As summer slowly beings wrapping up, Atlantans are apparently taking to their grills in a big way with not just one, but two festivals dedicated to barbecue this weekend. But fear not vegetarians, this weekend also offers up an art festival, a zombie/baseball extravaganza, a sing-along, a video game play-athon, a hair metal band’s final bow, and more.
Decatur Barbeque, Blues, & Bluegrass Festival
Indulge your ears and taste buds with barbecue, brews, and seven hours of music. Saturday, 12 p.m. decaturbbqfestival.com
Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival
And if the above wasn’t enough barbecue for you, this Atlantic Station shindig will run two days, so you can conceivably hit both and be in a meat coma by Sunday. Along with food and live music, this fest also features bourbon sampling. Friday and Saturday. atlbbqfest.com
Piedmont Park Arts Festival
More than 200 artists share creations of paint, glass, and everything in between. Plus there’s coffee. And food trucks. Saturday and Sunday. piedmontparkartsfestival.com
Atlanta Braves Zombie Night
Never doubt Atlanta’s worship of The Walking Dead to extend into every aspect of our city, including our sports teams. Fans at this Braves vs. Athletics matchup can have professional zombie make-up done, participate in a zombie walk, and even take home a “survival kit” of a mini bat, T-shirt, and bag. Friday, 7:35 p.m. atlanta.braves.mlb.com
Living Walls Conference: #LW2014
The nonprofit responsible for many of the city’s murals, including the newly rainbow-painted Boulevard Tunnel, hosts a weekend of lectures, an outdoor film screening, and a main event at the Goat Farm that boasts 18 artists (including our 2013 Artist of the Year, HENSE), live music, and even breakdancing. Thursday through Sunday; Film screening: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Main Event: Saturday, 5 p.m. facebook.com/LivingWallsATL
Big Mike Geier’s Elvis Royale
Jailhouse rock the night away at Variety Playhouse for a concert of kingly proportions. The show commemorates the 37th anniversary of Presley’s death. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. variety-playhouse.com
Field Day
Rain forced Creative Loafing’s tribute to childhood outdoor fun to be postponed for a month, but hopefully skies will stay dry this time for the 50 competing teams at Historic Fourth Ward Park. Saturday, 12 p.m. atlfieldday.com
Mötley Crüe with Alice Cooper
Final tours rarely live up to the finality of their name, but the Crüe was so serious about their retirement that they signed a formal “Cessation of Touring” agreement. So best to get your final headbanging in while you can. At Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Saturday, 7 p.m. vzwamp.com
Mary Poppins Sing-Along
If you don’t already know all the words to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” now’s perfect the time to learn with this singing-encouraged showing of the 1964 Julie Andrews classic. At the Fox Theatre. Sunday, 2 p.m. foxtheatre.org
Play Nintendo Tour
Sure, this event is essentially a giant ad for Nintendo’s 2DS device, but who could pass up playing half-a-dozen video games while sitting near life-size Mario pipes and Yoshi eggs and hugging costumed characters? Plus, a demo version of new Super Smash Bros. will be available to play. At the Mall of Georgia. Friday through Sunday. nintendo.com
