Sunday, May 24, 2009
"SP List"
SPecial Events
This week's arts and entertainment events in Atlanta
Festivals and Happenings
BLUES, BREWS & BARBECUE FEST
Enjoy southern barbecue, beer and music from blues and rock acts including Francine Reed and Beau Hall. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24 at Park Tavern. www.rockbbbfest.com.
DINE AND DANCE: SENIOR PROM
Northlake Mall presents a free big-band event with music by the Atlanta-New York Connection. The prom-themed event features decorations and the crowning of a prom king and queen. 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 in the Northlake Mall Food Garden. 770-938-3564.
THE GOODNESS OF GUINNESS
A Cappella Books and the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness Brewery. Enjoy Guinness specials and giveaways from the distributor. Copies of Tony Corcoran’s book “The Goodness of Guinness: A Loving History of the Brewery, Its People and the City of Dublin” will be available for purchase; everyone who purchases a copy will be entered into a raffle to win a valuable prize. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.acappellabooks.com.
NACHO LIBRE
Enjoy food and drinks from Savu as you cool off at the pool and enjoy a free screening of the Jack Black comedy in a relaxing combination of swimming and cinema as part of the “Dive-In Movies” series. 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at the Wet Deck at W Atlanta-Perimeter. Reservations not required but recommended. 770-396-6800. www.opentable.com.
VETERANS REMEMBRANCE DAY
Interact with veterans and living history interpreters who share memorabilia and stories about battles and military strategies of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and today's conflicts. 12 p.m. Sunday, May 24 at the Atlanta History Center. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com/vrd.
Theater, Dance, Music and Opera
AUTOMATIC THEATER
Improv troupe composed of actors, filmmakers, writers and puppeteers fields audience suggestions in a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” short-form improv format. Tickets are $7. 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Relapse Theatre. 404-394-9115. www.relapsetheatre.com.
GEORGIA AQUARIUM'S JAZZ JOURNEYS
The summer concert series returns. Enjoy Jazz Bites dining options from Wolfgang Puck Catering. 7 p.m. Friday nights through September. 404-581-4444. www.georgiaaquarium.org.
HARMONY COLLAGE
The Stone Mountain Barbershop Chorus presents its 2009 spring concert, featuring inspirational and patriotic selections from the 60-man chorus and pieces from chapter quartets as well as featured guest quartet State Line Grocery. 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30 in the Sanctuary of Mountain Park United Methodist Church. 770-978-8053. www.stonemountainchorus.org.
JACKPIE THEATER WORKSHOP
Long-form improv comedy shows every Saturday at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. at 380 14th St. NW. Tickets are $7. BYOB. www.jackpie.com.
LAST FRIDAYS
Cool off and celebrate the oncoming summer heat by enjoying live music. Performers include North Elementary, the Good Graces and the acclaimed Club Awesome. Admission is $5. 9 p.m. Friday, May 29 at WonderRoot. www.wonderroot.org.
VILLAGE THEATRE
Atlanta’s newest comedy troupe performs comedy in all its forms, including long and short-form improv, sketch and stand-up comedy. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 at the Village Theatre, 486 Decatur St., Suite 10, at the corner of Decatur and Boulevard. 404-688-8856. www.villagecomedy.com.
WHOLE WORLD THEATRE
The improv group presents a variety of shows each week. 404-817-7529. www.wholeworldtheatre.com.
Family
THE AMAZING CASTLE
Kids are transported to a whimsical medieval setting and become blacksmiths, jesters, chefs, gardeners, carpenters and even princes and princesses in this exhibit that teaches the important role each member plays in a thriving community. Through May 26 at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. 404-659-5437. www.imagineit-cma.org.
DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL
Artists market, live music, fine arts exhibition, dance and more. Through May 24 in and around the square in downtown Decatur. For more information, visit www.decaturartsfestival.com.
GEORGIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Take a step back in time with knights, maidens, shops, turkey legs, stunts, animals, jousting and more. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day through June 7. The festival is located two miles west of exit 61 off of Interstate 85. 770-964-8575. www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com.
JIM HENSON: WONDERS FROM HIS WORKSHOP
Exhibit highlighting the performance and design contributions Jim Henson and his collaborators have made to the world of puppetry, including the technological advances behind “Fraggle Rock,” “Labyrinth” and others. Through Sept. 13 in the Love Family Atrium at the Center for Puppetry Arts. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Mall of Georgia hosts a night on the lawn at the Village Pavilion with live music, a prize wheel and a 42-foot screen, featuring "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and Mike Rogers Band. Series continues every Saturday through Aug.22. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.; movie begins at dusk on Saturday, May 30. 678-482-8788. www.mallofgeorgia.com.
POSSOM TROT 10K ROAD RACE AND 1-MILE FUN RUN
Race along the river to benefit ongoing environment education programs. 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 30 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. 770-992-2055. www.chattnaturecenter.org.
Exhibitions and Gallery Shows
BODIES . . . THE EXHIBITION
This controversial exhibit features 15 meticulously preserved whole-body and more than 250 partial-body specimens, providing a unique understanding of the skeletal, muscular, respiratory and other systems that exist beneath the skin. Through Jan. 3, 2010, at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station. 866-866-8265. www.bodiestickets.com.
DIALOG IN THE DARK
Visitors are escorted through galleries in total darkness, relying on blind and visually impaired guides, for a glimpse of the day-to-day life and survival skills of blind people. Through Jan. 3, 2010, at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station. Tickets must be purchased beforehand. www.dialogtickets.com.
LOUVRE ATLANTA: THE LOUVRE AND THE MASTERPIECE
This exhibit explores how the definition of a “masterpiece” has changed over time, featuring 91 works of art from all eight of the Musée du Louvre’s collection areas, spanning 4,000 years. Through Sept. 6 at the High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.
MOORE IN AMERICA
Exhibit featuring 20 major works from Henry Moore, recognized as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. Through October 31 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 404-876-58559. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
TITANIC AQUATIC
Authentic artifacts from the famed wreck and interactive experiences bring the Titanic to life. Through Sept. 7 at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.
Books and Talks
ROBYN O’BRIEN
The author, a national expert on children’s health and food allergies, discusses her new book, “The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick—And What We Can Do About It.” 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.
Other Fun Stuff
NORTHLAKE TOASTMASTERS CLUB
Become the person your resume thinks you are. Improve your public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive environment. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at MetroBrokers GMAC Real Estate in the Northlake Festival Shopping Center. For directions or other info, call 678-858-0963.
POKER NIGHT
Every Tuesday at Engine 11 Firehouse Tavern. Sign-up starts at 8 p.m. 404-873-3473. www.engine11atl.com.