[V]esta’s View

What an exciting weekend with something for everyone! Atlanta Camping & RV Show and Atlanta Home Show run through Sunday, while Jurassic Quest brings dinosaur exhibits to Cobb Galleria. Comedy lovers can catch George Lopez or Blue Man Group at Fox Theatre, with the Hawks facing the Suns Saturday alongside Georgia Tech basketball against Clemson.

Atlanta continues its transformation with the Beltline completing major streetscape projects on Ponce de Leon and Ralph David Abernathy, Centennial Yards' boutique hotel topping out ahead of the World Cup, and 16 modern townhomes advancing near the Beltline in West End. Near Piedmont Park, two long-vacant buildings are being reimagined as restaurants with outdoor dining.

Our dining scene celebrates as 10 Georgia restaurants earn James Beard semifinalist recognition including Avize and Lucky Star, while Wyld Bird's Miami-inspired pollo asado launches at Home Grown in Reynoldstown mid-February. From Kevin Stefanski named Falcons head coach to the Atlanta Streetcar resuming February 3, this week captures our momentum.

Whether you're exploring Jurassic Quest, catching Blue Man Group, or discovering new dining destinations, Atlanta proves why our blend of innovation and community attracts people worldwide. Ready to explore the ATL?

👀 [V]esta's View: Dinosaurs, comedy & development buzz—this weekend has it all!
💛 [E]vents Around Town: Jurassic Quest, George Lopez & Blue Man Group
🏠 [S]potlight Development: Beltline streetscapes & Centennial Yards hotel
🍽 [T]aste Test: James Beard semifinalists & Wyld Bird opening
💡 [A]tlanta News: New Falcons era begins & Streetcar returns

[E]vents Around Town

Markets & Expos

Atlanta Camping & RV Show | Largest indoor camping and RV expo
📍 Atlanta Expo Center South | 📅 Thu, January 22 - Sun, January 25

Atlanta Home Show | Home improvement marketplace with 150+ exhibitors
📍 Georgia World Congress Center | 📅 Fri, January 23 - Sun, January 25

Fizzy Lifting Market | Artisan market with music and food
📍 Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs | 📅 Sat, January 24

Family & Community Events

Sip and Paint | Cocktails and painting sessions
📍 Buena Vida, Old Fourth Ward | 📅 Thu, January 22

Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection Viewing | Free viewing of Dr. King's original documents
📍 AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library, Southwest Atlanta | 📅 Thu, January 22

Jurassic Quest | Dinosaur exhibits, rides, and digs
📍 Cobb Galleria Centre | 📅 Fri, January 23 - Sun, January 25

Pop Culture Collectibles Show | Free collectibles market
📍 Aurora Cineplex, Roswell | 📅 Sat, January 24

Kids 'N Crafts | Free kids' art session
📍 The Supermarket, Poncey-Highland | 📅 Sun, January 25

Dry January Cocktail Class: Zero Proof | Non-alcoholic mixology class
📍 Iberian Pig, Decatur | 📅 Sun, January 25

National Fish Taco Day | $2 fish tacos special
📍 Chicheria Mexican Kitchen, Upper Westside | 📅 Sun, January 25

Theater & Comedy

George Lopez | Comedy performance
📍 City Winery Atlanta | 📅 Fri, January 23 - Sat, January 24

Paul Chowdhry | Comedy show
📍 The Buckhead Theatre | 📅 Sat, January 24

Blue Man Group | Theatrical performance
📍 Fox Theatre | 📅 Sat, January 24 - Sun, January 25

Live Music

Ravenscoon at The Eastern📍 The Eastern | 📅 Fri, January 23 - Sat, January 24
Marie Vaunt at Wish Lounge Wish Lounge (Believe Music Hall) | 📅 Sat, January 24
Prague Philharmonia📍 City Springs, Sandy Springs | 📅 Fri, January 23
Glare with all under heaven & Ricochet Star📍 The Masquerade | 📅 Fri, January 23
Greg Freeman📍 The Masquerade (Purgatory Stage) | 📅 Fri, January 23
Zoso – Led Zeppelin Tribute Band📍 The Tabernacle | 📅 Sat, January 24
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: David Danzmayr & Yeol Eum Son📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall | 📅 Sat, January 24

Sports

🏀 Georgia Tech Men's Basketball vs. Clemson Tigers – Saturday, January 24 (Home)
🏀 Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns – Saturday, January 24 (Home)
🏒 Atlanta Gladiators vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates – Saturday, January 24 (Home)
🏀 Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers – Monday, January 26 (Home)

[S]potlight Developments

🚶‍♂️ Atlanta Beltline Inc. recently completed two major streetscape projects on Ponce de Leon Avenue and Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists across the city. These updates not only beautify the corridors but also aim to boost local economies by improving connectivity and mobility throughout the area.

🏗️ The Centennial Yards project reaches an important milestone with the topping out of its third-tallest building, a new boutique hotel, marking significant progress in the development of the Entertainment District as it gears up to become a vibrant hub ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The district is attracting several dining and entertainment venues, promising to transform downtown Atlanta.

🏙️ A new proposal seeks to transform two long-vacant buildings at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street into vibrant restaurants, with plans for outdoor dining space and a breakfast and lunch concept in the historic former Skate Escape location. This marks the latest in efforts to revitalize this high-profile area near Piedmont Park, aiming for a simple yet effective adaptive-reuse solution.

🏘️ Plans for 16 modern-style townhomes are advancing near the Atlanta Beltline at 1247 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, featuring two units designated as affordable housing. Designed by Cove Architecture, this development aims to revitalize a long-vacant lot in West End, complementing nearby multifamily projects and enhancing the community's housing options.

🏠 A proposed tiny home community called East Point Cottages is back on the market near Atlanta’s airport, seeking $1.3 million for its 40-unit plans on more than 7 acres. The project aims to capitalize on growing demand in the area, featuring homes priced from $165,000 to $299,000, with added amenities such as a community garden and close access to downtown East Point.

[T]aste Test

🌳 Iconic Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt, a beloved Atlanta barbecue spot, is closing its doors after more than three decades to make way for a new public park as part of the Memorial Drive Greenway project, spearheaded by The Conservation Fund. The property, sold for $1.3 million, reflects ongoing efforts to enhance green spaces in the city, while owner Christianah Coker-Jackson plans to revive the brand in a new location.

🍽️ Ten Georgia restaurants and food professionals have been recognized as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, including first-time nominees like Taurean Philpott of Avize and the Taiwanese cocktail bar Lucky Star. Beverage director Kirk Gibson expressed his surprise and gratitude, highlighting the hard work of the team that contributed to this prestigious nomination, underscoring the vibrant culinary scene in Atlanta.

🍗 Wyld Bird, a new restaurant-within-a-restaurant concept that focuses on Miami-inspired pollo asado, is set to launch dinner service at Home Grown in Reynoldstown starting mid-February. Operating from Wednesday through Sunday, this collaboration promises a menu of flavorful chicken dishes alongside a selection of cocktails and sides, enhancing the existing comfort food experience.

[A]tlanta News

🎨 The Atlanta Track Club invites local artists to submit designs for the iconic finisher shirt of the Peachtree Road Race, with a $5,700 prize for the winning artwork to be worn by 50,000 runners this July 4. Artists can share their creations through February 20; this year’s contest requires all designs to be entirely human-made, reflecting a rich tradition in Atlanta’s Independence Day celebration.

🏈 Kevin Stefanski steps into the role of the Atlanta Falcons' 20th head coach, bringing experience from his successful tenure with the Cleveland Browns, where he earned AP NFL Coach of the Year honors twice. With a focus on collaboration and accountability, Stefanski aims to lead the team through a crucial rebuilding phase after missing the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons.

🚧 A new study reveals that traffic fatalities have exceeded homicides in metro Atlanta, with a closer look at the roads contributing to these tragic stats. Unlike national trends where state highways dominate, Atlanta's deadliest roads include major interstates, and the analysis highlights over 400 fatal incidents across twenty specific roadways in the city. For an in-depth look at the findings, click here.

🚋 The Atlanta Streetcar resumes service on February 3 following the completion of essential underground utility repairs by Georgia Power and related infrastructure upgrades. During the closure, MARTA made significant improvements, including catenary inspections and track maintenance, enhancing the overall service experience.

🚧 Midtown is on track to transform Juniper Street and Piedmont Avenue with Complete Street projects, aimed at enhancing safety and mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers by the end of 2026. While some businesses voice concerns over traffic disruptions, these initiatives promise vital upgrades, including protected bike lanes across both thoroughfares.

PS. Please be sure to stay safe this weekend with the upcoming weather. If you experience any damage to your property, reach out to our trusted list of vendors & contractors to help expedite! Be sure to keep your faucets dripping under 32 degrees and stay warm!

Homes We’re Selling

Sun-soaked industrial chic meets BeltLine living in this stunning loft with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and direct courtyard access—so good, the sellers bought another unit in the same building!

Looking for a World Cup rental property? Updated 4-bedroom gem in walkable Peoplestown puts you minutes from Downtown, Georgia State Stadium, and Summerhill—with a fenced backyard and patios perfect for entertaining.

Brand new 6-bedroom new construction in an established Snellville neighborhood with chef's kitchen, spa-like primary suite, and a flexible bonus space—style and space without compromise.

THANKS!

Thank you for reading Your Real Atlanta. If you learned something new about Atlanta or found a fun event to attend, please share it with a friend!

Keep Reading