PUPPETS IN THE PARK

Horizon Theatre brings Avenue Q to Piedmont Park

Okay, so it’s not Shakespeare, but you’re sure to have a laugh when Horizon Theatre brings the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q to Piedmont Park on June 3-7.

Thousands of free tickets will be available to the public beginning May 1 for the special “PG-13” edition of the musical featuring some decidedly adult puppets.

Thanks to a major grant from The Charles Loridans Foundation, a supporting grant from the Mark and Evelyn Trammell Foundation and a partnership with the Piedmont Park Conservancy, Horizon continues the tradition begun by Georgia Shakespeare of bringing free professional theatre to Piedmont Park this summer, giving new audiences a chance to experience Horizon.

Park performances will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 PM, and audiences will provide their own blanket or low beach chair. Grounds open for picnicking at 6 p.m. Free and $15 reserved seating section tickets are available online at horizontheatre. com beginning May 1.

Following the Piedmont Park run, Avenue Q goes straight to the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University. At the Conant, Horizon will present both the original adult version of Avenue Q and a few performances of the PG-13 edition in rotating repertory. The production will run June 12 through July 12.

Chastain Park Arts Festival

The festival formerly known as the Buckhead Arts & Crafts Festival has transformed into a spring edition, May 9-10, of the popular November event. There will be 185 artists representing all disciplines, a children’s play area and local food vendors. There will also be live acoustic music from Dara Niemi, Courtney Dickson, Larry Griffith, Sarah Miles, The First Stone, Adam Clifford and more. For more, visit chastainparkartsfestival.com.