If you’re nauseous from the roller coaster of the stock market the past few weeks and cringing every time you fill up the tank – though that pain is mitigated at least this week – there are still plenty of area entertainment options that won’t cause you any financial migraines.
Here’s a look at 10 events that cost $10 or less.
Music Appreciation Night at Turner Field: It will be about more than Brian Wilson’s beard at the Aug. 17 contest between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform the national anthem at 7 p.m. But starting at 5 p.m., baseball fans can check out the Instrument Petting Zoo in Monument Grove to hear and touch various instruments and from 5:30-6:30, participate in a Q&A session about music education and the similarities between music and sports. Tickets start at $10 (use code BRASO). www.atlantasymphony.org/braves.
Zoo Atlanta: If you want a free look at the sprouting Po or hope to catch a glimpse of the new baby giraffe or tiger cubs, it’s a good weekend to be a resident or government employee of Fulton County or the City of Atlanta. The zoo’s annual “family days” are Aug. 20-21. Guests must provide a form of identification such as a Georgia driver’s license, voter registration, utility bill or employee I.D. The offer is valid for two adults and up to four children per family. The animals will be awaiting your arrival beginning at 9:30 a.m. both days. www.zooatlanta.org.
Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival: The inaugural event, presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, will spotlight 100-150 painters, photographers, sculptors, glass blowers, leather and metalworkers, jewelers and crafters along with live acoustic music and a children’s play area. It’s all keeping with the mission of the event – to give back to the community through art and create a festival for artists by artists. The festival runs from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 20 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 21. Free. www.piedmontparkartsfestival.com.
Heritage Sandy Springs Museum: Earlier this month, the exhibit “Heroes of Sandy Springs” opened to showcase the history of policing and firefighting in the city. Through archives, artifacts and film clips, the exhibit details how police and fire rescue teams sprouted from all-volunteer efforts and expanded in ethnic diversity. On display through Feb. 15. The museum is open Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and by appointment. Admissions is $3 (adults), $1 (senior citizens 65 and older and children 6-12) and free for members and children 5 and under. www.heritagesandysprings.org.
Thrasher Park Concert Series: The City of Norcross presents this series that runs every other Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The outdoor concerts are free, but tables and chairs are available for rental. Attendees are also encouraged to bring donations of canned or non-perishable items for the “CAN” Do Food Drive to benefit Norcross Co-op Ministries. Performing Aug. 19 is Almost Elton John and The Rocket Band (which should be self-explanatory) and on Sept. 2, Jimmy Buffett tribute band A1A. 7:30-9:30 p.m. www.norcrossga.net.
LOL Wednesdays: Hosted by Phat Comedy, the weekly free event showcases national touring comedians as well as in-house comics including Zooman, Rodney Perry, Food Stamp and Tyler Craig at 255 Tapas Lounge in Atlanta. Shows start at 9 p.m. and, for those who can stumble into work a little late Thursday, the club closes at 1:30 a.m. To reserve free tickets: www.phatcomedy.com/events.html.
Atlanta Botanical Garden: The most pleasant way to experience any of Atlanta’s outdoor attractions in the sweltering humidity of summer is in the morning. The Botanical Garden is encouraging early birds with its “Beat the Heat” coupon available on its website. Bring it in or show it on your mobile device between 9 a.m. and noon through Aug. 31 and your entry is $10 (instead of $18.95). www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/plan-your-visit/beat-heat.
Museum of Design Atlanta: On Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., MODA holds its Drink in Design event. On Aug. 18, the local storytelling group Carapace will discuss water, dreams and lavatories, as a tie-in with MODA’s current exhibit, “Water Dream: The Art of Bathroom Design.” Coming Aug. 25, Anthony Dwyer discusses bathroom pods. All tickets include a drink. $10 (adults), $8 (seniors and military) and $5 (students and children over 5). Members are free, as are their drinks. www.museumofdesign.org.
The High Museum of Art: The art-curious visiting the first four Thursdays of September will receive complimentary admission as part of the Woodruff Arts Center’s Target Free Thursday program. Tickets are available through day-of, walk-ups only (no online reservations). The High is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. with final admission tickets available at 7 p.m. www.woodruffcenter.org/target.aspx.
Emory Cinematheque Series: The weekly 35 mm screenings this fall, a collaboration between Emory College and the Department of Film and Media Studies, is themed around “Dark Streets and Dangerous Dames.” Launching the series Aug. 31 is Robert Mitchum’s 1947 classic, “Out of the Past.” Other upcoming selections include “Double Indemnity” (Sept. 7), “The Killers” (Sept. 14) and “Pulp Fiction” (Oct. 5). 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Free. White Hall 205 at Emory. www.filmstudies.emory.edu.
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