60 events that'll catch your eye this fall

 

Sometimes it's hard to tell when the seasons change down South. If the thermometer were your only guide, it might not feel like autumn until Thanksgiving. Luckily, Atlanta's cultural scene is rich enough to draw the line between summer and fall. From state fairs to Swan Lake, Oktoberfest to Halloween, David Byrne to James Bond, this season has something for the high-culture lover in you, as well as its beer-chugging doppelganger. 

1
AUGUST WILSON FULL CIRCLE (THROUGH SEPT. 28)
The Alliance Theatre dedicates its fall season to African-American playwright August Wilson, and stages his final two plays, Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Directed by Kenny Leon and Kent Gash, respectively, and performed in rotating repertory with the same company of actors, the shows mark the completion of Wilson's Century Cycle – 10 Wilson plays produced at the Alliance over the last 20 years. $25-$35. Times vary. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000. www.alliancetheatre.org.

2
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS (THROUGH OCT. 4)
Star 94's sixth annual Movies Under the Stars brings favorite children's movies to local parks throughout the fall. It's a smaller-scale version of Screen on the Green, and this fall's lineup includes Bee Movie, The Princess Bride and Juno. Free. Times and locations vary. 404-261-2970. www.star94.com.

3
YELLOW DAISY FESTIVAL (SEPT. 4-7)
More than 500 artists from 38 states and two countries will showcase their crafts and folk art at the 2008 event. From live entertainment and clogging to festival foods, there's a little something for everyone at the four-day fest. Free with park entry. Thurs.-Fri. and Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Stone Mountain Park, special events meadow, U.S. 78. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com/yellowdaisy.

4
FALCONS SEASON OPENER (SEPT. 7)
The last few years have been pretty rough for the Falcons. For the second year in a row, the team has a new head coach, Mike Smith, and a new quarterback, Matt Ryan. Maybe this time around it'll work out for owner Arthur Blank and all of us poor fans of the home team. The dirty birds start off their 2008 season at home against the Detroit Lions in a winnable game. This will be a good litmus test for what kind of season the Falcons will have. $45-$119. 1 p.m. Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive. 770-965-3115. www.atlantafalcons.com.

5
FIESTA GEORGIA (SEPT. 7)
Kick off the Hispanic heritage month with Fiesta Georgia. Salvador de Lara, the consulate general of Mexico, will welcome the crowd to celebrate Latino culture with music and lots of food, including tortillas, tacos and empanadas. Three popular Mexican music groups will perform – Beto y Sus Canarios, Frasteros de San Luis, and Montéz de Durango – as well as other local musicians. Free. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Duluth Town Park, 1710 Defoor Ave. 404-350-0200. www.fiestageorgia.com.

6
CORNMEAL, DEJABLUE GRASS BAND (SEPT. 7)
They may be characterized under the same genre, but Chicago-based Cornmeal and Southern boys DejaBlue Grass Band carry two very different tunes. An acoustic-electric quintet, Cornmeal is cross-genre bluegrass, dippin' into improvisational rock, newgrass and folk that's routinely accented with show-stealing fiddle. Quickly becoming the kings of Atlanta bluegrass, the DejaBlue Grass Band separate themselves from the pack with well-oiled three-part harmonies and toe-tappin' covers. The group took a break in August after a hectic summer that included releasing its first album, Bucket Full of Rain, gigging around Georgia, and placing second at the 35th annual Telluride Festival. $10. 7 p.m. Smith's Ole Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com.

7
OTHER SOUND FESTIVAL (SEPT. 11-13)
The annual Other Sound fest returns for its fourth year to celebrate the local indie music scene. Dozens of local acts, including Chopper, Dropsonic and the Preakness are scheduled to perform at Wonder Root, Star Bar and the Earl. $5-$12. Times and locations vary. www.myspace.com/othersound.

8
BURN AFTER READING (OPENS SEPT. 12)
If the Coen brothers have a favorite genre, it's the chaotic noir film with strangers trying to swindle and possibly kill each other. (That counts as a genre, right?) They've mined the form for suspense (Blood Simple), humor (The Big Lebowski) and both at once (Fargo). After the bleak intensity of their Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men, the pendulum swings back to comedy for Burn After Reading, in which a pair of dim-witted gym employees (Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand) attempt to blackmail a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich). The high-tension hijinks include George Clooney and Tilda Swinton.

9
ATLANTA ARTS FESTIVAL (SEPT. 12-14)
Unlike Screen on the Green, the Dogwood Festival and the Peachtree Road Race finish line, the Atlanta Arts Festival remains at Piedmont Park in 2008. The annual event showcases paintings, photographs, sculptures and hand-blown glass works by more than 200 artists from around the country. Preview party: $15-$20. Festival: Free. Sept. 12, 4-8 p.m.; Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 400 Park Drive. 770-941-9660. www.atlantaartsfestival.com.

10
CHOW DOWN! A SOUTHERN FOODWAYS FESTIVAL! (SEPT. 14)
How does your region influence your foodways? And what are foodways, anyway? CHOW DOWN! teaches how location (in place and in time) affects a culture's eating habits. With plenty of cooking demonstrations on traditional and modern Southern food, Seminole cuisine, Civil War-era meals and more; hands-on crafts; and mouth-on edibles, this is one festival that will satisfy both body and mind. Free-$15. Noon-5 p.m. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road. 404-814-4000. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

11
ATLANTIS MUSIC CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL (SEPT. 17-20)
Now in its 11th year, the networking event crossed with a rock concert offers a platform for fresh, unsigned talent. More than 130 artists are already on board to perform over the course of the weekend, which also includes panel discussions by industry professionals such as music directors, top producers and indie labels. Prices, times and locations vary. 770-499-8600. www.atlantismusic.com.

12
INTERNATIONAL BLACK DOCUFEST (SEPT. 18-20)
Three-day documentary film festival focused on the diversity of black lives around the world. McCollum's Lens features Atlanta-based photographer Shannon McCollum, who's snapped official photos for OutKast, dead prez and Lil Jon. Homeland follows a Rwandan woman on a quest to learn about her country's history and legacy. A photography exhibit runs simultaneously with the film fest. Free. Times vary. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. 678-687-9149. www.internationalblackdocufest.com/festival.html.

13
NORTH GEORGIA STATE FAIR (SEPT. 18-28)
City living can be so tame. Luckily, just north of our bustling metropolis in the far reaches of Marietta, the annual North Georgia State Fair's got a chain-saw carving auction, pig races and an alligator show. Not enough for ya? Catch a bit of the beautiful baby contest and then grab a funnel cake and hop on the Ferris wheel. Times vary. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-423-1330. www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.

14
CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL (SEPT. 19-OCT. 18)
Dad's Garage first produced Cannibal! The Musical 10 years ago, before it was a Broadway hit. Now, in honor of the show that helped the theater find its current success, Dad's Garage is bringing it back to the stage. Based on the 1996 film by "South Park" co-creator Trey Parker, the show boasts plenty of song, dance, American historical near-facts and gratuitous blood. $15-$25. 8 p.m. 280 Elizabeth St. 404-523-3141. www.dadsgarage.com.

15
EAST ATLANTA STRUT (SEPT. 20)
It's time to work it, y'all. EAV's scrappy neighborhood fest shows community spirit with a 5K run/walk, live music, artists' market and can't-miss rag-tag parade. The Kids' Village keeps the little ones entertained with arts and crafts stations and giant inflatables. Proceeds benefit organizations, charities and local businesses in the East Atlanta Village. 5K: $20-$25. Festival: Free. Flat Shoals Road and Glenwood Avenue. www.eastatlantastrut.com.

16
DAVID BYRNE (SEPT. 20)
Most rock stars reach David Byrne's age – 56 – and content themselves with irrelevant reunion tours and rehashed greatest-hits CDs. But his upcoming Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour will feature songs from their whimsical new release Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, as well as music from the three Eno-produced Talking Heads albums, and their 1981 release, My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Byrne has compiled a nine-member band for the first leg of the six-month tour that makes Atlanta its fourth stop. $28.50-$48.50. 8 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Drive. 404-845-0378. www.chastainseries.com.

17
MARIETTA ANTIQUE STREET FESTIVAL (SEPT. 20)
Marietta Square's Glover Park transforms into a showroom for more than 75 statewide antiques dealers to hawk collectibles, fine furniture, glass, porcelain, linens and more. The Southeast Tourism Society recognized the festival as one of 2008's top 20 events in the Southeast. Guests can also enjoy the Hubcaps and History Car Show, the Trash or Treasure Booth and live acoustic music. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 50 Park Square, Marietta. 770-794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org.

18
JIM GAFFIGAN (SEPT. 20)
He went Beyond the Pale in 2006, and this fall the comedian brings his version of sexy back to Atlanta with his "Sexy Tour." Gaffigan's deadpan humor and hatred of Hot Pockets has earned him a regular spot on TBS' "My Guys" and appearances on Comedy Central and "The Late Show with David Letterman." $40.75. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 770-916-2800. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

19
DEAD CONFEDERATE, WAX FANG, TWIN TIGERS (SEPT. 20)
Following an EP release in January and a still-talked-about performance at SXSW in March, Athens' Dead Confederate's first full-length, Wrecking Ball, is due out Sept. 16. Each song on Wrecking Ball goes through a gradual procession, building more steam until reaching full intensity and finally exploding into your eardrums. Fellow Athenians and psychedelic players Twin Tigers and futuristic glam rockers Wax Fang complete the bill for DC's CD-release show. $8-$10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Road. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.

20
FEDEX CUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP (SEPT. 25-28)
Last year's champ Tiger Woods has to sit the 2008 tour out while he recovers from knee surgery. With Woods gone, it's a great opportunity to see other golfers play and even win for a change. Padraig Harrington will be the favorite by virtue of his tour success after Tiger shut it down, but this year the field is evenly matched so anyone has a shot at taking the title. $19-$524. 8 a.m. Eastlake Golf Club, 2575 Alston Drive. 404-373-5722. www.eastlakegolfclub.com.

21
MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA (OPENS SEPT. 26)
After the one-two punch of his hit heist flick Inside Man and his epic Hurricane Katrina documentary When the Levees Broke in 2006, director Spike Lee seems to have been MIA. He makes a high-profile return with this World War II drama, written by James McBride and based on his acclaimed novel. Miracle at St. Anna depicts four African-American soldiers stationed in Tuscany, Italy, as part of the all-black 92nd Buffalo Soldier Division, and sounds like a possible Oscar contender.

22
CUT COPY, THE PRESETS (SEPT. 27)
Australian trio Cut Copy crafts vintage electropop that channels sleek dance grooves into a sprawling pastiche of pop fodder. The group's sound is synth-based for sure, but the occasional acoustic strum gives rise to a breezy AM gold sensibility. Fellow Aussie duo the Presets lean toward a harder edge of post-disco jams. $17. 8 p.m. The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com.

23
ATLANTA FOOTBALL CLASSIC (SEPT. 27)
The Dome will be home to a lot of football this year. The Falcons shared their turf with high school football teams in the Corky Kell Classic and visitors such as Alabama and Clemson, but perhaps the biggest game will be the classic match up between the Florida A&M Rattlers and the Tennessee State Tigers. Come for the bands, but stay for the game, which has been decided in the fourth quarter for the last four years. $10-$40. 4 p.m. 1 Georgia Dome Drive. 404.525.6220. www.atlantafootballclassic.com.

24
THE RACONTEURS (OCT. 1)
Jack White's quartet of old friends, including Patrick Keeler, Jack Lawrence and Brendan Benson, exploded onto the airwaves in 2006. They stormed 2008 with the March release of Consolers of the Lonely, a cacophony of colliding tempos and clever songwriting to match the album's robust rhythm. Punk-blues duo the Kills open the Oct. 1 show. $38.50. 8 p.m. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com.

25
STONE MOUNTAIN PARK PUMPKIN FESTIVAL (OCT. 3-26)
Perennial host of the seasonal festival, Stone Mountain ushers in autumn with an ode to the pumpkin. Fall foliage, pie-eating contests, a pumpkin patch and yes, even a pumpkin tree, should make it feel like fall even if the thermostat says otherwise. (Now, orange you glad we didn't say Lasershow? Sorry.) $15-$25. Fridays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com.

26
ACP 10 (OCT. 3-NOV. 6)
It's been a good 10 years for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the month-long, citywide festival that revels in the work of local shutterbugs. The third annual photography auction takes place Sept. 26, but the event doesn't officially start until the opening at the Contemporary on Oct. 3, which features work by Paul Shambroom. Besides all of the affiliated exhibits at galleries and museums around town, ACP 10 hosts lectures, seminars and a film series curated by Andy Ditzler. Times, dates and locations vary. 404-634-8664. www.acpinfo.org.

27
HARVEST MIDTOWN (OCT. 4)
Beer fests get all the attention – especially in the fall. So how about showing some love for wine, people? Harvest Midtown features more than 250 wines and tons of food from popular local restaurants such as South City Kitchen, Rathbun's and Cuerno. There's also live music from Rio Negro and Blakes, a local art show, an organic farmers' market, fashion shows and a silent auction to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. $50-$60. 1-5 p.m. Fifth Street between Peachtree and W. Peachtree streets. 404-841-8335. www.harvestmidtown.com.

28
MADAMA BUTTERFLY (OCT. 4-12)
Giacomo Puccini's tragic story of Cio-Cio San and her Lieutenant Pinkerton can be found in a number of places, including David Henry Hwang's play M. Butterfly, Weezer's second studio album Pinkerton and the musical Miss Saigon. The Atlanta Opera returns to the tale's origin to open the 2008-09 season. Joseph Rescigno conducts. $37.80-$143.80. Opens Oct. 4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 10, 8 p.m.; Oct. 12, 3 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 404-881-8801. www.atlantaopera.org.

29
OKTOBERFEST ATLANTA (OCT. 5-7)
Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 as a German prince's wedding celebration. The tradition continues in Atlanta centuries later with sausage, lederhosen and bottomless beer. Bavarian music, a bratwurst-eating contest, stilt walkers, fire eaters and performances by the Goethe Girls should make it a guten tag. $10-$40. Fri., 5 p.m.-midnight; Sat., noon-midnight. Atlantic Station, 17th and State streets. 404-892-2388. www.oktoberfestatlanta.com.

30
CANDACE BUSHNELL (OCT. 6)
The author's claim to fame is, of course, her book Sex and the City. It inspired the hit HBO series of the same name, which, in turn, inspired the hit movie of the same name. Bushnell comes to the Margaret Mitchell House to promote the paperback edition of Lipstick Jungle, another book of hers that's been made into a hit television show and stars Brooke Shields instead of Sarah Jessica Parker. $5-$10. 6 p.m. 990 Peachtree St. 404-249-7015. www.gwtw.org.

31
HOT CHIP (OCT. 9)
A band with a penchant for producing electro-pop jams ("Ready for the Floor") and PowerBook ballads ("We're Looking for a Lot of Love") isn't supposed to hold up onstage the way Hot Chip does. But after rocking a no-capacity crowd at Coachella in April, its legend for live performance has grown in bleeps and bounds. Made in the Dark is a synthed-out workout plan full of hypnotic dance grooves featuring Alexis Taylor's transmutable vocals. When Hot Chip ends its North American tour here, expect the intimate Variety Playhouse to pulsate like a dive bar in heat. $25. 8:30 p.m. 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.

32
ANTIGONE (OCT. 9-NOV. 2)
The musical tells the classic story of Oedipus' daughter Antigone, who defies Creon, the new king of Thebes, to give her brother a proper burial. Adapted by director Richard Garner from Sophocles' play, and with original music by Kendall Simpson, Georgia Shakespeare's fall performance is a melodic tribute to heroic women. $15-$40. Times vary. Conant Performing Arts Center, Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road. 404-261-1441. www.gashakespeare.org.

33
THRASHERS SEASON OPENER (OCT. 10)
New coach John Anderson leads a team looking to improve from a disappointing 2007 season. The Thrashers finished 34-40-8 and missed the playoffs after making the first round in 2006. The team added a lot of new talent with new centers, wings and defensemen. The team opens the year against phenom Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. $25-$383. 7 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 1-866-715-1500. thrashers.nhl.com.

34
CANDLER PARK FALL FEST (OCT. 11-12)
Another one of the city's signature neighborhood events, the fest opens with the scenic 5K road race Saturday, and continues throughout the weekend with performances and appearances from League of Decency, Swimming Pool Qs, Bonaventure Trio, Delta Moon and Baton. Planning on taking the kids? Younger members of the family can listen to storytellers and craft their own works of art. 5K: $19-$24. 9 a.m. Tour of homes: $12-$15. Sun., noon-6 p.m. Festival: Free. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. McLendon Avenue and Clifton Road. 404-577-4212. www.candlerparkfallfest.org.

35
TASTE OF ATLANTA (OCT. 11-12)
More than 70 of Atlanta's hottest restaurants are serving up their specialties for the two-day culinary bash. Grammy winner and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood, "Top Chef" finalist Richard Blais, and "Queer Eye" culinaire Ted Allen are all scheduled to appear. TWELVE will hold wine classes and tastings, and Ten Pin Alley will host Bowling and Brews where VIP guests can gargle beer and punish the pins. $25-$195. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 17th and State streets. 404-875-4434. www.tasteofatlanta.net.

36
BROOKHAVEN ARTS FESTIVAL (OCT. 11-12)
More than 100 artists are on board for the fifth annual festival. This year's featured artist and event poster design winner is James Dean, illustrator of the Pete the Cat children's book series. Besides the art exhibits, there'll be live music and a block party from 6-7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Children can also enjoy rock painting and rides and help create a community mural that will be sold at a silent auction. Free. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. Apple Valley and North Druid Hills roads. 404-266-3426. www.brookhavenartsalliance.com.

37
ATLANTA QUEER LIT FESTIVAL (OCT. 15-18)
Now in its second year, the Atlanta Queer Lit Fest is still growing. It's the city's only festival – and one of only two queer lit festivals in the country – designed to advance the work of LGBTQ writers. Authors scheduled to appear for discussions, readings, signings and performances include Mark Doty, Kate Bornstein, Alex Sanchez and more. Prices, times and locations vary. www.atlqueerlitfest.com.

38
GIRL TALK (OCT. 16)
Girl Talk's Greg Gillis doesn't shy away from mashing up Busta Rhymes, Dido and the Jackson 5. The Baltimore DJ's Feed The Animals was digitally released in June via Illegal Art in a name-your-price format – yes, $0 is an option – but the hard copy doesn't hit stores until Sept. 23. Flirting with the fair-use policy to make his own genre, Girl Talk's fourth full length spins more than 300 samples from popular songs to make the ultra dance-party remix. Toss that with his seizure-inducing performances that routinely end with him half-naked, and it's likely the Variety Playhouse will implode from all the mayhem. $15-$17. 8 p.m. 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.

39
W. (OPENS OCT. 17)
Less than a month before the presidential election, politically contentious director Oliver Stone fires a parting shot at President George W. Bush, played by No Country for Old Men's Josh Brolin. W. offers a fall-and-rise biopic of an alcoholic and failed businessman turned the world's most powerful man, with a parade of familiar political figures played by familiar character actors, including the previous President Bush (James Cromwell), Laura Bush (Elizabeth Banks), Condoleezza Rice (Thandie Newton), Karl Rove (Toby Jones) and Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss). Stone's Nixon biopic proved more even-handed than most people expected, but W. may be significantly more scathing.

40
ABIGAIL WASHBURN & SPARROW QUARTET (OCT. 17)
Allied with banjoist Bela Fleck, cellist Ben Sollee and fiddler Casey Driessen, Abigal Washburn leads the quartet on its first major U.S. tour, which follows the success of the group's self-titled debut released last May. Each member is remarkably talented individually, but when combined, they form a folk supergroup plucking an exquisite blend of Chinese folk tunes and American Appalachian music. $32-$42. 8 p.m. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu.

41
LITTLE FIVE POINTS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL AND PARADE
(OCT. 17-18)
The folks in Little Five let their freak flags fly even higher than usual for the annual Halloween festival and parade. One of the city's most popular neighborhood events, the fest features live music, undead revelers, local nosh and one wacky parade drenched in blood and guts. Festival: Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-10 p.m. Parade: Sat., 4 p.m. Moreland and Euclid avenues. 404-577-4212. www.l5phalloween.com.

42
WIDESPREAD PANIC (OCT. 17-18)
It's no surprise when the Athens-bred jam band returns home, but this year the timing's a bit off. After 17 consecutive sold-out New Year's Eve shows, Widespread Panic swaps higher capacity for an outdoor arena. The group's 10 studio albums deep but mostly relies on its 20-plus years of touring a max of 250 shows per year. Widespread Panic has a free-lovin', cultlike following that helped earn the band its induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 20. $31-$54.50. 7 p.m. Lakewood Amphitheatre, 2002 Lakewood Ave. 404-443-5000. www.livenation.com.

43
AIDS WALK (OCT. 19)
According to AID Atlanta, metro Atlanta has the sixth highest number of AIDS cases nationwide. Each year thousands of people help raise money for research and support by participating in AIDS Walk, a 10K walk (or 5K run) through Midtown. So don a red ribbon, find a sponsor, take a stroll and make a difference. Walk: Free. Run: $25. Noon. Piedmont Park, Piedmont Avenue and 14th Street. 404-875-7275. www.aidswalkatlanta.com.

44
ATLANTA HORRORFEST (OCT. 23-26)
Like the zombies it celebrates, Horrorfest is back again. The four-day gathering of monsters and the macabre comes to the Masquerade this year. There'll be films, live music, costume contests and the Buried Alive Film Festival, featuring independent horror films from around the country. The weekend's highlight? The ever-popular 1.5-mile zombie walk. Three-day pass: $40. Times vary. 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.atlantahorrorfest.com.

45
SWAN LAKE (OCT. 23-NOV. 2)
The Atlanta Ballet opens its 2008-09 season with Tchaikovsky's classic Swan Lake, an ethereal romance about star-crossed lovers. The company expands its international résumé with a performance of the standard in Mexico this October before returning stateside for a series of shows at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. $15-$115. Times vary. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. 404-817-8700. www.atlantaballet.com.

46
LE FLASH (OCT. 24)
Castleberry Hill takes its fourth Friday Art Stroll to a new level this fall with Le Flash, a series of light, sound and performance art installations. Le Flash was conceptualized with annual public art events such as Paris’ Nuit Blanche in mind and also includes film screenings, poetry, spoken word and more. Artist Jeffrey Loy will create fire- and solar-powered light sculptures, Bubba Carr and Lee Blalock will perform conceptual light-based choreography, and French artist Kristina Solomoukha will unveil her temporary public art project, which will remain on view through Dec. 12. Free. 7 p.m.-midnight. Peters and Walker streets. www.acpinfo.org/leflash.
 
47
CHASE FOR THE SPRINT CUP (OCT. 26)
The seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup is 500 miles of speed, collisions and strategy. It will be a key event for points leader Kyle Bush and the rest of the field of 13 vying for the championship, and a turning point in the final run for the points title and racing supremacy. $19-$39. 2 p.m. Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 U.S. 41. 770-946-4211. www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

48
DIRTY PRETTY (OCT. 29-NOV. 1)
Atlanta's Zoetic Dance Ensemble is dedicated to sharing the spirit of dance and innovating with choreography. Its fall show for 7 Stages, dirty pretty, addresses issues of beauty and body image and their relationships to technology and contemporary society. $10-$15. Preview: Wed., 6:30 p.m. Performance: Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. 1105 Euclid Ave. 404-523-7647. www.7stages.org.

49
DEERHUNTER, PYLON, JAY REATARD (OCT. 31)
Atlanta's much-ballyhooed, art-damaged noise-pop foursome Deerhunter plays its first show of the year in Atlanta's city limits, celebrating the release of the group's third full-length, Microcastle. Athens' long-standing art-punk new wavers Pylon reunite for another turn. Jay Reatard also performs a set of his noisy, confrontational and spun-out racket. $16-$18. 8 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com.

50
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO (OCT. 31)
After a depressing high school reunion, longtime friends Zack and Miri (Seth Rogen and W.'s Elizabeth Banks) decide that the amateur pornography business might offer the solution to their financial problems. Writer/director Kevin Smith's buzzed-about script has already raised eyebrows at the MPAA ratings board for its raunchy dialogue. The cast includes actual former porn star Traci Lords, "The Office's" Craig Robinson and Smith's frequent co-stars, Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson. Here's hoping that Zack and Miri Make a Porno lives up to the hype, because Smith's last film, Clerks II, totally sucked.

51
HAWKS HOME OPENER (NOV. 1)
The Hawks ended their '07 season on an upbeat note by taking the eventual-champion Celtics to seven games in the playoffs. But they followed up with a somewhat disappointing summer, when they lost star Josh Childress to the Euro League and failed to make any significant off-season acquisitions. The Hawks go head-to-head with the Philadelphia 76ers to start the year off in a game that features two of the most athletic squads in the league. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 1-866-715-1500. www.nba.com/hawks.

52
OUT ON FILM (NOV. 6-9)
Where's the bartender? Atlanta's annual gay film festival turns 21 this year. To celebrate, Out on Film is throwing its trademark party – a three-day shindig with good-looking LGBT film buffs from all over the city, independent filmmakers from all over the country, and, of course, dozens of fabulous screenings. Prices, times and locations vary. www.outonfilm.com.

53
A QUANTUM OF SOLACE (OPENS NOV. 7)
With Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince rescheduled for next summer, the latest James Bond film promises to be the season's biggest and most anticipated film. In this direct follow-up to the spy-franchise "reboot" Casino Royale, new Bond Daniel Craig returns to avenge the death of his prior love interest by tracking down the evil organization that killed her. Gemma Arterton and Olga Kurylenko play new Bond girls, French actor Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) provides the villainy, and Marc Foster (The Kite Runner, Monster's Ball) directs. The enigmatic title comes from a short story by Bond creator Ian Fleming.

54
MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL (NOV. 8-22)
For 17 years now, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta has brought great literature to Atlanta's Jewish community. This year the 15-day festival presents books from big names such as Tony Curtis and Michael Ian Black, as well as many other national and local authors. Times vary. MJCCA Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road. 678-812-4005. www.atlantajcc.org.

55
TINA TURNER (NOV. 9)
She's as famous for her roaring vocals as she is for her gorgeous gams and rocky relationship with Ike Turner. Four decades into her career and nearly seven decades into her life, Tina Turner rolls into Atlanta on her first official tour since 2000. $59.50-$152. 7 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 404-878-3000. www.ticketmaster.com.

56
AFTERNOON IN THE COUNTRY (NOV. 9)
The Dames have done it again, rounding up a smorgasbord of Atlanta's top chefs and favorite restaurants to participate in the eighth annual Afternoon in the Country. Featured eateries include Home, Parish, Shaun's, ONE. Midtown Kitchen, the Flying Biscuit Café, Spice Market, Fourth & Swift and City Grill (just to name a ... phew!). As expected, Les Dames d'Escoffier International encourages progressive cooking for women devoted to the culinary arts, and with outstanding talent across the board, this outdoor event will be no exception. $35-$95. 1 p.m. Serenbe Farms, 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Palmetto. 770-463-2610. www.ldei.org.

57
FIELD OF GREENS (NOV. 15)
Located at Covington's organic Whippoorwill Hollow Farm, the farm-fresh festival offers tastings with local chefs, an open-air organic market, and homegrown food and drinks for festival-goers. Whippoorwill promises family events for the tots, a slew of giveaways and raffles for restaurant certificates, and a few special guest speakers. $10-$15. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 3905 Ga. 138, Covington. 678-625-3272. www.fieldofgreens.com.

58
TELLABRATION! (NOV. 17)
Twenty years ago, Connecticut storyteller J.G. "Paw-Paw" Pinkerton came up with the idea of a community-wide storytelling tradition wherein people gathered to hear the town's best tellers tell tales, spin yarns and so forth. Now Tellabration! is held in dozens of cities around the world every year around Thanksgiving. This year's event features Natalie Jones, Sharon Mathis and more. $10. 8 p.m. Carter Center, 453 Freedom Parkway. 404-420-5100. www.tellabration.org.

59
TOADIES (NOV. 18)
The Toadies' 15-year span has been a haphazard of unlikely circumstances: a monstrous debut, an unsupported second album, an unanticipated departure by bassist Lisa Umbarger, a forced breakup and a much talked-about reunion. The group reemerged in 2008 with the August release of No Deliverance, full of edgy, uneasy hooks, steady bass beats and scratchy vocals. $14. 7 p.m. Masquerade, 695 North Ave. 404-577-8178. www.masq.com.

60
MADONNA (NOV. 24)
Over the years, as we've watched Madonna transform from a "Material Girl" to a material woman, one thing has remained the same – she's always put on a hell of a show. Give thanks and preface your big Thanksgiving meal with her new album, Hard Candy, as she brings her Sticky & Sweet Tour to town for one night only. $57-$352. 8 p.m. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. 404-878-3000. www.philipsarena.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The event Echo Project was replaced with
Le Flash.