Weekend Arts Agenda: The Contemporary’s ‘Endless’ summer July 23 2015

?The great hip-hop philospopher Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter once rapped about the “grand opening, grand closing,” of his career. Call it a stretch, but that line more or less sums up what’s going down at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center on Sat., July 25. The grand opening? It’s the release Deer Beat Wolf Magazine’s third edition, which includes works from Carl Janes, Sean Fahie, Heather Greenway, and Ryan Vizzions.
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?The grand closing? ICYMI: the Contemporary will be closed for the entire month of August, and will re-open in September with free admission. But before all of that can happen, there must be a party! Enter, Endless Road: Summer Closing Party. The whole shebang is celebrating the closing for Endless Road: A Look at Nexus Press. The itinerary includes: a Nexus reunion; Beth Malone’s Truck Talk finale; and DBW recording artists, Dot.s, will be playing from their new album Jellyfiss. It’s all going down from 7-10 p.m. Details here.
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?THURSDAY
?Pushcart Prize-winning author Liza Wieland is coming to A Cappella Books to sign copies of her latest novel, Land of Enchantment. The story time-hops from New Mexico in 1985 to Atlanta in 1995, and New York City in 2001, in which three women artists come into contact with each others’ work and in turn are hit with some serious self-reflection. The event’s going down Thurs., July 23, at 7 p.m.
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?FRIDAY
?>> Summer is the time for sequels, so why not embrace a second coming of art from City of Ink wunderkinds Miya Bailey and Corey Davis. Windows to Nowhere 2, is the follow-up to Davis and Bailey’s exhibition of the same name, and the new works will be on display at Notch8 Gallery. The opening reception is happening Fri., July 24, from 7-11 p.m.
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?>> There’s a group show, Pictorial Adventures, happening at over at Tew Galleries. Featuring works from David Eddy, Susan Homer, Anthony Ardavin, Charles Keiger, Charles Ladson, Mario Soria, with sculptures by Clem Bedwell and Richard Downs, the exhibition is on display through Aug. 21, with an opening reception Fri., July 24, from 6-9 p.m.
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?>> Fan of Frozen or Rent? Well, the star of both of astronomically successful productions, Idina Menzel, is in town for a stop on her international tour. CL’s Keely L. Herrick caught up with the diva on the rise ahead of her show this Fri., July 24, at Chastain Park Ampitheatre.
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?SATURDAY?
?The folks over at Atlanta Printmakers Studio are celebrating their Emerging Artist residents with an exhibition. Artists Nuno Nunez, Saira Raza, and Stacie Rosey will be showing print works created during their six-month residency. While the show runs through Oct. 15, there’s a reception and artist talk this Sat., July 25, from 7-9 p.m. Get more info here.
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?>> Arts website, CREATLIV, is hosting an exhibition/networking event at the Treehouse Studio. Titled CREATLIV Presents: The Art Blok (Art Show), the event will celebrate independent artists in the city, Sat., July 25, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. You can buy tickets here. 
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?LAST CHANCE/ONGOING
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?This weekend marks your very last chance to check out the Dashboard Co-op/Zuckerman Museum of Art collab, Rachel’s Killin’ It. Since June 27, the exhibition featuring artists Ben Wolf, Lee Deigaard, Nikita Gale, MSIF, Melanie Manos, Mike Black, Osman, and Nate Sharratt, has been encouraging visitors to, “appreciate and empathize with the hard work and dedication of others, both those who work in the spotlight and behind-the-scenes.” Sun., July 26, is the closing date for this show. If you know what’s good for your mind in need of creative stimulation, you’ll drive over to Kennesaw State University’s campus and check it out.