3 new exhibits, music, performance at KSU’s Zuckerman Museum opening

Kennesaw State University’s recently opened Zuckerman Museum of Art celebrates three new exhibits with a public opening reception on July 26.

As with its debut back in March, the new facility brims with specially commissioned art. In fact, “Hearsay,” a show that, according to the museum, encourages “alternative realities” and “liberatory visualizations of what could have been or might be,” not only fills the East and Mortin galleries but erupts outside.

On a museum exterior wall, guests can check out George Long’s “Flipping Translations,” a 90-foot-long-by-30-foot-high mural that includes the Atlanta artist’s trademark young subjects at play, their outlines blurred by Long’s repeated copying of his original image.

“Hearsay” is an extra-large group show that includes projects by, among others, the John Q collective, a take on the Cherokee syllabary curated by Adam Doskey and works by longtime Atlanta artists Carolyn Carr and Robert Sherer, a KSU associate art professor.

Also on view:

• "Some of Its Parts," an installation by Rowland Ricketts, an Indiana University assistant art professor, employing indigo-dyed cloth. It's accompanied by a soundscape created by Norbert Herber.

• "Virginia Dudley and American Modernism," 18 works by the late Georgia artist — in photography, painting, printmaking, welded sculpture and jewelry and enameling.

The free 5-8 p.m. public reception includes music from the Apostles of Bluegrass and a performance of “General Norman” by author Corinne Weintraub, originally developed for the 2013 KSU Coming Out Monologues.

Dudley's exhibit continues through Aug. 2, "Hearsay" and "Some" through Oct. 25. Free. Corner of Prillaman and Owl drives on the Kennesaw State University campus, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-499-3223, zuckerman.kennesaw.edu.

THEATER

Weird Sisters take ride on the wild side

While some Atlanta theater troupes take a summerlong sabbatical, that’s when the Weird Sisters Theatre Project gets to work.

Founded in 2012 by a coalition of artists associated with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Weird Sisters, which staged “Criminal Hearts” in June at Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre, opens Sarah Ruhl’s “Late: A Cowboy Song” at Actor’s Express on July 21 for a run through Aug. 5.

It will play in repertory with Actor’s Express’ production of “The Rocky Horror Show” (through Aug. 9).

“Late” is an early work by the PEN/Laura Pels Award-winning playwright about Mary (Kelly Criss), who seems happy enough in her marriage to high school sweetheart Crick (Jacob York) until she reunites with Red (Christen Orr), an alluring cowboy who also happens to be a woman.

Criss, who is also serving as a co-producer, said “Late,” like “Criminal Hearts,” challenges “our traditional ideas of what female friendships can be — and how sometimes the more complicated a relationship becomes, the more value and worth it can hold for us.”

Tickets $20, at http://weirdsisters.brownpapertickets.com. 887 W. Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. www.actors-express.com.

Return of playwright McCraney

Last year, AJC contributing critic Wendell Brock called playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Choir Boy” at the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage “the single most moving theatrical experience of the year.”

Now, the 2008 winner of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition returns with an independent production, “The Brothers Size,” to be given its Atlanta premiere July 25-26 at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s.

Set in the bayous of Louisiana, it tells the story of the Size brothers, Ogun, an auto mechanic, and just-paroled Oshoosi, both seeking a fresh start. The alternately funny and heartbreaking play blends Yoruba, hip-hop and poetry rhythms in dramatizing the brothers’ struggles toward new identities and a sense of freedom.

For ages 18 and older. 8 p.m. July 25, 3 and 8 p.m. July 26. $25. 84 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta. 678-528-1500, www.atlbrothers.com.

EVENT

A rendezvous with rails in Kennesaw

You would expect any institution located mere feet from tracks that played a role in the Civil War, particularly one that’s also home to the Confederate locomotive the General, to be loco about all things railroad.

And sure enough, the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History always has its sights trained on trains, which will be celebrated during the museum’s second Railroad Rendezvous, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. July 26.

The family-friendly event will feature a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including G-scale and O-gauge model train layouts, old-fashioned games such as sack races and live railroad music. There also will be a “hobo jungle” where re-enactors will spin tales about life on the rails, teach guests the hobo language and help them make their own bindle sacks (a carryall made from a bandanna on a stick).