Streets Alive!
Saturday, May 30 — Happy weekend! Atlanta Streets Alive returns to West End and Grant Park tomorrow from 2-6 p.m. with 3.5 miles of open streets, live music, and events. Visitors are invited to walk, bike, skate, and dance their way down the route.
🌩️ Scattered thunderstorms throughout the weekend, with a high of 83° today, but only 70° tomorrow.
MARKET UPDATE
📈 U.S. stocks closed at record highs Friday, capping a strong May fueled by a tech surge. The Nasdaq gained more than 8% for the month, the S&P 500 rose 5%, and the Dow climbed nearly 3%. Dell shares soared 33% after a strong earnings report.
Locally, Delta Air Lines was up slightly, but Coca-Cola fell 1.74%.
LOCAL NEWS
⚽ The FBI said that security measures for the FIFA World Cup matches will include a no-drone zone over Downtown Atlanta.
🗳️ An audit of the May 19 primary election will be conducted next week ahead of the June 5 deadline to certify the results.
🚇 MARTA will fully activate its new fare gates today, with riders required to pay the fare to ride trains from all stations.
ELSEWHERE
🗂️ Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her handling of the Epstein files yesterday, deflecting questions by pointing to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as the official who oversaw the document review.
⚖️ A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s name was illegally added to the Kennedy Center and blocked the administration’s plans to close it for renovations.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTA BELTLINE
⚾ Step into Atlanta’s baseball past through a newly restored plaque along the Beltline’s Eastside Trail. Learn more here about two historic magnolia trees and the legacy they carry.
🥀 The musical version of “Beauty and the Beast” is at the Fox Theatre this weekend, with performances today at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and tomorrow at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
🍑 The annual LGBTQ+ festival Peach Party Atlanta continues throughout tomorrow with parties and other various events.
👧 Toddler Takeover, an arts festival for young children, hits Woodruff Arts Center today and tomorrow.
🗑️ “Basura,” a new musical with a score by Gloria and Emily Estefan, opens at the Alliance Theatre tonight and runs through July 12.
⚽ Decatur FC looks to move to 2-0 when they host UFA tonight at 6 p.m. at Decatur High School.
➡ Here are some concerts to check out:
🐰 Echo & The Bunnymen @ Tabernacle (tonight)
💤 Nice Dream @ Vinyl (tonight)
👊 Punch Brothers @ The Eastern (tonight)
🗡️ Blade Rave @ Buckhead Theatre (tonight)
🍭 Fulton Lee @ The Loft (tomorrow)
🪣 Buckethead @ Variety Playhouse (tomorrow)
💀 Babyfxce E @ The Masquerade (tomorrow)
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE QUIZ
🧠 Click here to play, and please let us know how you do by replying to this email or sharing on Instagram, Facebook, or Bluesky @RoughDraftATL.
Enjoy your Saturday!
A nostalgic summer vacation at Lake Oconee
SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE
🏖️ Looking for things to do this summer or planning a weekend getaway near Atlanta? Just over an hour away, Lake Oconee is one of Georgia’s top summer destinations, offering everything from boating and fishing to berry picking and small-town charm.
🌞 Whether you’re planning a relaxing lake vacation or hoping to recreate the “good old days” with your kids or grandkids, Lake Oconee is the perfect place to slow down and make lasting summer memories.
Experience RD IRL
🍽️ We are taking Rough Draft off your screen and into local restaurants with Atlanta’s first reader’s dinner club on Tues., June 16.
We’ve partnered with DNNR to host IRL dinners where you’ll be matched with five like-minded readers for thoughtful conversations and real community building.
And, your ticket directly supports local journalism.
🎫 Think of it as your favorite newsletter, but with better food and actual eye contact. Book your seat today for our inaugural dinners in Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Poncey Highland.
Top stories of the week
A look back at this week’s most-read stories from our website. Follow @RoughDraftATL on Instagram for regular updates.
① Blank Foundation’s HBCU scholarship initiative distributes over $4.2 million
② Groundbreaking ceremony for $28.9M Candler Crossing development in Decatur
③ Residents demand action on stalled Midtown construction site (Pictured)
④ Plan for 7 Brew coffee drive-thru heads to Tucker City Council
⑤ Free FIFA World Cup watch parties, festivals, and fan events around Atlanta
😌 You’re invited to the Wednesday Wellness Series with the Chastain Park Conservancy at Farm Chastain this June. Enjoy relaxing evenings of sound bath, Qigong, restorative yoga, and meditation surrounded by nature. Free and open to the community. Register today at Chastain Park Conservancy. SPONSOR MESSAGE
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