Hello, local readers! Hot off the press is this week’s edition of our weekend guide, filled with the best things to do in and around Atlanta this Thursday through Sunday. As always, be sure to add anything we missed in the comments section. Enjoy your weekend!!

National Puppet Slam 2012

Center for Puppetry Arts. Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. $7 for members; $12 for non-members. 18+.

Explore a different expressionistic medium-puppet theater! Beau Brown is hosting the National Puppet Slam for 2 evenings. Now is you chance to experience the nations best puppeteers in an underground form. Performing artists include Gwen Bonar, Lyon Hill and Travis Lope.

More info and directions

Yellow Jacket Fan Day

Bobby Dodd Stadium. Saturday, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free.

Georgia Tech fans, head to Bobby Dodd Stadium this Saturday for a free meet and greet with your favorite Yellow Jackets. All team members and coaches will be available for photographs and autograph signings. Gates open at 4:00 with priority entry for season ticket holders. Get there early for music and games on Callaway Plaza.

More info and directions

photo credit: TimothyJ

End of Summer BBQ Party Benefit for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Canoe Restauarant. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. $25 through 8/2; $30 at the door. 

It seems like summer just started, but before you know it, we’re going to be trading our bathing suits for winter coats and our flip flops for boots.  Take advantage of all summer has to offer at the End of Summer BBQ at Canoe.  Tickets include barbecue and other food, Sweetwater beer, live music and a one-year membership to the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, a non-profit organization who protects and preserves the Chattahoochee River.  A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper as well.

More info and directions

photo credit: OctopusHat

The Rockabilly Luau

Holiday Inn Northlake. Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. $15 in advance; $20 at door; kids 10 and under are free.

Aloha! The tropical fun of Hawaii comes to Atlanta this weekend at The Rockabilly Luau. There will be leis, a full tiki-bar, Hawaii dancers, fire knife performers, a vintage car cruise-in, rockabilly bands and more! 100% of the ticket sales go to two local animal shelters – Friends to the Forlorn and Shelter Angels.

More info and directions

Smyrna Shop Hop

Smyrna. Friday and Saturday, see specific store hours on websites. Must hand in passport by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Free.

Support local businesses and be entered to win cash prizes?  Sounds like a win-win.  Pick up your Shop Hop Passport (with map) and get it stamped each of the eight participating stores, all within a one to two mile raidus.  No purchases are necessary but the stores will be giving away free items and discounts.  Once you visit all eight stores, turn your passport in for a chance to win the grand prize, $1,000, to be awarded at the Symrna Anniversary Celebration on Saturday night.

More info and directions

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

The New American Shakespeare Tavern. Friday, 8/3 – Sunday, 9/2. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays when they begin at 6:30 p.m. $22 – $32.

Remembering struggling through Shakespeare in high school, and wondering if there was really a point in time when everyone talked like Romeo and wore such puffy sleeves like Juliet? The New American Shakespeare Tavern would like to change that image with their new production of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. Cramming all of the Bard’s 37 plays and 154 sonnets into two hilariously irreverent hours, this modern take on Shakespeare promises to be much more memorable than most of your English lit classes.

More info and directions