One of my favorite books of all time is Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s whimsical, it’s fantastical, it was made into one of my favorite movies of all time: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, as in the original 1971 version (not the creepy and downright strange 2005 Tim Burton version).

And now, there’s an opera – The Golden Ticket – being presented by the Atlanta Opera, March 3, 6, 9 and 11, 2012. Premiered by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts on June 13, 2010, and with sets provided by the same, The Golden Ticket is a comic two-act opera sure to delight audiences of all ages. If you’re unfamiliar with the story: A young boy named Charlie finds a “golden ticket” admitting him into Willy Wonka’s top-secret chocolate factory where he encounters chocolate rivers, inflating blueberries, magic elevators and other delights.  It is set in an unknown but familiar city, some time in the recent past, when factory automation was less commonplace and technology more haphazard than it is today. The Golden Ticket is a poignant tale about wishes coming true.

I am so looking forward to seeing this production – I will be back to tell you all about it before Opening Night. But until then, take my word for it – if you are a fan of Willy Wonka like I am, this is one event you do not want to miss!

Performances are:

• Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM
• Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 7:30 PM
• Friday, March 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM
• Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Approximate running time is 2.5 hours, with one intermission. Tickets start at just $21.70.

WHERE: Atlanta Opera presents – The Golden Ticket at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

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Photo credits: Courtesy of the St. Louis Opera

One of the coolest holiday events in Atlanta is FREE! The folks at Atlantic Station are going all out this season with their free holiday concert series – Winter Wonder Jam. Every Friday night throughout the month of December, Atlantic Station is hosting big name bands in Central Park. Atlantic Station is keeping the band names until the week of each concert. The first show was an incredible solo acoustic performance by Citizen Cope (see photo, right). On December 9th, the local band, Elevation, opened for Sister Hazel. It was truly amazing to see such a big star perform for free in the center of the mall! With the Christmas lights and the hourly snowfall, this was an event to remember!

On stage tonight is…Gavin DeGraw! The performance will start at 7pm in the center of Atlantic Station. And, yes, it is FREE.

Atlantic Station won’t spill the beans yet on next week’s act! But you can find out by texting JAM to 57682 to get the latest news sent right to you. Or you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (see below for links to their pages). Or I will announce when I know!

WHERE: Winter Wonder Jam at Atlantic Station – Central Park, Atlanta, GA

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Fans of eclectic and innovative music, I have just the thing for you this week…

The Klezmer/hip-hop musical phenomenon, Socalled, known for his varied and diverse use of a wide range of musical influences, like funk, hip-hop, salsa, gospel, classical and lounge, is a YouTube cult favorite. His hit single “You Are Never Alone” has had more than 2.5 million hits! Mixing traditional klezmer and Yiddish sounds with modern beats, his wild and wacky songs and videos appeal to a wide audience – and it’s easy to see why. He’s goofy-looking, yet immediately likable. He’s smart, funny, and entertaining.

Tomorrow night – Wednesday, February 9, 2011 – come down to Buckhead Theatre for a screening of The “Socalled” Movie (see trailer below), a documentary about Socalled’s musical journey – from his home in Montreal to concerts around the globe in cities like Marseilles, Toronto, Odessa, Lyon, and Harlem – and the amazing, virtuoso musicians who go along for the ride. Following the film, Socalled will answer questions in a brief Q&A and then perform some of his music in a live concert.

Part of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and presented by ACCESS, the Young Adult Division of American Jewish Committee, tickets are $20 and the entire evening’s events: the pre-show party starting at 6:00 PM and the screening of The “Socalled” Movie and a special concert by Socalled immediately following the film.

And if you use the DISCOUNT CODE 365ATLANTA (you can use the discount code to purchase your tickets online OR mention 365Atlanta on-site at the Box Office on Wednesday night) , you can get your tickets for $10.00 – that’s 50% off!

WHERE: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Young Professionals Night Presents The “Socalled” Movie at The Buckhead Theatre -

Socalled on Facebook

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Do you love Souper Jenny like I love Souper Jenny? If you follow me on Twitter, you have probably seen a tweet (or twenty-two) about my love for Souper Jenny – her delicious soups, the hearty sandwiches, fresh crisp salads, and her fun-loving gang of fabulous soup-mongers, who always greet you with a smile…and sometimes even a song!

Coming up this weekend, Souper Jenny’s gang will greet you with a song – a whole lot of them – during their two-night run for “Sex, Soup and that Schmuck That Left You… A Valentine’s Cabaret”. Because Levison and her colleagues are professional actors who perform throughout the Atlanta area throughout the year, they will serenade you with their brand of love song – funny, often irreverent, always entertaining. What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with dinner & dessert from Souper Jenny, parody, live music and plenty of dysfunction! The stars of the show include: Jennifer Levison, Chef Jessica Hanners,Joanna Burgess Hardy, Marcie Millard, Eric Miller, Nevin Miller, Rachel Miller, Merrideth Ziesse, and introducing Jeffrey Beavers and Kamisha Morrison!

There are two chances to see “Sex, Soup and That Schmuk Who Left You” – on Saturday, February 12, 2011, the doors open at 6:30 PM for dinner and the show starts at 7:30 PM; on Monday, February 14, 2011, the doors open at 7:00 PM for dinner and the show starts at 8:00 PM.

Tickets are $60 per person and include dinner, Souper Jenny-style, dessert, and of course, the show. A cash bar is available. Reservations are required – just call (404) 237-7687 or e-mail souperjennys@aol.com.

This fabulous, musical night sells out every year – so get your tickets now and make it an evening of dysfunctional fun with Souper Jenny and the gang!

WHERE: Souper Jenny Presents: “Sex, Soup and That Schmuck That Left You… A Valentine’s Cabaret” at East Andrews Upstairs (next door to Souper Jenny) - 56 East Andrews Dr NW, #10, Atlanta, GA 30305

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I had the very great pleasure of hearing the Georgia Boy Choir a few weekends ago during a Saturday afternoon performance at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The performing choir of the Georgia Boy Choir – a small group of about 20 boys (if I am remembering correctly) is just a small portion of the full number of boys – more than 80 total – that make up the complete group. If their performance at Fernbank is any indication of how their Christmas concert will be this weekend, then we are all in for a treat!

You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Now you can enjoy Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir this weekend – December 17 and 18, 2010 at 7:00 PM – in the beautiful sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. The concert will feature not only the seasoned Concert Choir, but all five choirs of the Georgia Boy Choir including the Apprentice Choir comprised of boys ages 4 through 6 (could anything be more adorable?), along with a full orchestra performing all of your favorite carols and songs to kick off the holiday season. Quickly becoming a city tradition, this concert will also feature Atlanta’s largest performance of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with the audience invited to join in the fun and singing.

Freshly back from a summer concert tour to China (yes, China!) and on their way to Baltimore in the spring and Great Britain in summer 2011, don’t pass up this opportunity to discover this talented group of boys from all around the Metro Atlanta area. Tickets for Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir are $12, $20, and $40 and can be purchased conveniently online.

Hearing is believing – here is a video of the performance choir recorded just a couple of weeks ago at a concert at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, Georgia:

WHERE: Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church – 3180 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA

Photos and video courtesy of Georgia Boy Choir

There are so many great concerts this week – and here is one of them, with two chances to catch it…

The Atlanta Opera Chorus is a body amazing of singers. Don’t let it fool you that they are in the “chorus” – just because they are the ensemble that backs up the principal roles doesn’t mean that they are less talented. Really, they’re just lesser well-known names or singers who love to sing but for whatever reason do not do it full time. At any rate, the talent is incredible, and here’s your chance to see a select eight singers in two special holiday concerts.

The singers – Kristen Brannan Sweitzer, soprano; Amy Little, soprano; Tami Giusto, mezzo-soprano; Kaitlyn Costello; mezzo-soprano, Nathan Munson, tenor; Timothy Miller, tenor; Zachary Brown, baritone; and Adam Cannedy, baritone – will perform under the direction of Chorus Master Walter Huff, with organ accompaniment by Peter Marshall. The concert will be a mix solo and ensemble numbers with traditional, familiar Christmas carols and favorite secular songs in the intimate setting of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Midtown. For a complete list of selections, you can view the concert program online by clicking here.

There are two chances to attend – Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14, 2010 – at 7:30 PM. Tickets are just $20.00 for general admission and $10.00 for students/seniors – you can purchase tickets online by clicking here. Bring a date for a romantic holiday evening or bring your family and start a new tradition!

WHERE: Atlanta Opera Holiday Concerts at All Saints’ Episcopal Church – 634 W. Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Opera

Celebrate the holiday season by supporting two great community arts organizations today at a FREE concert!

Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra and The Buckhead Youth Orchestra present their Winter Concert today – Sunday, December 12, 2010 – at 4:00 PM. Conducted by Artistic Director Juan R. Ramírez, the concert will include pieces by Schubert, Elgar, and Falla, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and fun, festive music of the holiday season. This family-friendly concert is the perfect way to celebrate the season with joyous music! Seating is first-come, first-seated at the Decatur High Performing Arts Center.

The Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra is an Atlanta institution, currently celebrating its 53rd anniversary season, having been founded by the Atlanta Music Club in 1958. With over 80 members, the orchestra is a place for serious musicians, both professional and non-professional, to enjoy the opportunity to perform orchestral literature. The ACSO is claims a wide variety of community members, including teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, housewives, and business executives from the all around the Metro Atlanta area as performing members. Support local arts and attend their Winter Concert today! For more information on the ACSO’s Spring concert schedule and to learn more, please click here.

WHERE: Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra & Buckhead Youth Orchestra Winter Concert – Decatur High Performing Arts Center, 318 North McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030

Tomorrow evening – Thursday, November 25, 2010 – after you’ve finished up your turkey and stuffing, finished off the last of the pie, and counted your blessings, head on over to Lenox Square Mall for the 63rd Annual Lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree!

The pre-show festivities begin at 6:15 PM, with pre-show performances by the evening’s star-studded line-up, which includes Katharine McPhee, Chuck Wicks, Bobby V., and local artist Austin Renfroe. The 70-foot tree sits atop Macy’s every year and is celebrated with music, lights and a fabulous fireworks finale set to holiday favorites. It’s a grand, exciting way to kick of the holiday season and to end your Thanksgiving Day! The lighting takes place at 7:00 PM.

Whether this is already a part of your Thanksgiving Day tradition or you want to make it a new part of your traditional family celebration, plan to be there for the lighting of Atlanta’s most beloved and recognizable tree! Do get there early and try to take MARTA or carpool, if possible, as crowds of more than 100,000 are expected for this spectacular event.

WHERE: The 63rd Annual Lighting of Macy’s Great Tree at Lenox Square Mall – 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA

Photo credit: “fireworks” by Valerie Reneé on Flickr.com

The first time I heard Francine Reed sing, I was transfixed. She is truly an amazing singer and mesmerizing performer. If you love the blues, you should not miss “Dinner and the Blues” starring Francine Reed at Café Circa.

Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta, Café Circa is casual yet sophisticated, with a menu ranging from small plates to dinner-portion entrées, all with a Caribbean Latin twist. From small plates like Spicy Curry Mussels, Sweet Plantains served with orange-thyme scented honey and spiced sea salt, Conch Fritters, and Ackee & Salt Fish,a Jamaican classic served with hard bread, to entrées of Steamed Cod in a Banana Leaf, Mango BBQ Tofu, and the classic Shrimp & Grits, you can take your taste buds on a journey! For “Dinner and the Blues,” Café Circa is offering a special $20.00 two-course, fixed-price menu – you definitely want to treat yourself to this great evening of flavors and music!

“Dinner and the Blues” is select Monday nights in November and December: November 8 & 22, and December 6, 20 & 27, 2010, from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Reservations are recommended – for more information or to make a reservation, you can visit the Café Circa website by clicking here or call 404-477-0008.

WHERE: Dinner and the Blues with Francine Reed at Café Circa – 464 Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30312

The temps have dipped into the chilly zone, but it’s still autumn in Atlanta and a fabulous time to get outside and enjoy our beautiful city. This weekend – Saturday and Sunday, November 6 & 7, 2010 – is the Chastain Park Arts Festival – the perfect reason to bundle up and get outside! And it’s FREE!

The weekend kicks off with a Pet Parade on Saturday morning, starting at 10:30 AM – come and see some of the most adorable and fun-loving pets strut their stuff. Continuing on throughout the weekend, the festival features over 160 fine artists including painters, potters, jewelers and sculptors in the Artist Area, as well as acoustic music from local musicians throughout the weekend and “out of the ordinary, delicious, flavorful, and fresh food for every palette”!

The festival is all this weekend: Saturday, November 6 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, and Sunday, November 7 from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM. This fabulous, family-friendly event is open to everyone – bring a blanket or chairs (no alcohol please) and enjoy the weekend in this amazing city we call home! Admission is free, so bring the whole family!

Need more reasons to check out the Chastain Park Arts Festival? Here are a couple of fun facts: Chastain Park Arts Festival is a Guinness World Record Holder – no joke! At last year’s festival, the Festival won the record for longest line of pies assembled, measuring 161.75 meters. Also, the Festival has the first iPhone app for an arts festival in the nation; click here to access it. How cool is that?

WHERE: Chastain Park Arts Festival – 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA (Click here for a site map, parking info and more!)