Weekend Arts Agenda: 2016 National Puppet Slam

Plus: Matthew Broussard, Decatur Book Festival, and LEGOs

The Center for Puppetry Arts hosts the 2016 National Puppet Slam, a night of short form adult puppetry highlighting the best of puppet slams from across the country. This 18+ event features 8 acts conceived by puppet-enthusiasts with a wide range of experience, from new puppeteers to seasoned professionals boasting Broadway credits. Each act only has five minutes to move the audience to laugh, cry, or do both. The weekend is a celebration of the beauty and ingenuity of modern puppetry. The National Puppet Slam starts at 8 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 2, and Sat., Sept. 3, and at 5 p.m. on Sun, Sept. 4.

 

ON THURSDAY

 

›› Stop by the Laughing Skull Lounge for the taping of Matthew Broussard’s latest Comedy Central Album. Atlanta-raised Broussard is best known for his appearances on The League, The Mindy Project, and MTV2’s Guy Code as well as his popular webcomic monday punday, though his background also includes a degree in applied mathematics and a stint as a financial analyst. Catch him Thurs., Sept. 1, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

 

›› LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta welcomes Adult LEGO fans to their Cosplay and Comedy Adult Night from 7 to 9 p.m on Thurs., Sept.1. Guests are encouraged to dress up and enjoy themed activities, as well as a set from comedian Jonathan Giles.

 

ON FRIDAY

 

›› Decatur Square will become a hubbub of literary activity Fri., Sept. 2, to Sun., Sept. 4, while it celebrates the 11th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival. The festival hosts over 300 authors from all over the nation including Captain Underpants scribe Dav Pilkey and 2014 National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and flaunts a wide variety of events from panels to cooking demonstrations to live theatre performances.

 

›› Callaway Gardens kicks off the 18th annual Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival with Friday night’s Balloon Glow on Robin Lake Beach at 7 p.m. The festivities continue until Sun., Sept. 4, and includes live music, a pyrotechnic skydiving demonstration, photography classes, and tethered balloon rides.

 

ON SATURDAY

 

›› The first-ever statewide survey of contemporary Georgia Photography opens at The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia this Sat, Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Edge to Edge, curated by Chip Simone, documents the American South during the final days of the 20th century and start of the 21st. The exhibition is on display until Dec. 3

 

›› As part of the Atlanta Black Gay Pride Celebration, In the Life Atlanta will host a Literary Café from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Einstein’s. The afternoon features LGBT Authors from the Atlanta community sharing excerpts from their latest books, as well as free cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.

 

ON SUNDAY

 

›› Sunday’s your last chance to catch Atlanta Lyric’s production of Shrek the Musical. The Tony Award-winning adaptation of everyone’s favorite ogre-centric animated movie stages its final performance Sun, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.

 

ALSO THIS WEEK:

 

The Personal is Political Feminist Vent at Charis Books (Thurs., Sept. 1, from 7:30-9 p.m.)

Mike Winfield at The Punchline (Thurs., Sept. 1, at 8 p.m., Fri., Sept. 2, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Sat., Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., 9 p.m., and 11 p.m., Sun., Sept. 4, at 7 p.m.)

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Closing Reception and Select Artist Talk at Gallery 72 (Thurs., Sept.1, from 6-9 p.m.)

TK Kirkland at Uptown Comedy Corner (Thurs., Sept. 1, at 8 p.m, Fri., Sept. 2, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Sat., Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., 9 p.m., and 11 p.m, Sun., Sept. 4, at 9 p.m.)

Ladie’s Night at Village Theatre (Thurs., Sept. 1, 10:30-11:30 p.m.)

Photographs about Nothing + Communion: The Spiritual in Contemporary Photography at Tula Art Center (Thurs., Sept. 1-Sat.,Sept.3 noon-4 p.m.)

Caleb Synan at Laughing Skull Lounge (Fri., Sept. 2-Sat., Sept.3, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.)

Company at Actor’s Express (Thurs.,Sept.1-Sat.,Sept.3, at 8 p.m. and Sun at 2 p.m.)

Tour & Tinker Class at Museum of Design Atlanta (Sun., Sept. 4, at 1 p.m.)