What to see, do and hear: George W. Bush paintings, Yo-Yo Ma, Pete the Cat

THEATER                                                       

The Center for Puppetry Arts is presenting two entirely different shows intended for very different audiences. For the youngest theatergoers (and of course their parents), Pete the Cat has returned, featuring the bold blue cat from the best-selling book series by former Atlantans James and Kim Dean. Rod puppets, projected animations, original music and interactive elements help bring Pete’s skateboarding/surfing/other misadventures to life, through May 29. Meanwhile, in for a weekend run starting Friday is Chimpanzee, by Brooklyn-based puppet artist Nick Lehane. It examines the strange-but-sadly-true story of chimpanzees fostered in human homes who, when funds for the cross-fostering experiments dried up, became test subjects in biomedical facilities. New York magazine called it “a meticulous, deeply felt nonverbal memory play.” For ages 14 and up. Through April 10. Masks encouraged.

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From her birth in New Orleans as the grandchild of enslaved plantation workers to her success singing on the gospel circuit and her rise as a star on stages including Carnegie Hall, Mahalia Jackson led a life perfect for its own show. Now Dominion Entertainment Group, producers of Black Nativity every Christmas in Atlanta, present Mahalia: A Gospel Musical, starting Thursday at Southwest Arts Center. The book, lyrics and music by Tom Stolz feature gospel songs, hymns and spirituals that Jackson (played by Maiesha McQueen) made famous. Through April 17. Temperature check at entry, masks required.

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Political and personal differences gradually come into sharp focus in The Light, playwright Loy Webb’s debut work at Horizon Theatre. A surprise marriage proposal takes an unforeseen turn that upends the world of Genesis (Cynthia D. Barker) and Rashad (Enoch King) and forces them to confront a secret from the past. ArtsATL critic Benjamin Carr called it “a triggering play full of deep feeling,” adding that it features “two of the year’s best performances.” Through April 17. Proof of vaccine or a negative PCR test within 48 hours and masks are required.

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VISUAL ART

It has been one of the most surprising high-profile career changes to date. When former President George W. Bush left the White House, he took up the brush and painted. He has done portraits of veterans, homeless people and much more. Now the traveling exhibit Out of Many, One, opening at Atlanta History Center on April 12, features his paintings of American immigrants. Bush was the 43rd President so, natch, there are 43 paintings in the show. The subjects represent numerous cultures from nearly every region of the world. There’s a book too, featuring immigrants’ stories. Through July 4. Adult admission $23.41. Discounts for seniors, students and children 12 and under. Masks encouraged.

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If you’ve been wondering what an NFT is, check out DIGATL: Atlanta’s First Digital Art Gallery, opening April 12 at Underground Atlanta. The organizers are promising virtual reality experiences, projection mapping, interactive installations, virtual concerts and, yes, NFTs. Through June 30. $22. Registration required. Masks recommended.

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Rashid Johnson is known for his searing meditations on race and class. Join him and Michael Rooks, the High Museum’s Wieland Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, for a brief film and virtual conversation about Johnson’s film The Hikers, included in the High’s exhibition What Is Left Unspoken, Love. Thursday, 7–8 p.m.  $20. Members free. Registration required.

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MUSIC

In what is certain to be a special night, cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Spano, on April 13. Featuring Dvořák’s Cello Concerto alongside his Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” the 8 p.m. program is in Symphony Hall. Sold out (except for exorbitantly priced reseller tickets that may become available), but a free livestream is planned at the Sifly Piazza Watch Party outside Woodruff Arts Center as well as for home viewing. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test is required inside Symphony Hall.

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On Saturday, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra visits neighbor First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta for a special program with organist Jens Korndörfer featuring Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony and Poulenc’s Organ Concerto. Associate Conductor Jerry Hou will lead the orchestra in the Concerts @ First program at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Masks optional.

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Turns out that there was benefit to Covid isolation for some rock musicians. Aaron Maine of Porches says when he was grounded during (relative) lockdown, working on his recent album All Day Gentle Hold, he imagined getting out on the road to play. “I feel, like, insanely excited to finally get to play these songs,” said Maine, which he will do at Terminal West on April 12.. “I was kind of fantasizing about what it would be like to play these songs in a room full of people and was, like, making decisions based on what I would imagine would feel best plugging in and playing to a crowd of people singing along.” 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20. No protocol mandates.

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DANCE

Ballethnic Dance Company makes its Alliance Theatre debut, performing its signature work The Leopard Tale. The high-energy production blends ballet with traditional African dance and is chock-full of metaphors about creating harmony in the jungle, be it the one with trees or the urban one of everyday life. Choreography by Waverly T. Lucas II, music by L. Gerard Reid. Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. Tickets start at $31.

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Full Radius Dance features disabled dance artists who use wheelchairs alongside able-bodied performers. In this concert, the well-established company presents the abstract Undercurrents and excerpts from a new work, Alice, Peter, and Dorothy, which explores the novels Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Peter and Wendy (the source work for Peter Pan) through a disability-centric lens. Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m. 7 Stages. General admission $25. Masks required. No food allowed in theater.

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Ten choreographers and dance artists present their works-in-progress during Fly on a Wall’s third annual Excuse the Art production. Expect everything from themes of Afrofuturism to environmentalism, and dance genres from hip-hop to contemporary. Artists include Darvensky Louis, Indya Childs and Christina J. Massad. Thursday through Sunday. Windmill Arts Center, East Point. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. $20 for one night; $30 for two.