This Week in History

This week in history is usually filled with the second week of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Since we covered the Circus last week, we thought it would be fun to do something different and take a look at the Atlanta Hawks history this week. The Atlanta Hawks have a history of change and tradition. Before coming to Atlanta, the Hawks were known as the “Tri-Cities Blackhawks” from 1949-51, the “Milwaukee Hawks” from 1951-55, and then the “St. Louis Hawks” from 1955-68. On May 3, 1968, Hawks owner Ben Kerner announced that the St. Louis Hawks had been sold to Georgia real estate developer Thomas Cousins and former Georgia Governor Carl Sanders. The new owners moved the franchise to Atlanta. In 1972 the Hawks moved into the brand-new 16,500-seat Omni after having shared Alexander Memorial Hall with the Georgia Tech basketball team for five years. Then, in 1999 the team moved into Philips Arena, their current home. Just as the Hawks have gone through a few changes throughout their history, so has their logo.

Which one is your favorite?

1968 - 1970

1970 - 1972


1972 - 1995

1995 - 2007

2007 - Present

This Week in History

Keeping with tradition, Philips Arena welcomes the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus this week. The Circus typically comes to Philips Arena mid-February for two weeks of fun-filled shows. To celebrate this long-established event, here are some fun facts about the “Greatest Show on Earth!”

Did you know…

• There were seven Ringling Brothers – Gus, Alf, Al, Charles, John, Otto, and Henry


• In 1889 the cost of admission was $0.50 for adults and $0.25 for children


• The Ringling Bros. purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus, their largest competitor, in 1907


• The two shows toured separately until 1919


• The legendary King Tusk wore a robe that weighed 1,200 pounds and required 12 attendants


• In 1995 the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation® was established in central Florida in dedication to the conservation, breeding and understanding of the Asian Elephant

Tickets are still available! Click here for schedule information and tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/114689/1262563

Updated Circus Info!!

(ATLANTA, GA) Today’s performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey® at Philips Arena will commence as planned. Ticket holders who cannot make shows on February 13th due to inclement weather may exchange unused tickets for any of the remaining performances. To exchange unused tickets for the Feb. 12, 7:00 PM, Feb.... 13 11:00 AM, Feb. 13 3:00 PM, or Feb. 13 7:00 PM performance for tickets to one of these other performances, ticket holders must bring their unused tickets to the Philips Arena box office. Customers are encouraged to exchange tickets as soon as possible for best seating options. Every attempt will be made to place ticket holders in a location comparable to their original tickets, but seating locations cannot be guaranteed. Ticket holders with questions should check the Philips Arena website at www.philipsarena.com or call 404-878-3000

This mornings 11:00AM performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® at Philips Arena will commence as planned. Ticket holders who cannot make this morning's performance due to inclement weather may exchange unused tickets to this morning’s show for any of the remaining performances Feb. 13-21 listed at www.philips...arena.com. To exchange unused tickets for the Feb. 13, 11:00AM performance for tickets to one of these other performances, ticket holders must bring their unused tickets to the Philips Arena box office. Customers are encouraged to exchange tickets as soon as possible for best seating options. Every attempt will be made to place ticket holders in a location comparable to their original tickets, but seating locations cannot be guaranteed. Ticket holders with questions should check the Philips Arena website at www.philipsarena.com or call 404-878-3000.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey® Presents
ZING ZANG ZOOM® To Commence This Evening as Scheduled

(ATLANTA, GA) – Tonight’s 7:30PM performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum &Bailey® at Philips Arena will commence as planned. Ticket holders who cannot make this evening’s performance due to inclement weather may exchange unused tickets to this evening’s show for any of the following performances:

Saturday, Feb. 13: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 14: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 15: 12:30 p.m. (President’s Day)
Thursday, Feb. 18: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19: 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 21: Noon and 4 p.m.

To exchange unused tickets for the Feb. 12, 7:30PM performance for tickets to one of these other performances, ticket holders must bring their unused tickets to the Philips Arena box office. Customers are encouraged to exchange tickets as soon as possible for best seating options. Every attempt will be made to place ticket holders in a location comparable to their original tickets, but seating locations cannot be guaranteed.

Ticket holders with questions should check the Philips Arena website at www.philipsarena.com or call 404-878-3000

# # #

This Week in History

Bon Jovi brought his Bounce Tour to Atlanta on February 13, 2003. Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Hugh McDonald, Tico Torres, and David Bryan rocked Philips Arena with their set list including: Bounce, You Give Love A Bad Name, Wild In the Streets, Livin' On A Prayer, and other hits. Opening act for this show was the Goo Goo Dolls.


We are thrilled to announce that Bon Jovi is scheduled to visit Philips Arena again this year during The Circle World Tour on April 15, 2010! Special Guest for this show is Dashboard Confessional. Tickets are still available: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E00435592B96D2D?artistid=734608&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

This Week in History

Josh Groban came into town five years ago this week to perform in front of a sold-out crowd at Philips Arena on February 1, 2005. Groban entertained the audience with his classically influenced pop music.

Groban has performed with some of the most renowned artists in history, including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, and Sarah Brightman (at Princes William and Harry’s Concert for Diana in London in 2007).

Groban’s most recent performance was The Star Spangled Banner on January 7 during the 2010 BCS National Championship Game with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.