12 Atlanta arts events to look forward to this week

From visual arts to music to theater, the metro Atlanta area has an active arts scene offering something for nearly everyone. Highlights this upcoming week include the Atlanta Opera staging “The Marriage of Figaro,” the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” and The Sun ATL gallery celebrating its first anniversary with international art. The following 12 events will help you explore Atlanta’s arts and culture in the coming week.

The Sun ATL is hosting “Brilliant!” a celebration of its first anniversary, with 100-plus works by 21 artists, through Saturday, March 21. Pictured is a sculptural work by Akio Hizume. (Photo courtesy of The Sun ATL/Akio Hizume)

“Brilliant!”: The Sun ATL first anniversary show

This continuing Sun ATL special exhibition features more than 100 works by 21 international artists spanning four generations. Pieces on view include three new assemblages by Kosmo Vinyl in collaboration with neon artist Vyvyan Hughes.

Through Saturday, March 21. The Sun ATL, 399 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta. 404-939-2787, vinsonart.com.

Robert McDuffie Center for Strings’ Fabian Concert Series

The Fabian Concert Series makes its Spivey Hall debut with an evening of chamber music led by the Ehnes Quartet and pianist Orion Weiss,joined by select McDuffie Young Artists. Founded by acclaimed Georgia-born violinist Robert McDuffie, the McDuffie Center for Strings is based at Mercer University in Macon. The program features Beethoven’s “String Quartet in G major, Op. 18, No. 2,” two tangos by Astor Piazzolla and Brahms’ “Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34.”

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. $25. Spivey Hall at Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow. 678-466-4200, spiveyhall.org.

“Queen Bess”

7 Stages Theatre’s spring production celebrates the inspiring story of Bessie Coleman, who lived in the early 1900s as a mixed-race Black and Native American woman. Jim Crow restrictions and gender discrimination in this country prevented her from getting her pilot’s license here, so she taught herself French and traveled to France to study, becoming the first Black woman or Native American to earn this license.

Wednesday, March 11-Sunday, March 29. $15. 7 Stages Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-523-7647, 7stages.org.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will perform Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” under the direction of Nathalie Stutzmann (pictured) on Thursday, March 12, Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. (Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)

Bach’s Mass in B Minor + ASO Chorus

Soprano Camilla Tilling, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, tenor Lunga Eric Hallam and bass-baritone Krešimir Stražanac join with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Nathalie Stutzmann to perform Bach’s immersive “Mass in B Minor.”

8 p.m. Thursday, March 12 and Saturday, March 14 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4800, aso.org.

“Which Way to the Stage,” a comedy about a friendship that changes course outside the door of a Broadway musical, makes its Georgia premiere at the Out Front Theatre from Thursday, March 12-Saturday, March 28. The show stars Caty Bergmark and Matthew Busch. (Photo courtesy of Out Front Theatre)

“Which Way to the Stage”

The Georgia premiere of Ana Nogueira’s comedy takes the audience back to 2015, where Jeff and Judy are waiting outside the door of the Broadway musical “If/Then” in hopes of meeting their idol. Their conversation while they wait changes the course of their friendship forever.

Thursday, March 12-Saturday, March 28. $25-$35. Out Front Theatre, 999 Brady Ave. NW, Atlanta, 404-448-2755, outfronttheatre.com.

“Come From Away: The Musical”

The regional premiere of “Come From Away: The Musical” will be performed by the City Springs Theatre Company. It’s based on the true story of how the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, came together to welcome 38 planes diverted from their destinations on Sept. 11, 2001.

Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 29. $70 and up. Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. 404-477-4365, cityspringstheatre.com.

“Who Could Ask for Anything More?”

The Atlanta Master Chorale is joined by the Gary Motley Trio to present jazz-tinged favorites by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart and more.

8 p.m. Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. $42. Emory University, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, schwartz.emory.edu.

Eugenie Jones brings her cross-country Women in Jazz Month Tour, “In the Key of She,” to The Velvet Note in Alpharetta on Saturday, March 14. (Photo courtesy of Eugenie Jones)

Eugenie: “In the Key of She”

Women take the spotlight in a night of jazz with Eugenie Jones in her cross-country Women in Jazz Month Tour. She’ll be joined by Grammy-nominated Charu Suri on piano, Jackie Pickett on double bass and Ayana Cummings on drums.

7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14. $44. The Velvet Note, Brookside Commons, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 855-583-5838, thevelvetnote.com.

“Field Notes”

Works from Atlanta-based artists Heather Bird Harris and Joel Silverman, on view at the Swan Coach Gallery, encourage a deeper look at the world as well as critical thinking.

3 p.m. Saturday, March 14 artist talk, exhibition continues through Thursday, March 26. Swan Coach House Gallery, 3130 Slaton Drive NW, Atlanta, 404-266-2636, swangallery.org.

“Abstraction”

Cat Eye Creative hosts a group exhibition featuring new works from abstract artists.

Saturday, March 14-Sunday, April 5. Cat Eye Creative, 1173 Commerce Drive, Decatur. 404-547-8638, cateye-creative.com.

“The Marriage of Figaro”

The Atlanta Opera performs this Mozart opera that’s known for its witty, intricate plot that examines class dynamics, power and human folly. Performances are sung in Italian with English supertitles.