Gwinnett Arena   

The wrecking ball once hovered threateningly over this sumptuous, over-the-top theater palace, but thanks to the protests of locals, it was spared. It now frequents lists of Atlanta's best landmarks. Thank heaven this Moorish-style delight, with its onion domes and minarets and blinding, blinking marquee, survives. Once you're settled in your seat, check for a plaque on the arm. You may see the name of one of those who worked to save the Fox and want to whisper a grateful "thank you." As a favorite venue for Broadway productions, flashy blockbuster shows, opera, rock concerts, movies, ballet and symphonic concerts, the Fox caters to a population with myriad tastes. No one who visits can fail to be awed by the opulence of the place: grand staircases, exquisite light fixtures, gilt details, Egyptian touches. But surely everyone's favorite feature is the main auditorium, which is made to look like a giant courtyard from the Arabian Nights, with a twilight "sky," complete with twinkling stars and passing pouffy clouds (how do they do that?). The sides of the vast space, flanking the massive, heavily draped stage, look like snug, warmly lit apartments where some mysterious life goes on behind the scenes. The overall effect is a comfortable and cozy one, despite the actual size of the place. Almost as beloved as that sparkling sky is the Mighty Mo organ with its four keyboards, 3,622 pipes, 376 stops and 42 ranks. It only rises from the depths of its subterranean organ cave on special occasions, like during the Summer Film Festival. But you can also "meet" it on a Fox Theatre Tour, where you'll see what goes on behind the curtains and backstage and get a glimpse of the elaborate ballrooms where glittering social functions are held. As a musical venue, the Fox gets either rave reviews or a thumbs-down. There is no consensus. A hall built in the 1920s won't have the latest in cutting-edge acoustic technologies -- that's true. But many fans still say it's the greatest of concert halls. We'll leave that decision up to you. There is a huge concession area in the main lobby as well as ancillary ones on upper levels. While smaller, the balcony sites have more of a clubby atmosphere and the lines probably won't be as daunting. Tip No. 1: Many say there's not a bad seat in the house, but be warned that if you are in the upper reaches of the balcony, you'll want to bring those binoculars, if not an oxygen canister. And if you tend to have acrophobia, stay on the main floor, as the balcony section is quite steep. Tip No. 2: The seats under the balcony miss the view of the stars and clouds. Keep that in mind when bringing children to the Fox, as those same stars and clouds have hypnotically quieted youngsters when the stage action flagged, granting sweet respite to adult companions. Tip No. 3: Ladies, go ahead and brave the lines in the powder room downstairs. The space is gorgeous. You'll wish you had on some flowing satin evening gown (and some of you will) as you perch at one of the vanities to touch up your lipstick. And unlike so many ladies rooms these days, there are lots of stalls and the line moves fairly quickly. Tip No. 4: Folks in wheelchairs have reported difficulty in getting around in this 1920s building. The place was built long before architectural consciousness was raised, and efforts to make amends are reportedly paltry. You'll want to inquire ahead if this is a concern for you or someone in your party. -- Judith Alexander