Common is the headliner at the One Music Fest on Saturday, Photo: Phil Skinner, pskinner@ajc.com

FRIDAY

Movie: The Coca-Cola Film Festival presents the 30th anniversary edition of  “Caddyshack” at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-movie wine tasting at 5:30 p.m. Pre-show includes a classic cartoon and sing-alongs with Larry-Douglas Embury at the “Mighty Mo” organ.

Movie, kids division: In “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” which opens in metro Atlanta theaters today, the feisty title character goes to war against both dogs and her cat comrades, which brings the two enemy camps together to fight the evil feline.

Music: Take a trip back to the ’70s with two of that decade’s biggest-selling acts, the Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton. 8 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta.

Stage, outdoors: Suwanee Performing Arts, a non-profit community arts organization, presents “Footloose: The Musical.” The show is the group’s …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 30-Aug. 1 »

An assortment of the many tasty treats available at Ali's Cookies in Marietta. They also deliver locally and ship nationwide and you can order from their website (click the photo to check it out).

YOUR PICKS

1) Ali’s Cookie’s

You say, “Definitely Ali’s. They are worth the drive to Marietta no matter where you are! I can’t even pick out a favorite, because every cookie I have eaten from there is divine.”

2) Alon’s

3) The Cookie Studio

4) Bear Maker Bakery

5) Mr. K’s Cookies

The Cherry Ginger Explosion (on top) and the crackly Spicy Ginger cookies are just two of the flavor revelations at Decatur's Cookie Studio.

OUR PICKS

1) The Cookie Studio

We say, “Dive into a box of these big, hearty discs of sweet goodness, and do something good at the same time. This Decatur shop donates a portion of its proceeds to the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children. From the spicy ginger to the white chocolate macadamia, everything they bake here is a luscious treat.”

2)

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"Hamlet! The Musical!" stars J.C. Long in the title role. Photo: Jeff Watkins

FRIDAY

Festival: Nophest demonstrates the diversity of sound in the South. In addition to the music, Eyedrum will also host art, films, crafts and more 8 p.m. July 23; noon July 24-25.

Music: Vermont-based band Grace Potter & The Nocturnals plays Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points at 8:30 p.m.

Stage: The Bard sings as the Atlanta Shakespeare Company does “Hamlet! The Musical!”, set in Purgatory and rife with rock ‘n roll attitude, at the Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown. Through Aug. 8.

Fair: It’s the first weekend of the annual Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee. In addition to all the rides and other attractions, Brenda Lee performs July 23 and the Bellamy Brothers play July 24 (and if you happen to make it on Monday, July 26, they’ll have country legend Ray Price).

Stage: Say “Good Morning Baltimore” as the Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents “Hairspray.” July 23-Aug. 8 at the Earl Smith Strand …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 23-25 »

Plain bagels fresh from the oven at BB's Bagels & Deli in Alpharetta, both the readers' and critic's pick for best bagel in and around Atlanta. Photo: Becky Stein / Special

YOUR PICKS

1) BB’s Bagels & Diner

You say, “If you picked anyone other then BB, then you have not tried them. There is no comparison in Atlanta. It’s a 40 minute drive from Decatur but I do it at least monthly” and “When I first went there I thought it would just be a dive. Turned out it is the best breakfast and bagel place I have ever eaten and I’ve chowed down a lot of bagels in a lot of different places. Great people run the place too. I’ve got three little kids and all the employees have been there a long time and treat us like family.”

2) Goldberg’s Bagel Co. & Deli

3) Bagel Palace Deli & Bakery

4) Bagelicious

5) Bagel Boys

OUR PICKS

1) BB’s Bagels & Diner

Food and beverage writer Bob Townsend says, “Working way off the grid, Eddie Siino is a baker and bagel shop veteran who …

Continue reading Best bagels »