Tamara's Atlanta Blog

Dad’s Garage might be best known for its improv comedy shows, but how about a zombie musical? “Song of the Living Dead” will officially expire from the venue on July 19th, so get your tickets before it passes away (sorry, I couldn’t resist). The play promises to be spooky, romantic, and even a little messy. After all, what could be more irreverent than a love story interrupted by an undead serenade? Be forewarned: This show is for adults only.

Make a macabre night of it with a stop at The Vortex where burgers and brews are served into the wee hours to conquer any scary late night snack attacks.

• Dad’s Garage, Little Five Points
• 280 Elizabeth St, Suite C-101
• (404) 523-3141

Photo © Linnea Frye

This month marks the one year anniversary of a terrible act of animal cruelty, and a story that deeply touched the Atlanta community. Last July, "Sparky," an adorable young dog, was dragged by his leash from the back of a pickup truck in Forest Park. He somehow managed to escape his collar and was rescued by kind passersby.

Thanks to Atlanta Pet Rescue, Paces Ferry Veterinary Hospital, and the generosity of the Atlanta community, Sparky's tale (tail?) has a happy ending. After enduring several months of rehabilitation, he has made a full recovery and is enjoying his new life with his adoptive family. Visit Atlanta Pet Rescue to make a donation to Sparky's Fund, which was established in Sparky's honor to assist rescued pets in need of medical care. You can also read more about Sparky's story, and see photos and profiles of lots of great pets available for adoption.

Photo courtesy Atlanta Pet Rescue

Monday, July 14th is Bastille Day, so why not celebrate with some fine French cuisine? Some of Atlanta's best French restaurants are serving up feasts fit for a king (or queen).

• Trois hosts Let Them Eat Cake...and Impersonate on July 14th at 8:00 p.m. Patrons dressed as royalty or peasants will receive complimentary champagne and cake. The best dressed will win a $500 gift card to any Concentric Restaurant. The celebration continues throughout the month of July with an exclusive $35 prix-fixe menu. (404) 815-3337.


• Petite Auberge honors French independence with a special menu from July 12-July 21. Make reservations for Opera Night on Tuesday, July 15th, when $55 provides you a three course meal, two glasses of wine, and incredible entertainment. (404) 634-6268.


• French American Brasserie offers live accordion music and delicious French inspired food. French accents throughout the restaurant make this a great place to celebrate Bastille Day. (404) 266-1440.

Bon appetit!

Dust off your pocket protectors, this Sunday, July 13th is National Embrace Your Geekness Day! Celebrate the occasion by showing off your astronomy knowledge at the planetarium at Fernbank Science Center, or see if you can name (by order, family, genus, and species) all the inhabitants at Georgia Aquarium.

Looking to add more likeminded friends to your circle? Register with Geek Dinners to find out about upcoming social networking dinners for Atlanta’s “geeks by profession.” Geeks, your (our) day has arrived!

There are plenty of fun events happening this month in Atlanta. Check out a murder mystery play at Manuel's Tavern, enjoy live jazz in the garden at Villa Christina, or head to the Chattahoochee Nature Center for the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival.

Click here for my complete July Events Calendar.

The Associated Press reports that Barack Obama will visit the Atlanta area this week. Obama plans to hold a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday morning, July 8th, at McEachern High School in Powder Springs where he will speak about the impact of the economy on American families.

For free tickets visit:

• George Allen Hair Salon, 103 Spring Rd, Smyrna
• Saturday, July 5th 9 am-5 pm and Sunday, July 6th 11:00 am-6:00 pm



• Los Portales, 4485 North Town Square, Powder Springs
• Saturday, July 5th noon-10:30 pm and Sunday, July 6th noon-9:30 pm

Melissa Golden/Getty Images

It's going to be a busy 4th of July weekend in Atlanta! Head to Midtown for Atlanta Pride 2008, wake up early and cheer on the participants in the Peachtree Road Race, or kick back and enjoy one of the incredible fireworks displays that will be taking place around the city. Click here for a list of the best fireworks venues in Atlanta.

Photo courtesy Stone Mountain Park

Come out this weekend and celebrate “unity, visibility, and self-esteem” of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals with Atlanta Pride 2008 at the Atlanta Civic Center. Enjoy a weekend of music and entertainment featuring more than 30 diverse acts and 200 vendors.

There are two paid shows: “Friday Night Divas,” with live performances by Expose, CeCe Peniston, Frenchie Davis, and Thelma Houston, and “Starlight Cabaret,” a drag show extravaganza on Sunday night. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your spot. All other shows are free.

Don’t miss the parade on Sunday, July 6th at 1pm starting at the corner of 10th and Piedmont near the park.

• 395 Piedmont Ave, NE
• (770) 491-8633
• Hours: Friday, July 4, 6pm-11pm
• Saturday & Sunday, July 5-6, 11am-11pm
• Free admission

Photo: Atlanta Pride, Inc. All rights reserved.

I remember when my mother and I first moved to Georgia. I told everyone back home that we were moving to Atlanta rather than Smyrna because 1) my friends had never heard of Smyrna and 2) Atlanta sounded much more alluring (not to belittle Smyrna, of course).

When traveling, suburbanites often verbally relocate themselves to the big city in order to 1) seem more cosmopolitan (not to imply that Smyrna is anything less, of course) or 2) put themselves on the map in order to avoid having to explain the location of Alpharetta/Duluth/Sandy Springs in proximity to Atlanta.

No surprise that Bravo’s latest flock of Housewives don’t really live in Atlanta but rather in the aforementioned OTP burbs. They're close enough. Besides, "The Real Housewives of the Greater Metro Atlanta Area" is a mouthful. Visit Bravo for photos and profiles of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Unplugged in the Park has returned to Park Tavern. Enjoy free outdoor concerts every Sunday evening amid the scenic backdrop of Piedmont Park. Come out this Sunday, June 29th at 7pm and catch performances by Rocco DeLuca, Honey Honey, and IKE.

Thru October 19 (no show on August 31).

• Park Tavern
• 500 10th Street, NE, Atlanta
• (404) 249-0001