Another spring weekend is on the way, so that means more festivals, events and concerts. We're including a peek at some new rides at Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water.
FESTIVALS
Shaky Boots
With an inaugural lineup boasting Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, the Band Perry, Kristian Bush, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Sara Evans and nearly two dozen other acts, it's safe to say that Georgia finally has a worthy country music festival. Promoter Tim Sweetwood, also the creator of last weekend's successful indie-rock fest, Shaky Knees, said he saw a gap in the market and decided to produce a sister festival. "We're in Georgia and in the South and we didn't have a country festival?" Sweetwood said in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It's like, c'mon, the South goes hand in hand with country."
Noon-11 p.m. May 16-17. $95 (single-day general admission); $185 (two-day general admission); $350 (single-day VIP); $499 (two-day advance VIP). KSU Sports and Entertainment Park, 3000 George W. Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw. 1-800-745-3000, shakyboots.com.
Mableton Day
South Cobb celebrates its community with this annual outdoor shindig at the Mable House complex. It all starts with the Mableton 5K and the Mableton Jr. Fun Run, which begin and end at the venue.
An entire day of activities will follow, with musicians from rockers to rappers. Don’t be surprised to see a local cheerleader squad catching air, cloggers stomping in rhythm or Chinese dragon dancers parading about.
You’ll also find a Car Cruise-in competition; arts and crafts vendors; food vendors; and the Kids Corner, with inflatables, the rock wall and a petting zoo. Those interested in local history can tour Mable House.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. Free. Mable House complex, 5239 Floyd Road S.W., Mableton. mabletonday.com.
Suwanee Arts in the Park
Artisans display their strokes of creativity at this juried arts festival. Jewelry, pottery, photography, painting and more will pack Suwanee Town Center Park, and you can watch live art demonstrations.
Musicians will provide their own aural art, a DJ will spin sounds throughout the day, and Asheville, N.C.-based Americana act Clyde’s on Fire will take the stage at 4:30 p.m.
Kids can get in the spirit by competing in the Chalk Walk. This chalk art contest features categories for elementary, middle and high school students. There’s also a Jackson Pollock-inspired group art project you can join, among other things.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16. Free. Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. suwaneeartsinthepark.com.
Canton Festival of the Arts
Artist market, gardening area, food, children's area, music. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16-17. $5 suggested donation ages 18 and older. 94 North St., Canton. cherokeearts.org/festival.
Kirkwood Spring Fling
5K road race ($20-$35), artist market, music, children's area, barbecue cook-off ($5 per person), tour of homes ($20). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 16. Free except where noted. Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive N.E., Atlanta. kirkwoodfling.com.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Zip back to a 16th-century English village for the fest's 30th anniversary. You'll find activities such as live jousting, comedy troupes, animal exhibits, arts and crafts, and hands-on archery. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day, Through June 7. $22, $10 ages 6-12, $20 ages 60 and older, free ages 5 and younger. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. garenfest.com.
For more fairs and festivals in our area, click here.
WORTH NOTING
Rides at Six Flags, White Water
Six Flags Over Georgia will open two rides on May 22 in the amusement park’s Gotham City area guaranteed to challenge your equilibrium.
The seven-story Joker Chaos Coaster will take thrill seekers back and forth along the inside of a loop of track, then around and upside down. The train will pause at the top of the loop, leaving the brave briefly suspended upside down 72 feet in the air.
A somewhat calmer ride, billed as fun for the whole family, the Harley Quinn Spinsanity is the park’s version of a classic Tilt-A-Whirl. While innocent at first glance, it’s expected to deliver surprising power.
Meanwhile, Six Flags White Water modified its existing Cliffhanger attraction into a 10-story water slide called Dive Bomber, opening May 16. Sliders start by standing inside a clear capsule with a trap door. When it gives way, they will plummet down a steep drop at speeds exceeding 40 mph, then continue on the former Cliffhanger’s twists and turns.
Six Flags: 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com. White Water: 250 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta. 770-948-9290, www.sixflags.com/whitewater.
CONCERTS
Bette Midler
Thanks to the Atlanta Hawks' playoff run, the "Divine Intervention" tour will arrive in Atlanta on May 14, a day later than planned (previously purchased tickets will be honored or refunds available at point of purchase). As for the show, which is supporting her recent album, "It's the Girls," Midler said in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she'll be joined by more than a dozen musicians, and fans will, sadly, have to say goodbye to her iconic mermaid-in-a-wheelchair, Delores Delago. 8 p.m. May 14. $46-$211. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Butch Walker
The Georgia native has never shied from digging deep while remaining accessible, whether on his own songs or the trove he's written for artists including Pink and Keith Urban. But "Afraid of Ghosts," written following the death of his beloved father, finds Walker exploring mortality. 8 p.m. May 15. $25.50-$59.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
Todd Rundgren
What is more impressive — Rundgren's career as a producer (Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, XTC), as a songwriter ("Hello, It's Me" "I Saw the Light") or his regular stints as a multi-instrumentalist on Ringo Starr's "All Starr Band" tours? You can marvel at his musical gifts during this tour to support his new album, "Global." 8 p.m. May 20. $26-$31. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
For more concerts in our area, click here.
For plays, comedy shows and more, click here.
For visual arts offerings, click here.
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