H.M. Cauley and Curt Holman
Art: Rae Prall
Local artist Rae Prall, a member of the Johns Creek Arts Center guild, uses acrylics, watercolors and oils to bring color and vitality to her works. View examples of her style in this exhibit at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
“Kaleidoscope: Works of Rae Prall.” Through June 15. Emory Johns Creek Hospital. 6325 Hospital Pkwy., Johns Creek. 770-623-8448. johnscreekarts.org
Music: “The American Dream”
Maestro J. Wayne Baughman conducts the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra as it takes a musical tour of the country by playing patriotic, inspirational and fun fare of American favorites. Expect Broadway ballads, jazz standards and more.
“The American Dream.” May 12. Johns Creek United Methodist Church. 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 678-748-5802. johnscreeksymphony.org
Exhibit: “Here Comes the Bride”
Just in time for royal wedding fever: See the fashionable styles preferred by American brides from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. This display at Bulloch Hall — in conjunction with the Roswell Historical Society — features a number of historic gowns, including a replica of one worn by Mittie Bulloch, mother of President Theodore Roosevelt.
“Here Comes the Bride.” May 13-Aug. 31. Bulloch Hall. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. 770-992-1731. bullochhall.org
Theater: “Living on Love”
Mix an ego-centric musician, his diva wife and their young love interests, and the result is this madcap romance sure to evoke lots of laughs — as well as a few surprises. Playwright Joe DiPietro’s comedy comes with a proven track record. His “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” was a hilarious hit.
“Living on Love.” May 18-June 10. Stage Door Players. 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-396-1726. stagedoorplayers.net
Fundraiser: “Rockin’ at the River”
Noted local garden guru Walter Reeves chairs this year’s gala of music, food, cocktails, dancing and auction action. The event supports the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s mission to promote nature and protect the river.
“Rockin’ at the River.” May 19. Chattahoochee Nature Center. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. chattnaturecenter.org
Enlightening: Public Speaking for Teens
Fear of public speaking is one of the most common causes of anxiety. But teens can get a grip on the process during these workshops that provide tactics as well as practice time. Recommended for ages 12 to 18.
“Speech Factory Public Speaking.” May 20 and 27. Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch library. 9560 Spruill Road, Alpharetta. 770-360-8820. Afpls.org/northeast-spruill-oaks-branch
Theater: “Hamilton”
Writer/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda took a biography of America’s first treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton, and created a hit hip-hop musical set in the 18th century that feels firmly in the 21st. The touring production includes several Atlanta natives, including Chris De’Sean Lee in the dual role of Lafayette and Jefferson.
“Hamilton.” May 22-June 10. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-881-2100. foxtheatre.org
Celebration: Start of summer pool party
Dig those noodles and floats out of the garage and head to the Roswell Area Park pool, where summer officially kicks off with a splash at 11 a.m. Kids 2 and younger are free; residents admitted for $3.
Pool party. May 25. Roswell Area Park pool. 10495 Woodstoock Road, Roswell. 770-817-6679. roswell.gov
Convention: Pop pageantry
While Labor Day weekend’s Dragon Con gets more attendance, Momocon offers comparably enthusiastic fan creativity but feels less crowded and more kid-friendly. If you enjoy animation, gaming, comics and similar media — or you just want to see some cool cosplay — check out the Georgia World Congress Center over Memorial Day weekend.
Momocon. May 24-27. Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young Blvd. Momocon.com
Festival: Decatur Arts Festival
Artistic even on ordinary days, downtown Decatur flourishes with creativity during Memorial Day Weekend with the Decatur Arts Festival. Following the Friday night Artwalk, the event includes music, dance, stand-up comedy and theatrical performances, as well as its signature artists market.
Decatur Arts Festival. May 25-27. Downtown Decatur Square. decaturartsfestival.com
Music: Atlanta Jazz Festival
For the first time in its history, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, held May 26-27, devotes an entire day to female musicians. All three of its stages on Saturday will host the likes of Camille Thurman, Jazzmeia Horn and Tia Fuller.
Atlanta Jazz Festival. May 26-27. Piedmont Park. atlantafestivals.com
Festival: Alpharetta Streetfest
Head to Milton Avenue between Main and Roswell-Canton streets for this giant block party drawing more than 95 artists from around the country. Their outdoor galleries will be packed with photography, paintings, pottery, textiles, wood, metal and paper art, to name but a few. Kids can explore their creative sides with free, hands-on activities.
Alpharetta Streetfest. May 26-29. Milton Avenue, Alpharetta. 678-297-2811. awesomealpharetta.com/alpharetta-streets-festival
Race: Memorial Day 5K-10K
Show your support for the troops by starting Memorial Day with a 5K or 10K run through Marietta. Runners grouped by age take off as early as 7:30 a.m. from the LA Fitness on Sandy Plains Road, and awards will go to the top three finishers in each. In addition, active or retired military can race for free.
Memorial Day 5K-10K. May 28. LA Fitness, 2550 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. 678-202-5178. fivestarntp.com/memorial-day
Festival: Roswell Lavender Festival
The lovely scent of lavender fills the grounds of Barrington Hall for a free celebration of the purple flower. Find out about its extensive varieties, how it’s grown, its many medicinal and soothing properties and what it tastes like. Enjoy food, live music, yoga and crafts as well, all on the grounds of one of Roswell’s historic estates.
Roswell Lavender Festival. June 9. Barrington Hall. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-640-3855. roswell.gov
Concert: “I Love the ’90s”
Flashback more than 20 years ago to the days when stars such as Coolio, Color Me Badd and Tone Loc were taking the music world by storm. Relive their top tunes in genres of rap, hop hop, R&B and more in this evening headlined by the duo of Salt-N-Pepa.
“I Love the ’90s.” June 9. Verizon Amphitheatre. 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5013. vzwamp.com
Enlightening: “A Conversation with President Clinton”
The 42nd president takes the stage of the Cobb Energy Centre for an evening of informal and candid conversation about his latest book, a fictional collaboration with best-selling thriller writer James Patterson. “The President is Missing” offers a mix of action and suspense interwoven with details only a president would know.
“A Conversation with President Clinton.” June 13. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com
Festival: Atlanta Food and Wine Festival
On the menu at the eighth annual Atlanta Food and Wine Festival is a lineup of food from Atlanta and the Southeast, including tasting tents, classes, dinners and other events.
The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival. May 31-June 3. In and around Loews Atlanta in Midtown. atlfoodandwinefestival.com
Performance: Atlanta Fringe Festival
Look out for the likes of dancers, clowns, storytellers and more at the sixth annual Atlanta Fringe Festival, held in venues around the city. Local acts include Thimblerig Circus, Puppets Playing Pretend and festival founder Twinhead Theatre.
Atlanta Fringe Festival. June 6-10. Various locations. 678-281-1816. atlantafringe.org
Comedy: Roy Wood Jr.
Following his popular Atlanta-filmed special “Father Figure,” “The Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. brings his irascibly funny but surprisingly warm take on contemporary America to the Punchline.
Roy Wood Jr. June 8-9. The Punchline, 3652 Roswell Road. 404-252-5233. punchline.com
Opera: Sweeney Todd
Baritone Michael Mayes sings the title role in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” by Stephen Sondheim. Maria Zifchak makes her Atlanta Opera debut as Mrs. Lovett, baker of “the worst pies in London.”
“Sweeney Todd.” June 9-17. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com
Festival: Virginia-Highland Summerfest
In its 35th anniversary year, Virginia-Highland Summerfest showcases the Midtown neighborhood with a 5K race, a tot trot, an artists market and plenty of festival food.
Virginia-Highland Summerfest. June 9-10. North Highland and Virginia avenues. vahi.org/summerfest.
Festival: Juneteeth Festival
Harking back to June 19, 1865, as the official end to both the Civil War and American slavery, the three-day Juneteeth festival at Morris Brown College includes a black history parade, speakers, step teams, dancers, drummers, music and more.
Juneteenth Atlanta. June 15-17. Morris Brown College, 643 Martin Luther King Junior Drive. 404-753-4555. juneteenthatl.com
