BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
SATURDAY
Chris Brown
When Brown played Philips Arena with Trey Songz earlier this year, the show quickly became an all-star R&B event, as pals R. Kelly, B.o.B., Keith Sweat, T.I. Future and others popped by for cameos. It's unlikely fans will see a parade of star wattage that big this weekend, given that Kid Ink, Omarion, Fetty Wap and Teyana Taylor are already on the bill for Brown's current tour. Then again, in Atlanta the possibilities are endless.
With Kid Ink, Omarion, Fetty Wap and Teyana Taylor. 7 p.m. Sept. 5. $35-$125. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Celebrate Freedom
An impressive array of Christian musicians — Michael W. Smith, the Newsboys, Casting Crowns, Crowder, Kari Jobe, Big Daddy Weave, Colton Dixon, Meredith Andrews, Moriah Peters and Joyce Im-Bartholomew — will convene at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta for a full day of music, autograph sessions and interviews. Founded in 1991, the Celebrate Freedom event is billed as the largest free, outdoor, one-day Christian concert in America. The family-friendly gathering will include a children’s village, a man cave (football!), a roller coaster and an air dog show.
Noon Sept. 5. Free. Check the website for a list of locations to pick up tickets. Parking is $5 with a ticket or $15 without. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road S.W., Marietta. celebratefreedom.com.
“Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical”
Disco fans remember Sylvester as the Queen of Disco behind the ’70s hits “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and “Dance (Disco Heat).” This musical, which played off-Broadway for a month last year and sold out performances in Washington, Philadelphia and San Francisco, stars Anthony Wayne (from Broadway’s “Pippin,” “Anything Goes” and “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”) in the title role. It tells the story of Sylvester’s struggles as a gay black man who grew up in the Pentecostal church in Los Angeles and subsequently became a disco star and activist.
7 p.m. Sept. 5. $65-$75. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
SUNDAY
Morris Day and the Time
Wouldn’t it be awesome if Day and the Time took the stage, blasted into Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk” and segued into “Jungle Love,” so the audience could hear how they’re essentially the same song? Ah, well, even without a pointed schooling of Ronson, the Minneapolis funksters have plenty in their repertoire to keep fans grooving. “Get it Up,” “The Bird” and “Chocolate” are all likely set list contenders.
With Confunkshun, Zapp and Lakeside. 7 p.m. Sept. 6. $35-$95 (18 and older only). Wolf Creek Amphitheatre, 3024 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, ticketalternative.com.
MONDAY
ZZ Ward
The gutsy-voiced blues-rock singer recently appeared in Atlanta at the Shaky Knees Music Festival, and last year impressed Eric Clapton enough that she earned an opening slot for many of his shows (including at Chastain). Songs such as "Put the Gun Down" and "365 Days" garnered some radio play and placement in TV shows. Ward just released the EP "Love and War," which she co-produced, and is touting the new single "Love 3x."
With Marc Scibilia and the Young Wild. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. $22 (advance), $25 (day of the show). Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
THURSDAY
Kelly Clarkson
Taylor Swift fans clamor to read which random celebrity joined the singer onstage at any given tour stop, while Clarkson’s followers rush to Google which song their idol performed the night prior. Even with her mighty catalog of Top 40 smashes — “Miss Independent,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Breakaway,” “Because of You,” “Heartbeat Song” — Clarkson still sneaks in a surprising cover or two at each show. Recent selections have come from the songbooks of Dolly Parton, Madonna, Demi Lovato, the Outfield and the Beatles. Maybe for Atlanta she’ll turn to Gladys Knight?
With Pentatonix, Eric Hutchinson and Abi Ann. 7 p.m. Sept. 10. $25-$119.50. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Way, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, livenation.com.
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