– The Wren’s Nest announces its second annual Brer Rabbit Blues & BBQ fundraiser, to be held on Sunday, November 5, from 2 to 6 p.m. The barbecue will help fund educational and literary programs for youth and adult audiences in the historic West End community. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite via Brer Rabbit Blues and BBQ – $40 for adults, $20 for children, and $100 for families. The barbecue will take place at the Wren’s Nest, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.
The Wren’s Nest – former home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus stories – is the oldest house museum in the state. For over a century, the Wren’s Nest has served the community by keeping the art of storytelling alive. Today, our mission is to continuing preserving African-American folklore through storytelling, tours, and student publishing.
As an organization founded on storytelling and literature, the Wren’s Nest encourages young authors to develop their talent and passion for writing. “Each semester we work with students from Brown Middle School and KIPP STRIVE Academy through our Scribes program. We give the Scribes a theme, connect them with mentors, and challenge students to develop their writing skills,” said program director Kalin Thomas. “The students’ work is then published in two separate books, one for each school.”
The Wren’s Nest Scribes program is funded by MailChimp, Gas South, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts & Culture, the Georgia Council for the Arts, and contributions from individuals and local businesses. “Hands-on community support makes the Brer Rabbit Blues and barbecue fund-raiser a reality. Not only are our vendors – Monday Night Brewing, Honeysuckle Gelato, and Das BBQ – our neighbors, but they support us through donations and their time,” said Melissa Swindell, executive director of The Wren’s Nest. “Das BBQ provided the food at our fund-raiser last year, and everyone enjoyed it so much we asked them back,” added Wren’s Nest board member Jim Auchmutey, who is guest curator of an exhibition about barbecue opening next May at the Atlanta History Center.
Guests at the barbecue will also enjoy live music as they picnic in the 2.5-acre yard surrounding house. Master Storyteller Mama Koku will perform throughout the afternoon. “Storytellers are a staple of The Wren’s Nest tours every Saturday at 1 p.m.,” said Swindell, “but the barbecue only happens once a year. It is becoming an annual tradition, an afternoon for family and friends to gather for storytelling, music, and barbecue.”
To support The Wren’s Nest and purchase BBQ tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brer-rabbit-blues-and-bbq-tickets-37763922910, email melissa@wrensnest.org, or call (404) 753-7735.
Brer Rabbit Blues & BBQ Sponsors
Monday Night Brewing, Das BBQ, Honeysuckle Gelato, Humphries and Company, M.H. Mitchell, Inc. in honour of Thomas Blount Bowen, Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate, and Joseph Doyle
About The Wren’s Nest
By preserving the heritage of American folklore through storytelling, tours, and student publishing and the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris, The Wren’s Nest serves as a valued educational and cultural resource.
