By Jonathan Williams

For the AJC

Atlanta’s outdoor festival season continues in June with events revolving around art and creativity.

Organized by the folks at Beep Beep Gallery, one of Atlanta’s favorite lowbrow and contemporary art spaces, Artlantis returns June 5 to showcase local underground and emerging artists, as well as some of the city's more innovative musical acts. The following weekend, Art-B-Que takes a similar approach in the arts district of Avondale Estates. Here’s a look at each.

Artlantis

After a successful debut last June, Artlantis comes back to the front steps of Druid Hills Baptist Church at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Highland Avenue for a day of whimsical art, eclectic music, festival food and other fun. Famed local underground art hero R. Land created the logo for this year’s event. Affordably priced works by more than 50 Atlanta artists including Lucha Rodriguez, Plastic Aztecs, Evereman and Heather Elder will be featured.

While many of the participating artists have had their work displayed at Beep Beep, like-minded galleries such as Mint Gallery, Eyedrum, Kibbee and WonderRoot will also have tents with artwork and other information.

Artlantis also supports the local music scene with performances throughout the day. The juxtaposition of musical styles is just as varied as the artwork on display as Beep Beep favorite Muleskinner MacQueen plays a solo set of Appalachian folk songs and the Carnivores perform their lo-fi psychedelic pop. Other bands performing include the similarly psychedelic Mermaids, the alternative rock of the Buffalo Bangers and the post-punk of Thy Mighty Contract.

Art-B-Que

Within the Avondale Estates thriving art gallery district, Art-B-Que will celebrate its third year with even more bands, booze, barbecue and fun. Expanding to three days, the event kicks off June 11 with an opening- night party at the Alcove Contemporary Arts Gallery for Tree Huggers, its latest show featuring works by surrealist artists Leslie Ditto and Benji Williams. The opening features a performance by North Carolina new wave garage band Snagglepuss.

The following two days will be filled with the sounds of bands like dream pop act Cinetrope, the arena punk punch of the Biters, the multifaceted rock of Gringo Star and the singer-songwriter strummings of Heather Luttrell. But it wouldn’t be an Art-B-Que without two additional things: art and barbecue. And they will both be available in abundance as local restaurants such as Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, Smoker and the Bandit and others offer grilled meats and such. And plan on an assortment of arts-and-crafters such as H.C. Warner, Chris Hamer and Becky Sizemore, offering paintings, sculptures, jewelry and various creative wares.

Each day and into the night, area galleries such as Alcove, Little Tree Studios and Bart Webb Studios will feature new works and musical performances. Carnival-like aspects and a parade to kick off Sunday’s festivities, make Art-B-Que an event truly meant for all the senses.

Events previewed

Artlantis

10 a.m.-7 p.m June 5. Free. Druid Hills Baptist Church, 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-429-3320.  www.artlantisfestival.blogspot.com

Art-B-Que

7 p.m.-midnight June 11; 11 a.m.-midnight June 12; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 13. Franklin Street, Avondale Estates. 404-538-1661. www.artbque.com