ASO Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann opens the orchestra’s season this weekend. (Photo by Rand Lines)
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
The Georgia Latino International Film Festival
Presented by the Georgia Latino Film Alliance, the Festival will screen 35 feature and short films from all over Latin America, Spain, Georgia and the United States, along with discussions with the directors and a series of special events highlighting the diversity of the Latino culture. 2025 marks the 14th anniversary of the Festival, which includes events at the Fox Theatre, NCG Cinema in Brookhaven, Berkmar High School in Lilburn and more — from October 2 through October 5.
La Cucarachita Martina (Martina, the Little Roach)
This Latin rock musical is based on a popular Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s story that integrates Spanish vocabulary. See it at the Center for Puppetry Arts from October 2 through October 12.
Friday
This annual celebration of books returns October 3 and October 4 with a keynote by Saeed Jones and the People’s Project. The Festival will include appearances by authors Joshua Sharpe and Ann Hite, chefs Steven Satterfield and Duane Nutter, playwright Kimberly Belflower and many more.
Back for its fourth edition, this event will feature an exciting lineup of art experiences in participating galleries across the city over three days from October 3 through October 5.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra opening weekend with Nathalie Stutzmann
ASO Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann makes her season debut with performances of Copland’s iconic Fanfare for the Common Man, Elgar’s Cello Concerto (with cellist Alisa Weilerstein) and the Richard Strauss tone poem Ein Heldenleben. The concerts take place from October 3 through October 5.
Saturday
Echo Contemporary will showcase the artist’s innovative tech-driven artwork in Are They Angels, opening with a reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. October 4 and on view through October 11.
Where the Weird Things Are returns to the Atlanta Beltline this weekend. (Photo by Erin Sintos)
Chantelle Rytter is probably best known for her annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, but, in 2023, Rytter and her Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons introduced Where the Weird Things Are, a special Halloween experience that brings together local folklore, giant mythical creatures and their stories. It’s happening at the Amphitheater at Historic Fourth Ward Park from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. and will include live music by the Black Sheep Ensemble, alongside new elements like shadow puppetry by artist Damon Young and “weird music” by Climchak.
Cat Eye Creative in Decatur will present the debut solo exhibition from Ericka Sobrack. “My paintings are disorientations of everyday spaces,” says Sobrack, “offering the viewer access into a realm of the unknown, ripe with psychological strangeness.” The show opens on October 4 and will be on view through October 26.
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
The Plaza Theatre has a long list of horror films scheduled throughout October. Things get underway on October 4 with the horror classic Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi.
More things to do this weekend
The Atlanta Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral offers authentic Greek foods and pastries, live music and dancing, cathedral tours and more from Thursday, October 2, through Sunday, October 5 … The Atlanta Arab Festival at the Alif Institute, with Arabic foods, live performances, a marketplace and more on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and October 5 … Neil deGrasse Tyson presents This Just In: Latest Discoveries in the Universe at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, October 5 … Comedian Jobrana ointment performs at the Buckhead Theatre on Sunday, October 5 … For fans of the experimental, Theater Emory presents My Foot, My Tutor, a wordless performance by Peter Handke, October 2 through October 5 … In Sounds of Hispanidad, Emory piano students will offer a program of compositions by Ignacio Cervantes, Alberto Ginastera and other Latin and Hispanic composers at 4 p.m. October 5 at Emory University’s Performing Arts Studio … The comedy-mystery The Cottage, set in England in 1923, is being presented by Stage Door Theatre at the Dunwoody Cultural Arts Center October 4 through October 19 … Atlanta’s Latin music and arts festival, Oyefest, will feature more than 30 musical artists alongside DJs, art, food and community in the heart of the city at 550 Mitchell St. Performers include Álvaro Diaz, Alexis & Fido and Snow Tha Product. The music begins at 1 p.m. on October 4 … Creative writing hub LostintheLetters will host a grand opening for its new bookstore and writers’ space, where writers can focus on creating and commune with other creatives, in Candler Park on October 4 … Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated comedian Nikki Glaser has honed her no-holds-barred style over two decades. She’s one of the best in the business at celebrity comedy roasting. She’ll do two nights at the Fox Theatre at 7 p.m. on October 3 and October 4.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings