Depending on the amount of Thanksgiving Day consumption, turkey-induced lethargy sometimes can gobble up the day after, too. Those wishing to break the clutches of the couch are in luck. There’s more to Nov. 23 than the Black Friday shopping frenzy. Live music, an ice hockey rumble and a Christmas classic are just a few of the reasons to shake off that cranberry sauce hangover.
MIDTOWN
Martina McBride at the Fox Theatre
Country superstar Martina McBride is a Santa-loving songstress who makes no secret about her passion for the holiday season. She even joined a posthumous Elvis Presley on his 2008 album of Christmas duets. This year she kicks off the latest installment of her Joy of Christmas tour in Atlanta. Our town is one of the lucky few, because McBride is only performing 16 holiday shows this time around. Expect her to pluck sugarplums from her disc “White Christmas,” an album originally released in 1998 and repackaged with bonus tracks in ’07.
8 p.m. Nov. 23. $50.70-$72.10. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 855-285-8499, www.foxatltix.com.
DULUTH
Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Orlando Solar Bears at Gwinnett Arena
Some hockey fans will be burning off the calories just after dinner on Thanksgiving Day as they cheer on the minor league affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes at 7:05 p.m. Others will wait until the day after, which features another ice match against the Solar Bears. It’s also Friendly Friday. That means fans can either go online (www.gwinnettgladiators.com) or to the arena box office and purchase a special ticket package featuring a corner level ticket in Section 115. The adult ticket costs $20 and includes a jumbo hot dog or one slice of pizza and a regular soda. The child ticket runs $15 and comes with a kids meal featuring chicken bites or a hotdog and one kid soda. If you have a bulging brood in town for the holiday, the Gladiators are offering special deals on suites. Fans can go to the team website or call 770-497-5100 and purchase a 16-person suite ($400), an 18-person suite ($480) or a massive 32-person suite ($750). Discount suites are also available Dec. 27 and 28.
6:05 p.m. Nov. 23. $10-$31. Ticketmaster fees not included. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
BUCKHEAD
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Buckhead Theatre
Isbell, a former member of the critically acclaimed Drive-By Truckers, has been going it alone for some time now with his own fleet of musicians. The singer-songwriter wears his Americana, country and Southern rock influences on his rolled up sleeves. Isbell and the band, named after the psychiatric ward of an Alabama hospital, are currently touring in support of their recently released concert disc “Live From Alabama.” Supporting acts include the Whigs, the District Attorneys and Lera Lynn.
8:30 p.m. Nov. 23. $20. Ticketmaster fees not included. Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road N.E., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
ALPHARETTA
“A Christmas Carol” at ACT1 Theater
Choosing which version of the Dickens staple “A Christmas Carol” to see onstage is akin to buying a sweater. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. ACT1’s version is suitable for the entire family, whether your name is Cratchit or not. You can use the Black Friday performance as a segue into the season even before you’ve hung your first ornament. ACT1/Alpharetta Christian Theater is an outreach program of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. The goal is to provide fellowship and entertainment to the Alpharetta community in the form of productions you might find at a typical community theater.
7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Nov. 23-Dec. 15; 2 p.m. Sundays. Dec. 2, 9 and 16. $15; $12 ages 12 and younger, and seniors age 60 and older. ACT1 Theater, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta. 770-663-8989, www.act1theater.com.
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