EVENT RECAP | THE 15th ANNUAL ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL KICKED OFF OPENING NIGHT AT THE COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

John Roberts / Nancy Spielberg

Photos: Duane Stork

On Wednesday, January 28th, 2015, the 15th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) kicked off their 23-day festival with an Opening Night Gala and a screening of the film, Above and Beyond at The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.  The evening also featured a special guest appearance and Q&A by film producer, Nancy Spielberg, sister of the legendary Steven Spielberg. 

AJFF sponsors and VIP attendees mixed and mingled during the pre-show gala, "Paint the Town Red,” where they enjoyed food tastings by local and Israeli celebrity chefs, an open bar, live entertainment, as well as a silent auction of unique merchandise and special offers.  

More than just "a night at the movies," AJFF is contemporary storytelling with the ability to impact the way audiences feel, think and behave after leaving the theater.  This year’s festival will feature 65 films from 26 countries. These stories will take the audience on a trip around the world, from Sweden to South Africa to Ethiopia to Uruguay, as well as through time, with historical epics set in the Middle Ages to tense stories from the founding of the state of Israel. Romance, comedy, action, and adventure are just a few of the genres featured at this year's AJFF.  

Screenings will be hosted at seven theatrical venues, including the new Regal Cinemas Avalon 12 location, United Artists Tara Cinemas, Regal Atlantic Station, Lefont Sandy Springs, and Georgia Theatre Company’s Merchants Walk location. The festival will return to the Woodruff Arts Centre for the second year in a row to mark Closing Night in the Rich Auditorium.  For more information, visit www.ajff.org. 

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Giambattista Valli Couture Spring 2015

The runway is a designer's canvas. It's a place for opportunity. A place where the designer conveys ideas and establishes dialog. Giambattista Valli brought together two seemingly opposite iconic figures as the inspiration for the Spring 2015 Couture collection. In what the designer referred to as an "impossible conversation" with Coco Chanel and Janis Joplin revealed as not so impossible after all. Valli married stylish sensibilities like the masculinity of the Chanel jacket, Joplin's hippie-ish pants under dresses look and the free-spirited nature of both women to create a truly magnificent collection. With the signature floral motif featured throughout, Giambattista Valli presented a collection that embraced the couture aesthetic of show-stopping elegance. The final looks were so rich, so gorgeous that you just can't take your eyes off them.

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#LikeAGirl x Prissy Tomboy Athletics

The #LikeAGirl commercial really scored a touchdown with viewers. The commercial played off the negative assumption that doing something “Like A Girl” such as running, fighting or throwing a ball is negative. However, on a day that glorifies masculine athleticism, the commercial, really opened viewers eyes up to consider female strength as well and the evolving stereotype of what it means to be a girl. 

The commercial and local Atlanta organization, Prissy Tomboy, are both championing girls confidence and helping change the meaning of 'like a girl' from an insult into something positive and amazing. The organization encourges all girls to be themselves and the best version of themselves. The organization’s entergetic founder, Tracey Pearson, noticed the decline of pre-teen and teen girls dropping out of sports out an alarming rate and consequently their sense of worth and confidence going with it. Pearson developed Prissy Tomboy Athletics, as a way for girls to feel empowered, recognized, and supported through sports. Visit Prissy Tomboy and get involved!

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Stéphane Rolland Couture Spring 2015

Stéphane Rolland knows glamour. The Spring 2015 Couture collection is elegant, sophisticated and absolutely exquisite. It's like you're in a couture dreamworld of endless yards of luxurious fabrics and over-the-top drama. Exaggerated and oversized ruffles, some stiff and architectural, others flowing commanded attention. There were also very chic jumpsuits, floor length capes and fishtail gowns. I have many faves, but the last grouping of gowns were the most awe-mazing. The only minimal element to the collection, appropriately, was the color palette: crisp whites, bold blacks, warm browns and the occasional metallics.

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LOVE BLOOMS AS TELEFLORA PUTS THE “MAN” IN “ROMANCE” THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Send Her a Beautiful Bouquet and Earn a Chance to Win the Ultimate $25,000 Man Cave with Teleflora’s “Get a Room”Valentine’s Day Sweepstakes. 

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day has been all about spoiling your lady with fabulous flowers. This year, Teleflora, the world’s leading flower delivery service, is helping men sweep their sweethearts off their feet AND earn a little love for themselves while they’re at it!

Indeed, men are the heavy lifters when it comes to the most romantic holiday of all, purchasing roughly 74 percent of all Valentine’s Day bouquets. But, likely not surprising to their significant others, of those Valentine’s bouquets purchased on Teleflora.com, over 70 percent of them are ordered less than one week before the big day—and nearly 30 percent the day before or day of. Talk about last minute!

Nevertheless, they get it done—so this Valentine’s Day, Teleflora is putting the “man” back in “romance” by rewarding these thoughtful men with the chance to win the Ultimate Man Cave! From now until February 14, anyone who purchases one of four featured Valentine’s Day bouquets is automatically entered into Teleflora’s “Get a Room” Sweepstakes, where they’ll have the chance to win $25,000 toward the Man Cave room of their dreams, whether it be a monster home theater, sports fan lounge or ultimate home gym. Breathtaking flowers for her, a magnificent Man Cave for him. It’s truly a win-win! Teleflora’s four featured “Get a Room” bouquets have something for every budget and every expression of love, from like to lust to “love you mom!”—and all four get you one step closer to the Man Cave of your dreams. Find many more romantic choices at Teleflora.com!

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Burn Off Your Favorite SuperBowl Snacks with Celebrity Trainer Craig Ramsay

With the Superbowl tonight, everyone will be scarfing down tons of beers and snacks during game time!

Celebrity Fitness Expert, Craig Ramsay wants to provide us with some post-Superbowl exercises that will burn off all those chicken wings, pizza, and let¹s not forget, alcohol!

Craig Ramsay¹s Eat It Burn It series places emphasis on what exercises to do and how long to do them to burn off specific foods! For example, 3.5 oz of nachos equals around 300 calories, which requires about an hour of walking or 35 minutes of running just to burn it off!  That¹s not to say you can¹t enjoy all your Superbowl favs! He¹d love to show you some healthier alternatives to make your Superbowl watching diet-friendly and still yummy as ever!

Craig Ramsay has been changing lives everywhere with his signature workout routines customized to the level of the do-er. His fitness regimen today is known for its elements of tough love, unconditional support, and doses of laughs to keep every doer inspired along the way. He offers his expertise in cardio, muscle toning, stretching techniques, and nutritional knowledge.He has worked with the likes of Kat Dennings, Jennifer Coolidge, Alec Mapa, Jack Coleman, and more! For more information please visit: www.craigramsay.com or check out his blog: www.craigramsayfitness.wordpress.com/about/

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Thom Browne Fall 2015 Menswear

It was a fashion funeral for Thom Browne Fall menswear. He gave what was probably the most wearable collection that I can remember. Sans the skirts - loved them - but... The elegant collection also featured handsomely fur-trimmed coats, suits tailored to perfection, top hats and capes. Love all things TB around here.