Free Atlanta! Recession-Busting Entertainment

Editor's Note: In the March edition, J. Maury Harris did a round-up of arts, entertainment and activities around Intown that were totally free. Perfect for these tough economic times. We had such a great response, that Harris has compiled even more recession buster freebies.

Festivals

In Atlanta’s parade of festivals, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival (April 17-19; www.dogwood.org, 404-817-6642) holds the title of grand marshal. This storied, arts festival returns to Piedmont Park in its 73rd year with the de rigueur live music, nationally-acclaimed art show and family entertainment.

Following directly in stride is the Inman Park Spring Festival and Tour of Homes (April 25-26; www.inmanparkfestival.org,  770-635-3711) with a uniquely colorful parade, a vast street market, a range of entertainment, family activities and — as the name suggests — an acclaimed tour of historic and contemporary homes.

Another famous Atlanta neighborhood celebrates 25 years of the Sweet Auburn Spring Fest (May 8 – 10; www.sweetauburn.com,  404-886-4469), which emphasizes African-American culture, and recognizes new commerce in this historic district. Aside from the typical festival treats, there’s film and literary festivals, a car and bike show and an interactive basketball playground.

Soon after, the Decatur Arts Festival (May 23-24; 404-371-9583, www.decaturartsfestival.com ), opens with an ArtWalk encompassing much of downtown Decatur. But the city’s larges arts event also adds a film festival, "new dance" shows, literary arts performances, an artists market and musicians on the bandstand.

In just its fifth year the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival (Aug. 29-30; 404-521-0938, www.gpconservancy.org) is running strong and bringing new life to Atlanta's oldest public park. Ironic, seeing as to how the Adams Realtors 5K Run for the Park starts things off. But most visitors come for the live entertainment, Saturday movie, artist’s market and Children’s Fun Center.

Atlanta Pride Festival (Oct. 30-Nov. 1; 770-491-8633, www.atlantapride.org) will feature a variety of events throughout Atlanta, but the Pride Parade always steals the show. Cheer and laugh with a diverse crowd, but don’t forget to walk through Piedmont Park — home base for the Pride Stages, marketplace, and a variety of entertainment.

Community spirit overflows at the Candler Park Fall Fest (Oct. 10-11; 4043-71-1260, www.candlerparkfallfest.org) each year. The open spaces of this top-notch intown park will be filled with a 5K race, musical guests and a plethora of family-friendly fun. An accompanying tour of homes will also introduce visitors to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Parks

Tours

Tooling around the city is a great pastime. With the routes below you can be sure to avoid spending while still visiting sites that are informational, inspirational and just plain fun.

For some, window-shopping is a cheap retreat. For others, it’s a maddening tease. If the former fits you, then plan a stroll through any of Atlanta’s quaint shopping districts. Take some snacks and make a day of design and dÈcor paradise that is The Shops of Miami Circle (Miami Cir and Piedmont Rd; www.miamicircleshops.com), where shops open their doors Monday through Saturday — and some even on Sunday. If the circle doesn’t provide enough perusing, the Bennett Street Design District (Bennett St and Peachtree St; 404-352-5511, www.bennettstreets.com) offers an extensive list of antique shops, art galleries and home dÈcor destinations.

There’s a whole city of possibilities here, too. Get out and acclimated to the new spots in Little Five Points (Moreland Ave and Euclid Ave; www.l5p.com), Virginia Highlands (N Highland Ave and Virginia Ave; www.virginiahighland.com) and Decatur (W Ponce de Leon Ave and Clairemont Ave; www.decatur-ga.com). Pick a place and go urban exploring.

Tour all, or just your favorite sites listed on Atlanta’s National Register of Historic Places. With 65 in total there’s no guarantee they’re all entertaining, but the National Park Service helps to bring out their best by listing each with its personal, age-old story online (www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta). Map out a route and soak in the sites so you can impress friends and family for years to come.

One standout on the register, Oakland Cemetery (248 Oakland Ave SE; 404-688-2107, www.oaklandcemetery.com), is open daily for self-guided tours. Grab a map from the Visitors Center and Museum Shop in the Bell Tower and stake out prominent residents like Margaret Mitchell, Bobby Jones and Joseph Jacobs. With more than 70,000 souls resting at Oakland, there’s no shortage of massive monuments and mausoleum, civil war casualties and resident ghost stories.

When it comes to monuments, none surpasses that of the most famous Atlantan—Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitors can sit on the steps of his birthplace, say a prayer at his church and learn more about King’s undeniable influence. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site (450 Auburn Ave NE; 404-331-5190, http://www.nps.gov/malu) remembers his life and allows reflection for visitors surrounding the final resting place of Dr. King, Jr. Stop by the visitors center for free maps and tours of exhibits on him, Coretta Scott King, and Mahatma Gandhi.

As if it weren’t already apparent, Atlanta is a place of strong faith — or should we say faiths. The number of churches in and around Atlanta seems to rival McDonald’s locations, but there is no comparison between the two when speaking of historical importance. Whether it’s a mosque, temple, church or cathedral its undoubtedly influenced Atlanta spiritually, morally and at times architecturally. So plan a Historic Church Tour here — our space just doesn’t serve them justice.

For a look forward, take a free Bus Tour of the BeltLine (1055 Dekalb Ave NE; 404-446-4400, www.beltline.org) offered up every Friday and Saturday morning from the Inman Park MARTA Station. The tours begin at 9:15am and takes approximately three hours to witness first hand the transformation these 22 miles of new transit and 33 miles of Multi-Use trails will have on the 45 neighborhoods it connects and the City of Atlanta as a whole.

Galleries

Art is the freedom of expression through various mediums, so why not freely view it through various gallery spaces.

Not only is Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (980 Briarcliff Rd NE; 404-872-5338, www.callanwolde.org) a historic residence, it’s also a free gallery featuring rotating exhibitions of local artists throughout the year. The walls of Petite Hall are often filled with local artists, but the lawns and formal gardens equally worth seeing. Concerts, storytelling and workshops round out the events at this busy, non-profit community art center. Check the site before you go.

There’s something special about art found in the crevices and cracks of the city. That’s what is enticing about neighborhood galleries like the Composition Gallery (1388 McLendon Ave NE; 678-982-9764, www.compositiongallery.com), a Moreland-area photography gallery featuring affordable local and regional photography. Poncey-Highland’s crafty Youngblood Gallery and Boutique (636 N Highland Ave; 404-254-4127, www.youngbloodgallery.com) is also unique with its up-and-coming, handmade works. Things get a bit contemporary and intellectual working to create a hub for purposeful arts as The Opal Gallery (484 B-2 Moreland Ave NE; 678-717-8890, www.theopalgallery.com) does in Little Five Points. Purpose is also the focus at The WonderRoot Community Arts Center (982 Memorial Drive; 404-254-5955, www.wonderroot.org), a non-profit arts organization uniting artists and community to inspire positive social change.

If there were a more unique art exploration, it would be found at the Frabel Glass Art Studio (689-695 Antone St NW; 404-351-9794, www.frabel.com). Founded by renowned Hans Godo Frabel, this gallery is the first glass art studio focused solely on creating boron crystal sculptures. The catch here is that as visitors view the immaculate glass art, glass artists create new pieces on sitea. The glass blowing is ongoing, so call for a prime viewing time.

Another interesting collection is displayed at the Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries (223 James P. Brawley Dr, Trevor Arnett Hall; 404-880-6102, www.cau.edu ). The university has put forth efforts to collect, preserve, research and exhibit African-American art reflecting a breadth of experiences from the perspective of black Americans. Needless to say, it has become an expansive collection including illustrious murals by Hale Woodruff and many other highlights.

Rated as one of America’s most interesting and elite colleges, the Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta (www.scad.edu/exhibitions/atlanta) prepares talented students for successful art and design careers. But before they hit the big time, their art sees its time here in Atlanta at three free public galleries. The ACA Gallery (1280 Peachtree St; 404-815-2931) is nestled next to the High Museum of Art and presents about eight exhibitions each year. The emphasis here is on contemporary artists of national and international repute who represent diverse cultural backgrounds, aesthetic interests, intellectual perspectives and artistic practices. Gallery See (1600 Peachtree St) presents student work from SCAD’s multiple campuses and is located in the same building as the Shop SCAD Atlanta boutique, which sells unique, reasonably priced student wares and works. Their aptly named third gallery, Trois Gallery, also sits at this address and shows.

Open Mics & More

Open mic nights often catch a bad rap, but who can complain about free entertainment. That’s why we look to coffee houses, bookstores and restaurants to get truly cheap seats.

If you’re in the mood for a coffee then pair it with some spoken word or an acoustic set at Urban Grind (962 Marietta St NW; 404-724-0605, www.urbangrindatl.com). Every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-10pm, the homey cafÈ fills with talented Atlanta artists and enthusiasts for the spoken word and singer, songwriter sessions. Java Monkey (205 E Ponce De Leon Ave; 404-378-5002, www.javamonkeydecatur.com) is another local fave for coffee that features an open mic night at 7pm on Sundays. There lounge-like setting is often percolating with interesting local artists and a fun crowd.

For more along poetry lines, head to Poetry at Tech (Various locations; 404-385-2760, www.poetry.gatech.edu) for a mix of spoken word and traditional poetry readings. Thomas Lux began the series in 2002 to bring poetry to as wide an audience as possible, and now its become one of the Southeast’s premier showcases of poetry.

To spark the poetry of laughter without burning cash, look to The Punchline (280 Hilderbrand Dr; 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com). As long as you’re a newbie to their audience, then The Punchline will cover the tickets for you and a guest to see your first show. Just find a show to cure your recession blues (special events not included), and reserve tickets for a healthy dose of laughter.

Relapse Theatre (380 14th St NW; 678-887-7809, www.relapsetheatre.com) Most the folks in Sideshow can also be seen in a Tuesday night Richard Kickers show. Different format: starts with a 5-10 minute gab session based on audience suggestions -- current events, trivia, Seinfeld-esque pet peeves -- that then becomes the seeds for scenes. Go for 8:30 improv show and you get in free for the stand-up show at 10:30.

Mixing the quirky, with a variety of sounds makes the long-running Open Improv at Eyedrum (290 MLK Jr. Dr SE, Ste 8; 404-522-0655, www.eyedrum.org) a smile-inducing experience as well. This grab bag of entertainment occurs every first Thursday at 9pm, as instrumentalists and improvisers of all stripes bring their "talents" together.

The south is know for its jazz and blues talents, too. With a plethora of performers, you can be sure to find some good deals at local Atlanta venues. But in this case the venue could be smaller, say Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (1811 Piedmont Ave NE; 404-607-1622, www.fatmattsribshack.com) small. The famous barbecue joint serves up Blues seven nights a week around 8pm. Though tips are encouraged, so is eating a pulled pork sandwich — mmm! For another smokin’ list of blues acts, check out Maddy’s barbecue (1479 Scott Blvd; 404-377-0301, www.maddysribs.com/). The space features blues with a bit more elbow room five nights a week, and they also know how to bring the barbecue. But when it comes to blues history in Atlanta, no place brings the old soul to life like the Northside Tavern (1058 Howell Mill Rd NW; 404-874-8745, www.northsidetavern.com). The grooves have seeped into the wood here over 35 years and guests can get their share for free five days a week, but again tips are welcomed.

If the bar atmosphere tempts your whistle, pop on over to The Colors of Wine (2355 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Ste. 30; 770-432-2828) where free tastings unfold every Saturday at 3pm. These informational sessions dabble in everything from Sake to Shiraz, so get you pen and paper ready—just call before you go, as they cancel on occasion.

Museums

Museums have long been national treasures housing a wealth of knowledge. Well, Atlanta has a few of it’s own and those off the beaten path are often the most interesting.

Every Thursday after 1pm, the Center for Puppetry Arts (1404 Spring Street NW; 404-873-3089, www.puppet.org) treats families to a free presentation of their permanent puppetry exhibit. This show stars a collection of puppets, books, posters and videos from around the world. American puppets from Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth, as well as "Pigs in Space" from The Muppet Show are extremely popular with the kids.

To better learn how our health issues through statistical analysis, take a jog around the Global Heath Odyssey Museum (1600 Clifton Rd NE; 404-639-0830, www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit) at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This award-winning, permanent exhibit and interactive educational facility examines numerous public health topics, as well as the history of CDC. Guide yourself through documents, photographs and objects that tell the origins and early history of CDC and its expansion into an agency of public health programs emphasizing prevention.

Withough paper, much of the knowledge and progress of history would never have been recorded. That’s a pretty big deal, so the Georgia Institute of Technology memorialized the invention in the Robert C. Williams American Museum of Papermaking (500 10th St; 404-894-7840, www.ipst.gatech.edu/amp). This internationally renowned resource traces the history of paper from 4,000 BC to the contemporary papermakers and artists of today with over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts.

Feel the need for a meeting with the governor? March to the Governor’s Mansion (391 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW; 404-261-1776, gov.georgia.gov) for a tour of the 18-acre grounds and some of the 30 rooms which house one of the finest federal period collections of furnishings in the United States.

Sports & Recreation

Keeping healthy isn’t an easy gig, but it’s a lot easier when the price tag isn’t what takes your breath away. So we did our best at finding some free fitness and fanfare.

For one hour — starting at 10:30am — every Sunday the LuluLemon Free Yoga session features guest instructors from studios across Atlanta. Bring your own gear or borrow from this upbeat, community-oriented retail space-slash-studio. Come early for a spot, and let the breathing take you away into a new mind state, and a new week.

July Fourth signals more than just independence day in Atlanta, it the date of the Peachtree Road Race (Lenox Square to Piedmont Park; 404-231-9064, www.atlantatrackclub.org). While participants pay a pretty penny, you’re always welcome to cheer and volunteer for free at this historic event birthed from a race of just 100 runners jogging down Peachtree in 1970.†