What to see, do and hear: Sandra Hall, artists talks, “Jaws” screening and more

MUSIC

Singer-songwriter Angie Aparo penned Faith Hill’s hit “Cry,” in addition to songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Edwin McCain, Miley Cyrus and Matchbox Twenty. The Atlanta native suffered a torn carotid artery in 2016, which caused a stroke that initially immobilized him. For a time, he couldn’t speak or remember his songs. Aparo has come back from his medical emergency, released an album of new music in 2018 and is at work on a new album. He also has a television show in development. Aparo returns to Eddie’s Attic on Friday for shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

::

Beloved as Atlanta’s “Empress of the Blues,” Sandra Hall returns to her stomping grounds at Blind Willie’s Saturday night with sets at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Hall grew up in Oakland City and got her first professional experience singing as a duo with her sister at the Royal Peacock Club, where they opened shows for Otis Redding, Joe Tex and the Temptations. Her singing career waned until she was signed by Atlanta’s Ichiban Records in 1995 and released Showin’ Off. She hasn’t stopped “showin’ off” since. Tickets are $10.

::

The Gordon Vernick Quartet holds court every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and hosts one of the city’s best jazz jams at the Red Light Cafe. Vernick’s band starts off every jam and then invites other musicians and singers to join them on stage. Professionals and amateurs alike are welcome to sit in, and the promise is everyone who wants to play will be given a chance. Tickets are $10 and $5 for performers.

ART+DESIGN

Photographer Charlie Watts will talk about her exhibit Entangled at Whitespace gallery on Saturday at 3 p.m. Her photographs show pastoral scenes of people in the Weelaunee Forest, the proposed location of the hotly contested police training facility. Free.

::

In her ArtsATL review of Jessica Caldas’ latest exhibit, Every Stage of Becoming, Deanna Sirlin describes the artist’s large-scale soft sculptures as “an emblematic manifesto of being a mother, a daughter and a woman.” Caldas will give a talk about the work at MOCA GA July 20 at 7 p.m. Free.

::

Hammonds House Museum continues its 35th anniversary exhibit series with Histories and Others by Haitian artist Edouard Duval Carrié. Considered one of the most important Haitian artists working today, Carrié makes sense of his native island through the lens of history, politics and religion. The show, which explores various aspects of the artist’s career, opens Friday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $10.

::

The opening for Atlanta Printmakers Studio’s 6th Annual International Biennial Exhibit, an international juried exhibition, is Friday at 7 p.m. at Kai Lin Art. Honor Bowman Hall’s Ocean Highway exhibit opens the same night. Named for a segment of Route 17 as it passes through Savannah, Ocean Highway is a homage to America’s two-lane highways and the family road trip. Free.

DANCE

Everyone is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, including choreographer Nadya Zeitlin, artistic director of Bautanzt Here. Known for her site-specific outdoor works, Zeitlin and dancers will be at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and then at Grant Park on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.Free.

THEATER

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, written for stage by Tim Minchin and David Kelly, is on tap this weekend at the Woodstock Arts Theatre. A show for older kids and adults, this musical is about the power of stories and connecting with others. A special sensory friendly performance takes place Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $18. (Photo by Libby Williams)

FILM+TV

The iconic film from 1975, Jaws, is on the lawn of Uptown Atlanta this Saturday, just in time for National Shark Awareness Day. Bring chairs or blankets and cash for food pop-ups. This event features a drawing to win tickets to the Georgia Aquarium. Free – but register ahead.

::

FreeMarket Gallery in West Midtown will present a special screening on Saturday night of Iranian short films: Rizoo, written and directed by Azadeh Navai; Iran-e Man, directed by Naghmeh Pour; and Lioness, by filmmaker and director Arrad. They all have English subtitles. Start at 7 p.m. Free to attend, but register ahead.