From visual arts to music to theater, the metro Atlanta area has an active arts scene offering something for nearly everyone. This week, happenings include the 49th annual Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park and a panel of creators from “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” sharing behind-the-scenes insights and fun stories at The Center for Puppetry Arts.
The following dozen events will help you explore Atlanta’s arts and culture in the upcoming week.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Dad’s Garage/Zachary Bromberg
Credit: Photo courtesy of Dad’s Garage/Zachary Bromberg
“An Improvised Action Movie”
A team of Dad’s Garage improvisers creates its version of a new blockbuster action movie every week.
Continuing 8 p.m. Fridays, May 22 and 29. $23. Dad’s Garage, 569 Ezzard St., Atlanta. 404-523-3141, dadsgarage.com/action.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Lawrenceville Arts Center
Credit: Photo courtesy of Lawrenceville Arts Center
“A Galaxy of Artists” exhibition
Kyle Puttkammer, founder of Galactic Quest comics store in downtown Lawrenceville and co-creator of the comics “Hero Cats of Stellar City” and “Galaxy Man & Cosmic Girl,” showcases original art pages and paintings from his personal collection. They were chosen based on their historical relevance and ability to educate and inspire.
Continuing through Monday, June 1. Free. Lawrenceville Arts Center, Mary Kistner Gallery, 125 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222, lvilleartscenter.com/eventer/a-galaxy-of-artists-exhibition/.
An Evening of Feast & Shakespearean Splendor
Actors formerly with the long-closed Georgia Shakespeare company will perform scenes, sonnets and songs from Shakespeare in this fundraiser to support their future endeavors, including the formation of a new Shakespeare theater company with a fall 2026 production. Tickets at this event at a private Buckhead backyard also include a multicourse meal and cocktail bar.
7:30-10 p.m. Friday, May 22. $120. 19 Peachtree Ave., Atlanta. 404-387-3027, drive.google.com/file/d/12Bi2P1rLPPQ6Bu7X2YvOAxAFHATG_Lh-/view.
“Hot Jambalaya”
This remounting of the Suzi Bass Award-nominated murder-mystery musical comedy tells the tale of the murder of wealthy patriarch Papa Joe in the French Quarter.
Friday, May 22 through Sunday, June 21. $40 and up. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. 404-584-7450, horizontheatre.com/plays/hot-jambalaya/.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Credit: Photo courtesy of Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Georgia Symphony Orchestra: 75th Anniversary Concert
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 75th anniversary by filling the stage with its musicians and chorus as well as the Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers, the Wendell P. Whalum Community Chorus, the Georgia Spiritual Ensemble and the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. The evening’s highlights include selections from Holst’s symphonic suite “The Planets” and the soaring final movements of Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony.”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23. $62.15 and up. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4800, aso.org/events/detail/ga-symphony.
Imagine: Passing the Baton
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra’s season finale features Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concertmaster David Coucheron and pianist Julie Coucheron in a performance that showcases Mendelssohn in works such as “Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The performance caps Johns Creek Symphony’s first season under Henry Cheng’s direction.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23. $42. Mt. Pisgah Church, 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. 678-748-5802, johnscreeksymphony.org/season-19-imagine-passing-the-baton.
An Evening of Jazz
Saxophonist Boney James, who melds contemporary jazz with hip-hop, jazz guitarist Norman Brown and jazz pianist and composer Alex Bugnon will perform.
7 p.m. Saturday, May 23. $59 and up. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. cobbcounty.gov/events/2026-05-23evening-jazz-boney-james-norman-brown-alex-bugnon.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
The 49th annual festival includes three days of performances by artists including The Roots, PJ Morton and Kamasi Washington as well as an artist market, food and beverage market and a kid zone with hands-on activities.
Saturday, May 23-Monday, May 25. Free. Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. atljazzfest.com.
40 Years of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”
Creators from “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” host a panel with behind-the-scenes secrets, untold stories, special guest appearances and plenty of playful nonsense.
7 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $65. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th Street, Atlanta. 404-873-3391, puppet.org/programs/40-years-of-pee-wees-playhouse.
Shakespeare Out of a Hat: “The Tempest”
The Atlanta Shakespeare’s Company’s actors will know the play they’ll be in, but they won’t know the parts they’ll play until two minutes before the performance. The result is part improv and mostly Shakespeare served up with a dose of outrageousness.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $20-$25. Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, 499 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-874-5299, shakespearetavern.com/on-stage/company/shakespeare-out-of-a-hat-the-tempest-one-night-only.
Late Night Jazz Jam
Guests are invited to continue the night after The Roots perform Sunday at the Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park by grabbing a drink, mingling and listening to music led by Larry Wilson and his house band. Musicians are welcome to join the jam.
11 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $27.50. Fox Theatre Marquee Club, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org/events/detail/late-night-jazz-jam-clb0524.
“Let Freedom Ring”
The Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra presents a free Memorial Day concert with patriotic tunes such as “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
7:30 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000, alpharettasymphony.org/let-freedom-ring.
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