Time for a New Year!

Hi all! I'm back! I've taken a hiatus during the holidays as I'm sure you've noticed. I wasn't really inspired to write about all the standard yearly holiday events that are well known and advertised. And frankly, I couldn't find much of anything non-holiday related to write about. But now we are entering the new year and putting the holidays behind us. So stand by for new events and activities to enjoy in the New Year!

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

Need Your Help on Ideas

There are plenty plenty of holiday oriented events coming up. But I want to make sure I'm posting some non-holiday events and activities too - especially since not everyone is thrilled about starting to celebrate Christmas pretty much after Halloween (and Thanksgiving seems to be just a feasting formality). Know of some non-holiday events and activities in Georgia? Please let me know either by commenting to this post or emailing at eclecticgeorgia@gmail.com.

Thanks guys!

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.

PBR! That's Professional Bull Riders, not the beer!

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 2009 Challenger Tour Championships is this weekend at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Bull riding action will get underway on Friday, November 20 at 8pm, Saturday, November 21 at 7:50 pm, and on Sunday, November 22 at 2pm. $500,000 will be up for grabs as top PBR superstars from around the world will compete against the toughest bovine athletes that the PBR has to offer. 55 riders will ride in the first two rounds of competition which will take place on Friday and Saturday night. The top 40 riders on two bulls will move onto Sunday’s third round of competition and then the top 15 riders on three bulls will immediately come back to compete in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. Tickets start at $10 and up. For more information ad to purchase tickets, visit the Gwinnett Center's website at www.gwinnettcenter.com

The Great Train Expo

If you're into model trains, well, then you probably already know about this. But if not, The Great Train Expo is this Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross. Apparently there are trains for kids to ride, trains for kids and adult kids to operate, workshops, door prizes and over 350 tables with model train stuff for you enthusiasts. $7 admission for adults and children are free. Should be pretty fun! www.trainexpoinc.com

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.

Make Your Own Gingerbread House

Hooray! I love Gingerbread Houses! Or at least making them. And gingerbread houses make for wonderful, whimsical holiday decor. Historic Bulloch Hall in Roswell is hosting a "Make Your Own Gingerbread House" event this Saturday, November 21st from 10am to noon. The reservation fee is $35 per house (which is limited to 2 people per house) and includes all the materials. For more information and to make reservations, visit Bulloch Hall's website at www.bullochhall.org.

I'm going to have to see if I can find a gingerbread house competition now...

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.

7th Annual Wild Game, Mushroom and Red Wine Festival

Wolf Mountain Vineyards offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday but on Sundays during the month of November, they are celebrating their 7th Annual Wild Game, Mushroom and Red Wine Festival. Seatings are at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. For $30 per person (not including wine, tax and gratuity) you can sample their wild game chili, grilled quail, chicken coupage, venison sausage and exotic mushroom strudel, created to compliment our uniquely blended red wines, available by the glass or bottle. The last two dates for this event are November 22nd and November 29th. Reservations are required. Wolf Mountain Vineyards is located on a beautiful property in Dahlonega with fantastic vistas. For more information on this and other events at Wolf Mountain Vineyards, visit their website at www.wolfmountainvineyards.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.