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Used Groove. New Lamps, Just Enough.
Published 7 days agoΒ β’Β 11 min read
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Jan 08 β Jan 14
β β Welcome back,
Come inside, it's nice and cozy in here. I hope you like what I've done with the place. I have edited and made some changes you may notice. This experiment is ever evolving and I appreciate all of you being here, sending suggestions, sharing and supporting. β You have any goals for yourself this year? Besides growing this passion project I'm always struggling to move my body more. I'm thinking about trying out pilates. If you go to a good place or know of one, reply back and let me know, okay? Here are this week's happenings.
β Gold Star Editorβs Picks β βJanuary doesnβt need more things β it needs the right things. This weekβs Gold Star Editorβs Picks are your shortcut to what actually matters: a little civic good, a little culture, a lot of βglad I went.β If you only do a few things between now and next Wednesday, make them these. β
β
β Donate @ Milton Community Food Pantryβ π Milton Community Food Pantry β° Sat 10amβ12pm Β· Mon 10amβ12pm π² Free βwhat: The easiest, most meaningful way to show up locally this week. Bring pantry items, leave feeling like a decent human. β
β Roswell Reads: Writer to Writer w/ Paula McLainβ π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° Sat, 9:30am π² $15 what: A real author, a real conversation, and a rare βIβm glad I wentβ morning moment. β
β Ask the Social Worker @ Ocee Libraryβ π Ocee Library, Johns Creek β° Wed, 10:30amβ3:00pm π² Free βwhat: Walk-in help navigating housing, benefits, and resources. Quietly huge. Deeply local. Zero drama. β
β Adaptive Adult Social Danceβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Wed, 6β8pm π² Free (registration required) βwhat: Inclusive, welcoming, joyful β exactly what community programming should look like. β
β Ari Matti (Comedy Night)β π Helium Comedy Club, Alpharetta β° Thu, 7:30pm π² Tickets vary βwhat: January needs laughter. This delivers it without requiring any emotional labor. β
β Winter Bocce Ball Leagueβ π Halcyon β° Thu evenings π² League signup βwhat: Join once, meet people all season, and suddenly have a midweek social life. β
β Chemex 101 (Coffee Class)β π Cloudland Coffee Company, Johns Creek β° Sat, 10:00am π² Ticketed βwhat: Learn a real skill, drink excellent coffee, and upgrade your personality by one notch.
β β Avalon on Iceβ π Avalon, Alpharetta β° Multiple sessions all week π² Tickets vary βwhat: Skate, pose, or just vibe while you still can. β
β βThursday Jan 8 βPoe & Company Book Clubβ π Poe & Company Bookstore (Crabapple) β° 7β9pm Β· π² Free βwhat: Book club, but make it social. This monthβs pick is The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year β cozy, not creepy.
Winter Bocce Ball Leagueβ π Halcyon β° 6β9pm Β· π² League signup βwhat: Low-pressure competition, high chance of making friends. Pretend youβve βalways loved bocce.β β
Game Daysβ π Dave & Busterβs, Alpharetta β° Starts 11am Β· π² Free entry βwhat: Wings, games, and that one friend who takes skeeball personally. β
Ari Matti (Comedy Night)β π Helium Comedy Club, Alpharetta β° 7:30pm Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: A proper laugh-out-loud reset. January needs these. β
Kurt Thomas Band (Live Music)β π Roaring Social, Downtown Alpharetta β° 8pm Β· π² Cover varies βwhat: Live band energy without committing to an Atlanta night. β
Outta the Box Gallery Exhibitβ π Alpharetta Arts Center β° Weekdays, 8amβ5pm Β· π² Free/varies βwhat: Drop in for a quick βwaitβ¦thatβs art?β moment. β
βSue Ye: Art Horizonβ Retrospectiveβ π Alpharetta Arts Center β° Select days, 1β7pm Β· π² Free/varies βwhat: A legit arts outing that still fits into a workday. β
βWhen In Roswellβ Photography Exhibitβ π Roswell β° 10amβ4pm Β· π² Free/varies βwhat: A local photo love-letter β quick, easy, surprisingly charming. β βFRIDAY Jan 9 βCoffee Connectβ π Nexus Roswell β° 8:00am Β· π² Free βwhat: Networking that doesnβt feel like a LinkedIn post. β
Adaptive Music & Movementβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° 11amβ12pm Β· π² Low-cost / registration βwhat: Inclusive, joyful movement with real community impact. β
More or Less Players: Hereβs Carol! (Matinee)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° 1β2pm Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: Local theatre, low fuss, high charm. β
Baditude (Live Music)β π Roaring Social β° 8β11:30pm Β· π² Cover varies βwhat: One of those βjust a local bandβ nightsβ¦ until theyβre actually good. β
Anthony Fuentes (Comedy)β π Helium Comedy Club β° 7:30β9:30pm & 9:45β11:30pm Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: Early show if youβre responsible. Late show if youβre fun. β
SATURDAY Jan 10β βRoswell Reads: Writer to Writer w/ Paula McLainβ π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° 9:30am Β· π² $15 βwhat: A main-character bookstore-movie moment. β
Chemex 101 (Coffee Class)β π Cloudland Coffee Company, Johns Creek β° 10:00am Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: Learn pour-over that tastes like you have your life together. β
More or Less Players: Hereβs Carol! (Evening)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° 4β5pm Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: enjoy local theater while being cultured and laughingHere are
Used Groove (Live Music)β π Roaring Social β° 8β11:30pm Β· π² Cover varies βwhat: Saturday night soundtrack, downtown edition. β βSUNDAY Jan 11
Lorcana Set Championship β π Level Up Games, Johns Creek β° Event day Β· π² Varies βwhat: (IYKYK) Wholesome competitive energy. Cards, community, zero screen guilt.
More or Less Players: Hereβs Carol! (Afternoon)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° 2β3pm Β· π² Ticketed βwhat: Sunday theatre is an underrated life choice. ββ MONDAY Jan 12 βGin Cocktail Classβ π Truth Be Told, Roswell β° 6:00pm Β· π² $90 βwhat: A class, a cocktail, and a new personality trait: βgin person.β β βRYT MainStage Auditions: Legally Blonde JR (Night 1)β π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° 5:30β7:30pm Β· π² Free to audition βwhat: Student performers + big confidence energy. β βTUESDAY Jan 13 βRYT MainStage Auditions: Legally Blonde JR (Night 2)β π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° 5:30β7:30pm Β· π² Free to audition βwhat: Round two. Same sparkle, new nerves. β βWEDNESDAY Jan 14 βStorytimeβ π Fulton County Library β Johns Creek β° 10:30β11:00am Β· π² Free βwhat: Culture for tiny locals. Structure for tired parents. β
Ask the Social Workerβ π Ocee Library, Johns Creek β° 10:30amβ3:00pm Β· π² Free βwhat: Walk-in help navigating housing, benefits, and resources. β
Love Is Art Exhibitionβ π Alpharetta β° 9:00am Β· π² Free/varies βwhat: Midweek arts reset. The vibes do the heavy lifting. β
Introduction to Glass Bead Makingβ π FlameTree Glass, Roswell β° 6β8pm Β· π² Paid class βwhat: Learn a real skill and leave with proof. β
Adaptive Adult Social Danceβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° 6β8pm Β· π² Free (registration required) βwhat: Inclusive, welcoming, exactly what community should feel like. β
Cornhole League Nightβ π Halcyon β° 6:30pmβ8pm Β· π² League signup βwhat: Low-stakes competition, instant community. β βOngoing Eventsβ Avalon on Ice β Outdoor Ice Skating β π Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta π² $18 adults; $14 kids 9 & under (includes skates) βWhat: Much nicer to skate when the temps are warm and the ice is melting!
Ari Matti (Comedy Night)β π Helium Comedy Club, Alpharetta β° Thu, 7:30pm π² Tickets vary βWhat: A proper laugh-out-loud night. January needs these β no overthinking required.
β Anthony Fuentes (Comedy)β π Helium Comedy Club, Alpharetta β° Fri, 7:30β9:30pm & 9:45β11:30pm π² Tickets vary βWhat: Early show if youβre responsible. Late show if youβre fun. Choose accordingly.
β Kurt Thomas Band (Live Music)β π Roaring Social, Downtown Alpharetta β° Thu, 8:00pm π² Cover varies βWhat: High-energy live band vibes without committing to an Atlanta night.
β Baditude (Live Music)β π Roaring Social, Downtown Alpharetta β° Fri, 8:00β11:30pm π² Cover varies βWhat: One of those βjust a local bandβ nightsβ¦ until theyβre actually very good.
What: Even when a link goes missing, Alpharetta still feeds you. Village Burger just rolled out gluten-free onion rings, fried pickles, and chicken tenders at their Alpharetta location β proof that comfort food and better-for-you options donβt have to be mutually exclusive. β Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you werenβt looking for them.
β
Storytimeβ π Fulton County Library β Johns Creek β° Wed, 10:30β11:00am π² Free βWhat: Stories, songs, and early literacy for tiny locals β plus 30 minutes of structure parents can count on.
β Lorcana βSet Championshipββ π Level Up Games, Johns Creek β° Sun (event day) π² Varies βWhat: Wholesome competitive energy with cards, community, and zero screen-time guilt.
β More or Less Players: Hereβs Carol! (All Showtimes)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° FriβSun showtimes π² Tickets/registration varies βWhat: Local theatre thatβs approachable, charming, and a great βfirst showβ for kids and families.
β Adaptive Music & Movementβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Fri, 11amβ12pm π² Low-cost / registration required βWhat: Inclusive movement and music designed so everyone can participate and feel welcome.
β Adaptive Adult Social Dance(Families & caregivers welcome)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Wed, 6β8pm π² Free (registration required) βWhat: A joyful, inclusive dance night that models what real community looks like β for all ages.β ββ β Click π here to submit your event.
Chemex 101 (Coffee Class)β π Cloudland Coffee Company, Johns Creek β° Sat, 10:00am π² Ticketed βWhat: Learn pour-over technique that instantly upgrades your morning coffee β and your personality.
β Gin Cocktail Classβ π Truth Be Told, Roswell β° Mon, 6:00pm π² $90 βWhat: A guided tasting, hands-on mixing, and a new identity as βa gin person.β
β Game Days @ Dave & Busterβsβ π Dave & Busterβs, Alpharetta β° Daily from 11am π² Free entry (food & drinks extra) βWhat: Wings, games, and low-effort fun that works for groups, families, or a very unserious night out.
β
Worth the drive but not a whole road trip. β βRoswell Reads: Writer to Writer w/ Paula McLainβ π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° Sat, 9:30am π² $15 βWhat: A legit author event that makes a Saturday morning feel cultured and intentional.
β Gin Cocktail Classβ π Truth Be Told, Roswell β° Mon, 6:00pm π² $90 βWhat: A hands-on cocktail class that turns a Monday night into a personality upgrade.
β Introduction to Glass Bead Makingβ π FlameTree Glass, Roswell β° Wed, 6β8pm π² Paid class βWhat: Learn a real, tactile skill and leave with something you actually made.
β More or Less Players: Hereβs Carol! (All Showtimes)β π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° FriβSun π² Tickets/registration varies βWhat: Approachable local theatre that feels charming, not intimidating.
β Adaptive Music & Movementβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Fri, 11amβ12pm π² Low-cost / registration required βWhat: Inclusive, joyful programming that centers accessibility and connection.
β Adaptive Adult Social Danceβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Wed, 6β8pm π² Free (registration required) βWhat: A welcoming dance night that models what community is supposed to look like.
β RYT MainStage Auditions: Legally Blonde JRβ π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° MonβTue, 5:30β7:30pm π² Free to audition βWhat: Big confidence energy from young performers and a behind-the-scenes look at local arts.
β βWhen In Roswellβ Photography Exhibitβ π Roswell β° Daily, 10amβ4pm π² Free/varies βWhat: A visual love letter to Roswell β easy to pop into, hard to rush through.
β
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Primary Suite Reset (Milton Edition)β π Zillow find
What: This is the kind of primary suite that quietly rearranges your expectations. Not loud, not showy β just calm, spacious, and very sure of itself.
Needle takeaway: Luxury isnβt about features. Itβs about how little effort a room asks of you.
Warning: This may start a bedroom refresh spiral.
β β
β
β
Can you solve this weekβs scramble? β
Word Scramble: ISEXRECEβ Hint: Move your body
Blanks: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(8)
β
β Answer revealed at the bottom see The Fadeout section! π
β
Winter mantle with rustic charm.
Post-Holiday Blues? Itβs Not Your House β Itβs the Lighting. β
Designer Tip:Atmosphere doesnβt disappear with the holidays β it just needs new sources.
What: When the Christmas tree and twinkle lights come down, a lot of people suddenly feel βmehβ about their homes. That cozy, glowy atmosphere disappears overnight β and it can make rooms feel flat, colder, or unfinished. The fix isnβt more stuff. Itβs layered lighting.
Instead of relying on overhead lights alone, bring back the glow by adding more lamps at different heights β table lamps, floor lamps, even small accent lamps tucked into corners or on bookshelves. The goal is multiple soft light sources, not one bright one. Thatβs what made the holiday lights feel so good in the first place.
Think quiet winter forest, not holiday overload. This in-between season is about warmth, texture, and softness β holding onto the cozy until spring shows up.
β
Hello! π β
For newcomers (and longtime locals who somehow missed this)
If youβre new to town β or just settling into a new routine β donβt sleep on the local libraries. Theyβre not just for books and kidsβ storytime. Case in point: the Ocee Library in Johns Creek hosts a social worker who helps residents navigate housing, benefits, and local resources. No appointments. No pressure. Walkin-ins encouraged. Just quietly helpful support hiding in plain sight. β
Translation: our libraries are doing a lot more heavy lifting than most of us realize β and theyβre one of the easiest ways to plug into your new community.
β Donate @ Milton Community Food Pantryβ π Milton Community Food Pantry β° Sat 10amβ12pm Β· Mon 10amβ12pm π² Free βWhat: The easiest kind of civic action. Bring pantry items, support neighbors, and leave with main-character decency.
β Ask the Social Workerβ π Ocee Library, Johns Creek β° Wed, 10:30amβ3:00pm π² Free βWhat: Walk-in help navigating housing, benefits, and local resources. Quietly huge. Deeply local. Zero drama.
β Adaptive Music & Movementβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Fri, 11amβ12pm π² Low-cost / registration required βWhat: Inclusive movement and music designed for connection, joy, and accessibility.
β Adaptive Adult Social Danceβ π Roswell Adult Recreation Center β° Wed, 6β8pm π² Free (registration required) βWhat: A welcoming, inclusive dance night that proves βcommunity eventβ can actually mean community.
β Storytimeβ π Fulton County Library β Johns Creek β° Wed, 10:30β11:00am π² Free βWhat: Early literacy, songs, and stories for tiny locals β plus 30 minutes of structure for parents. β βRYT MainStage Auditions: Legally Blonde JRβ π Roswell Cultural Arts Center β° MonβTue, 5:30β7:30pm π² Free to audition βWhat: Youth performers, big confidence energy, and a front-row look at local arts in action.
PERSONAL RESET COACH (Unofficial Title)β π Alpharetta β° Flexible hours π² Paid in gratitude (and possibly iced coffee) βWhat: Seeking someone to gently remind me to drink water, stretch, and stop answering emails after 9pm. Must be encouraging, not judgmental.
β NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING BUDDYβ π Various Alpharetta neighborhoods β° Weekday mornings or early evenings π² Paid in conversation + steps βWhat: Looking for someone to help make daily walks feel less like a chore and more like a routine. Bonus points if you know which streets have the best landscaping.
β HOME EDITING ASSISTANT (TEMPORARY, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ROLE)β π Milton / Alpharetta β° Short-term π² Negotiable βWhat: Help deciding what stays, what goes, and what gets moved into a closet βfor now.β Must be calm, decisive, and able to say, βYou donβt actually need that.β β Want your job, gig, or opportunity featured here? Reach out.β β(Or reply directly to this newsletter)β β
π Buckhead, Atlanta (β 35β40 minutes south) β° Half-day escape (morning is ideal) π² Services vary (Γ la carte or packages)
What: Infrared sauna, cold plunge, cryotherapy, compression, and hydration therapies β the modern wellness stack for resetting after holiday indulgence. No retreat commitment, no overnight bag, just real traction on your health goals.
Best for:
Solo reset days (clear your head, reboot your body)
Couples who want a healthy shared ritual that isnβt dinner
Friends doing a January βget back on trackβ pact
Busy people who want wellness without disappearing for a weekend
β
β
Word Puzzle Answer: EXERCISE β
See you on the A-Side. β¨
Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, which means A-Side of Town could earn a small commission if you choose to purchaseβat absolutely no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we genuinely love and think you will too.
β π Share the Love
If you enjoyed this edition of the A Side Of Town, share it with a friend, your neighbor, or that cousin who's always "thinking about moving down here." β βIt cost nothing to click the "share" button below, tell a friend, or hit reply and tell us what you think-the good, the bad, or the "y'all have a typo." β Every click, comment, and forward helps keep this line-dance moving. We appreciate the heck out of you so much. Slide to the right.....1,2,3..... β β β β
" If you live in Alpharetta, this is a MUST read. π― π π π³ π²"!
Find out what's going on in town the fun way. π₯
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER* covering community happenings, events, new business openings, job postings, new restuarants you didn't know existed, contractors you can hire, weekend getaways, and more-- all delivered straight to your email. New editions Thursday at 7am. π Subscribe for free! β¬οΈ
Read more from " If you live in Alpharetta, this is a MUST read. π― π π π³ π²"!
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Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell Events: Dec 11 β Dec 18 Burrrrrr π₯Ά December has been cold, right?! It's also in full sprint and so are we. Santa has at least six appearances this week, holiday concerts are multiplying like elves, and even the coffee shops are showing up in full dessert-mode. So take a deep breath, stretch your social muscles, and letβs see how much festive fun we can cram into seven days without losing a mitten. NarayPublisher, A Side Of Town Subscribe and share the...
