Things to Do in Loganville

An ECHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, the Gwinnett Gladiators skate constant circles in pursuit of the Kelly Cup. After joining the league in 2003, the team reached the playoffs in seven of its first nine seasons, netting one trip to the finals. Since its inception, the team has played at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, entertaining up to 13,000 fans with fast-paced hockey action and tense moments when the Gladiator's goalie sticks his tongue to the ice at crucial moments.

Aurora Theatre, recently named Best Theatre Company in Atlanta (Creative Loafing Best of Atl 2010) is the professional theatre of Gwinnett County and home of the best entertainment in Northeast Georgia. With over 300 events annually, Aurora Theatre has live entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. The Aurora Theatre main sta

Throughout the week, Knockout CrossFit’s 12,000-square-foot facility is abuzz with the clatter of weights and kettlebells and the raspy chorus of patrons striving intensely toward fitness goals. A crew of instructors certified by CrossFit leads adults of all levels of fitness through CrossFit classes and boot-camp sessions. After helping groups loosen up with stretching exercise, CrossFit instructors lead students through the system's signature workout of the day, an ever-changing exercise that is scaled to each participant's fitness level. Their hardcore cardio classes boost heart rates and core strength with a regimen dedicated to increasing both power and agility, and their kickboxing classes blend moves from MMA, karate, boxing, and muay thai that help exercisers hone speed while simultaneously bolstering confidence. The trainers also help youth bolster speed, conditioning, and techniques in an athletic program. In lieu of monotonous cardio machines, each course works with the facility’s abundance of ropes, rings, free weights, and kettlebells, and the open floor leaves ample space for running, jumping, and gesturing how big you want your muscles to be.

After the Arts Association in Newton County found early success with its concert series in the late 1980s, the performing arts company started its first children's education program in 1991 to incorporate the entire community in their productions. Now, children who are part of the organization's Oxford Singing Children and Oxford Youth Singers choirs and Musical Theater Camp appear in youngster-filled versions of classics such as Les Misérables and The Nutcracker. The company still nourishes ears with headphones made of bagels and live concert performances, including their long-running Concert on the Square and Summer Concert series.

Owned by the same people who created Jeronimo!, Putt 'N Play awakens the competitive spirit in guests of all ages with an indoor mini golf course. Lined with wooden rails, the 18 putting corridors present tricky slopes and transit-themed obstacles such as stop lights, train cars, and wormholes. On weekends, Putt 'N Play dims the lights and transforms the course into a visually enchanting neon, glow-in-the-dark circuit. With all the play areas laid out in one large, open room, Putt 'N Play makes it easy for adults to oversee groups of free-roaming tots or casual Freemason meetings.

After a career creating fitness programs for groups such as prenatal women, obese youth, and people with debilitating diseases, Althea Lawton-Thompson opened her own studio dedicated to helping people of every age and ability embrace wellness in a fun atmosphere. Along with her team Althea leads a bustling schedule of up to four classes a day. Classes range from Tribal Fusion, which combines African dance and jazz moves with toning exercises and light resistance, to Althea's own creation Yo-Chi-Lates, which she acknowledges sounds like a fruity drink, but is actually a blend of yoga, chi gong, and Pilates. Special programs include training for those with joint and muscle pain or immobility from lupus, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. Camps for kids inspire the fitness and self-esteem youngins need to arm-wrestle college counselors and win admission.

Additionally, concern for the earth is literally built into the studio. The dance floor's natural bamboo floors are suspended over a pine subfloor to create a sustainable surface that lowers impact as students jump into Zumba's Latin-inspired moves. In the personal-training studio, the floor is made of recycled natural-cork material, and recycled carpet comprises the lobby floor's mosaic. Low-voltage fluorescent lights cast a glow inside, and most of the center is underground, keeping it cool in the summer and safe from low-flying reindeer in the winter. :m]]