Weekend: Atlanta, Georgia

Southern Living, Feb 2001 by Vanhooser, Cassandra M

When you check out the arts scene in Atlanta, you'll thank Old Man Winter for keeping you indoors this month.

So you can't make it to New York to sampie its cultural arts? Forget about it! Atlanta is the cultural capital of the Southeast, and it's blessed with a stunning array of visual and performing arts. From cuttingedge theatrical performances to a worldclass art museum, you'll find everything you're looking for right here in Midtown.

Friday-An Evening of Music

Here's a tip you will want to remember. Whether you're driving or flying, plan to arrive early to avoid the rush hour traffic. You don't want to waste one minute of your weekend staring at your dashboard on Atlanta's gridlocked highways.

Lodging choices are limitless, but we chose the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta ([404] 881-9898). "Artful Weekend" packages begin at $175, and chief concierge Peter Rank can help you secure the city's hottest tickets. Best of all, it's located across the street from the Woodruff Arts Center, the heart of your weekend activities. For less pricey alternatives, try the Courtyard by Marriott Midtown Atlanta (rates start at $99; [404] 607-1112) or the Wyndham Midtown Atlanta (rates start at $99; [404] 873-4800). Be sure to ask about weekend rates when making reservations.

After you check in at your hotel, make dinner reservations at Park 75 Restaurant at the Four Seasons (even if you're not staying there). Chef Brooke Vosika offers a special prix fixe seasonal menu for arts patrons. From the hotel, it's a short walk to Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 56th season is in full swing this month with music from Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Beethoven. It's a magical way to spend a Friday evening.

Saturday-High Time for Art

You could justify breakfast in bed, but if you're the up-and-at-it type, head to The Flying Biscuit Cafe in the city's Candler Park neighborhood. The early bird gets the biscuits here. People sometimes stand in line for hours to savor house specialties such as the organic oatmeal pancakes served with peach compote and maple syrup.

After breakfast, set your sights once again on the Woodruff Arts Center where you'll spend the better part of the day exploring the High Museum of Art. The hulking white marble-and-glass building houses a 10,000piece permanent collection, which includes contemporary art, 19th- and 20th-century furniture, paintings and sculptures by European and American artists, as well as folk art and photography. (The next blockbuster exhibit-"Degas & America: The Early Collectors"-opens to the public March 3.) As you browse, take time out for a light lunch at High Cafe With Alon's. A local favorite, the cafe features soups, salads, sandwiches, and wonderful baked goods.

After perusing the High, you're surely itching to add to your own personal art collection. The city is full of galleries featuring every medium imaginable, but a great place to start your shopping spree is Atlanta's Bennett Street. This side road off the 2100 block of Peachtree Road features dozens of galleries, studios, and antiques shops.

Don't even think about staying in this Saturday night. Atlanta has one of the largest theater communities in the country with more than 60 stages. With so many options, you're sure to find a production you'll love. The regional premiere of Hearts, a play that explores the lives and friendships of a group of Jewish World War II veterans, is playing all month at the Alliance Theatre. Sweat, the story of villagers fighting apartheid in South Africa, runs February 3 through 25 at 7 Stages.

Romantics will want to experience Romeo and Juliet at The New American Shakespeare Tavern, February 14 through 25. For a complete list of performances, call the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. Sunday-Brunch and More Kick off the day with brunch at Murphy's. Try the Eggs Virginia Highlands-onion focaccia topped with poached eggs, tomatoes, spinach, and dried tomato hollandaise.

Save your nap for later. There's a lot to do this afternoon. Now's the time to visit the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. The museum's 12,000-piece ancient art collection is the Southeast's largest. Items come from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the near East, and the ancient Americas.

Another of the city's jewels is Spivey Hall, located just 15 miles south of Atlanta at Clayton College and State University. Considered by many to be the finest performance venue in the entire metro area, this 398-seat hall features an incredible three-story, 4,413pipe Ruffatti organ. Spivey Hall has performances every Sunday afternoon in February.

Cassandra M Vanhooser

For More Information: Contact the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, 233 Peachtree Street NE., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303; (404) 521-6600, 1-800-285-2682, or www.atlanta.com.