Some non-holiday events this weekend

Hi there! It's been a couple of weeks since I blogged about any events. I've had a devil of a time trying to find non-holiday events going on throughout the state! But thanks to some great folks who emailed me, I've got a few things to tell you about. Sorry for the delay as these events are starting today!

Mint Gallery in Atlanta is their 2nd Vintage Trunk Show and it sounds like a lot of fun. According to their website they have vintage (and some not vintage) clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry and what not for sale. There will also be refreshments and live entertainment. The trunk show is this Saturday and Sunday, 12/5-12/6 from 12pm to 6pm. For more information, visit Mint Gallery's website at mintgallery.org

Alcove Arts Gallery in the Oakhurst area of Decatur is having "Spacemas". As described on the website as "retro furniture, fixture and function" by a bevy of artists. There will be a number of musical acts performing as well. The event runs from 3pm to midnight today, Saturday, 12/5. For more information visit Alcove's website at alcovearts.com

Historic Madison is hosting their annual winter Holiday Tour of Homes this weekend through Sunday, 12/6. There are six distinctive homes available for tour during the day or by candlelight. For more information on the tours, visit the city of Madison's Visitor website at www.madisonga.org

The 23rd Annual Marietta Pilgrimage is also happening this weekend, 12/5-12/6. Day and candlelight tours of Marietta historic homes are available with historic public building tours available during the day only. For more information, visit the Pilgrimage's website at www.mariettapilgrimage.com

Dinosaurs!

If you haven't yet visited the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta you should! The folks there are amazing and amazingly talented! One of their many popular shows, Dinosaurs, is coming to close. This is the last week to see the wondrous creations. We're not talking about little hand puppets or marionettes - although they have great shows featuring smaller puppets too! No, these dinosaurs are big and alive! Their creativity boggles the mind. And the show is just plain fun for kids of all ages. Shows run daily Tuesday through Sunday through November 29th (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day). And if you don't already know, they offer workshops and all kinds of fun activities in addition to performances. For more information on this and other shows and to purchase tickets, visit the center's website at www.puppet.org.

Primal Atlanta

Guys, do I have an event for you!! Primal is a celebration of the culinary arts' appreciation for wood fired cooking methods, butchers and whole animal utilization. On Saturday, November 21st, Sweetwater Brewery will host 14 of the area’s best and brightest stars of the new butchery movement appear at Primal, a celebration of early cooking's revival. Butchers will give a side-by-side demonstration on how to break down a complete pig, cow, goat and lamb into cuts of meat. Afterward, chefs will create and cook meaty creations over a hickory, applewood or almond wood flame. Ten family owned wineries make up the Oregon Wine Experience. The Primal VIP experience includes 35 pounds of Allan Benton’s Bacon, wood-fired oysters, whole wheels of artisan cheese grilled over hardwood, fire-toasted breads, reserve wines and special beers. $55 general admission (inclusive of wines, butcher demo, brew, meat tasting) $100 VIP Experience at 5:30PM (reserve wines, Benton’s Bacon Bar, cheese, oysters and special brews). For more information, please visit the following websites: www.facebook.com/event. and www.artofthebutcher.com.

Atlantic Station Gets Ready for the Holidays

Atlantic Station in Atlanta has a number of holiday events starting this Saturday, November 21st. I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but hey, maybe some of you enjoy your holiday events early or need a boost to get you in the spirit. First, they are celebrating "The Lighting of Atlantic Station". The celebrations begin at 2pm with musical performances, Radio Disney from 2pm-4pm, children’s activities from 2pm-6pm, Holiday Fashion Show at 4pm, the Steel Mill Express Children's train, horse and carriage rides, “The Holiday Shops” and Santa. At 8pm, Atlantic Station will turn on the 250,000 plus holidays lights throughout the property and on the 50 foot Christmas tree. Afterward, they are offering a free screening of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. And there will be snow! Well, ideally, but there is no snow if there is rain. Many of these activities are ongoing through the holiday season, including the nightly snow! For more information, visit Atlantic Station's website at www.atlanticstation.com.

Take a Hike! At Night!

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Atlanta regularly offers guided hikes but this Saturday, November 21st, they are offering a guided hike at night. You'll have the opportunity to experience all the activity of the woods at night! And after, you gt to relax around a campfire! Ahhhh! A nice way to enjoy a chilly fall night before the hectic activities of the holidays! Ages 5 and up. $10 for non-members. For more information, visit their website at chattnaturecenter.org.

Indie Craft Experience this weekend!

The Indie Craft Experience is back this Saturday, November 21st from 11am - 6pm. It is being held at Ambient Plus Studio in Atlanta. The Indie Craft Experience is not your run of the mill craft fair. This is an event where you will find more unusual and artistic works - no tissue box covers here! Not only does this event offer goods from over 100 vendors, but it also has workshops and entertainment. This is a great opportunity to pick up some unique and eclectic presents! For more information on the event as well as links to the vendors attending, visit the Indie Craft Experience's website at www.ice-atlanta.com.

Callanwolde Annual Holiday Pottery Sale

Here's your chance to pick up some unique and one of a kind pottery for yourself or for gifts! Callanwolde is holding its annual Holiday Pottery Sale this Friday through Sunday, November 20th - 22nd. All pottery available for purchase at this event is crafted by the pottery teachers and assistants at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. If you miss this event, you can always check out the Student Pottery Sale on December 5th and 6th. For more information on these and other events at Callanwolde, check out their website at www.callanwolde.org.

Oakland Cemetery Walking Tours

This is the last month this year to take in the beauty and history of Oakland Cemetery via a guided walking tour. Oakland Cemetery tour guides will take you through this incredible historic Atlanta landmark explaining architecture, customs of the day, art, history and period gardens. If you have not yet visited Oakland, this is a great way to explore it and learn more about Atlanta history. And if you're a photography buff, don't forget to bring your camera. This cemetery has amazing photo ops! Guided tours run through November 29th and return in March. For more information, dates, times and to purchase tickets, visit Oakland's website at www.oaklandcemetery.com.

Me and Mommy Tickets at Georgia Aquarium

This is a pretty awesome deal from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. For only $25, the Me & Mommy (or Daddy) ticket includes aquarium admission for one adult, free admission for children age 5 and under (maximum four children per paid adult) and free parking ($10 value). This offer is valid Monday-Friday, now through November 19, 2009, and can only be purchased online. You also have to bring the little ones along to take advantage of this great offer. Tickets purchased online (before the offer expires Nov. 19) can be used through Dec. 13, 2009. Black-outs dates apply: November 23 – 26, 2009. Great deal! Check out the Georgia Aquarium's website for details and to purchase tickets. www.georgiaaquarium.org

Tour Turner Field FREE this Saturday

Hey Braves fans! This Saturday, November 14th, you can tour Turner Field and the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame for FREE! Tours are conducted from 10am - 2pm. If you can't make it this Saturday, don't fret. Tours of the field are conducted Mondays through Saturdays from 10am - 2pm for $12 for adults and $7 for children. For more information, visit the Braves' website at atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/tour.jsp

Revision to Martinis and IMAX

I was mistaken about the last date to enjoy Martinis and IMAX at Fernbank. Please note Martinis and IMAX will continue to run through November 27th then "take a break" during December and will return on January 8th. So you have plenty of opportunities to experience it! www.fernbankmuseum.org

Family Thanksgiving Cooking Class

Piedmont Park in Atlanta is offering a family cooking class this Saturday, November 14th, from 12pm-1pm at the Piedmont Park Community Center. This class will feature the sweet potato. Participants will create a pan of sweet potato biscuits and will learn how to make butter too. $12 per family. For more information and to make reservations for the class, visit Piedmont Park's website at www.piedmontpark.org.

Guided Nature Hikes

Now that the weather has gotten cooler and some of the pesky bugs are gone, it's a great time to take a guided nature hike at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 3pm you can enjoy in a guided tour of the woodland and wetland trails at the nature center and learn about the area. Free with admission to the nature center. chattnaturecenter.org.

Martinis and IMAX at Fernbank

From what I can tell, this Friday, November 13th, is the last day this year to partake of Fernbank Museum's "Martinis and IMAX" event. This Martinis and IMAX event is celebrating beer, blues and BBQ. Enjoy sweet tea martinis and a special selection of Sweetwater beers. The Fernbank Café will feature a special entrée of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ rib tips served with potato salad and baked beans for $12. The Breeze Kings will be performing live from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to Martinis & IMAX Beer, Blues & BBQ is included with cover charge tickets ($7 per person) or with the purchase of an IMAX ticket ($12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for members). Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is recommended. For more information, visit Fernbank's website at www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Chomp and Stomp

Looking for something fun in Atlanta to do this weekend? Missed out on the October festivals and chili cook-offs? Well then head on down to the Chomp and Stomp in Cabbagetown this Saturday, November 7th. This community festival features a chili cook-off, artist market, bluegrass bands and, as noted from their flyer "tasty beer". Oh, and a 5K run for you active folks. The festival starts at 10am and goes to 6pm. Rumor has it that chili is available at noon so you might want to get there early if you're looking to sample some. This festival draws a crowd so contestants will run out of chili and probably fast! Check out the official Chomp and Stomp website for all the info: www.chompandstomp.com

Year Round Ghost Tours

If you didn't get around to taking in a ghost tour before Halloween, don't fret! Many of the ghost tour companies in the metro Atlanta area offer the opportunity to tour local haunts year round! One of these companies is Ghost of Marietta who offer several different tours including a "Spirits and Spirits" tour which includes ghost stories with a glass of wine at the Marietta Wine Market followed by a walking tour. Also check out Decatur Ghost Tour and Roswell Ghost Tour . They offer year round tours as well. Check their websites for a schedule of available tours and to make reservations.

Ghosts, Ghosts and More Ghosts!

If you've not yet taken a ghost tour, and even if you have, this is the perfect time of year to do so! It's a great way to celebrate Halloween! There are many ghost tours in the Atlanta area to choose from. Here's a list of the ones I know of and I'm sure there are more.

Darkside Tours / Ghost Tours of Atlanta
Ghost Tours Atlanta
Roswell Ghost Tour
Ghosts of Marietta
Norcross Ghost Tour
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours
Spirit Stroll, Newnan
City Segway Tours "Legends and Lore Tour", Atlanta
Decatur Ghost Tour

Many, if not all, of the tour companies listed above require reservations to attend a tour. Most of the tours above are walking tours but a few conduct the tours from a trolley and if you're really adventurous, you could try taking the tour via a Segway! Check out each of the tour companies' websites listed above for details about the tours they offer as well as dates and times.

Goblins in the Garden

Another great Halloween event for children and families is the Atlanta Botanical Garden's "Goblins in the Garden" from 1pm to 4pm this Sunday, October, 25th. Dress the kiddies in their Halloween costumes and head out to the Garden for fall fun. There will be a costume parade, pony rides, trick or treating, story time and more! While there, explore the Scarecrows in the Garden. There are more than 100 wacky and creative scarecrows throughout the children's garden and the Southern Season's garden. Goblins in the Garden is free with the cost of general admission which is $15 for adults; $12 for children 3 to 17 and free to children under 3. For more information, visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden's website at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is this Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th and Saturday, October 31st at Zoo Atlanta. This is a great Halloween festival for children and families. There will be treats, costumed characters, a costume contest, the "Monster Mash Disco" and arts and crafts in additional to all the normal fun of Zoo Atlanta. Boo at the Zoo activities take place from 10am to 3pm and are free with general admission and to Zoo Atlanta members. If your children are 6 and older, you might want to consider attending Zoo Atlanta's "Boo at the Zoo NightCrawlers" which includes trick or treating, pumpkin carving and storytelling. The NightCrawlers activities are on Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, October 31st starting at 6pm. For more information on the events and to purchase tickets online, visit Zoo Atlanta's website at www.zooatlanta.org

Run Like Hell

I don't usually write on fund-raising events but I'm going to make an exception for the 2nd Annual Run Like Hell 5K benefiting Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. The 5K is Saturday, October 31st at 9am at Oakland Cemetery. I met the organizers at the Sunday in the Park event at Oakland earlier this month and learned the story on this fundraiser. This lovely, fun couple wanted to help Oakland Cemetery raise money to help restore this historic property after it sustained serious damage from the tornado that roared through downtown Atlanta. So they created Run Like Hell which was extremely well received. The 5K takes place Oakland and in the adjacent historic Grant Park neighborhood. They are encouraging costumes and will be holding a costume contest after the race. And I love this: the awards being given out for the race will be "cemetery themed". Fun and quite unique! If you don't feel up for the 5K, you can opt to participate in the 1K. For more information and to register, visit Oakland Cemetery's website at http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/run.html