What to see, do and hear: ASO at Spivey, King Tut, comedy showcase and more

MUSIC

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will spotlight one of its own in a special performance at Spivey Hall On Saturday at 3 pm, the concert will feature a violinist and concert master David Coucheron as guest soloist, performing Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, along with the orchestra’s renditions of Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto No. 3. It is a rare opportunity to see the ASO outside the confines of Symphony Hall, and in the acoustically pristine Spivey Hall. Tickets start at $25. (Photo above by Jeff Roffman)

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Randall Bramblettone of the best singer-songwriters of his generation, returns to the Red Clay Music Foundry on Saturday for an 8 pm show. A multi-instrumentalist, Bramblett performed with Gregg Allman and Sea Level during the Capricorn Records era and later toured as a member of Steve Winwood’s band. His own solo albums are steeped in Southern traditions, with songs that are both well-crafted and evocative. Tickets are $20-29.

Atlanta jazz pianist Joe Alterman returns to Eddie’s Attic for a January 5 performance at 7 pm Alterman, whose latest album, The Upside of Downwas released in 2021, has received praise as one of jazz’s new generation of significant artists and has been mentored by Les McCann and the late Ramsey Lewis. Legendary jazz critic Nat Hentoff championed Alterman and said he would have been able to hold his own jamming with any of the jazz greats, from Charlie Parker to Miles Davis. Tickets are $20.

ART+DESIGN

The boy king Tutankhamun has enthralled us ever since the excavation of his tomb 100 years ago. On Saturday at 2 pm at the Michael C. Carlos Museumprofessor Toby Wilkinsonfellow of Clare College at the University of Cambridge, will bring to life the material in his new book, Tutankhamun’s Trumpet: Ancient Egypt in 100 Objects from the Boy-King’s Tomb, which was published in November to coincide with the centenary of the tomb’s discovery. King Tut’s tomb contained thousands of unique objects, from the mundane to the extravagant, from the precious to the everyday. Wilkinson’s talk will allow these artifacts to speak again as witnesses of the civilization that created them. Jointly sponsored by the Carlos Museum and ARCE Georgia. Zoom only. Registration required.

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Several exhibits are closing Sunday at Atlanta contemporaryincluding Southern Ritesphotographer Gillian Laub’s searing study of racism in a small Georgia town where the high-school promises were segregated until very recently. Laub’s work brought national attention to the town, and the prom were eventually integrated. ArtsATL Critic Donna Mintz says in her review that the images reflect “the strength and determination of these young people who seem far wiser than those who would institutionalize racism.”

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Akin to Realism is a new exhibit of sculpture, video and painting by Georgia-based artist Melissa Huang and Christina A. West, who lives in Wisconsin. Curated by ShowerHaus, an Atlanta curatorial co-op, the show investigates how people judge others based on body type, age and gender, perhaps never seeing past the facade to experience the deeper reality of personhood. Opening reception Thursday, January 12, 6-9 pm at the Swan House Coach Gallery.

THEATER

Ban any winter blues and enjoy some laughs at the Best of Atlanta Comedy Showcase, happening this weekend at Laughing Skull Lounge. Caleb Synan will host five local comedians — including Vincent Bryant Jr., Kourtlyn Wiggins and others — plus surprise celebrity guests. Doors open at 7:30 pm, and the show begins at 8. Tickets start at $40 for general admission with VIP seating available.

TV+FILM

featuring an atlanta cast, Adult Swim Yule Log (aka The Fireplace) is still available to stream on HBO Max. This comedic flick veering toward horror is directed by Casper Kelly — the ATL-based filmmaker behind 2014’s Too Many Cooks — and stars Andrea Laing and Justin Miles.