honored to have three distinguished couples serving as Gala Co-Chairs: Sonya and Daniel Halpern, Stephanie and H. Jerome Russell and Cecilia Houston-Torrence and Leigh Torrence. Presenting sponsors of the Gala are The Coca-Cola Company and UPS. Other prominent sponsors include Wells Fargo, ING Americas, Georgia-Pacific, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Southern Company, Northside Hospital, MillerCoors, One Flew South, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., Turner Classic Movies, Atlanta Daily World, The Atlantan, Bank of America and the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead; in addition to many other sponsors, partners and individual donors.

Many of Atlanta’s socialites, philanthropists, and top business men and women continue to support NBAF’s largest fundraiser year after year, and support continues to grow. Early reservations are highly recommended as seating is limited. Attire for the evening is black tie for the gentlemen and black or white gowns for the ladies.

NBAF (National Black Arts Festival) is one of the premier national and international presenters of the art, music and culture of people of African descent. The mission of NBAF is to engage, cultivate and educate diverse audiences about the arts and culture of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for artistic and creative expression. NBAF produces year-round education and public programming, as well as events presented in collaboration with our partners, in addition to the annual summer festival.

NBAF presents artists from the African Diaspora in all arts disciplines and presentation formats. NBAF hosts more than 300,000 patrons each year and serves more than 20,000 children through the Children’s Education Village, the Coretta Scott King Awards Book Fair and many other school-based programs. Each year NBAF generates major sources of economic impact to the areas served by NBAF including Atlanta, Fulton County and the State of Georgia. NBAF is truly a national treasure and has been recognized by the United States Congress and many other national and international arts organizations.

NBAF receives major financial support from the Coca-Cola Company, UPS Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Comcast, Turner Voices, Georgia-Pacific, Nonprofit Finance Fund/Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, Georgia Power Company, Bank of America, Georgia Power Company, and Publix Super Markets. Additional support for NBAF is generously provided by the Target Foundation. NBAF receives major public support from The National Endowment for the Arts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners through the Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly, and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Gala is the largest fundraising event produced by NBAF during the National Black Arts Festival each July. Proceeds from the Gala supports the year-round programming of NBAF. The Gala has become a signature and must attend event.

By supporting the NBAF Gala, you are helping to ensure that NBAF continues to build on its rich legacy and broaden its reach locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Your investment in NBAF continues to provide the critical support for year-round artistic programming, strategic planning, events and on-going service to the areas we serve. NBAF, through its education department, provides study tours, professional development courses, innovative public arts, cultural programming and many educational offerings. More than 75% of our public programming is free and open to the public.