The Studio Hot Happenings

Books, barbecue and Doctor Who on the way to Intown

By Collin Kelley

School might be back in session and summer winding down, but there’s still plenty of festival fun to be had, especially on Labor Day Weekend with the double shot of DragonCon and the Decatur Book Festival. Here’s some events not to miss this month:

Decatur BBQ & Bluegrass Festival ►

A day of live music (including headlining Chris Duarte Group) and barbecue from local restaurants is set for the 19th annual festival on Aug. 10 at Legacy Park. The music lineup includes Honeywood, Campbell Station, Roxie, Grizzly Goat, Sandra Hall and Randall Bramblett. Information: decaturbbqfestival. com.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival

More than 200 artists will be featured at this year’s event on Aug. 17 and 18 along with live music, food, kid’s area and more. Information: piedmontparkartsfestival.com.

◄ Grant Park Summer Shade Festival and tv franchises. The parade along Peachtree Street featuring costumed characters is set for 10 a.m. on Aug. 31. Information: dragoncon.org.

Live music, food, an artists’ market, kid’s zone, and 5K race will feature at the 17th annual event Aug. 24-25. Some of the music talent performing on the two stages include Rock a Teens, Roxy Watson, Blair Crimmins, Christopher Paul Sterling and Marshall Ruffin among many others. Information: summershadefestival.org.

Decatur Book Festival ►

Hundreds of authors will descend on Decatur Aug. 30-Sept. 1 for a weekend of readings, panels and book signings. U.S. Supreme Court Justic Sonia Sotomayor will be this year’s keynote speaker, which is sure to be highly sought-after ticket. Other big names making appearances include Phillipa Gregory, Ocean Vuong, Kevin Kruse, Julian Zelizer, Tea Obreht, Ilya Kaminsky and Stacey Abrams. Information: decaturbookfestival.com.

◄ DragonCon

Sci-fi and fantasy fans will converge on Downtown Aug. 29-Sept. 2 to meet special guests, attend panels and workshops, cosplay, shop at the giant market and more. “Doctor Who” will be in heaven as stars David Tennant, Catherine Tate and Freema Agyeman headline a huge contingent of celebrities from some of the biggest sci-fi film