Two organizations very close to my heart could totally use your support. Eyedrum and the Plaza Theatre have special places in Atlanta’s cultural landscape, and they could both benefit from your membership or a donation.

Eyedrum
Eyedrum is an art gallery, music venue, community space, and theater hosting over 300 shows annually. Established in 1998, Eyedrum is a non-profit organization developing an interdisciplinary approach to the arts by incorporating a wide range of contemporary art, music and new media in its gallery space. Centrally located downtown at 290 M.L.K Jr. Drive SE, this unique gallery continues to intrigue the community here and abroad, remaining critics’ choice for the best venue for emerging artists in town. Eyedrum serves over 3,000 artists and over 20,000 patrons annually. (I’m on the board…) You can be a member for as little as $40.

The Plaza Theatre
Designed by architect George Harwell Bond, this theatre opened its doors in 1939 as a 1000 seat art deco cinema & live theatre. In the 70s, the cinema operated as an X-rated adult cinema and live burlesque theatre until 1983 when it was purchased by George Lefont. Mr. Lefont renovated the theatre and the balcony was enclosed to create a second screen. The theatre underwent renovations again when purchased by longtime Atlanta residents Jonathan & Gayle Rej in August of 2006. The Plaza Theatre is the last cinema of its kind in Atlanta, as well as the oldest continuously operating cinema in the city. The Silver Scream Spook Show is every month – on the last Saturday – and is just a small part of the awesomeness that’s happening at the Plaza. Plaza Theatre memberships also start at $40.

Vote for Eyedrum and the Plaza on Facebook
Also, both are participating in the Chase Community Giving project/app on Facebook. You can vote for the Plaza here, and for Eyedrum here. Chase is awarding $5 million — but only to nonprofit organizations that operate on less than $10 million a year in several increments: $25,000 goes to every organization that is in the top 100 list for votes received from November 15 until December 11. Another $100,000 will go to the top 5 and $1 million to the organization with the most votes. And they are reserving an extra $1 million for yet another charity.