Story by Curt Holman
Theater: Ghosts with the most
A rollicking showcase of puppetry, music and the macabre, “The Ghastly Dreadfuls” may be the Center for Puppetry Arts’ best grown-up showcase for its craft, as long as you don’t mind a little grisly comedy.
“The Ghastly Dreadfuls.” Oct. 10-27. The Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org
Theater: The gloves come off
Actor Garrett Turner plays boxer Jay “The Sport” Jackson (a fictionalized version of first African-American heavyweight Jack Johnson) in Marco Ramirez’s play “The Royale,” a drama about race and boxing in the early 20th century, directed by Patdro Harris.
“The Royale.” Oct. 10-Nov. 4. Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie St. 678-528-1500. theatricaloutfit.org
Festival: Pride rocks
Over nearly five decades, the Atlanta Pride Festival has grown to celebrate the different facets of the LGBTQ community. In addition to the parade, musical performers at this year’s festival include Michelle Malone, Bebe Rexha and “American Idol” contender Ada Vox.
Atlanta Pride Festival. Oct. 12-14. Most events take place in or near Piedmont Park, corner of 10th Street and Monroe Drive. atlantapride.org
Festival: The spice of life
Featuring unlimited tastings of chili and Brunswick Stew, Brookhaven’s seventh annual chili cookoff includes recipes from more than 75 restaurants and amateur teams in competition for $2,500 in prizes and awards, along with plenty of frosty beverages to cool the palate.
Atlanta Chili Cookoff. Oct. 13. Brookhaven Park, 2660 Osborne Road. atlantachilicookoff.com
Dance: Harlem renaissance
A combination of ballet school, touring company and outreach program, the Dance Theatre of Harlem celebrates its 50th anniversary with a show that includes such pieces as “Vessels,” set to the music of Ezio Bosso, and “Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven,” choreographed by Ulysses Dove.
Dance Theatre of Harlem Company. Oct. 13-14. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com
Theater: For those about to rock
Adapted from the highly entertaining Jack Black comedy of the same name, the crowd-pleasing stage musical “School of Rock” features 14 songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a book by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes.
“School of Rock.” Oct. 16-21. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-881-2100. foxtheatre.org
Festival: Food, glorious food
More than 90 Atlanta restaurants serve up delicious samples of their wares at Taste of Atlanta, a three-day foodie festival that includes kitchen workshops, wine tastings, “Chef’s Table” talks and the 10th annual Barcraft Celebration.
Taste of Atlanta. Oct. 19-21. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. tasteofatlanta.com
Music: Def becomes him
Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and performer Jermaine Dupri celebrates a quarter century of his Atlanta-based label with the So So Def 25th Anniversary Cultural Curren$y Tour, featuring Dupri and such collaborators as Da Brat, Bow Wow, Youngbloodz and J-Kwon.
Cultural Curren$y Tour. Oct. 21. State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena), 1 Philips Drive. 800-653-8000. statefarmarena.com
Festival: Emerald isle
The sixth annual IrishFest Atlanta presents two days of concerts, workshops, a traditional ceili dance and such special events as the art of pouring the perfect pint of Guinness. Musicians include traditional Irish band Teada and All-Ireland fiddle champion Patrick Finley.
IrishFest Atlanta. Oct. 27-28. DoubleTree by Hilton, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. IrishFestAtlanta.org
Festival: Self-made
Self-described as “the greatest show (and tell) on Earth,” Maker Faire Atlanta turns a probably-homemade spotlight on inventions and craftsmanship that includes robots, vehicles, unique artwork and demonstrations of technical creativity.
Maker Faire Atlanta. Oct. 27-28. Georgia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. atlanta.makerfaire.com
Comedy: Mad about you
Lewis Black’s Grammy-winning stand-up makes such a specialty of comedic irritation and outrage, it felt like typecasting when he performed the voice of Anger in Pixar’s “Inside/Out.” The “Daily Show” commentator brings his “The Joke’s on US” tour to Cobb Energy Center.
Lewis Black. Nov. 2. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com
Music: A view to a Gill
Guitarist, songwriter and tenor Vince Gill has 21 Grammy awards, more than any other male country artist, but proved his rock chops last year when he replaced the deceased Glen Frey in the Eagles. Expect to hear selections from his latest album, “Down To My Last Bad Habit.”
Vince Gill. Nov. 3. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-881-2100. foxtheatre.org