Dancing, Dining, and Drinking (Java, too) in the SMY

For those “Dancing With the Stars” aficionados, you can dance your heart out for the entire day, if you wish. The Georgia Star Ball on Saturday at the Academy Ballroom Cumberland is the zenith of local dance competitions. From 8 a.m. until midnight, the Georgia Star Ball will hold mini-lessons, open sessions, and competitions in several genres including Latin, American Rhythm, and yes, Ballroom Dance. Tickets are $15 for the day session (until 6 p.m.) and $25 for the evening session. All ages are invited and lunch and dinner are provided at an extra cost. The evening session will culminate in an exciting Ballroom Dance contest and an awards ceremony for competition winners. So, go cut a rug. Trip the light fantastic. Or just dance. Call 770-272-1331 for more information.

Close your eyes and picture a large rolling lawn of soft green grass, seating areas of swings, Adirondack and lounge chairs scattered hither and yon, all looking onto the Chattahoochee River. Although this doesn’t normally conjure up the scene of a java joint, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Shop begs to differ. This tucked-away establishment is a well-kept secret, nestled in the back of the Walton on the Chattahoochee Apartment Complex on Powers Ferry. But when you find it…wow! The interior is comfy and bookish according to the uniformly appealing formula of a coffee shop, offering fair trade coffee grown in Rwanda and roasted in small artisan batches in Roswell. All manners of tea beverages as well as frosty thirst-quenchers are also available. But step outside and prepare to be captivated by the view: couples lounging on picnic blankets, young 20-something crowd throwing frisbees and playing badminton, children playing games and daring each other to dip toes in the chilly ‘Hooch.

A trio of local yokels started the mighty restaurant known as Local Three Kitchen & Bar, which is creating quite a buzz in foodie circles. As sister to Muss & Turner’s, Local Three is a bit more upscale, but adheres to the same unstuffy, laid-back, unpretentious vibe that makes M&T so irresistible. The owners’ passion for fresh local food, simplicity over fussiness, seasonal and high-quality ingredients obviously make Local Three a success. Chef and Coolio’s Fantastic Monday Night Voyages is a must. Three stunningly scrumptious courses are served family-style around a communal table. As the social wheels are oiled with paired beer and wine, the comfy camaraderie makes the experience even more memorable.  The Monday Night Voyage costs $35 per person and is served up every Monday night at 7. Alas, there are only 16 spots available at the Community Table, so reserve early. As the three local gents declare, “You can’t argue with delicious.”

Burn, baby, burn: Dig out those bellbottoms and get ready for some jive talkin’when Yacht Rock Schooner sails in and drops anchor at Dixie Tavern. This outrageously talented band effortlessly unfurls catchy covers from the soft-rock 70s era, tunes that compel everyone to (loudly) sing along with the chorus. According to their facebook page, the Schooner’s holy trinity is composed of Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald and Barry Gibb. Don’t let that scare you, though, because their coverage of other artists of the same era is immense. This raucous group of costumed musicians knows how to party like it’s 1977. Cover charge is $5 and music begins at 9 p.m.

Word has it that the family-friendly eatery in Market Village morphs into a nightclub at 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. We’re talking a thumping bass, plenty of dancing, can-hardly-believe-you’re-in-Smyrna sort of place. After restaurant patrons leave, Zucca’s employees push back the tables and the DJ gets the party started on the dance floor. Friday nights feature the funky DJ 7 and $5 Absolut, Jack and Bacardi cocktails. DJ Suspense rocks the house on Saturdays while the crowds imbibe $10 pitchers of Miller and Coors Light. No need to leave the SMY for the ATL.