From Atlanta Access
Go get yourself a boat at the Atlanta Boat Show this weekend – or maybe you could just window-shop and dream. That’s likely what most of the attendees will be doing at this annual event, but don’t miss the interactive learning experiences being offered through the weekend.
FRIDAY
Recreation, outdoors: The Atlanta Boat Show will have powerboats, sport fishers, ski boats and personal watercraft. Booths showcase the latest engines, gear, electronics and more. Don’t miss a massive 200,000-gallon wake park and the Let’s Go Fishing Center, which offers an underwater view of fish reacting to lures and bait. At the Georgia World Congress Center through Jan. 15.
Stage: In the Actor’s Express production “Next Fall,” 20-something Luke, who believes in God, is deeply in love with the slightly older Adam, who believes in everything but. When a tragic accident interrupts their perfect life, Adam must turn to Luke’s friends and deeply religious family for support — and answers. Preview Jan. 13, $15-$17. Gala opening Jan. 14, $40-$42. The show continues through Feb. 11 at the company’s stage in the King Plow Arts Center.
Stage: World War II has just ended as secrets are revealed in the South Georgia town of “Second Samuel.” New London Theatre’s production of the Pamela Parker play opens Jan. 13 and runs through Jan. 29 at the company’s Snellville home.
Stage: “Becky’s New Car” introduces audiences to Becky Foster, a modern day American everywoman stuck in middle age and middle management with no prospects for change. It’s the latest production from Georgia Ensemble Theatre and runs through Jan. 22 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.
Stage: “The New Adventures of the Gingerbread Man,” from Atlanta’s All Hands Productions, weaves together several well-known folk tales. Catch it at the Center for Puppetry Arts through Jan. 22.
Stage: “The Kindness of Strangers” compiles seven short plays by five Atlanta writers that explore the life of Tennessee Williams and the themes of his work. It runs Jan. 12-15 at the Academy Theatre in Avondale Estates.
Performing arts: “Odysseo” is an equestrian ballet that is a lavish blend of multimedia and performing arts. From one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil, the show just extended its run under the big tent near Spring and 8th streets through Jan. 22. Check out our review of the show.
Exhibition, religion: “Passages” is a traveling exhibition of the world’s largest private collection of rare biblical texts and artifacts. It continues at the Perimeter Expo in Dunwoody through May 13.
History: “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment” is a multimedia exhibition that spotlights the New York City landmark’s powerful impact on the entertainment business. It continues through March 4 at the Atlanta History Center.
Visual art: The High Museum of Art explores some of the highlights of the art of the 20th century with “Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters.” The show runs through April 29. See our review.
Stage: Atlanta Shakespeare Company continues its chronological run through the Bard’s comedies with “The Merchant of Venice” . The show continues through Jan. 29 in repertory with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the New American Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta.
SATURDAY
Stage: Sally Struthers plays Miss Hannigan in this new touring version of the beloved Broadway musical “Annie.” It opens Jan. 14 and runs through Jan. 22 at the Fox Theatre.
Trucks, mayhem: The promoters of Monster Jam are promising the biggest line-up of monster trucks ever seen at the Georgia Dome. The Party in the Pit happens 2-5 p.m. Jan. 14 (pit passes required, available free at many Metro PCS locations, check website for list). Gates for the main event open at 5 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m.
Family, trains: The 42nd Atlanta Model Train And Railroadiana Show And Sale will offer more than 300 tables featuring model train items and accessories, as well as railroad antiques. It’s happening 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 14 at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross.
SUNDAY
Stage: A husband’s efforts to deny his visit to the Moulin Rouge lead to mistakes and plausible presumptions in “The Ladies Man,” a Theatre in the Square
production of a play based on a French farce by Georges Feydeau. Previews are Jan. 15 and 17 and the show continues through Feb. 26.
Music: Catch the most star-studded line-up of contemporary Christian rock in town until the Atlanta Fest begins in June when the Winter Jam Tour hits Philips Arena at 6 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets, only available at the door, are just $10 and the bill includes Skillet, Sanctus Real, Peter Fuller, NewSong, Kari Jobe, Building 429 and Group 1 Crew.
Music: Music on the Hill series offers piano trios by Beethoven, Schumann and Joaquin Turina performed by Olga Shpitko (violin), Sarah Kapps (cello) and Peter Marshall (piano) at Northside Drive Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Music, performance: “Elvis Lives” features finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. See it at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Stage: “A Balm in Gilead” combines music, dance and storytelling in order to reconstruct the two turbulent months that transformed the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968, which became the setting of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. See it at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at Wheat Street Baptist Church.
For more Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, check out our list of parades, marches, musical tributes, services and more.