THE MOVE: Read on for the T.

The Move is returning to normal with bountiful OFFline gatherings, plus plenty of opportunities to mingle with new and old humans and return home with fresh post-COVID memories. Today’s modern moves are for Boomers to Zoomers, breeders to LGBTQ+s, introverts, extroverts, all the ’verts, and beyond!

Cute plague trends to keep on a sort-of-kind-of post-pandemic planet: sanitizer everywhere; six-foot personal space; masks can be fashun, too; stay cashless; delivery of everything; and WFH. Plus, let’s thank QR codes for making the comeback of the century, because menus were gross long before today’s plague. It might be time to tell your favorite sex toy it’s time to see other people.

Warning! As much as we’ve loved Winnie the Poohing it at home, pants will be required to this month’s offline events. These moves should be consumed at your own risk, preferably vaxxed. Also, please, stop saying “vaxxed and waxed,” because it’s super basic, Becky. Read on for the t, aka truth, pandemic-surviving lil’ Bithkitz.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Atlanta Field Day — Many will be pleased to hear experts have found treatment for ZDG, Zoom Doom ’n Gloom. This new, yet common, illness is caused by long periods of communicating screen to screen with little to no human contact. Side effects of ZDG vary, but include fatigue, rapid aging, and the inability to perform social norms offline. Modern medicine studied pre-coronavirus cases, determining that classic treatments such as tug of war, relay races, and obstacle courses, in groups, does wonders for those suffering with ZDG. That’s right! Just like you when you peaked in middle school.

Study participants are welcome as individuals, or groups of eight, and must be willing to play nicely with others to win the ultimate cure, the 2021 “King of the Field” title and/or spirit award. Study volunteers to assist patients are also in need. No prior recess experience required. Take the BeltLine, as parking will be pricey or impossible.

Team of eight, $500; individual $62.50. Bar opens at 10 a.m. Team check-in by 11:15 a.m. Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park, 830 Willoughby Way N.E. Rain date: August 14. atlfieldday.com @atlfieldday

“A Better View” Opening Reception — Stroll the BeltLine down from Adult Field Day or come so fresh and so clean to ABV Gallery’s new group artist summer exhibition. A collection with more than 30 global artists will be displayed via 2’ X 2’ pieces of art. Reppin’ ATL will be Tommy Bronx, Dr. Dax, Vera Pawelzik, The Black Rabbit, PaperFrank, Niki Zarrabi, Matthew Evans, Greg Mike, Dana Sanmar, BigTeeff, Ashton Anderson, Ash “Wolfdog” Hayner, and others from the ATL.

The opening reception Saturday is the kind of  place to see and be seen if you’re looking for that hip art community sort of vibe. The crowd will be casual, yet delightfully eclectic, spilling out of the gallery space onto the large patio and green space. If you have the means, drop some cash on the collection, showing through September 18.

Free. Opening reception, 6-10 p.m. ABV Agency and Gallery, 659 Auburn Ave. N.E., #504. abvatl.com @abvgallery

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

Intro to Wood Working: Wood Basics and Four Squaring — Are you one of those humans who spent the majority of 2020 improving yourself with new knowledge or hobbies? This move is for the ultimate hobbyist. Summer in the South blows. Instead of moping around feeling sad, moist and itchy, pass the time making things like wooden spoons and knives, or learning wood lathing, welding, leather working, blacksmithing, and how to cast silver. This course is just one of many offered by MASS Collective located downtown.

MASS Collective will help you turn raw materials into everyday items you’ll be proud of. Get the lowdown on shop safety with instructor Anthony Gaskins, a local woodworker, sculptor, and shop manager with MASS Collective. They have a BFA in Printmaking and Book Arts from the University of Georgia, and own and operate Pitter Patter, a small custom fabrication company.

$75. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MASS Collective, 364 Nelson St. S.W., Basement Workshop. masscollective.org @masscollective

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13–SUNDAY, AUGUST 15

BeReggae —If you’re looking for the largest gathering of Black, Afro-Caribbean diasporic families in Atlanta, possibly the country, look no further than this Afro-Caribbean music and arts festival, BeReggae.

This year includes “AFRO-CON,” the Afro-Diasporic Convention immersive three-day experience with the world’s first augmented reality live in-person music festival. Those present will be able to interact with virtual images and activations in real time, in real space, in-person at the event just by using the camera on a smartphone. Put your device down and shop at the indie artist and apparel market, then stick around for a fiery installation by BonfireAtl if you’re into Burning Man energies.

Free. All ages. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. each day. Piedmont Park, 1320 Monroe Drive. atlreggaeinthepark.com @atlreggaeinthepark

Hoochin’ Blues Party 2021 — Still prefer the great outdoors to indoor virus-life? Or maybe your swamp ass is just too sticky to handle. As goes the gospel, “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, It gets hotter than a hoochie coochie.” Thank you, Alan Jackson, for that painfully accurate description.

The only cure for steaming hoochie coochie is floating in the ice-cold baby rapids of the Chattahoochee River. Take a break from meditating, gardening, or catfishing to enjoy a float any day, or come for tunes by nationally touring blues artists.

The Hoochin’ Blues Party is two days and three nights of blues music on the banks of the Chattahoochee river. Pro-tip:  Those who float, rarely need bathroom breaks. Yes, it’s in the evening, so make sure to attach glow sticks to that tube. Visit the website below for times and locations as the date approaches.

Free. 8 p.m.-11 p.m. bluesdanceatl.org @bluesdanceatl

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13–MONDAY, AUGUST 16

The Show Must Go On — The Bakery East Point will be the home of the latest solo installation from mixed-media artist, Kate Luther. Think humorous hand-painted and sewn domestic objects that initiate their own personality to take on the role of props and different characters. Hot tip! Attendees on Saturday eve will see the garments come to life when two burlesque dancers become part of the installation.

More on The Bakery East Point … Jefferson Station houses our beloved Bakie this year. The space is outfitted with gallery and project space, a conference room, and six 132-square-foot residency studios. All located conveniently by the East Point MARTA transit station. MARTA is smarta!

1 p.m.-4 p.m., Fri., Aug. 13, Sun., Aug. 15, and Mon. Aug. 16, donation-based tickets; 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sat., Aug. 14, $8 tickets for performance. The Bakery East Point, 1526 E. Forrest Ave., East Point. TheBakeryAtlanta.com @thebakeryatlanta @katelutherart

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

Pop Basel ATLANTA — Yes, as in that Basel — Art Basel in Miami Beach — the one gathering galleries from around the globe, is popping up for its second time in ATL, identifying as Pop Basel.

Picture visual artists, streetwear brands, rising independent fashion stars, and music. Promoters promise live DJs and music artists from their pop-up merch tables, “giving attendees a unique twist of entertainment” in a warehouse environment for an instant kewl factor.

The creative director is responsible for some of that design at your local Waffle House, on your Rap Snacks, and maybe you’ve seen G.O.A.T. Andre 3k’s Pop Culture garment — all by none other than William Floyd, better known as KingPop.

Tickets from $15 for live performances only;-$25 for market, panel, and live performances; with $40 for All-Access. 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Mann Robinson Studios, 1035 Donnelly Ave. S.W. popbasel.com @popbasel William MOSES Floyd

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

Violet Chachki’s “A Lot More Me” — Atlanta born and raised, Paul Jason Dardo grew up and blossomed into Violet Chachki. It is Chachki who went on to win RuPaul Drag Race’s seventh season, and returns to her Southern roots every so often to slay us with her latest act. This isn’t just drag. It’s burlesque, aerial arts, acrobatics, and eye candy fit for a qWeen.

Chachki will woo audiences in one of Atlanta’s sexiest venues, Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points. An act and venue that are neither rusty nor dusty. Well, bc she’s rehearsed, and the venue’s been cleaned. That was a little COVID-19 humor for y’all. Too soon?

Tickets from $29. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E. variety-playhouse.com @varietyplayhouse @violetchachki

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27–SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

Days of the Dead — It’s horrific! If you’re into that sort of thing, the Days of the Dead horror festival lands downtown at the Sheraton this month. Stars of the weekend will include the kid from E.T., now a grown adult by the name of Henry Thomas, and his E.T. silver screen mom and horror regular, Dee Wallace. E.T. itself is unable to attend this year due to COVID restrictions. Also appearing, Sky Elobar and Michael St. Michaels, stars of cult classic, The Greasy Strangler. Warning: Once seen, you cannot unsee the “The Greasy Strangler.”

Blood, guts, iconic death divas, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Seriously! Kids under 12 are not only welcome, they’re admitted for free! This festival, celebrating all things gore on film, will require masks in all public spaces to avoid zombie outbreaks.

Tickets from $25.99, 12 and under are free. 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Fri., Aug. 27; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. Aug. 28; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. Aug. 29. Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St. N.E. www.daysofthedead.com @daysofthedeadhorrorcon

SEPTEMBER

Sneak peek: “The Art of Banksy: Without Limits” opens at Underground Atlanta September 3. And it’s not the Underground Atlanta you’ll remember from back in 2019. More to come. CLATL.com/TheMove

—CL—