MARIETTA
A Double Feature: Celebrating the Birthdays of Earl Smith & the Strand at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre
This fundraiser honors the two-year anniversary of the reopening of this classic movie house and performance space. It also heralds the 80th birthday of the venue’s namesake, Earl Smith. The evening is packed with performances including a tap routine by Dance Stop Studio. The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School presents its troupe, Company, which will take the stage with a salute to Broadway. Ron Carter gives a short organ performance. Massive party band Livin’ Large, complete with horn section, will attempt to get the joint jumping. A Grammy-winning surprise guest is set to perform, too. Admission to the black tie event includes hors d’oeuvres, a champagne birthday toast, dessert and access to the silent auction. Additional libations can be purchased at the cash bar.
7 p.m. Jan. 8. $60. The Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080, www.earlsmithstrand.org.
BUFORD
Wonders of Winter Wildlife at Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
Animal lovers can learn what forest critters do when the icy chill of winter is upon them. This interactive event allows guests to make wildlife food for the area’s animals and create a children’s winter wildlife snow-track craft. Make sure and bundle up as guests are taken on a guided hike along the center’s trails. Visitors can also explore the rest of the museum, including Your House, My House, a brand new exhibit about different dwellings from around the world.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 8. $3.50-$10.50; free ages 2 and younger, and members. Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford. 770-904-3500, www.gwinnettehc.org.
FAYETTEVILLE
“The Metropolitan Opera: La Fanciulla del West” at Cinemark Tinseltown 17
Opera lovers experience a simulcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “La Fanciulla del West.” The three-act production was written by Giacomo Puccini and is based on the play “The Girl of the Golden West.” It originally premiered in 1910 in New York City. This version comes straight out of the Big Apple, too. And fans can watch it from the comfort of the movie theater’s stadium seats.
1 p.m. Jan. 8. $15-$22. Cinemark Tinseltown 17, 134 Pavilion Parkway, Fayetteville. 770-460-7226, www.cinemark.com.
Jon Waterhouse, for the AJC
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