5 things to do: Thursday
Wednesday, July 9th, 20081) The Swear performs at Andrews Upstairs.
2) Reflections of Culture continues at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
3) Alison Krauss and Robert Plant perform a sold-out show at Chastain Park Amphitheater.
4) Natalie Chanin discusses and signs Alabama Stitch Book at Whitespace Gallery.
5) Langhorne Slim & the War Eagles perform at the Earl.
(Photo Elizabeth Elkins)









Although ATLANTA PRIDE FESTIVAL has shifted from drought-stricken Piedmont Park to the less alfresco Atlanta Civic Center, the majority of events, including Saturday’s Dyke March and Sunday’s Pride Parade, will retain their outdoorsy origins. Among this year’s offerings, continuing Sat., JULY 5: a nondenominational commitment ceremony, which gives couples the opportunity to pledge their commitments in front of friends and family; shoutOUT!, Pride’s first foray into slam poetry; the AIDS memorial quilt display, featuring more than 400 panels; a charity poker tournament; the Atlanta Pride Marketplace; and a human rights exhibit in partnership with Georgia Equality that examines intersectionality and the relationships between identities. Performers will include Sonia Leigh, the Athens Boys Choir, Starlight Cabaret, Exposé, CeCe Peniston, Tiffany and more. Through July 6. Free. Fri., 6-11 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. 404-523-6275. 


Atlanta folk music duo Rising Appalachia has cheerfully woven topics of cultural evolution and fusion into its music, bringing the message around the world with its aural globe trotting. Siblings Leah and Chloe Smith take a more direct approach to encouraging themes of social evolution and responsibility when they host the third annual CONCRETE PANDEMONIUM Sun., JUNE 29. Billed as an “urban throwdown,” the topsy-turvy evening features a genre-bucking combination of local art and activism in an earnest attempt to bring the two together in a happy, and hopefully not short-lived, marriage. Scheduled appearances include spoken-word artists Theresa Davis and Stefen Miko of Art Amuk, the Atlanta Circus Art Community, Feminist Outlawz, Alternate Roots, a recycled-fabric fashion show and more. 9 p.m. $5-$25. Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 8. 404-522-0655. 
