Leisure

Things to do to make the most of your month from

Twyla Robinson

AtlantaPlanIt.com is the online guide to arts and entertainment produced by the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition, the nonprofit regional arts alliance for the Atlanta region. Please visit www.atlantaplanit.com for more events.

TWYLA ROBINSON JULY 28
The outstanding American soprano enchanted Atlanta Symphony audiences earlier this year. A winner of the 2002 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she enjoys an international career and consistently draws praise for her musicality, her dramatic sensibility and the sheer beauty of her singing. At Spivey Hall she explores a wonderful wealth of American songs — both serious and light-hearted. $35. www.spiveyhall.org

TALENT SHOW THROUGH AUG. 11
The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center presents a large-scale exhibition that brings together varied artistic achievements of Atlantans. Modeled on the traditional talent show that honors audacity as well as skill, this exhibition attempts to find and promote the creative work of trained and untrained artists. Diverse media, documentation and live events will animate this wildly democratic installation. $3-$5. www.thecontemporary.org

DANCE THEATRE JULY 27-28
The Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, founded by Jamel Gaines, Lakai Worrell and Kevin Joseph in 1994, comes to the Rialto for one amazing weekend. The company's repertory draws attention to social and cultural issues. $25. www.rialtocenter.org

THE BARD JULY 6-AUG. 5
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged!) is not for the faint of heart. It's a roller-coaster ride through all of the Bard's work! You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll wonder why you haven't seen it before now. Join the Atlanta Shakespeare Company for a night you won't soon forget. $10-$32. www.shakespearetavern.com

BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL JULY 20-29
The world is set to descend upon Atlanta for the 19th 10-day National Black Arts Festival — packed with music, theater, visual arts, dance, spoken word, film and family events. The festival is one of the premier national and international celebrations of art, music and culture of people of African descent. Ticket prices may vary. www.nbaf.org

family

PANCHO SANCHEZ JULY 29
The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University is proud to present the Grammy Award-winning artist. Guests are welcome to spread out a blanket and bring a picnic to enjoy the open night sky while the music plays under the stars. $5. www.kennesaw.edu

PINOCCHIO JULY 24-AUG. 5
The Center for Puppetry Arts invites you to join Pinocchio as he runs into all the trials and tribulations of becoming a real boy, despite the earnest guidance of his cricket friend. Find out if Pinocchio will fall victim to the scams of the conniving Mr. Fox and Mr. Cat, or if he's finally able to break free from the strings that tie him down . . . and hold him up! $16. www.puppet.org

JAZZ ON THE LAWN THROUGH AUG. 24
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center kicks off the summer with its Jazz on the Lawn Summer Series. Guests enjoy the relaxing natural beauty of Callanwolde's lush grounds as the finest jazz artists in the Southeast perform under the stars. As the sun goes down, the music turns up. $15. www.callanwolde.org

ROBIN HOOD JULY 11-28
Georgia Shakespeare's Family Classic Series continues with the classic tale of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. $10-$12. www.gashakespeare.org