If nothing sounds better to you than curling up on the couch with a good book, then you better not miss the Decatur Book Festival this weekend in downtown Decatur.

 

But even if the majority of your weekend plans involve watching college football, I still suggest that you check out at least a few of the events.

 

Author readings, kids' activities, live music and a wrestling match (?!) are just some of the things that'll be going on at the festival, and virtually all of the events are free.

 

And since I'm a self-proclaimed book nerd...Please let me know if you run across any books you think are a must-read!!

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Now that we’ve thoroughly stuffed our stomachs, it’s time to get serious about getting into the spirit of the season, and the city’s offering no shortage of events to help.  So, I’ve decided to list some concerts, shows and the like that are happening in town this weekend that might get you off the hook from holiday shopping…  Just click on the name of the event for more info. 
 
Classical Music 
Handel’s Messiah and Gospel Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 
‘Tis the Season: An Evening with Earl Klugh at the Ferst Center for the Arts 
Christmas Gala & Holiday Pops Concert  with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra at St. Benedict Church 
December Detours with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus at Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Performance Center
Holiday Concert Honoring Mrs. Coretta Scott King with the Atlanta Boy Choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church 
Holiday Pops! with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra at the Murray Arts Center 
Kingsized Holiday Jubilee at Variety Playhouse 
Gala Holiday Family Concert with the Georgia State University School of Music at the Rialto Center for the Arts 
Holiday Pops! with the Callanwolde Concert Band at Oak Grove United Methodist Church 
Sing! Choirs of Angels with The Michael O’Neal Singers at the Roswell United Methodist Church 
 
Theatre & Dance 
The Full Radius Dance Holiday Spectacular at 7 Stages 
The Nutcracker by The Georgia Ballet at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre 
Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Starring the Rockettes at the Fabulous Fox 
An Atlanta Christmas at the Academy Theatre 
 
Out & About 
Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights in Downtown Woodstock 
Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park 
The Marietta Pilgrimage in the Marietta Square 
Annual Family Holiday Celebration at Fernbank Museum of Natural History 
 
Visual Arts 
The Stacks Holiday Lofts and Artists Tour at The Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts 
Holiday Artists’ Market 2009 at Bobbe Gillis Gallery 
Holiday Craft Show at the High Museum of Art 
Dr. Seuss Holiday Show at Ann Jackson Gallery

Enjoy!

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To continue helping you get in the spirit (if all of the music on the radio hasn't already done it!), here's my second installment of weekend holiday happenings around town... Just click on the name of the event for more info.  And let me know what you think if you go to any of these events!

Classical Music
Atlanta Boy Choir and Alumni Christmas Concert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Christmas with the ASO and ASO Kid's Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
December Detours with the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus at St. Philip's Cathedral
34th Annual Music of the Holidays with the Atlanta Young Callanwolde Singers at The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Big Band Christmas with Joe Gransden at Clayton State University's Spivey Hall
Just Voices Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Theatre & Dance
Callanwolde Ballet Ensemble's The Nutcracker at St. Pius Catholic School
A Christmas Cactus with the Southside Theatre Guild
Once Upon a Holiday at 7 Stages
The Nutcracker with the Atlanta Festival Ballet at the Henry County Performing Arts Center

Out & About
Candlelight Tour of Roswell's Southern Trilogy
Santa Parade & A Day With Santa in Downtown Kennesaw
Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
Christmas Tour of Homes & Holiday Market in Avondale Estates

Visual Arts
Design Takes at Holiday! at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
Christmas House Arts and Crafts Show at the Mable House Arts Center

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For my final installment of holiday happenings, I'm also going to include events next weekend in case you're looking for something to do while the family's in town.  And again I've categorized my list in the hopes of making your decision easier!  Just click on the name of the event for more info.

I'll be taking a break before returning in the New Year, so, until then, Happy Holidays!

Classical Music:
A Very Merry Holiday Pops! with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir at Peachtree United Methodist Church
Make the Yuletide Gay with the Atlanta Freedom Bands at St. Paul United Methodist Church
Messiah Sing-Along with The Michael O'Neal Singers at Roswell United Methodist Church

Theatre & Dance:
Urban Holiday Soup with the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta at Underground Atlanta
Amahl and the Night Visitors with Theatrical Outfit at Balzer Theater at Herren's
A Christmas Carol at the Alliance Theatre
Black Nativity with True Colors Theatre Company at the Southwest Fulton Arts Center
Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
Sanders Family Christmas and A Tuna Christmas at Theatre in the Square
The Shoemaker & the Elves at the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Santaland Diaries and Madeline's Christmas at Horizon Theatre

Out & About:
Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park
Holidays in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Holiday in Lights at Centennial Olympic Park

Visual Arts:
MudFire Holiday Studio Sale at MudFire Pottery Center
Holiday Art Sale at VSA of Georgia's Arts for All Gallery
Holiday Artists Market at the Spruill Gallery and Gift Shop
Hands on for the Holidays at the High Museum of Art

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I've always felt fortunate that I share my hometown with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and I'll always remember visiting his childhood home with my school when I was a kid. I feel very fortunate that I was able to grow up in this city that's not only the birthplace of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement but is also the place where so many sacrificed, struggled and triumphed for its ideals.

So today, on the anniversary of his birth, I wanted to spotlight a few of this weekend's celebrations of the life and achievements of Dr. King.

Of course first on the list is the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. When you visit, you can take free tours of a number of different places including his childhood home, The King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Tours will be going on all weekend, and on Monday, and begin each day at 10 a.m. They are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get there early to make sure you get a spot.

Tonight, you can head over to Beulah Missionary Baptist Church for The 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration presented by Georgia Perimeter College from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is totally free and will include a keynote speech by Rita Dove, former United States poet laureate.

On Monday, Cobb County will host its 24th Annual Marter Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. The event will celebrate Dr. King's birthday and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement with live entertainment and the awarding of the "Living the Dream" award to a Cobb citizen who exemplifies his ideals.

Also on Monday, be sure to take your kids to Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta for their MLK Day Celebration for Children: In the Name of Love, presented with Spelman College. It's a great way to be able to teach your kids more about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement in a really fun setting, and it's not a bad way to spend your day off with them either. The "Imaginators" will bring Dr. King's "I Have a Dream Speech" to life, and volunteers from Spelman will help children make their own peace medallions to wear and take home.

I hope everyone has a chance to celebrate Dr. King this weekend, either at these events or just by taking some time to think about his accomplishments and the ways they have impacted our lives. And be sure to share your thoughts and experiences with friends, family - and Lens!

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If you've ever desired a different type of movie-going experience (or an alternative to shelling out $12+ to see the latest 3-D action flick), then there are three film festivals in town this weekend that just might interest you.

Not only do each of these festivals offer a chance for you to see films that you wouldn't normally on the big screen, they also each provide a look at another culture and/or time.

Ending this weekend is the 10th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. As the title indicates, the festival is now in its tenth year and is the largest film festival in the city. It showcases an international selection of films, all with a Jewish twist, at three Atlanta area locations: Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station Stadium 16, Lefont Sandy Springs Theater and Regal Cinemas Medlock Crossing Stadium 18. So, there are a couple of options of places to see these films depending on which part of town you frequent.

And in case you hadn't heard, Atlanta's historic Plaza Theatre is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The movie house opened in 1939, and in honor of this milestone, they are presenting The 1939 Film Festival through the end of the month. Films include Jimmy Stewart's "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," the Atlanta favorite "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz," among others. This festival might be one of your only chances to see some of these great classics on the big screen, so don't miss it.

And also on weekends through the end of the month, the High Museum will present its fifth annual Danish Film Festival. All of the festival's films are critically acclaimed in Denmark, and they include a popular comedy, a dark psychological thriller, a World War II period drama and an Academy Award nominee. And tickets are only $7, so it's a good bit cheaper than going to a regular movie.

I hope you'll get a chance to check out one of the shows this weekend, and please let me know if there's one that's a must see!

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ART PAPERS will host its annual art auction tomorrow (February 6) at Mason Murer Fine Art's Main Gallery. (Click here for more info.)

The auction will include works by Atlanta artists and international artists as well, so it's definitely a must-attend if you're a collector looking for new works. But even if you don't collect, the auction's a great opportunity to check out some cool contemporary art and help support ART PAPERS too.

For those who aren't familiar with ART PAPERS, it's a non-profit organization with a mission to provide an independent and accessible forum for the exchange of perspectives on the role of contemporary art as a socially relevant and engaged discourse. To further this mission, the organization publishes ART PAPERS magazine, now in its 33rd year. It's distributed throughout the U.S. and is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-a-Million and other bookstores and museum shops.

Tickets to the auction on Saturday are only $25 per person, which is extremely reasonably priced for an art auction. And if you've never been to one, it would be a great way to impress a date if you want to get a heads start on Valentine's Day...

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Beginning this weekend and continuing through March 22, you can check out more than 160 free events, including everything from guided tours to lectures to open houses, at dozens of Atlanta's historic sites.

The Phoenix Flies: A Citywide Celebration of Living Landmarks, presented by the Atlanta Preservation Center, is designed to show the extent to which preservation is a part of Atlanta's fabric and contributes to the city's character and quality of life.

This celebration started back in 2003, when the Atlanta Preservation Center commemorated the 25th anniversary of the year the Fabulous Fox Theatre was saved from being demolished.

The Atlanta Preservation Center chose the name in honor of the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, as Atlanta did after The Civil War. The bird has also been featured on the city seal since 1887.

Partners include the Fabulous Fox Theatre (of course!), The Wren's Nest, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Rhodes Hall, the Atlanta History Center, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, the Herndon Home and more.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to share in Atlanta's history! And since I'm a sucker for trivia, please let me know if you find out any interesting fun facts about the city at any of the events...

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Though the city incorporated in 2005, Sandy Springs has a long history as a vibrant Atlanta community and is now the eighth largest city in the state of Georgia.

This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum will host a grand opening celebration, and you can join them to view three of the museum's new exhibits, each focusing on a different aspect of the city's historical and cultural identity.

"Sandy Springs: Land and People" tells the story of the community as the home of Native Americans, rural farmers and modern suburbanites. Interpretive panels will depict key transitions in the city's history, including the Land Rush, Civil War and Reconstruction, the impact of World War II, the area's growth in the late 20th century, and its struggle to become a city.

A traveling photography exhibit from the Georgia Southern University Museum titled "Captured But Not Caught" will focus on Georgia's native plants and animals, and "The Art of Nature in Sandy Springs" will display utilitarian and decorative objects from the community that have been embellished to express individual visions of the natural world.

This event is your chance to get a sneak peek at the museum before it officially opens on Wednesday, March 24 - plus it's free! - so don't miss it!

 

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I'm guessing you're as happy as I am that spring has FINALLY arrived, and this weekend's forecast definitely calls for out-of-the-house activities. There are a bunch of family-friendly events this weekend, both indoor and outdoor, that you can enjoy that range from an Earth Day-themed festival to a museum pajama party.

Just click the links below to find out more info:

Earth Hour Family Fun Festival at Atlantic Station
First Annual Bluegrass, Old-time Music and Country Dance Festival and Stone Mountain Village Gospel Fest in Historic Stone Mountain Village
Opera Family Day with the Atlanta Opera
Pajama Party '10 at Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
The Egg Hunt 2010 in Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park
Salsa Fest Atlanta at Turner Field

Have fun!

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So, apparently all of the festival organizers in Atlanta decided to schedule their events this weekend...I'm not complaining, but it's just plain crazy how much is going on. It's going to make deciding what to do that much harder, but it's definitely a nice problem to have.

Two of the "big gun" festivals are back this weekend - the Atlanta Dogwood Festival (returning to Piedmont Park for its 74th year) and the Georgia Renaissance Festival (opening day is Saturday).

But there are a whole bunch of others to choose from too. Just click the names below for more info.

2010 Atlanta Film Festival at Landmark Midtown Cinema
Earth Day Kids Fest at the Chattahoochee Nature Center
Sheep to Shawl at Atlanta History Center
Taste of West Cobb at The Avenue West Cobb
Big Shanty Festival at The Depot in Kennesaw
SweetWater 420 Fest in Candler Park

Absolutely no excuses! Get out there this weekend...Just take an umbrella in case of April showers.

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This Saturday in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Flux Projects will present a unique art experience titled "Memory Flash" from 5 to 9 p.m.

Flux Projects is a local organization whose mission is to support artists in creating innovative temporary public art throughout Atlanta. Their events reach out far beyond traditional arts venues and are likely to catch you off-guard. (Which of course is part of the fun.)

"Memory Flash" is the first of a series of public interventions by artist collective John Q. Through performance, installation and film projection, John Q will present moments from personal stories and historical events, collected from the Atlanta History Center's "Unspoken Past Oral History Project" and from news reports.

This project is intended to help people who witness these representations to create their own new memories based on Atlanta's LGBTQ past.

The event will begin in the Old Fourth Ward, then move up Ponce de Leon Avenue to the ballparks at Piedmont Park, and finally to Mixx in Ansley Square. As the project moves, the audience will experience a number of moments from Atlanta's LGBTQ past, including what happened when Andy Warhol's film "Lonesome Cowboys" was first screened in Atlanta.

I definitely suggest checking this out on Saturday. And if you do, John Q wants you to take your own photos of the event and post them to the John Q site. And be sure to post them on Lens too!

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The month of May has always been a big one for me. My birthday is the 18th, my sister's is the 9th, and my mom's is the 23rd. Not to mention Mother's Day... I know, my poor Dad right?

May is also always when I really feel like spring has arrived, and judging from a lot of the events going on this weekend, seems like I'm not the only one.

Here are just a few of the special springtime events that you can check out this weekend to usher in the season:

Atlanta Jazz Festival - 31 Days of Jazz
pARTy for ART with Dance Canvas
Art in the Afternoon: An Artful Spring in DeKalb's Rail Arts District
May-retta Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Marietta Square
Concerts on the Square in Decatur Square
Georgia Boy Choir Spring Concert

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations 

Atlanta's visual arts scene is one of its most robust, with galleries all over the metro area. If you're wondering where some are near you, check out Atlanta PlanIt's new "Near Me" search function. (Sweet!)

I noticed that there are a ton of art openings around town this weekend, so I wanted to let you know about some of them in case you'd like to check them out.

A lot of these exhibits also have opening receptions where you can meet the artists and find out the inspiration behind their pieces.

Just click the name of the exhibit below for more info:

LATinGA at Spruill Gallery and Gift Shop
Breaking the Grid at Saltworks Gallery
Emerging Visions at Atlanta Photography Group Gallery
Laserwarrior at Get This! Gallery
Re-purposed: The Use of Everyday Materials in Contemporary Art at Emily Amy Gallery
WORD: Language and Visual Art at Peters Street Projects
Afterglow at Kai Lin Art
Clara Blalock Exhibit at Bobbe Gillis Gallery
Steven Quartly: One-Man Show at Vinings Gallery
Contract Killings at Beep Beep Gallery

Many of these galleries also participate in this Saturday's Westside Artwalk if you'd like to check out a bunch of them in one day.

And if you'd like to let other folks know what you think about any of the exhibits or galleries, you can sign up as an Atlanta PlanIt member and leave feedback about them on the site.

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about photography organizations 

If you're like me and are staying in town to avoid the travel craziness this weekend, you might be interested in things to do to help you make the most of the holiday.

I figured I'd separate my recommendations into Memorial Day-related and non-Memorial Day-related events in case you'd like to do a little of both.

To help celebrate Memorial Day with the family, I'd suggest checking out Veterans Remembrance Day at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday or visiting Underground Atlanta to take their "From Civil War to Civil Rights Guided History Tour" through downtown. Or you can learn about Atlanta's Civil War history at the Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park or at the Civil War battleground at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield.

And on Monday, the Atlanta Wind Symphony will perform patriotic music at Roswell City Hall for their Roswell Remembers - Memorial Day concert.

There are also a bunch of cool festivals and other special events going on this weekend that you can check out - including the Georgia Renaissance Festival, which is open on Monday.

There's also the Decatur Arts Festival all weekend around the Decatur Square, the Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park, and the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival in the Historic Sweet Auburn District. And for some adult fun, Brew at the Zoo is back at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday.

So, there's absolutely no excuse not to a have an awesome time this weekend - even if you stay in town!

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about photography organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit heritages out about organizations underground zoo office affairs 

Even though it's the beginning of June, it's also your last chance to check out some local festivals, theatre shows and visual art exhibits that are closing this weekend.

I figured I'd give you a quick rundown of a couple things that are closing so that you won't miss them. Some of these events have been going on for months, and others just a couple of weeks, but either way they're worth a visit.

ArtSSpring 2010 - A city-wide celebration of the arts in Sandy Springs
Art in the Afternoon: An Artful Spring - A monthly evening art walk through the Rail Arts District in Avondale Estates
Georgia Renaissance Festival - If you don't know what this is, you must be new in town.
Cyberchase: The Chase Is On! - An exhibit at Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta based on the PBS Kids math-mystery cartoon
Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story - A musical about the legendary rock icon presented by Georgia Ensemble Theatre at the 14th Street Playhouse
Decatur Arts Festival 2010: Fine Arts Exhibition - Even through the festival had its big event last weekend, this juried multimedia exhibit at Agnes Scott College's Dalton Gallery runs through Sunday.
Stellaluna - A Center for Puppetry Arts show based on the popular children's book
Contract Killings - This visual art exhibit at Beep Beep Gallery closes on Sunday, but you should definitely also check out Beep Beep's Artlantis festival on Saturday at Druid Hills Baptist Church.

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about photography organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit heritages out about organizations underground zoo office affairs center puppetry arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations 

"Those days of soda and pretzels and beer...
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...
You'll wish that summer could always be there..."

Nat King Cole describes it best in his song. Summer just has that certain quality that makes people wish it would stick around forever. At least for me it does...

Since the official first day of summer is this coming Monday, I thought I'd use this week's post to let you know about a few summer-themed outdoor music events in town.

Decatur Beach Party in Decatur Square - Decatur bring in 60 tons of sand to turn the square into a beach, and you can dance on the Plaza to beach music.

MidSummer Music Fest in Candler Park - Ok, so it's not exactly mid-season, but this festival has a definite Jamacian vibe with beer from Red Stripe and a performance by The Wailers.

Hot Fun in the Summertime Concert Series at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre - Saturday's concert in this series features Gerald Albright, Peter White and Daniel Moore.

And check out this YouTube video of that Nat King Cole song in case you're interested...

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about photography organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit heritages out about organizations underground zoo office affairs center puppetry arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music events cultural attractions out about performance shows summer concert 

Of course since it's a holiday, I feel it's only my duty to make a list of the patriotic-themed, fireworks-tastic events going on this weekend. So, just take your pick. And stay safe!

Cobb Symphony Orchestra Concert at Mount Paran North Church of God (includes fireworks display)
Red Wine & Brew at The Strand Theatre
Fourth of July Celebration in Marietta Square
Georgia Independence Day Festival at Nash Farm Park
4th of July at Lenox Square Mall
4th of July Celebration in Centennial Olympic Park
All American Fourth of July Celebration for Children at Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
Celebrate America - with the Callanwolde Concert Band in Decatur Square
July 4th Fireworks and Festivities in Wills Park
Pied Piper Parade, Concert & Fireworks in Decatur Square (see Celebrate America concert above)
Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain Park
America at MINT Gallery
Summer Concert Series at Kennesaw's The Depot (includes fireworks display)

Tags: arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists artist market events cultural attractions exhibit out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center fernbank museum fox high arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about performance shows organizations symphony orchestra callanwolde fine center woodruff arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists cultural attractions events exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations ballet symphony orchestra center puppetry fox high museum art arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions heritages out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film museums theater theatre events cultural attractions out about shows organizations high museum art woodruff center arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events tickets cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums visual events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about organizations callanwolde fine center fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition opera out about performance organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities film museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages out about photography organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit film theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance arts entertainment atlanta planit dance family activities music theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition out about performance photography shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about photography organizations artist market arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit heritages out about organizations underground zoo office affairs center puppetry arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums theater theatre visual artists events cultural attractions exhibit exhibition galleries out about performance shows organizations arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music events cultural attractions out about performance shows summer concert arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities museums music theater theatre visual artists events tickets planet cultural attractions exhibit exhibition heritages galleries out about performance shows summer concert organizations callanwolde fine ce