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We are back with another Atlanta update full of weekend events, cold weather, and some big spotlight developments.

MJ - The Musical takes over Fox Theatre through Saturday while Atlanta reaches major milestones this week! Hannah Berner's comedy tour hits Atlanta Symphony Hall Friday, the 14th Annual Smyrna Oysterfest serves Louisiana Cajun oysters Friday-Sunday, and free 2026 Braves Fest Friday brings player interactions at The Battery. The Stitch project forms leadership to oversee downtown development by 2026, Kaiser Permanente acquires 7.2 acres near former Turner Field for $31.5 million, and the Northwest Trail Segment 5 opens on the Beltline. Our dining scene welcomes Azara's Blue Zone cuisine and Misfitsss BBQ while Atlanta's e-bike rebate program returns with $1,000+ savings.

Whether you're catching MJ at Fox Theatre, enjoying Braves Fest, or exploring new Beltline trails, Atlanta proves why our blend of innovation and community attracts people worldwide. Ready to explore the ATL?

Modern Calligraphy for Beginners | Interactive workshop with all materials provided
📍 Mimms Museum, Roswell | 📅 Wed, January 29

14th Annual Smyrna Oysterfest | Louisiana Cajun Style oysters, live entertainment, Abita Beer
📍 Atkins Park, Smyrna | 📅 Fri, January 30 - Sun, February 1

Drag Bingo! at Schoolhouse Brewing | Free bingo with fierce performances led by Brent Star
📍 Schoolhouse Brewing, Marietta | 📅 Fri, January 30

CrossTies | Party with a purpose supporting Grady Health System featuring live music, food, drinks, silent auction
📍 Georgia Aquarium | 📅 Fri, January 31

2026 Braves Fest | Free fan extravaganza with player interactions, ballpark access, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Park activities
📍 The Battery & Truist Park | 📅 Fri, January 31

Hot Chocolate Run Atlanta | Race featuring two distances, premium swag, post-race chocolate experience
📍 Centennial Olympic Park | 📅 Sun, February 1

Pop Up Artisan Market by Waxwing Coffee | Free market with jewelry, pottery, decor, tarot readings, live music, puppet show—breakfast by Breakfast Car and Self Baking Co
📍 East Atlanta Farmers Market | 📅 Sun, February 1

MJ - The Musical | Broadway musical celebrating Michael Jackson
📍 Fox Theatre | 📅 Wed, January 29 - Sat, February 1

Shen Yun | Classical Chinese dance and music performance
📍 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 📅 Wed, January 29 - Sat, February 1

Little Shop of Horrors | Musical about a man-eating plant
📍 Marietta Theatre Company | 📅 Tue, January 28 - Fri, January 31

Hannah Berner: NONE OF MY BUSINESS TOUR | Stand-up comedy from New York Times Best-Selling author and Giggly Squad podcast host
📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall | 📅 Fri, January 30

Heroes Off Duty Comedy Tour | Hilarious first responders—cops, firefighters, doctors, EMTs, nurses, ex-military—share wild stories from the line of duty
📍 Center Stage Theater | 📅 Fri, January 30

Gotta Sing Broadway! | Musical theatre sing-along for GenX, Baby Boomers and beyond
📍 Red Light Cafe | 📅 Sun, February 1

The Warped Tour Band📍 The Eastern | 📅 Wed, January 29
Kofi B📍 Vinyl | 📅 Wed, January 29
Víkingur Ólafsson📍 Schwartz Center for Performing Arts | 📅 Wed, January 29
Tinzo & Jojo📍 Terminal West | 📅 Fri, January 30
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer📍 Piedmont Park | 📅 Fri, January 30
Couch📍 Terminal West | 📅 Sun, February 1
James Acaster📍 Buckhead Theatre | 📅 Sun, February 1

🎾 Georgia Tech Women's Tennis vs. Georgia – Thursday, January 30 (Home)
🏀 Georgia Tech Men's Basketball vs. North Carolina – Friday, January 31 (Home)
🎾 Georgia Tech Men's Tennis vs. UNC Wilmington – Friday, January 31 (Home)
🎾 Georgia Tech Men's Tennis vs. Georgia Southern – Saturday, February 1 (Home)
🎾 Georgia Tech Women's Tennis vs. Jacksonville State – Saturday, February 1 (Home)
🏀 Georgia Tech Women's Basketball vs. Boston College – Saturday, February 1 (Home)
🏐 Atlanta Vibe Pro Volleyball vs. San Diego Mojo – Saturday, February 1 (Home)

🏗️ The Stitch project in downtown Atlanta has taken a significant step forward with the formation of Atlanta Downtown Stitch Inc., which includes key leaders from banking, city government, and real estate, aiming to oversee its development into a vibrant public space by 2026. This initiative, recognized as a crucial milestone, seeks to connect neighborhoods and enhance the area's economic value by introducing engaging community spaces and fostering local interactions.

🏥 Kaiser Permanente has acquired 7.2 acres near the former Turner Field for $31.5 million, aiming to enhance healthcare access in a rapidly developing area of Atlanta. The planned development will involve community engagement and is a strategic move following the closure of the Atlanta Medical Center, contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.

🌳 The newly opened Northwest Trail—Segment 5 along the Atlanta Beltline offers fresh perspectives on the city, seamlessly connecting Blandtown to Buckhead while transforming previously underused areas into vibrant pathways. Explore the trail's stunning features and the upcoming Segment 4A, which promises to further enhance the Beltline experience.

🏗️ The Grand Terraza townhome project is underway in DeKalb County’s Belvedere Park, featuring luxury designs with four-bedroom units priced at $775,000, designed to foster a modern community atmosphere. This development is part of a revitalization effort along Memorial Drive, enhancing connectivity to downtown Atlanta and nearby attractions.

🏗️ The New Talley Station project in east Decatur is set to debut 136 housing units, including 96 townhomes and 40 condos, with prices starting in the low $400,000s, offering modern living options close to essential amenities like schools and transportation. Condo closings are scheduled for this spring, with move-ins anticipated by late summer or early fall.

🥗 Azara's new eatery on the Atlanta Beltline offers a unique take on Blue Zone cuisine, emphasizing health-conscious and nutrient-rich dishes. While the menu features standout items like purple sweet potato hummus and baked sea bass, the restaurant faces the challenge of maintaining energy in its spacious setting, though plans for live music might enhance the atmosphere.

🍖 New in the Atlanta barbecue scene, Misfitsss BBQ, co-founded by Bryan Hull and Tyler Heath, serves an innovative blend of Texas-style barbecue at Round Trip Brewing and Communidad, with a permanent location planned for next year. Their unique menu incorporates creative dishes like Thai hash and fried pork belly, showcasing the duo's diverse culinary backgrounds and passion for BBQ.

🌮 Torchy’s Tacos will close its only Georgia location in West Midtown on February 4, just months after opening, as part of a broader strategy affecting multiple locations nationwide. The Tex-Mex chain, known for its inventive menu, including the Tokyo Drifter taco and green chile queso, expressed gratitude to staff and customers while undergoing a reevaluation of its restaurant portfolio.

🚴 Atlanta's e-bike rebate program is set to return, with City Council member Matt Westmoreland proposing new legislation to offer over $1,000 in savings for qualified applicants, benefiting both residents and local businesses. The initiative, which aims to reduce transportation costs and traffic congestion, received overwhelming support from the council and may kick off later this year.

🏃‍♀️ Atlanta has been recognized as the seventh-best city in the nation for an active lifestyle, driven by affordable access to fitness resources such as gyms and tennis courts. This ranking highlights the city's commitment to promoting physical activity among its residents, as detailed in the report by WalletHub.

🚉 A recent report reveals that the Eastside Beltline light rail project was halted in secret last year without public knowledge or input from Atlanta's city council members and transportation advocates. The decision has raised concerns about transparency and public trust in MARTA's decision-making as the project was expected to expand transit options for residents.

🏡 A new report reveals that Atlanta is one of the busiest housing markets in the U.S., ranking fourth in closed transactions and third in active inventory with an 11.5% increase compared to last year. This trend may indicate a shift toward a more balanced market, despite the median home sale price experiencing a 2% decline, now at $385,000; learn more about the findings in the report.

🚴‍♂️ The Atlanta Beltline unveils the city’s first Bike Park at Shirley C. Franklin Park, aimed at introducing cycling to the historically underserved Grove Park, Westview, and Bankhead neighborhoods. Featuring a skills course and a bicycle playground, this $8 million project, funded by The Chestnut Family Foundation, promises to enhance cycling skills and is set for completion in fall 2026.

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