12-03-2023 8:21pm

Adventures in Middle Georgia: Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

Visitors to the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza in Downtown Macon have many opportunities to take fun selfies with their family and friends (Photographer Nate Weeks)

There will be a three-day-long celebration of the birthday of iconic, world-famous musician Little Richard, the Grinch will be skating at Rigby's Entertainment Complex, and the Macon Mayhem will play two games against their rivals the Knoxville Ice Bears this week. The following are just a few of the fun, and often free events, taking place this week in Middle Georgia.

MONDAY, December 4

Little Richard Birthday Celebration at The Douglass Theatre (5 p.m.)

Macon’s own Little Richard’s birthday will be celebrated from Monday through Wednesday this week with events at The Douglass Theatre on Monday, with a reception and Q&A session from “Here’s Little Richard” author Jordan Bassett at 5 p.m. This will be followed at 6 p.m. by a free screening of the HBO/CNN Films documentary “Little Richard: I am Everything”. Refreshments will be provided as well. Read the event’s Facebook post for more information. This event is free and open to the public.

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

McDuffie Young Artist Concert at the Bell House (7 p.m.)

The McDuffie Center Young Artists will perform at a free concert on Monday at the historic Bell House. These concerts help emerging artists showcase their talents while allowing the general public to enjoy engaging performances of classical music. This concert is free and open to the public.

- Bell House - 315 College Street, Macon

TUESDAY, December 5

ROAD TRIP: GATHER: Open Mic Storytelling Night in Zebulon (7 - 8 p.m.)

Storytellers and writers will gather at the 1828 Coffee Company in Zebulon for an evening of storytelling presented by Writing Wild. Adult storytellers will have 5 to 7 minutes on stage while younger storytellers will have 3 to 5 minutes to tell their stories. This event is free and open to the public.

- 1828 Coffee Company - 15982 Barnesville Street, Zebulon

Wednesday, December 6

Poplar Street Farmers Market (3 - 6 p.m.)

This Poplar Street Farmers Market is a weekly producer-only, farmer-led farmers market that takes place on Downtown Macon’s Poplar Street. This event is free and open to the public.

- 400 Poplar Street, Macon

Little Richard Birthday Celebration with Drag Queen Bingo at The Society Garden (5 - 8 p.m.)

The Society Garden will host a night of bingo with drag queens, a delicious birthday cake from Oh Honey Baking Co., specialty cocktails, and more. This event is free and open to the public.

- The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Thursday, December 7

Luther Dickinson After School Special at Fresh Produce Records (6 p.m.)

Musician Luther Dickinson will be celebrating the release of his newest album Magic Music for Family Folk with a performance at Downtown Macon’s Fresh Produce Records on Thursday. Dickinson made this album as a way to keep his kids company while he was touring. This musical event is free to attend.

- Fresh Produce Records - 567 Cherry Street, Macon

Dickinson's newest album features his children singing family-friendly songs

KPOP Trivia at Hello Boba Cafe (7 - 8 p.m.)

Hello Boba Cafe will be staying open later than usual for this KPOP trivia event on Thursday night. The event will feature a specialty drink just for the occasion and trivia will include questions about KPOP favorites NewJeans, StrayKids, TXT, and more. This event is free to attend.

- Hello Boba Cafe - 359 Third Street, Macon

The Allman Betts Family Revival at the Macon City Auditorium (7:30 p.m.)

The Allman Betts Family Revival will star multiple talented musicians including Devon Allman, Duane Betts, Anders Osborne, Luther and Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, The Allman Betts Band, and many others. Tickets to The Allman Betts Family Revival currently start at $35 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon City Auditorium - 415 1st Street, Macon

FRIDAY, December 8

Grinch Skate Night at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex in Warner Robins (6 p.m.)

The Grinch will be skating at Rigby’s this Friday. He is known for his grumpiness but he might be convinced to take a few photos with other skaters. It will cost $15 to skate with a skate rental or $12 to skate with your own skates at Grinch Skate Night.

- Rigby’s Entertainment Complex - 2001 Karl Drive, Macon

Macon Mayhem vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

Macon’s professional hockey team will be playing two games against the Knoxville Ice Bears this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Tickets to the game on Friday start at $14 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia at the Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m.)

The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia will present five performances of the ballet “The Nutcracker” at the historic Grand Opera House from Thursday through Sunday (with two shows on Saturday). Tickets for each night’s performance(s) can be purchased from the Grand Opera House’s website.

- Grand Opera House - 651 Mulberry Street, Macon

2nd Annual Mayor’s Sneaker Ball at the Macon City Auditorium (8 p.m.)

The Mayor’s Sneaker Ball is a unique occasion where guests dress up in their fanciest clothes and also wear their snazziest pair of sneakers. This year, there will be hors d’oeuvres, two DJs performing, and presentations from multiple speakers. Tickets for balcony admission start at $40 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon City Auditorium - 415 1st Street, Macon

SATURDAY, December 9

2023 City of Warner Robins Christmas Parade (10 a.m.)

Warner Robins's festive Christmas Parade will start at McConnell-Talbert Stadium and end on Watson Boulevard. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

- Warner Robins

Wini McQueen’s “The Canopy” and Bicentennial Art Show at the Macon Mall (12 - 5 p.m.)

The multitalented fabric artist Wini McQueen’s gallery at the Macon Mall will be open this Saturday. There is also a large gallery of artwork from many other artists located on the bottom floor. This event is free and open to the public.

- Macon Mall - 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

6th Annual Murray’s Light Benefit Concert at The Society Garden (6 p.m.)

The Murray Foundation, which provides scholarships and more to youth in Middle Georgia, will present its 6th Annual Murray’s Light Benefit this Saturday. The event will feature live performances from Hughes Taylor, the Garrett Collins Band, and Mt. Pilot. The cover charge of $15 will help benefit the Murray Foundation’s mission: if you bring an unwrapped gift, the cover charge will be $10.

- The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

O’TIS the Season at The Capitol Theatre (7 p.m.)

The annual O’TIS the Season fundraising concert will return to Macon this year and will feature special guest CeeLo Green, several musical guests, and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to O’TIS the Season start at $30 on seetickets.us.

- The Capitol Theatre - 382 Second Street, Macon

Dirty Dancing in Concert at the Macon City Auditorium (8 p.m.)

Dirty Dancing in Concert will feature a screening of the cult classic 80’s movie along with singers and a band performing on stage. Tickets to see Dirty Dancing in Concert currently start at $42 on ticketmaster.com.

- The Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

SUNDAY, December 10

Christmas Sweater Yoga at Fall Line Brewing Co. (11 a.m.)

Homegrown Yoga will present Christmas Sweater Yoga this Sunday at Fall Line Brewing Co. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Christmas sweater and bring their friends for this all-levels practice. This unique yoga class is free and open to the public.

- Fall Line Brewing - 567 Plum Street, Macon