School’s out for the summer and vacation is on your mind. If you’re looking to stay close to home, there is plenty – and we do many plenty – going on to keep you entertained through the hot months. Here’s a roundup of some big and small events coming up around Intown.
Coca-Cola Summer Movie Festival
The Fox Theatre and its giant screen is once again playing host to the annual film extravaganza. Upcoming movies include: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (June 10); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (June 30); The Shining (July 7); Shrek (July 21); Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Aug. 20); Citizen Kane (Aug. 25); Disney’s Little Mermaid Sing-a-Long (Aug. 27). More films are still to be announced along with the chance to vote for the closing night movie. Visit foxtheatre.org for tickets and details.
Movies in Central Park
Bring chairs, blankets snacks and picnics to Atlantic Station’s Central Park for a free movie every Thursday night through July 28 (weather permitting). Look for special restaurant menus before, after or even during the activities. The line up includes: Romeo + Juliet (June 2); Finding Nemo (June 9); Legally Blonde (June 16); Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (June 23); Top Gun (June 30); A League of Their Own (July 7); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (July 14); Elf (July 21); and Grease (July 28). For the latest information, visit atlanticstation.com.
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
The Virginia-Highland Civic Association hosts the 33rd annual Summerfest on June 4-5 featuring a weekend of live music. The line-up includes Donna Hopkins, Liz Brasher, Southern Culture on the Skids, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, City Mouse, Stephen Kellogg and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In addition to the music, there will also be arts and crafts, a 5K run, activities for children and plenty of food and drink. Summerfest is held on Virginia Avenue between North Highland Avenue and Park Drive. Admission is free. For more information, visit vahisummerfest.com.
Laughing Skull Comedy Festival
The 7th Annual Laughing Skull Comedy Festival will feature more than 100 of America’s most promising comedians June 7-12. The event will take place in a variety of venues around the city including The Laughing Skull Lounge, Smith’s Olde Bar, Eddie’s Attic, Red Brick Brewing Company, Hard Rock and more. The invited comedians will perform before live audiences and industry judges. The winner of the festival takes home a grand prize of $1000 and a record and distribution deal from Uproar Records, in addition to exposure to TV bookers, agents, industry professionals and comedy clubs. Tickets and information are available at laughingskullcomedyfestival.com.
Atlanta Fringe Festival
This year’s festival runs June 8-12 with a wild gamut of entertainment from around the country– from family-friendly magic shows to improv, modern dance, aerial acrobatics, satirical comedy and everything in between. This year’s venues, all located in East Atlanta, include 7 Stages, the Montessori In Town and the Marianna event space at Wrecking Bar Brewpub. For tickets and more information, visit atlantafringe.org.
Atlanta Moon Ride
Thousands are expected to gather for this evening bike ride on June 10 to benefit Bert’s Big Adventure. The 6-mile ride will begin and end at Piedmont Park, taking participants on a scenic and traffic-free route through Midtown, Ansley Park, Old Fourth Ward, Morningside and the Virginia-Highland neighborhoods. Tickets start from $30 and include an official Atlanta Moon Ride t-shirt as well as entry to the kick-off party starting at 6 p.m. The event is rain or shine. For registration and information, visit atlantamoonride.com.
Atlanta Cycling Festival
Details and events were still being worked out at press time, but this year’s event will be June 11-18 and feature bike rides, classes, parties and more. For more information, visit atlantacyclingfestival.com.
Walker Evans at The High
A major touring retrospective of the work of Walker Evans, one of the most influential documentary photographers of the 20th century, opens at The High Museum of Art on June 11 and continues through Sept. 11. The High will be the only U.S. venue for “Walker Evans: Depth of Field,” which places Evans’ most recognized photographs within the larger context of his 50-year career. The exhibition will feature more than 120 black-and-white and color prints from the 1920s through the 1970s, including nine photographs from the museum’s permanent collection. For more information, visit high.org.
Westview Summer Solstice Celebration
The 9th annual celebration will be held June 11 from noon to 8 p.m. in the neighborhood. There will be a grill-off competition, artist market, pet costume parade and more. Find out more at westviewatlanta.com.
Tunes from the Tombs
Historic Oakland Cemetery will host its annual music festival on June 18 with Grammy-winning headliner Arrested Development. Also performing that day on the MailChimp main stage will be HeaveN Beatbox, James Hall, Adron, Rod Hamdallah and Atlanta Funk Society. The stage at North Public Grounds features a lineup of tribute bands, including: The Return (The Beatles), The Dirty Doors (The Doors), The B-53’s (The B-52’s), Fauxgerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) and The Clermonts, who perform covers of various classic rock and party rock hits from the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Additionally, Atlanta Taiko Project, Sarah Wilson and Zardine Glaze perform at various locations throughout the cemetery. Red Brick Brewing will host a beer garden and there will be some of the city’s favorite food trucks on hand like Angelfire7 BBQ, Atlanta Burger Truck, El Dorado, The Fry Guy, King of Pops, Just Loaf’N Po’Boys, Six Feet Under, Urban Taali and Yumbii. Advance general admission tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children aged 4-12 (plus fees). For more information, visit oaklandcemetery.com.
Great City Race
This June 18 urban adventure is part “Amazing Race” and part scavenger hunt as participants race along the Atlanta BeltLine searching for clues that will lead them to a challenge. There will be cash and prizes for the winners who complete the race. The event begins at Park Tavern, 500 10th Street, and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance sign-up is $25 per team. To see the rules, items required to participate and more, visit GreatCityRace.com.
Summer ICE
Indie Craft Experience will host the 11th annual Summer ICE, its big summertime craft and vintage market, on June 25-26 from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at the Georgia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Admission is $5 (cash only) with kids under 12 admitted free. There will be more than 100 craft and vintage vendors, food, music and more. For more information, visit ice-atlanta.com.
Beer Garden & Silent Auction
The Wylde Center’s annual Beer Garden and Silent Auction Fundraiser will be held June 25 at the Oakhurst Garden, 435 Oakview Road, in Decatur. Each guest will receive a free souvenir Wylde Center tasting glass so they can sample brews from Terrapin, Three Taverns Brewery, Orpheus Brewing, Wild Heaven Craft Beer, Treehorn Cider and more. The menu will include tastings from a number of local restaurants including Farm Burger and Revolution Doughnuts, and live music by The Benders. VIP Ticket holders will also enjoy signature cocktails by Kimball House, hors d’oeuvres by Revival and desserts by Proof Bakeshop. A VIP Happy Hour begins at 4:30 p.m., while the main event lasts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. VIP tickets are $250 per pair and include additional benefits such as admission to the VIP party, access to sponsor/patron lounge, deck and restrooms, early bidding on auction items and more. Tickets are available at wyldecenter-beergarden.squarespace.com.
Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival
Nearly 100 arts and craft vendors will be on hand for the annual festival on June 25-26 at Historic Fourth Ward Park. There will also be a children’s play area, live music and food. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com.
Concerts in the Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s got some serious star-power for its annual concert series, being held at both the Midtown and Gainesville locations. In Atlanta: John Prine with Amanda Shires (June 25); Neko Case, k.d. lang & Laura Veirs with special guest Andy Shauf (July 29); Phillip Phillips & Matt Nathanson with special guest A Great Big World (July 30); and Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (Aug. 19). Up in Gainesville: The Four Tops (June 18); Indigo Girls (July 16); and Loretta Lynn (Aug. 13). For tickets and information, visit atlantabg.org.