Nomadic African

 by Pamela Haney  

 As the holiday season draws near, Atlanta’s northern suburbs of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody have a number of family friendly festivities planned.  Residents and visitors can enjoy holiday markets, live theater, and a new winter concert series.  Here are the highlights of the most popular seasonal events.

Get a jump start on that holiday gift list at Spruill Gallery’s Holiday Artists Market in Dunwoody.  This event has been held for a number of years in conjunction with the Spruill Center for the Arts.  Handmade articles include art, jewelry, ceramics, pottery, and other gift items.  Opening night will be November 15 from 6-9pm.  The gallery is located at 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road. 

“Light Up Dunwoody” is an annual holiday tradition on the north side.  The free community event is scheduled for November 18, 2012 from 3-6pm at Spruill Farmhouse, 5455 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.  Vendors will offer refreshments and craft items for sale.  Bring the camera for those photo opportunities with Santa and his elves.  The festivities conclude with the lighting of the Christmas tree at 5:45pm. 

Chattahoochee Nature Center will host its “Back to Nature Holiday Market and Festival” on December 1.  The nature center is located just north of Sandy Springs in Roswell, Georgia, at 9135 Willeo Road.  Forty vendors will be selling local, handmade products and unique nature themed gift items.  Handmade wreaths will also be for sale.  Special holiday treats will be available for purchase at the Market Café.  Festival hours are 10am-4pm, and admission is free.  This is a great opportunity to explore all that the nature center has to offer including trails, exhibits, and wildlife.

Stage Door Players, a professional theatre company in Dunwoody, will present It’s a Wonderful Life- A Live Radio Play this holiday season.  Most people have seen the classic holiday film many times.  This version is a live 1940s style radio production.  An ensemble cast of five actors will bring all the beloved characters to life.  The play will run weekends from November 30-December 16.  Friday and Saturday night shows begin at 8pm, and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30pm.  Tickets are $27 for adults and $12 for youth under age 12.  The theatre is located at 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.

A new concert series, Heritage Winter Classics, is scheduled in the City of Sandy Springs.  The free indoor concerts will take place in Heritage Hall at Heritage Green Park, located at 6110 Bluestone Road.  The series kicks off on November 18 with the Midtown Brass Quintet.  Enjoy Joe Gransden’s Holiday Show, with special guest Francine Reed, on December 16.  The Franklin Pond Quartet will perform on January 20, 2013, and Kaleidoscope (Michael O’Neal Chamber Singers) will be in concert on February 17.  All concerts will run from 4:30-6:30pm.  The doors will open at 4pm and seating is limited. 

Pamela Haney is the Director of Sales for The Holiday Inn Express Perimeter Hotel & Suites. The Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites Atlanta North-Perimeter/Dunwoody is directly off Georgia 400 and I-285. With the hotel’s courteous staff, reasonable rates, and terrific amenities, this Atlanta Perimeter hotel is the place to "Stay Smart" in the Perimeter Center area. For more information visit: www.PERIMETERHOTEL.COM