Above: Parades and celebrations in the area mark Veterans Day in November. Photo by Pixabay.
The Arts
The “Unforgettable” Nat King Cole Centennial Celebration
Monday, November 12, 8 p.m. Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents Joe Gransden’s Big Band as they celebrate Nat King Cole’s centennial. Jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani is one of the great crooners of our time. His “beautiful, velvety voice” and “remarkable stage presence” (according to NPR) have drawn multiple comparisons to Cole himself. Tickets start at $30. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30075. Call 770-641-1260 or go to get.org for tickets and details.
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors
Runs November 18, 2018 through Feb. 17, 2019. Organized by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the show takes visitors on an expansive journey across six decades of Yayoi Kusama’s creative output. Kusama is considered to be one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists. The exhibition will present six rooms as well as sculptures, paintings, works on paper, film excerpts, archival ephemera and additional large-scale installations that span the early 1950s to the present day. Also on view will be numerous new works by the 89-year-old artist, who remains active in her Tokyo studio. Advance tickets are sold out, but approximately 100 tickets will be available for walk-up purchase each day of the exhibition beginning Nov. 18. Those tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be valid for that date only.High Art Museum, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309. For more information, visit high.org/kusama.
Learn Something
A Holocaust Survivor’s Story
Sunday, November 18, 3 p.m. Presented by Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. Manuela Mendels Bornstein shares her story of surviving the Holocaust. Recommended for grades 5 and up. Free and open to the public. Peachtree Corners City Hall Ballroom, 310 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners 30092. More info at gwinnettpl.org.
Marist Evening Series
Registration opens Friday, Dec. 8. Series runs Monday evenings, Jan. 22 & 29, and Feb. 5, 2019, 7-9 p.m. Three evenings of courses for adults taught by Marist faculty and staff. Course topics include religion and spirituality, art history, photography, technology, history and culture, and self-discovery. Cost is $95 through Jan. 12, $110 Jan. 13 and afterward. Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta 30319. Visit marist.com/eveningseries for a detailed course catalog and to register online.
November: Veterans Day
Sandy Springs Veterans Day Celebration
Friday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m.; concert, 7 p.m. The community is invited to the City’s annual Veteran’s Day Tribute on the City Green. Following the tribute, there’ll be an additional celebration commemorating the United States Marine Corp’s birthday. Later that evening, the celebration continues at 7 p.m. with a free Veterans Day Concert on the Green. City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs 30328.More info: sandyspringsga.gov, Annual City Events.
Kennesaw Veterans Day Luncheon
Friday, Nov. 9, 12-2 p.m. North Cobb American Legion Post 304 partners with Kennesaw city officials and staff to honor America’s service men and women with a complimentary lunch. All veterans and active military service members are invited to attend. No ID required. Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Dr., Kennesaw 30144. More info: 770-422-9714.
37th Annual Atlanta Veterans Day Parade
Sunday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free and open to the public, the downtown parade starts at Peachtree Street, south of Ralph McGill/Ivan Allen Boulevard. More info: georgiaveteransday.org.
Woodstock Veterans Day Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 11, 12 p.m. The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188. More info: visitwoodstockga.gov.
Holiday Events
Friends of Freeman Poole Thanksgiving Meet and Eat
Thursday, November 15, 12 p.m. Don’t miss out on this festive and traditional Thanksgiving celebration. Tim Morgan Caterers will cater the meal consisting of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, green beans and dessert. Invite your friends to join in the fun as the Larry Bailey Band performs. All proceeds to benefit C. Freeman Poole Senior Center. The cost is $15, and no Cobb County Senior Services membership is required to attend this event. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 S. Hurt Rd., Smyrna 30082. For details, visit cobbcounty.org or call 770-801-3400.
16th Annual Gobble Jog
Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 22, registration opens at 6:30 a.m. MUST Ministries’ largest fundraiser includes a 10K, 5K, 1K run/walk and Tot Trot. Glover Park, 50 N Park Square, Marietta 30060. More info at gobblejog.org.
Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House
November 23 through Dec. 9, 12-8 p.m. every day. An Atlanta holiday tradition for 40 years, the Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House invites visitors to tour the 27,000 square-foot historic mansion and see the elaborate decorations done by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers. There are also professional holiday displays, an artists’ market and themed events for all ages. Tickets are $20; ages 3 and under are free. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta 30306. Got to callanwolde.org and click on the Events Calendar to learn more.
Decatur Santa on the Square
Saturday, November 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy a fresh baked cookie with milk or hot chocolate and have your wish lists ready. One digital photograph with Santa will be offered for each child. This free event is sponsored by the Decatur Business Association. City of Decatur Plaza, 101 E Court Square, Decatur 30030.More at decaturdba.com, under the Events link.
Smyrna Coming Home for the Holidays
Tuesday, November 27, 5-8 p.m. There’s a parade that begins at 7 p.m. and ends with Santa lighting the Christmas tree. Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna 30080. For more, go to smyrnaga.gov and click on the Events link under the Residents heading.
Light Up Brookhaven
Thursday, November 29, 6-8 p.m. This free event includes special musical performances, visits with Santa, holiday crafts, refreshments, a hot chocolate sale, Toys for Tots collection box and, of course, a Christmas tree and Hanukah display lighting. Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven 30319. Visit brookhavenga.gov, click on Upcoming Events for more info.
Light Up the JCC! Menorah Lighting and Hanukah Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:15-5:45 p.m. All are invited to three days of Hanukah fun and celebration at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA). Each night features Hanukah songs with Rabbi G, cooking demonstrations with Chef Howard followed by the lighting of the Hanukah Menorah and a short performance.Complimentary Sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and hot chocolate will be served, courtesy of the MJCCA Membership Department. Free and open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. MJCCA-Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338. More at atlantajcc.org.
Holiday Markets
8th Annual Elegant Elf Marketplace
Evening of Elegance: Thursday, November 8; Marketplace: Friday & Saturday, November 9 & 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A premier fundraiser of the Sandy Springs Society, the stylish two-day gift market features more than 85 select vendors offering hand-crafted items, artistic creations and gourmet delights, perfect for gifts and your own personal enjoyment. City Springs Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs 30328. For more info, call 770-847-0047 or visit “The Elegant Elf Marketplace” on Facebook.
Atlanta Christkindl Market
Opens November 30, 6 p.m. and continues through Dec. 23. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 12-7 p.m. The German American Cultural Foundations official holiday event is also Atlanta’s largest German Christmas market. Enjoy authentic German food and beverages in a festive atmosphere while you shop for holiday gifts. Free admission. Tower Street NW, Atlanta Station. Call 706-457-5799 with questions; find a map, details, updated info and the event calendar, visit christkindlmarket.org.
Apple Annie Arts & Crafts Show
Friday, November 30, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Apple Annie show has been a holiday tradition for 38 years. More than 120 jury-selected artisans showcase their pottery, jewelry, woodworking, stained glass, holiday décor and more. A large bake sale benefits St. Ann’s Preschool, and the Apple Annie Café will serve soup, sandwiches and beverages. Admission is $3 per person, ages 12 and under are free; proceeds go to local charities. Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta 30062. Visit Apple Annie Craft Show on Facebook for more info.
Back to Nature Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Fulfill your gift giving needs and support your local artisans at Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Back to Nature Holiday Market. Check out the more than 40 local vendors offering hand-made and/or eco-friendly goods for sale. Admission is free. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30076. Get details by calling 770-992-2055 or visiting chattnaturecenter.org.
Indie Craft Experience Holiday Market
Sunday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Join us for a super-fun holiday shopping opportunity. This one-day event features 60-plus craft & vintage vendors, a great selection of local food vendors and swag bags for the first 100 attendees. Admission is $5 cash at the door, free for kids 12 and under. Yaarab Temple, 400 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown Atlanta, 30308. Ice-atlanta.com is where to learn more.
Holiday Home Tours
10th Annual Home for the Holidays Showhouse
November 15 through Dec. 9. Thursdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Candlelight Tour on Thursday, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. This seasonal event benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s showhouse is a new 8,232-square-foot Buckhead estate on a 1.5-acre lot. The English country abode features a locally sourced limestone and brick exterior with open, light-filled spaces. Features of the five-bedroom home include 11-foot ceilings, a massive 6-foot wide fireplace (one of three in the house) and a long gallery of windows on the second floor. General admission tickets are $30 online; Candlelight Tour is $55. 4540 Jett Road, Atlanta 30327. Tickets and info at atlantaholidayhome.com.
32nd Annual Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour
Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Candlelight Tour: Saturday, Dec. 1, 7-9:30 p.m. This year’s tour features six homes in the Church-Cherokee district, all lovingly renovated and decorated for the season. The Day Tour features six homes and a number of historic public buildings; tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the tour. The Candlelight Tour showcases three of the homes, with tickets at $20 in advance and $25 on tour day. A combination ticket is also available for $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. More information is available at mariettapilgrimage.com.
24th Annual Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes
Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Seven beautiful homes will be featured in this annual walking tour of one of Atlanta’s most charming neighborhoods. Local restaurants will provide tastings at the YWCA and at each of the Tour homes. Advance tickets can be purchased online for $25; on the weekend of the tour, tickets are available for $30. Get tickets and details at vahitourofhomes.org.
38th Annual Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, 6-10 p.m. One of Atlanta’s most eclectic home tours, the Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes is also a fundraiser for three local organizations. Advance ticket prices are $20 each, and increase to $25 on Saturday, Dec. 8. Purchase tickets and learn more at candlelighttourofhomes.com.