Sunday, June 07, 2009
"SP List"

SPecial Events

This week's arts and entertainment events around Atlanta

Festivals and Happenings 

26TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR KIDS
Fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation features more than 1,000 motorcyclists, departing from Six Flags Over Georgia on a 1.5-hour police-escorted ride through West Georgia. A Celebration of Life ceremony honoring children diagnosed with brain tumors follows. On-site registration begins at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 8. The ride starts at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $35 per motorcycle, including lunch and the opportunity to purchase discounted Six Flags tickets. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

AMERICA I AM: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN IMPRINT
Touring exhibition presented by broadcaster Tavis Smiley celebrating nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to American culture and history. June 12 through Sept. 6 at the Atlanta Civic Center. For tickets and more information, visit www.americaiam.org.

ART IN THE CITY
Relax and rejuvenate after work at the High Museum of Art, open until 8 p.m. every Thursday with special events including guided tours, lectures, gallery talks, music, wine-tastings and more. A guided tour of Permanent Collection highlights is offered at 6:30 p.m. www.high.org.

BARK IN THE PARK AFTER DARK
Bring your best friend to the ballpark as popular “Bark in the Park” event gets its first nighttime outing during the Atlanta Braves’ Wednesday night game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans must pre-register at www.braves.com/bark, and sign a waiver stating that their dog’s vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian are current. Combo tickets for one person and one pet are $25. Additional human tickets are $12. Gates open at 5 p.m. Game starts at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 at Turner Field. www.braves.com.

FOOD, INC. FARE
This event, a tie-in to the documentary “Food, Inc.” (which opens at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema on June 19), features panel discussions on organic farming and sustainable living options, organic food samples, games, prizes and more. 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at Whole Foods Market, 650 Ponce de Leon NE. 404-853-1681.

HEROES FOR HUNGER AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
Atlanta Braves pitcher Derek Lowe signs autographs in exchange for donations to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Fans can choose between 20 canned goods or a $20 donation for one autograph, or 40 canned goods or $40 for two autographs. Limit two autographs per person. Fans can also drop off non-perishable food items at any Braves game in the month of June and receive a special ticket coupon offer for upcoming games. Signing takes place from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 at Monument Grove at Turner Field. www.braves.com.

NO MINIMUM, NO RESERVE AUCTION
Auction liquidating the contents of a High Point, N.C. furniture manufacturer’s showroom and a luxury vacation home in Naples, Fla. More than 600 items to be sold, regardless of price. Open to the public. 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7 at Great Gatsby’s Fine Antiques, 5180 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. 770-457-1903. www.greatgatsbys.com/auction_upcoming.php.

ROCK N’ ROLL MONSTER BASH 2009
Daylong celebration of vintage horror films, cars and more, hosted by Professor Morte of the Silver Scream Spook Show. Includes musical performances by Bigfoot, the Pits, Crank County Daredevils, Courtesy Murder and the Spook Show All-Stars; screenings of “Tales From the Crypt” and “The Howling”; the Miss Monster Bash 2009 contest; hot rods from the Dead Ends Hearse Club; and performances by the Silver Scream Spook Show and Blast-Off Burlesque. Tickets are $15. Music begins at 2 p.m. at the Starlight Six Drive-In. 404-627-5786. www.starlightdrivein.com.

Theater, Dance, Music and Opera  

ALABAMA LIMO
The Southern rock band performs as part of 3 for 5 Night at Smith’s Olde Bar. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. www.myspace.com/alabamalimo.

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.

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. 

JERSEY BOYS
The documentary-style musical about the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons runs through June 21 at the Fox Theatre. Tickets range from $29 to $127. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.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, as well as a summer kids camp for ages 8-13 for the weeks of June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20, and Aug. 3. Enjoy “pay what you can” Thursdays throughout June and July (walkup only, not available for private parties or special events). 404-817-7529. www.wholeworldtheatre.com.

Family 

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., 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. 

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. 

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO
Works by an array of international photographers including Sally Mann, Richard Misrach and Nan Goldin. Each 20x24 portfolio contains 10 original photographs and sells for $25,000 to benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation. On view through Aug. 22 at Jackson Fine Art. 404-233-3739. www.jacksonfineart.com.

THE INSPIRATIONAL YEARS
Exhibit of 19 works by local painter Derek McCrea, a U.S. Army infantry combat soldier who has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division. Through July 16 at the Brown Art Gallery in the Monroe F. Swilley Jr. Library on the Mercer University Atlanta College Campus. 678-547-6280.

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 Oct. 31 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

MY FAVORITE THINGS
New exhibition showcasing a collection of staffers’ favorite items from the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s permanent collection. June 13 through Feb. 1, 2010 at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. 404-929-6400. www.fernbankmuseum.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

JOHN FERLING
The award-winning historian discusses his perceptive new book, “The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon.” 7 p.m. Monday, June 8 at
the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.

SUSAN GREGG GILMORE
The author reads from and discusses her debut novel, “Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen,” set in Ringgold and Atlanta. 7:15 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Blue Elephant Book Shop in Decatur. 404-728-8955. www.blueelephantbookshop.com.

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.

UPCOMING

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER BEAUTIFICATION DAY
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Rockledge residential resort seek volunteers to help beautify and preserve the famous waterway on Sunday, June 14. Participants are invited to meet behind the tent at the Rockledge leasing center at 2075 Powers Ferry Road in Marietta at 1 p.m. to register. Following the cleanup, which is expected to last until 3:30 p.m., participants are invited back to Rockledge for complimentary beer from SweetWater, and food. RSVP at 770-955-2513 or e-mail billy@rockledgeatl.com.

FICTION SHOP
Award-winning novelist David Fulmer teaches the basics of fiction writing. 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Mondays, June 22-Aug. 10 in the Reading Room at Eagle Eye Book Shop. Cost is $195. Deadline to register is June 22. For more information, visit www.davidfulmer.com.