This weekend's best bets: Aug. 15

Looking for something cultural to do in the next week or so? Here’s our select list of recommendations. Pictured: Brian Clowdus, who steps into the role of Berger for the final weekend of  “Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” at Serenbe Playhouse. Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus.

RECOMMENDED

Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight. THROUGH AUG. 25. Weird Sisters Theatre Project stages this piece about an 18th-century scientific genius, described thusly by her lover Voltaire: “A great man whose only fault was being a woman.” On this night in her afterlife, Emilie is back and determined to answer the question that eluded her in life: Love or philosophy? Head or heart? Atlanta-bred, San Francisco-based playwright Lauren Gunderson tells a fast, funny and sexy rediscovery of one of history’s most intriguing women. The cast is led by Veronika Duerr as Emilie and Joe Sykes as Voltaire. Shannon Eubanks directs. The critics: “It has the fleetness and flexibility of a good Tom Stoppard play in the vein of Arcadia or Indian Ink” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); An “elegantly rendered staging. … A heady concept made heartfelt by its leading lady (Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). $15. 8 tonight; 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; 8 p.m. Monday and Aug. 22-25; and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 25. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. Learn what makes Sykes act in this Encore SNAPSHOT.

Every Tongue Confess. THROUGH AUG. 25. The summer heat is rising and flames are flying in this fantastical whodunit at Horizon Theatre. The staging isn’t perfect, but you’ll see theater in all its bold and imperfect glory. As the citizens of Boligee, Ala., try to find out who’s behind a string of church fires, the gossip simmers and secrets start to slip out. The script — by poet-playwright Marcus Gardley, a young writer with a national reputation — is rooted in history and magic realism. $20-$30 plus tax. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.  Discounts at PoshDealz.com. Read more about Minka Wiltz, who plays Mother Sister, in this Encore SNAPSHOT. (Pictured, from left: Lauren Boyd, Deborah Bowman, Brian Kurlander)

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. FINAL WEEKEND. The final four performances of this summer hit feature a guest artist — Brian Clowdus, Serenbe Playhouse‘s top gun, steps in to play Tribe front man Berger. So join hands, pick a wildflower and commune with his Tribe, a group of politically active hippies in the Age of Aquarius. Note: Contains nudity and adult language/content. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Seating and bug spray provided! Full bar at show. Outside food and drinks allowed. The critics: “A one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. It will blow your mind” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution); “Smart, enjoyable and immersive” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “It may be the most perfectly conceived and executed musical play that I have ever seen; it is moving and thrilling and fun; it is virtually flawless” (Manning Harris, Atlanta INtown). $25; $20 students. A word of advice: Call for tickets before you go. 8:30 tonight-Sunday (pre-show 8 p.m.). The Wildflower Meadow (enter off Hutcheson Ferry Road, past the Serenbe entrance). 9110 Selborne Lane, Palmetto, about 30 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110. Discounts at PoshDealz.com.

Les Misérables. THROUGH SEPT. 8. Aurora Theatre‘s 18th season begins with a bang, and its largest undertaking ever, the epic sung-through musical about an antihero named Jean Valjean and revolution in 19th-century France. Justin Anderson directs a cast of 28. The critics: “A victory for the ambitious Aurora Theatre” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution); “Stunning” (Kenny Norton, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). $30-$40. Through Sept. 8. Call ahead! Tickets remain only for the Aug. 28, 30-31 and Sept. 4-7 shows. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. Free, attached parking deck at 153 Crogan St. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. Read more about Kevin Harry, who plays Javert, in this Encore SNAPSHOT.

Living Walls: The City Speaks. THROUGH SUNDAY. The annual  conference on street art and urbanism returns with 20 artists from around the world ready to change the urban landscape. The artists will produce 20 murals in public spaces across Atlanta during the five-day conference, which includes film screenings, lectures, block parties, gallery exhibits and bike tours. Details and schedule HERE. (Pictured: Joshua Ray Stevens, at a spot on Edgewood Avenue)

LAST CHANCE

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. THROUGH SATURDAY. Shakespeare’s fairy-filled romp in the woods is perfect with a draft beer for a summer evening. $15-$36. 7:30 p.m. tonight-Saturday. New American Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Piedmont Park Arts Festival. SATURDAY-SUNDAY. This arts and crafts event emphasizes visual art and family fun with nearly 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalworkers, glass blowers and jewelers. Look for artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, a street market, a children’s play area plus festival foods and beverages with healthy alternatives. Highlights include a Guinness World Record attempt at “Largest Human Chain to Pass a Hula-Hoop” presented by HoopEssence and Cirque du Piedmont performances by the Imperial Opa Circus on Saturday. Free. 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 1071 Piedmont Ave. N.E. Details HERE or at 404.875.7275

OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Gorilla Theater. THROUGH SEPT. 20. Fast. Funny. Furry. Members of Dad’s Garage‘s improv ensemble compete head-to-head to determine the dominant director, with the audience’s help. The winner takes a snuggly stuffed gorilla home for the week. Adult content. This is Dad’s first show in its temporary home at 7 Stages. $13-$20. 10:30 p.m Fridays. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets (you save if you buy online; tickets not available at door) HERE or at 404.523.3141.

STILL PLAYING

Rumpelstiltskin. THROUGH SEPT. 8. A reprise of this Center for Puppetry Arts original based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale about straw, spinning and a mysterious little man. Told with hand-crafted marionettes. Adapted by Bobby Box and Michael Haverty, two major names in puppetry in, and beyond, Atlanta. $16.50 non-members; $9.25 members. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. 1404 Spring St. N.W. (at 18th Street).  Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.

LOOKING AHEAD

Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America. SEPT. 5-22. “A winning musical revue!” So said Variety, in describing this show, the season opener at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. It celebrates songs — 29 of them — written and inspired by the celebrated troubadour, including “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” “Calypso” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” The cast: Dolph Amick, Mary Nye Bennett, Chris Damiano, Scott DePoy and Jeremy Wood. $15-$39. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell. Details HERE or at 770.641.1260.

Venus in Fur. SEPT. 4-OCT. 6. David Ives’ Broadway hit opens the Actor’s Express season. The sexy — at times, kinky — comedy concerns a young actress late for an audition for a play based on a classic erotic novel. A steamy study of sex and power. The cast: Veronika Duerr (AE’s Becky Shaw, Emilie in Weird Sisters’ current Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight) and Out of Hand’s Adam Fristoe. David Crowe (last season’s Equus) directs. Director’s Rough Cut performance at 8 p.m. Sept. 5 (pay what you can); previews at 8 p.m. Sept. 5-6 ($15). Opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 ($40, includes post-show reception). Regularly $26-$45 plus fees (cheaper when purchased online). 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 887 W. Marietta St. Note: The King Plow Arts Center parking lot is under construction. Alternate parking options HERE. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607-SHOW.

::

Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, covering or working in the performing arts for most of her life. Full disclosure: She is affiliated with Weird Sisters Theatre Project listed above. Please email: [email protected].