There is so much happening in the metro Atlanta area each week that it can be overwhelming. To help, we've rounded up this list of events to guide you through the week. Go to one event or go to all of the events-- just go!
Monday, July 27 - Simple Abundance Cooking Class
7:00 p.m. at the Cook's Warehouse, Midtown. Join Escorpion's chef Luis and mixologist Bryan Sheetz for foods and drinks indigenous to Mexico, such as salsa, ceviche, tostadas, tequila and mezcal. All proceeds benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. $75. www.acfb.org/events/tour-mexico-simple-abundance-cooking-class
Tuesday, July 28 - The Reluctatant Dragon
10:00 a.m. and varying showtimes through August 9 at the Center for Puppetry Arts. The Tears of Joy Theatre of Portland, Oregon presents the story of a new dragon in a neighborhood, and the bookish boy and famous knight must who stage a battle to calm the villagers' fears about the town's newest resident. $9.25 for members; $16.50 for non-members. puppet.org/perform/reluctantdragon.shtml. For tickets, call 404-873-3391.
Wednesday, July 29 - Tomatofeast
5:30 p.m. at La Tavola Trattoria. Tomatoes take center stage for a week at this Virginia-Highland restaurant, which will feature a special menu in which every dish highlights the summer favorite. For reservations, call 404.873.5430 today or visit www.latavolatrattoria.com.
Wednesday, July 29 - Clueless
7:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre. Catch a special 20th anniversary screening of the 90s classic, "Clueless," presented by the Atlanta Film Festival in parntership with the Plaza Theatre Foundation. Pay what you can, though $10 donation is suggested. www.plazatheatrefoundation.org
Wednesday, July 29 - Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
8:00 p.m. at Chastain Park Ampitheatre. This unlikely pair is touring to promote its first album, "Cheek to Cheek," a collection of popular jazz standards like the title track, and you can catch them at one of Atlanta's most popular venues, Chastain Park. Tickets start at $65. www.chastainseries.com
Thursday, July 30 - Faith No More
6:00 p.m. at the Masquerade. The band stops in Atlanta to support its first proper album in nearly 20 years, Sol Invictus. Tickets are $48.50. www.masqueradeatlanta.com/events/faithnomore
Thursday, July 30 - Ghostbusters
7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. The 80s cult film takes to the big screen as part of the Fox's Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival. $15-$20 foxtheatre.org/shows-and-events
Thursday, July 30 - Varekai
7:30 p.m. at the Gwinnet Center for the Performing Arts. Cirque du Soleil's latest production includes a dormant volcano, a mystical forest, and the ancient prophecy of Icarus. Tickets range from $40-$95. www.gwinnettcenter.com/events/detail/cirque-du-soleil-varekai
Friday, July 31 - King of Pops July Lunchbox Pop Back
8:00 a.m. at the King of Pops headquarters (337 Elizabeth Street). Get a pack four exclusive KOP flavors-- Peanut Butter & Jelly, Cereal & Milk, Fruit Cup and Leggo My Eggo-- for $25, which a portion of the proceeds benefitting Quality Care for Children. www.PopHunger.org
Friday, July 31 - End of Summer Bash!
10:30 a.m. at The Children's Museum of Atlanta. Enjoy a fun-filled last day inside the museum before it closes for renovations. Children can enjoy sidewalk chalk drawing, writing "goodbye" on the shadow wall, participating in dance parties, crafts, winning special prizes, and much more. At the end of the day, families will enjoy a final farewell parade. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org Make sure to check out all the "Construction Bash" events happening this week.
Friday, July 31 - Date Night on the River
5:00 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Bring your own picnic dinner to this adult-only evening paddle, which includes a guided 2.5 hour sunset canoeing trip. Tickets: $30-$40. Phone: 770-992-2055, ext. 234.
Saturday August, 1 - BB&T Atlanta Open Tennis Tournament
8:00 a.m. at Atlantic Station. Don't miss the final weekend of this ATP World Tour 250 event and Atlanta's only professional tennis tournament features men's top world tennis players in singles and doubles competition. We've got your survival guide to the entire event here. Additional event details at www.bbtatlantaopen.com
Saturday, August 1 - Annual Cool Dads Rock Soapbox Derby
11:00 a.m. at Historic Fourth Ward Park. Racers and their wooden cars will line the street with their helmets donned and goggles lowered as the pint sized drivers enter their vehicles and race downhill. Free. Phone: 678-653-2371.
Saturday, August 1 - Phish
7:00 p.m. at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood. The ultimate jam band spends two nights in Atlanta on its summer tour. http://www.livenation.com/venues/14086/aaron-s-amphitheatre-at-lakewood
Sunday, August 2 - The Sound of Music Sing-Along
1:00 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. You know you always sing along at home--now do so with several hundred of your closest friends. Admit it--you're singing "Do-Re-Mi" right now. $15-$20. foxtheatre.org/shows-and-events/Fox Theatre
