Things To Do In East Point

Atlanta’s startup community is unlike that of any other. We don’t thrive in the advanced tech space like Silicon Valley; we don’t even start tons of social ventures like Chicago; we have something special: makers, creators, and independent small businesses. Atlanta is the place to make the American Dream a reality. Talent and ambition are just a couple of the many reasons crafters can see success in Atlanta. The supportive, friendly community is really what makes creators thrive, and it is largely due to the Indie Craft Experience. Also known as ICE, this independent vendor marketplace brings together the best of the best to present beautifully handmade items to the public. ICE is put on two times a year with limited vendor spots available, making for a carefully curated selection of goods at the event. The first big marketplace event is Summer ICE, which is usually held in late June, while the second show is Holiday ICE, typically at the end of November. At either ICE, shoppers will find goods like handmade jewelry, candles, clothing, photography, art and more. In addition to the goods, local eateries sell snacks, unique drinks and tasty treats. Just walking from booth to booth proves to be a fun experience, but amp it up by posing in the large photo booth, complete with props and professional photography. As with any fun, popular event, arriving early has its advantages; at each Indie Craft Experience, the first 200 attendees receive generous swag bags stuffed with goodies from the vendors of the event. Don’t worry about waiting in line, though. The street lined with food trucks and coffee trucks (yum!) make for a great, truly local experience, even before you enter ICE. Tickets are just $10 and purchased at the door. Looking to get your feet wet before attending the big show? Check out ICE’s Salvage events in between the shows in April and September, and check their website for surprise Pop-Up shops throughout the year.

Everyone in Atlanta knows about the touring Broadway productions that roll through the Fox Theatre, or the stunning large-scale shows that transform the Tony Award-winning Alliance. But not everyone takes the time to check out the smaller, independent theater companies doing wonderful work in and around the city. For a fraction of the cost of the bigger venues, one can catch edgier productions or local classics at many of these spaces. Here are some of the city’s best. Located in West Downtown’s King Plow Arts Center, on the grounds of a former plow factory, Actor’s Express is one of the more contemporary theater venues in Atlanta. From modern classics like Six Degrees of Separation to steamier fare like Venus in Fur, this tiny black box theater offers provocative, exciting productions for discerning theatergoers. And with plenty of restaurants nearby, it’s easy to make a relatively inexpensive evening into something fun and different. OnStage Atlanta is a more family-friendly company, with recent shows including CLUE: The Musical, Seussical Jr. (featuring local child performers), and The Drowsy Chaperone. Sure, the theater space is downright tiny, but that just makes patrons feel like they’re a part of the production, particularly with interactive shows like Chaperone. OnStage Atlanta is also a great way to introduce children to the theater, since they may be intimidated by more formal venues. On the avant garde side of Atlanta’s theater world, you’ll find Pinch ‘N’ Ouch Theatre. The troupe performs in a church on Ponce de Leon Avenue and focuses on bringing newer, artistically daring staged pieces to the city. Recent productions have included works by current off-Broadway darling Annie Baker and alt-theater renegade Neil LaBute, as well as passion projects written by local playwrights. These shows are often not for the faint of heart or morally queasy, and they attract a younger demographic than at other theatres – and occasionally there may be as many people in a show’s ensemble as in the audience itself – but there’s no denying Pinch ‘N’ Ouch’s dedication to Atlanta’s thriving theater scene. Whether you are interested in a stimulating and challenging evening of theater, or you just want to take the kids to something fun, Atlanta’s local circuit of independent theaters offers plenty of year-round options.

Once the sporadic winter storms have passed, everyone in Atlanta is eager to get outside and enjoy the city. However, you may find yourself all jazzed up with no place to go if you’re not familiar with all the activities that Atlanta has to offer. It seems like there’s a festival going on just about every weekend once the sun comes out for good; you just have to choose the ones that interest you and make a plan! For art lovers, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the real kick-off to the spring festival season. Each of these occasional outdoor art parties basically act as expansive galleries, featuring works in every medium imaginable, from paintings and sculptures to more everyday objects like jewelry and glassware. There are even performance artists and musicians on hand for live entertainment, many of which are perfectly suitable for families and children of nearly any age. The fest has been going on for almost 80 years, so it’s developed a reputation and prestige that allow it to attract some of the best artists from all over the country. The Dogwood Fest is followed quickly by similar events all over town, often in areas like Inman Park and Buckhead, which provide similar artistic outlets for Atlanta’s varied cultural scene. And each, in their own way, brings a wholly unique collection of works to display. Of course, there are other themed parties as well, like the annual Georgia Renaissance Festival, the SweetWater 420 Fest and the Atlanta Caribbean Festival, which highlights the area’s expansive Caribbean community. The latter is also the site of many amazing eats, local beer and the ever-present smell of jerk chicken, while the Renaissance Fest is an opportunity to don period-specific costumes and recreate a long-gone era. Of course, you’ll also find spectacularly-dressed entertainers at the Caribbean festival as well. If you’re truly focused on food, you’ll want to hit up the Mother Clucker Fried Chicken Festival Rosebud. A sensory overload of fried poultry done up in pure Southern decadence, this annual cook-off allows hungry patrons to enjoy a great sampling of many of Atlanta’s best restaurants. Also be on the lookout for Buckhead Restaurant Week in mid-spring, which gives diners a chance to try out some of the tonier establishments in town, at bargain prices. After all that, it’ll be time to hit the gym to achieve that summer beach body look.