What to see, do and hear: Music from “Jaws,” Cole Porter, flamenco and more

DANCE

Atlanta Ballet’s first full season since 2019 opens Friday with Balanchine Inspired, a mixed bill of three neoclassical works, including the Atlanta premiere of In Creases, created in 2012 by New York City Ballet’s resident choreographer Justin Peck, (profiled in ArtsATL this week.) Atlanta Ballet’s new accompanist and music administrator, Western-Li Summerton, and guest pianist Dr. Rachel Chung, Chair of the Music Department at Spelman College, will play Philip Glass’ Four Movements for Two Pianos live for the ballet. Also on the program: Kiyon Ross’ Sum Stravinsky and Balanchine’s Serenade. Friday 8 p.m. Saturday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. Tickets $25 and up.

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Tuesday at the Red Light Café in Midtown, La Macarena de Jerez will perform flamenco singing and dance in the style of her hometown of Jerez de la Frontera. A highly-respected dancer in Spain, De Jerez is one of the few women performing the festera art form, using song and dance to create a character with humor and excitement. Paco Fernández, who hails from a well-known artistic family in Seville, will accompany her on guitar. Joining them will be participants of the Aperture residency, an Atlanta program that supports and champions the art of flamenco. 7:30 p.m. $25 in advance. $30 at the door.

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THEATER

The Alliance Theatre has kicked off its 2022-23 season with a production of Everybody, co-directed by Susan Booth and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden. The play, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, is based on the 15th-century play Everybody and explores the meaning of life and how we respond to life’s random twists and turns. The all-star cast includes Andrew Benator, Shakirah DeMesier, Chris Kayser and Bethany Anne Lind, who is profiled by ArtsATL‘s Jim Farmer here.. The production runs through October 2. Tickets start at $25.

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City Springs Theatre Company hits all the right notes in its production of the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes, through September 25. ArtsATL reviewer Luke Evans says: “Pacing is key with a show like Anything Goes, and the top-notch cast keeps the wheels rolling with aplomb.” Directed by Sara Edwards, the show stars Mamie Parris and Billy Harrigan Tighe. Tickets start at $37.

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MUSIC

Popular cabaret singer Nancy Gaddy performs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden as part of its Cocktails in the Garden series on Saturday at 4 p.m. Gaddy mixes in large doses of humor with her renditions of classic popular songs. She’ll be accompanied by pianist Andrew Fazackerley. Admission to the garden is $27.95, and free to members.

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The Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra will perform works Friday night by John Williams, the legendary film composer whose credits include Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. as well as the Indiana Jones and Harry Potter series. The “John Williams Turns 90” program will be led by Grant Gilman, the orchestra’s music director, and will feature the greatest hits of Williams’ film scores. The performance is at 8 p.m. at the Alpharetta Methodist Church. General tickets are $18, with student and senior discounts.

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Randall Bramblett is considered by many as the greatest Southern rock songwriter of his generation. The multi-instrumentalist has had an active career, touring extensively with Gregg Allman and Steve Winwood, and as a member of the jazz/rock band Sea Level. But Bramblett excels as a solo artist and writes songs that always seem to strike at the heart of the matter. He performs Saturday at 7 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test at least 72 hours prior to the show are required. Tickets are $18.

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ART+DESIGN

We Live Among You opens Thursday, September 15, at Gallery 72. The exhibit features sensitively created portraits of anonymous Atlantans who have mental health challenges, and includes their personal stories expressed in their own words. The participating artists, Kathleen Gegan, Jerry Siegel, Royce Soble, Marie Thomas and Daniel Troppy, were chosen by curator Susan Todd-Raque because of their ability to express the nuances of what portraiture can be. They will discuss their work at the opening reception, Saturday at 1 p.m. A panel discussion, “Why Mental Health Care Matters,” follows at 2 p.m. Through October 29.

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Short Shorts at Whitespace Gallery is back after a two-year hiatus. It’s an independent one-night show of short videos which takes place at Whitespace on Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. adjacent to the three gallery exhibitions. One of these exhibits is Michelle Laxalt’s the split of our being. It features extraordinary biomorphic ceramics, midway between animal and plant forms, devoted to “the fascinating and dreadful realization that everything is connected and nothing lasts.” Laxalt will give an artist’s talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 15. Through September 24.

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Deanna Sirlin is known for her transparencies on glass that change the viewer’s perception of the surrounding environment. Her exhibit Wavelength at the Chastain Gallery includes a new video work made in collaboration with Portuguese filmmaker Nuno Veiga. The video recontextualizes Sirlin’s transparent installations currently on view in Venice, Italy and at Georgia Tech’s Crosland Library and transforms Sirlin’s paintings through movement, light, and sound. The exhibit also includes Sirlin’s paintings. (Disclaimer: Sirlin is a frequent contributor to ArtsATL.) 135 Chastain Park Avenue, NW. Opening reception Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Through October 28.