ATLANTA -- Many of metro Atlanta's most talented performers, directors and theater crew members descended on DeKalb County Monday night for the 2013 Suzi Bass Awards.

Every year, the Suzis honor the best theater productions in the area. Awards are given in two areas -- plays and musicals.

THE SUZI AWARDS | Meet this year's nominees
THE SUZI AWARDS | Who won last year?

The Aurora Theatre's staging of Les Misérables was one of this year's big winners. It took home five Suzi Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production, Outstanding Director of a Musical and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.

ATLANTA -- Elevate Week, the Office of Cultural Affairs' large scale public art project, will begin Friday, Oct. 18 at locations throughout the city.

Muralists and performance groups will create art with the theme "Transit: Time, People and Places" through Saturday, Oct. 26.

"I am excited by this year's program because it is a testament to the evolving role of public art in the cultural and economic development of Atlanta," Eddie Granderson, public art program manager for the Office of Cultural Affairs, said in a statement. "We are growing Atlanta's reputation as a cultural destination through public art."

MARTA has partnered with the program to design a special Elevate bus. Route 49 will drive past much of the Elevate artwork, giving riders the opportunity to see it.

ATLANTA -- The nominees for the 2012-13 Suzi Bass Awards were announced Monday.

This year's Suzi Nomination Party was held at 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points and was hosted by past Suzi winners Ingrid Cole and Glenn Rainey.

RELATED | See last year's Suzi nominees
RELATED | See last year's Suzi winners

The Suzi Awards are named for Suzi Bass, a well-loved Atlanta actress who died of cancer in 2002. Every year, they honor some of the best theater productions in metro Atlanta.