Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Ballet to present “Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon”
Atlanta Ballet dancers Mikaela Santos, Fuki Takahashi and Shadow — photo by Shocarra Marcus, courtesy of the Atlanta Ballet
Atlanta Ballet, under the artistic guidance of Gennadi Nedvigin, is set to introduce a unique ballet production, “Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon,” in collaboration with Hong Kong Ballet and Queensland Ballet. The North American debut of this ballet is scheduled from February 9 to 17, 2024.
The performance will be at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339. For ticket information, visit https://www.atlantaballet.com.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa explores the complex life of Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel in her tenth original full-length narrative ballet. Chanel, known for her transformative impact on the fashion world, is remembered for her innovative designs and the popularization of casual chic style in the post-World War I era.
Ochoa’s ballet delves into Chanel’s legacy, showcasing her remarkable designs, business savvy, and glamorous lifestyle, while also addressing the controversies that marked her ascent to fame.
“I am interested in telling stories about strong historical women,” said Ochoa, who has also produced works about Eva Perón and Frida Kahlo. “Behind the surface of a strong woman, there is always a hidden emotional story full of hardships and flaws.”
Ochoa, a prolific choreographer with over 100 works for 70 companies worldwide, brings her expertise to depict Chanel’s complex life through ballet. She stands as one of the few female choreographers specializing in narrative ballet, with nine previous narrative ballets, including “Frida” for Dutch National Ballet in 2020 and “Doña Perón” for Ballet Hispánico in 2022.
“Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon” assembles a notable creative team, including artistic collaboration by Nancy Meckler, an original score by Peter Salem, and set and costume designs by Jérôme Kaplan. The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra will perform Salem’s music live during the North American premiere.
Nedvigin, the artistic director of Atlanta Ballet, expressed his enthusiasm for premiering Ochoa’s work in the United States and highlighted the importance of contextualizing Chanel’s story beyond the stage.
“Annabelle is a brilliant choreographer and thoughtful storyteller, and we are honored to premiere her work in the U.S. for Atlanta audiences,” said Nedvigin. “The ballet portrays a historical figure with a past that was both inspiring and problematic, so we want to go beyond the stage with meaningful partnerships and educational resources to help contextualize Chanel’s story.”
Along with the production, Atlanta Ballet is partnering with SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film and The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum to develop informative programming. SCAD FASH will focus on the House of Chanel’s influence on the fashion industry, while The Breman will explore Coco Chanel’s antisemitism and collaboration with the Nazis. These resources will also provide education on recognizing and addressing antisemitism today.
“Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon” is a co-production involving Hong Kong Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Queensland Ballet. The ballet premiered in Hong Kong in March and will be introduced by Atlanta Ballet as its U.S. debut, followed by Queensland Ballet’s performance in the fall of 2024.
The North American premiere of “Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon” by Atlanta Ballet is made possible by a lead gift from The Carlos Family Foundation, with additional support from Katherine Scott. For more information about Atlanta Ballet and the supplementary programming and educational resources related to the ballet depicting Coco Chanel’s life, please visit www.atlantaballet.com.
The press release for the event noted that while this production draws inspiration from real-life figures and events, some incidents, names, characters, and timelines portrayed in the production are fictional. Reference to specific products, services, designs, or other elements does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or association by any individual or entity with Atlanta Ballet.
An Atlanta nonprofit is asking the public for help after it was the victim of a brazen theft earlier this week.
Propel ATL said that thieves cleared out an entire trailer of bicycles meant for underprivileged kids sometime on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
Jeremiah Jones, the nonprofit’s advocacy manager, said that someone broke into the trailer and took 26 bikes and 24 helmets.
The equipment was part of a program that gives bikes to children from low-income schools and teaches them how to ride.
“My heart sank when I got the call that all the bikes were gone. I said, ‘Surely not all of them.’ And all of them are gone,” Jones said. “This class is solely for kids, and this crime is affecting them.”
Atlanta police are reviewing security footage from the area. Jones said you could see people taking the bikes out of the trailer, carrying them down a hill, and bringing them into a nearby parking lot.
The nonprofit is now trying to raise more than $10,000 to replace the bikes.
Propel ATL is also asking who may have information about the theft to contact them at programs@letspropelatl.org.
A man was arrested at a concert last week after he shoved two kids off their bicycles, causing one of them to fall into a fountain, Sandy Springs police said. FOX 5 Atlanta’s Brittany Edney reporting.
Photo by Luke Beard
When Muchacho first opened along the Atlanta Beltline and Memorial Drive, it became known as a place shaped as much by its surroundings as by its menu. That site, housed in a 100‑year‑old train depot, set the tone for how the brand approaches expansion: start with the bones of a building, then let the space tell the story. The newly opened Muchacho West Midtown follows that same philosophy.
“We like to celebrate unique attributes of each property and work with the palette we’re given,” says founder and owner Michael Lennox. While the original Muchacho is defined by its long, narrow footprint and Spanish tile roof—features reminiscent of its former life as a train depot—the West Midtown location leans into an industrial past rooted in automotive culture: a former Meineke car care shop. Big windows reference former garage doors, while retro racing details appear inside.
Photo by Luke Beard
Still, the connective tissue between the two locations is clear. Both spaces draw heavily from Muchacho’s Southern California skate‑and‑surf roots. At Muchacho West Midtown, familiar playfulness appears via a blue‑orange‑yellow racing stripe pattern, a three‑dimensional pegboard gallery wall used to hang art and plants, and vintage Meineke signage. A life‑size cardboard cutout of George Foreman, once the pitchman for Meineke, underscores Lennox’s willingness to lean into humor and nostalgia. “It’s a playful brand,” he says.
A functional halfpipe for skateboarding anchors the outdoor experience and will double as a performance space for bands and DJs. In about a month, a 4,000‑square‑foot “tropical secret garden” with tall bamboo lining the perimeter will open on the south side of the property. Another 1,500 square feet of patio space wraps the west and north sides, currently welcoming about 80 guests. Altogether, the West Midtown location will accommodate about 215 guests, making it comparable in size to the original, with a little more outdoor space.
Photo by Luke Beard
Muchacho West Midtown opened with the same core menu that made the Beltline location a staple: tacos, breakfast burritos, coffee, cocktails, and beer. Standouts like migas, chilaquiles, carne asada, and al pastor continue to be available. Over time, however, Lennox says each location is expected to develop its own personality, driven by the chefs who have “a pretty wide creative latitude.” Chef Betty Aparicio, formerly of Chido & Padre’s, steers the kitchen on the Westside.
“We want to nurture some immediate familiarity while providing space for some special moments you can only have at each location,” Lennox says.
Photo by Luke Beard
One of these special moments will take place April 4 at a grand opening party dubbed MuchachoFest. Expect bands, a fortune teller, a mini skate park in parking lot, food and drink specials, and giveaways. “It’s going to be a fun day in West Midtown,” Lennox says.
A third Muchacho location will debut in the old Revival space in Decatur this summer. In addition, the Electric Hospitality team is bringing Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall to the Westside. Slated to launch in May on 11th Street, the convivial restaurant and bar will feature a 5,000-square-foot courtyard with an airstream bar, stage, and Crepe Myrtles, and a 45-seat island bar inside. Formerly a single-story warehouse from 1950s or ’60s, Ladybird West Midtown will offer the same food and beverages as its Eastside sibling with room for the chef and mixologist to add their unique touches.
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