Sunday, January 24, 2010
"SP List"

SPecial Events

This week's arts and entertainment calendar

Festivals and Happenings

AFRICAN-AMERICAN DANCE REVIEW
“The Progressive Realization of Dreams” presents a visual journey of the origin of dance, from its African roots through the present. Tickets are $28-$48. Jan. 28 through Feb. 6 at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. 404-413-9849. www.rialtocenter.org.

DINE AND GIVE BACK
Join Joël Brasserie in donating to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Jan. 26 through 28, 10 percent of diners’ final bills will be donated to the American Red Cross. 404-467-8820. www.joelbrasserie.com.

JO KOY
The stand-up comedian, known for his appearances on “Chelsea Lately,” performs. Tickets are $15-$20. Jan. 28-31 at the Punchline. 404-252-5233. www.punchline.com.

RICHARD LEWIS
The actor (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and comedian performs. Tickets are $20-$25. Jan. 29-31 at the Funny Farm Comedy Club. 770-817-4242. www.funnyfarmcomedyclub.com.

TASTE OF LOVE
The Epilepsy Foundation hosts its signature fundraising gala, a black-tie affair with gourmet dining, premium wine pairings, live entertainment and live and silent auctions. Sports broadcaster Chuck Dowdle serves as emcee and Atlanta Falcon Jason Snelling is honorary host. Tickets are $225 per person, $2,250 for a table for 10 and $2,700 for a table for 12. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. For tickets, call 404-527-7155.

 Theater, Dance, Music and Opera  

ANOTHER SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT LOEHMANN'S
The new comedy from the award-winning playwrights of "Peachtree Battle." Thursdays through Sundays through Jan. 31 at Ansley Park Playhouse. Tickets are $26. 404-875-1193. www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com.

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. 

JACKPIE THEATER WORKSHOP
The improv comedy group performs. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Relapse Theatre. Tickets are $7. BYOB. www.jackpie.com. 

PARADE
Atlanta premiere of Alfred Uhry’s award-winning musical about the murder of Mary Phagan and the trial and lynching of Leo Frank. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors, children, teachers and the military. Through Jan. 24 at Blackwell Playhouse in Marietta. 678-213-3311. www.blackwellplayhouse.com.

VILLAGE THEATRE
Atlanta’s newest comedy troupe performs long and short-form improv, and offers ongoing improv workshops and classes. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the Village Theatre. 404-688-8856. www.villagecomedy.com. 

WHOLE WORLD THEATRE
Atlanta’s premier improv institution offers New Beginners improv classes for all ages throughout the year. For more information, contact Lauren at 404-545-5603 or Lauren@wholeworldtheatre.com.

 Exhibitions and Gallery Shows 

LEONARDO DA VINCI: HAND OF THE GENIUS
This exhibit boasts approximately 50 works by the artist and inventor, including more than 20 sketches and studies, some of them making their U.S. debut. Through Feb. 21 at the High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.

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

 Books and Talks

ANNE CARSON
The famed classicist and contemporary poet and MacArthur Fellow conducts creativity workshops, performs “Cassandra Float Can” and “Bracko” with her collaborator, Robert Currie, and gives the 2010 Nix Mann lecture. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. 404-727-4282. www.carlos.emory.edu.

BATT HUMPHRIES
The author discusses and signs his historical novel “Dead Weight.” Free and open to the public. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at Eagle Eye Book Shop. 404-486-0307. www.eagleeyebooks.com.

DAVID ORR
The author discusses “Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Change.” Free and open to the public. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College. For more information, visit www.acappellabooks.com.

FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINAR
Carl J. Macko, president of Synergy Capital Management, hosts this free seminar on such topics as rolling your old 401(k) into an IRA, estate planning, protecting your portfolio and what to expect from the markets in 2010. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 on the main floor of Tower Place 200 Building on Peachtree Road. www.synergycapitalmanagement.com.

MICHAEL SELDEN
The acclaimed author discusses his new biography, “Mark Twain: Man in White: The Grand Adventure of His Final Years.” Free and open to the public. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.

WILLIAM J. MORTON
The author discusses his new historical study, “The Story of Georgia’s Boundaries: A Meeting of History and Geography.” Free and open to the public. 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.