Summer Guide - August, 2008

88 SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9, UMPHREY’S MCGEE

Aug. 1-2. Count on both of these shows to sell out fast. You could blame it on the fact that STS9 used to be based in Atlanta, but that wouldn’t begin to explain why the electronica jam band sells out shows all over the world. Umphrey’s McGee is scheduled to open. $33.50. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Fri.; 7 p.m. on Sat. Masquerade Music Park, 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com. 

89 SUMMER GOSPEL FESTIVAL

Aug. 1-2. Join speaker Bishop Paul S. Morton, music by Byron Cage and more for two days of spiritual guidance and healing. $25. Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. 404-223-4000. www.gboct.org/main.

90 PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

Opens Fri., Aug. 8. Knocked Up’s Seth Rogen and his “Freaks & Geeks” co-star James Franco star in this fugitive comedy about two stoners who find themselves pursued by crooked cops and drug dealers after Rogen’s character witnesses a murder. The plot sounds pretty familiar, but Rogen and his Superbad co-writer Evan Goldberg wrote the script, with Knocked Up’s Judd Apatow producing and David Gordon Green directing, so Pineapple Express could be one of the summer’s funniest films.

91 RINGLING BROTHERS

Opens Sat., Aug. 9. Collaborative show reunites graduates from Florida’s Ringling College of Art and Design. The artists who now call Atlanta home include Sat Kirpal, Jason Murphy, Steven Dixey, Matt Relkin, Katie Ridley, Stenvik Mostrom and Jason Proudler. Sat., 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., noon-6 p.m. Through Sept. 7. Beep Beep Gallery. 696 Charles Allen Drive. 404-429-3320. www.beepbeepgallery.com.

92 SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE

Opens Sun., Aug. 10. The game’s afoot when Theatre in the Square stages Steven Dietz’s Edgar Award-winning adaptation of an 1899 play about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary supersleuth. $22-$33. Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Through Sept. 21. 770-422-8369. www.theatreinthesquare.com.

93 ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

Tues., Aug. 12. Slipknot headlines. $28.50-$56.50. 2 p.m. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Way. 404-443-5090. www.ticketmaster.com.

94 NINE INCH NAILS, DEERHUNTER

Wed., Aug. 13. Now that he’s a free agent, Trent Reznor brings Nine Inch Nails back through town in support of his self-released albums Ghosts I-IV and last week’s The Slip. Atlanta’s beloved Deerhunter opens, ripping through a set of noisy melodies and pop-avant-garde numbers from the group’s forthcoming third full-length, Microcastle. Tickets TBA. Arena at Gwinnett Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7500. www.gwinnettcenter.com.

95 HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Opens Fri., Aug. 15. Based on the movie, two unlikely candidates – the basketball star and a smart transfer student – break clichés and try out for lead roles in a high school musical. Tues., May 27. Tues.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m. $25-$66. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. 404-881-2100. www.foxtheatre.org.

96 THE UGLY DUCKLING

Opens Fri., Aug. 15. A classic story of the journey of self-discovery and inner beauty. Adapted and directed by Michael Haverty. Fri., 10 and 11:30 a.m.; Sat., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 3 p.m. Through Sept. 14. $9-$16. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.

97 FOLK FEST

Aug. 15-17. This year the country’s largest self-taught, outsider folk-art festival will include big names such as Howard Finster, Moes Tolliver and Daniel Johnston. Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $7-$15. North Atlanta Trade Center, 1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross. 770-279-9899. www.slotinfolkart.com.

98 BBQ, BLUES AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Sat., Aug. 16. Offers activities for the whole family and plenty of OB’s Real Pit Out-N-Back BBQ to go around. Train rides for kids, beer for adults. Live music from Well Strung, Stonehouse Posse, Porch Bottom Boys, Albert White and Beverly “Guitar” Watkins. $5. Free for children 10 and under. 4-10 p.m. Harmony Park, Decatur. www.decaturbbqfestival.com.

99 LANGUAGE HARM

Thurs., Aug. 21. Night of eclectic, spontaneous art for the sake of art, will mix performances, poetry readings, projections and polyphons (multiple voices reading one poem). $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, 290 MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 8. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

100 GERMAN BIERFEST

Sat, Aug. 23. Celebrate German beer by learning about it, talking with others who love it and, of course, drinking it. Live music from the Francisco Vidal Band. 2-8 p.m. Atlantic Station, 371 17th St. 404-733-1221. www.germanbierfest.com.

101 LAUGHTER FOR YOUR SOUL COMEDY AND R&B FESTIVAL

Sat., Aug. 23. Rickey Smiley will bring his favorite impersonations and characters (Bernice Jenkins and Coach McClainy) with his clean, Southern humor to Atlanta for one night. $51-$95. 8 p.m. Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. 404-523-6275. www.atlantaciviccenter.com.

102 RUTH STANFORD

Opens Sat., Aug. 23. Georgia State University sculpture professor makes her Atlanta debut at Eyedrum with a solo installation/sculpture show. Stanford’s work has an archeological edge, which she uses to uncover life’s lost or forgotten moments with the simplest of symbols. Opening reception Sat., Aug. 23, 7-11 p.m. Fri., 3-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 1-6 p.m. Through Oct. 4. Eyedrum, 290 MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 8. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org.

103 PEACHTREE LATINO FESTIVAL

Sun., Aug. 24. A day of celebration uniting Latinos and non-Latinos. Experience the culture with a parade, art, food and music. Free. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-523-2311. www.underground-atlanta.com.

104 AUGUST WILSON FULL CIRCLE

Previews begin Fri., Aug. 29. In one of the biggest theatrical events of the year, Alliance Theatre presents the long-awaited final two shows in the late playwright August Wilson’s 10-play, 20th century cycle. True Colors artistic director Kenny Leon (who emerged as one of Wilson’s favorite directors of his last plays) helms The Gem of the Ocean; Alliance associate artistic director Kent Gash directs Radio Golf. The same actors star in both shows, which take place in the 1900s and ’90s, respectively. Call for tickets. Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. 404-733-5000. www.alliancetheatre.org.

105 AJC DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL

Aug. 29-31. Third annual Labor Day weekend festival offers noted authors, author readings and signings, live music, and cooking and wine demonstrations. Last year’s fest featured 100 authors and drew a crowd of more than 60,000 people. This year’s lineup includes popular Atlanta chick-lit author Emily Giffin and her new book, Love the One You’re With. Free. Aug. 29-31. Downtown Decatur Square, 119 E. Court Square, Decatur. www.decaturbookfestival.com. www.decaturbookfestival.com.

106 DRAGON*CON

Aug. 29-Sept. 1. The Southeast’s largest fantasy and sci-fi extravaganza fills four downtown hotels and a convention hall with sword fighting, gaming competitions, folk singing, vendors, horror movies, concerts and the climax: the costume contest. Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St. 770-909-0115. www.dragoncon.com.

107 ATLANTA CARIBBEAN JERK FESTIVAL

Sun., Aug. 31. Come for the jerk-chicken/pork-grilling competition, eat your fill of spicy food, play dominos and learn all about Caribbean culture and food at this third annual event. Free. Noon-11 p.m. Panthersville Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Road. www.atlantajerkfestival.com/ajfindex.htm.

108 GRANT PARK SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL

Aug. 30-31. The sixth annual event featuring an artists’ market, wine and food booths, top-billed local bands, and family activities. Grant Park, 840 Cherokee Ave. www.gpconservancy.org/summershade.

109 LAST BLAST OF SUMMER

Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Enjoy the last moments of summer watching a live concert and the infamous 25th Anniversary Lasershow Spectacular. Free with park entry fee. Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain Park, Exit 8, U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5600. www.stonemountainpark.com/festivals-events-concerts.

110 DRIVE-INVASION

Aug. 30-31. The Starlight Six Drive-In’s renowned, insanely fun “tailgate party” of rock music, shlock movies, fast cars, special guests and more returns for another Labor Day Weekend. Movie/band lineup to be announced. $22 single-day ticket, $40 two-day pass. Gates open at noon. Starlight Six Drive-In, 2000 Moreland Ave. 404-627-5786. www.starlightdrivein.com.

111 MONTREAUX JAZZ FESTIVAL ATLANTA

Aug. 29-31. Three days of jazz, blues, gospel and pop acts in Underground Atlanta. Lineup to be announced. Free. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-523-2311. www.underground-atlanta.com.