9 essential Atlanta arts events this weekend

Each week, ArtsATL curates a selection of the most exciting arts and culture events happening in Atlanta this weekend, highlighting nine must-see experiences. 

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Thursday

Amy Ray Band

Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray brings her band to Eddie’s Attic at 7 p.m. on July 9. She has an impressive catalog of solo material to draw from, including her 10th and most recent solo album, If It All Goes South, released in 2022. The band will also play the 40 Watt Club in Athens on July 11 and The Boneyard in Chattanooga on July 12.

Friday

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait

Because Atlanta is still in the midst of the World Cup, how about a little bit of football history? Off the Wall @ 725 Ponce is best known for its series of experimental film and video art projected onto five stories on the face of the Eastside Trail’s 725 Ponce building on the Beltline. It’s doing something a little different this weekend. On Friday, July 10, it will be screening the 2006 documentary Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, which tells the story of one of the greatest footballers of all time, France’s Zinedine Zidane. Then, on Saturday, July 11, it will show the World Cup match between the winners of matches 95 and 96, which takes place in Kansas City.


A Year with Frog and Toad 

This Tony-nominated musical is based on the beloved books by Arnold Lobel and features a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale. It follows two great friends — the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad — through four fun-filled seasons. See at Onstage Atlanta beginning July 10 and continuing through July 26.

It Had To Be You

On a snowbound Christmas Eve in New York, an over-the-hill actress holds a TV commercial director captive, turning a hostage situation into a shot at love and success in this screwball comedy by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna. This latest production from Down Right Theatre at Merely Players Presents opens on July 10 and continues through July 26.

Jill Scott

The gifted vocalist’s latest tour will center on a series of residency-style performances, placing live band instrumentation at the heart of the experience. The tour promises shows curated specifically for each city and follows the release of her sixth album, To Whom This May Concern, released in February. She’ll perform at the Fox Theatre on July 10 and July 11.

Saturday

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Over at Shakespeare Tavern, they’re staging one of the Bard’s most approachable works. A fairy king and queen come across four runaway lovers and a gaggle of amateur actors trying to rehearse a play in the forest. Catch it at Shakespeare Tavern July 11 through August 2.

Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival

In Little Five Points, 7 Stages plays host to this Festival, which highlights films that are six minutes or shorter. On July 11, the Festival will screen more than 100 short films. In a single afternoon and evening, you’ll experience comedy, horror, animation, documentaries, experimental work and films unlike anything you’ve seen before. If one film isn’t your thing, another begins a few minutes later. You can also meet filmmakers from around the world, connect with Atlanta’s creative community at the Fest’s networking mixers and stick around for the late-night after-party at Elmyr.

Black Girl Book Fair 

Six Black-women-owned Atlanta area bookstores are participating in the Black Girl Book Fair from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on July 11. Check it out at Brave + Kind Bookshop, The Book Worm, 44th & 3rd Bookseller, A Small Place Bookshop, The Book Cellar and All Things Inspiration Giftique.

Locals Only

This exhibition at ABV Gallery showcases work from more than 40 Atlanta-based artists, with each piece inspired by the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. The show is a celebration of capturing the spirit of the South through the eyes of the artists who call it home. Fernbank Museum will also present a special installation at ABV Gallery in celebration of Fernbank’s “Dinosaur Summer.” The show opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 11 and continues through August 9.

More things to do this weekend and beyond

While the arts take a bit of a breather during the hottest part of the summer, concerts definitely don’t. On July 9, Ariana Grande is at State Farm Arena, Santana and the Doobie Brothers play the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta and Patti Austin is at City Winery. On July 11, catch Ne-Yo and Akon at Lakewood Amphitheatre, Train at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre and the first of two Tame Impala shows at State Farm Arena. And on Monday, July 13, Paul Simon takes the stage at Synovus Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park … In the late ’60s, Clyde Best became the first Black football superstar of the modern TV era, changing the game in England and beyond. Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story is a documentary recounting his career, which began at East London’s West Ham United, through rare archival footage, firsthand testimony and a global perspective spanning England, Bermuda and North America. The film captures the courage of a pioneer who shattered ceilings and opened doors for generations that followed. See it at the Loudermilk Conference Center in the Sweet Auburn district on July 13 and 14.