Weekend Arts Agenda: MAYhem: Kissed dances through the Cobb Energy Centre May 19 2016

Plus, LFA 2016 starts weekend programming, including a screening of <i>Trapped</i>.

This weekend only, Atlanta Ballet brings out a dynamic triple feature, premiering Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s “El Beso,” and the return of Yuri Possokhov’s popular “Classical Symphony” back to the Cobb Energy Centre with MAYhem: Kissed. With the world premiere of Guggenheim fellow (and the founder of New York’s Gallim Dance) Andrea Miller, the high-energy performance is set to pull audiences into a dizzying exploration of modern dance — so good luck staying in your seat. By the end of it, will you be on #TeamYuri, #TeamAndrea, or #TeamGustavo? You have four chances to find out.

MAYhem: Kissed runs from Fri. May 20, at 8 p.m., Sat., May 21, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., thru Sun. May 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre.

Temperatures are rising as we enter the summer months, and Atlanta events are picking up the pace to match. Keep it cool: The rest of your weekend is all planned out after the jump.
ON THURSDAY
›› The National Center for Civil and Human Rights begins their multi-part series of conversations on the barriers to and opportunities for building community in Atlanta with Searching for the Beloved Community: The Two Atlantas.  Join panelists John A Berry (Chief Executive Officer, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia), Mother Mamie Moore (Chair, English Avenue Neighborhood Association), Nathaniel Smith (Founder and Chief Equity Officer, Partnership for Southern Equity), Lynette Ward (Alumni Program Director, Rainbow Village, Inc.), Janelle Williams (Senior Associate, Family Economic Success and Research of Atlanta Civic Site, and Co-Author of Changing The Odds: The Race For Results In Atlanta), and others for insightful discussion, possible solutions, and more. 6-8 p.m. at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

›› The second annual Ladyfest Atlanta (check out our recent cover story on the celebration) kicks off a weekend’s worth of scheduling at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of Trapped at the Plaza Theater. It ends just in time for a comedy show at 10 p.m. hosted by Amber North at the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge.

ON FRIDAY
›› Keeping with the weekend’s trend of awareness, catch the new art exhibition The Invisible Made Visible at the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless. The gallery space is open Mon., Wed., and Fri., from 12-3 p.m. thru Jun. 14.

›› On a similar note, for those of you who keep saying that you’ll participate in National Bike To Work Week, Friday’s your last chance to take part in the event (though event hosts Bike Emory encourage you to bike as much as possible). Save money on gas, help the environment, and join other cyclists in the city to get a new perspective of the Atlanta roads.

ON SATURDAY
›› Saturday is your last chance to view Ashley Anderson’s solo art exhibition 101 Views of Mt. Fuji: An Art-Historical Excavation of Early Gaming, at the Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery. The documented representations of the famous mountain will be on display Thurs-Sat., from noon-6 p.m. thru May 21.

ALSO THIS WEEK
GRAY SPACE at Swan Coach House Gallery (Tues-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. thru Thurs., May 26)
What Is Near: Reflections on Home at the High Museum of Art (Fri. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. from 12-5 p.m.; and Tues-Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thru Sun., May 22)
Ancestors (Mon-Fri. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. thru Jun 30)
These Shoes Could Fit Your Feet at 7 Stages (noon, Fri., May 20; noon and 4 p.m., Sat., May 21; 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sun., May 22)
Rick Yancey book launch for The Last Star at Little Shop of Stories (Tue., May 24 at 7 p.m.)
Adele Givens at Uptown Comedy Corner (Fri., May 20, thru Sun., May 22, at 8 p.m.)
Bronwen Dickey book signing for Pit Bull at Carter Library (Thurs., May 19, at 7 p.m.)
Melissa Fay Greene book signing for The Underdogs at Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (Thurs., May 19, at 7:30 p.m.)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Haydn, Mozart, and Prokofiev at the Woodruff Arts Center (Thurs., May 19, and Sat., May 21, at 8 p.m.)
Carolina Herrera’s Refined Irreverence debuts at SCAD FASH (Fri., May 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)