By Liza Dunning
The month of January can leave even the most holiday-cheerful among us feeling like distant relatives of Scrooge. After spending the last few months holiday shopping and partying, we’re funneled from our little winter wonderland straight into… well, plain ol’ winter. But with resolutions and real-world readjustments, there’s also the excitement of a brand spankin’ new year. And you know what that means? Brand spankin’ new events to get excited about. So change out of those elastic-waisted sweatpants, swing by the gym (if you’re like me and the treadmill is one of your resolutions) and check out these January rut-busters.
SHOP: Pride of Dixie Antiques Market
This year’s Pride of Dixie is back at The North Atlanta Trade Center, Jan. 29-31, which could very well be the antique showroom equivalent of four football fields (my highly accurate calculation right there). It’s worth the 20-minute drive, as one could easily spend the whole weekend scouring all the booths full of home decor, jewelry, furniture, artwork, and – go figure – antiques. Admission: Adults $3, Kids free. Tickets are good all weekend. More info: (770) 279-9899.
EAT: Good Measure Meals
Normally, I’d write about a favorite restaurant I’ve recently indulged in. But since it’s January and I’ve already done enough holiday indulgence as it is, this may be the time and place for Good Measure Meals. Usually, I’m skeptical of packaged meals, but I signed on to GMM recently and was downright surprised how fresh, tasty, and surprisingly satisfying these meals are. They’re prepared based on calorie levels and health restrictions, without preservatives, and are never frozen. All meals are locally prepared and 100 percent of the profits go to support Open Hand’s meal and nutrition programs. At this point in the year, it may just be better than fine dining. www.goodmeasuremeals.com or (404) 419-3319.
ADMIRE: Dawolu Jabari Anderson’s “Ten Panthers of Kwangtung” It’s been the artist’s first solo exhibition in Atlanta and it comes to an end early this month. In “Ten Panthers of Kwangtung,” Anderson explores the parallels of the Asian and African-American experience. It’s a hybrid alternative reality, full of irony and humor, where the parallels of experience and the abstraction of heroic figures occur simultaneously and cross-culturally. The Houston artist’s showing at Saltworks will end on the 9th, so be sure to catch his work before it’s gone. Closes Jan. 9. 664 11th St. (404) 881 0411or www.saltworksgallery.com.
EXPLORE: The launch of Scoutmob.com
Okay, okay this last one is totally a shameless plug. But I promise you’ll like what you find. This month brings the official launch of www.scoutmob.com. Get in on all the mobile (as in, on your phone) deals good for your favorite local restaurants, shops, and other sorts of local entertainment. It’ll all be coming to you in a free daily email.
Liza Dunning is a native Atlantan, music-lover, food-eater, and full-time culture-junkie. She’ll be scouting the city for local goodness with Scoutmob.com. Reach out at Liza@scoutmob.com or follow on good ol’ Twitter: @LizaDunning
