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Steamhouse Lounge Oysterfest returns for its 38th year this weekend with fresh roasted oysters and two days of live music, while Cupid's Undie Run brings the party Saturday and Atlanta Black Expo showcases three days of Black excellence at GWCC. Add in the 5 Stripes + Pints Pub Crawl ahead of Atlanta United's season opener Sunday against FC Cincinnati, Duel Reality at Alliance Theatre, and Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare Tavern—plus Hawks hosting the Heat Friday and Nets Sunday.

Atlanta continues transforming with the Atlanta Opera breaking ground on the $64 million Molly Blank Center in Buckhead featuring the historic Bobby Jones Clubhouse, The Bowery in Old Fourth Ward advancing with 300 homes and 10,000 square feet of retail opening in 2028, and D.R. Horton introducing Towns at Monroe with three-bedroom townhomes starting at $349,990. Coffee Therapy opens in Druid Hills as a community hub celebrating Ethiopian culture, while PopUp Bagels sparks controversy on the Eastside Beltline near Emerald City Bagels and Secret Atlanta releases its updated guide to 15 best Midtown restaurants.

MARTA prepares to debut its first new transit line in 25 years with the Rapid A-Line launching April 18, while the Southside Trail opening delays to spring due to severe weather but remains on track before World Cup 2026. Whether you're enjoying Oysterfest, catching Atlanta United's season opener, or exploring new dining destinations, Atlanta proves why our blend of innovation and community attracts people worldwide. Ready to explore the ATL?

🦪 Steamhouse Lounge Oysterfest – A massive Midtown tradition returns for its 38th year. Expect fresh roasted oysters, lobster rolls, and two full days of live music from bands like Francisco Vidal and Family Truckster.
📍 Peachtree St. & 12th St. (Midtown) 📅 Saturday, Feb 21 – Sunday, Feb 22

🏃‍♂️ Cupid’s Undie Run – This isn't your average 1-mile run. Strip down to your undies to raise money for neurofibromatosis research. The party starts early with drinks and dancing before the "brief" jog.
📍 Downtown Atlanta 📅 Saturday, Feb 21

🎨 Atlanta Black Expo 2026 – A major three-day showcase of Black excellence featuring hundreds of local vendors, workshops, and innovators.
📍 GWCC, Building C 📅 Friday, Feb 20 – Sunday, Feb 22

🍺 5 Stripes + Pints Pub Crawl – Gear up for the Atlanta United season opener with this multi-stop pub crawl through the city’s favorite soccer bars.
📍Beltline at The Krog District 📅 Saturday, Feb 21

🏃‍♀️ PCCI 5K for Housing – Lace up for a meaningful morning run through the city to support housing hope and community resilience.
📍 Cathedral of St. Philip 📅 Saturday, Feb 21

🎭 Duel Reality – A high-octane circus performance that pits two rival groups against each other in a breathtaking display of acrobatics and drama.
📍 Alliance Theatre (Coca-Cola Stage) 📅 Now – March 1

🎹 Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 – A world-class evening of classical music featuring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall 📅 Thursday, Feb 19 & Saturday, Feb 21

👠 Bad Dates – The final weekend to catch this charming one-woman show about the hilarious and relatable struggles of the dating world.
📍 Stage Door Players (Dunwoody) 📅 Through Sunday, Feb 22

🌹 Romeo and Juliet – A classic, immersive take on Shakespeare’s tragedy performed in the heart of the city’s favorite tavern-style theater.
📍 Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern 📅 Now – Feb 22

🎭 When A Woman's Fed Up – A powerful stage play exploring love and resilience, making a high-profile stop at the historic Fox Theatre.
📍 Fox Theatre 📅 Saturday, Feb 21

🦖 Dinosaur! – Perfect for the little ones (and the young at heart), this imaginative show brings prehistoric giants to life on stage.
📍 Alliance Theatre (Hertz Stage) 📅 Ends Sunday, Feb 22

🎸 Niko Moon 📍 The Eastern 📅 Thursday, Feb 19
🤠 Maddox Batson📍 Coca-Cola Roxy 📅 Friday, Feb 20
🎷 Friday Jazz at the High📍 High Museum of Art 📅 Friday, Feb 20
🎶 Drew and Ellie Holcomb📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall 📅 Friday, Feb 20
🍭 Laurie Berkner 📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall 📅 Sunday, Feb 22
🌙 Dodie📍 Buckhead Theatre 📅 Sunday, Feb 22

🏐 Atlanta Vibe vs. Columbus Fury – Thursday, February 19
🏀 Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks – Friday, February 20
⚾ Stony Brook vs. Georgia Tech – Friday, Feb 20 – Sunday, Feb 22
🥎 Purdue vs. Georgia Tech – Friday, February 20
🏐 Atlanta Vibe vs. Indy Ignite – Saturday, February 21
⚽ Atlanta United vs FC Cincinnati – Sunday, February 22
🏀 Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks – Sunday, February 22

🏗️ The revitalization of Atlanta's Upper Westside transforms a previously neglected area filled with abandoned warehouses into a thriving hub for development and community, now serving as a focal point for the city’s growth and innovation…and it’s about to get much bigger.

🏙️ A new survey aims to capture community input on the future of the long-vacant Grant Park Gateway building, signaling a potential shift for this iconic structure that overlooks one of Atlanta's most beloved parks. The Grant Park Neighborhood Association seeks to gather 1,000 responses to redefine the vision for this unique public asset that remains unoccupied five years after its completion.

🏨 A new AC Hotels by Marriott is set to bring 148 rooms to downtown Decatur, with plans for a rooftop restaurant and minimal on-site parking. Developers aim to commence construction later this year, targeting completion by early 2028, all while creatively utilizing existing parking resources.

🏠 A supportive housing proposal in Kirkwood for 47 units aimed at homeless seniors gains traction as the Atlanta Zoning Review Board votes in favor, despite local opposition citing concerns over increased density and lack of safeguards. Supporters believe this project addresses a significant need for affordable housing among seniors and aligns with the church's mission to help homeless Atlantans.

🏗️ Development is set to begin soon on The Bowery in Old Fourth Ward, which will include nearly 300 new homes and 10,000 square feet of retail space, complementing a popular local dog park. The project is one of the area's most anticipated developments, expected to open in 2028.

🏡 D.R. Horton, recognized as America’s largest homebuilder, introduces the Towns at Monroe in the Monroe Heights neighborhood, featuring three-bedroom townhomes starting at $349,990 designed for first-time buyers and busy professionals. With smart home technology and low-maintenance living, these homes provide an exciting new opportunity in Atlanta's growing West Midtown area.

🏗️ The Atlantic Companies is transforming the former Myers Carpet building at 1500 Northside Drive into a vibrant retail and mixed-use destination on the Atlanta Beltline's Northwest Trail, featuring 10,500 square feet of dining and retail, and a communal space connecting to The Grove. With completion expected by the end of the year, this development promises to enhance the area and provide a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

🏗️ Construction is underway on enhancements at Inman Quarter in Inman Park, aiming to elevate public spaces with a refreshed courtyard, new landscaping, and upgraded residential interiors. This project will also introduce an open container policy, allowing guests to enjoy beverages while exploring the property.

☕ Coffee Therapy has opened in Druid Hills, designed as a community hub where coffee rituals meet healing, reflecting the rich flavors of Ethiopian culture through a diverse menu that includes unique coffee selections, pastries from Flour + Time Bakery, and a thoughtfully curated ambiance filled with artistic decor. Owners Tamar Telahun and her brother Simon Gebru aim to revive the connection and comfort of shared moments over coffee, promising an engaging spot for both casual visits and intimate conversations.

🥯 A new PopUp Bagels location has drawn long lines on the Eastside Beltline, igniting controversy as it opens just steps from local favorite Emerald City Bagels. The community rallies in support of Emerald City, highlighting the challenges small businesses face against corporate competitors.

🍽️ Secret Atlanta released its updated guide to the 15 best restaurants in Midtown, featuring iconic Southern staples and global cuisine across the neighborhood's dining scene. The list includes:

🚌 MARTA prepares to debut its first new transit line in 25 years with the upcoming Rapid A-Line, a bus rapid transit route launching in two phases starting April 18. This five-mile loop will enhance connectivity in downtown Atlanta, linking major areas like Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail project, while also addressing existing challenges like infrastructure surprises and vehicle recalls.

🎨 This June, the High Museum of Art will unveil “Los Porfiados (The Stubborns),” an interactive sculpture installation featuring fourteen inflatable pieces inspired by a classic Chilean toy. Opening on June 5, this immersive exhibition will transform the Carroll Slater Sifly Piazza into a playful landscape inviting visitor interaction.

🌧️ The opening of the eagerly awaited Southside Trail—Segments 4 and 5 of the Atlanta Beltline—faces delays due to recent severe weather, pushing the scheduled March debut into spring, as construction depends on favorable temperatures for concrete work. While rain and freezing conditions have hindered progress, officials remain optimistic that the full trail will be accessible before the FIFA World Cup 2026 festivities.

🎭 The Atlanta Opera breaks ground on the $64 million Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts in Buckhead, featuring the historic Bobby Jones Golf Course Clubhouse as its main entrance. This new cultural hub will include a theater, recital hall, and educational spaces, opening ahead of the fall 2027 season.

🚆 The ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts (AACIDs) broke ground on the Automated Transit Network (ATN) Demonstration Pilot, which will create a free, on-demand transit connection between the ATL SkyTrain at the Georgia International Convention Center and the Gateway Center Arena. Scheduled to open in December, this innovative project aims to showcase automated transit technology and enhance mobility options in South Metro Atlanta.

ps. we just launched a new Youtube channel where we’ll be recovering everything from development to Atlanta news to neighborhoods and market updates. Be sure to subscribe and follow us for a weekly drop!

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