Arena at Gwinnett Center. The new entertainment complex is the first of its kind in suburban Atlanta. Seats 13,000. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500, www.gwinnettcenter.com

Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. After three decades of service, the 4,650-capacity auditorium recently got a $2 million face-lift. 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-658-7159, www.atlantaciviccenter.com

Chastain Park Amphitheatre. The 7,000-seat theater on a calm night with picnickers eating by candlelight can be magical. 4469 Stella Drive N.W. at Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-233-8887 www.atlantaconcerts.com/chastain.asp

EarthLink Live. Longtime Atlanta venue that had fallen on hard times got an infusion of cash and attention along with an impressive lineup of national talent. 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W. 404-885-1365, www.earthlinklive.com

Ferst Center for the Arts. 1,200-seat Georgia Tech auditorium hosts a variety of performing artists and visual art exhibits. 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-894-9600, www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu

Fox Theatre. Fabulously restored 4,800-seat movie palace, an Atlanta landmark. 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, www.foxtheatre.org/

HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. Outdoor venue offers good sound, comfortable reserved seating and a diverting concessions midway. 2002 Lakewood Way S.W., Atlanta. 404-443-5090, www.hob.com/venues/concerts/hifibuys

Philips Arena. Downtown arena offers better acoustics and a more concert-friendly setup than the late, unlamented Omni, which it replaced. 1 Philips Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-878-3000, www.philipsarena.com

Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. This historic downtown movie theater has been renovated to accommodate theater, dance, pop, jazz and classical acts. 80 Forsyth St. N.W, Atlanta. 404-651-4727, www.rialtocenter.org

Coca-Cola Roxy Theater. The facade is a Buckhead landmark. The stripped-down interior can handle the rowdiest show. 3110 Roswell Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-233-7699, www.atlantaconcerts.com/roxy.asp

Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Atlanta's newest arts multiplex, on the Emory University campus, has a black-box theater, a dance studio and an intimate concert hall -- one of the best in the metro area. 1700 N. Decatur Road, Decatur. 404-727-5050, www.schwartzcenter.emory.edu

Spivey Hall. Metro Atlanta's jewel-box venue for chamber music, including classical, Celtic and jazz. On the campus of Clayton College & State University in Morrow. 770-961-3683, www.spiveyhall.org

The Tabernacle. This resplendent former Baptist church presents an impressive roster of national artists. 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-9022.

Variety Playhouse. This 1,000-person venue lives up to its name, hosting everything from New Age to alternative shows. 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com

Woodruff Arts Center. Midtown arts complex includes Atlanta Symphony Hall, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta College of Art, the Alliance Theatre and the 14th Street Playhouse ( at 173 14th St. N.E.). 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000, www.woodruff-arts.org

Other venues

Frederick W. Brown Amphitheater. 191 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 770-631-0630.

Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center. 2530 Mount Zion Parkway, Jonesboro. 770-473-2875.

Cobb County Civic Center. 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 770-528-8450.

Cotton Club. Downtown's only small live music venue sits beneath the Tabernacle. 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-688-1193.

Marvin Cole Auditorium. Georgia Perimeter College, 555 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. 404-299-4136.

DeKalb-Atlanta Centre. 3595 Clairmont Road, Decatur. 404-982-0989.

The EARL. Touring independent and underground acts. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., Atlanta, 404-522-3950.

Echo Lounge. Live music, including touring underground bands. 551 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-681-3600.

Emory University. Call for information on events at the Cannon Chapel, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Glenn Memorial Auditorium, Mary Gray Munroe Theatre and Performing Arts Studio. Arts box office: 404-727-5050.

Georgia Dome. 1 Georgia Dome Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-223-9200.

Georgia State University Recital Hall. Gilmer Street at Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta. 404-651-4636.

Georgia World Congress Center (Sidney Marcus Auditorium). 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. N.W, Atlanta. 404-223-4636.

Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-623-4966.

Hodgson Concert Hall. University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road, Athens. 706-542-4400 or 1-888-289-8497.

Kennesaw State University. Offers a diverse mix of programming in two theaters, a recital hall, two art galleries and an outdoor amphitheatre throughout the year. 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-423-6650, www.kennesaw.edu/arts.

King Chapel. Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive S.W. 404-215-2046.

Masquerade Music Park. 695 North Ave. N.E. 404-577-8178.

North Atlanta Trade Center. 1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross. 770-279-9899.

Sisters Chapel. Spelman College, 350 Spelman Lane S.W., Atlanta. 404-681-3643, Ext. 1484.

Smith's Olde Bar. Caters to post-college crowd with alternative bookings. 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522.

Star Community Bar. Live music that tends toward rockabilly and roots. 437 Moreland Ave. N.E., Atlanta, 404-681-9018.

Urban Life Auditorium. Georgia State University, 140 Decatur St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-651-4636.

Ticket outlets

AtlanTIX (half-price ticket booth): 678-318-1400, www.atlantatheatres.org/we_provide/atlantix.asp

Ticketmaster: 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com/