9 essential Atlanta arts events this weekend
Each week, ArtsATL curates a selection of the most exciting arts and culture events happening in Atlanta this weekend, highlighting nine must-see experiences.
::
Thursday
MomoCon is Atlanta’s annual celebration of anime, animation, comic books and gaming. This self-described “geek culture convention” is happening at the Georgia World Congress Center May 22 through May 25. Don’t miss the ANX Kpop Battles, where fans compete in a dance event by performing modified or original choreography.
A musician and DJ trained in classical, jazz and musical theater, Sudie Abernathy (or, simply, Sudie) fuses traditional and contemporary disciplines to create soundscapes that reference Sade as much as Sondheim. Sudie performs at 9 p.m. on May 22 at Eddie’s Attic.
The Tony Award-winning musical Shucked is on its inaugural national tour, which will bring it to the Fox Theatre through May 25. The show’s book is by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), with a score by the Grammy Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
Atlanta Photography group shows
Up next from Atlanta Photography Group are Photo as Object and iVisual 2025: Mobile Phone Photographic Art. Both shows will be on view May 20 through June 21, with an opening reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 22. Check out the latest in our Partners in the Arts series on Atlanta Photography Group Executive Director David Clifton-Strawn and his husband and fellow visual artist Billy Clifton-Strawn.
Jenna, a waitress and pie maker, is stuck in a rocky marriage when a pie-baking contest in a nearby county offers a way out. Aurora Theatre presents the musical based on the film by the late Adrienne Shelly, with tunes by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles. It opens May 22 and continues through June 15.
We Are Music: Photographs by Jim Alexander & Sue Ross
This exhibition documents five decades of Black musical excellence. Alexander, who celebrates his 90th birthday in August, was mentored by Gordon Parks. The work of Alexander and Ross documents pivotal moments in Atlanta’s musical history in this exhibition at The Sun ATL on Edgewood Avenue, with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 22. The show will be on view through July 26.
Friday
This annual celebration of jazz returns to Piedmont Park Memorial Day weekend with a lineup packed with talent, both local and national. As always, the outdoor music event is free. Derrick Hodge, Dianne Reeves, Russell Gunn and Joe Gransden are among the headliners at the three-day fest, which happens May 24 through May 26. This year’s special events include a pre-festival concert on May 23 at Atlanta Symphony Hall featuring Robert Glasper and Baby Rose.
Saturday
Join moderator and curator Faron Manuel at 2 p.m. May 24 for a panel discussion with artists Samuel Dunson, Michael Reese, Jennifer Mack-Watkins and Ellex Swavoni at One Contemporary Gallery. They’ll talk about the gallery’s current exhibition, Y3K: Black Quantum Futures, which has been extended through May 24. The show explores contemporary ideas about Afrofuturism, more than 30 years after the term was coined.
Sunday
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
You know him primarily as an actor, director and producer, but Jeff Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago, playing contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American Songbook standards. He’ll bring the ensemble to Atlanta Symphony Hall at 7 p.m. on May 25.
More things to do this weekend
The Grove at Wills Park in Alpharetta will host more than 100 artisans at the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest on Memorial Day Weekend, along with street performers, food vendors, children’s activities and more. It’s happening 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 24 and May 25 … Check out Australian punk rock phenomenon Amyl and The Sniffers at the Eastern at 7 p.m. on May 22 … Puerto Rican musician and Latin Grammy winner Rauw Alejandro plays State Farm Arena at 8 p.m. on May 24.
STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL THINGS ArtsATL
Subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter.
PLEASE SUPPORT ARTSATL
Your Gift Sustains the Coverage You Count On!
Related Posts
