Jane Garver Foley talks art

Jane Garver Foley has created sculptures and music for cities across the world. She crafted sound sculptures for the Architecture Triennale in Lisbon, Portugal, and La Friche Belle de Mai in Marseille, France, as well as music designed to play in taxicabs across Morocco. In Atlanta, Foley has made public works for the Atlanta Beltline, the Woodruff Arts Center and others. This week, Atlanta Contemporary will host Contemporary Talks: Jane Garver Foley to get insight into her expanding body of work. Free. 6-8 p.m. Thurs., July 13. Atlanta Contemporary, 535 Means St. N.W. 404-688-1970. www.atlantacontemporary.org.

Slide the City has taken its record-breaking water slides to cities across the U.S., and now it’s on its way to Atlanta. Slide the City: Atlanta will boast 1,000 feet of water slides (“the biggest of its kind”) to brighten up everyone’s summer. The event will also include live entertainment and local vendors. In addition, Slide the City is committed to sustainability, partnering with cities across the country to conserve water. $30-$63. 10 a.m. Sat., July 15. Centennial Olympic Park, 135 Andrew Young International Boulevard N.W. 404-223-4412. www.slidethecity.com.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is combining science with art and mixology to bring you the next Fernbank After Dark event. The adults-only, after-hours program is a new monthly series that merges fun science activities with cocktails and live music. Every event features a hand-crafted cocktail menu and small bites. Tickets to Fernbank After Dark include access to all indoor exhibits and, through August, twilight access to WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. $10-$20. 7-11 p.m. Fri., July 14. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road N.E. 404-929-6300. www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Since its founding in 1987, Joining Hearts has raised more than $2 million for its beneficiaries. As a nonprofit organization working to raise awareness and provide care and assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, Joining Hearts’ contributions to the community are invaluable. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the group is hosting Thirty, Flirty, Thriving, a pool party featuring music from DJ Grind, DJ Joe Gauthreaux and DJ Seth Breezy, as well as fireworks to close the night. $100-$2,500. 4-11 p.m. Sat., July 15. Piedmont Park Pool, 1320 Monroe Drive N.E. 404-875-7275. www.joininghearts.org.

Remember that childhood dream of celebrating Christmas during random months of the year? Atlanta Bar Crawls has organized Christmas in July, a block party to finally make that dream a reality. Tickets to the event will include unlimited draft beer, hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as access to $3 drink specials. There will be a beer pong tournament and holiday music throughout the night. $15-$18. 6-10 p.m., Sat., July 15. Lost Dog Tavern, 3182 Roswell Road N.W. 404-254-3341. www.atlantabarcrawls.com.

The 2017 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival will kick off with a free afternoon at the Fox Theatre. The festival takes place throughout the summer, with screenings of movies like Mary Poppins, Casablanca and the entirety of the Harry Potter series. On Sun., July 16, it will screen The Legend Lives On: Atlanta’s Fox Theatre and Steamboat Willie, which was Mickey Mouse’s first feature film. Free. 2 p.m. Sun., July 16. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-881-2100. www.foxtheatre.org.

Following the 2017 presidential inauguration, a group of women who met at the 2017 Women’s March on Washington founded SHEconversations, a nonprofit “committed to undoing biases experienced by disenfranchised and marginalized people.” Their next project is Seeing Other, a photo journalistic social justice project aimed at cultivating meaningful conversations around differences. Seeing Other will focus on “being able to see past one’s differences” to understand the issues faced by marginalized groups. The night’s discussion will culminate with a photo session. $35. 3-6 p.m. Sun., July 16. Treehouse Photo Studio, 751 James P. Brawley Drive N.W. 678-942-6638. www.facebook.com/SHEconversations.

Voted Best Choreographer by Creative Loafing readers in the Best of Atlanta 2016 issue, Lauri Stallings has long been making her mark in the local art scene. Her next project is The Room for Tender Choreographies, a “site-based show and meditation on choreography at the intersection of what is social, political, timely and sincere.” The event will be the opening reception for Stallings’ Working Artist Project fellowship at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. Free-$8. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sat., July 15. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, 75 Bennett St. N.W. 404-367-8700. www.mocaga.org.

A one-of-a-kind soir̩e at the Fox Theatre has been organized to raise funds and support for WonderRoot, an arts organization working to improve the cultural and social landscape of Atlanta through creative initiatives. WonderNight will be an “immersive sensory experience” that will bring art enthusiasts and civic leaders of Atlanta together. The event will include performances throughout the night, site-specific installations, dinner and drinks. $250. 7-11 p.m. Fri., July 14. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-881-2100. www.wonderroot.org.

To take a break from the heavy discussions and decisions made in the city of Atlanta in 2017, the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI) has put together a summer benefit improv show, The City Too Busy to Laugh. CCI partners with organizations and people working to make the public sector more effective, innovative and participatory. The City Too Busy to Laugh will feature special guest comedians, games, drinks and food. $50-$500. 6-9 p.m. Thurs., July 13. Center for Civic Innovation, 115 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.W. www.civicatlanta.org.

As the mayoral election draws closer, learning about the candidates and their positions becomes even more important. To facilitate conversations, mayoral hopeful Peter Aman will sit down with the Atlanta community to discuss his platform and vision for Atlanta. Coffee with the Candidate: Peter Aman for Atlanta Mayor will serve as an “informal meet-and-greet” with Aman. Free. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sat., July 15. My Coffee Shop, 2462 Memorial Drive S.E. 404-377-2227. www.peteraman.com.

On Jan. 2, 1942, Japanese troops marched into Manila in hopes of conquering the Philippines and most of Asia. Peter Eisner’s new nonfiction book, MacArthur’s Spies, tells the story of Filipino and American soldiers who refused to surrender to Japanese troops. Eisner, a veteran foreign correspondent who has previously worked at the Washington Post and Associated Press, will stop by the Atlanta History Center for its Author Program to discuss his latest work. Free-$10. 8 p.m. Thurs., July 13. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. 404-814-4150. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.