Weekly Feature : tickets

Wow-Worthy Weekend: Cabin Fever Edition

Alyson Kate — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:15:00 GMT

With the new year’s resolutions finally starting to settle in and a severe lack of sunshine for fun activities, it’s oh so easy to fall into The Weekend Rut. If that glassy eyed heap on the sofa just happens to wear you sweetheart’s sweatpants and you’d rather hear a dentist’s drill than the theme to yet another “reality” show, this one’s for you. Below, I have the top picks for a wow-worthy weekend in Atlanta!

Ladies' 80s Night
 Fadó Irish Pub
 Saturday, Jan. 28
$15 per person
 So. You’re, like, totally bored with latest house mix and looking for the perfect excuse to rewear that glittery New Year’s Eve dress, right? For sure! Wether you’ve got moves like Jagger or just one killer Thriller, head to Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant for totally awesome drink specials, a rad DJ and over-the-top fabulous frocks. $15 gets you in the door, plus a pint of your favorite brew and all-you-eat appetizers.

Battle of the Bands
Georgia Dome 
Saturday, Jan. 28
Purchase tickets online
Initially created to “showcase the pageantry, showmanship and musicianship of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Marching Bands”, the 10th annual Honda Battle of the Bands features eight bands for a single day of fierce fandom. Filled with rock & roll soul, the competitors take the field for a percussive, musical extravaganza sure to have you on the edge of your seat!

Snow Mountain 
Stone Mountain 
Weekends, though Feb. 20
 Whether you want to duke it out in an epic snow ball fight or race one another in Snow Tubing, Snow Mountain is tons of fun for couples. Be sure to visit SnoFire Point afterwards to snuggle close by the bonfire and enjoy hot cocoa.

Bonus: now you can have all the thrills and squeals of winter for just $19.99 with the Sunday Special!

Cavalia: Odysseo
 The White Big Top (Midtown on the corner of Spring and 8th streets) 
Through Sunday, Jan. 29
Now on in the home stretch of their US premier, Cavalia: Odysseo has announced a last-call for tickets. Boasting record-breaking sales and unprecedented adoration from locals, this homage to horse and man has easily become the season’s can’t-miss show. Part equestrian event and part multimedia interpretive dance, Cavalia: Odysseo is filled with gorgeous costumes, intricate sets and stunning showmanship - the perfect compromise for couch-ridden couples.

Summer Serenades

Alyson Kate — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:00:00 GMT

August in Atlanta: the weather's hot and the nights are even hotter! Filled with the sounds of Summer, this month features nearly-nightly concerts at venues city-wide.

Chastain Park Amphitheatre
An urban oasis of lush lawns and trees among the bustle of Buckhead, the Chastain Park Amphitheatre is host to three concert series each season. Whether you're in the mood for top pop singers, a symphonic serenade or a blast from the past, pack a picnic and relax!
8/2 Selena Gomez
8/3 Brian Wilson
8/6 Steely Dan with Sam Yahel
8/9 The Go-Go's with Tom Tom Club
8/12 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones with Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
8/13 Mary Chapin Carpenter with Shawn Colvin
8/14 INXS with Nikka Costa
8/15 Stevie Nicks
8/24 Guster & Jack's Mannequin with Lady Danville
8/27 Grace Potter & The Nocturnals with The Wood Brothers

Georgia Aquarium
Who knew the gentle giants of the deep were so classy? Each Friday, dive into Jazz Journeys at the Georgia Aquarium with hot headliners from all around! (The penguin suit is optional.)
8/5 Bob Baldwin
8/12 Antonio Allen
8/19 Peachtree Jazz Edition
8/26 Ken Ford

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Projecting state of the art acoustics to 45 acres of manicured lawns and landscaped forests, the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is the al fresco home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. It is a year-round host to hot headliners and fresh orchestral concepts. Tons of vendors onsite offering everything from quick snacks to gourmet picnics and wine pairings.
8/3 An Evening with Dolly Parton
8/7 StarFest: Goo Goo Dolls with Michelle Branch & Parachute
8/11 Death Cab For Cutie with Frightened Rabbit
8/13 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy accompanied by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
8/20 My Morning Jacket with Neko Case
8/31 Miranda Cosgrove with Shane Harper

Atlanta Botanical Garden
Host to the annual Concerts in the Garden, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a great place to relax and indulge in the season's hottest sounds and most fragrant flowers.
8/26 Los Lobos with The David Mayfield Parade

Centennial Olympic Park
Home to the Fountain of Rings, Centennial Olympic Park has a few ways to stay cool this month. Each week, the Wednesday WindDown concerts feature three hours of live entertainment, from pop to soft rock and even jazz. Pack a picnic and visit one of the many onsite vendors for refreshing beverages.

Central Park at Atlantic Station
Head to Atlantic Station and enjoy Friday Night Live Concerts - a weekly showcase of local talents.

Cirque du Soleil: Dralion
Phillips Arena
8/25-28
While not technically a concert, the fantastic feats and gravity-defying antics of Cirque du Soleil are set to original scores and simply cannot be missed.

Don't forget: tickets are on sale NOW for Music Midtown! Back and better than ever, Music Midtown features two stages, 11 bands and hot headliners. This year, top talents such as Coldplay, The Black Keys and Atlanta's own Manchester Orchestra amp up Piedmont Park for a full day of sun and sound.

Philips Arena Events Causing a Heat Wave this July

Alyson Kate — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:43:00 GMT

All month long, Philips Arena heats up Summer with can't miss shows and great games. With a state-of-the-art sound system and seating for 20,000 fans, the Arena is one of Atlanta's hottest places to stay cool this Summer. Tickets are going fast for these sure to be sold out concerts, so grab ‘em now!

The July calendar includes hot hits such as:
Taylor Swift - Speak Now Tour
Saturday and Sunday - July 9-10
Joined by opening act Danny Gokey (nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist of the 2010 American Country Awards) the contemporary country music cutie, Taylor Swift, brings her Speak Now World Tour to the heart of the South. For two nights only, this sure to be sold out concert features a set list of feel good tunes, teenage breakup ballads and songs you just can't help but dance to.

Sade
Tuesday and Wednesday - July 12 and 13
A collaboration of Grammy Award winners John Legend and Sade - the long-loved British soul group - brings a unique mix of funk, R&B and easy listening. Featuring 25 years of award-winning music, this two-night only show is filled with smooth grooves that soothe the soul.

Britney Spears - Femme Fatale Tour
Sunday - July 17
Spotlighting top pop star Nicki Minaj, the Millennium sensation Britney Spears is back for her "most entertaining show yet". Featuring five narrative segments and a set list of more than 25 hot hits, the Femme Fatale Tour is a feel-good show packed with dance tunes, power ballads and chart-topping singles.

Deep into their fourth season, the WNBA Atlanta Dream tips off with home court advantage three nights this month. Having made great strides in just three short years, the Atlanta Dream ended the 2010 season as winners of both the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals. Home games are July 16 (vs. Chicago Sky,) July 19 (vs. Indiana Fever,) and July 28 (Los Angeles Sparks.) Get your tickets today and cheer on the Dream to their 2011 Championship win!

Coming up in August - keep an eye out for the four-day run of Cirque du Soleil's Dralion!

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival - a Bite of Southern-Centric Culture and Cuisine

Alyson Kate — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:47:00 GMT

This weekend, Atlanta hosts the nation's first food festival dedicated to celebrating Southern culture and cuisines. The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is a four-day feast featuring the region's best dishes - including barbeque, sweet treats and soul food - and most-loved libations, such as Coca-Cola, bourbon and moonshine. Demos by award-winning chefs, tasting tents and street cart fare round out this mouthwatering affair!

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
May 19-22
Various Midtown locations

While all eight packages are great for enjoying the fun- and food-filled days, these three are the weekend’s hottest tickets:

Tasting Tents and Street Cart Pavilion Pass: $75 - Touted as the “ultimate Southern buffet”, this package offers hours of snacking Friday-Sunday. Easily the best bet for mixing, mingling and munching, you can enjoy sweet treats, delicious drinks and tons of savory bites.

Foodsters Package: $150 - This package offers goodies Friday-Sunday, including a sassy soiree, all-day tastings and the opportunity to get down and dirty in one of the city’s in-town gardens (followed, of course, by a feast of Southern staples - BBQ and SweetWater brew!)

Day Pass: $225 - This completely customizable package features as many classes, tastings and Street Cart treats as you can possibly squeeze into a single day. Each ticket guarantees admissions to at least three classes, but be sure to schedule ahead of time.

Check out the Atlanta Food & Wine Facebook page for all your need-to-know info and show your followers what they’re missing on @ATLFoodandWine.

While admission to the festival is strictly 21 and over, there are plenty of Southern-centric restaurants citywide to fill those cravings for simple, savory dishes.

5th Annual Delta Civil Rights Game: Atlanta Braves Celebrate America’s Past with America’s Favorite Pastime

Alyson Kate — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:20:00 GMT

On Sunday, May 15, more than 60 years after Jackie Robinson's debut at first base, the Atlanta Braves will host one of the most iconic games of the 2011 season. The MLB Delta Civil Rights Game ends a weekend of family-friendly festivities including a post-game performance by Atlanta's own Ludacris and the free Wanna Play? Spectacular which allows children to meet Major League players and enjoy clinics.

Delta Civil Rights Game
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Sunday, May 15
Turner Field
Buy Tickets Online

In addition to cheering on the weekend's division rivalry series between the Atlanta Braves and the Phillies, be sure to enjoy these weekend activities and celebrate the sport which helped launch the nation-wide movement towards integration and equality:

Roundtable Discussion at Ebenezer Baptist Church (Friday, May 13 at 3 p.m.) - This discussion features celebrities of the community such as singer Gloria Gaynor, activist Dolores Huerta, Arte Moreno - principal owner of the LA Angels - and Marc Morial, executive director of National Urban League. A pre-game streaming of the discussion can be view on MLB.com, Sunday May 15.

Youth Summit - Wanna Play? Spectacular (Saturday, May 14 at 9 a.m.) - Located in Centennial Olympic Park, this kid-centric event offers meet and greets with MLB players, free interactive clinics and a parade to Turner Field.

Post-Game Concert featuring Ludacris (Saturday, May 14) - Atlanta's own Ludacris will perform a free concert with surprise stars Jermaine Dupri, Ciara and DJ Khaleda at Turner Field for all game-goers. This show will highlight Saturday's game - a tribute to the Negro League.

MLB Beacon Awards Banquet (Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m.) - At the Omni Hotel, Reverend Joseph Lowery, - co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference - will present the 2011 MLB Beacon Awards and a special tribute to Braves legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, Hank Aaron. Honorees include Morgan Freeman, accepting the MLB Beacon of Hope; Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, receiving the MLB Beacon of Life; and Grammy winner Carlos Santana, receiving the MLB Beacon of Change. Tickets are still available for purchase online.

Blue Man Group - an Exhilarating Exploration of Rhythm and Blue

Alyson Kate — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:14:00 GMT

What do you get when a trio of mute musicians clad in cobalt body paint begins turning random bits of plastic into instruments? Blue Man Group. Blue Man Group is a multimedia, multi-sensory exploration of the intangible elements which produce soul-gyrating rhythms. Debuting tonight at the fabulous Fox Theatre, Atlanta plays host to the first-ever theatrical tour of:

Blue Man Group
January 18-23
Fox Theatre
Tickets from $25

Each show is a unique fusion of pipe-clanging', drum-bangin' rhythms which creates an explosion of sensory delights for the entire body. Accompanied by a full rock ensemble, the BMG performers leap around self-styled instruments, pouncing and pounding on PVC pipes, paint drums and a "backpack tubulum." Coupled with the trio of mute men who simultaneously stimulate and ignore their onlookers, every Blue Man Group experience is a unique interaction which enchants viewers, leaving minds and muscles whirling with anticipation.

Born perhaps of a desire to create visceral vibrations rather than just another percussive posse, each BMG performer pantomimes throughout the entire show. Wearing blue grease paint and skull caps, the musicians never speak with the audience. This quizzical quirk allows Blue Man Group to reach all ages of viewers while allowing their music to span cultures. As stated in their FAQs, BMG "appeals to all ages. Kids will enjoy the lights, color and spectacle. Adults enjoy the humor, social commentary and depth of the character. Even the hardened theatre critic finds a deeper message behind the fun and mess."

Interestingly, this national tour is the first of its kind for the boys in blue. Despite obvious innovative capabilities, it has taken 24 years for Blue Man Group to concoct a scheme which will transform expansive Broadway houses into the intimate venues of their hometown, warehouse-esque theatres. Says co-founder Philip Stanton, "Our goal ... is to reconnect [audiences] with their own sense of discovery, with their own sense of what is possible in their lives." So just how do these three bald, blue men intend to enthrall audiences of nearly 4,500 viewers? Although I'm not privy to specifics, I do know that two of their new tech toys include a hi-res view screen and proscenium-sized LED curtain.

Sleuth Savings: Courtesy of Atlanta on the Cheap, you can save 50% on tickets for Blue Man Group's Jan. 18 & 19 performance when you buy from a Publix Tickemaster outlet. AtlanTIX is offering $34.50 tickets (regular $50 seats) for available shows.

Midtown Festival of the Arts - Atlanta’s Biggest Block Party

Alyson Kate — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:11:00 GMT

While Atlanta is known for it’s stunning festivals and many talented locals, the First Annual Midtown Festival of the Arts (MFotA) promises to be a traffic-stopper. Nothing defines Midtown quite like Peachtree Street, which makes it the perfect locale for an arts fest. This weekend MFotA is shutting down a section of Peachtree, creating the city’s biggest block party ever! See below for Insider Info on all the must-do activities:

Midtown Festival of the Arts
Sept. 25 and 26
On the Midtown Mile
(aka Peachtree Street, between 5^th and 10^th)
For easy access, ride MARTA to the Midtown station

Determined to celebrate the arts and culture of Atlanta, MFotA is jammed packed with local artists, talents, tastes and so much more!

At 10^th Street, enjoy:
Movie Night on Peachtree! Here, a massive movie screen offers viewings of an Atlanta classic, Driving Miss Daisy. Showing begins at dusk on Saturday evening, in front of the Margaret Mitchell House.

Directly across from the Midtown MARTA station, you’ll find:
The Kid’s Zone. As the hands-on epicenter of the festival, kids can create and explore their imaginations. Found on the grounds of the Margaret Mitchell House, tents featuring FREE crafts, music, games and activities offer wee ones a place to play. Be on the lookout for fun things from Center of Puppetry Arts, The Wren’s Nest and more!

On 8^th Street, work up an appetite for:
the Culinary Stage and Plates on Peachtree. Onstage you’ll find live demos and tastings from your favorite, most creative local chefs. Actually, why not make it a lunch date and grab tickets for Plates on Peachtree? For one (very cheap) price, you can enjoy restaurant-sized portions from chefs you love and would love to try. All tickets include a complimentary drink, and children 10 and under eat FREE with paying adults.

On 7^th Street, unwind at:
the Beer Garden and Acoustic Café. Offering a taste of Georgia’s best brews, the Beer Garden has partnered is Athens-based Terrapin Brewery. Grab a frosty glass and relax for the live performances at the Acoustic Café. Enjoy genre-spanning sets of Rock and Roll, Americana, modern retrobilly and vocal stylings.

Down on 6^th Street, enjoy the pièce de résistance:
the MFotA Main Stage. Featuring live performances including bands and songwriters, not to mention the dancing crowds. Personally, I’ve punched my dance card for Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. This riveting montage of jazz chords and vocals with Rock and Roll stylings is a can’t-miss show which takes its cues from Ray Charles, Little Richard, Etta James and, of course, a little New Orleans soul.

All along the Mile you’ll find:
The Artist Markets. Featuring more 100 local artisans, crafters and creatives, you’re guaranteed to find pieces perfect for quirky gifts, the elusive finishing touch to a room, and even a bit of fun and fancy for your cubicle!