Robert Boone Jr. kicks off this year’s Jazz at All Saints series (Photo courtesy of Jazz at All Saints)
Each week, ArtsATL curates a selection of the most exciting arts and culture events happening in Atlanta this weekend, highlighting nine must-see experiences.
::
Thursday
Atlanta Symphony Hall will host one of the most popular and enduring touring comedians. He’s been crafting his observational humor for more than 30 years. The most recent of his many comedy specials, The Skinny, was Hulu’s first-ever original stand-up special. He’ll be at Symphony Hall for four shows over three nights, September 11 through September 13.
Friday
Atlanta Ballet: Balanchine & Peck
Following the summer hiatus, the Atlanta Ballet is back in action with a robust lineup of performances this fall, starting with the three-part Balanchine & Peck. The first, Emeralds, offers a performance that evokes the romanticism of France, with dancers donning gemstone-inspired costumes in a work choreographed by George Balanchine, with music by Gabriel Fauré. In Creases, choreographed by Justin Peck, features an abstract ballet performance set to Philip Glass’ Four Movements for Two Pianos. Balanchine is also the choreographer behind Prodigal Son, which tells a classic story of sin and redemption through dramatic movement and emotive storytelling, set to music by Prokofiev. There are four performances from September 12 through September 14 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Jazz at All Saints’ kicks off its second season at 7 p.m. on September 12 with drummer Robert Boone Jr. and his quartet, who will celebrate the centennial of the birth of renowned drummer and social activist Max Roach (who was born in January 1924). Grammy Award winner Boone is the drummer for the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and is a professor of jazz at Georgia State University.
David E. Peterson: Color Block Synthesis 47.142
Marcia Wood Gallery will present the works of David E. Peterson in Color Block Synthesis 47.142, which features assemblages of 139 colors comprising 47 digital color studies. The resulting exhibition serves as a single completed work focused on compositions of color (September 12 through November 15).
Desi Banks will perform at the Fox Theatre on September 13. (Photo courtesy of Brave Public Relations)
Saturday
If you’re looking for laughs, check out Desi Banks as he brings his all-new Elevation Tour to the Fox Theatre. With more than 19 million followers across social media and a loyal fan base that spans the country, Banks has built a reputation with his storytelling, viral sketches and dynamic live performances. He’ll perform at the Fox Theatre at 7 p.m. on September 13.
Street art is in the spotlight at two big events in the coming days. Living Walls, which has produced more than 500 works of public art in Atlanta and beyond from artists from all over the world, will host a Quinceañero fundraiser in celebration of its 15th anniversary at the Goat Farm. Expect art installations, performances and an art auction from 7 p.m. to 11 pm. on Saturday, September 13.
This beloved annual celebration of street art transforms the walls of Cabbagetown. It returns for its 13th year, featuring more than 52 artists, including notable names such as Sachi Rome, Alex Wolf, Linda McNeil, Meredith White, Barry Lee, BlackCatTips, Greg Mike, Nate Frost and more, on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and September 14.
A First Lady’s Guide to Killing the President
Process Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Atlanta playwright Topher Payne’s latest comedy, in which a beleaguered first lady flirts with homicide when she finds herself trapped on a train with her philandering husband, multiple mistresses, incompetent administration officials, a pet squirrel and a cursed diamond. The show opens at Onstage Atlanta on Friday, September 12, and runs through September 28.
The members of the new art collective FRANK.
Sunday
Being FRANK: It is Because I Am
Don’t miss the debut art exhibition from the newly formed Queer Arts Collective FRANK, which includes artists David Clifton-Strawn, Orion Crook, Krista M. Jones, kbyte, Just Toby, Royce Soble, Clint Zeagler and more. The exhibition will open at the former Phidippides storefront in Ansley Mall with a reception from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 14.
Additional events from WABE’s The City Lights Collective and more things to do this weekend and beyond
On The City Lights Collective on WABE, ArtsATL’s Shane Harrison offers a list of best bets, airing in the 1 p.m. hour every Wednesday. This week, in addition to some of the events listed above, he talks about Eye Get By With A Little Help From My Friends, a group exhibition at Cat Eye Creative Downtown at 5 p.m. Saturday, September 13. It’s the final show at the gallery’s current location at 186 Mitchell St. SW. They’ll be moving just up the street in the coming months … The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony at Sunset will include music by Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvořák, Rossini and more, conducted by William R. Langley. Unfortunately, the free tickets for the concert at Alpharetta’s Ameris Bank Amphitheatre are gone, but premium table seating is still available. The show begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, September 13 … The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra’s season begins with a program of works by Copland, Bernstein and Rachmaninoff at the First Baptist Church of Decatur on September 16 … At the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Insistent Presence opens September 13 and highlights contemporary African art from the Chazen collection. The show continues through December 14 … There’s a new series of free outdoor theater performances getting underway in Avondale Estates this week. A Shakespeare Happening will feature three free shows, all performed on the new Avondale Town Green over the next three months and featuring the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. Up first is The Tempest Jr., a Shakespeare performance for kids, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 11.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings