SIMPLY BUCKHEAD — They say necessity is the mother of invention, which certainly holds true for Genevieve LeDoux. The chief imagination officer, as she jokingly refers to herself, of Silver Comet Productions, LeDoux is an award-winning producer whose current pet project centers around an animated rock band called Star Forest.

The aha moment for her newest venture took place during the pandemic, when, to get out of the house, she and her two sons would get in the car and drive around with the windows rolled down and the music cranked up. Her oldest son, Hudson, who was 5 at the time, wasn’t a fan of his 3-year-old brother Dempsey’s music because it was too babyish. So LeDoux went looking for music for kids Hudson’s age and found it didn’t exist.

“Everything that was made for the 5 to 9 age group was still very immature and not well produced, so they weren’t into it,” LeDoux says. “I joke it goes from CoComelon to Cardi B, because there’s nothing in the middle.”

It was then she saw a niche that needed to be filled. For inspiration, LeDoux drew upon her years in Los Angeles working on children’s TV shows like “Yo Gabba Gabba!,” “My Little Pony” and a stop-motion series called “Tumble Leaf” that won her an Emmy for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Program. She and her husband, Chris LeDoux, who founded the visual effects company Crafty Apes, had since relocated to Atlanta when he decided to open an office here in 2014. “He was working a lot for Tyler Perry and was going back and forth to Atlanta, and he came home one day and said, ‘You know what, there’s something really happening there,’” she explains. [MORE]

ESPORT INSIDER — According to a release, the 2025 edition of the*gamehers Awards will highlight 100 women across a total of 10 categories.

To acknowledge their achievements, the platform will offer award winners exclusive digital features alongside streams highlighting each winner taking place throughout March 2025. In addition, the winners will also receive cash prizes. The exact amount for each award was not disclosed.

The revamp follows the*gamehers’ September announcement that its ceremony is returning in 2025 following a successful 2024. The platform noted that its 2024 ceremony generated over 10m impressions in addition to over 155,000 viewers across various streaming platforms.

Outside of the awards ceremony, the platform has continued to grow and attract investment. In August, it received an undisclosed investment from Dunhill Ventures to accelerate growth by improving its in-app offerings.

Rebecca Dixon, CEO of the*gamehers, spoke on the news: “the*gamehers Awards have always been about more than just recognition—they’re about inspiring change and creating opportunities.

“In 2025, we’re amplifying that mission by celebrating winners not just for one night, but all year long, showcasing their stories and achievements on a global stage. We’re excited to partner with brands, organizations, and our incredible community to make this a truly transformative moment for women and femme-identifying individuals in gaming.” [MORE]

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, ‘Opinion’

By Jennifer Bauer-Lyons

Every year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving brings a powerful reminder of what matters most: giving. Following the frenzied shopping of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday invites us to pause and redirect our attention to the causes that build stronger, more connected communities. It is a global movement of generosity. Here in Georgia, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the values that unite us: collaboration, creativity and compassion.

As the executive director of South Fulton Arts (SFA), I see daily how the arts embody those values. Yet, the arts are often overlooked when it comes to charitable giving. This GivingTuesday, I urge Georgians to recognize the arts not just as a source of inspiration and joy, but also as a vital force that shapes our identity, strengthens our economy and brings us closer as a community.

The arts sector in Georgia is a powerhouse. It generates more than $49 million in local, county and state tax revenue for Georgia, and supports more than 10,000 jobs, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 national study conducted by Americans for the Arts and facilitated by Georgia Council for the Arts. But these numbers only scratch the surface of what the arts mean to our communities.

The arts foster empathy, bridge divides and inspire innovation … [MORE]

Jennifer Bauer-Lyons is executive director of South Fulton Arts.

POCKETGAMER — With the 30th anniversary of its kingmaking franchise Warcraft, Blizzard has been rightfully saturating its fans with all manner of in-game events and rewards. But for the rest of us, it's going to be hard to ignore the legacy of this monolithic franchise. And that's because, of all things, Warcraft is set to team up with hit match-3 puzzler Candy Crush Saga!

Yes, you read that right, the poster child of hardcore RTS and MMORPGs is taking a walk on the sweet side as it collabs with King's own regal candy-based puzzler. Running from November 22nd (that's today) through to December 6th, you'll be able to leap into iconic team-vs-team challenges between the Orc and Human factions to win exclusive rewards.

As part of the event, you'll pick a side between Team Tiffi (representing Humans) and Team Yeti (representing Orcs). The Warcraft Games is a competitive event, complete with qualifiers, knockouts and finals, as you'll duke it out for the chance at amazing rewards including 200 (in-game) gold bars for winning participants! [MORE]

BLEEDING COOL — Mobile developer and publisher King Games have launched a brand new event for Candy Crush Soda Saga, as they are celebrating the game's 10th Anniversary. Starting today and running over the next few weeks, the game will be running a special celebration involving special bears and cakes, as well as an 11 Days of Gifting event that will have players popping in daily for challenges and rewards. Plus some extra goodies happening throughout the month of November you have to play to see. We have more details about what you can play below, along with a trailer above, as the content is now live.

The 11 Days of Gifting event is designed to thank players around the world for playing the game during the 10th anniversary. From November 19th – 29th, players will receive daily rewards, such as boosters, gold bars or lives, with a special gift on the 11th day for those who log in each day, as a gesture of appreciation for their loyalty. Players will also have the chance to compete in the most generous Soda Cup to date. The Soda Cup is a month-long, in-game tournament where players compete for exclusive rewards and a spot on the leaderboard by collecting reskinned yellow whistle candies. This year's Soda Cup offers the biggest rewards ever, with around 50,000 winners receiving 500 in-game gold bars each.

To mark the anniversary, King revamped the Candy Crush Soda Saga soundscape, introducing a captivating new audio experience into the game. This unique funk-inspired audio identity draws on influences from different cultures and geographies around the world including Latin America, Africa and Europe. Recorded with more than 30 musicians in a live studio, the new audio includes a mix of traditional and water-inspired custom-made instruments to create a distinct and immersive Soda-inspired sound.

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION — This weekend, tens of thousands of gamers will crowd the Georgia World Congress Center, many clad in esports jerseys and costumes, for DreamHack Atlanta.

Some of them are fighting for $1.1 million in prize money in esports competitions. Others are looking to network with gaming companies to land jobs or internships, introduce games they have developed or purely connect with enthusiasts of their favorite franchises.

DreamHack, which spans three days starting Friday, is one of the largest gaming and esports events held in Georgia every year, attracting both professional and amateur players of console, PC, virtual reality and tabletop games, along with developers, artists and other media personalities.

There are areas for attendees to connect their devices to a local-area network to play games together, manufacturers to showcase new hardware and independent game studios to showcase their titles. Many of the spoils associated with these types of conventions are also found at DreamHack, such as cosplay competitions, meet and greets with creators in the gaming world and performances. Shaboozey, whose song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” entered its 12th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, is the headliner.

In essence, it’s the gaming version of a music festival, said Todd Harris, the president of Atlanta esports live event and production company Skillshot Media.

“Picture multiple stages. Some have major competitions going on, some are small with just a 6-foot table and everything in between. There’s definitely some sensory overload,” Harris said.

DreamHack is the final event in Games Week Georgia, a weeklong affair of business, networking and professional development events for the gaming industry. [MORE]

METRO ATLANTA CEO — Executive Director of Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan Mitch Seabaugh talks about the top five things to know about Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan and the importance of investing in your child's future education.

After more than 20 years dancing in Atlanta, the formidable artist will perform as a member of Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre for the last time Sept. 14-22, before stepping out to a new life in Houston.

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION | ArtsATL.com — When dancer Rachel Van Buskirk performed in Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s “Out of the Box” program in September 2023, she was visibly pregnant with her first child and gave a beautiful performance in the world premiere of Darian Kane’s “Adoption of Faith.” This year, “Out of the Box: Series II” will mark another life-changing event as she leaves the company she cofounded with four other former Atlanta Ballet dancers and relocates to Houston, where her husband is starting a tenure-track job at the University of Houston.

The move means leaving behind the city and community where, over the last 20 years, she has grown from a talented young ballerina into a formidable artist at the top of her game. Van Buskirk still vividly recalls the first time she saw Terminus Artistic Director John Welker, another original “Terminator” and co-founder, dance. She was a 15-year-old student in the Atlanta Ballet school, and he was in the company. “When I saw John in class, my jaw was on the floor. It was just incredible the crazy things he could do.”

She also remembers watching Terminus co-founder Tara Lee perform the lead role in Atlanta Ballet’s production of “Madame Butterfly.” “I stood in the wings with tears streaming down my face,” Van Buskirk said. “It was the most beautiful, soulful thing I’d ever seen.”

When she joined Atlanta Ballet and took on more challenging roles, she went from admiring her future Terminus colleagues from afar to counting Lee, John and Christine Welker, Heath Gill and Christian Clark among her most trusted artistic collaborators and friends.

At Terminus, they continued to hone this partnership in countless ways in multiple ballets. “Rachel is a singular force of artistry and passion,” Clark said recently. “Our longtime partnership on stage has been a major highlight of my career, and I will miss dancing with her dearly.” [MORE]

SAPORTA REPORT — Star Forest, a multi-platform project spanning musical albums, music videos, animated content, podcasts, and a mobile video game, will premiere at DragonCon and is set to roll out over the coming months.

In an era where children are increasingly disconnected from nature and overwhelmed by technology, Star Forest offers a bridge between digital engagement and real-world wonder. It’s designed to combat “nature deficit disorder” by inspiring kids to explore, create and connect with the world around them. 

At its heart is a virtual band of lovable misfits whose music transcends entertainment, becoming a gateway to imagination and self-discovery targeted for children aged 5 to 9, but may appeal to a range of music lovers.

“Star Forest isn’t just an album, a show, or a game — it’s an entire universe designed to captivate, educate, and inspire,” said Genevieve LeDoux, Star Forest creator and co-founder. “We noticed a significant gap in content for children who have outgrown preschool programming but aren’t ready for teen-oriented material. Star Forest fills this void with rich, multi-layered content that grows with the child.”

WORLD SCREEN / KIDSTV.com — Star Forest, a multiplatform project spanning musical albums, music videos, animated content, podcasts and a mobile video game, is set to roll out over the coming months.

From Emmy Award-winning producer Genevieve LeDoux and targeted to 5- to 9-year-olds, the Star Forest universe aims to bridge digital engagement and real-world wonder. September will see the new podcast and album debut, while the mobile video game is slated to drop later in 2024.

The full Star Forest project will also officially launch at Dragon Con, which is taking place from August 29 to September 2.

The virtual band includes Fawn Velvette (vocalist/keytar), performed by Lynzee Fraye; Twig Leifort (vocalist/guitar), performed by Pete Mitchell; Sluuth Marbles (bass/vocalist/rhymes), performed by Christopher “Caz” Downing; and Rocktapus “Rocky” Blueblood VII (drums/tambourine), performed by Jake Griffitts. Podcast host Phineas Fawk is performed by Garrett Braun.

“Star Forest isn’t just an album, a show, or a game—it’s an entire universe designed to captivate, educate and inspire,” said LeDoux, Star Forest creator and co-founder. “We noticed a significant gap in content for children who have outgrown preschool programming but aren’t ready for teen-oriented material. Star Forest fills this void with rich, multi-layered content that grows with the child.”

“The band is virtual, and the music is real! Star Forest is The Gorillaz for kids and the story of a band trying to make it,” said Tammy Hurt, head of music strategy and industry relations for Star Forest. “It is a world that mirrors the challenges and triumphs of real life, offering a metaphorical landscape where the band members learn invaluable lessons about friendship, resilience and the pursuit of their dreams. Through their shared experiences, the band members discover the true power of music to connect hearts, inspire change and create a sense of belonging.”

“We’re not just creating content, we’re crafting experiences that allow children to tune out the noise and tune into their own incredible potential,” LeDoux continued. “In Star Forest, kids don’t just listen to music—they become part of it, entering a world where imagination flows freely, and creativity knows no bounds. Our goal is to create content that not only entertains but also enriches but inspires a new generation of thinkers, dreamers and doers who understand the power of imagination and the importance of our connection to nature.” [MORE]

ARTSATL.COM | ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION — Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s fall 2024 season includes four world premieres and a bittersweet farewell to one of the company’s co-founders, Rachel Van Buskirk. Two programs will be presented in two multi-weekend runs — one at TULA Art Center, the company’s Buckhead location, and one at the Pavilion at Serenbe.

Terminus Artistic Director John Welker said the programming is all about “new dancers, new voices.”

Terminus’ new recruits include Amalie Chase, who was a company protégé during the 2023-24 season; Alex Gonzaga, who has appeared several times as a guest artist; and Lenai Wilkerson, who made her way to Atlanta from Washington, D.C., by way of Ballet Hispánico and Cincinnati Ballet. Georgia Dalton and Elizabeth Labovitz, who were themselves new faces just last year, are returning.

Van Buskirk will perform on the ”Out of the Box II” program at Terminus’ intimate, immersive white-box space at TULA, taking her final bows with the company on September 22. After her departure, Christian Clark will be the only one of the five co-founders still performing with the company. [MORE]

SAPORTA REPORT — Celebrating 20 years of serving its community, South Fulton Arts (SFA) recently announced the kickoff of its $10 ‘Power of 10’ crowdfunding campaign to help support its “Pay What You Want” ticket structure and ongoing arts programming. SFA is also opening its annual applications for the 2025 CREATE Partner Program.  

Each year, SFA’s strategic partnerships increase access to high-quality, free arts programming for South Fulton County and Metro Atlanta residents and communities. Through these successful, annual partnerships — including artists, teaching artists, schools, and nonprofits — SFA collaborates, connects, and provides seed funding to bring artist-inspired projects to life. These initiatives include free live theater and music performances, festivals, art exhibits, workshops, and more, which all take place at participating partner venues throughout South Fulton County.  

“Our CREATE partners are at the heart of what we do. Their extraordinary, and often unsung, talent is what fuels our mission of ‘connecting and engaging communities through the arts,” South Fulton Arts Executive Director Jennifer Bauer-Lyons said. “Each year at this time we open applications for the next generation of creatives to engage and thrive through our unique partnership program. In tandem, we are inviting the community to give with a simple, single $10 donation for a lifetime of arts and entertainment in return.”