The bells of Notre Dame ring in Aurora Theatre

Plus: The return of Pancakes & Booze Art Show and Mammal Gallery’s one-night-only ‘noir space opera’

Arts Events1 1 13.59690fe8aae65
Photo credit: Chris Bartelski
UNDER COVER: Haden Rider stars as Quasimodo in Aurora Theatre's production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Based on the novel by Les Misérables writer Victor Hugo, the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame tells the story of Quasimodo, a “deformed bell ringer in a cold, cathedral tower as he discovers his inner strength.” First premiering in 1999, the musical borrows songs from the 1996 Disney film while keeping the dark and twisted nature of Hugo’s original novel, and on Thurs., July 20, the eerie and poignant show will open at Aurora Theatre. This adaptation is directed by Justin Anderson, alongside the musical direction of Ann-Carol Pence. $20-$65. July 20-Aug. 27. Tues.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2:30 p.m. Aurora Theatre, 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. www.auroratheatre.com.

Founded in 2009 and held in more than 30 cities across the world, the Pancakes & Booze Art Show celebrates local artists, photographers and musicians. Its mission is to celebrate the work of artists “while they’re still alive,” and what better way to celebrate than with alcohol and pancakes? The Atlanta show features more than 100 emerging artists, live music and a free pancake bar. $10-$12. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri., July 21. Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr Drive S.W. 404-656-3850. www.pancakesandbooze.com.

For its next out-of-the-box event, Mammal Gallery hosts the one-night-only “queer sci-fi theatrical performance” Celesthesia! A Noir Space Opera, as Special Agent Dotte Comm attempts to uncover a heinous murder committed during the Intergalactic Gala on the planet Celesthesia. The band Loner will also celebrate its album release. With Sequoyah Murray, Oshwa and MonteQarlo. $10. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Fri., July 21. Mammal Gallery, 91 Broad St. S.W. 678-744-7095. www.mammalgallery.com.

Women in Film & Television Atlanta has long been working to uplift women creators in the Southeast, and the WIFTA Short Film Showcase 2017 is a part of this continued effort. This year’s showcase features independent shorts from the Southeast and across the world, highlighting female creators who work across genres. In an effort to merge art communities in Atlanta, the event will also include a local performance art piece. $5-$10. 7-9:30 p.m. Mon., July 24. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. 404-873-1939. www.wifta.org.

If you’ve had the “pleasure” of experiencing New York City’s subways and trains, then you’ve also been exposed to the public artwork in the stations across the city. Sandra Bloodworth, director of the award-winning public art program MTA Arts & Design, has been a part of the team that’s turned train stations in New York into public museums. On Thurs., July 20, Atlanta Contemporary will host Contemporary Cocktails with Sandra Bloodworth, where she will speak about her career and goal to “aesthetically improve the city’s transportation environment through public arts administration, design and preservation services.” Free. 6-8 p.m. Thurs., July 20. Atlanta Contemporary, 535 Means St. N.W. 404-688-1970. www.atlantacontemporary.org.

To prepare candidates and residents for the upcoming mayoral election, organizations across Atlanta have built the growing coalition Our Future Atlanta. Its next project is Building Our Future: Agenda Launch Party, in which Our Future Atlanta and others across the city will disclose their political agendas and speak to the mayoral candidates about their respective platforms. The event will close with a cocktail hour and the opportunity for networking. Free. 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Mon., July 24. The Gathering Spot, 384 Northyards Blvd. N.W. 404-948-2459. www.ourfutureatlanta.org.

This year, Atlanta ranked No. 6 in the Advocate’s annual Queerest City in America list. To celebrate the city and its LGBTQ members, the Georgia Voice is hosting its 2017 Georgia Voice Best of Atlanta Awards. One of Atlanta’s largest LGBTQ media outlets, the Voice works to highlight LGBTQ voices and organizations in the city. Melissa Carter hosts while DJ Calvin provides tunes for the night. Free. 6-9:30 p.m. Thurs., July 20. The Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St. N.E. 404-897-1991. www.thegavoice.com.

Before she gave birth to her first child, Hannah Palmer found out that all three of her childhood houses had been demolished for the expansion of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Her next book, Flight Path: A Search for Roots Beneath the World’s Busiest Airport, tackles the reality of a “community that has been erased by unchecked Southern progress,” and the houses and histories lost in between. On Thurs., July 20, the Atlanta History Center hosts Hannah Palmer in Conversation with Ryan Gravel, where Palmer will discuss Flight Path. $5-$10. 7 p.m. Thurs., July 20. Margaret Mitchell House, 979 Crescent Ave. N.E. 404-249-7015. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

For the first time, Stone Mountain Park has organized the Festival Under the Magnolias, an arts fest held at the park’s Historic Square venue, featuring hand-selected jewelers, potters, painters and crafters to present and sell their works. The event will also include artist demos, food trucks and wine tastings. $5-$29. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., July 22. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd. 800-401-2407. www.stonemountainpark.com.

To fundraise for its mission, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is holding its second annual tennis social in Atlanta, Serving for Equality. Founded in the 1980s, HRC is the largest civil rights organization working toward equality for LGBTQ populations in the United States. Serving for Equality is a chance for those in Atlanta to play for social change. Those who don’t play tennis are still welcome to attend the event, which will include music by DJ Neon the Glowbear, food, cocktails and a silent auction. $25-$60. 6-11 p.m. Sat., July 22. Sharon Lester Tennis Center, 400 Park Drive N.E. 404-853-3461. www.hrc.org.






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