By Joanna Mevers
I would like to share with you a remarkable thing happening in Atlanta inspired by Dolly Parton. In 2025, a group of women started a project called A Year of Dolly. It began as a way to celebrate and study Dolly’s art in all its forms. Groups meet monthly, called Dolly Pods, in search of the joy and meaning inherent in her work; they watch her films, listen to her albums, and discuss! There have been several public events, such as drag shows, Dolly said, “if I was not born a woman, I would have been born a drag queen,” a karaoke party to celebrate her 80th birthday, and film screenings at a neighborhood cinema. A Year of Dolly will culminate with a trip to Dollywood in late September, which will be the perfect ending to an extraordinary journey.
Photo taken by unknown
Photo by Shane Garner
Photos by Shane Garner
Photos by Shane Garner
Photos by Shane Garner
Photos by Shane Garner
Photo by Janet Waldroup
Photo taken by unknown
It has been exciting to see A Year of Dolly catch on in the wider community. Centering the project around Dolly has proven to be the perfect medium for spreading positivity and bringing people together, and there are now over one hundred active members.
This movement has taken to heart her messages of hard work, kindness, and generosity. A committee of eight of these Dolly enthusiasts is embarking on a large fundraising event to raise money for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. This is a natural extension of A Year of Dolly’s overall commitment to community building and uplifting our neighbors, and a way to honor her work as a philanthropist. We have chosen Coat of Many Colors as our theme for the event, to honor those who persevere through hardship and to embrace self-expression and exuberance.
The Coat of Many Colors event will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 8:00pm at The Supermarket. The evening will be hosted by Olive d’Nightlife with DJ Neon Horror, with drawings, signature cocktails, and food provided by Sweet Auburn BBQ. We hope to raise more than $20,000 to support the efforts of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. So, tell your family and friends and join us for a night in celebration of Dolly!
You can buy tickets at bit.ly/coat-colors or by scanning the QR code in the bottom left of the event flyer.
If interested in learning more about A Year of Dolly, you can visit our website at ayearofdolly.com, or you can follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ayearofdolly. We would love you to join the fund and build community.
