This weekend is all about the art of the throwback. Relive the ’70s with the Doobie Brothers, get your grade school on at Field Day, remember the Civil War at the Atlanta History Center, and unleash your inner child at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Perfectly content with the present? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of other stuff going on too.
The Doobie Brothers
The 1970s flashback at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre will be complete when you hear this: The opening act is Peter Frampton. Thursday, 7 p.m. vzwamp.com
BB&T Atlanta Open
Defending champ and UGA alum John Isner is among the world-ranked players competing at the Atlantic Station tennis tournament. Saturday through July 27. bbtatlantaopen.com
Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival
JCT Kitchen and the Goat Farm Arts Center host this contest in which chefs, mixologists, and farmers vie to invent the tastiest tomato-based creations. Saturday, 1 p.m. killertomatofest.tumblr.com
Phil Ralston
The Atlanta artist, whose paintings and drawings will be on exhibit at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, says his works are improvisations, with each mark on paper or board serving as the “main consideration for what happens next.” Friday through September 12. callanwolde.org
Atlanta Field Day
For those with nostalgia for schoolyard competitions, 50 teams will face off in the Historic Fourth Ward Park in events ranging from the very traditional (tug-of-war) to the less-so (“soggy sweat pants relay”). Saturday, 12 p.m. atlfieldday.com
The Battle of Peachtree Creek
The Atlanta History Center commemorates the 150th anniversary of the battle with cooking demonstrations, performances, music, and more. Saturday, 11 a.m. atlantahistorycenter.com
Bastille Day Festival
Paris on Ponce’s tribute to the French holiday comes a few days late (the official date was Monday), but the promise of a grilled cheese contest, scavenger hunt, burlesque performances, and most importantly, a French bulldog and pug costume contest seems worth the wait. Saturday and Sunday. parisonponce.com
National Ice Cream Day
All visitors to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta get free Blue Bell ice cream on their way out the door. Perfect for people with kids and people who completely forgot they were supposed to babysit their nephew this weekend. Saturday, 11 a.m. childrensmuseumatlanta.org
For more events, check out the July calendar in our Summer Guide.