Superstition says if the 13th day of a month lands on a Friday, it becomes shrouded in bad luck. Still, that’s no reason to hide underneath the covers. We suggest putting yourself in positive surroundings on the unluckiest day of the year.
DULUTH
Professional Bull Riders at Gwinnett Arena
Bull riders make a living hanging on for dear life. To simply survive, it arguably takes more than skill. A solid dose of good luck can’t hurt. The competitive cowboys on the bill will likely bring a positive aura into the arena on Friday the 13th. After whooping it up at the PBR event, the official afterparty takes place at mega country nightclub Wild Bill’s (2075 Market St., Duluth). Country acts the Dallas Martin Band and Alex Hall Band share the stage. Admission is $10 or free with a Professional Bull Riders ticket stub. More PBR action returns to Gwinnett Arena on Saturday.
8 p.m. May 13; 7 p.m. May 14. $17-$102. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
DOWNTOWN
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field
The last time the Braves faced the Phillies, Atlanta won. Hopefully, some of the positive energy from that previous matchup will bring good luck on Friday the 13th. The Braves organization loads the evening’s bases with a little something extra. It’s Girls Night Out, which offers women a special package deal. Ladies who fork over $32 score an outfield seat, a women’s Braves hat and pink feather boa, and access to a pre-game party. The Braves donate $5 from every Girls Night Out ticket to the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. It’s also Home Depot Card Gate Giveaway night. The first 15,000 fans take home a Home Depot gift card. And after the game the Friday Night Fireworks presentation lights up the sky.
7:35 p.m. May 13. $8-$90. Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.braves.com.
DOWNTOWN
Bon Jovi at Philips Arena
OK, so we’re fudging a bit on this one, but sometimes you have to make your own luck. Get your ticket today to see Bon Jovi on Saturday. This rock band has had the good fortune of selling more than 130 million records worldwide. Perhaps the positivity of Bon Jovi’s success is enough to make your Friday lucky, too. Bon Jovi hit the scene in the midst of the big-hair ’80s, yet the group has managed to transcend that era’s trappings and embrace both contemporary sound and style. Its 2007 disc, “Lost Highway,” even galloped into country territory. The proof is in Bon Jovi’s pudding with a laundry list of popular tracks including “Runaway,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “It’s My Life” and “Everyday.” Expect these and more to be ringing from the Philips Arena rafters.
7:30 p.m. May 14. $25-$151.40. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
DECATUR
Fifth annual American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Eddie’s Attic
It’s a live music event that raises funds for this nonprofit, which works to prevent suicide through research and education. Positive choices overshadow the negative through the power of music. Acts include folk-rock outfit Jesse Tyler & The Neighbors. Christopher Alan Yates blends folk, pop and blues sensibilities together in one package. Yates will be performing songs from his latest album, “Familiar Fire.” Paul Warner, who’s shared the stage with the likes of The Blind Boys of Alabama and Collective Soul, brings his brand of bluesy folk rock. And guitarist Angela “Bucky” Motter rounds out the bill.
8:30 p.m. May 13. $15; $30 admission and meal combo; $100 table for four. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com.
DUNWOODY
Dinner from Lucky China and a movie
If you suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th, getting out of the house may be a tall order. Try ordering a Chinese dinner delivered to your door from Lucky China. A heaping helping of Happy Family might curb your fears. Laugh your fright away with a screening of a campy “Friday the 13th” movie. Netflix currently has a pair of films from the series available for streaming. “Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday” finds the hockey mask-wearing killer, Jason Vorhees, reborn with the ability to take over the identity of anyone he touches. The next film in the series, “Jason X,” is a sci-fi-meets-slasher fest set in the year 2455. Jason’s corpse is found frozen. After the body is taken to a space lab, Jason thaws and starts hacking away. The documentary “His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th” traces the history of the horror franchise with clips and interviews with filmmakers and cast members.
Lucky China, 4524 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-458-5199, http://luckychinaatlanta.com.
MARIETTA
A.J. & Drew at Johnnie MacCracken’s Celtic Firehouse Pub
Counter the negative vibes of Friday the 13th with the luck of the Irish. This seasoned hooch parlor calls the Marietta Square home. Nestled in one of the oldest former firehouses in the state, Johnnie MacCracken’s rings in the weekend with live music. A.J. & Drew, a duo consisting of guitar, bass and vocals, dishes out a wide range of pop and rock covers from Britney to the Beatles. The bar has an exhaustive list of beers, Irish single-malt scotches and Irish whiskeys. Coat your stomach with traditional Irish grub such as corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie.
10 p.m. May 13. Free. Johnnie MacCracken’s Celtic Firehouse Pub, 15 Atlanta St. S.E., Marietta. 678-290-6641, www.johnnie maccrackens.com.
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