Go Atlanta

The NFL, the Super Bowl and thousands of football fans will take over Atlanta next week for the biggest professional football game of the year. That means, the city will be buzzing with more activity than usual. In this episode, AJC music reporter Melissa Ruggieri shares the keys to navigating Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, including the things to do and concerts to attend. Not interested in football or large crowds? Ruggieri also shares a few tips for avoiding it all while still enjoying yourself. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including the Callanwolde Artist Market and “Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds”at Synchronicity Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you search “things to do in Atlanta,” sometimes places you’ve been to countless times pop up. You’ve visited The King Center and Fox Theatre. You’ve stopped by the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the CNN Center and Six Flags. In this episode, AJC freelancer Toby Adeyemi shares the items on his Atlanta Bucket List – lesser-known places he’s visited in the last few months, where he’s had the most fun. Find out the places he’s gone, why he enjoys them and how you can get there. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Tamborrada at Cooks & Soldiers and Cher at Infinite Energy Center. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2018, accessAtlanta released 44 episodes that gave listeners a front-row look at the best things to do, see, eat and experience in the city. Our reporters chatted with Olympic athletes, world-famous entertainers and local entrepreneurs. Members of our team attended former president Jimmy Carter’s Sunday school class, Atlanta’s star-studded Black Panther premiere and live musical performances that don’t allow talking—or texting. Our team visited a chimp sanctuary, provide food and beer guides, and kept you updated on “Hollywood of the South.” We covered every corner of entertainment in Atlanta. In this episode, AJC senior editor, Nicole Smith takes a look back to discuss her favorite episodes of the last year—the first year of the accessAtlanta podcast— and what to expect in 2019. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Middleditch and Schwartz at the Tabernacle and Swan Lake at the Fox Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech-savvy, entitled, environmentally conscious, and diverse are some words used to define Millennials. There are various opinions on this sizable generation which is expected to outnumber Baby Boomers this year. You might even see headlines and articles blaming the generation for the decline of movie sales or doing away with golf. Millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996 according to the Pew Research Center. The AJC's Stephanie Toone, Zachary Hansen and former AJC reporter Becca Godwin chat about perceptions about Millennials, social media culture, and political engagement. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Snoop Dogg at State Farm Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AJC music reporter Melissa Ruggieri and long-time rock radio DJ for 97.1 The River, Kaedy Kiely, are bringing their behind-the-scenes conversations, about things like music, football, and movies, to the podcast world with 2 Girls Talking. On this episode of accessAtlanta, they chat about creating their joint podcast, some of the musical acts that they've interviewed over the years and their friendship. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including The Roots at the Coca-Cola Roxy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Souper Jenny has become an Atlanta favorite since opening nearly 20 years ago, satisfying hungry locals with bowls of delicious goodness such as its beloved turkey chili and rotating seasonal offerings along with salads and sandwiches. The restaurant’s name is familiar to many, but owner Jenny Levison’s two-year-old The Zadie Project might be less familiar. Feeding the hungry is part of the project’s mission, but the nonprofit goes beyond providing those in need with homemade soup. It also works to educate people about urban farming, much of it done on the one-acre farm behind the cafe's Westside location, and healthy food preparations. AJC reporter Becca Godwin recently stopped by to find out more about The Zadie Project. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band at Infinite Energy Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are just 53 days until Super Bowl 53 kicks off at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And in just a few weeks, we'll learn which teams will take the field in the new stadium. AJC music reporter and avid football fan Melissa Ruggieri chats about concerts from artists such as Ludacris and Aerosmith, the food scene, and tips on getting around the city. Follow the AJC's Super Bowl coverage at ajc.com/53 for game-day mania. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Winter Wonderland at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta poet Ryan Jones may have felt defeated coming off of the stage for night two of the 2018 National Poetry Slam in Chicago in August. His slam team Art Amok didn’t place as well as they’d hoped and Jones was on an emotional rollercoaster after learning a friend had just passed away. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, and Jones reasoned if the team did well, his friend’s belief in him as a poet became real. In the end, the four-member team won the group piece finals and brought a renewed admiration for Southern artists. Art Amok’s history goes back to the early 2000s when local poets Karen Garrabrant and Theresa Davis started carving out a space where women could take the lead in the poetry scene. Kimeko McCoy spoke with the poets about Atlanta’s 30-year slam poetry history and how it has changed with a new generation. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including Strand Ole Opry’s Country Christmas at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multitalented couple David and Tamela Mann have combined forces and released a joint project. Sharing their love story through an album, "Us Against the World: The Love Project" and a book, “Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage and Family," the couple hopes to inspire others by opening up in a new way. Known for their talents in the entertainment industry, it was only a matter of time until they decided to take their careers to new heights. The AJC’s Najja Parker spoke with the Manns about creating their joint project, having a blended family, and still being in love after 30 years of marriage. Plus, host Shane Harrison shares things to do during the next 10 days, including seeing Dru Hill at the State Farm Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sofar Sounds encourages people to abandon the status quo. Instead of the norm, the music events company wants folks to enjoy live shows in a new, experimental way. Music lovers don’t know the time or place of a live performance until a short time before it takes place. After all, the less you know, the more you'll want to seek, find and discover. The musical gatherings are smaller and intimate, yet the experience can shape into the moment of a lifetime. AJC reporter Becca Godwin explains that a major component of Sofar Sounds is silence. (Shhhhhhh.) There’s no talking during the show, and side conversations are taboo—and that includes texting. Just sit, listen, and get lost in great music by incredible musicians. Since the location could be anywhere, guests are asked to BYOB—bring your own booze. Listen to learn how to gain entry into one of our city’s most elusive musical experiences. Plus, host Shane Harrison reveals some fun things to do in Atlanta during the next 10 days, including Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour at newly-renovated State Farm Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices