Live Music in Middle Georgia this Weekend

Starting this Friday, the 41st International Cherry Blossom Festival will bring multiple live musical acts to the stage at Carolyn Crayton Park every night of the week until March 26th. There will also be St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, an art party with multiple musical acts performing, and much more live musical entertainment to enjoy in Macon and Middle Georgia this weekend. Here is a select list of just some of the more unique performance taking place Friday, March 16th through Sunday, March 18th.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES: MISS KELLEY & FRIENDS AND AJ THE DJ (3 - 4:30 p.m., 5 - 10 p.m.)

Miss Kelley & Friends features Ms. Kelley Dixson, who has been a musician since she was a child and has performed with multiple orchestras, in bands, and even a Cabaret show. Miss Kelley & Friends will perform from 3 to 4:30 p.m. AJ the DJ will be the musical act for the festival’s nightly concert on Friday. He will present a dance party for kids from 5 until 7 p.m. and then one for the adults, featuring a laser light show, from 8 until 10 p.m. These concerts are free with admission into Carolyn Crayton Park: general admission is $10 for all visitors 11 years old and older with children 10 and under receiving free entry.

Kelley Dixson plays the ukulele while singing the powerful song "Push": Dixson is a singer, songwriter of songs for kids, and a multi-instrumentalist (she plays at least 5 different instruments including the ukulele, piano, flute, saxophone, and trumpet)

4TH ANNUAL RED TIE AFFAIR IN DOWNTOWN MACON (6 p.m. - 12 a.m.)

The Ocmulgee Artist Guild is hosting another Red Tie Affair this Friday night. There will be live music from multiple bands including a The Decemberists tribute band (made up of Jessica Whitley-Penndorf, Colin and Jim Penndorf, Jake Grisamore, and Stephen  Wisker). The Red Tie Affair takes place at 391 2nd Street in Macon. There is no cover charge to attend this art party/fine art exhibit.

BROADWAY DOES COUNTRY: A CABARET AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE (7:30 p.m.)

The Grand Opera House describes this event as an “upbeat cabaret-style performance” that includes Broadway style singing in an intimate lounge show setting. Country music from artists like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson will be combined with Broadway tunes from shows like Oklahoma!. Tickets cost $10.

THE SHADE TREES PLAY THE SOCIETY GARDEN (8:30 - 11:30 p.m.)

The Shade Trees blend musical genres like Americana and indie and has been described as a "Southern Eclectic Musical Experience". The Society Garden usually charges a cover charge at the gate starting a while before the band takes the stage.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES: DEAN BROWN & DUBSHAK, SEAN SOLO WITH HELLO AGAIN, REESE SOUL, AND THE LEGENDARY WAILERS (12:30 - 10 p.m.)

Four different musical acts will take the stage at Carolyn Crayton Park, starting with the talented Cash’s Juke Joint at 12:30 p.m. Angel “Cash” Ocasio, Jr. is the founder of Cash’s Juke Joint and they have opened for major acts like Patti LaBelle and Mother’s Finest. Sean Solo and Hello Again will perform starting at 3 p.m. Sean Solo (aka Sean Williams) is from Macon and his musical style is heavily influenced by The Beach Boys. Reese Soul will perform starting at 5:30 p.m. This artist is from Atlanta and has worked with acts like The Isley Brothers. The Legendary Wailers are the featured act of the festival’s nightly concert series on Saturday. Guitarist and singer Julian Junior, of Bob Marley & The Wailers, will sing that band’s hit songs to the crowds at the 41st International Cherry Blossom Festival. These concerts are free with admission into Carolyn Crayton Park: general admission is $10 for all visitors 11 years old and older with children 10 and under receiving free entry.

J. SCOTT THOMPSON BAND AT THE SOCIETY GARDEN (8:30 p.m.)

The J. Scott Thompson Band will perform during the Saint Patrick’s Day Bash at The Society Garden on Saturday evening. This band plays music that mixes the country and soul music genres into a uniquely Southern sound. This event starts at 1 p.m. and goes to 11 p.m. and will include “green beer and dance circles around the green fountain”, according to The Society Garden. The Society Garden usually charges a cover charge at the gate starting a while before the band takes the stage.

THE BIG HANGOVER ST. PADDY’S DAY AT THE HUMMINGBIRD (10 p.m. - 2 a.m.)

DJ Ashton will be keeping the crowds dancing at The Hummingbird on Saturday night. All Mercer students 21 and older with a student I.D. will receive free entry. Everyone else will pay a $5 cover charge at the door.

HIP-OH LIVE AT BILLY’S CLUBHOUSE (10 p.m. - 2 a.m.)

Hip-Oh! plays funky covers of songs like the Beatles’ “Come Together”. There is no cover charge at Billy’s Clubhouse.

Hip-Oh performing their version of the Beatles' "Come Together"

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES: GEORGIA BIG BAND, CHARLES DAVIS & THE VELVET SOUND PRESENTS MACON MUSIC REVUE, AND A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS (12:30 - 10 p.m.)

The Georgia Big Band will perform starting at 12:30 p.m. This band is a musical group made up of 5 saxophone players, 4 trumpet players, 4 trombone players, a rhythm section, and a singer who specialize in music from the 40s and Ballroom Dance music. Charles Davis & the Velvet Sound will present Macon Music Review from 5:30 until 7 p.m. This band from Macon mixes blues, funk, R&B/soul, and rock and roll. The featured act of the Cherry Blossom Festival’s nightly concert series on Sunday is Stephen Freeman performing with his “Tribute to Elvis” band. Freeman and the band opened for Charlie Daniels and won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in 2009. These concerts are free with admission into Carolyn Crayton Park: general admission is $10 for all visitors 11 years old and older with children 10 and under receiving free entry.

GIVE ME OBLIVION AND LORD D’ANDRE AT FRIENDS ON THE HILL IN WARNER ROBINS (9 p.m.)

Give Me Oblivion is a hardcore heavy metal band from Warner Robins. Lord D’Andre is a multi-talented musician from nearby Dublin who is known as the father of the musical genre Trap ’N Roll. Patrons who arrive before midnight will receive free entry and there will be drink specials all night long.

The music video for Lord D’Andre’s music video includes some dangerous stunts and fast cars

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