Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Jan 15 – Jan 21

Welcome back,

January always feels a little… quiet. The holidays are packed away, the inbox is full again, and suddenly we’re all staring at the calendar like, okay, now what?
This week’s A Side is here to ease you back in — low-lift plans, hidden gems, and just enough reasons to leave the house without overcommitting. No pressure. Just good stuff, right where you are.

Naray
Publisher,
A Side Of Town

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⭐ Gold Star Editor’s Picks

January doesn’t need more things — it needs the right things.
This week’s Gold Star Editor’s Picks are your shortcut to what actually matters: a little civic good, a little culture, a lot of “glad I went.” If you only do a few things between now and next Wednesday, make them these.

⭐️ Avalon on Ice

📍 Avalon, Alpharetta
⏰ Thu–Sun, Jan 15–19 | Afternoon–Evening
💵 $

WHAT: Winter skating under the lights — graceful or not, it still counts.

⭐️ LOVE IS… Art Exhibition

📍 Alpharetta Arts Center, Alpharetta
⏰ Sun, Jan 18 | Daytime
💵 Free

WHAT: A feel-good stroll through how local artists interpret connection.

⭐️ Stand-Up Comedy Night

📍 The Velvet Note, Alpharetta
⏰ Fri, Jan 16 | 8:00 PM
💵 $

WHAT: Sharp comics in an intimate room where the laughs land close to home.

SELLOUT SIDEBAR
Book Ahead Guide: 🎟️ Ticketed · ⏳ Limited seating · 📅 Worth planning ahead

🎟️⏳ The Magic of Motown

📍 Gas South Theater, Duluth
⏰ Fri, Jan 16 | Doors 6:30 PM · Show 7:30 PM
💵 $

WHAT: A full-scale Motown tribute celebrating legends from The Temptations to Diana Ross — a classic crowd-pleaser that tends to sell fast.

📅⏳ Valentine’s Chef’s Tasting & Wine Dinner

📍 The Hamilton Alpharetta, Alpharetta
⏰ Fri, Feb 13 | 6:00–9:00 PM
💵 $$$

WHAT: A seated, multi-course tasting dinner with curated wine pairings — refined, romantic, and very limited availability.

Thursday Jan 15
Creator Circle – Open Studio Night

📍 The Art Center, Johns Creek
⏰ Thu, Jan 15 | 5:00–7:00 PM
💵 Free

WHAT: A low-pressure creative hang where “good enough” is enough.

SATURDAY Jan 17
Hydration | Spotlight Art Show (Opening Night)

📍 The Scene Art Gallery, Roswell
⏰ Sat, Jan 17 | 5:30–7:30 PM
💵 Free

WHAT: A gallery opening actually worth showing up for.

Improv for Introverts (Really)

📍 The Art Center, Johns Creek
⏰ Sat, Jan 17 | Afternoon
💵 $

WHAT: Confidence-building improv without becoming a theater person.

TUESDAY Jan 20
Creative Writing Workshop

📍 Roswell Cultural Arts Center, Roswell
⏰ Tue, Jan 20 | Evening
💵 $

WHAT: A supportive push to finally start (or finish) that thing.

Ongoing Events
Avalon on Ice – Outdoor Ice Skating
📍 Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta
💲 $18 adults; $14 kids 9 & under (includes skates)
What: Much nicer to skate when the temps are warm and the ice is melting!

Have an event you would like to spread the word about?
Click 👉 here to submit your event.

Community Poll
Be honest — where does January actually land for you?

Are you participating in dry or damp January?

Are you participating in Dry or Damp January?

🫖Dry January. Water, tea, and vibes only.

😇Damp January. I’m mostly behaving.

🍷Wet January. We don’t police joy here.

🍹January? I drink when the week requires it.

🔁 Honestly… I'm ALWAYS a tea totaler

Live Music on the Green

📍 Halcyon, Alpharetta
⏰ Thu, Jan 15 | Early Evening
💵 Free

WHAT: Casual live music with fire pits nearby and zero pressure to linger.

Friday Night Live Music

📍 Mercantile Social, Alpharetta
⏰ Fri, Jan 16 | Evening
💵 Free

WHAT: Elevated Southern plates paired with polished live music.

Local Band Night

📍 From the Earth Brewing Company, Roswell
⏰ Sat, Jan 17 | Evening
💵 Free

WHAT: Craft beer and a crowd that actually listens.

Jazz Brunch

📍 The Velvet Note, Alpharetta
⏰ Sun, Jan 18 | Late Morning
💵 $

WHAT: Live jazz, brunch classics, and a civilized Sunday reset.

Midweek Comedy Showcase

📍 Roaring Social, Alpharetta
⏰ Wed, Jan 21 | Evening
💵 Free / $

WHAT: Bowling, drinks, and comedians who understand suburbia intimately.

Hidden in plain sight.

Matildas Music: Listening Room Series

📍 The Spotlight Stage at North Point Mall
⏰ Select Fridays: Jan 31 · Feb 13 · Mar 7 | Doors 7 PM
💵 $

WHAT: An intimate indoor listening-room concert series inside North Point Mall — live music, light eats, and a cash bar, without the outdoor setup.

Loved Matildas Music Under the Pines? This is the winter-friendly version. Same relaxed vibe, same quality music — just indoors, with tables and chairs provided. No packing required. Just bring yourself (and maybe a friend).

Each night, a different vibe:
• Jan 31 — Americana Roots + BBQ
• Feb 13 — Jazz Club + Italian eats
• Mar 7 — Nashville Circle + Southern eats

📍 Level 2, next to the Food Court
🚗 Park by the Food Court entrance near JCPenney (mall doors close at 8 PM)

This one feels like a secret — until you go once.

FairyTale Village – Immersive Kids Experience

📍 North Point Mall, Alpharetta
⏰ Select Dates & Sessions
💵 $

WHAT: A storybook world hiding in plain sight — magic for kids, nostalgia for adults.

Click 👉 here to submit your event.

Wine Tasting Flight Night

📍 Fermented Wine Boutique, Alpharetta
⏰ Ongoing This Week
💵 $

WHAT: A relaxed way to explore wines without feeling overwhelmed.

Live Music at Truck & Tap

📍 Truck & Tap, Alpharetta
⏰ Various Nights
💵 Free

WHAT: Food trucks plus live music with zero planning required.

Fogón & Lions — Latin-Inspired Tapas

📍 Fogón & Lions, Alpharetta
⏰ Ongoing
💵 $$

WHAT: Bold Latin-inspired small plates and creative cocktails made for lingering with friends.

Weekend Brunch at Central City Tavern

📍 Central City Tavern, Alpharetta
⏰ Weekends | Morning–Early Afternoon
💵 $$

WHAT: Reinvented brunch classics — from Nashville hot Benedicts to bourbon maple pancakes.

Worth the drive but not a whole road trip.

The Magic of Motown

📍 Gas South Theater, Duluth
⏰ Fri, Jan 16 | Doors 6:30 PM · Show 7:30 PM
💵 $

WHAT: A high-energy tribute concert celebrating Motown legends from The Temptations to Diana Ross.

Two porches. Two. I’m already imagining the sea breeze, morning coffee on the front porch, and golden hour lingering just a little longer than planned. Winter brain says escape fantasy activated.

👉 Peek inside on Zillow:

Can you solve this week’s scramble?

Word Scramble: REVOELNTOUI
Hint: A sudden, complete, or marked change in something

Blanks: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(11)

Answer revealed at the bottom see The Fadeout section! 👇

Last week, we talked about keeping the cozy glow going through these gray winter days (you can catch up [here → last week’s issue]). This week, we’re zooming in on how to get that soft, inviting light at home — even when the sun refuses to show up.

First: the bulb matters.
Look for bulbs with a warm glow around 2700 Kelvin or lower. Higher Kelvin ratings cast a cooler, blue-white light that can feel harsh — especially in winter.

✨ Lighted Faux Branches (Vase Fillers)

Pottery Barn
An easy way to add soft, ambient glow to consoles, mantels, or dark corners — no extra lamp required.

✨ Mini Table Lamp
Wayfair
A miniature lamp small in staure but mighty on style.

✨ Battery-Operated Flicker Candles

Wayfair
All the cozy atmosphere of candlelight, minus the flames — perfect for shelves, lanterns, and mantels.

Next: diffuse the light.
Paper or fabric lanterns, floor lamps, and linen shades help soften the glow instead of spotlighting the room.

A few favorite cozy cheats:

Faux, battery-operated flicker candles (I keep a set on my mantle)
A lantern with a chunky pillar candle inside
A small lamp on the kitchen counter with a linen shade — hands down one of the warmest, coziest looks for winter mornings or rainy days
(Sometimes ours stays on overnight as a gentle night light.)

Another easy way to layer warmth: lighted faux branches in a vase. They add glow and texture without feeling seasonal. Crate & Barrel has a few great versions that work well beyond the holidays.

The goal isn’t brightness — it’s atmosphere. In winter especially, softer light makes everyday spaces feel calmer, warmer, and far more lived-in.

Hello! 👋

New to town? Atlantans take dining out seriously — especially on Valentine’s Day. There may still be time to grab a reservation, but locals will tell you (IYKYK) the real pros locked theirs in by New Year’s. ❤️

📅⏳ Valentine’s Chef’s Tasting & Wine Dinner (Local Tip)
📍 The Hamilton Alpharetta
⏰ Fri, Feb 13 | Evening
💵 $$$

WHAT: A polished, prix-fixe Valentine’s dinner with wine pairings — exactly the kind of reservation locals book early.

Subscribe Here

Women’s Circle with Lauren

📍 The Salt Center, Alpharetta
⏰ Fri, Jan 16 | 6:30 PM
💵 $

WHAT: A guided exhale for anyone ready to stop holding it all together.

Community Yoga Flow

📍 Alpharetta City Center, Alpharetta
⏰ Mon, Jan 19 | Early Evening
💵 Free

WHAT: Stretch it out with neighbors who also needed a reset.

Click 👉 here to submit your event.

Neighborhood Dog Spotter
📍 Alpharetta
⏰ Flexible hours
💵 Paid in smiles (and maybe coffee)

WHAT: Walk around town, notice extremely good dogs, and confirm they are, in fact, very good.

Valentine’s Reservation Backup Friend
📍 Alpharetta
⏰ On-call, Feb 14
💵 Emotional compensation only

WHAT: Stand by in case a dinner reservation falls through and moral support is needed.

Lamp Turner-On (Evening Shift)
📍 Anywhere cozy
⏰ Dusk
💵 Competitive vibes

WHAT: Turn on all the lamps so the house feels warm, welcoming, and correctly lit.

Have a real job, gig, or service to share?
Gig Notes placements are available for local businesses, side hustles, and service providers.
Reply to this email or visit asideoftown.com to book a listing.

Roswell Reset (Half-Day, Zero Pressure)

Feeling a little stir-crazy? Or maybe just football-ed out? A Roswell Reset is the easiest way to change your scenery without committing to a full getaway.

Start with a slow coffee and a stroll along Canton Street, where the shops, galleries, and restaurants are ideal for wandering without a plan. If you’re craving something quieter, pop into one of the ongoing art and photography exhibits nearby — just enough culture to feel refreshed, not exhausted.

You’re home before dinner, but your brain feels like it went somewhere.

📍 Roswell
⏰ Half day | No reservations required
💵 Free–$

WHAT: A low-lift change of scenery for anyone who wants out of the house, not out of town.

Word Puzzle Answer: REVOLUTION

See you on the A-Side. ✨

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