9 essential Atlanta arts events this weekend

Thursday

ASO: Beethoven’s Triple Concerto

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Beethoven Project continues with the Triple Concerto, a piece unlike any other in the composer’s oeuvre. ASO Concertmaster David Coucheron is on violin, his sister, Julie Coucheron, is the pianist and ASO Acting/Associate Principal Cellist Daniel Laufer rounds out the trio of soloists. Performances are at 8 p.m. April 3 and April 4, with a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Friday

Love Letters

Actors and restaurateurs Jennifer Levison (aka Souper Jenny) and Mitchell Anderson (of Metro Fresh and Party of Five fame) star in A.R. Gurney’s enduring epistolary story of a complex 50-year friendship. Love Letters is on stage at Synchronicity Theatre April 4 through April 6 and tickets are $50.

Wussy Fest

Combining drag shows, dance parties, panels, workshops, artist markets and more, WussyFest is a celebration of queer performance art in the Southeast. The fest’s second year kicks off on April 4 with the Prom of Trash and “prom chaperone” John Waters at Masquerade. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be performances by Manila Luzon and Raja at the Masquerade, along with events at Park Tavern and the newly opened Lore, which is located beside Church on Edgewood.

Cat Eye Creative Decatur grand opening

The official grand opening of Cat Eye Creative’s Decatur location will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 4. The ribbon cutting will happen at 11 a.m., but there will be timed RSVPs for the day to ensure that everyone has a more personalized experience to view the intimate space and explore the inaugural group show, Shine. The exhibition features Cat Eye artists along with the seven artists participating in Oakland Cemetery’s Illumine Exhibition, beginning April 17.

Saturday

Jonathan Biss

The acclaimed pianist will perform Bed-Stuy Sonata for Piano by former Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Residence Alvin Singleton, along with a pair of Schubert sonatas, at Spivey Hall at 3 p.m. on April 5. Read more about how Biss is pairing the work of contemporary Black composers with Schubert.

Kit Modus

Atlanta dance company will present a triple bill of premieres by guest choreographers Christian Denice, Noelle Kayser and Annalee Traylor at Windmill Arts on April 5.

Noah James Saunders

The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art will showcase the intricate wire sculptures of Athens artist Noah James Saunders. Opening reception is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5, and there will be an artist talk from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 27.

Sunday

Neko Case in conversation

A Cappella Books welcomes musician Neko Case to Atlanta’s Tara Theatre to celebrate her powerful new memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You. The author will appear in conversation with Virginia Prescott, president of School of Humans Audio and former host of GPB’s On Second Thought, at 7 p.m. on April 6. The $30 ticket price includes a signed hardcover edition of the book.

Atlanta Chamber Players

The ensemble’s spring concert will feature Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major and the Serenade in D major for Flute, Violin and Viola, along with Allen McCullough’s Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola and Piano

::

More things to do this weekend and beyond

A shipwreck, separated twins and mistaken identities are at the heart of Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved (and most frequently produced) comedies. It opens at Shakespeare Tavern on April 5 and continues through April 27 … Salute Atlanta’s creative spirit on 404 day, a yearly celebration of music and art happening in Piedmont Park on April 4. This year’s edition benefits Women in Film & Television Atlanta … Artist Lonnie Holley will be in conversation with Virginia Prescott at The Carter Center to discuss his new book, Lonnie Holley: Sculptures, Paintings, Sandstones, Film, Works on Paper & Music, published by Rizzoli Electa, at 7 p.m. April 8. General admission tickets are $10, but a $70 ticket includes admission and a signed copy of the book … The first U.S. exhibition showcasing the work of French haute couture fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin kicks off in Haute Couture Heritage at SCAD Fash Museum of Fashion + Film April 4 through August 31 … Beacon Dance’s mixed bill, April 4 through April 6 at The B Complex, will feature five new works … Join Quinn Christopherson, an Ahtna Athabascan and Iñupiaq songwriter, born, raised and based in Anchorage, Alaska, for an afternoon performance a 2:30 p.m. April 3 in the Michael C. Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall.