Weekend Arts Agenda: ‘Significant Other’ searches for love June 16 2016
Plus: Brad Thor, <i>The Blue Butterfly</i>, and the Happiness Project.
Don’t let the overcast weather dampen your weekend, Atlanta! Your to-do list is after the jump.
ON THURSDAY:
›› The start of the weekend marks the opening night of Blue Butterfly: The Black Ballerina, a stage adaptation of Marian L. Thomas’ acclaimed book Blue Butterfly. The historical romance details the life of Precious Blue Johnson, and her struggle to become the first black ballerina. Fans of the book and strangers to Thomas’ work will both be pleased. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Marietta Performing Arts Center.
ON FRIDAY:
›› New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor will be speaking on his latest novel, Foreign Agent: A Thriller this Friday. The book follows the CIA’s special agents called upon to tackle European terrorism. Fans will learn about Thor’s writing process, and can purchase the novel at the event. 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church.
›› Tonight, catch the work of Georgia’s top photography students at the opening of the Student Prize show. Hand-picked by Brett Abbott, Stephanie Cash, Daniel Fuller, Teresa Reeves, and Matthew Rosenfield, four students share a killer gallery space to showcase their work. The finalists of the Atlanta Photography Group’s contest will also display a single piece each. 6:30-9 p.m. at the Atlanta Photography Group Gallery.
ON SATURDAY:
›› Paper Ghost is itching for the new season, and are putting on Summer Flea Fest to celebrate. The free festival will feature the return of the Paper Ghost Fortune Machine, scavenger hunts, and plenty of art for purchase from Atlanta’s illustrators (and gallery owners) including Mike Lowery, Caleb Morris, and Sarah Neuberger. Noon-5 p.m. at Paper Ghost Studio.
›› For those dreading the coming Monday, today’s your last chance to see the Happiness Project and cheer up! The vibrant new works by artist Didi Dunphy invite social play, and Dunphy’s clever twists on familiar ideas will leave you grinning. Be there at 2 p.m. for an artist talk and a chance to participate in an interactive performance called Craft Table. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Whitespace Gallery.
ON SUNDAY:
›› Celebrate Father’s Day at Fernbank with their Superhero Day event. Dads get in free, so get down for the hero in your life with a full schedule of events and activities — including a costume contest and a spectacular spider maze. Noon-4 p.m. at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
ALSO THIS WEEK:
Toruk: Cirque Du Soliel at the Infinite Energy Center (Thurs., June 16, and Fri., June 17, at 7:30 p.m., Sat., June 18, at 4 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun., June 19, at 1:30 & 5 p.m.)
The Merchant of Venice at The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse (Thurs., June 16, to Sat., June 18, at 7:30 p.m. thru Sun., June 19, at 6:30 p.m.)
The Vagina Monologues at Underground Theater (Thurs., June 16, 8-10 p.m., Fri., June 17, 8-10 p.m. and Sat., June 18, 8-10 p.m.)
Babel by Marcus Kenney at Marcia Wood Gallery (Thru Sat., June 18, Noon-5 p.m.)
Party with the Past at the Fox Theater (Thurs., June 16, at 6:30 p.m.)
Let’s Talk About Sex: An Evening with Ti Chang at the Museum of Design Atlanta (Thurs., June 16, 7-9 p.m.)
BIG POPPA vs. Pretty Much Sisters in the ATL Improv Fest Cage Match at The Village Theater (Thurs., June 16, at 10:30 p.m.)
Death Cannot Contain and Edges, Gaps, Glitches at The B Complex (Fri., June 17, 7-9 p.m.)
Tunes from the Tombs at Historic Oakland Cemetery (Sat., June 18, Noon-8 p.m.)
Squishiepuss Presents: a Donut Coloring Party at (Formerly) Mint Gallery (Sat., June 18, 7-11 p.m.)
Joseph Beck’s My Father & Atticus Finch event at Carter Presidential Library (Mon., June 20, at 7 p.m.)