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.
NASCAR O’Reilly Series qualifying results from EchoPark Speedway
Later today, NASCAR O’Reilly Series drivers take the green flag. Now, teams are rolling to the track for qualifying at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta.
View the Atlanta starting lineup for the NASCAR O’Reilly Series below.
Atlanta/Lime Rock Menu
ARCA: Race
Truck: Prac/Qual
O’Reilly: Qual
Atlanta/Lime Rock TV Schedule
The fields makes one lap in the opening round of qualifying. The top 10 from round one advance into round 2 and make another run for the pole position.
Atlanta Qualifying Results (Top 10 – Round 1) : 1. Carson Kvapil 31.987 2. Sam Mayer 32.035 3. Sammy Smith 32.117 4. Jesse Love 32.128 5. William Sawalich 32.171 6. Taylor Gray 32.218 7. Sheldon Creed 32.224 8. Rajah Caruth 32.238 9. Patrick Staropoli 32.224 10. Brent Crews 32.279
Sam Mayer will start from the pole position. He turned a laptime at 31.994 seconds in the second round of qualifying.
EchoPark Speedway
Starting Lineup
July 11, 2026
NASCAR O’Reilly Series
Pos | Driver
1. Sam Mayer
31.994
2. Carson Kvapil
31.978
3. Jesse Love
32.020
4. William Sawalich
32.106
5. Sammy Smith
32.119
6. Sheldon Creed
32.136
7. Brent Crews
32.155
8. Rajah Caruth
32.194
9. Taylor Gray
32.200
10. Patrick Staropoli
32.302
— Failed to advance into Round 2 —
11. Austin Hill
32.286
12. Brandon Jones
32.315
13. Corey Day
32.327
14. Jeremy Clements
32.335
15. Jake Finch
32.336
16. Justin Allgaier
32.379
17. Anthony Alfredo
32.393
18. Nick Sanchez
32.400
19. Ryan Sieg
32.429
20. Kyle Sieg
32.459
21. Jeb Burton
32.545
22. Parker Retzlaff
32.547
23. Dean Thompson
32.573
24. Leland Honeyman Jr
32.583
25. Harrison Burton
32.619
26. Garrett Smithley
32.709
27. Ryan Ellis
32.778
28. Mason Maggio
32.783
29. Nick Leitz
32.857
30. Brennan Poole
32.862
31. Glen Reen
32.884
32. Lavar Scott
32.942
33. Joey Gase
32.946
34. Josh Bilicki
33.035
35. Logan Bearden
33.619
36. Carson Ware
36.110
37. Blaine Perkins
46.808
38. Jordan Anderson
No Time
Links
Atlanta Motor Speedway | Lime Rock Park | NASCAR
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An Atlanta-based mentoring program is making a stop in Jacksonville this weekend — and its leader says the city could be next on the map.
Next Level Boys Academy will set up at Clanzel T. Brown Park in the Moncrief area Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the “Save Our Sons Tour.” The free, family-friendly event runs alongside Duval Day, the annual block party hosted by Jacksonville-born comedian Lil Duval, which follows from 3 to 8 p.m.
From a Little League Sideline to a National Movement
Gary Davis, CEO and Executive Director of Next Level Boys Academy, says it all started on a baseball field. While coaching little league in 2009, he decided mentoring had to go deeper than sports.
“I built this organization from that group of young men that I coached back in 2009,” Davis said.
What began with 11 young men has grown to serve between 200 and 300 youth each year. The program has drawn national media attention and support from high-profile names, including rappers T.I. and Killer Mike.
What the Program Does
Next Level Boys Academy mentors teens on Saturdays, working with youth ages 5 to 10. It also runs an alternative-to-incarceration program for first-time offenders ages 12 to 25.
Davis says the impact goes beyond mentorship.
“On average we’ve probably diverted about 100 years of prison time a week,” he said.
Former NFL player Will Sweet is also part of the Jacksonville visit. Sweet leads the entrepreneurship and professional development component of the academy’s Atlanta program.
A Vision for Duval County
Davis, a former educator and social worker, says this weekend is about more than one event. He wants Jacksonville’s leaders to take notice.
“The ultimate reason why we are coming to Jacksonville this weekend is because we want the city officials and local government to see there is an innovative mentoring organization that is working in Atlanta — and we have people that are in place there that could start this and move it,” Davis said. “There is no need in re-inventing the wheel.”
What You Need to Know
The Next Level Boys Academy and Empowerment Center program is free and open to families. Here are the details:
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What: Next Level Boys Academy — Save Our Sons Tour
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Where: Clanzel T. Brown Park
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When: Saturday, noon to 1 p.m.
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Duval Day: 3 to 8 p.m. at the same location
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
The NBA offseason has slowed down this week and there is not a lot of business left to be done around the league. Basketball fans and front offices alike are waiting for the decision from LeBron James, but there are still a few prized restricted free agents on the market that have unresolved situations for the 2026-2027 season.
One of them in Nuggets forward Peyton Watson. Watson had the breakout season that Denver fans had been hoping for, but injuries slowed things down towards the end of the season. Despite the injuries, Watson is a coveted player around the league due to being a high-level two-way wing that can guard and shoot from deep. Denver has been trying to extend Watson, but they have not come to terms yet.
The Clippers and the Nets have been mentioned most prominently as a suitor for Watson, but today, NBA insider Jake Fischer noted that a new team has been showing interest, and that team is no other than the Atlanta Hawks:
“Atlanta, sources say, has also shown some fresh interest in Watson, which would likewise require a sign-and-trade to make it happen.
That said, whether it’s the Hawks or the Clippers or any other suitor, sources maintain that the Nuggets are seeking compensation on par with what Utah received from the Lakers in their recent sign-and-trade swap that made Walker Kessler a Laker.
The Lakers’ determined interest in the 7-foot-2 center netted two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for the Jazz.
Sources say that price point has been too rich for the Clippers or the Hawks when it comes to Watson.”
Could the Hawks actually acquire Watson?
This is the first report of the Hawks holding interest in Watson, but because he is a restricted free agent, I think it is going to be very, very difficult for Atlanta to actually obtain the talented young wing.
Because the Hawks don’t have the cap space to sign Watson to an offer sheet, the only way that they could acquire him would be through a sign-and-trade. If what Fischer says is true, that Denver is going to want a Walker Kessler type return (Utah traded Kessler to Los Angeles for two first round pick swaps and two unprotected first round picks), I think you can safely count Atlanta out of that kind of a deal.
Onsi Saleh and the Hawks front office have made it clear that they are not going to skip steps in building this team and that they are not “one move” away. Atlanta was continuously mentioned as a suitor for Jaylen Brown, but if they were not willing to surrender real assets to obtain him, why would they do that for Watson?
Watson is a very talented player and if healthy, there is a chance that his next contract is going to be a bargain deal. This past season, he averaged a career-best 14.6 PPG, a career-best 4.9 RPG, while shooting 49% from the floor and 41% from three and is a solid defender as well. He fits into the Hawks timeline perfectly, but again, the cost of multiple draft assets for a player who is more unproven than Walker Kessler was would not be a smart move by what is considered to be a very smart front office.
Could Denver lower the asking price for Watson? Possibly, but I think the more likely outcome this offseason is that Watson and Denver find a middle ground on a contract and he returns to the Nuggets.
Restricted free agents don’t have a lot of leverage in these situations and while Atlanta could be very interested in acquiring him, I would be pretty surprised if they overpaid for him like the Lakers did for Kessler.
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