Above: The Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show returns to the Georgia World Congress Center in January 2020.
The Arts
Dunwoody Fine Art Association Meeting & Special Program
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 9:30 a.m. The January Dunwoody Fine Art Association (DFAA) meeting will feature a program by Eric Bowles, well-known photographer with the Georgia Nature Photographers Association (GNPA). He’ll present an exciting collaboration between GNPA and DFAA allowing DFAA artists to create paintings based on GNPA photos. The meeting is free and open to all interested artists. It begins with refreshments and social time at 9:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:45 a.m. Dunwoody North Shallowford Annex, 4470 North Shallowford Road, Room 1 in Dunwoody 30338. Visit dunwoodyfineart.org for more info.
ARTrageous
Sunday, Jan. 19. Back by popular demand, ARTrageious is a one-of-a-kind, interactive art and music experience. The troupe of artists, musicians, singers and dancers pay tribute to a variety of art forms, pop icons and musical genres, culminating in a gallery of finished paintings. Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium, 331 Spring Street, Gainesville 30501. Get tickets and details at TheArtsCouncil.net.
The Photography of Jim Alexander—A Retrospective
Sunday, Jan. 26, 3-5 p.m. Meet the award-winning photographer who has spent more than 50 years refining the art of documentary photography. A photojournalist, teacher, activist, media consultant and entrepreneur, Alexander has amassed an impressive collection of images of Black culture and human rights photographs. He is a 2006 inductee into The HistoryMakers, and in 1995 when the city of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs began its annual Master Artist program, Jim Alexander was the first artist chosen “for his contribution to Atlanta and the world.” Admission is free to the artist’s reception and book signing. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30022. For info and tickets, visit RoswellCAC.com.
The Color Purple: A Concert
Saturday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. Actor’s Express makes their debut on the Roswell stage with this concert version of their 2018 hit musical, The Color Purple. Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning triumph bolts joyously to life with soaring music and unforgettable characters. Celebrating the very best of the human spirit, The Color Purple tells the uplifting story of Celie, a woman who struggles through adversity to find strength, love and the power of her own voice. This concert will feature members of the 2018 cast, which won the Atlanta area “Suzi” Award for Best Musical. Tickets are $35; $30 for seniors, students and military. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30022. Go to RoswellCAC.com for info and tickets.
Suzanne Engel Artist Opening Reception
Saturday, Feb. 8, 5-7 p.m. Exhibition runs Feb. 6-March 29. Suzanne Engel’s work is shown in various locations in and around Atlanta. She works in oils and often paints landscapes inspired by her world travels, though she also has a passion for floral still life. Recently, she has moved into creating abstracts with bold colors. Gallery 4945, 4945 High Point Road, Sandy Springs 30342. Learn more at suzanneengel.com and gallery4945.weebly.com.
Calendar Girls
Runs Feb. 7-23. When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room and settle on the idea of an ‘alternative’ calendar. This hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven Women’s Institute members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research. Act 3 Playhouse, 6285 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs 30328. To find out more or order tickets, call the box office at 770-241-1905 or visit act3productions.org.
Health & Wellness
Blood Clots: Awareness & Prevention
Friday, Jan. 17, 4 p.m. Learn what blood clots are and how to prevent them. The Global Thrombosis Forum is a voluntary nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF). Gwinnett County Public Library, Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024. For more event info, visit gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.
Learn Something
Marist Evening Series Classes
Mondays, Jan. 13, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3. Marist School presents the Marist Evening Series, three evenings of courses for adults taught by the school’s faculty and staff. Class topics include art history, religion and spirituality, history and culture, science, ceramics, drawing/painting, photography, film and writing. The cost is $95 for early bird registration, until Jan. 4; $110 for registration Jan. 5-Jan. 12. Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta 30319. Register online at marist.com/eveningseries by Sunday, Jan. 12. Onsite registration will be available Monday, Jan. 13 from 6-7 p.m. in Whitehead Cafeteria at Marist School.
Painting with Acrylics for Adults–Winter Session 1
Wednesdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 19, 6-9 p.m. or Thursdays, Jan. 16-Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Have you always wanted to learn to paint? Join this 6-week session of classes and discover the versatility and ease of painting with acrylics. The class is designed to jumpstart beginners while also catering to the individual needs of the more advanced students. For adults only. The cost for the 6-week session is $199. Students provide their own supplies; the suggested supply list will be provided at registration. Hammond Park Community Building, 6005 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs 30328. Limited spaces are available, so register now to save your spot! Register at registration.sandyspringsga.gov.
Author and Historian Lisa M. Russell: Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia
Monday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. Presented by Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with the Gwinnett Historical Society. The lakes of north Georgia are known for their breathtaking views and fun weekends on the water, but there is often a forgotten history that lurks beneath them. Listen to Russell as she tells the tales of these fascinating underwater ghost towns. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville 30046. Parking is available at 153 Crogan Street and around the Courthouse Square. Get more info at gwinnettpl.org or by calling 770-978-5154.
Community & Special Events
2020 Progressive® Insurance Atlanta Boat Show
Runs Jan. 16-19. The Atlanta Boat Show features the best of the best in new boats and marine products for 2020, with more than 600 watercraft being showcased along with the very latest in marine accessories and products. Show-goers can get up close to hundreds of boats and enjoy interactive features that include virtual reality exhibits, educational seminars on boating, fishing and sailing, a nautical Kids’ Zone and Touch-a-Boat Tour, events with local breweries and DIY workshops. Tickets are $15 for adults; kids ages 12 and under are free. Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, Atlanta 30313. For advance tickets, times and more info, visit AtlantaBoatShow.com.
Fort Building Fun at Morgan Falls Overlook Park
Friday, Jan. 17, 9-10:30 a.m. Enjoy a short winter hike into the forest and build a fort out of fallen tree branches. Warm up afterwards by the fire pit overlooking Bull Sluice Lake. Weather permitting, of course. Free and open to all ages. Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs 30350. Register at registration.sandyspringsga.gov.
Bird Walk and Wildlife Viewing
Saturday, Jan. 18, 8-10:30 a.m. Join the Sandy Springs Naturalist for a family-friendly guided bird walk from Overlook Park to historic Morgan Falls Dam. Resident and migratory birds may be observed during this time. Binoculars will be available to borrow or bring your own. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by adult. Weather permitting; free and open to all ages. Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs 30350. Register at registration.sandyspringsga.gov.