7-17-2023 4:08am

Fun and Interesting Events this Week in Middle Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

A patron of the arts examines the creative artwork of Shannon Riddle this past Friday at the Ocmulgee Artist's Guild's pop-up art gallery in Downtown Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in Middle Georgia there are many unique events taking place including a screening of a documentary about Macon's Little Richard at the Douglass Theatre, multiple Christmas in July events (for those who like to buy gifts months before everyone else), a Travis Tritt performance at the Macon City Auditorium, and much more. The following are just a few of the special events taking place in the heart of Georgia during the third week of July.

MONDAY, JULY 17

Read with a Ranger at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (10 - 10:30 a.m.)

Ranger Caroline will present Read with a Ranger on Monday morning as part of Ocmulgee Mounds' summer reading program. During Read with a Ranger, Ranger Caroline will read an entertaining children's book to park visitors at the Outdoor Classroom (or in the Visitor Center Theater if there is rain). There is no charge for this family-friendly event.

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 1207 Emery Highway, Macon

TUESDAY, JULY 18

Macon Film Guild presents “Little Richard: I Am Everything” at the Douglass Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

The Macon Film Guild will screen the documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything” (2022) on Tuesday at the historic Douglass Theatre. Little Richard was proud of his hometown Macon even after he left to seek the worldwide fame he eventually found. The film received a very high viewer rating on the movie rating website Rotten Tomatoes. Fall Line Brewing will also present a free Happy Hour starting at 6:30 p.m. before the movie starts. Tickets to the Macon Film Guild's screening of "Little Richard: I Am Everything" cost $5 online.

Douglass Theatre - 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

Entrepreneur’s Happy Hour at Just Tap’d (5 - 6:30 p.m.)

Startup Macon is hosting an Entrepreneur's Happy Hour at Just Tap’d on Wednesday. Small business owners will be able to network with others with similar interests as well as receive a complimentary beer. Learn more about the resources and events from Startup Macon on their website. This event is free to attend.

Just Tap’d - Macon

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Moon Day at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

The Museum of Arts and Sciences will celebrate the first time man landed on the moon during Moon Day this Tuesday. The museum has “space-themed activities, special planetarium shows, and a unique live animal experience that starts at 10:30 a.m.” planned for attendees at this family-friendly event. The Moon Day activities are included with regular museum admission: tickets for adults 18 years and older are $10, tickets for children 3 to 17 years old are $5, and the museum offers reduced priced tickets for senior citizens, military members, and college students.

Museum of Arts and Sciences - 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon

Pints for a Purpose at Fall Line Brewing Co. (4 - 9 p.m.)

Fall Line Brewing Co. invites you to bring your dog to the brewery and restaurant on Thursday and help raise money for “Healthcare for Both Ends of the Leash” health pop up clinics when you mention People & Pets Project at checkout. Dogs must be on a leash to join their owners and other attendees in Fall Line’s beer garden.

Fall Line Brewing Co. - 567 Plum Street, Macon

FRIDAY, JULY 21

Taco and Tequila Festival at The Society Garden (12 - 7 p.m.)

The Society Garden is bringing back Taco and Tequila Fest for the weekend which will include Latin music, three different taco trucks, and plenty of margarita and tequila flights. General admission tickets are $10 per day. Taco and Tequila Festival will start on Friday with The Society Garden opening at noon and DJ Laylo Lopez presenting Salsa Night from 5 p.m. until midnight. On Saturday, DJ Pickles will spin Latin music from 1 to 3 p.m. followed by the Tumbao Latin Fusion Band who will then be followed by a salsa/dance party from 5 to 7 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, the venue will be open at noon and a live mariachi will perform from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by salsa music with DJ Laylo Lopez from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets to the Taco and Tequila Festival start at $10.

The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Travis Tritt at the Macon City Auditorium (7:30 p.m.)

Crowds will hear Travis Tritt perform some of his hit songs such as “I’m Gonna to Be Somebody” and “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” as well as some newer songs this Friday at the Macon City Auditorium. The doors open at the Macon City Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to see Travis Tritt start at $36.50.

Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

Travis Tritt's hit song "I'm Going to Be Somebody" always gets big reactions for his appreciative crowds

Macon Little Theatre presents Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” (8 p.m.)

Mel Brooks’ irreverent and hilarious comedy film went on to become a Broadway musical that will be performed by the talented members of Macon Little Theatre this Friday. If you aren’t able to attend the show on Friday, there are also shows on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Macon Little Theatre does not allow children under the age of 5 to attend as a courtesy to other patrons. Tickets to see “Young Frankenstein" cost $25 for adults, tickets for seniors (65 and older) and military members cost $20, and student tickets cost $15.

Macon Little Theatre - 4220 Forsyth Road, Macon

Open Mic Night at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex (8 p.m.)

DJ Luv will host Open Mike Night at The Patio Bar at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex this Friday night. This event takes place the third Friday of each month and is for adults 18 and older.

Rigby’s Entertainment Complex - 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Milledgeville Main Street’s Christmas in July Market (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.)

Milledgeville Main Street will present the Christmas in July Market this Saturday for those who want to get a really early start on Christmas shopping. Thirty local vendors will showcase their unique items and Downtown Milledgeville’s boutiques and restaurants will also be open for attendees. Santa will be taking a break from his summer vacation to be available for “Christmas in July” pictures with the crowd from 4 to 6 p.m. There will also be live music from the Ill Wind Band from 5 to 7 p.m. and a food truck or two, according to the organizers.

127 E. Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Food Truck and Farmer’s Market Days at Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Lane Southern Orchards will present a Food Truck and Farmer's Market Days event this Saturday. Lane Orchards is farm, café, and roadside market with 11,000 acres of orchards in Fort Valley that sells fresh peaches, pecans, preserves, and more.

Lane Southern Orchards - 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley

Christmas in July at The Hummingbird (4 p.m.)

There will be another Christmas in July event this Saturday at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon. The venue will have a paddle board (courtesy of White Claw) that will be raffled off as well as swag for attendees. The band Lite N Tie will perform starting at 5 p.m. followed by Darin Curtis & Chin Lee, Canadian Tuxedo, Charles Davis & The Velvet Sound, and 8 Second Ride. The Hummingbird will have a $5 cover charge for Christmas in July for those 21 and older and a $10 cover charge for patrons 18 to 20 years of age.

The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom - 430 Cherry Street, Macon

ROAD TRIP: Summer Party - Enchanted Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (5:30 - 9 p.m.)

The Atlanta Botanical Garden will be presenting a family-friendly Summer Party this Saturday evening. The whimsical event will include “magical stories of legends and lore” that feature “goddesses, trolls, fairies and magic”. Summer Party will include live music, live painting, garden art, dancing, and chef demonstrations, according to the venue. Complimentary daytime admission for members and guest passes are not accepted at this special event. Tickets to Summer Party: Enchanted Garden cost $55 for adults and $40 for children 3 to 12 unless you are a member at Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden - 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta

Lady C and MainStreet at the Fish N’ Pig (7 p.m.)

Lady C and MainStreet will perform at Macon’s seafood restaurant Fish N’ Pig this Saturday evening. Lady C and MainStreet recently performed in Griffin as part of the Griffin Summer Concert Series. Fish N’ Pig does not have a cover charge.

Fish N’ Pig - 6420 Moseley Dixon Road, Macon

SUNDAY, JULY 23

ROAD TRIP: Camp Creek Soul Festival (2 - 11 p.m.)

The Camp Creek Soul Festival is a soul and rhythm and blues music festival that will take place Saturday and Sunday this week in Atlanta. This family-friendly event will feature live music, funny comedian hosts, food, and dancing. Attendees are invited to bring their picnic essentials, though no glass or hot food is allowed. Tickets to the Camp Creek Soul Festival are free if you arrive before 4 p.m. and $25 per day if you arrive after 4 p.m.

Princeton Lakes Park (at the Camp Creek Marketplace) - 3870 Redwine Road, Atlanta