Festival Fever continues in May
Last month we had a big feature on spring festivals, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re in search of weekend fun, check out one of the many Spring festivals happening around the city in May. From artisans and musicians to home tours and rooftop vistas, May is jam-packed with activities.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
The historic Sweet Auburn district of Downtown comes alive with a weekend of music, activities, food and more on May 7 – 8.
Auburn Avenue is the focal point for the festival, which will feature a seniors pavilion, artists market, business and tech expo, car and bike show, heath and fitness fair, sports zone, a theater performance by teens called “Through the Lens,” kids fun zone, green pavilion, voter registration drive and the annual Sweet Auburn 5K Run/Walk.
For more information, visit sweetaburn.com.
West Fest
Atlanta’s Historic West End community will host West Fest 2011 May 6 – 8. Presented by West End Neighborhood Development Inc., the event includes an annual benefit concert, dog parade, artist market and festival, and tour of historic homes. The concert kicks off the weekend of events with performances by soul songstress Dawn McClain at the Wren’s Nest Amphitheatre on Friday at 7 p.m.
The West End Tour of Homes consists of a self-guided walking tour of over a dozen Craftsman, Victorian and Queen Anne-style private homes. Tour tickets will be available at the Wren’s Nest, where the tour begins.
The Dog Parade is Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to noon at White Street and Rose Circle. The Neighborhood Festival & Artists Market takes place Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. in Gordon-White Park.
Tickets for the concert are $25, while tickets for the Tour of Homes are $20, or $40 for a combo Concert and Tour of Homes pass. Tickets can be purchased online at Admission to the festival and artist market is free. For tickets and more information, atlantawestfest.com.
Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes
The 9th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Home is Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, at Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive. The festival will feature an open air artist market, 5k run, live music, children’s area and food and beverage vendors.
The home tour will showcase a diverse collection of building styles from classic Victorian cottages to Craftsman bungalows to Modern living spaces. The tour of homes will be held Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
The festival portion of the weekend is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and admission is free. Music continues to 11 p.m. and will feature No Parachute, Wild Rice, Snaz, Third Candle, The Axis featuring Cherry Royale and a surprise guest.
All proceeds go to benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization, a local nonprofit group dedicated community improvement.
For more information, visit kirkwoodfling.com.
Artful Garden Tour
The Artful Garden Tour is back for springtime inspiration on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s self–guided tour highlights seven private gardens in Buckhead, Ansley Park, Midtown and Druid Hills.
Of special note is a 1935 Tudor home surrounded by a garden that blends formal English and natural styles, as well as a home featuring a multilevel water garden with a koi pond and a 60-foot stream that meanders around a stone patio.
The Artful Garden Tour distinguishes itself from other garden tours by showcasing art in the gardens. Plein–air painters will be working and other local artists will showcase their designs. All proceeds benefit the High Museum of Art.
Tickets are $20 per person if purchased before May 12 and $25 thereafter. Visit high.org for tickets and details.
Decatur Arts Festival
More than 160 artists from around the nation selling paintings, jewelry and more, live music, cutting-edge dance, literary events and a parade – these are just a few of the activities at the 23rd annual Decatur Arts Festival set for Memorial Day weekend, May 28 – 29.
This interactive, inclusive arts extravaganza, presented by the Decatur Arts Alliance, includes art and artists from all disciplines and features hands-on participatory art as well as demonstrating and performing arts. All events are free.
The weekend actually kicks off with the Art Walk on Friday, May 27, night from 5 to 10 p.m. with special events and artists at local galleries and businesses.
The Artists Market will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, while live music will be staged on the community banstand on the square featuring ConunDrums, Cowboy Envy, Nicole Chillemi Band, Mieka Pauley, Von Grey, 7 Day Fool, Sewhee Village Percussion, Doria Roberts, The Bonaventure Quartet, Davin McCoy and The Coming Attractions and ending the weekend with Delta Moon.
To see a full line-up of events, visit decaturartsfestival.com.
Buckhead Spring Arts and Craft Festival
The 2nd annual festival is set for Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chastain Park.
The festival will feature more than 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craftpersons, glass blowers, jewelers, an “antiques alley” and more. Organize Randall Fox said more than 90 percent of the artists will be from the metro area.
The festival will also offer a children’s play area, food (including Moe’s, Barefoot Wines and Gigi’s Cupcakes) and live music. More than 150,000 people attended last year’s event and Fox said he’s expecting a bigger turnout for 2011.
For a full line-up of events and artists visit, buckheadartsfestival.com.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
The 34th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is a month-long event, capped off by a Memorial Day weekend festival in Piedmont Park.
The Piedmont Park event will feature local and nationally-renowned artists including the Warren Wolf Quintet with Christian McBride, Sean Jones Quintet, Ninety Miles, Marea Alta, Myrna Clayton, The Infinite Sound Family, Oliver Santana & Ellison Jazz, Tropical Breeze, Wild Rice, Neo4 and Rua6.
There will also be a late night performance by Mike Phillips at the Lowe’s Atlanta Hotel on May 28, 10 p.m. and a special concert by George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn (calling themselves DMS) at Chastain Park on May 30, 7 p.m.
For tickets, details and the full schedule, visit atlantafestivals.com.
Fiesta Latina
The 5th annual Fiesta Atlanta in celebration of Cinco De Mayo will be held Sunday, May 1, at Centennial Olympic Park. Hours for this year’s event are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and admission is free. Fiesta Atlanta features a daylong celebration of Latino culture, featuring continuous live musical performances on two stages by international, national and local recording artists, sponsor displays with many free product samples, arts and crafts and authentic Latin foods. This years musical line-up includes classic rock band War, Tiger!Tiger!, Local 34, Bachaco, Con Clase, Orquesta Macuba and more. There is also a 5k race starting at 8:30 a.m. in the park to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For details on the festival, visit fiestatlanta.com.
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