The Atlanta Opera presents Giacomo Puccini's beloved classic "La Bohème" at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Tim Wilkerson.

FRIDAY

Festival: One of Atlanta’s favorite festivals is the tasty Atlanta Greek Festival. They even offer a food drive-through, but you’ll miss the music, dancing, singing, educational lectures, shopping and children’s activities. Free parking and shuttle buses from Century Center Office Park on Clairmont Road. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 1-2; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Atlanta.

Stage: Georgia’s Diana DeGarmo stars in “9 to 5: The Musical,” playing the role originated by Dolly Parton. Through Oct. 3 at the Fox Theatre,  Atlanta.

Stage: True Colors Theatre Company presents “Gut Bucket Blues,” a biographical musical that explores the life of Bessie Smith, known as the Empress of the blues. Through Nov. 7 at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s in downtown Atlanta.

Festival: You know it’s fall when Stone Mountain Park’s …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: Oct. 1-3 »

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is on a roll. Last week, they were tops in all-around barbecue. This week, the DeKalb Ave. restaurant takes the No. 1 spot on your list of Atlanta's best places for chili. Photo: Becky Stein / Special

YOUR PICKS

1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

You say, “The brisket chili at Fox Bros. is hard to beat” and “Fox Brother’s beef brisket chili is awesome. I think I’m going there today.”

2. Wendy’s

3. Manuel’s Tavern

4. Rocco’s Pub

5. Steak ‘N Shake

A big bowl of Rocco's award-winning chili.

OUR PICKS

1. Rocco’s Pub

Food and beverage writer Bob Townsend says, “Rocco’s is all about chili. Winner of numerous chili cook-off competitions, it’s served up by the cup, bowl or super bowl, with or without beans, layered on corn chips for chili pie and ladled on pasta for chili mac.”

2. Grindhouse Killer Burgers

3. The Highlander

4. Ted’s Montana Grill

5. Souper Jenny

Continue reading Best chili »

Jeremy Ledbetter, Allison Murphy, Nick Arapaglou, Jimi Kocina and David Howard terrorize the high seas in Theater in the Square's "How I Became a Pirate." Photo: Andrea M. Gardenhire

FRIDAY

Fair: It’s the first weekend of the North Georgia State Fair, with a full array of games and rides, free attractions and shows, farm animals, blue ribbon competitions, entertainment and fair foods. Concerts are free with admission and the first is on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. with Joe Nichols. The fair continues through Oct. 3 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta.

Comedy: Dom Irrera grew up in an Italian-American family in South Philadelphia, which provides much of the fodder for his stand-up comedy. He’ll perform Sept. 24-25 at the Punchline in Sandy Springs. 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com.

Stage: Newlywed Suzanna fixes her best friend Max up with her husband’s beautiful but odd co-worker in the Actor’s Express production of “Becky Shaw,” now in it’s final weekend. Through Sept. 25.

Stage: …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: Sept. 24-26 »

A pulled pork sandwich with a side of collard greens at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta. Photo: Becky Stein / Special

YOUR PICKS

1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
You say, “Fox Bros. have no competition! If you think some other place is better I suggest you go try it!” and “There are a lot of great choices around here, but Fox Bros. has to be the best. Anyone who says they don’t like it is either a vegan or works for a different BBQ joint.”

2. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
3. Pig-N-Chik
4. Community Q
5. Fresh Air Bar-B-Que
6. Swallow at the Hollow

The pork platter with sides of mac and cheese and baked beans at Swallow at the Hollow in Roswell. Photo: Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com

OUR PICKS
1. The Swallow at the Hollow
Food and beverage writer Bob Townsend says, “Purists may sneer at the foodie barbecue Bill Green does at this weathered-wood cabin in Roswell. But like his Southern comfort cooking across the way at Greenwood’s, there’s no arguing with the quality or intention. …

Continue reading Best barbecue »