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Local Theatre Closings and One-Night Events

If you've never checked out local theatre in Atlanta, you've really been missing out! But this weekend there are lots of chances to get out there and see some great shows. Below is a list of some local shows that are closing this weekend and a list of a few one-night-only shows. Ticket prices for some of the shows are very inexpensive, so even if you're on a budget, don't let that stop you!

Just click on the links for each show for more information and ticket prices. And enjoy the shows!

Closing this weekend!

- Crimes Against Nature at Sketchworks Theatre - Closing Saturday, August 22

- A Cool Drink A Water at Horizon Theatre - Closing Sunday, August 23

- Dora the Explorer Live! at the Fabulous Fox Theatre - Closing Sunday, August 23

One-Night-Only shows!

- Del Shores: My Sordid Life at Onstage Atlanta - Saturday, August 22

- Welcome Back Comedy Show at Georgia State University's Rialto Center - Saturday, August 22

- A Little Bit County, A Little Bit Rock n Roll at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center - Sunday, August 23

- Marietta Magic Comedy Illusion Show at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre - Sunday, August 23

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine

Atlanta "Fest"ivities this Weekend

If this morning's mess is any indication of this weekend's weather, I'm going to be looking to things to do inside. But if (here's hoping!) the weather improves, and we get some sun, I wouldn't mind getting outside to enjoy the last days of summer either!

Luckily there are three festivals happening this weekend, both indoor and outdoor, that offer some choices.

If you're looking to stay inside, check out:
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at the Fabulous Fox Theater - "Public Enemies" with Johnny Depp is playing tonight, and you can see "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" on Saturday. "Transformers" ends the festival on Sunday.
Atlanta Underground Film Festival - Taking place at various venues around town, including Midtown Art Cinema and the Carter Center, this festival features more than 100 independent films including documentaries and animated films.

But if you're more of a glass half full kind of person and want to get outside, check out:
Summer Shade Festival in Grant Park - At this annual festival in the city's oldest park, folks enjoy live music, an artist market and the Corks & Forks food and wine event.

Have fun and stay dry!

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater

Halloween Happenings - Volume 2

Halloween is here, and if you still don't have plans for the holiday, below is a list of Halloween-themed events to check out this weekend. Some are them are family-friendly, and they include live music, theatre, film screenings, and even an art exhibit featuring decorated coffins!

Just click on the names of the events below for more info:

Scary Ride! at Emory's Schwartz Center for the Arts
Mummies and Milkshakes on the Quadrangle at the Michael C. Carlos Museum
A Tour of Southern Ghosts at Stone Mountain Park
Boo at the Zoo at Zoo Atlanta
Scream on the Green at Centennial Olympic Park
The Halloweenus Wangdoodle at Dad's Garage Theatre Company
The Ghastly Dreadfuls: Handbook of Practical Hauntings and Other Phantasmagoria at Center for Puppetry Arts
Night of the Living Monkeys at Academy Theatre
Halloweekendz Movies at The Strand Theatre
The Day of the Dead Show at Eyedrum
Scarecrows in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Have a Happy Halloween!

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music theatre theater visual events cultural attractions exhibit performance shows symphony orchestra center puppetry zoo

Decatur Book Festival

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!!

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music theatre theater visual events cultural attractions exhibit performance shows symphony orchestra center puppetry zoo arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about

Overture to the Arts

This Sunday, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will open its doors for Overture to the Arts, a public arts festival that offers a preview of the upcoming arts season in Atlanta. The event starts at 11 a.m. and is totally free!

There will be dance, music and theatre performances on stage throughout the day, and local arts organizations will bring all of their season info too.

It'll be a great opportunity to find out what shows you won't want to miss next season, and lots of organizations with have info about their subscriptions packages and memberships, which usually mean big savings over single ticket prices.

Here a quick list of some of the organizations that will be there on Sunday:

Atlanta Ballet
Center for Puppetry Arts
Emory University
Ferst Center for the Arts
Several Dancers Core
Synchronicity Theatre
The Atlanta Opera

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music theatre theater visual events cultural attractions exhibit performance shows symphony orchestra center puppetry zoo arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance music theater theatre visual events cultural attractions performance ballet

Westside Artwalk

If you're going to be in the West Midtown area this weekend, or you have an empty space on your wall that's just desperate to be filled, be sure to check out the Westside Artwalk this Saturday.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., an alliance of commercial galleries and non-profit art spaces located in West Midtown keep their doors open so that folks can check out some of the most dynamic and exciting high-quality visual art in the city. Art talks are also scheduled to encourage people to learn more about the artwork and curating exhibitions.

This walk is held on the third Saturday of each month. Here's a list of the galleries that are participating this Saturday:

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Bobbe Gillis Gallery
Emily Amy Gallery
Get This! Gallery
Kiang Gallery
Octane Coffee
SALTWORKS
Sandler Hudson Gallery

Click here to view a map of the galleries.

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music theatre theater visual events cultural attractions exhibit performance shows symphony orchestra center puppetry zoo arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance music theater theatre visual events cultural attractions performance ballet arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events galleries

Free Museum Day Saturday!

This Saturday, nine museums in the Atlanta area are offering free admission as part of Smithsonian Magazine's Free Museum Day! They include art museums, science museums and a few local historic landmarks.

This is an awesome opportunity to cheaply check these out with your family and friends, so definitely don't miss it.

Here's the list of participating museums:
Archibald Smith Plantation Home
Barrington Hall
Bulloch Hall
CDC's Global Health Odyssey Museum
Center for Puppetry Arts
Hammonds House Museum
High Museum of Art
Marietta Museum of History
Museum of Design Atlanta

To receive free admission, you must present a Museum Day Admission Card. Click here to get your card.

Tags: arts entertainment theatre theater events fox woodruff center callanwolde fine arts entertainment atlanta planit events fox theater arts entertainment atlanta planit family activities music theatre theater visual events cultural attractions exhibit performance shows symphony orchestra center puppetry zoo arts entertainment atlanta planit cultural attractions events out about arts entertainment atlanta planit dance music theater theatre visual events cultural attractions performance ballet arts entertainment atlanta planit visual artists events galleries arts entertainment atlanta planit museums visual events exhibition high museum art

Free Preview of Da Vinci Exhibit at the High

The High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center is going to host a free preview of the museum's new exhibit, Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius, next Monday, October 5 from 12 to 7 p.m.!!

They're not taking advance reservations, and the last ticket will be handed out at 6 p.m., so get in line early to make sure you get in.

If you aren't able to make it on Monday, here's another tip - Admission to the High is free to Fulton County residents on the first Saturday of each month.

But if you are able to make it in on Monday, let me know what you think!

Gallery Exhibit Openings Events

Got plans this weekend? If not, I'd like to suggest that you check out some new art exhibits in town. It's the perfect opportunity to get out there and see some of the dynamic visual art that's on display in the city, and most galleries have free admission, so it's cheap too!

Below is a list of galleries with exhibit openings this weekend. Just click on the name to find out more info.

Also tonight, the Castleberry Hill Art district is hosting its monthly art stroll called the 2nd Friday Art Stroll. If you're looking for something to do, go grab some dinner and check it out.

Galleries with exhibit openings include:
Art House
Beep Beep Gallery
Decorative Arts Collection Museum
MudFire Pottery Center
The Seen Gallery

Free Family Fun!

I don't have kids (...yet), but if I did, I'd probably be on the lookout for free things to do to entertain the family. This weekend, there are a number of festivals and free events that offer opportunities for families to hang together, without breaking the bank.

Below is a list of some events and attractions that I suggest you check out if you're looking for some inexpensive entertainment. Click on the name of the event to find out more info.

Target Free Family Day at the Woodruff Arts Center - All the divisions at the Woodruff offer free performances, demonstrations and tours at this annual event.

Brookhaven Arts Festival - Highlights of this festival include artwork from more than 100 artists, live music, and (for the kids) a children's market and bouncy castle.

Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade - Take your kids to visit the children's area to decorate pumpkins and take part in a costume contest. And don't miss the parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday. (Warning: Some costumes in the parade can be a little risque...)

South Fulton Tour de 29 Festival - On Saturday, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert at Tri-Cities High School as part of this festival.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site - Free tours of Dr. King's boyhood home run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Hope you have a safe, fun (and cheap) weekend!

Halloween Happenings - Volume 1

Halloween is still a week away, but Atlanta's spooky season is certainly in full swing. Below is a list of just some of the Halloween-themed events that you can take advantage of around town this weekend. Some are family-friendly, and some are more for the young at heart, but all of them should be great to help get you in the spirit.

Just click on the names of the events below for more info!

Bugs, Bats & Bones Day at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Capturing the Spirit of Oakland - 2009 Halloween Tours at Oakland Cemetery
Goblins in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Halloween Magical Musical Toybox with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Halloweekendz Movies at The Strand Theatre
Boo at the Zoo at Zoo Atlanta
"The Ghastley Dreadfuls II: Handbook of Practical Hauntings and Other Phantasmagoria" at the Center for Puppetry Arts
A Tour of Southern Ghosts at Stone Mountain Park

Get out there and have some Halloween fun! And be sure to check out my blog next week for Halloween Happenings - Volume 2...

Keeping It Classy...

All over town this weekend you can check out live music - specifically classical music - at a bunch of local concerts. Virtuistic violinists, clarinetists, organists and singers are among those performing, and two of the concerts are free! If you're a classical music lover, be sure to take advantage of concerts at the city's local colleges. They have a lot of them, and most are free or have very inexpensive admission prices.

Below is a list of some of the local classical concerts this weekend. Just click on the concert name for more info.

Friday, November 6:
Clarinetist Roeland Hendrix with Vega String Quartet at Emory University's Schwartz Center for the Arts

Saturday, November 7:
Violinist Bijan Mortazavi at Center Stage Atlanta
Cobb Symphony Chamber Singers with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra at Murray Arts Center
Come Rejoice! Celebrating 25 Years of Choral Artistry with the Atlanta Sacred Chorale at the Church of the Redeemer

Sunday, November 8:
All Durufle! (organ concert) at Emory University's Glenn Memorial Auditorium
Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra at the Rialto Center for the Arts

Enjoy!

Lots o' Laughs this Weekend...

With times as tough as they are, we can all use some laughs whenever we can get them. With that goal in mind, I thought I'd let you know about some of the shows on stage this weekend that'll definitely tickle your funny bone. I've split them up into two categories, Plays & Musicals and Improv. And let me know what you think if you go to any of the shows!

Just click on the name of the show below for more info.

Plays & Musicals:
Arsenic and Old Lace by the Georgia Ensemble Theatre at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center
Hillary Clinton Got Me Pregnant by Synchronicity Theatre at 7 Stages
Once Upon a Mattress at the Rosewater Theatre
Peachtree Battle at Ansley Park Playhouse
Fair Use at Actor's Express
A Tuna Christmas at Theatre in the Square

Improv:
Monster Movie at Dad's Garage
The Second City: Peach Stop, Droll and Roll at the Alliance Theatre
Cineprov! at Relapse Theatre
Whole World Theatre Company Improv at Whole World Theatre

Indie Crafts and Tibetan Monks!

So even though indie crafts and Tibetan monks do not seem like they could have anything at all in common - they do! At least you can see both this weekend in Atlanta at a couple of very unique art events...

The Indie Craft Experience will host its Holiday Shopping Spectacular this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ambient Plus Studio. This event is not your typical craft fair - the items on sale have a much hipper, more punk-rock edge than traditional crafts, and you can take part in craft workshops, sample vegan treats and enjoy live music while you're there. Visit AtlantaPlanIt.com for more info or click here to read more about the event on PBA's Web site and to watch a video that aired on PBA 30's "This is Atlanta with Alicia Steele."

Also on Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m., at the Unity North Atlanta Church in Marietta, you can watch as Tibetan monks construct a mandala using millions of grains of colored sand. A mandala is a concentric diagram that, in the Tibetan branch of Vajrayana Buddism, involves sandpainting as part of the practice of meditation. On this last day of the event, you can watch as the monks create this magnificent piece of art that is meant to represent the cosmos.

If you attend this weekend, let me know what you thought and share your photos on Lens!

Give Thanks -- Get Out There

With your family in town for the Thanksgiving holiday, show them how much you appreciate them and take them out for some fun this weekend. Below is a list of just some of the family-friendly events you can check out. Many of them have a Christmas theme (I know…I’m thinking the same thing. Already?), but I guess it’s never too early to get in the spirit!

I’ve categorized them into Out & About events, Theatre and Museums. Just click on the name of the event for more info.

Out & About:
Go All Night and Hands on for the Holidays at the High Museum of Art
Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park
Holidays in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Holiday in Lights in Centennial Olympic Park (with outdoor ice skating!)
Stone Mountain Village Christmas Celebration in the Historic Stone Mountain Village
Jolley Holiday Trolley Tours through Downtown Atlanta (begin at the National Museum of Patriotism)

Theatre
Dinosaurs at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Starring the Rockettes at the Fabulous Fox
A Christmas Carol at the Alliance Theatre (pictured)
Babes in Toyland and A Christmas Carol at Kudzu Playhouse

Museums
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Storytelling at The Wren’s Nest

Happy Holidays!

"It's Christmas Time in the City..." - Volume I

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!

"It's Christmas Time in the City..." - Volume II

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

"It's Christmas Time in the City..." - Volume III

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

It's Indoors...and it's Free!

Happy New Year everyone! As I woke up this morning and again saw the news report sub-freezing temperatures, I thought that I'd concentrate on indoor activities for this post.

And considering that most people (myself included) probably spent more money than they'd have liked to over the holidays, I thought I'd let you know about a couple of exhibits at libraries in town that don't have any cost for admission.

In order to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the book "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin and the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, Emory University is currently presenting the exhibit "Origin" at its Robert W. Woodruff Library. The exhibit includes works by artists who were inspired by the themes of creation and evolution and includes a rare first edition of the book signed by Darwin. I definitely suggest checking it out if you get a chance.

And at the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library's Central Branch, you can view a retrospective of the work of Marcel Breuer, one of the most influential architects and designers of the 20th century, and the man who designed the Central Branch building itself. Included in the exhibit are displays of 12 of Breuer's most famous buildings, as well as most of the major items of his furniture design. I think this exhibit is especially cool because you get to see other works by this master designer, while you're actually standing in one of his designs!

I hope everyone has a chance to get out this weekend, and if you do, please stay safe and try to stay warm!

Keeping the Dream Alive

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!

Film Fests - Escape the Ordinary

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!

Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition Finalist Readings

Today the Alliance Theatre opens the winning play of the 2009 Kendeda (pronounced Kin-dee-da) Graduate Playwriting Competition, "Tennis in Nablus" by Ismail Khalidi, which runs through February 21 on the Hertz Stage.

Now in its sixth year, the Kendeda Competition is designed to help transition student playwrights to the world of professional theatre, and each year's grand prize winner gets a fully-staged, professional production of his/her work on the Hertz.

About 30 graduate playwriting programs across the country are invited to have their final-year students submit a play to the competition, and then the plays are judged by an in-house panel of readers at the Alliance. The finalist scripts are then sent to a national panel of three theater artists for judging, and the winner is chosen in conjunction with input from the Alliance.

In addition to the full production of the winning play, the Alliance also presents FREE readings of all of the finalists' plays both in New York and Atlanta.

The Atlanta readings will be at the Alliance next Monday and Tuesday, February 1 and February 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day. Click here for more info about the readings.

You might be familiar with two of the finalist plays from the competition that went on to have full productions at Actor's Express - 2006's "Love Jerry" and this season's "Fair Use."

I'll be checking out one of the readings on Monday, and I highly recommend that you check them out too. They give you a chance to be the first to see work by the nation's top up-and-coming playwrights, and if you've never been to a play reading, it's a really cool way to experience live theatre.

I'll let you know what I think about the play I see on Monday, and please post your own comments and let me know what you think if you go to a reading too.

ART PAPERS Eleventh Annual Art Auction

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...

Become a Synchronicity “Ambassador” and Earn 2 Free Tickets!

The family musical "Free to Be...You and Me" opens at Synchronicity Theatre at 7 Stages in Little Five Points this weekend, and Synchronicity is offering two free tickets to anyone who books a group of 10 or more to see the show!

Sort of like a hostess gift at a Tupperware party, this special offer is in additional to the 20 percent off you get for buying group tickets. Regular ticket prices are $18 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

The musical, based on the 1972 album and illustrated book created by Marlo Thomas (of TV's "That Girl" fame), features songs and stories by celebrities including famous author Judy Blume (Blubber, anyone?), and the great poet Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends).

To get the free tickets, include "I'm an Ambassador" in the comments section of the ticket form when you purchase tickets online. Your two free tickets will be available for pick up at the box office on the day of the show.

Hope you'll be able to take all the kids to the show, and stay safe and warm this weekend!

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company at the Rialto Center

This Saturday at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will present a new show titled "Color-ography, n. the Dances of Jacob Lawrence," a modern dance show inspired by the paintings of the famed Harlem Renaissance artist, whose "Migration Series" made him famous in 1941.

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) just completed its 40th year of presenting original dances that comprise the world's largest collection of African-American choreographed works.

I highly recommend going to see the show this weekend, and if you're a member of Public Broadcasting Atlanta, you can get 15% off tickets with your Advantage Card! Click here for more details.

Curtains Fall on February Shows

It's the last weekend of the month - and your last chance to see a lot of shows that will be closing at local theatres. A comedy, a musical and a Shakespearian classic will all end their runs this weekend, so be sure to check them out!

Below is the the list of closing shows. Just click on the show title for more info.

Griefers at Dad's Garage
101 Humiliating Stories and Zoo Story at PushPush Theater
Baby by Centerstage North Theatre at The Art Place
Frankenstein by Theater at Emory at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
Pathways at Academy Theatre
Brownie Points at Theatrical Outfit
Romeo and Juliet by Atlanta Shakespeare Company at the New American Shakespeare Tavern

Enjoy!

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