What to do in Atlanta | Aug. 27-Sept. 3

The must-do events around town
Dressed as Iron Man, Kevin Mathis marches in the annual Dragon Con parade in 2013.

Credit: JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Credit: JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Dressed as Iron Man, Kevin Mathis marches in the annual Dragon Con parade in 2013.

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, ETC.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival. Opens 8 p.m. Aug. 29 with the keynote speech by novelist Joyce Carol Oates and ends 6 p.m. Aug. 31. It takes place at more than 20 locations throughout downtown Decatur, both indoors and outdoors. Free. For information: 404-471-5769, decaturbookfestival.com. For more from the AJC about the festival, go here.

Dragon Con. The annual parade takes place at 10 a.m. Aug. 30. (For more about the parade and which stars will be at Dragon Con this year, see the AJC story.) During the convention, "memberships" can be purchased in the Georgia Ballroom at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (165 Courtland St.) in four-day ($130, Friday-Monday), three-day ($100, Saturday-Monday), two-day ($60, Sunday-Monday) and single-day increments.

Four-day passes are available for purchase on Aug. 28 and 29 only (starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 28); three-day passes on Aug. 30 only; and two-day passes on Aug. 31 only.

Single-day Friday ($40), single-day Saturday ($50) and single-day Sunday ($40) can be purchased in the Capital and Georgia ballrooms at the Sheraton beginning at 8 a.m. on the respective day only.  www.dragoncon.org.

Art in the Park. Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Free. Glover Park, Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta. 404-966-8497, www.mariettaga.gov.

Atlanta Black Gay Pride 2014. Events take place at venues in downtown and Midtown Atlanta, including a Sunday night performance by Faith Evans in Piedmont Park. Aug. 27-Sept. 1. www.atlantaprideweekend.com.

African Cultural Carnival USA. Aug. 30. Free. Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park. 404-455-8979, www.africancarnivalusa.com.

Movies in the Park - Canton: "Rio 2." 8:45 p.m. Aug. 30. Free. Brown Park, 151 Elizabeth St., Canton. gamoviesinthepark.com.

Seafood & Music Festival. Noon Aug. 30. $5; 12 and younger free. Riverdale Town Center, 7200 Church St., Riverdale. 770-909-5300, www.riverdaleculture.com.

Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival. Noon Aug. 31. $15-$25. Panthersville Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur. 678-760-6543 or 404-388-9253, atlantajerkfestival.com.

WRFG Labor Day Blues Barbecue Honoring Tinsley Ellis. 1 p.m. Sept. 1. $20; $15 in advance; 12 and younger free. Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, 500 10th St., Atlanta. 404-523-3471, www.wrfg.org.

Yellow Daisy Festival. Sept. 4-7. Free with $10 vehicle entry. Stone Mountain Park, U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. www.stonemountainpark.com.

Oprah: The Life You Want Weekend. Sept. 5-6. $99-$599. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. www.philipsarena.com.

Paulding Meadows Arts and Crafts Festival. Sept. 6-7. Earl Duncan Park at Paulding Meadows, 724 Paulding Meadows Drive, Dallas. www.facebook.com/PauldingMeadowsArtsCraftsFestival.

Drive-Invasion 2014. Gates open at 10 a.m. Sept. 6. $25; 10 and younger free. Turner Field Green Lot, 755 Hank Aaron Drive S.E., Atlanta. www.drive-invasion.com.

Marietta Mutt Strutt. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 6. Free. Marietta First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave. N.W., Marietta. www.mariettamuttstrutt.com.

Cherokee Summer Fest. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 6. Woodstock City Park, Arnold Mill Road and Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. www.cherokeefest.com.

Great Atlanta Beer Fest at Turner Field. 3-8 p.m. Sept. 6. $35-$50. Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive S.E., Atlanta. greatatlantabeerfest.com.

"Civil War in Sandy Springs." Through April 1. Free. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle N.E., Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111, www.
heritagesandysprings.org
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"Imaginary Worlds: A New Kingdom of Plant Giants." Through Oct. 31. $18.95; $12.95 ages 3-12; younger than 3 free. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

PERFORMING ARTS

"Right On." Through Aug. 31. $20-$30. Horizon Theatre Company, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-584-7450, www.horizontheatre.com.

"The Savannah Disputation." Through Sept. 7. $20-$35. Theatrical Outfit at the Balzer Theatre at Herren's, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 877-725-8849, www.theatricaloutfit.org

"Doubt, A Parable." Through Sept. 6. $17-$25. Out of Box Theatre, 585 Cobb Parkway S., Marietta. 678-653-4605, www.outofboxtheatre.com.

"August: Osage County." Through Aug. 31. $12-$15. Marietta Players, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 678-224-8095, www.mariettaplayers.com.

"Shake a Tale Feather With Mother Goose." Through Sept. 21. $16.50. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-873-3391, www.puppet.org.

2014 National Puppet Slam. For ages 18 and up. Aug. 29-30. $18. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-873-3391, www.puppet.org.

Ryan Singer. Aug. 29-31. $15-$25. Laughing Skull Lounge, 878 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 877-523-3288, laughingskulllounge.com.

"Out of the Box: The Musical." 8 p.m. Aug. 29-30. $15. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-542-7968, outoftheboxmusical.com.

Norm MacDonald. Sept. 4-6. $25-$30. Atlanta Improv Comedy Club, 56 E. Andrews Drive N.W., Atlanta. 678-244-3612, www.theimprovatlanta.com.

Clubesque: A Modern Cabaret. 8 p.m. Sept. 5. $25-$30. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-944-6700, www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Capitol City Opera Company: "Hansel and Gretel." A performance for families. 2 p.m. Sept. 6. $10 for children 13 and younger; accompanying adults are free. Oglethorpe University's Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 678-301-8013, www.ccityopera.org.

National Black Arts Festival's Legends Celebration. 8 p.m. Sept. 6. $28-$100. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. nbaf.org.

"Plaza Suite." Neil Simon's play is presented by the Academy Theatre. 8 p.m. Sept. 5-7. $20; $15 in advance online. Stockbridge Community Arts Center, 146 Burke St., Stockbridge. www.academytheatre.org.

"Oklahoma." Presented by the Front Porch Players. Sept. 5-14. $8-$15. The First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro, 1842 Lake Jodeco Road, Jonesboro. 770-897-1404, www.thefrontporchplayers.com.

MUSIC

Rhythm & Brews Concert Series: Packway Handle Band. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 29. $5; $2 ages 13-20; 12 and younger free. Sandy Springs Heritage Green, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111, www.heritagesandysprings.org.

"Pancham - the Immortal Note." A musical journey that celebrates the life of R.D. Burman with singers and audio visual tributes by legends of the Indian cinema. 7 p.m. Aug. 29. $25-$45. Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 404-704-5682, www.gwinnettcenter.com.

Norcross Summer Concert Series: A1A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29. Free. Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive, Norcross. 678-421-2049, www.aplacetoimagine.com.

Lyle Lovett. Aug. 29. Sold out. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E. Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, www.ticketalternative.com.

The Features. 9 p.m. Aug. 29. $12-$14. Vinyl, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Last Waltz Ensemble. Aug. 29. $10 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Kudzu Kings with the Sundogs. 9 p.m. Aug. 29. $12-$15. The Loft, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Indecision. Aug. 30. $15 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

The Western Sizzlers and the El Caminos. Aug. 30. $10 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Morris Day, SOS Band, Midnight Star, Brick. 7 p.m. Aug. 30. $25-$85. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road, College Park. 877-725-8849, wolfcreekamphitheater.com.

The Polyphonic Spree. 9 p.m. Aug. 30. $20; $18 in advance. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-885-1365, www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Heffron Drive. 8 p.m. Aug. 30. $25-$30. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.variety-playhouse.com.

Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys. 4 p.m. Aug. 31.  $10. Serenbe Stables, 9237 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills. www.brownpapertickets.com.

Drake vs. Lil Wayne. 7 p.m. Aug. 31. $29.50-$133.50. Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, 2002 Lakewood Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-443-5090, www.livenation.com.

Jennifer Nettles. 8 p.m. Aug. 31. $35-$50. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive N.W. 404-233-2227, www.livenation.com.

Amanda Hale. Sept. 3. $10 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Kennesaw State University Faculty Recital: John Warren, Clarinet. 8 p.m. Sept. 3. Free. Bailey Performance Center, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-423-6650, arts.kennesaw.edu/music/events.php.

Home by Dark Concerts; James Casto, Tony Arata and Annie Mosher. 8 p.m. Sept. 5-6. $17; tables $50-$200. Chukkar Farm and Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. www.chukkarfarmpoloclub.com.

Dayroom, Kick the Robot. 8 p.m. Sept. 5. $20-$25. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Capitol City Opera Company: "The Merry Widow." Sept. 5-7. $30-$40. Oglethorpe University's Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 678-301-8013, www.ccityopera.org.

ZZ Top and Jeff Beck. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6. $29.50-$79.50. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. www.vzwamp.com.

R5. 7 p.m. Sept. 6. $22-$39.50. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Lyfe Jennings, Carl Thomas, Juvenile and more. 7 p.m. Sept. 6. $25-$85. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road, College Park. 877-725-8849, wolfcreekamphitheater.com.

Bret Michaels. 8 p.m. Sept. 6. $35-$55. The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. www.amphitheater.org.

August Alsina. 8 p.m. Sept. 6. Sold out. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. tabernacleatl.com.

Spencer Day. 8 p.m. Sept. 6. $30. The Loft, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

VISUAL ARTS

"AIGA 100: A Century of Design." Through Oct. 5. Museum of Design, 1315 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.museumofdesign.org.

"Animal Dreams: June Stratton and David Landis." Through Sept. 13. Free. Hagedorn Foundation Gallery, 425 Peachtree Hills Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-492-7718, www.hagedornfoundationgallery.org.

“Salvador Dalí: Trilogy of Love.” Through Aug. 31. $5. Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-364-8555, museum.oglethorpe.edu.

"Kimo Minton: Jazz Abstractions." Through Aug. 31. $5. Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-364-8555, museum.oglethorpe.edu.

"Mid Century Modern: Works on Paper." Aug. 31. $5. Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-364-8555, museum.oglethorpe.edu.

"Kongo Across the Waters." Through Sept. 21. $6-$8. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov.

"Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas." Through Sept. 14. $12-$19.50. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.high.org.

"Bodies … The Exhibition." Ongoing. $16-$24. Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station, 265 18th St., Atlanta. 866-866-8265, www.atlanticstation.com.