Conducted by Mirna Ogrizovic-Ciric, a Berry College professor who was born in Croatia but grew up in Serbia, the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra’s main goal is to share beautiful music that is inclusive of all. To that end, the group has delighted audiences by performing compositions from heavyweights such as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and Haydn.

Guest soloists have been as impressive as its classical repertoire and include pianist Paolo André Gualdi, who grew up in Italy and has received great praise in Europe and the U.S., as well as Martin Gueorguiev, a cellist who earned first prize at Bulgaria’s National Competition for German and Austrian Music. When it comes to spreading beautiful music in Atlanta, the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra remains in a class of its own.

Established in 1978 by filmmaker Dan Moore who was spurred to action after attending a moving banquet honoring legendary Morehouse president Benjamin E. Mays (who mentored Dr. King), APEX packs a lot in a small space. Visually intriguing, APEX features several exhibits on a regular basis that date back to Africa and come full circle to today. As a result, ancient Africa, African American inventors and business owners all co-exist under one roof.

Celebrity visitors include Halle Berry and Gladys Knight, but stars aren’t the only ones amazed by the APEX’s awesome line-up of historical contributions.

But why travel at all when everything needed is right there? Work out anytime at the 24-hour fitness facility. Relax at Remède Spa where there’s no one service fits all policy. Instead, services are unique and customized to the guest. Therefore, no facial or massage is the same.

Envision high living on the Mediterranean at the sprawling pool piazza, with its tropical plants and cascading waterfall. Don’t lift a finger thanks to the private butler service, but do bring on the night with the traditional Champagne Sabering dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s era. And, of course, fine dining is a requirement at Paces 88. For serious unwinding, there’s the Wine Room or the even more popular St. Regis Bar.

With plush accommodations and such fabulous amenities, no wonder locals and travelers alike rave about the St. Regis Atlanta. All hotels are clearly not equal.

The modern reincarnation of the legendary Atlanta restaurant Brasserie Le Coze, then a sister restaurant to New York’s Le Bernardin, FAB is certainly a reason to venture downtown, especially after dark. Highly accessible, FAB is near many hotels as well as 75/85 and a Marta stop. Its interior is full of sophisticated touches, including a surprising staircase to the second floor. During the summer months, there are few more darling rooftops than at FAB. It’s three levels in all and there’s even a small patio area out front, plus an expansive bar inside.

True to its billing, the cuisine is French American so don’t expect straight French fare. Do try the White Bean, Truffle Oil Soup as well as the Meyer Lemon Crêpe, plus the steaks are tasty main entrée choices. Cognac and champagne are arguably France’s greatest exports and are worth indulging here. Mixing the old with the new, FAB is proof positive that the best of both worlds is indeed attainable.

After a day of events throughout the city the parade ends at Fabulous Underground Atlanta with vendors, food and free entertainment, which should result in plenty of music, dancing and drinking.

Nearly 60 of the nation’s most hilarious stand up comics are coming to Atlanta for The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, with 12 comedians giving their best work at each show every night of the week. There will be different headliners closing each show throughout the week and even a few surprise guests to spice things up.

This festival is also part contest, where after each of the preliminary shows Wednesday through Friday, two winners will be selected that move on to the semi-finals on Saturday night at 8pm and finals just a few hours later. Only one comedian will survive as they compete to the comic death: four comedians will enter, but only one will leave.

Just remember,18 and older to enter, as things may get a bit racy!

On March 21, the best long distance runners in the nation will flock to Atlanta to showcase their skill in the ING Georgia Marathon. The marathon is a two for one for visitors of the city: a great event as well as an excuse to see all of Atlanta.

The staging area for the start and finish is in Centennial Olympic Park in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Participants will then run downtown through Georgia State University, over the Jackson Street bridge, and then onto the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District by the house where Dr. King was born. The course continues weaving its way through the Poncey-Highland, the Agnes Scott College campus, by quaint Decatur Square. Runners will then tear through the Emory University campus, and through the Druid Hills and Virginia-Highland neighborhoods. The race finishes with a run through Midtown across to the Georgia Tech campus, and the runners will return downtown via Marietta Street to cross the finish line in the park!

After a champion is crowned the real fun begins in Centennial Olympic Park where there will be plenty of food and fun to go around for the whole afternoon.

With the new show “We Play… Too Much!”,

Where the audience is always part of the show, fans are forewarned, because under the Big Top of hip hop, you never know when you might wind up doing your thing in the center of the ring. Ringmaster Anthony Luewellyn a.k.a “Tony Tone” returns to lead an all star cast of performers that is unlike any traditional circus.

Just like its musician owner, Straits is great for a some vibe dining, but if you’re expecting a rap party, think again. Tuesday is the only night where a hip-hop vibe is strongly detectable, other nights are more laid back. A live DJ typically spins smooth, but contemporary grooves on Friday, while a live band sways on Sundays. There are three levels in all, including a private club of sorts at the very bottom, but the main floor is where all the action is. Sake and Conjure, a cognac that Luda, as he’s affectionately known, partly owns and helped develop, sit alongside organic fare like Prairie Vodka at the bar. A muted television usually tracks the game of the season in the background.

Still the Singapore-inspired food wins the highest marks, and another Chris, Chef Chris Español can take credit for that. Wok-fried Garlic Noodles and the Tamarind Beef, accompanied by sweet potato hush puppies, are tasty staples. So is the Nasi Goreng, an even bigger winner when shrimp and chicken are mixed into the coconut rice. So if you’re looking for chicken and beer, look elsewhere, unless it’s Kung Pao “Lollipops” (spicy chicken drummettes) and Singapore’s award-winning Tiger beer.