30 events that’ll catch your eye this fall - Lets Dance Together!
Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the seasons change down South. If the thermometer were your only guide, it might not feel like autumn until Thanksgiving. Luckily, Atlanta’s cultural scene is rich enough to draw the line between summer and fall. From state fairs to Swan Lake, Oktoberfest to Halloween, David Byrne to James Bond, this season has something for the high-culture lover in you, as well as its beer-chugging doppelganger. Check out our top 30 picks in the following pages.
1 AUGUST WILSON FULL CIRCLE (THROUGH SEPT. 28)
The Alliance Theatre dedicates its fall season to African-American playwright August Wilson, and stages his final two plays, Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Directed by Kenny Leon and Kent Gash, respectively, and performed in rotating repertory with the same company of actors, the shows mark the completion of Wilson’s Century Cycle – 10 Wilson plays produced at the Alliance over the last 20 years. $25-$35. Times vary. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.alliancetheatre.org.
2 OTHER SOUND FESTIVAL (SEPT. 11-13)
The annual Other Sound fest returns for its fourth year to celebrate the local indie music scene. Dozens of local acts, including Chopper, Dropsonic and the Preakness are scheduled to perform at Wonder Root, Star Bar and the Earl. $5-$12. Times and locations vary. www.myspace.com/othersound.
3 ATLANTA ARTS FESTIVAL (SEPT. 12-14)
Unlike Screen on the Green, the Dogwood Festival and the Peachtree Road Race finish line, the Atlanta Arts Festival remains at Piedmont Park in 2008. The annual event showcases paintings, photographs, sculptures and hand-blown glass works by more than 200 artists from around the country. Preview party: $15-$20. Festival: Free. Sept. 12, 4-8 p.m.; Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 400 Park Drive. 770-941-9660. www.atlantaartsfestival.com.
4 BURN AFTER READING (OPENS SEPT. 12)
If the Coen brothers have a favorite genre, it’s the chaotic noir film with strangers trying to swindle and possibly kill each other. (That counts as a genre, right?) They’ve mined the form for suspense (Blood Simple), humor (The Big Lebowski) and both at once (Fargo). After the bleak intensity of their Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men, the pendulum swings back to comedy for Burn After Reading, in which a pair of dim-witted gym employees (Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand) attempt to blackmail a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich). The high-tension hijinks include George Clooney and Tilda Swinton.
5 CHOW DOWN! A SOUTHERN FOODWAYS FESTIVAL! (SEPT. 14)
How does your region influence your foodways? And what are foodways, anyway? CHOW DOWN! teaches how location (in place and in time) affects a culture’s eating habits. With plenty of cooking demonstrations on traditional and modern Southern food, Seminole cuisine, Civil War-era meals and more; hands-on crafts; and mouth-on edibles, this is one festival that will satisfy both body and mind. Free-$15. Noon-5 p.m. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
6 ATLANTIS MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL (SEPT. 17-20)
Now in its 11th year, the networking event crossed with a rock concert offers a platform for fresh, unsigned talent. More than 130 artists are already on board to perform over the course of the weekend, which also includes panel discussions by industry professionals such as music directors, top producers and indie labels. Prices, times and locations vary. 770-499-8600. www.atlantismusic.com.
7 NORTH GEORGIA STATE FAIR (SEPT. 18-28)
City living can be so tame. Luckily, just north of our bustling metropolis in the far reaches of Marietta, the annual North Georgia State Fair’s got a chain-saw carving auction, pig races and an alligator show. Not enough for ya? Catch a bit of the beautiful baby contest and then grab a funnel cake and hop on the Ferris wheel. Times vary. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-423-1330. www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.
8EAST ATLANTA STRUT (SEPT. 20)
It’s time to work it, y’all. EAV’s scrappy neighborhood fest shows community spirit with a 5K run/walk, live music, artists’ market and can’t-miss rag-tag parade. The Kids’ Village keeps the little ones entertained with arts and crafts stations and giant inflatables. Proceeds benefit organizations, charities and local businesses in the East Atlanta Village. 5K: $20-$25. Festival: Free. Flat Shoals Road and Glenwood Avenue. www.eastatlantastrut.com.
9 DAVID BYRNE (SEPT. 20)
Most rock stars reach David Byrne’s age – 56 – and content themselves with irrelevant reunion tours and rehashed greatest-hits CDs. But his upcoming Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour will feature songs from their whimsical new release Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, as well as music from the three Eno-produced Talking Heads albums, and their 1981 release, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Byrne has compiled a nine-member band for the first leg of the six-month tour that makes Atlanta its fourth stop. $28.50-$48.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Drive. 404-845-0378. www.chastainseries.com.
10 JIM GAFFIGAN (SEPT. 20)
He went Beyond the Pale in 2006, and this fall the comedian brings his version of sexy back to Atlanta with his “Sexy Tour.” Gaffigan’s deadpan humor and hatred of Hot Pockets has earned him a regular spot on TBS’ “My Guys” and appearances on Comedy Central and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” $40.75. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800. www.cobbenergycentre.com.
11 THE RACONTEURS (OCT. 1)
Jack White’s quartet of old friends, including Patrick Keeler, Jack Lawrence and Brendan Benson, exploded onto the airwaves in 2006. They stormed 2008 with the March release of Consolers of the Lonely, a cacophony of colliding tempos and clever songwriting to match the album’s robust rhythm. Punk-blues duo the Kills open the Oct. 1 show. $38.50. 8 p.m. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com.
12 ACP 10 (OCT. 3-NOV. 6)
It’s been a good 10 years for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the month-long, citywide festival that revels in the work of local shutterbugs. The third annual photography auction takes place Sept. 26, but the event doesn’t officially start until the opening at the Contemporary on Oct. 3, which features work by Paul Shambroom. Besides all of the affiliated exhibits at galleries and museums around town, ACP 10 hosts lectures, seminars and a film series curated by Andy Ditzler. Times, dates and locations vary. 404-634-8664. www.acpinfo.org.
13 STONE MOUNTAIN PARK PUMPKIN FESTIVAL (OCT. 3-26)
Perennial host of the seasonal festival, Stone Mountain ushers in autumn with an ode to the pumpkin. Fall foliage, pie-eating contests, a pumpkin patch and yes, even a pumpkin tree, should make it feel like fall even if the thermostat says otherwise. (Now, orange you glad we didn’t say Lasershow? Sorry.) $15-$25. Fridays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com.
14 HARVEST MIDTOWN (OCT. 4)
Beer fests get all the attention – especially in the fall. So how about showing some love for wine, people? Harvest Midtown features more than 250 wines and tons of food from popular local restaurants such as South City Kitchen, Rathbun’s and Cuerno. There’s also live music from Rio Negro and Blakes, a local art show, an organic farmers’ market, fashion shows and a silent auction to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. $50-$60. 1-5 p.m. Fifth Street between Peachtree and W. Peachtree streets. 404-841-8335. www.harvestmidtown.com.
15 MADAMA BUTTERFLY (OCT. 4-12)
Giacomo Puccini’s tragic story of Cio-Cio San and her Lieutenant Pinkerton can be found in a number of places, including David Henry Hwang’s play M. Butterfly, Weezer’s second studio album Pinkerton and the musical Miss Saigon. The Atlanta Opera returns to the tale’s origin to open the 2008-09 season. Joseph Rescigno conducts. $37.80-$143.80. Opens Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 10, 8 p.m.; Oct. 12, 3 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 404-881-8801. www.atlantaopera.org.
16 OKTOBERFEST ATLANTA (OCT. 5-7)
Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 as a German prince’s wedding celebration. The tradition continues in Atlanta centuries later with sausage, lederhosen and bottomless beer. Bavarian music, a bratwurst-eating contest, stilt walkers, fire eaters and performances by the Goethe Girls should make it a guten tag. $10-$40. Fri., 5 p.m.-midnight; Sat., noon-midnight. Atlantic Station, 17th and State streets. 404-892-2388. www.oktoberfestatlanta.com.
17 HOT CHIP (OCT. 9)
A band with a penchant for producing electro-pop jams (”Ready for the Floor”) and PowerBook ballads (”We’re Looking for a Lot of Love”) isn’t supposed to hold up onstage the way Hot Chip does. But after rocking a no-capacity crowd at Coachella in April, its legend for live performance has grown in bleeps and bounds. Made in the Dark is a synthed-out workout plan full of hypnotic dance grooves featuring Alexis Taylor’s transmutable vocals. When Hot Chip ends its North American tour here, expect the intimate Variety Playhouse to pulsate like a dive bar in heat. $25. 8:30 p.m. 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.
18 ANTIGONE (OCT. 9-NOV. 2)
The musical tells the classic story of Oedipus’ daughter Antigone, who defies Creon, the new king of Thebes, to give her brother a proper burial. Adapted by director Richard Garner from Sophocles’ play, and with original music by Kendall Simpson, Georgia Shakespeare’s fall performance is a melodic tribute to heroic women. $15-$40. Times vary. Conant Performing Arts Center, Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road. 404-261-1441. www.gashakespeare.org.
19 CANDLER PARK FALL FEST (OCT. 11-12)
Another one of the city’s signature neighborhood events, the fest opens with the scenic 5K road race Saturday, and continues throughout the weekend with performances and appearances from League of Decency, Swimming Pool Qs, Bonaventure Trio, Delta Moon and Baton. Planning on taking the kids? Younger members of the family can listen to storytellers and craft their own works of art. 5K: $19-$24. 9 a.m. Tour of homes: $12-$15. Sun., noon-6 p.m. Festival: Free. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. McLendon Avenue and Clifton Road. 404-577-4212 .www.candlerparkfallfest.org.
20 TASTE OF ATLANTA (OCT. 11-12)
More than 70 of Atlanta’s hottest restaurants are serving up their specialties for the two-day culinary bash. Grammy winner and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood, “Top Chef” finalist Richard Blais, and “Queer Eye” culinaire Ted Allen are all scheduled to appear. TWELVE will hold wine classes and tastings, and Ten Pin Alley will host Bowling and Brews where VIP guests can gargle beer and punish the pins. $25-$195. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 17th and State streets. 404-875-4434. www.tasteofatlanta.net.
21 ECHO PROJECT MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL (OCT. 12-14)
The Woodstockesque fest is back for another year. Completely powered by alternative energy sources, bands and artists such as the Killers, Phil Lesh and Friends, the Flaming Lips, Common, and more than 70 others will perform over three days in hopes of inspiring people to live green and be more eco-friendly. Camping is free, and spirits are even more so. Prices and times vary. Bouckaert Farm, Fairburn. www.the-echoproject.com.
22 ATLANTA QUEER LIT FESTIVAL (OCT. 15-18)
Now in its second year, the Atlanta Queer Lit Fest is still growing. It’s the city’s only festival – and one of only two queer lit festivals in the country – designed to advance the work of LGBTQ writers. Authors scheduled to appear for discussions, readings, signings and performances include Mark Doty, Kate Bornstein, Alex Sanchez and more. Prices, times and locations vary. www.atlqueerlitfest.com.
23 W. (OPENS OCT. 17)
Less than a month before the presidential election, politically contentious director Oliver Stone fires a parting shot at President George W. Bush, played by No Country for Old Men’s Josh Brolin. W. offers a fall-and-rise biopic of an alcoholic and failed businessman turned the world’s most powerful man, with a parade of familiar political figures played by familiar character actors, including the previous President Bush (James Cromwell), Laura Bush (Elizabeth Banks), Condoleezza Rice (Thandie Newton), Karl Rove (Toby Jones) and Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss). Stone’s Nixon biopic proved more even-handed than most people expected, but W. may be significantly more scathing.
24 LITTLE FIVE POINTS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL AND PARADE (OCT. 17-18)
The folks in Little Five let their freak flags fly even higher than usual for the annual Halloween festival and parade. One of the city’s most popular neighborhood events, the fest features live music, undead revelers, local nosh and one wacky parade drenched in blood and guts. Festival: Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-10 p.m. Parade: Sat., 4 p.m. Moreland and Euclid avenues. 404-577-4212. www.l5phalloween.com.
25 ATLANTA HORRORFEST (OCT. 23-26)
Like the zombies it celebrates, Horrorfest is back again. The four-day gathering of monsters and the macabre comes to the Masquerade this year. There’ll be films, live music, costume contests and the Buried Alive Film Festival, featuring independent horror films from around the country. The weekend’s highlight? The ever-popular 1.5-mile zombie walk. Three-day pass: $40. Times vary. 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.atlantahorrorfest.com.
26 SWAN LAKE (OCT. 23-NOV. 2)
The Atlanta Ballet opens its 2008-09 season with Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake, an ethereal romance about star-crossed lovers. The company expands its international résumé with a performance of the standard in Mexico this October before returning stateside for a series of shows at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. $15-$115. Times vary. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 404-817-8700. www.atlantaballet.com.
27 DEERHUNTER, PYLON, JAY REATARD (OCT. 31)
Atlanta’s much-ballyhooed, art-damaged noise-pop foursome Deerhunter plays its first show of the year in Atlanta’s city limits, celebrating the release of the group’s third full-length, Microcastle. Athens’ long-standing art-punk new wavers Pylon reunite for another turn. Jay Reatard also performs a set of his noisy, confrontational and spun-out racket. $16-$18. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.
28 HAWKS HOME OPENER (NOV. 1)
The Hawks ended their ‘07 season on an upbeat note by taking the eventual-champion Celtics to seven games in the playoffs. But they followed up with a somewhat disappointing summer, when they lost star Josh Childress to the Euro League and failed to make any significant off-season acquisitions. The Hawks go head-to-head with the Philadelphia 76ers to start the year off in a game that features two of the most athletic squads in the league. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 1-866-715-1500. www.nba.com/hawks.
29 OUT ON FILM (NOV. 6-9)
Where’s the bartender? Atlanta’s annual gay film festival turns 21 this year. To celebrate, Out on Film is throwing its trademark party – a three-day shindig with good-looking LGBT film buffs from all over the city, independent filmmakers from all over the country, and, of course, dozens of fabulous screenings. Prices, times and locations vary. www.outonfilm.com.
30 A QUANTUM OF SOLACE (OPENS NOV. 7)
With Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince rescheduled for next summer, the latest James Bond film promises to be the season’s biggest and most anticipated film. In this direct follow-up to the spy-franchise “reboot” Casino Royale, new Bond Daniel Craig returns to avenge the death of his prior love interest by tracking down the evil organization that killed her. Gemma Arterton and Olga Kurylenko play new Bond girls, French actor Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) provides the villainy, and Marc Foster (The Kite Runner, Monster’s Ball) directs. The enigmatic title comes from a short story by Bond creator Ian Fleming.
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