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!
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
"People's reaction to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic; they either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul."
If you're one of those people who love opera, or if you'd like to check to see if it just might be your soul mate, there are a few options this weekend that I'd like to recommend.
The Georgia State University Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra will present Bizet's "Carmen," arguably the world's most popular opera, this weekend at the Rialto Center for the Arts. The opera follows a strong-willed gypsy caught in a passionate love triangle. A juicy story to say the least.
Also this weekend, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will present Verdi's "Requiem Mass" with the acclaimed ASO Chorus and four featured soloists.
The Atlanta Opera will also open its production of "The Magic Flute" this weekend at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Composed by Mozart in 1791, the opera is about a prince and princess who go through a series of trials and tribulations to find each other, hindered by the efforts of an evil queen.
I hope you get the chance to check out one of these shows this weekend, and if you do, please let me know of you thought it was "better than ‘Pirates of Penzance'" (my apologies for the second "Pretty Woman" reference).
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
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.
There are a couple of shows opening this weekend (some of which are limited engagement and closing this weekend too), so I thought I'd put together a quick list to help you beat the heat.
A World of Silents (June 11-13) at 7 Stages - This multimedia show by Fly-By Theatre is inspired by the films of the early 20th century.
Nickelodeon Presents Storytime Live! (June 11-13) at the Fox Theatre - This live theatrical tour for families features characters from four of the top-rated preschool shows on TV.
The Wonders of the World: Recite (June 11 -13) at Eyedrum - A darkly funny play presented by Twinhead Theatre, it's a Southeastern premiere about a boy and his grandmother who live in a lighthouse at the end of the world.
Don't Stop Believing (June 13) at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre - This one-night only concert features performances by Broadway stars and students from Broadway Dreams Foundation Atlanta.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (opens June 11) at The Strand Theatre - Stephen Sondheim's musical presented by the Atlanta Lyric Theatre combines situations from the ancient comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with classic vaudeville.
Chaim's Love Song (opens June 11) at Kudzu Playhouse - This dramatic comedy tells the story of a homesick teacher from Iowa who meets a retired Jewish mailman from New York on a Brooklyn park bench, and they develop a friendship as he shares his stories of life and love.
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...
Zoetic Dance Exchange Choreographer's Showcase at 7 Stages - The culmination of Zoetic Dance Exchange's workshop series, this show features some of Georgia's best dance artists.
LawrenceVegas at Aurora Theatre - This Vegas-sized show combines comedy and Big Band music to pay homage to the Rat Pack.
Charlotte's Web at the Henry County Performing Arts Center - The Henry Players present this family show that brings the classic children's book to life on stage.
Lisa and Libby Unplugged at Actor's Express - Lisa Paige joins famous Atlanta singer Libby Whittemore for this cabaret show that includes standards and 60s classics.
Harrower Summer Opera Workshop Scenes Performances at Kopleff Recital Hall - The Georgia State University School of Music's three-week workshop concludes this weekend with performances of famous opera scenes.
Raisin' Cane at the Southwest Fulton Arts Center - This show starring Jasmine Guy is part of the National Black Arts Festival and is inspired by the 1923 novel Cane about the Harlem Renaissance.
Enjoy!
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)
While two are strictly performances, the other two events encourage participation, so don't be shy!
Cirque D'Or at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre - The Golden Dragon Acrobats, a premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company, takes the stage with a show that combines acrobatics with traditional dance, spectacular costumes and music.
Friday Night Contra Dance at the Clarkston Community Center - Contra dancing is a high-energy community dance with roots in Europe, accompanied by live music. At this event, each dance is taught and led by a dance caller before the floor opens to couples. But keep in mind - no partner or experience is necessary.
POP! at 7 Stages Theatre - This show by SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company uses contemporary dance, video, rap and pop music to examine society's obsession with power, fame and greed.
Christmas in July at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center - LandingStar Dance performance ensemble presents contemporary dance accompanied by vocalist John Martin performing love songs from the 1930s and 40s. After the show, the audience is invited to dance the night away in Callanwolde's courtyard.
