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

American Football

The beloved Illinois emo band comes to Variety Playhouse on Thursday, July 16. In its original incarnation, the band released just one album in 1999 before taking a long hiatus. They returned in 2016 with their second album and have since released two more, the most recent one in May. All four albums are titled simply American Football.

Friday

Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival

Happening July 17 through July 19, this annual festival is presented by the Afrikan Djeli Cultural Institute near Adair Park. It offers music and dance workshops, a craft market, a concert, food vendors and more. In a preview for last year’s Festival, one of the featured dance instructors urged everyone to dance, saying, “Nobody is a good dancer or a bad dancer. Dance is expression. It’s therapy in Africa.”

Tommy Davidson

If you’re looking for laughs, this stand-up comedian, actor and musician will be at City Winery on July 17 and July 18. He’s best known as one of the stars of the hit television show In Living Color.

David Rojas: Poortreat

Rojas, an artist from southern Spain who is currently based in Mobile, Alabama, will have his first solo exhibition at Rampant Gallery. His artistic practice has its roots in graffiti and has expanded into disciplines such as collage and silkscreen printing, techniques that he intertwines to build his compositions. The show opens with a reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 18 and is on view through August 29.

Lucy Luckovich: Dolly

Wolfgang Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new paintings by this recent master’s graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Atlanta native Luckovich examines how desire is shaped by systems of power, technology and consumption, asking what inclinations remain in a mediated world. The show opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 17 and will be on view through August 22.

Saturday

Midsummer Kids Festival

This summertime celebration in Peachtree Corners is designed especially for kids and the grown-ups who love them. It includes the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, with more than 40 kid-run businesses, where young creators showcase their talents through handmade crafts, art, games and sweet treats. Join the fun near the Peachtree Corners Town Green on July 18.

Monster Ball

If you want a reminder of cooler weather, the Monster Ball takes over Little Five Points on Saturday, July 18, bringing creatures of the night, music lovers and costume-clad characters together for a night of early Halloween energy. Monster Ball is a fundraiser for the Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade, supporting programs that keep the neighborhood creative, artist-driven and one of Atlanta’s most unique cultural districts. Expect live music from MONGO, DJ sets from DJ Novak, a costume contest with prizes for the boldest and most over-the-top looks, plus raffle giveaways throughout the evening. Costumes are highly encouraged.

Tori Amos

She’s been performing since the late ’80s and still commands a fervent following nearly 40 years later. Amos will bring her latest tour, in support of her new album, In Times of Dragons, to Symphony Hall on Saturday, July 18.

Sunday

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire

At 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, State Farm Arena plays host to a night of great R&B with two of the 1970s’ biggest stars with the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour.

More things to do this weekend

Summer is always packed with music, and this week is no exception. Styx and Chicago, two bands with little in common other than their Windy City origins, will play Ameris Bank Amphitheatre on Friday, July 17 … State Farm Arena has another busy weekend, with J. Cole performing on both Friday and Saturday, July 17 and July 18. Cole has had an impressive career that includes having each of his seven studio albums debut at the top of the Billboard 100 chart … Mississippi native Karlous Miller grew up in a large blended family with eight siblings who all became major influences on his edgy, boisterous comedy style. After working briefly as a firefighter in Oxford, he moved to Atlanta in 2005 to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. He’ll be at Helium Comedy Club on July 17, July 18 and July 19.