It’s the freakin’ weekend

Comics, beer, tomatoes, Tom Hanks, and more

Roundup Cover
Photo credit: Brian L. Christian
PICTURE PERFECT: Sistagraphy celebrates 25 years of art and activism with newest exhibition: ‘The Silver Lens.’

It has long been known that the two most conducive substances for creativity are alcohol and pancake syrup, so any event that combines the two is a no brainer. The Pancakes & Booze Art Show brings its brand of creative celebration to more than 35 cities across the globe, and is swinging into ATL this weekend. Guests can drink to heart’s content with more than 100 up-and-coming local artists, and jam to live music by local DJs. They’re even doing body painting. Just don’t call us when awoken hungover and blue skinned like a rejected extra from Avatar. Did we mention the pancakes are free? $10-$15. 8 p.m. Fri., July 13. Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 404-656-3850. https://www.pancakesandbooze.com/atlanta.

For those who never miss a new comic book day but regularly forget to pay their water bill, Atlanta Comic Con is the place to be this weekend. Geeks from all corners of the multiverse descend upon Atlanta for a three-day celebration of comics, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and whatever else the nerdy heart desires. Comic creator signings, sales, and cosplay contests round out the activities for the weekend, along with celebrity Meet and Greets by Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek: The Original Series), Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter), and Sean Young (Blade Runner), and more. Cosplay isn’t required, but wouldn’t you feel naked without it? $30-$60. July 13-15. Noon-midnight. Fri.; 10 a.m.-midnight. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Georgia World Congress Center Hall C1, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd N.W. 404-223-4000. https://atlantacomiccon.com.

Actor and comedian Erik Griffin brings abrasive observational comedy to The Punchline on Friday. Purse clutchers beware — nothing and no one is sacred, according to Griffin anyways. The more chill-minded will recognize Griffin from the role of Montez on Comedy Central’s “Workaholics”, a beloved show that just wrapped up its seventh and final season. Griffin recently released debut televised comedy special, “The Ugly Truth”, so this set is sure to be chock full of fresh, funny material. $25. 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Fri., July 13. The Punchline, 3652 Roswell Road N.E. 404-252-5233.http://www.punchline.com/shows.asp?showdate=7/13/2018.

The inaugural Atlanta African American Book Festival shines a light on the often underappreciated works of African American authors, as well connecting them with the readers who make their work possible. More than 70 authors from various genres will be in attendance, providing writing workshops, book sales and signings, panel discussions, and live readings. The festival is free of charge, so avid readers should definitely make it a part of weekend festivities. Free. 10 a.m. Sat., July 14. Georgia State University, 55 Gilmer St. Capital Suite. https://www.aaabookfest.com.

Earth Day may have been a few months ago, but every day is a good day to show some love to Mother Earth. Join Trees Atlanta and Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy for Forest Restoration Volunteer Day, held monthly. The organizations are putting in work to ensure local parks remain pristine and beautiful. Trees Atlanta will provide supplies, and volunteers are encouraged to bring closed-toed shoes, gloves, and a tree huggin’ attitude.Free. 9 a.m. Sat., July 14. Atlanta Memorial Park, 650 Wesley Drive. 678-871-0612. http://atlmemorialpark.org/.

Art curator Katherine Jentleson leads a guided tour of Outliers and American Vanguard Art, an exhibit cataloging the unsung works of more than 200 self-taught American artists. Attendees can explore Howard Finster’s exhibit, Paradise Garden, alongside Tina Cox (executive director of Paradise Garden) and Merrie and Dan Boone (Curator of Folk Art). Paradise Garden features 46,000 pieces of art from different mediums, covering the gamut of subjects from the Southern Baptist experience, pop culture deities like Elvis, and U.F.O’s. $100-$150. 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat., July 14. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-733-4400. https://www.high.org/event/road-trip-to-paradise-garden/.

Second Self Beer Co. is dropping its latest summertime treat: Havana Night. And to celebrate, they’re throwing a Havana Night Block Party. TBooze shall flow in abundance, and Second Self Beer Co. sweetens the deal by providing cigars from Trinity Cigar Co. and a classic car show. The brewery will extend hours for the event, staying open until 10 p.m. so attendees can spend Saturday night the American way: Drunk. Free. 2:30-10:30 p.m. Second Self Beer Company, 1317 Logan Circle N.W. 678-916-8035.https://www.atlanta.net/events/detail/havana-night-block-party/114807/.

In 1993, a small group of African American female photographers met in Atlanta to discuss the best spread artistic message, and thus, sistagraphy was born. Now, more than 25 years later, the sistas’ reunite to celebrate creativity and uplift artistic voice through an exhibition titled The Silver Lens: Sistagraphy Celebrates Arts and Activism. Hosted by the Auburn Avenue Research Library, the event will feature works by a variety of artists and panel discussions concerning activism and the future of women in photography. Free. 3-5 p.m. Sun., July 15. Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E. 404-613-4001. http://www.afpls.org/events-aarl.

Looking for a break from the headache-inducing CGI chaos of summer movie season? Why not take a trip back to 1988. Oh, how the ‘80s were a much simpler time, when a pre-insanity Roseanne had just hit the airwaves and America only had to worry about one George Bush. Precious natural resource Tom Hanks had a breakout year as well, staring in Penny Marshall’s Big, Now playing at Regal Cinema in Atlantic Station for two nights. Thirty years later and there are still plenty of laughs in this age-changing comedy. So, maybe offer this to the kids as an alternative to seeing Incredibles 2 for the third time. Or just leave the kids at home and enjoy the nostalgia trip solo.$13.61. 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sun., July 15. Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 18, 261 19th St. N.W. 844-462-7342. https://www.fathomevents.com/events/tcm2018-big-30th-anniversary.

Taking its name from the 1978 comedy cult classic, the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is now in its 10th year and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. For a few short hours this Sunday, the humble tomato will be rightfully elevated to celebrity status, and that alone might be worth celebrating. Atlanta chefs will be serving up a myriad of dishes starring the tomato, complemented by tomato-based drinks from local mixologists, and live music from G. Love and Special Sauce. All proceeds from the event go toward Georgia Organics, a farm-to-table non-profit dedicated to connecting Georgia farmers with Georgia families. Hopefully, through attending the everlasting question of whether a tomato is a vegetable or fruit will be answered, but either way it should be a great time. $70-$75. 1-5 p.m. Westside Provisions District, 1198 Howell Mill Road. 678-974-1940.
http://www.killertomatofest.com/.






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