We ask you to bow your heads and “Bless Our Show” then stand up and “Raise Your Voice” for Sister Act, the final production in Aurora Theatre’s record-breaking Season 28. This musical will be presented from May 23 – June 23.
Said Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Ann-Carol Pence, “I had long harbored a desire to produce Sister Act, a vibrant show that will musically connect with our strong faith community in Gwinnett. I was thrilled to welcome Jasmine Renee’ Ellis, a distinguished Aurora Apprentice Alumni, back to our organization in 2022 as our Director of Education. Sister Act is a star vehicle and with Jasmine’s return to Aurora I knew we had the formidable artist that will take this musical to new heights with our original take on the beloved story.”
Rounding out the principal cast is Atlanta favorite Shelly McCook, Isa Martinez BriAnne Knights, Charlene Hong White, Jody Woodruff as a Monsignor, plus Marcus Hopkins-Turner, and Jemarcus Kilgore.
The production team of Sister Act will be led by director Justin Anderson. Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence oversees Music Direction.
Show times are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. There will be a special matinee performance at 10a.m. on Wednesday, May 29.
Return soon if you use an absentee ballot
Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections encourages voters to apply for an absentee ballot as soon as possible, because of delays in the U.S. Postal Service.
The general primary and nonpartisan election on May 21 is approaching. Eligible voters have until Friday, May 10 to request an absentee ballot. Voters can request an absentee ballot or check the status of their absentee ballots at MVP.SOS.GA.gov. For assistance, call the Elections Office at 678-226-7210.
Once the absentee ballot application is completed and signed, voters can mail or hand-deliver it to Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Beauty P. Baldwin Building, fax it to 678-226-7208 or email it to Absentee@GwinnettCounty.com.
Voters can return their completed ballot in person at the Elections Office or place it in the drop boxes available at advance polling locations.
Norcross Gallery full of artistic events in May
Norcross Gallery and Studios has a busy lineup of upcoming activities and events. They begin with a Fabric Collage Workshop Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., taught by Gail Lenahan.
There will be a “How to Draw a Convincing Perspective” Workshop, led by Julian Tablada, an experienced watercolor painter, sailor and traveler and member of the American Society of Marine painters, on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The second annual “Reflections at the Rectory,” will present artwork by the students of Advanced Placement Art at Norcross and Paul Duke STEM high schools. It will be on display from May 11-18. Come applaud the award-winning artworks at the reception May 11.
The popular Gel Plate Series of workshops taught by Anne Labaire is coming. Gel Plate 101 will be Saturday May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gel Plate Printing – The Next Level follows on Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The ongoing Kaleidoscope exhibit continues until May 18 followed by a juried exhibit, Pigments of the Imagination, running from May 23 to July 6. See website for information and to register for classes at www.norcrossgalleryandstudios.org.
County breaks ground on Beaver Ruin Wetlands
Gwinnett officials broke ground on the new Beaver Ruin Wetland Park off Satellite Boulevard on Monday. The project promotes sustainability and is a collaborative effort between Gwinnett Water Resources and Gwinnett Parks and Recreation.
Approaching an anticipated June completion of the park, the first phase of this project has focused on restoring wetlands to preserve our local ecosystems. Over the last two years, efforts included stabilizing stream banks, enhancing habitats, removing invasive species and introducing native vegetation. As one of the largest wetland areas of its kind in Gwinnett, stormwater from 4.5 square miles collects here, capturing runoff from Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Beaver Ruin Road, Buford Highway, and Old Norcross Road. The wetlands then naturally clean and filter the water before it returns to Sweetwater Creek and the Yellow River.
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Hendrickson emphasized how these sustainable efforts will enhance the community.“Projects like this hold immense potential for improving the quality of life for our residents. The Beaver Ruin Wetland Park will serve as a catalyst for positive change, fostering sustainability and supporting our environment and communities today and for future generations.”
Spanning 86 acres, the park will include a variety of community spaces, including a state-of-the-art wildlife observation tower, an open play lawn, a covered picnic area, a restroom building, a 41-space parking lot and a playground equipped with swings, nature-inspired play elements and climbers. The playground’s design repurposes an existing detention basin, enhancing opportunities for unstructured adventure play for children.
A 12-foot-wide concrete loop trail boardwalk will seamlessly integrate with the surrounding neighborhood. Additionally, the park will serve as a hub for environmental awareness with interactive exhibits and interpretive panels.
Gwinnett County is using $5 million from the 2017 SPLOST program to support the development of the park, $1.3 million from the Recreation Fund for the playground, $4 million for the boardwalk and $4.5 million from the Watershed Improvement Program for the wetland restoration. Officials expect the new park to open in late 2025.
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