Sunday, January 25, 2009
"SP List"

SPecial Events

This week's local arts & entertainment calendar

Festivals and Happenings

AMUSE’UM
This sixth annual fundraising event for Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers a grown-up evening of sweets and treats with an adult-style candy shop, a live band and silent and live auctions led by auctioneer Bert Weiss, as well as a Make Your Own Sundae station and “Candy Bar.” Attire is playground chic. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Tickets are $125. For tickets, call Janell Bozza at 404-527-5908 or visit www.imagineit-cma.org.

FINANCIAL PLANNING SEMINAR
Carl J. Macko, president of Synergy Capital Management LLC, discusses “Financial Opportunities and Strategies After a Turbulent 2008.” Free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle in Smyrna. 404-966-8383. www.synergycapitalmanagement.com.

KOOZA
Cirque du Soleil returns to its roots with this dazzling show, which focuses on eye-popping acrobatics, contortionists and various feats of agility, as well as impressive visuals and moments of humor. Tuesdays-Sundays through March 1 at Atlantic Station. For ticket prices, directions and other information, visit www.atlanticstation.com/cirque-du-soleil-kooza.php.

MATT TOWERY
The pollster, pundit and chairman of InsiderAdvantage discusses and signs his book “Paranoid Nation,” chronicling the rise of Barack Obama and the fall of Hillary Clinton’s campaign machine. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Manuel’s Tavern. Please rsvp at thouck@mindspring.com.

SILVER CIRCLE DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY
The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) honors seven television professionals who have worked a quarter-century or more in the industry. Dale Russell, Fox 5 I-Team senior investigative reporter, emcees the induction ceremony. Tickets purchased after Jan. 25 are $95 for members and $140 for non-members. Tables of 10 available for $800. 7 p.m. (following a 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception) Friday, Jan. 30 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead. For tickets, reservations and other information, call 770-414-8777 or visit www.natassoutheast.org.

SOUTHEASTERN FLOWER SHOW
The region’s premier event for flower and plant lovers includes landscape gardens, creative floral arrangements, gardening demonstrations, locally and internationally acclaimed speakers, cooking demonstrations, art exhibits, live music and shopping. Jan. 28-Feb. 1 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. For ticket prices and other information, please visit www.flowershow.org.

SPRING/SUMMER JOB RECRUITMENT FAIR
Dixieland Fun Park is looking to fill more than 40 vacant positions in areas such as customer service, food and hospitality, administration, maintenance, security, sales and marketing, ride operations, live performance and more. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Dixieland Fun Park, 1675 Highway 85 North in Fayetteville. For more information, call 770-460-5862, ext. 206, or e-mail jobs@dixielandfunpark.com.

Theater, Dance, Music and Opera

AUTOMATIC THEATER
Improv troupe composed of actors, filmmakers, writers and puppeteers fields audience suggestions in a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” short-form improv format. Tickets are $7. 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Relapse Theatre. 404-394-9115. www.relapsetheatre.com.

GUITAR HERO CONTEST
Compete with other gamers for prizes, or just watch for the fun of it. 9 p.m. every Thursday at the Laughing Skull Lounge at the Vortex Midtown. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $3 cover. 404-875-1667. www.thevortexbarandgrill.com.

JACKPIE THEATER WORKSHOP
Long-form improv comedy shows every Saturday at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. at 380 14th St. NW. Tickets are $7. BYOB. www.jackpie.com.

JUNIOR LEAGUE BAND
The acclaimed bluegrass/indie-rock outfit performs, led by Atlanta native Lissy Rosemont, whose distinctive banjo picking can be heard on the Missy Elliott/Pussycat Dolls track “Whatcha Think About That.” Vortex Park and the Buck Buckley Band also perform. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com.

KEVIN NAQUIN & THE OSSUN PLAYBOYS
The Louisiana-based Cajun band performs. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at Knights of Columbus Post 660, 2620 Buford Highway NE. Authentic Cajun food and cash bar available. Tickets are $17, $8 for students and $14 for members of the Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association. 404-825-9768. info@aczadance.org.

VILLAGE THEATRE
Atlanta’s newest comedy troupe performs comedy in all its forms, including long and short-form improv, sketch and stand-up comedy. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30 at the Village Theatre, 486 Decatur St., Suite 10, at the corner of Decatur and Boulevard. 404-688-8856. www.villagecomedy.com.

WHOLE WORLD THEATRE
 The improv group presents a variety of shows each week. Tickets are $8. 404-817-7529. www.wholeworldtheatre.com.

Family

THE AMAZING CASTLE
Kids are transported to a whimsical medieval setting and become blacksmiths, jesters, chefs, gardeners, carpenters and even princes and princesses in this exhibit that teaches the important role each member plays in a thriving community. Through May 26 at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. 404-659-5437. www.imagineit-cma.org.


JIM HENSON: WONDERS FROM HIS WORKSHOP
Exhibit highlighting the performance and design contributions Jim Henson and his collaborators have made to the world of puppetry, including the technological advances behind “Fraggle Rock,” “Labyrinth” and others. Through Sept. 13 in the Love Family Atrium at the Center for Puppetry Arts. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.

WEATHER ROCKS
Original musical filled with cool facts about rain, snow, twisters, sunshine and more. Through March 29 at the Center for Puppetry Arts. 404-873-3391. www.puppet.org.

Exhibitions and Gallery Shows

BODIES . . . THE EXHIBITION
The controversial exhibit featuring 15 meticulously preserved whole-body and more than 250 partial-body specimens, providing a unique understanding of the skeletal, muscular, respiratory and other systems that exist beneath the skin. Through March 1 at the Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station. 866-866-8265. www.bodiestickets.com.

DIALOG IN THE DARK
In this groundbreaking exhibition, making its U.S. debut, visitors are escorted through galleries in total darkness, relying on blind and visually impaired guides, for a glimpse of the day-to-day life and survival skills of blind people. Ongoing at Atlantic Station. Tickets must be purchased beforehand. www.dialogtickets.com.

THE FIRST EMPEROR: CHINA’S TERRACOTTA ARMY
More than 100 works from the ongoing excavation of the tomb of Ying Zheng, including life-size terracotta warriors intended to protect him in the afterlife. Through April 19 at the High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.

LOUVRE ATLANTA: THE LOUVRE AND THE MASTERPIECE
This exhibit explores how the definition of a “masterpiece” has changed over time, featuring 91 works of art from all eight of the Musée du Louvre’s collection areas, spanning 4,000 years. Through Sept. 6 at the High Museum of Art. 404-733-5000. www.high.org.

NORMAN ROCKWELL’S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Original cover tearsheets of the artist’s famous holiday images for the Saturday Evening Post. Through Feb. 15 at the Atlanta History Center. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

TITANIC AQUATIC
Authentic artifacts from the famed wreck and interactive experiences bring the Titanic to life. Through Spring 2009 at the Georgia Aquarium. www.georgiaaquarium.org.

TUTANKHAMUN THE GOLDEN KING AND THE GREAT PHARAOHS
North American debut of this exhibit featuring 50 objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as 80 artifacts highlighting other significant rulers of ancient Egypt. Through May 25 at the Atlanta Civic Center. 404-249-6400. www.atlantaciviccenter.com.