Living in Atlanta, chances for a winter white Christmas are slim to none. Living in the South sometimes makes it difficult to get into the whole holiday spirit, but don’t think for a second there’s nothing to do this winter season. The holidays is actually a very exciting time in the city. There is surprisingly many art and cultural events taking place in the city to celebrate and be merry. I’ve compiled a list of 15 things in Atlanta to do this winter… this month! As you will see, the majority of items on the list are performances. The holiday season is one of the best times to go out with friends, family, or a loved one and enjoy a classic Christmas story in whatever form or fashion that may be. I hope you’ll be able to get out to one of these events and experience a little bit of the Atlanta holiday spirit!

1. Fem-fATL hosts FEVER PARTY

@ Halo Lounge
December 18 @ 10PM

http://fem-fatl.com/2009/celebrate-fem-fatl-bday-girls-at-fever-party-this-friday/

Come join the ladies of fem-fATL as we celebrate the birthdays of Kristen (UrbanSocialite) and Brittany (justB). This is one holiday party you don’t want to miss… because it’s ours!

2. World of Coca-Cola

http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/
November 27 – January 1

Coca-Cola & Ol' Saint Nick

When I was a kid I use to visit in Atlanta and my uncle would take me and my cousins to the old Coca-Cola museum near the Underground. As kids we’d binge on all the taste tests from around the world and come walking out with a buzz like we were drunk!

I haven’t yet been to the new World of Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is staple of Atlanta living and also an icon of the winter season. This season when you visit the World of Coca-Cola you can take fun holiday pictures with a classic Coca-Cola Santa painting by artist Haddon Sundbloml.

Also, while you are at it, check out the special exhibit Celebrating an Icon. The exhibit celebrates artistic interpretations of the iconic soft drink, featuring the work of five contemporary artists from Georgia and Cali. The featured artists include: Steve Penley, Gordon Chandler, Comer Jennings, Steve Kaufman and Burton Morris.

3. Holiday Lights & Ice Skating

@ Centennial Olympic Park
November 14 – January 3 @ Daily, 7 a.m. – 11p.m. (Ice Skating hours vary)

http://twitter.com/centennial_park

It’s never too cliché to take a winter walk in the park and Centennial Olympic park is really very beautiful during the winter season. The park is perfect for a date or a stroll with the family after dinner. Try out one of the nearby restaurants like Stats, Rise Sushi, or Endenu Restaurant & Bar. Afterward grab some coffee or hot chocolate as you walk around the park. Make sure to check out the fountain of rings, which I think is even more beautiful against the background of colorful Christmas lights. Of course, do the ice-skating… especially if you have kids. If not, you can probably find better ice-skating somewhere else. Finally, it’s cold this winter, so make sure you bring a heavy coat!

4. Atlanta Ballet

@ Fox Theatre
December 11 – 27

http://twitter.com/atlantaballet

I’ve never seen the Atlanta Ballet; although I have seen the Nutcracker performed during the holidays and I think it’s one of those holiday performances that are really magical. I recently saw a performance by the ballet troupe gloATL; which has me interested in ballet with this show on my list of things to watch. Tickets start at $20, which isn’t so bad. Also, for one night only, the Atlanta Ballet is performing a comedic take on the classic piece called The Nutty Nutcracker. So if you don’t want to watch a rerun, this would be the one to attend.

For tickets visit the website or call 1-800-982-2787

The NutCracker
December 11-27, 2009
Choreographed by John McFall

The Nutty Nutcracker
One night only. Dec. 20, 2009
A hilarious take on the classic

5. Invasion: Christmas Carol

@ Dad’s Garage
Now – December 23 @ 8PM (Thursday – Wednesday and no show on Dec. 21)

http://twitter.com/Dads_Garage

I’ve been to one Dad’s Garage performance and I thought it was ridiculous. If you are looking for some holiday humour, then this is your bet. There isn’t too much else to say… just look at the picture! It looks like Ali G and Scrooge… who knows with this group! Tickets are $15-$20.

For tickets visit http://www.dadsgarage.com/
Dad’s Garage, 280 Elizabeth St. 404-523-3141

6. The BIG Freeze: A Holiday Spectacular

@ Eyedrum
December 18 &19

http://twitter.com/Eyedrum

I’ve been to my fair share of Eyedrum exhibits and performances, so I know it’s the place to go when looking for a bit of avante garde in Atlanta. I know nothing about Vagina Jenkins and Johny Drago, but from reading the performance excerpt, it sounds colorful and intense. I’m looking at the 19th date.

“Come celebrate–and denigrate–the winter holidays with death-defying aerial acts, sexy circus stunts, musical merriment, puppetry of perplexing proportions, and gender-bending drag stars! Co-produced by the Queen of Queer Burlesque and Ecdysiast Exemplar Vagina Jenkins and rabble-rouser of the lowbrow theatre, Johnny Drago.” -Eyedrum

7. Holiday: A Very Merry Holiday Pops

@ Atlanta Symphony Hall
December 18 – 19

http://twitter.com/atlantasymphony

The symphony is one of my favorite things to attend in Atlanta. I’ve been to a good handful of concerts by now; but I’ve never seen them do a Christmas variety show! A variety show should be family friendly. The show includes sounds from the Lassiter and Walton High School choirs. Who doesn’t want to see richy/snobby high school students in Cobb County sing Christmas carols! I don’t really, but it could be entertaining!

“Conductor Michael Krajewski and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra present A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY POPS. Incorporating a modern twist on the traditional holiday variety show, Krajewski leads the orchestra, as well as the Lassiter and Walton High School choirs, through multiple holiday classics including a special rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Throw in a dancing Santa and piano juggler Dan Menendez, and the audience will be rocking around the Christmas tree long after the show ends. $18-$48. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4900.“

8. Music: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

@ The Earl
December 19 @ 9PM

http://twitter.com/Earl_EAV

This guy looks crazy and I love A Charlie Brown Christmas so I think this is one show I’m seriously going to check. Look at his socks!

“In what is quickly becoming an Atlanta Christmas tradition, Jeffrey Bützer and friends return to perform the music of VINCE GUARALDI’S “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.” Bützer plays drums in a trio that features pianist T.T. Mahony and Adrian Ash on bass. Before the “Charlie Brown” set, Bützer will play a solo show of cinematic numbers in which he single-handedly mans an accordion, piano, bass and high hat. Locals El Capitan and Mr. Grinder Nova warm things up with a set of holiday surf music. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. “

9. Scripture for the Eyes: Bible Illustration in Netherlandish Prints of the 16th Century

@Michael C. Carlos Museum
Continues through January 24 (Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m)

http://twitter.com/carlosmuseum

If you are a big History Channel person (like myself when I have cable) then I think you will find this exhibit interesting. It’s got politics, religion, and history… all the ingredients to be either really boring or fascinating. This one will be around through most of January, so you have some time to make your way over.

“A collection of approximately 80 engravings and woodcuts by the foremost Dutch and Flemish masters of the 16th century. The exhibition, featuring works by Lucas van Leyden, Maarten van Heemskerck, Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert and Hieronymus Wierix, explores the ways in which printed illustrations of biblical and other religious themes supplemented and magnified the texts they accompanied during a period of dramatic religious and political upheaval. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Continues through Jan. 24. Free-$8. Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 S. Kilgo Circle, Atlanta (Druid Hills/Emory), 404-727-4282”

10. Black Nativity

@ Southwest Arts Center
December 27

http://twitter.com/kltruecolors

One thing about gospel singers is they are always good and in the South, you know they have soul. So of course, when you have a Christmas gospel celebration, you should just expect a good show. The True Colors Theatre Company will be showing Black Nativitity, a Langston Hughes play through December 27. Tickets cost $30; which is a bit on the hefty side, but check reviews and see if you think it’s worth it.

“This gospel telling of the Christmas story is a soul-stirring musical celebration told through the combination of scripture, poetry, dance and song that connects a contemporary church revival to the time of mangers and swaddling clothes.”

For tickets: www.truecolorstheatre.org. Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta (West End/Atlanta University), 404-505-3220, www.fultonarts.org”

11. Amahl and the Night Visitors

@ Balzer Theatre at Herren’s
Through December 23

http://twitter.com/theatOutfit

I enjoy emo! And this story, a haunting music by Gian Carlo Menotti, is about a crippled child, his poverty-stricken mother, and the night a traveling magi from the East seeks rest with them. I have a feelin it ends well, but seems ok to me. Tickets run $15-25.

For Tickets: Call 678-528-1500, www.theatricaloutfit.org.
Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St., Atlanta (Downtown Atlanta).

12. The Shoemaker & the Elves

@ Center for Puppetry Arts
Through January 3

http://twitter.com/ctrpuppetryarts

Oh how I’ve wanted to go to the Center for Puppetry Arts all these years. With tickets costing just between $9-16 this is a holiday show you should just go ahead and book. It’s sure to be cute and funny and when have you ever gone to see a puppet show!?!

“Mel and Tootsie Footmeyer have kept their shoe store open for 42 years, but business is not booming as it once was. Enter Frankie and Gino, two bumbling, lovable elves who have nothing but time on their hands and a burning desire to build, build, build. Saturdays, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m., Sundays, 1 & 3 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 & 11:30 a.m. Continues through Jan. 3. $9-$16. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St., Atlanta (Midtown), 404-873-3391, www.puppet.org, Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.”

13. Cavalia

@ Atlantic Station
Through January 3

http://twitter.com/cavalia

If you have seen those big white tents up, looking like a circus, in Atlantic Station, then you have seen the home to this show. Cavalia is a large-scale equestrian production. It’s like Cirque du Soleil but with horses! Ummm… awesome! But pricy… fail.

“Incredible performances from more than 60 horses, acrobats, aerialists, riders, musicians, and dancers. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 3 & 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through Jan. 3. $34-$109, 866-999-8111, www.cavalia.net. Atlantic Station, 371 17th St., Atlanta (Midtown), 404-733-1221, www.atlanticstation.com”

14. Larry, Carlos, & Mo!

@ Fox Theatre
Monday, December 21 @ 6PM

http://twitter.com/THEFOXTHEATRE

I’m going to just list some keywords here: Free, Fox Theatre, Organ, Sing-Along, Free, Big Band, A Christmas Story, Movie, Free
A free annual holiday event at Fox Theatre! However, tickets will be tough to find, especially this late in the game. Call in or try the box office.

An Organ Concert and Sing-Along with the Fox Theatre’s organist in residence Larry-Douglas Embury playing the Mighty Mo organ and featuring Joe Gransden with his 16-Piece Big Band and The Gwinnett Young Singers.

A Christmas Story
A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas…

Doors Open at 6:00 pm, Holiday Sing-Along begins at 7:00pm

15. Scrooge in Rouge

@ 14th Street Playhouse
Through December 27

14th Street Playhouse

I’ve never been to the 14th Street Playhouse, but have always heard good things. Again, if looking for some holiday humor and some giggling, try this play out. Otherwise, I’m exhausted with this list!

“A three-actor gem that highlights the notable virtuosity of an acting trio as they create a well-delineated cast of more than 20 characters. The show provides giddy games of gender, identity, reality and theatricality, all within the framework of the music hall at its early height in 1843. Sundays, 2 p.m. and Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through Dec. 27. $36.50. 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St., Atlanta (Midtown), 404-733-4750”

And that’s all folks!
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!