Entertainment preview: Stars shine on GWCCA campus in 2018

So far in this still-young calendar year, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) downtown Atlanta campus has served as production basecamp for the hit TV musical drama “Star,” and hosted performances by EDM (electronic dance music) chart-toppers Bassnectar and The Chainsmokers, hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar, rapper Waka Flocka and his wife Tammy Rivera,  pop crooner Charlie Puth, and R&B idol Jason Derulo, along with a showcase featuring popular social media comedians.

So what does the rest of 2018 hold in terms of entertainment for the No. 1 convention, sports and entertainment destination in the world?

Here’s a look at how the GWCCA campus’ 2018 entertainment events calendar is shaping up:

MARCH

JurrassicQuest, March 9-11, Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC): This kid-friendly dinosaur extravaganza – featuring life-size moving replicas from the Jurassic age, hands-on activities and merchandise – returns to the convention center. For tickets, click here.

Call of Duty World League Atlanta Global Open, March 9-11, GWCC: More than 175 professional and amateur gamers square off in the three-day intense video game tournament at the GWCC’s Exhibition Hall B5. Hosted by Major League Gaming, the event boasts a $200,000 grand prize purse. For spectator ticket information, click here.

APRIL

Sweetwater 420 Fest, April 20-22, Centennial Olympic Park (COP):  The annual Earth Day weekend celebration hosted by Atlanta-based brewery SweetWater returns to our 21-acre urban oasis with a lineup boasting headliners Sturgill Simpson, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Umphrey’s McGee and The String Cheese Incident. Three-day general admission ticketing is $123 in advance and 3-Day VIP passes are $353 advance.

MAY

Kenny Chesney, with Thomas Rhett, Old Dominion and Brandon Lay, 5 p.m., May 26, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS): Country superstar Chesney became a regular attraction at the Georgia Dome in recent years, and the No Shoes Nation legacy continues at MBS with “The Trip Around the Sun Tour.” For tickets, click here.

MomoCon, May 24-27, GWCC: This growing geek culture convention – animae, cosplay, comic books, gaming, sci-fi, fantasy and featured guests – returns to the convention center for four days of merriment. Click here for registration

JULY

Atlanta Comic Con, July 13-15, GWCC: And speaking of geek culture – this new three-day convention makes its debut at the GWCC, featuring comic book-related exhibitors, artists and celebrities. Get ticket info here.

AUGUST

Taylor Swift, 7 p.m., Aug. 10-11, MBS. The reigning princess of pop returns to the GWCCA campus as her “reputation” Stadium Tour stops over at MBS for a two-night run. For tickets, click here.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Aug. 25, MBS. The royal couple of R&B/hip-hop ride again as their OTR II stadium tour returns to the GWCCA campus, this time representing the duo’s MBS debut. Tickets go on sale March 19 via LiveNation.com and all usual outlets.

NOVEMBER

Ed Sheeran, 7 p.m., Nov. 10, MBS: The chart-topping singer-songwriter (“The A Team,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Shape Of You,” “Perfect”) brings his stadium tour to the Benz, and ticket packages are available here.

DreamHack, Nov. 16-18, GWCC. This e-sports and gaming festival features a bring-your-own computer party, cosplay competitions, live music, table top gaming, panel discussions and expo hall showcasing the latest digital gadgets. Tickets go on sale May 9 via dreamhack.com/Atlanta.