The new year is nearly here, but your don’t have to wait to start the party.
The weekend kicks off with Charlie Wilson at the Cobb Energy Centre and ends with a Kwanzaa celebration at the Auburn Research Library.
Here are some of our suggestions.
Charlie Wilson at Cobb Energy Centre
Charlie Wilson will bring his R&B swagger to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Dec. 28. for the 12th Annual New Year’s Weekend Celebration.
Affectionately known as “Uncle Charlie,” Wilson has made releasing No. 1 hits seem like child’s play. He’s been nominated for multiple Grammys, authored a best-selling memoir and has sold out shows across the United States.
“I’ve been in this game for many years,” said the Gap Band founder and solo star on his website. “I’ve had some big hit records and sold a lot of records. But I need to still show people that I’m in it. It’s championship time.”
He has collaborated with T.I., Kanye West and Kid Cudi, showing that his sound has not age limits.
8 p.m. Dec. 28. $75-$150. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy. Atlanta. 770-916-2800. www.cobbenergycentre.com.
Anthony David at City Winery
Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Anthony David comes to City Winery for three shows on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30.
David plays the acoustic guitar and pairs it with his soulful, earthy voice.
David was born Anthony Harrington in Savannah. A Gulf War vet, he began writing songs during a stint in the military in Iraq, where as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne he took part in 28 combat missions. He got involved in the music scene in Atlanta in the late 1990s. His debut album, “Three Chords & The Truth,” was released in 2004 on the Atlanta independent Brash Records.
7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 29 and 7 p.m. Dec. 30. $25-$45. City Winery, 650 North Avenue, Ponce City Market. 404-946-3791. https://citywinery.com/atlanta/.
Kwanzaa Celebration at Auburn Research Library
join the community for a Kwanzaa Celebration, observing the fifth principle, Nia on Dec. 30.
The event will be held at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American History and Culture in Atlanta.
The fifth principle, Nia, is for purpose. It serves to put people on a path of purpose by setting personal goals and goals that benefit the community.
The event will include community workshops and a 2 p.m. performance by the dance, percussion and vocal ensemble Giwayen Mata.
Workshops will focus on the meaning of Kwanzaa and offer resources for parents, teachers and educators, facilitated by Diaspora U; and “Nia in Action, facilitated by Chike Akua, of Teacher Transformation Institute and Imani Enterprises.
Dec. 30. Free. Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E. 404-613-4001. www.afpls.org/aarl.
