Martinis And IMAX At Fernbank Museum of Natural History

AJC Decatur Book Festival and Concert Wrap-Up

We enjoyed a great weekend of temperate weather here in DeKalb County for the AJC Decatur Book Festival and the Concerts on the Square. The fourth annual book festival was a tremendous success and one of the many reasons why September is a great time to visit DeKalb County. The festival really lives up to its claim as "the king of all book festivals." There is so much to see and so many interesting booths to visit. The turnout was incredible!

I arrived on Sunday to catch the end of the festival and was also able to catch some of the great music onstage on the Community Bandstand during the special Sunday Concert on the Square. Families had their blankets spread out across the Square and many brought picnic baskets with them. Onstage was an energetic bluegrass trio that had parents and children dancing all over the square. It is really great to see visitors and local residents mingling together while enjoying some wonderful live music. I am already looking forward to next year's festival! - Barry

Food, Fun and OPA! Atlanta Greek Festival October 2 - 4

Join in on the traditional Greek dancing, music and fun at this year’s annual festival. Experience the culture and tradition as the Greek community shares its heritage with an Atlanta celebration.

Let the continuous live Greek music and traditional bouzouki fill you while you enjoy a spectacular, energetic live traditional Greek dance performances by Atlanta’s very own national-award winning dancers.

In addition to all the delicious food stands, enjoy live cooking demos by local Greek chefs. The chefs will teach you how to make some of the wonderful Greek meals that you have enjoyed throughout the weekend, including the savory Souvlaki and the decadent Baklava.

Barry's Tip: I've attended the Atlanta Greek Festival several years and am always impressed by the large attendance. This is definitely one of the more popular festivals in the Atlanta area. Even if you've been before, there are always more fun things to see and the food is always awesome. The festival crowds can be very large, so your best bet is to park and take a shuttle to the festival. It really is the best way to get to the festival and much easier than you think The buses are very timely and efficient, so wait time is minimum.

While you are strolling around the grounds, make sure to take a walking tour of the Cathedral and view all the interesting architecture and artwork. Also, don't miss the indoor artist's shops . There is a large variety of paintings, jewelry, sculptures, CDs and photos on display for purchase. This is a great place to find gifts for the upcoming holiday season. If you are coming in from out-of-town, there are hotels nearby that offer convenience to the festival. Check our website for Hot Deals to save money on your travel.

The Atlanta Greek Festival is held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30329 - Exit #91 off I-85 (On Clairmont Rd. between Briarcliff Rd. and LaVista Rd.)

Please do NOT park on the side streets around the church, which have the “No Parking” signs. Free Parking & Shuttle Buses from Century Center Office Park on Clairmont Road, adjacent to I-85.

For more information, visit Atlanta Greek Festival.

Video Overview of Stone Mountain Park

Barry's Tip: This video is great for visitors because it gives a good overview of the park and some of the new attractions. I recommend spending at least a full day at the Park. Try to make a weekend out of your visit to see everything at the Park. There are a number of hotels both inside the Park and nearby to make your visit complete. There are so many things for families to do outdoors, it is just incredible. Make sure to check out the upcoming festivals, especially in the Fall, when the Park hosts spectacular festivals like the Highland Games and the Pow Wow & Indian Festival.

We publish a comprehensive Map and Guide to Stone Mountain Park to help you plan your visit. You can pick one up at the front desk at the Georgia Visitor Information Centers or just give us a call at 1-888-633-5252 ext. 1350 to have one sent to you.

Now Showing at Fernbank's IMAX Theatre - Everest and Cirque Du Soleil Journey of Man

Now Showing at the IMAX Theatre at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through Sept. 13. - Everest and Cirque Du Soleil Journey of Man

Immerse yourself in the world’s largest film format on a screen stretching five stories high and 72 feet wide with state-of-the art surround sound. Fernbank’s 315-seat IMAX® Theatre provides the most powerful and involving film experience possible.

Call 404.929.6400 to reserve tickets and confirm show times.

For more info, visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

AJC Decatur Book Festival This Weekend

The ACJ Decatur Book Festival will take place this weekend in the City of Decatur on Sept. 4 -6.

For an up-to-date schedule of activities and appearances, visit AJC Decatur Book Festival.

DeKalb Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Concert

Enjoy a season opening concert on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. from the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra featuring Peter Marshall, piano. The performance will be held in the Marvin Cole Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building on the Clarkston Campus of Georgia Perimeter.

Established in 1964, the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra has served the community by offering audiences an enjoyable symphonic experience in a relaxed, unpretentious, affordable setting.

The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra presents concerts of traditional and contemporary symphonic repertoire, seeking both the highest possible level of artistic quality and the advancement of musical awareness and participation among its musicians and diverse audiences.

The DSO plays up to 15 concerts each year including the Subscription Series, Children’s Concert, Picnic Pops Concerts, Free Community Concerts, and special performances.

For more information, visit DeKalb Symphony Orchestra.

2nd Annual Caribbean Cook-Off on Sept. 19th

Caribbean Cook Off brings a taste of the islands to Atlanta. This all day event will emulate the bright Caribbean sunshine with a great combination of culture, sumptuous food, entertainment and great music. Professionals, amateurs, and others will try their hand at three dishes from a variety of Caribbean countries.

Each dish will be judged on taste, presentation and creativity. A cash prize will be awarded to the winner of each category. While indulging in good eats, there will be activities for both adults and children to enjoy including food/craft vendors, artists and organizations from the area and beyond will be in attendance, providing entertainment for all. The event will be held at New Birth Athletic Field in Lithonia, Georgia.

Free Bridal Showcase - Oct. 4th at the Hilton Garden Inn Stonecrest

DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) presents a free Bridal Showcase at the Hilton Garden Inn Stonecrest on Sunday, October 4th.

The event will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Over 50 wedding vendors will be on-site to assist in the planning of your perfect wedding. Guests are also invited to enjoy an informal fashion show and hotel tours.

Brides are invited to register in advance by calling DCVB at (770) 492-5042 or email sharond@dcvb.org.

For more information, visit DCVB.

Elise Witt CD Release Concert on November 1st at Callanwolde FIne Arts Center

Popular Atlanta singer/songwriter Elise Witt will premiere her new CD Valise at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30306, on Sunday November 1, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Recorded with ace engineer Ken Gregory at 800 East Studio in Atlanta, and co-produced by Gregory, Witt, and Mick Kinney for EMWorld Records, Elise Witt's new CD Valise is a suitcase full of surprises. Known for her eclectic taste in music, her community activism, and her travels around the world, Elise's original songs include Ma Roulotte (My Caravan, a French gypsy jazz waltz, co-written with partner Mick Kinney), Clothes Swap (a funky ode to the virtues of re-cycling and girl gatherings), Set Us Free (inspired by the words of Reverend Timothy MacDonald at Martin Luther King Jr.'s 80th birthday celebration at the National Historic Site), Venus Between Us (a Motown tribute), Butterfly's Mysteries (a scientific boogie, written at the Callaway Garden Butterfly House), Dunkel War Es (Light in the Dark, a German paradox poem à la Oh Suzanna), and Blessed Be (original music by Elise Witt to a poem by folk icon Pete Seeger, featuring John McCutcheon and Frank Hamilton).

For more info, visit Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Concerts on the Square in the City of Decatur

September 5, 12, 19, 26

Spread out a blanket and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment each Saturday night in September featuring a variety of bands at the Community Bandstand on the Square in the city of Decatur.

For more info, visit the City of Decatur.

DeKalb County Is The Home Of Family Reunions

Why host your reunion anywhere else?

Atlanta's DeKalb County has everything families look for in a desination for reunions. DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau provides an array of free reunion services including Welcome Bags and all aspects of planning.

Upcoming Reunion Planning Workshops:
September 19 – Hampton Inn - Stone Mountain
October 10 – Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center
October 17 – Holiday Inn Express - North Decatur

To register for Free Family Reunion Planning Workshops, call (770) 492-5016 or visit DCVB.

Upcoming Art Exhibit at the Spruill Gallery

The Spruill Gallery Presents:
on the FLIP side
September 25 - November 7, 2009

Artists explore the influence of cell phone technology. Featuring: Lucinda Bunnen, Jorge Colombo, Michael David Murphy, Rob Pettit, Shawn Rocco and Gil Weinberg.

The Spruill Gallery is located 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30338

For more info, visit The Spruill Gallery.

Mark Your Calendar: A Tour of Southern Ghosts Coming in October to Stone Mountain Park

Atlanta’s favorite Halloween event, the 24th annual “A Tour of Southern Ghosts” will be presented by ART Station at Stone Mountain Park from October 15 – 31.

Join the Atlanta family tradition and meet professional storytellers weaving their tales of famous (and not-so-famous) Southern Ghosts along the lantern-lit paths of the Antebellum Plantation at Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park. “A Tour of Southern Ghosts” is held during the Halloween season so the stories are a little scary, many times humorous, but never too frightening and always appropriate for young children.

For the 24th consecutive year, Stone Mountain Park's "A Tour of Southern Ghosts" will feature frightful tales from a half-dozen professional storytellers, who will weave their spooky Southern yarns while leading visitors on a candle- and lantern-lit path around the grounds of the Antebellum Plantation.

For more info, vist the ART Station.

Four Days of Non-Stop Shopping At Stone Mountain Park’s Yellow Daisy Festival

After 41 years of arts and crafts, Stone Mountain Park’s Yellow Daisy Festival is still among the top in its game. The festival has grown to become one of the most prestigious venues for crafters and has been consistently voted one of the top arts and crafts shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine’s Annual “200 Best” survey. This year’s show will be held September 10, 11, 12 and 13 at Stone Mountain Park.

The Yellow Daisy Festival includes over 500 crafters and artists from all over the United States. These top artisans display their hand-made work, in categories such as Pottery, Fabric, Painting, Jewelry, Sculpture, Dolls, Photography, Fine Arts & Crafts and Traditional Arts & Crafts.

The annual event draws an estimated 200,000 shopping enthusiasts out to the four day event. In addition to the unique arts and crafts, the festival offers free entertainment and an assortment of festival foods to meet a variety of tastes. The Children’s Corner provides a stage featuring the Backyard Circus Show, where the kids are the stars of the circus. The Children’s Corner also includes a 40’ inflatable obstacle course, 40’ coloring mural, face painting and Fair Hair (a fun and funky hairdo vendor). The Men’s Den is a great venue for the gentlemen coming to the event that don’t want to miss the big game. The Men’s Den is outfitted with recliners and big screen TVs showing fall football.

For more info, visit Stone Mountain Park.