The classic film "Casablanca," starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, will screen at the Verion Wireless Amphitheatre on Friday, as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra provides the score. AP photo.

FRIDAY

Performing and visual arts: The National Black Arts Festival concludes this weekend with events in Centennial Olympic Park and many other venues around town. Check out our list of highlights.

Music: Many great country artists emerged during the 1980s, but Randy Travis is arguably the finest male singer to come out of that decade. He’ll bring his greatest hits to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at 8 p.m. July 15.

Stage: “Three Sistahs” is a blues and pop musical set in 1969 about three sisters – an idealistic activist, a suburban housewife and a diligent professor – as they gather for the third year in a row for a funeral. The shows opens July 15 and continues through Aug. 28 at the Horizon Theatre Company’s Little Five Points home.

Movie, music: The Atlanta …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 15-17 »

A table loaded with treats from MetroFresh at Piedmont Park. Photo: Phil Skinner pskinner@ajc.com; styling by Lisa Hanson

YOUR PICKS
1. Piedmont Park
You say, “Piedmont Park is a great place for a picnic! You can do the traditional pack a basket and schlep everything … or you can pack a blanket, (then) pop in to one of the many nearby stores or restaurants!”

2. Amicalola Falls
3. Stone Mountain Park (tie)
3. Oakland Cemetery(tie)
5. Kennesaw Mountain

A tasty spread ready for a picnic on the historic grounds of Oakland Cemetery. Styling by C.W. Cameron, Pat Penn and John Wolfinger Phil Skinner/ AJC, pskinner@ajc.com

OUR PICKS
1. Oakland Cemetery
We say, “You might not think of a cemetery as a place for a picnic, but this historic location is a peaceful oasis in the midst of the city. It’s both an educational outing and a scenic one, with one of the best city views in town.”

2. Lullwater Park
3. Kennesaw Mountain
4. Panola Mountain State Park
5. Piedmont …

Continue reading Favorite picnic spot »

"Rock of Ages" rocks the Fox Theatre this weekend. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Stage: Pining for the days of big hair and big riffs? “Rock of Ages” is a celebration of the great rock music of the 80s, being performed at the Fox Theatre through July 10. Read our review of the show.

Comedy: Chad Daniels has performed at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, on the Late Late Show on CBS and is one of 13 comedians who performed on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. He’s bringing to the funny to the Laughing Skull Lounge through July 10.

Stage: “Love Is, Love Ain’t” has a thematic focus on what love looks like and how it manifests in the lives of black women, currently and historically. Presented by the NALO Movement at the PushPush Theater in Decatur, the show runs through June 9.

Visual arts: “Aspiration and Artifice: The Constructed Visage” feature photographs taken during Vogue photographer Greg Lotus’ 20-year career. It’s on display at the Bill Lowe Gallery in Atlanta …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 8-10 »

The crab cakes at Chequer's in Dunwoody are your choice for the best in and around Atlanta.

YOUR PICKS
1. Chequer’s Seafood Grill
You say, “Their crab cakes are made with lump white crab meat, have no breading, and are held together with their special ingredient and herbs. They are served with two wonderful on the side sauces. I grew up in Savannah, went crabbing as a child, have had home made as well as restaurant crab cakes all my life. I love sea food! I have been sending and taking friends and family members to Chequer’s for a number of years and all have been delighted with their crab cakes.”

2. Houston’s
3. Legal Sea Foods
4. Oceanaire Seafood Room
5. Stoney River Legendary Steaks and Greenwood’s (tie)

Legal Sea Foods' crab cake is our pick for the best in town. Located in downtown Atlanta, the restaurant also boasts a great view. Photo courtesy Legal Sea Foods

OUR PICKS
1. Legal Sea Foods
The AJC dining team’s specialist in Southern and Neighborhood …

Continue reading Best crab cakes »