Simply Buckhead

Lights, Camera, Action! 🎬✨ Our March/April issue is officially out, and we are rolling out the red carpet for the STARS OF TV AND FILM alongside the visionary INNOVATORS skyrocketing Georgia’s film industry to new heights! From the magnetic allure of the silver screen to the buzz of a local film set, Georgia has transformed into a global cinematic powerhouse—and the impact on our hometown is nothing short of electric. Whether it’s a blockbuster filming right on your street or a chance encounter with a visiting celebrity, the "Hollywood of the South" is thriving right in our backyard. Inside this blockbuster feature: -Rising Stars: Inspiring journeys of actors claiming their spotlight. -Industry Titans: A deep dive into the local studios making massive global waves. -Your Big Break: The ultimate how-to guide for breaking into background acting. The wait is over! Grab your copy at one of over 400 locations or click the link in our bio to dive into the digital edition now. Photographer: Erik Meadows Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin Model: Colby Natasha Nixon Stylist: Jeresa Featherstone Hair: Wankaya Hinkson Makeup: Stevie Martin Wardrobe Details Aje Agave Knit Raffia Midi Skirt: Lemon ($530), Aje Agave Knit Tank Top: ($200), Apaya Cofre Bag: Pink ($280), Aquazzura Bisous Mule: Light Blush ($885), Retailer: All items available at Tootsies, Accessories: Earrings are the stylist's own. Special Thanks: Assembly Studios for hosting our team! #SimplyBuckhead #GeorgiaFilm #AssemblyStudios #AtlantaTalent #ShopTootsies #FilmGeorgia @erikmeadows @jenniferbfranklin @colbynatasha @hairbywankaya @symartmakeup @assemblyatlanta @jeresa_featherstone @shoptootsies

FEATURED RESTAURANTS TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on the westside ranks among Atlanta’s dining stars. The award-winning team that includes Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece and Executive Chef Robert Butts proves that even the most recognizable dishes can soar above expectations. The dining room sets a casual vibe, but the menu offers familiar and creative dishes that are expertly prepared and artfully presented. There’s something for most any palate. Signature cocktails showcase seasonal ingredients in innovative, well-balanced concoctions such as “Dream of Spring” and “Little Miss Staycation.” The best-selling Southern marinated fried chicken sticks around even when the menu changes every three months. Each piece of the half-chicken has crispy skin and juicy meat, and is cast iron pan-fried to sheer perfection. Hoisin oxtails rank as the second best-seller, for good reason. Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet Cantonese flair. Layers of flavor and contrasting textures combine for scrumptious results. Small plates: $6-$22 Sandwiches: $15-$20 Salads: $12-$16 Entrees: $24-$42 Desserts: $12 Cocktails: $14-$17 Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours 404.350.5500 twistedsoulatl.com 📝 Hope S. Philbrick 📸Erik Meadows #SimplyBuckhead #TwistedSoulATL #DeborahVanTrece #WestsideEats #ModernSouthernFood @21plustravel @erikmeadows

Obsessed with Colby’s journey as much as we are? ✨ Not only is she making television history in "Beyond the Gates," but she is also gracing the COVER of our March/April issue! From a Richmond graduate student to an iconic Buckhead resident and TV star, Colby’s story is a must-read. Head to the link in our bio to dive into the full cover feature and see more exclusive photos. Have you started watching "Beyond the Gates" yet? Tell us your favorite Kat Richardson moment in the comments! 👇 #ColbyNatashaNixon #BeyondTheGates #CoverGirl #AtlantaFilm #HBCUPride

UNEXPECTED GATE-CRASHER COLBY NATASHA NIXON STEPS “BEYOND THE GATES” WITH HER FIRST TV ROLE. Colby Natasha Nixon didn’t grow up watching soap operas. She never saw Marlena’s possession in Salem on “Days of Our Lives.” She had no idea that Victor Newman was Victoria’s real father, as revealed on “Young and the Restless.” And she wasn’t even born yet when “General Hospital’s” Luke and Laura made television history by marrying in a wedding watched by 30 million viewers (with a cameo by none other than Elizabeth Taylor). It wasn’t until Nixon booked her own role as Katherine “Kat” Richardson on CBS’s newest daytime drama, “Beyond the Gates,” that she understood the impact of the enduring and beloved soap opera genre and of the show itself. “I didn’t realize how many people were raised on soap operas. And I didn’t realize how historic this show was,” says Nixon, who landed her role in 2024. Filmed at Assembly Studios in Doraville and premiered in February 2025, “Beyond the Gates” is the first new network soap in more than 25 years and the first American daytime drama to feature a predominantly Black cast since NBC’s “Generations” in 1989... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝 Amy Meadows 📸 Erik Meadows colbynatasha.com @ColbyNatasha #SimplyBuckhead #ColbyNatashaNixon #BeyondTheGates #AssemblyStudios #BlackExcellence @knowatlanta @erikmeadows

Get ready to shell out some fun this weekend at Arnette’s Chop Shop! From the first crack to the perfect oyster, the Mother Shucker Oyster Fest is officially back this Sunday, March 22. Starting at 2 PM in the courtyard, guests can settle in for three hours of doing Sunday the right way. The all-inclusive menu is an oyster lover’s dream, featuring everything from fresh Raw Oysters and classic Oyster Rockefeller to Crispy Oyster Sliders, Oyster Stew, and a hearty Oyster & Andouille Gumbo. If you're looking for variety, they'll also be serving up Crispy Fish Tacos and Bloody Maria Shooters to keep the vibes high alongside live music. Tickets are $110 + tax (all-inclusive), with a premium cash bar also available for those looking to level up their experience. Don't wait—grab your tickets at the link in their bio and join the feast! #ArnettesChopShop #MotherShucker #OysterFest #AtlantaEats #SundayFunday

PERSONAL TASTE Mirae brings modern Asian-fusion flavors to Brookhaven. Husband-and-wife restaurateurs John and Grace Lee, who are also behind Chamblee’s Japanese cafe and sushi bar Fudo, offer modern takes on classic Asian comfort dishes at their latest concept, Mirae, now open in Brookhaven. We spoke with the Lees about the inspiration for their latest venture, named for the Korean word “future.” How did your personal experiences influence Mirae? GRACE: Our menu showcases many dishes that are tied to our team’s inspirations and experiences. Whether it’s dishes they enjoyed growing up or ones they’ve recently come across, it’s filled with dishes our team really wanted to elevate and add a slight fusion twist to. How does Mirae put a modern spin on traditional comfort dishes? JOHN: Our Claypot Chicken combines several elements of our favorite dishes: The toasted bouillon rice is an ode to our childhoods in the South Korean countryside, and the crispy burnt/toasted rice bits were “treats” we fought over with our siblings at the end of meals. The bouillon rice, mushrooms, sweet peppers and Shanghai bok choy combine different Asian flavors with the earthy, aromatic flavor of the underlying truffle. It all works together to become a hearty dish that encapsulates what Mirae is all about... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! MIRAE miraeatl.com 📝Claire Ruhlin #SimplyBuckhead #MiraeATL #BrookhavenEats #ModernAsianFusion #AtlantaDining @claireruhlin

ATLANTA MAYOR’S MASKED BALL The 42nd Annual UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball drew more than 2,000 spectacularly dressed participants to the Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center in late December. Since its debut in 1983, the end-of-the-year gala, co-founded by Billye Aaron and then-Mayor Andrew Young, has raised funds and awareness for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The 2025 event continued that tradition, raising more than $4 million. The ball was hosted by UNCF Atlanta and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, supported by more than 100 executives who served as event vice chairs, and was emceed by actor-comedian Anthony Anderson. Notable attendees included UNCF CEO Michael Lomax, “Beyond the Gates” actor Brandon Claybon, WSB-TV anchor Karyn Greer and an array of student ambassadors. 📝 H.M. Cauley 📸 Caselove Productions #SimplyBuckhead #MayorsMaskedBall #UNCFAtlanta #HBCUSupport #AtlantaGala

EXTRA! EXTRA! HOW TO MAKE IT BIG IN THE BACKGROUND OF ATLANTA’S HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS! When you think of Atlanta’s film industry, the first thing that might pop to mind is the A-listers it brings to the area. You may also think of the trade industry members who are the backbone of “Hollywood of the South” and without whom there would be no productions at all. But there’s another integral part of that backbone that not everyone remembers: extras. How believable is a scene on the football field of Chad Powers without a stadium full of fans? And without a sea of “Walkers,” the storyline of The Walking Dead wouldn’t even exist. Extras, also called background actors, are the people in a production who appear in the background of scenes to enhance the realism around the primary players. Many people don’t even notice them when watching a show or film, but their absence would make a scene fall flat and feel fake. Although these roles are almost always non-speaking, they typically include wardrobe, hair, makeup and a casting process. Pay rates for extras vary, but adults can expect between $12 to $15 an hour, while kids typically get paid in the $9 to $10 an hour range. Most filming days are either eight or 10 hours, and extras are paid overtime if the day is extended. It is also normal to receive a “gas bump” if filming is far outside Atlanta proper. Extras also get a stipend for the time spent at costume fittings. These appointments typically occur the week before filming, and entail trying on costume options the costume department has pulled. So how do you get cast as an extra? Facebook is your best friend. Join the following groups and start looking for gigs you fit. Listings share exactly what the casting company needs as far as age and physical appearance, and they typically list the date, city or area where filming will take place, along with the pay rate and expected length of the day. CL Casting facebook.com/CatrettLockeCa… Extras Casting Atlanta facebook.com/ExtrasCastingA… Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝Emily Foley #SimplyBuckhead #AtlantaFilm #BackgroundActing #HollywoodOfTheSouth #CastingCall @EmilyLFoley

COFFEE FOR A CURE Cancer research breakfast. The A Cure in Our Lifetime spring breakfast takes place March 25 from 9-11 a.m. at Cobb Energy Center. Co-founded by breast cancer survivors Jennifer Fink and Jody Goldstein in 2016, the event exclusively funds breast cancer research. Now in its 11th year, it has raised over $2 million for the Atlanta chapter, funding approximately 25 research projects and clinical trials. Last year’s breakfast raised $350,000, with donations split between Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Continuing the tradition of featuring a survivor as the keynote speaker, attendees will hear from Broadway actress Sarrah Strimel Bentley. Past speakers have included journalists Joan Lunden and Amy Robach as well as prominent authors in the breast cancer field. “We try to keep the event also uplifting because the truth is we are making strides. There’s still work to be done, but we are making strides,” Fink says. Tickets are $200, including a champagne toast and buffet breakfast. atlantacure.org 📝 Nicole Letts #SimplyBuckhead #ACureInOurLifetime #BreastCancerResearch #AtlantaCharity #CobbEnergyCenter @nicolemelv

FOOD NEWS New Orleans’ celebrated cocktail destination, Barrel Proof, officially made its Atlanta debut at the end of 2025, bringing its signature spirit-forward energy to the Westside Provisions District. Known for a curated and extensive selection, the bar offers everything from rare whiskies and hard-to-find spirits to expertly crafted cocktails. To round out the experience, guests can enjoy a menu of elevated bar fare designed to complement the bold flavors in the glass. Whether you’re a serious connoisseur or just looking for a high-quality pour in a vibrant atmosphere, Barrel Proof is a must-visit addition to the city's nightlife scene. Explore the full spirit list and plan your visit at barrelproofatl.com. #BarrelProofATL #WestsideProvisions #AtlantaCocktails #WhiskeyLovers #NewInAtlanta

WHERE IN THE WORLD A recurring dream and a love of travel inspired a book series. Kristen Marotte was 18 when her father, Eli, died, and not long after, she started having a recurring dream about searching for him. Every so often, the dream had a happy encounter. “I’d run to him and say, ‘Where in the world have you been?’” says the Sandy Springs resident. In the waking world, life went on. Marotte carved a career in software sales and indulged her passion for travel. She took consumer guru Clark Howard’s tips to heart and booked affordable trips to wherever the plane was going. “I didn’t have a lot of money, but I could jump on a $300 trip to Amsterdam,” she said. “I did have a deep desire to see the world, so I made it happen.” In the early 1990s, Marotte started writing down her travel adventures as children’s stories told by a globe-trotting bear she named Eli. “It was bizarre; I didn’t have children and was shocked at how easily the stories rolled out,” she says. “I wrote one, then another and another, and soon I had 10. The words were cute and catchy about a little bear who dropped hints about where he was—how people dressed or spoke, or what they ate—and readers had to figure it out.” Marotte married in 1999, and a year later, tried to get the stories published. When that didn’t happen, she set them aside until her own children came along, and she dusted them off to share with her daughter and son who arrived in 2002 and 2004, respectively. “They became our family treasure,” she says. “My kids would often get them out and read them. I took them to their school and read to classes. When my daughter started babysitting, she read them to the kids.” Meanwhile, Marotte left the corporate world, tried her hand at photography and, most recently, became a Pilates instructor. And 25 years after the first Eli story, she decided it was time to share them with the world... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝H.M. Cauley #SimplyBuckhead #EliTheFlagbellyBear #ChildrensBooks #SandySpringsAuthors #TravelAdventures

The countdown is on! ADAC’s Spring Sample Sale returns next week, running from March 18–20. This is the ultimate opportunity for both the public and the trade to shop exclusive discounts on premier designer brands and high-end home furnishings. Whether you're searching for indoor and outdoor furniture, rugs, lighting, or unique accessories, the three-day event offers a rare chance to elevate your space for less. The sale spans participating showrooms and design studios across both ADAC and ADAC West. Participating Showrooms and Design Studios: #adacatlanta #adacsamplesale #interiordesign #homedecor #samplesale

SOLVING A HOUSING CRISIS Tiny houses serve as models. Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall, who resides at the Lenbrook retirement community in Buckhead, has lived in 15 countries. Born in England, she grew up in India, earned a law degree and lectured at the University of Edinburgh, worked with the British consulate in Bombay (now called Mumbai) and spent many years on the management team at the YMCA. Today, she’s involved with the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires initiative that’s building tiny homes on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Dupree, South Dakota, for the Sioux Nation, a part of the Lakota Nation. “After a group of 17 of us over 60 retired from the Y, we didn’t want to stop contributing and asked what we could do to help,” Hoskyns-Abrahall says. “Out of 47 projects vetted by the Y, we selected the tiny homes initiative on the reservation known for Chief Sitting Bull and the Wounded Knee Massacre.” The project began in 2021 to help solve the housing crisis on Native American reservations. It was funded by 600 donors who raised $1 million to build four identical tiny homes designed with input from tribe members. A fifth home is in the works. Because of the harsh weather conditions in summers and winters, volunteers come in waves for three weeks in the spring and fall. Hoskyns-Abrahall has traveled to Dupree four times but due to an injury, she wasn’t able to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony in September. To further contribute, she wrote a series of eight pamphlets about the Lakota Nation. YMCA OF THE SEVEN COUNCIL FIRES YMCAfires.org @YMCASevenFires 📝Mickey Goodman #SimplyBuckhead #YMCASevenFires #TinyHouseMovement #LakotaNation #CommunityImpact

SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION FORCE STEAM SHOWCASE March 17 sandyspringseducationforce.org @SSEFGeorgia Join small businesses and technology enthusiasts at North Springs High School to explore cutting-edge STEAM innovations through interactive exhibits at this free, all-ages event. Now in its 16th year, discover how science, technology, engineering, arts and math are shaping Sandy Springs’ future. 📝Nicole Letts #SimplyBuckhead #SSEFSTEAMShowcase #SandySpringsEvents #STEAMEducation #NorthSpringsHigh

FIT FACTOR Tips from a Buckhead “Bra Whisperer”! Perhaps no shopping trip is quite as anxiety-inducing as searching for a bra. The fitting room stress, the forced up-close-and-personal look at our bodies, the inconsistent sizing: It can truly take an emotional toll that makes us put off these excursions as long as possible. Enter Leslie Jones, a bra specialist and stylist at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza. Jones started her journey as a bra fitter in 2003 at Nordstrom in Perimeter Mall and worked her way up to management before stepping away from the position for a few years to be a mom. In 2016, she went back to work, this time at the Phipps Plaza store, and has been pleasing customers with her personal brand of nurturing guidance and straight shooting ever since. For years, Jones was a best-kept-secret among Nordstrom shoppers who discovered that her expertise and hospitality in the fitting room can make bra shopping almost pleasant. But when one of her longtime clients shared her information and photo with a neighborhood Facebook group of nearly 8,000 members, Jones went from under the-radar to on everyone’s radar. Here, we tap Jones’ expertise to shed light on common bra-fitting misconceptions and misinformation... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝 Emily Foley 📸 Joann Vitelli NORDSTROM PHIPPS PLAZA nordstrom.com @nordstrom #SimplyBuckhead #NordstromPhippsPlaza #BraFitting #LeslieJones #BuckheadStyle @emilylfoley @jvitelli95

FEATURED RESTAURANTS FLOWER CHILD Get your groove on at this 21st century health food haven where bright colors, happy smiles and good vibes abound. Whet your whistle with some refreshingly fruity on-tap kombucha (a fermented tea drink) and treat yourself to starters of tart, juicy tomato toast or creamy avocado hummus. You’ll be bowled over by the tantalizing flavors of the Mother Earth bowl, the Glow bowl and other health-friendly bowls, wraps and plates. Menu standouts include the “Forbidden Rice” bowl with grass-fed steak, the Mediterranean quinoa salad and for dessert, the vegan dark chocolate pudding. A limited wine and beer selection is available for those who prefer a cocktail with their quinoa or a tipple with their tofu. Soups, salads and appetizers: $6.25-$12.50 Bowls, entrees and wraps: $10-$15.50 FLOWER CHILD 6400 Blue Stone Rd., Sandy Springs iamaflowerchild.com @EatFlowerChild 📝 Rebecca Cha #SimplyBuckhead #FlowerChild #SandySpringsEats #HealthyDining #PlantPower

Is your team in or out? March Madness is coming soon, and it’s more fun when the game really matters. Our friends at CURE are hosting CURE Madness—where a $25 donation earns you a bracket entry and joins the fight against childhood cancer. The top bracket wins a $200 Visa gift card! Head to curemadness.com to enter today. @CUREchildcancer #SimplyBuckhead #CUREMadness #MarchMadness #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #CURECPFC

THE DARK AGE Once eschewed for light and bright tones, dark wood is making a comeback. Whether you see it in a midcentury-inspired lamp, a classic breakfront or an unusual and visually interesting piece of decor, it’s time to give mahogany, walnut and other dark wood grains their moment in the spotlight. Peruse these styles as home update inspiration. Toland Wall Clock ($199) Who says wood has to be relegated to furniture? Get funky with this responsibly made wooden clock. It’s handcrafted in Vermont via a small, family-owned shop and features carved indentations at each of the 12 hour markers. Steel side accents and a leather hanging strap complete the midcentury-inspired look. Room & Board 877.389.9707 roomandboard.com @roomandboard Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝 Lauren Finney Harden #SimplyBuckhead #RoomAndBoard #DarkWoodRevival #MidcenturyModern #InteriorDesign

I am still feeling so moved after attending the recent Starfish Ball. As a long-time supporter of The @nsoroFoundation and through our role as Media Sponsor at Simply Buckhead, I’ve had the privilege of watching this organization grow, but this year was truly special. When the 2026 Ball had to be rescheduled, I watched as their partners and sponsors remained steadfast. It was altruism at its finest. The way their board and "valiant army of volunteers" rallied, recalibrated, and executed with such a "love-fueled sprint" was inspiring to witness from the sidelines. The most impactful moment for me is always seeing the scholars. Recognizing the 2025–2026 Graduating Class—young people who are now "prepared, credentialed, and supported"—reminds me why the work nsoro does is so critical. Their mission to provide a foundation for foster youth is changing the landscape of our community. To the entire nsoro team: your commitment to our young people is unmatched. I am honored to stand with you in every season and wish you continued, boundless success in everything you do! #nsoroFoundation #StarfishBall2026 #SimplyBuckhead #SupportingOurYouth #CollectiveCommitment

MICROPLASTIC PURGE Every year, roughly 10 to 40 million metric tons of microplastics are released into the environment. Eventually, these end up in our bodies as a result of items like cutting boards, food containers, make up and clothing that shed small fragments of plastic. Help curb this health and environmental hazard by considering these microplastic-free products instead. Hanni Cocoon Cleanse Solid Body Serum Cleanser with Shea Butter ($19) We’ve all been told to protect our skin from the sun, but it’s important to protect it from microplastics as well. This plastic-free body cleanser from Hanni is a concentrated, soap-free serum that hydrates and soothes the skin and is also cruelty-free, vegan and clean. The product is formulated without ingredients like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oils. The serum instead highlights gardenia, shea butter and fermented sugarcane enzyme, making this cleanser one that both dermatologists and environmentalists can love. Sephora sephora.com @sephora Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝Katie Hughes #SimplyBuckhead #MicroplasticFree #CleanBeauty #Hanni #SustainableSkincare

FROM FAN TO FILMMAKER BUCKHEAD’S RODERICK MCCLURE LIVES A CHILDHOOD DREAM AS A MOVIE PRODUCER! Growing up in Alabama, Roderick McClure spent a lot of his free time watching movies. While courting his future wife, Teri, going to the movies was a dating ritual. And it still is: The Buckhead couple cut back on the streaming habit developed during COVID and now make a point of heading to a theater to catch the latest films. But McClure does much more than merely watch movies. He’s turned a long-time fascination into a career. “I always knew one day I’d become a filmmaker,” he says. “I also dreamed of leaving Birmingham and moving to Atlanta to start a business. There were plenty of challenges, but the goal was always to be self-employed, start a business, make some money and produce movies.” The couple settled in Atlanta in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until last year that McClure achieved success in the film industry. He first worked in corporate America for companies such as Minolta, Panasonic and Pitney Bowes before launching his own document management company, a venture he sold 10 years ago. After a brief detour in the ministry, he created Rodfather Productions using the nickname friends and family gave him for his Godfather-like drive to get things done. “Once I decided to pursue film, it was a matter of finding the right script and the right team,” McClure says. “I did, and production started in September on Both Eyes Open.” After a brief theatrical release, the thriller was bought by STARZ and shot to the top spot on the site’s most-popular list. The company’s second venture, the romantic comedy Funny Feelings, is scheduled for release this summer. A few series and a kids’ animated cartoon project are also in the works... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝 H.M. Cauley RODFATHER PRODUCTIONS #SimplyBuckhead #RoderickMcClure #RodfatherProductions #AtlantaFilm #BothEyesOpen #FunnyFeelings