Sunday, October 11, 2009
"SP List"
SPecial Events
This week's arts and entertainment calendar
Festivals and Happenings
A TOUR OF SOUTHERN GHOSTS
Professional storytellers weave tales of famous (and not-so-famous) Southern ghosts along the lantern-lit paths of Stone Mountain Park’s Antebellum Plantation. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Storytelling tours are from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 7 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Oct. 15-31 at Stone Mountain Park. 770-469-1105. www.artstation.org.
ANDY WILLIAMS
The beloved singer discusses his new book, “Moon River and Me,” which shares stories from his seven decades in show business. Admission, which includes a copy of the book, is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Atlanta History Center. 404-814-4150. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
CHASTAIN PARK ARTS FESTIVAL
Inaugural event features beautiful works of art, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, festival food and drink and live entertainment. Admission is free. Oct. 17-18 on the north side of Chastain Park along Terry O. Chastain Memorial Drive. For schedules, directions and other information, visit www.chastainparkartsfestival.com.
COMEDY SPA NIGHT
Every Friday night in October, enjoy massage chairs, wine tastings and, of course, top-flight comedy from Atlanta’s premier improv troupe. Tickets are $21. 9 p.m. Fridays at Whole World Theatre. 404-817-0880. www.wholeworldtheatre.com.
MONUMENTAL BALL
Second annual fundraising gala to support the restoration of the historic Ivey and Crook monuments in the Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhoods features music by Kingsized and a buffet prepared by Affairs to remember. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $50. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at Magnolia Hall in Piedmont Park. 404-874-6357, ext. 424. www.monumentball.org.
ROBERT OLEN BUTLER
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain” discusses his new novel, “Hell,” about an afterworld populated by Anne Boleyn, William Shakespeare and several U.S. presidents, among others. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.
TOUR DE PINK
Charity bicycling event to raise funds for survivors of young breast cancer, with routes ranging in length from one to 100 miles. Staggered starts begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at Perimeter Mall. For registration and other information, visit www.youngsurvival.org/atlanta.
Theater, Dance, Music and Opera
ANOTHER SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT LOEHMANN'S
The new comedy from the award-winning playwrights of "Peachtree Battle." Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 20 at Ansley Park Playhouse. Tickets are $26. 404-875-1193. www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com.
THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW
The acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute, dubbed “the best tribute show in the world” by the Times of London, brings its “Big Pink Greatest Hits” tour to Atlanta. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. 800-745-3000. www.foxtheatre.org.
AUTOMATIC THEATER
Improv troupe composed of actors, filmmakers, writers and puppeteers fields audience suggestions in a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” short-form improv format. Tickets are $7. 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Relapse Theatre. 404-394-9115. www.relapsetheatre.com.
COME FLY WITH ME
This revue, making its world premiere in Atlanta, showcases the timeless music of Frank Sinatra. The musical follows four couples over the course of a night as they fall in and out of love against a backdrop of hits including “My Way,” “Summer Wind,” “That’s Life” and “Let’s Fall in Love,” featuring recorded vocals by the late Sinatra accompanied by a live 17-piece band. Choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp. Tickets are $25-$60. Through Oct. 11 at the Alliance Theatre. 404-733-5000. www.alliancetheatre.org.
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
The Atlanta Opera’s first production of the 2009-2010 season bows with a 3 p.m. show Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Cobb Energy Centre. 404-249-6400. www.cobbenergycentre.com.
THE GHASTLY DREADFULS II
The ghoulish collection of musicians, storytellers and puppeteers returns with a “Handbook of Practical Hauntings and Other Phantasmagoria.” Prepare for haunting horror stories, paranormal puppetry and live macabre music. Recommended for audiences 16 and up. Oct. 15 through Nov. 1 at the Center for Puppetry Arts. For schedules, ticket prices and other information, call 404-873-3391 or visit www.puppet.org.
JACKPIE THEATER WORKSHOP
Long-form improv comedy shows every Saturday at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. at 380 14th St. NW. Tickets are $7. BYOB. www.jackpie.com.
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
“Get Back” to “Yesterday” with this revue of classic Beatles favorites boasting a repertoire of nearly 200 songs. Tickets are $25-$67.50. Through Oct. 11 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. 404-249-6400. www.foxtheatre.org.
VAN GOGH: BRUSH WITH GENIUS
The Fernbank Museum’s newest IMAX film invites audiences to relive Vincent Van Gogh's life journey through his letters and visit the landscapes that inspired him. Through Dec. 31. 404-929-6300. www.fernbankmuseum.org.
VILLAGE THEATRE
Atlanta’s newest comedy troupe performs long and short-form improv, and offers improv workshops. Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 p.m. at the Village Theatre. 404-688-8856. www.villagecomedy.com.
WHOLE WORLD THEATRE
Atlanta’s premier improv institution offers New Beginners improv classes for all ages throughout the year. For more information, contact Lauren at 404-545-5603 or Lauren@wholeworldtheatre.com.
Exhibitions and Gallery Shows
BODIES . . . THE EXHIBITION
This controversial exhibit features 15 meticulously preserved whole-body and more than 250 partial-body specimens, providing a unique understanding of the skeletal, muscular, respiratory and other systems that exist beneath the skin. Through Jan. 3, 2010, at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station. 866-866-8265. www.bodiestickets.com.
DIALOG IN THE DARK
Visitors are escorted through galleries in total darkness, relying on blind and visually impaired guides, for a glimpse of the day-to-day life and survival skills of the blind. Through Jan. 3, 2010, at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station. Tickets must be purchased beforehand. www.dialogtickets.com.
LEONARDO DA VINCI: HAND OF THE GENIUS
This exhibit boasts approximately 50 works by the artist and inventor, including more than 20 sketches and studies, some of them making their U.S. debut. Through Feb. 21, 2010 at the High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.
MOORE IN AMERICA
Exhibit featuring 20 major works from Henry Moore, recognized as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. Through Oct. 31 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
MY FAVORITE THINGS
New exhibition showcasing a collection of staffers’ favorite items from the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s permanent collection. Through Feb. 1, 2010 at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. 404-929-6400. www.fernbankmuseum.org.
Books and Talks
BYRON PITTS
The author, a correspondent for the CBS news program “60 Minutes,” discusses his memoir, “Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Overcome Life’s Obstacles” in an interview with WSB-TV’s Monica Pearson. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Decatur Library Auditorium. 404-370-8450, ext. 2225. www.georgiacenterforthebook.org.