Summer Guide - 2008 Summer: 111 things to do

MAY 

1 RIVERDANCE

May 14-18. Swan song for the popular dance troupe that combines ancient Celtic mythology with Irish history through the art of step dancing. $25-$62. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-881-2100. www.foxtheatre.org.

2 NOOT D’ NOOT, JUDI CHICAGO, ROB WONDER

Sat., May 17. Two of Atlanta’s premier party bands Noot d’ Noot and Judi Chicago kick off a summer-long residency dubbed “Worming the Star Hole.” The Noots churn out deep-space collages of funk and rhythm. The Judis are an art-damaged duo of thrift-store cowboys meshing late-’80s house beats with guitars, horns and a maelstrom of high-energy performance. Rob Wonder spins records. $7. 9 p.m. Lenny’s. 486 Decatur St. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com.

3 K9 COTILLION

Sun., May 18. Includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a chance for every canine to become the Pets Are Loving Support spokesdog. Proceeds to benefit PALS. 4-7 p.m. Piedmont Bark, 501 Amsterdam Ave. www.palsatlanta.org.

4 WHITES AND ROSES

Mon., May 19. Part of the School Nights at Park Tavern Series. Wine educators will answer questions and offer advice on both wine and wine-and-cheese combinations. Light appetizers served. $29. 7-9 p.m. The Piedmont Room, 500 10th St. 404-249-0001. www.atlantawineschool.com.

5 INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

Opens Thurs., May 22. The Indiana Jones trilogy gets an unexpected fourth chapter 19 years after the third one, with 65-year-old Harrison Ford reprising his role as the whip-cracking tomb raider. Director Stephen Spielberg’s latest adventure reportedly involves commies (led by Cate Blanchett) and extraterrestrial artifacts, with Shia LaBeouf adding new blood as a 1950s teenager. (Maybe it’s also a prequel to producer George Lucas’ American Graffiti.)

6 AN EVENING OF MUSICAL SHAKESPEARE

May 22-24. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of music inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, including pieces by Berlioz and Cole Porter. $18-$70. 8 p.m. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org.

7 MONDOHOMO 2008

May 22-26. Queer-culture festival celebrates diversity with bands, DJs, burlesque performances, crafts, spoken-word and dance parties at venues around Atlanta including Lenny’s, Eyedrum and Mary’s. Featured acts include Nick Click, the Bangers and the Athens Boys Choir. Free-$50. mondohomo.com.

8 ATLANTA DREAM BASKETBALL

Fri., May 23. Atlanta’s WNBA team takes on the Detroit Shock in the home opener of its inaugural season, which continues through Sept. 12. $10-$350. 7:30 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 404-878-3000. www.philipsarena.com.

9 CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

Sat., May 24. Twentieth annual festival with a parade that starts on West Peachtree and ends on Auburn Avenue. Also includes live music and a children’s carnival. Free. Noon. www.atlantacarnival.org.

10 DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL

May 24-25. Now in its 18th year, the Decatur Arts Festival is an interactive community event. Activities range from fine arts exhibits to markets and dance performances. Free. May 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; May 25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Decatur Courthouse, 101 E. Courthouse Square, Decatur. www.decaturartsalliance.org.

11 GROWN FOLKS RADIO WITH DWELE, LINA, NOEL GOURDIN, LIV WARFIELD

Sat., May 24. Expect a preview of subtle soul singer Dwele’s third studio release, Sketches of a Man, due June 24, while Gourdin conjures up images of black family reunions with “The River.” $35. 6 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St. 404-875-9364. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

12 RICK BRAGG

Tues., May 27. When it comes to memoirs, good things come in threes for the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All Over But the Shoutin’ and Ava’s Man, who returns with The Prince of Frogtown. $10 general admission, free for Friends of the Carter Center or with a purchase of the new novel. (Tickets available at A Cappella Books.) 7 p.m. Carter Library & Museum Theatre, 441 Freedom Parkway. 404-681-5123 or 404-865-7100. www.jimmycarterlibrary.org.

13 CLINIC

Sun., May 25. British art rockers churn out equal parts primitive and scorching riffs from the band’s latest release, Do It! BBQ, the illustrious one-man garage-rock melody maker, opens. $15. 8 p.m. The Earl. 488 Flat Shoals Road. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.

14 SWEENEY TODD

Opens Tues., May 27. Tim Burton’s loving adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s macabre musical omitted some of the show’s best songs (particularly “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”). Discover the dark grandeur, humor and tragedy of “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” when the touring version of director John Doyle’s acclaimed, stripped-down production comes to Peachtree Street. $19-$55. Opening reception Tues., May 27. Through June 1. Tues.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-817-8700. www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/atlanta.

15 RUTH LAXSON: LIFE IS A PAGE

Opens Thurs., May 29. Marcia Wood Gallery presents a 50-year retrospective of 84-year-old artistic bookmaker Ruth Laxson, in which she fuses words and images in meditations on contemporary culture. The event coincides with the release of Laxson’s 30th book, Ideas of God. Opening reception Thurs., May 29, 7-9 p.m. Free. Through July 5. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Marcia Wood Gallery, 236 Walker St. 404-827-0030. www.marciawoodgallery.com.

16 JAWS AT SCREEN ON THE GREEN

Thurs., May 29. Relocated from Piedmont Park to Centennial Olympic Park, the popular outdoor film festival presents (mostly) recent classics on Thursday nights. This year’s Screen on the Green continues with Big Momma’s House (June 5), the Oscar-winning musical Chicago (June 12), another Stephen Spielberg movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (June 19) and Footloose (June 26), the winner of a fan poll. Free. Sundown. Olympic Centennial Park.

17 X

Thurs., May 29. L.A.’s original ’70s punk/rock ‘n’ roll scene setter returns with the full lineup of John Doe (guitar/vocals), Exene Cervenka (vocals), Billy Zoom (guitar) and D.J. Bonebrake (drums) to tear up the stage together again. Doe’s and Cervenka’s alternating sweet and savage vocal harmonies personify melancholy and gut-wrenching heartache. The group’s restrained approach to classic harmonies and country-western moods butted against an urban, punk strut packs a timeless and unrivaled punch. Detroit Cobras open. $25. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.

18 SEX AND THE CITY: THE MOVIE

Opens Fri., May 30. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte step onto the big screen in a film that’s sure to explore such themes as shopping, clothes, accessories, parties, sex, sex talk and more clothes. Incidentally, it’s rated R “for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.”

19 THE CLEAN HOUSE

Opens Fri., May 30. Joke-filled dramedy from playwright Sarah Ruhl (who wrote the Alliance Theatre’s luminous Eurydice) features a comedy-obsessed housekeeper and her highly rational employer, who tries to put her home in order when her seemingly perfect life falls into a shambles. $15-$30. Through June 29. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m. 404-584-7450. www.horizontheatre.com.

20 BUDDY GUY

Fri., May 30. Blues icon Buddy Guy brings a taste of Chicago to Atlanta. Though the guitar player has long since retired some of the wild tricks that once influenced Jimi Hendrix, he still gives a must-see show. Mike Lowry Band opens. $35. 8 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

21 EAST ATLANTA BEER FESTIVAL

Sat., May 31. Sample new and different types of a brew in a laid-back environment while listening to live bands such as Entropy. The festival will also raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. 1-5 p.m. $30-$35. John B. Gordon School, 1205 Metropolitan Ave. 404-330-4124. www.eabfonline.com.