It’s hard to resist the appeal of author and food celebrity ALTON BROWN, so you might as well stop trying. Just give in and head to the Variety Playhouse at 7 p.m. tonight as Brown signs copies of his latest book, “Feasting on Asphalt.” Admission is $29.50 and includes a copy of the book. Tickets are available through A Cappella Books.  www.variety-playhouse.com.

That’s a map for treasure, not adult entertainment, buddy. Sheesh, get your mind out of the gutter and into the booby-trapped caves of THE GOONIES. Before tonight’s screening of the ’80s classic, attend the reception for a group art show featuring pirate art—make that arrrrgght. The opening starts at 8 p.m., with the film at 9:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets, which include admission to both, are $7. 404-873-1939.www.plazaatlanta.com.

Celebrate the opening of the new VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE AT ENCORE PARK with an inaugural concert by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The program includes music by Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. The Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra and marching bands from Alpharetta and Milton high schools join the ASO for the finale performance of “1812 Overture.” The show starts at 8 p.m. this Saturday, May 10 at the new amphitheatre in Alpharetta. Ticket prices range from $21 to $75. 404-249-6400. www.vzwamp.com.

Say what you will about Atlanta-born rapper and producer KANYE WEST, you can’t blame the guy for being too subtle. Case in point: his GLOW IN THE DARK TOUR, which pulls into the Arena at Gwinnett Center tonight.

West’s storied ego is apparently healthy enough that he doesn’t fear being upstaged by hot young superstar RIHANNA, rapper LUPE FIASCO or the eclectic collective N.E.R.D. (the musical side project of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, aka hitmaking production duo the Neptunes). www.gwinnettcenter.com.

Like a good cliffhanger? Then you’re bound to love the ATLANTA THRILLER BOOK FEST. Opening night starts at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Georgia Perimeter College in Dunwoody. Headliner Ridley Pearson, co-author (with Dave Barry) of the “Peter and the Starcatchers” series, talks about his work at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur; there are other book signings and author appearances throughout the day at Eagle Eye and at the Collins Hill Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library in Lawrenceville. And it all wraps up with a luncheon at noon Sunday, May 4 at the Yellow House in Roswell. Tickets are $40. 
404-486-0307. www.eagleeyebooks.com.

Like us, you’ve probably seen “Seinfeld” reruns so many times, you can recite those opening monologues from memory. Luckily, you can catch comedian JERRY SEINFELD showcasing some fresher material tonight at the Fox Theatre. Shows start at 7 and 10 p.m. Ticket prices range from $47 to $77. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.

If you’re like us, you just can’t get enough of the ’80s. Celebrate the era at ’80s NIGHT, featuring a performance by Atlanta’s own pop purveyors THE PRODUCERS at the Concourse Athletic Club at 8 Concourse Parkway in Atlanta. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m tonight. Tickets are $15. 770-698-1650. www.concourseclub.com.

You loved the catchy hard rock of the early ’80s, and the pop-metal Springsteen era of “Slippery When Wet” and “New Jersey.” Basically, you’ve been a BON JOVI disciple through the good times and even the not-so-great ones, all the way through to a smash-hit collaboration with Jennifer Nettles and last year’s surprisingly sturdy, semi-country “Lost Highway.”

So you’re sure to be in the audience tonight or tomorrow (or both) for the band’s two-night stand at Philips Arena, with special guest Daughtry. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. 404-249-6400. www.philipsarena.com.

We’re willing to bet that DOLLY PARTON puts in longer hours than that, but she still manages to put her heart and soul into her job. Catch the country legend at the Fox Theatre on her current Backwoods Barbie Tour tonight. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55, $75 and $100. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.

The dancers taking the stage at the Fox Theatre tonight came a long way to get to Atlanta. The ST. PETERSBURG BALLET’S CARMEN, part of the Delta International Series, starts at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 to $62. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.