See Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Center for Puppetry Arts (Photo courtesy of Center for Puppetry Arts)
Each week, ArtsATL curates a selection of the most exciting arts and culture events happening in Atlanta this weekend, highlighting nine must-see experiences.
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Thursday
Southern Fried Queer Pride takes over Little Five Points for its 11th annual celebration. Organizers promise the fest’s largest artist market yet on June 28 and June 29, with expanded events and programming and a Cinequeer Film Night at the Plaza Theatre on June 29. Events are happening every night through June 29. Check their website for more details on all the related events.
Take an imaginative journey with Harold and the Purple Crayon, as Harold brings to life a world limited only by his imagination. The Center for Puppetry Arts presents this colorful adaptation of the books of Crockett Johnson through August 3, with sensory-friendly performances on July 6 and audio-described performances on July 20.
Milo is a curious boy with a vivid imagination and a sketch pad full of dreams. In the Alliance Theatre’s new musical, Milo Imagines the World, he transforms subway passengers into larger-than-life characters. With playful songs by Atlanta’s own Christian Magby and Christian Albright (The Incredible Book Eating Boy) and a book by Atlanta native Terry Guest, the show celebrates how we see ourselves and others. The show is on the Hertz Stage through July 27.
Friday
In addition to being the son of another great comedic actor, Damon Wayans Jr. is known for his character Coach on The New Girl and as Brad Williams on the brilliant but short-lived ABC sitcom Happy Endings, for which he was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Award for best supporting actor. He’ll be at Helium Comedy Club June 27 through June 29.
City Springs Theatre Conservatory presents Footloose: The Musical, based on the 1984 film. It features the title song and more music from the original soundtrack, including “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” along with new songs written for the stage adaptation. Performances are June 27 through June 29.
American artist Faith Ringgold (1930-2024) may be known best for her paintings, quilts and multimedia art, but she was also an award-winning children’s book creator. Seeing Children, opening on June 27 at the High Museum of Art, will showcase more than 100 original paintings and drawings Ringgold made for more than a dozen of her books, including some that have never been previously exhibited. The show will be on view through October 12.
Saturday
Christina Kwan made her solo debut last year at Cat Eye Creative in downtown Atlanta, and now she’s back at their new gallery in downtown Decatur with her latest collection called Aloft. The show opens with a reception from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 28. The show will be on view through July 27.
The Atlanta Contemporary is hosting two performances by OkCello, aka Okorie Johnson, this weekend. At 4 p.m. June 28, The Offering is a fully improvised, four-act concert. Later that evening, at 7:30 p.m., OkCello: Live will consist of new and classic works, and it’s sure to include a take on his just-released Juneteenth anthem, “Funny How Things Work Out.” Read more about that song and have a listen here.
Sunday
Atlanta’s main Pride celebration may take place in the fall, but June is still Pride Month, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate, including at It’s Giving Edgewood: O4W Pride Crawl. This pub and art crawl hybrid brings together some of Edgewood’s favorite spots, including Pisces, Lore, Sister Louisa’s Church, Joystick and Dad’s Garage. The pub crawl portion of the event happens from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 29, with an artist market featuring local creatives from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More things to do this weekend
Metro Montage XXV brings together work by a wide array of local artists for a group show at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. It opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 28 and continues through August 31 … Kidz Bop leads the pack when it comes to children’s music. These talented youngsters offer family-friendly versions of today’s pop hits. The Kidz Bop Kids’ current lineup is heading out on tour with Kidz Bop Live, taking the stage at 6 p.m. on June 28 at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre.
