Etc. events

For the week of Aug. 20-26

This week

Night of Hope, Atlanta. With Joel and Victoria Osteen. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. $15. Ticketmaster.

Fresh Green Friday, Gainesville. Locally grown dinner; inspired by the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life." 7 p.m. Friday, Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. $20 for five-course meal; reservations required. 770-887-0051.

Contra dance, Sautee. Live music by Steam Shovel; caller Jennie Wakefield. No experience necessary. Lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance, 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Gym, Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. $8 adults, $7 SNCA members, $4 students. Free for kids age 7 and younger. 706-754-3254.

Diamonds and Denim, Gainesville. Benefits Family Ties — Gainesville Inc. 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Gainesville Civic Center lawn and ballroom, 830 Green St. NW, Gainesville. $50 in advance; $55 day of event. 770-287-3071.

Upcoming

Car & Bike Show, Athens. Benefits Friends of Advantage. 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 29, The Varsity, 1000 W. Broad St., Athens. $10 registration. 706-296-8086, 706-614-6143 or 706-201-6724.

Happy Heart Car Show, Gainesville. Benefits The American Heart Association. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29; registration ends at 2 p.m., awards at 3 p.m. Guilford Medical Complex, 1240 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville. $15 preregistration; $25 registration. 770-538-4254 or nikkisullens@ngdc.com.

Calabash Party, Gainesville. Music by Airtight Band, shag lessons, silent auction, hors d' oeuvres and cash bar. Benefits The Guest House. 7 p.m. Aug. 29, The Elks Club, 1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. $35. 770-535-1487 or info@theguesthouse.org.

Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Buford. Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 6150 Holiday Road, Buford.

Meet the Candidates, Homer. Candidates for November 2009 election. 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24, Banks County Recreation Center, 607 Thompson St., Homer. Free. 706-677-2108 or bankscountychamber@windstream.net.

Ongoing

Beginning Mainstream Square Dance lessons, Gainesville. Lakeshore Squares square dance club. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Drive, Gainesville. First three lessons free; $3 beginning Sept. 14. 404-372-6707.

Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Jacobs Building at Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 770-294-6059 or edandemw@yahoo.com.

Old-fashioned square dance, Hiawassee. 7 p.m. Mondays, Senior Center, 48 River St., Hiawassee. Free. 706-896-1060 or info@townshistory.org.

Southern Living Idea House tours, Dahlonega. Tour the house featured in August's Southern Living. Benefits the United Way of Dahlonega/Lumpkin County. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 18, Achasta, 150 Birch River Drive, Dahlonega. $5. 706-867-1660.