Credit: Rand Lines

Credit: Rand Lines

Beethoven Project

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra continues to celebrate its 80th anniversary with this ambitious undertaking of masterworks that highlight the German composer’s multifaceted body of work. Over the next five months, music director Nathalie Stutzmann, now in her third season with the ASO, conducts Ludwig van Beethoven’s first eight symphonies, plus “Triple Concerto” and “Missa solemnis.” (Symphony No. 9 will be performed next season.) The project begins with Symphonies 1 and 3 on Jan. 23 and ends with “Missa solemnis on May 11.

$36 and up. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4800, ticketmaster.com

Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez

Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez

Steve Martin & Martin Short

When these two musically inclined comedians first toured in 2015 it seemed like sort of a novelty act, but now that they’re riding a new, third-act wave of success thanks to the hit Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” their latest tour is sure to be a hot ticket. Expect some music, some sketches and plenty of laughs when they bring their Dukes of Funnytown! tour to the Fox Theatre.

Jan. 24. $80 and up. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-881-2100, foxtheatre.org

Mary J. Blige

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee is offering a heartfelt thank you to the entertainment industry and her fans with a new album and series of career-spanning live performances. “Gratitude,” her latest album (released via her own Beautiful Life Productions), sets the tone for the latest cross-country tour from the Grammy- and Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.” Ne-Yo and Mario are special guests.

Feb. 3. $79-$275. State Farm Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 404-878-3000. www.statefarmarena.com.

“The Rite of Spring”

Lore has it that when Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” made its 1913 debut in Paris, the audience was so gobsmacked by the avant-garde nature of the music and choreography they practically trashed the place in a riotous frenzy. We can only hope the audience is better behaved at the Atlanta Ballet’s world premiere of Claudia Schreier’s new choreography. Described as “the story of humanity’s struggle against nature’s inescapable forces … performed with mystery and majesty,” the performance features the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and is recommended for audience members 12 and up.

Feb. 7-14. $28 and up. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 404-892-3303. atlantaballet.com

“Bust”

In a coproduction with Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, the Alliance Theatre starts the year with the world premiere of this dramedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Zora Howard. In Huntsville, Alabama, Retta and Reggie are sitting on their porch one evening when they watch their longtime neighbor, a Black man, get pulled over by the police just as he’s turning into his driveway. The encounter escalates and then a shocking turn of events occurs in this character-driven play that combines elements of drama, comedy, mystery and surrealism. Tony nominated Lilieana Blain-Cruz directs.

Feb. 13-March 16. $25 and up. Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4600, my.alliancetheatre.org

Credit: Handout

Credit: Handout

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Designed to attract diverse audiences and foster cultural understanding through film, the 25th annual film festival presents 64 films from 20 countries at six venues across the city. The opening night reception, including a members-only gala, will be held at Cobb Energy Centre and features the screening of an as-yet-unnamed film plus a Q&A with the filmmaker and cast. The festival closes with a screening of the Brazilian dramedy “Cheers to Life” at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. For those who prefer watching movies at home, there’s a streaming option, too.

Feb. 19-March 6, streams March 7-16. $16 and up; $64-$140 for multi-ticket packages. Various venues. ajff.org

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Alton Brown Live: Last Bite

Alton Brown has carved out a very successful but unique career as a food scientist, TV show host and live entertainer after he was catapulted to fame by his Food Network show “Good Eats,” which ran for 16 seasons. Now he’s bringing his act back to the stage in a new show billed as “The Farewell Tour, Maybe?” promising “a night of culinary spectacle and delights.” Expect a quirky evening of jokey sketches, silly songs, food experiments and crowd work.

Feb. 20. $60 and up. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2852, cobbenergycentre.com

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

Billy Strings

Originally a hot commodity in the bluegrass world, best-known for various collaborations and well-received live shows, the 32-year-old musician is rapidly crossing over into mainstream stardom on his own rootsy terms. His impressive tour history features a rapid rise from small halls to theaters to major arenas with just four albums to his solo catalog, beginning with 2017′s “Turmoil and Tinfoil.” This winter he’s filling arenas on multiple dates in major markets, including six sold-out shows in Asheville, North Carolina, before he arrives in the ATL for (so far) two shows.

Feb. 21-22. $39-$74. State Farm Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 404-878-3000, statefarmarena.com.

Credit: David Stjernholm

Credit: David Stjernholm

Ryoji Ikeda

The High Museum of Art presents the U.S. debut of the Japanese artist’s immersive light and sound installation “data-verse.” The massive sensory extravaganza incorporates an electronic score paired with imagery from institutions like NASA and the Human Genome Project as well as visualizations of data taken from mathematical theories and quantum physics. According to the High’s website, the project “explores the macroscopic depths of the universe and our relationship to it.”

March 7-April 10. $23.50. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-4400, high.org

— Lee Valentine Smith contributed to this article.