12-10-2023 9:16pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

Several large sunflowers are still in bloom at Karsten and Denson Hardware on Ingleside Avenue (Photographer Nate Weeks)

December is speeding by but there are some unique and interesting events taking place this week to help slow things down some. From a night of storytelling at Grant's Lounge, to a bike party in Downtown Macon, the following are just a few of the adventurous things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, December 11

St. Joseph’s Catholic School Book Fair (8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

St. Joseph’s Catholic School will hold a book fair from December 11th through 15th that will feature books and activity kits for sale.

- St. Joseph’s Catholic School - 905 High Street, Macon

TUESDAY, December 12

Storytellers Presents: The Gift That Keeps Giving (6 p.m.)

Gift giving is on the minds of many people around this time of year, and this storytelling event from Storytellers Macon will feature local storytellers telling stories that somehow are related to the giving of gifts. The featured storytellers for this evening of storytellers will be Alex Habersham and Wes Griffith, who have both been heavily involved in the many celebrations of Macon's Bicentennial this year. Storyteller Macon’s events feature uncensored stories and are recommended for mature audiences. Storytellers Presents: The Gift that Keeps on Giving is free and open to the public.

- Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Dead Day featuring DJ JR at The Hummingbird (10 p.m.)

The week before finals week is commonly referred to as “Dead Week”, and Downtown Macon’s Hummingbird will be celebrating Dead Day on Tuesday night. The music venue and bar will have DJ JR mixing up the beats for the occasion. Mercer students 21 and older with a student ID will get in free and everyone else will pay a $5 cover at the door.

- The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom - 430 Cherry Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, December 13

Jazz Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon in Fickling Hall (7:30 p.m.)

Wycliffe Gordon, who was recently voted by the Jazz Journalists Association as the "Trombonist of the Year,” again, will be performing along with the Mercer Student Jazz Combo on Wednesday. This concert will take place in the Townsend School of Music’s Fickling Hall. During the concert, a Jam Session will take place with local high school students who bring their instruments to perform as well. This concert is free and open to the public.

- Townsend School of Music - 1401 Adams Street, Macon

Taylor Swift Karaoke Night at JBA (9 p.m.)

Swifties can celebrate Taylor Swift’s music all night long on Wednesday, starting with a Taylor Swift-themed dinner and desserts at Pearl - Passionate Cuisine & Cocktails where guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Eras’s outfit. Starting at 9 p.m., JBA will host an evening of Taylor Swift karaoke hosted by DJ Willie D. Those who bring their receipt from Pearl will receive 20% off their tab for the night. There is no cover at JBA for this fun event.

- JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

THURSDAY, December 14

Macon Bike Party: Holiday Hustle (6 - 8 p.m.)

Bike Walk Macon will have their Holiday Hustle Macon Bike Party on Thursday night. Everyone is encouraged to throw on their ugliest Christmas sweaters, break out their wearable Christmas lights, and take part in a slow-paced bike ride around Downtown Macon. Participants will be taking a few stops along the way and are welcome to join or leave the bike party at any point during the evening. The registration for the Holiday Hustle takes place at the Bike Walk Macon Office at 6:00 p.m., which is where it will also end by 8:00 p.m. You can also contribute to the the collaborative Spotify playlist for the Holiday Hustle by following this link. This event is free and open to the public.

- Bike Walk Macon - 834 High Street, Macon

FRIDAY, December 15

Ocmulgee Artist Guild’s 6th Annual $3 Art Show at the Macon Mall (4 - 8 p.m.)

The Ocmulgee Artist Guild (OAG) will be presenting their annual $3 art show this year at the Macon Mall where their artwork is also featured in the Macon 200 Bicentennial art gallery. There will be a mix of very inexpensive artwork showcased along with higher-priced pieces, according to the OAG. Attendees at this event should enter on the Eisenhower Parkway side of the mall where the food court is locatd. This event is free and open to the public.

- Macon Mall - 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

Latin Christmas with The Ritmo Soul Bunch at Kudzu Seafood Company (7 - 10 p.m.)

The Ritmo Soul Bunch will perform a Christmas-themed show at Kudzu Seafood Company this Friday night. This Latin fusion band is known for getting their audience up and dancing. There is no cover charge at Kudzu Seafood Company.

- Kudzu Seafood Company - 512 Poplar Street, Macon

CANCELLED: Victoria Day performs at Music on the Rooftop at Gracie’s in Warner Robins (8 - 11 p.m.)

Victoria Day is a young singer who enjoys performing songs from many different genres. Day will be performing at Gracie’s on Friday night. Gracie’s: A Rooftop Bar is a cocktail bar located on the 5th floor of the Best Western Plus and Executive Residency.

- Gracie’s: A Rooftop Bar - 1056 GA-96, Warner Robins

3rd Annual Santa Slam at Reboot Retrocade & Bar (9 p.m.)

Guests at Reboot’s 3rd annual Santa Slam will enjoy cookies, cocoa…and beer (for those 21 years old and older). There will be trivia about all things Christmas and patrons are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters or other festive outfits. Santa Slam is for those 18 years and older and is free to enter and play.

- Reboot Retrocade & Bar - 566 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, December 16

Macon Metal Fest at the Macon Arts Center (2 p.m.)

The Macon Metal Fest will feature music from bands like Sugar Virus, Monster Party, Dragon Sleeper, Evil Intent, Sister Sandoz, and 8 other heavy metal bands. Gates open at 12 p.m. and the music starts at 2 p.m. Tickets to the Macon Metal Fest cost $20 on simpletix.com.

- Macon Arts Center - 4570 Pio Nono Avenue, Macon

Winter Market at Triangle Arts Market (12 - 5 p.m.)

Triangle Arts Macon’s Winter Market will feature a chance to talk to Valkill Furniture’s Ric Geyer about the art of furniture building, a tour of Macon Classics Auto Restoration’s workshop, and a chance to find out about the upcoming The Triangle Sun Garden being designed by Heidi Clinite of Maypop Garden Designs. Santa will even be visiting the Winter Market for photographs with fans and Fall Line Brewery will be on hand with hot apple cider and craft beer as well. This event is free and open to the public.

- Triangle Arts Macon - 192 Lower Elm Street, Macon

Screening of “My Neighbor Totoro!” at Hello Boba Cafe (6:30 p.m.)

The family-friendly, animated film “My Neighbor Totoro!” will be screened at Hello Boba Cafe on Saturday evening. Tickets to this movie screening event cost $5 per person.

- Hello Boba Cafe - 359 Third Street, Macon

Macon Mayhem vs. Fayetteville Marksmen, the Teddy Bear Toss, and Public Skating at the Macon Coliseum (6:30 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem professional hockey team will be facing off against Fayetteville’s Marksmen on Saturday night. During the game the Teddy Bear Toss, where fans throw stuffed animals they brought to the game onto the ice after the Mayhem’s first goal, will benefit Macon’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Then afterward, starting around 10 p.m. after the game ends, the ice rink will be open for public ice skating for $7 per person. Tickets to the Macon Mayhem game start at $14 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

John Berry’s 27th Annual Christmas Tour at the Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m.)

Singer and songwriter John Berry will return once again to the Grand Opera House for his 27th annual Christmas Tour. Tickets start at $40 for the show and a meet and greet that takes place an hour before the show cost $25 on tixr.com.

- Grand Opera House - 657 Mulberry Street, Macon

John Berry's rendition of "Oh Holy Night" is a crowd pleasure every year at the Grand Opera House

SUNDAY, December 17

Holiday Market at Fall Line Brewing Co. (1 - 5 p.m.)

This holiday shopping event at Fall Line Brewing Co. will feature local businesses with items that make for great Christmas gifts. Shopper will be able to browse clothing, jewelry, jams, and coffee from multiple vendors, enjoy holiday cocktails and drinks, and take part in a stocking stuffer giveaway by stopping at every vendor.

- Fall Line Brewing Co. - 561 2nd Street Lane, Macon