Atlanta Galleria Now

Galleria Chat: Aug. 29, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

An Artsy End to August. The summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean festival season is over yet. Come out this weekend to the Marietta Square for Marietta Art in the Park, featuring a juried exhibition of pieces from more than 150 artists from across the country.

Festival activities include the Marietta Cityscape Project, which will use recycled materials to design a small-scale replica of the town; craft stations for young artists; an interactive art alley; and a chalk art competition for kids in all grade levels. 

The festival runs Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For more information, visit www.artparkmarietta.com.

Southern Charm. Take an opportunity this weekend to see one of Georgia’s most famous films in one of Georgia’s most historic theaters. The Earl Smith Strand Theatre is presenting “Gone With the Wind” on both Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $9 for the general public and $8 for seniors, students and members of the military. Go to www.earlsmithstrand.org to reserve your spot in advance.

Veg Out. Another annual Labor Day festival taking place this weekend is the Nibble and Noshfest, an event centered on Jewish food and entertainment, presented by Temple Kol Emeth.

Samples from local restaurants range from $1 to $4. The festival also features live music, art vendors and children’s activities. Admission is simple: bring two canned goods per family for MUST Ministry. All food collected will go straight to feeding the hungry in Atlanta.

The festival runs Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the action takes place at Temple Kol Emeth, located at 1415 Old Canton Road in Marietta. Check www.noshfest.com for more information. 

Rock Out. Are you ready for the largest free one-day concert in the Atlanta area? The Celebrate Freedom Atlanta festival is this Saturday at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.

This all-day concert features a number of Christian-influenced artists. Radio station 104.7 The Fish will be broadcasting live. Music begins at 8 a.m., and the day concludes with a fireworks show at 11 p.m.

Admission is free, but you are required to present a ticket, which can be downloaded at www.celebratefreedomatlanta.com. Parking at Jim Miller Park, which is located at 2245 Callaway Road, is $5.

Galleria Chat: Aug. 1, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado… 

Jazz, Art and Laughs. Keyboardist William Green will be the featured performer in Saturday night’s installment of the Marietta Jazz, Jokes and Art Series, which will take place at 164 Roswell Street NE, just off the Marietta Square. An art and jewelry showcase starts at 7 p.m., and the music will begin at 8 p.m. Atlanta-area comedians will perform during breaks in the music.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Attendees are welcome to bring a bottle of wine and a take-out dinner from one of the many restaurants on the Square.

Future installments of the series are slated for Aug. 24, Sept. 14 and Sept. 28. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit Eventbrite.

Fishing Fun. The privately owned Lake Ramona in nearby Hiram, Ga., will be open to the public this Saturday for the Family and Friends Public Fishing Event. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. The use of boats with gasoline motors will not be allowed, but an attendee can bring a boat with a trolling motor for an additional $20.

For more information, visit Marietta Patch.

Here Come the Bridesmaids. Watch “Saturday Night Live” alums Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph in the comedy classic “Bridesmaids” this Friday evening at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta. The movie begins at 8 p.m. A pre-show sing-along with Misha Stefanuk on the Mighty Allen Theatre Organ begins at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $9 for adults. For more information, visit the theatre’s website.

Book Signing. Writer Douglas Frey and photographer Jim DiVitale will be at dk Gallery on the Marietta Square this Friday evening to sign copies of their award-winning book "Marietta: The Gem City of Georgia." The signing will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.

The gallery is located at 25 West Park Square. For more information, visit Marietta Patch.

Galleria Chat: May 23, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Keeping It Local. What could be better for your summer cookouts than fresh ingredients? Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers at the Smyrna Fresh Produce Market, now open every Saturday morning through the fall.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna, located at 1275 Church Street. For information on becoming a vendor, call Keep Smyrna Beautiful at 770-431-2863.

Brown Bag and Music. The next-to-last installment of this spring’s Brown Bag Concert Series takes place today on the Marietta Square. Meet up with friends and grab lunch at any of the great restaurants around the Square and enjoy some free live music at Glover Park from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The last concert of this season’s series will take place on May 30. The series will resume in the fall. The concerts are hosted by the Marietta Welcome Center and the Cobb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Vacation! Are you in the mood for a vacation? How about “National Lampoon’s Vacation”? Come watch a showing of this classic comedy starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold this Friday at the historic Strand Theatre. “Lampoon’s Vacation” is the first movie of the Earl Smith Strand Theatre’s Summer Movie series. Admission is $9, and the show starts at 8 p.m.

For tickets you can go to the theater’s box office Monday through Friday or visit the theater online at www.earlsmithstrand.org.

Political Banter. Join radio talk-show host Herman Cain on the Marietta Square this Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will feature remarks by the former presidential candidate as well as an extended question-and-answer session.

Galleria Chat: April 25, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Spring Fever. Spring marks the beginning of one of the best times of the year: outdoor concert season. Marietta is getting in on the action with the Glover Park Concert Series, held on the Marietta Square on the last Friday of each month from April to September.

The series kicks off this Friday with the Kurt Thomas Band, a nationally touring country-rock band boasting a lead singer who won CMT’s Music City Madness competition.

All concerts are free, and guests are welcome to bring picnics and lawn chairs. If a table is more your style, they are available for $45 for six people or $55 for eight people. For more information and reservations, call 770-794-5601.

Restaurant Rally. Missed out on last week’s Taste of West Cobb? You have another chance to sample food from the area’s best eateries at the Taste of Marietta, which takes place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marietta Square.

The main attraction is the cuisine, with tastings from more than 60 local restaurants and food trucks, but the event also features five live music stages, a sunset concert in Glover Park, games and activities for kids, and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs.

Admission is free, and samples range from $1 to $5 each. Parking is available around the Marietta Square, and the Historic Marietta Trolley will provide a shuttle between Marietta Middle School and the event. Check out www.tasteofmarietta.com for a full lineup of participating restaurants, artists and activities. 

Cops in Aprons. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office will help support Special Olympics Georgia by bussing tables at Johnny’s Steaks and Barbecue in Powder Springs on Thursday, April 25.

The Sheriff’s Office will volunteer from 10:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will accept donations on behalf of the Special Olympics, which provides sports training for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

For more information, contact Sgt. Amie Herd at 770-499-4719. Johnny’s Steaks and Barbeque is located at 4179 Marietta Street.

Blazing New Trails. New city trails opened in Kennesaw this week and are ready for local walkers and runners. 

The Kennesaw First Baptist Trail, Whispering Lake Trail and Matlock Trail are now open, linking with the Deerfield and Winchester trails and winding through several subdivisions and neighborhood parks. For more information on the community trails, visit the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department online.

Galleria Chat: April 18, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Sampling Smorgasbord. Attention area foodies: the 2013 Taste of West Cobb will take place on Saturday, April 20, at Hillgrove High School. Come out for this free event featuring samples from area restaurants like Smallcakes Cupcakery, Okinawa, Yogli Mogli, La Parilla and more. The event also features entertainment by the Hillgrove Band, booths with representatives from local businesses, bungee trampolines and other activities for kids.

Tickets for the Taste of West Cobb are sold in packs. Each pack costs $10 and includes 10 taste tickets and two raffle tickets. Most samples require two or three taste tickets. Buy them online at www.tasteofwestcobb.com. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hillgrove is located at 4165 Luther Ward Road in Powder Springs.

Spring Cleaning. Clean out your clutter while helping the environment at this Saturday’s Earth Day Recycling Event sponsored by Keep Cobb Beautiful. Bring your reusable and recyclable items including electronics, latex paint, Styrofoam, textiles and batteries to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way. The event also features free and secure document shredding.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim R. Miller Park, located at 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta. Click here for a complete list of accepted recyclables.

Chasing Away Cancer. Lace up your running shoes for this Sunday’s Chastain Chase, which features a variety of road races in support of Cancer Support Community Atlanta, a non-profit organization that provides education to cancer patients and their families.

The races — a 6K run, one-mile run and a “tot trot” for kids — begin and end at the RoadRunner Sports at 3756 Roswell Road and wind through Chastain Park. Your registration fee supports the organization, includes access to an after-party with DJ entertainment and gets you a free t-shirt.

To pre-register, visit www.cscatlanta.kintera.org/chastainchase.

Festival Season Is Here. You’re in for one giant celebration at the 37th Annual Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival this Saturday and Sunday in downtown Kennesaw.

At the center of the festival is the Smithsonian-affiliated Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The festival features more than 200 crafts booths, activities for kids, entertainment, and performances from local schools and dance groups. The weekend starts Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with a downtown parade, which will include marching bands from local schools and a number of floats.

The festival takes place on both sides of Main Street in downtown Kennesaw. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, sponsored by the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Business Association. Visit www.kennesawbusiness.org for more information.

Galleria Chat: April 11, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

A Life-Saving Lap. Kennesaw State University will hold a Relay for Life on Friday, April 12, beginning at 7 p.m. Relay for Life is an event held in communities across the country to celebrate the lives of those saved from cancer and those that have lost their lives to the disease, while raising money to find a cure. The overnight event features activities and entertainment, a survivor lap and luminary service.

For more information on the event or to make a donation, visit www.ksurelay.org. Kennesaw State is located at 1000 Chastain Road in Kennesaw.

Keeping Our Planet Green. Celebrate our planet with the Earth Day Kids Fest on Saturday, April 13, at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Captain Planet will be in attendance to help everyone learn how to protect our world. Listen to music from family band Laughing Pizza, talk to local green organizations in the Eco-Village, canoe on the Chattahoochee Nature Center pond, take a hike or complete a scavenger hunt in the garden.

The festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center online for more information. The center is located at 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell.

Derby Date. If you’ve never been to a roller-derby bout, here’s your chance. The Marietta Derby Darlins are hosting the Skatergirl Scuffle at the Cobb Civic Center this Saturday.

Starting at 4 p.m. the Muscogee Roller Girls will take on the Rolling Arsenal of Derby. The second bout is the main event, with the Marietta Derby Darlins facing the Burn City Rollers.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.mariettaderbydarlins.com. The Cobb Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta.

Marietta Market. Now that the weather’s warming up, it’s a good time to head back to the Marietta Square Farmers Market, held each weekend at the Marietta Square. The market features local vendors selling fresh, locally grown seasonal produce and garden products.

Through December, the market is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Through November, it will be open on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information on parking and hours, click here.

Galleria Chat: March 28, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado…

Meehan’s Goes to the Dogs. If you like dogs, delicious food and a good cause, you’re in luck, because BullsEye Rescue is back this year with its second annual Irish Barkfest on Saturday, March 30, at Meehan’s Public House in Vinings.

Barkfest raises money for the homeless pets that BullsEye supports, including Lucille, who needs rehabilitation after a truck shattered her leg. Barkfest features a silent auction of donated items, drink specials, patio dining for both people and their pets, and BullsEye dogs available for adoption. Auction items up for bid include a Telecaster guitar signed by the guitarist of Wilco, Atlanta Braves tickets and club passes, artwork, gift certificates and more.

Barkfest starts at 12 p.m. and lasts until 6 p.m., when auction winners will be announced. To learn more about BullsEye Rescue and Barkfest, visit www.bullseyerescue.com or email [email protected].

Easter: Musical Style. The Unity North Center for the Arts, in partnership with Unity North Atlanta Church, is presenting three performances of “Godspell,” a classic and well-loved rock musical centered on the Gospel of Matthew. 

Performances take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Unity North Atlanta Church, located at 4255 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta. Tickets are $15 per person or $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at the door. For more information, visit www.unitynorth.org. 

We Will Rock You. Relive the golden years of rock ‘n’ roll with two concerts next week at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

The first, “One Night of Queen,” features Gary Mullen and the Works, a Queen tribute band that has performed throughout the world, recreating the look and sound of the legendary band. “One Night of Queen” is on Monday, April 1, at 8 p.m.

Return to the Cobb Energy Centre on Tuesday for “Brit Floyd,” a tribute to psychedelic band Pink Floyd. This show, billed as the closest to Pink Floyd you can now get, features note-for-note performances of Pink Floyd songs including “The Dark Side of the Moon,” “Wish You Were Here” and “The Wall.” The show also begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets for both shows are $37.50 or $57.00 plus applicable fees. Visit the Cobb Energy Centre online to purchase tickets.

Galleria Chat: Feb. 7, 2013

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each week. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado… 

Good News for Oyster Lovers. Does an all-day oyster festival sound like your idea of a Mardi Gras celebration? How about a five-day oyster festival? Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Smyrna is back with its second annual Oyster Festival, featuring live music, New Orleans fare, crowning of a “King” and “Queen,” prizes and, of course, oysters.

The event lasts from Friday, Feb. 8, to Tuesday, Feb. 12. Each day features something a little different, such as music all day Saturday, a brunch on Sunday and a family-friendly celebration on Monday.

For a full lineup of music acts and events, visit the event’s website.

One Party of a Road Race. If you’d like a little more exercise in your Carnival season celebration, then perhaps the Marietta Mardi Gras 5K this Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Marietta Square is more your style.

The fourth annual event, which benefits the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta and its community partners, includes a 5K run beginning at 8 a.m., a 1K beginning at 8:45 a.m. and a “tot trot” that starts at 9 a.m.

The Junior League is teaming up with Shoes for the Cure, a professional recycling company that aims to keep shoes out of landfills by using them in recycled materials. Shoes for the Cure will be hosting a shoe drive at the event and asks for donations of any and all shoes.

For more information and to register, visit www.marietta5k.com.

Back by Popular Demand. Atlanta Ballet’s rendition of Michael Pink’s “Dracula” is back at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre starting this Friday, Feb. 8. The Atlanta Ballet will present an eerie, haunting take on the Dracula tale based on the original score.

The dates run as follows:

Friday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or through the Cobb Energy Centre’s box office. For more information, visit www.atlantaballet.com.

Grab Your Dancing Shoes. Marietta Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual Daddy-Daughter Dance this Sunday, Feb. 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mansour Center in Marietta.

Fathers and their daughters ages five to 12 are invited for music, dancing, activities and refreshments. This year’s event has a “Picnic in the Park” theme, and dress is semi-formal to formal.

Registration is required, and tickets are $30 plus $5 for each additional daughter. Register by Friday, Feb. 8, by visiting the City of Marietta online.

Galleria Chat: Nov. 8, 2012

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each Thursday. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Arts in the Neighborhood. Marietta’s Cherokee Heights neighborhood, located just a mile north of the Marietta Square, is known for its artsy residents. The wares of more than 30 neighborhood artists will be on full display this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Heights Arts Festival.

Items for sale will include paintings, metal work, wearable art, pottery, clothing, jewelry, birdhouses and more. There will be live musical performances throughout the day by the Emerson Drummers, Symphony on the Square Players and the Emerson Guitar Group. There also will be activities for children.

The festival takes place on the stretch of Etowah Drive between Seminole Drive and Freyer Drive in Marietta.

Honoring Those Who Served. The eighth annual Marietta Veterans Day parade, organized by the city of Marietta and the Marietta Kiwanis Club, is set for this Saturday.

At 11 a.m., the parade will start at Roswell Street Baptist Church and proceed to the Marietta Square. The parade will include marching bands, drill teams, floats, veterans organizations and military vehicles.

At noon, there will be a ceremony at Glover Park to honor our veterans. James O. Ellis, a retired four-star admiral, will be the keynote speaker and the parade’s grand marshal.

Roswell Street Baptist Church is located at 774 Roswell Street, and Glover Park is located in the center of the Marietta Square.

Veterans Day, Part II. The city of Acworth also will be celebrating Veterans Day this Saturday with a 2 p.m. ceremony at Cauble Park.

The event centers around the Veterans Memorial, which displays the service flags of the branches of the military. The memorial is surrounded by a paver walkway, and attendees will be able to purchase pavers to be engraved in honor of a veteran.

Richard Bailey, a former first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corp., will be the keynote speaker.

Cauble Park is located at 2293 Beach Street in Acworth. For more information on the event, visit the Acworth Parks and Recreation website.

Opera Comes to Cobb. This Saturday is opening night for the Atlanta Opera’s rendition of “Carmen” at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Set in Spain, Georges Bizet’s classic opera follows the ill-fated romance between Don Jose, a soldier, and Carmen, a gypsy.

Saturday’s show begins at 8 p.m. Other performances of “Carmen” at the Cobb Energy Centre will be on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre box office.

Galleria Chat: Oct. 25, 2012

The Galleria Chat appears on this blog each Thursday. The Chat provides a hearty helping of events and announcements to keep you in the know about the area surrounding the Atlanta Galleria Office Park. So without further ado …

Calling All Zombies. All the area’s undead are invited out for an infestation and feeding in the Marietta Square this Saturday. By that, we mean those dressed in their best zombie costumes are invited out for a gathering and walk around the square. “Living” attendees are asked to wear military-inspired uniforms, since they may be asked to contain a “zombie uprising.”

The event is sponsored by Carnival of Doom. Participants are asked to bring canned food to give to those in need in the community. Gather in the square at 5 p.m. and be prepared for the walk at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.mariettazombiewalk.org.

Fall Festival. The autumn installment of the long-running bi-annual Jonquil Festival is this weekend in Smyrna. The Fall Jonquil Festival brings together more than 150 artists and crafters from across the country to showcase their wares. The two-day festival also features puppet shows, live acoustic music, activities and food.

The event takes place on the Village Green at 200 Village Green Circle in Smyrna on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Oct. 28 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. See more information on the festival’s Facebook page.

Halloween for the Grown-ups. The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is holding its first annual Dead Man’s Costume Ball in celebration of both Halloween and history’s most beloved artists. The night includes a costume contest, art history trivia, a palm reader, music, a photo booth, drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

The ball is on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Attendees must be 21 and older. Tickets are only available at the door for $15.

The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art has both permanent and traveling visual-art exhibitions. It is located at 30 Atlanta Street in Marietta. Find out more on the museum’s website.

Food Trucks Come to Marietta. On Mondays this fall, come out to Meeting Park in Marietta from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Food Truck Rally. Presented by the Atlanta Street Food Coalition, it features a rotating lineup of all your favorite food trucks — from ones offering Korean tacos and barbeque to paninis and meatball sandwiches.

The rallies run through Dec. 3 at the park, located at 218 Roswell Street.

Youth Concert. The 400-student Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (GYSO&C) will perform three concerts this weekend at Kennesaw State University. The concerts will feature three full orchestras, a string orchestra, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble and chorus.

Concerts are on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Bailey Center at Kennesaw State. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online.