Looking for fun, different, one-of-a-kind things to do on the weekend? Check out these DeKalb happenings. There’s no time like the present to get started … so get busy and liven up your weekend!

September 23

Secrets of the Sky and Sea: Southeastern Festival of Songs

Emory University, Emerson Concert Hall, Schwartz Center, 1700 North Decatur Road in Decatur. Admission is $25, discount category $18, students $5. For more information, please call 404.727.5050 or visit www.arts.emory.edu.

September 23

Family Fun Day at Fernbank Museum or Natural History

Celebrate the opening of Imperial Rome exhibition. Special activities from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Museum admission is $12 – adults, $11 – students and seniors, $10 for children ages 12 and under. For more information, please call 404.929.6400 or visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.

September 23

Evening Concerts on the Square

Pack your picnic, bring your quilts and blankets and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment featuring a variety of bands. 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM on the Square in downtown Decatur. Please call 404.371.9583 or visit www.decaturga.com.

September 23

Stone Mountain Park presents…….Laser Show Spectacular

Relax on the lawn and watch the show which includes a dazzling display of neon laser lights, characters, stories, graphics and fireworks. All choreographed to music favorites. Show begins at 9:30 PM. Parking - $8.00 for more information, please visit www.stonemountainpark.com.

September 23 – September 24

11th Annual Japan Fest at Stone Mountain Park

JapanFest allows guests to experience the Japanese culture and way of life. The event will showcase taiko drummers, a candy artist, traditional Japanese and Okinawan dances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai displays. For more information, please call 404-842-0736 or visit www.japanfest.org.

September 26

DeKalb Symphony Orchestra………Live in Concert

DeKalb Symphony celebrates the anniversaries of two great composers’ birthdays; Mozart’s 250th and Shostakovich’s 100th. Performance will take place at the Marvin Cole Auditorium on the Clarkston campus of Georgia Perimeter College. Tickets are $20 – general admission, $18 – seniors and $10 students. For more information, please call 678.891.3565 or visit www.gpc.edu/symphony.

September 27

Blue Sky Concerts on the Square

Every Wednesday from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, bring your lunch or purchase a special to-go lunch from a nearby restaurant and enjoy a wonderful FREE concert at the community bandstand on the Square in downtown Decatur. For more information, please call 404-371-9583 or visit www.decaturga.com.

September 30

2006 Decatur Garden Tour Six private Decatur gardens and five public gardens. Programs for adults and children include bike tour, plant sale, lectures, cooking demos, and stories in a cemetery. Tickets are $15-advance purchase, $20 the day of tour and $7 for children 13 – 18. For more information, please call 404.371.4444 or visit www.decaturgardentour.com.

September 28

Global, Local and Homemade Songs

The Friends of the Decatur Library present the unique sounds of Mick Kinney and Elise Witt as they engage the audience as few can. Performance will begin 7:00 PM at the Decatur Public Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, please call 404.370.3070 or visit www.dekalblibrary.org.

September 30

The 27th Annual Great Chili Cook-off

Stone Mountain Park brings you live music, entertainment and the best of the best in chili, brunswick stew and cornbread cooking. Gates open from 11 AM – 7:00 PM. Ticket prices are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Parking is $8.00 (cash only) per vehicle. For more information, please visit www.theatlantachilicookoff.com or www.stonemountainpark.com.

September 30

1st Ivy Scholarship Golf Classic

Council for Community Enrichment, Inc. in association with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter) present what will become an annual scholarship golf classic. 9:00 AM Southland Golf Course, 5726 Southland Drive in Stone Mountain. For more information, please call 678.368.2293 or visit www.tournevents.com/ivygolf.

Now through September 23

“Shirley Valentine”………At the Academy Theatre

Inside Mrs. Joe Bradshaw – middle-aged mother of two grown children – is the former Shirley Valentine, longing to get out. Her hope and self-confidence have been badly shattered by school, marriage and life. Tickets are $10 - $15 Thursdays, $15 - $20 Friday and Saturday evenings. Academy Theatre is located at 12 North Clarendon Avenue in Avondale Estates behind Towne Cinema. For more information, please call 404.943.0031 or visit www.offoffpeachtreetheatre.com.

Now through September 24

Synchronicity Performance GroupPpresents………..Bunnicula

A dog and a cat are forced to deal with a new household arrival – a bunny that may not be what is seems. Performances will take place at 7 Stages Back Stage Theatre. For more information, please call 404.484.8636 or visit www.synchrotheatre.com.

Now through September 24

Circus of the Sea

Award winning puppeteer Lee Bryan, offers an exciting look at the undersea world. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring Street at 18th, Atlanta. For more information, please call 404.873.3391 or visit www.puppet.org.

Now through September 24

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Season Opening Concert

Symphony Hall, 8:00 PM, Woodruff Art Center, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta. For more information, please call 404.733.5000 or visit www.atlantasymphony.org.

Now through September 30

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?

Onstage Atlanta presents this tragic-comedy by Edward Albee. Onstage Atlanta is located at 2597 North Decatur Road (Suburban Plaza) in Decatur. For more information please call 404.897.1802 or visit www.onstageatlanta.com.

Now through October 15

Theatre Decatur present…..”The Importance of Being Earnest”

Dark secrets from the past rise to threaten the happiness of seemingly respectable, well-meaning characters. Theatre Decatur 430 West Trinity Place in Decatur. For more information, please call 404.373.5311 or visit www.theatredecatur.com.

Now through October 31

Nikki in the Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden will showcase fabulous works of outdoor sculptures by internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Please call 404.876.5859 or visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org for more information.

Now through January 19

Fernbank Museum present…………..”GREECE, Secrets of the Past”

Take a trip to the birthplace of democracy and embark on a quest to uncover the buried secrets of one of the world's most enlightened societies. Fernbank Museum, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. For more information, please call 404.929.6300 or visit www.fernbankmuseum.org

Source: DeKalb County Office of Arts, Culture & Entertainment