Vita restaurant swings, stays up late

Live music is now filling the dining room of Buckhead family-style Italian destination Vita. Owner Tony LaRocco is booking bands, including local favorites like Mike Geier and Kingsized. Upcoming shows include Tommy Dean Thursday night, Jabari Grover Friday and the Ginn Quartet Saturday. Live piano music is offered Sundays-Tuesdays, and full bands hit the stage at 9 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. LaRocco says the industry crowd is discovering Vita’s late-night kitchen hours, too. The staff whips up its full 70-item menu until 1 a.m., and the bar stays open until 2 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Vita closes at midnight on Sundays.

THE 411: Vita, 2110 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-367-8482, www.vitaatl.com.

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Becky Stein/AJC special

Vita owner Tony LaRocco is adding more live music to his restaurant’s menu.

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MARTINIS & IMAX HOME STRETCH

Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s long-running Martinis & Imax series will wrap its current season in November and return in January. So fans of big-screen bodaciousness, cocktails and live jazz have a few weeks left to get their kicks before the month-long hiatus. On Friday, vocalist Rai Ragland brings a mix of blues, swing, Latin and more. The cash bars tout libations like the Cucumber Lemonade and Peachtree Smash, and food is available at the adjacent Fernbank Cafe. The current flicks on tap are “Antarctica,” “Wild Ocean” and “Ring of Fire.” Martinis & Imax is for ages 21 and older.

THE 411: $10-$15; $7 without film. 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-929-6300, www.fernbankmuseum.org.

DOGWOOD DAYS OF FALL

Dogwood in Midtown is doing its best to lure customers with specials. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, wine and cocktail fans can pinch a few pennies. Martinis and Cosmos go for $5 each. And all bottles of wine priced less than $100 get a 50-percent discount. It’s also catering to theatergoers looking to stop in before or after a show at the nearby Fox Theatre. Those who show their ticket stubs and buy an entrée score a 50-percent discount on any of Dogwood’s wines by the glass. The wine list boasts more than 75 selections, and more than 20 are available by the glass. And don’t forget its fall three-course prix fixe menu Mondays-Wednesdays for $30 per person.

THE 411: Dogwood, 565 Peachtree St., Suite A, Atlanta. 404-835-1410, www.dogwoodrestaurant.com.

HAVING A MOTH BALL

When the Grant Park Neighborhood Association wants to raise some funds, it doesn’t sell doughnuts or wash cars. It’s pitching one wild and wacky costume party weeks before Halloween. The annual Moth Ball takes place at Zoo Atlanta, and organizers encourage guests to dress as their favorite TV sitcom characters. Gilligans, Lucys, Seinfelds and Fred Sanfords will be grooving to live music from Gwen Hughes and the Retro Jazz Kats, and DJ Robert Drake. Gorge on a buffet and bid on original art, restaurant gift certificates and more. And see if you have what it takes to win this year’s Miss Mothball competition. Prizes go to the best costume and best table decoration. Tickets are available online or at Six Feet Under, Grant Park Conservancy, Stella, Solstice Cafe, Dakota Blue and Grant Central Pizza locations.

THE 411: $35 advance; $45 at the door. 8 p.m. Oct. 4. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. 404-586-9999, www.themothball.org.