NORTH DRUID HILLS
Stories take center stage
This two-day event celebrates the art of yarn spinning, tale telling ... basically whatever you want to call the oral craft of storytelling. Some of the city’s acclaimed storytellers join for live entertainment, storytelling workshops and chapters more of related activities. Storytellers Ernestine Brown, Jane Hinds and Betty Ann Wylie will perform on the first day. Starting the next morning, a slew of other storytellers take turns. A youth storytelling workshop will take place from 1 to 3:15 p.m. At 3:30, the youth participants will perform. Headliner Dolores Hydock will take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday performing “Silence: The Adventure of a Medieval Warrior Woman.” It’s the story of a 13th century girl raised as a boy to protect her inheritance. Early music ensemble PanHarmonium will provide the soundtrack.
8 p.m. Jan. 29; 10 a.m. Jan. 30. $5-$45. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way N.E., Atlanta. 404-636-4090, southernorderofstorytellers.org .
AVONDALE ESTATES
Oh, the wacky lives of chairs
A variety show with a theme, well that’s nothing new. But one using chairs as its muse? Dancing Monkey Cabaret claims it’s so darn witty it can turn mundane subjects into exciting entertainment. Songs, comedic skits, dances and acts all come together centered around the chair. Co-executive producers and theater vets Geoffrey Brown and Aaron Gotlieb are the chairmen of “The Chair Show.” The Monkeys describe their performances as “Vaudeville reborn,” a mix of classic American Vaudeville and burlesque with a jolt of Euro music hall and cabaret style. Three shows take place over the weekend, including a special late-night gig Friday. Having a seat just took on a whole new meaning.
10 p.m. Jan. 29; 8 p.m. Jan. 30; 6 p.m. Jan. 31. $11-$20. The Academy Theatre, 119 Center St., Avondale Estates. 404-474-8332, www.dancingmonkeycabaret.com .
STONE MOUNTAIN
Ken Ford and Silk play the Atrium
Smooth R&B and even smoother jazz hit the menu board at the Atrium. Silk, the Atlanta-based R&B vocal group originally discovered by Keith Sweat, is set to dish out cuts from its catalog using this former movie theater turned plush event space as the backdrop. Expect to hear “Freak Me,” the group’s chart topper from 1993. Then Ken Ford takes the spotlight by plugging in his violin for electric jazz. Carol Blackmon of Magic 107.5 hosts the evening, which begins with $3 Jazztinis and a jazz quartet, and wraps with an afterparty featuring a DJ spinning dance cuts.
7 p.m. Jan. 29. $35-$80. The Atrium, 5479 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-896-4830, www.theatriumlive.com , www.ticketmaster.com .
Jon Waterhouse, for the AJC
