12-24-2023 8:41pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

Photo courtesy of Bob SpringBob54 on Pexels.com

This week is full of big events, starting with Christmas Day and ending with New Year's Eve. In between those two momentous days, you can enjoy live music, wear your ugly Christmas sweater one more time before putting it away for another year, or watch the Orange Bowl with friends at two venues in Macon. The following are just a few of the adventures you can go on the last week of 2023 in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, December 25

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day Dinner at Loom (3 p.m.)

The restaurant Loom in Downtown Macon’s Hotel Forty Five will host a Christmas Day Dinner on Monday. Guests will have a choice of two entrees, either Prime Rib ($38) or Coca-Cola Brown Sugar Glazed Ham ($32) with sides of rustic garlic mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, succotash, and haricot verts.

- Loom - 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

TUESDAY, December 26

Dean Brown at Amici Milledgeville (6 p.m.)

Singer and songwriter Dean Brown (of Dean Brown and Dubshak band) will be performing for diners at Amici Milledgeville on Tuesday. Amici is a restaurant that specializes in pizza and wings.

- Amici - 101 W. Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Music Therapy with The Kenny Ray Williams Band at JBA (9 p.m.)

Singers and musicians, as well as music lovers, are invited to come get some music therapy at JBA on Tuesday night. The Kenny Ray Williams Band hosts this musical event every Tuesday.

- JBA - 491 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

WEDNESDAY, December 27

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

The Poplar Street Farmers Market will return to Downtown Macon’s Poplar Street this Wednesday. This farmers market is free to attend.

- 400 Poplar Street, Macon

Open-Mic Youth Talent Show at the Douglas Theatre (7 p.m.)

The Douglass Theatre will be celebrating the second night of Kwanza on Wednesday with an open-mic youth talent show. This event is presented by the Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center and Torchlight Academy and is free and open to the public.

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

THURSDAY, December 28

Thursday Night Live Presents LeVae and DJ AD at Serenity Entertainment Complex (8 p.m.)

Singer LeVae will be performing and DJ AD will be on the mixing board at Thursday Night Live at Serenity Entertainment Complex this Thursday.

- Serenity Entertainment Complex - 427 Poplar Street, Macon

The Shade Trees with Andy Johnson at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

The Shade Trees, whose sound is a mix of Americana, indie rock, and country, will be performing with Andy Johnson at Grant’s Lounge on Thursday for the Official Kin Johnson After Party. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 at the door or online.

- Serenity Entertainment Complex - 427 Poplar Street, Macon

Andy Johnson and The Shade Trees performed "Giant Steps" at the Capitol Theatre in 2021

FRIDAY, December 29

New Year’s Cosplay Weekend at Hello Boba Cafe (12 - 6 p.m.)

Cosplayers are invited to come show off their costumes and meet with other local cosplayers at Hello Boba on Friday and Saturday. Cosplayers will receive one drink at half its regular price for the occasion.

- Hello Boba Cafe - 359 Third Street, Macon

Headstrings at The Society Garden (7 - 11 p.m.)

Headstrings is a band of very creative musicians from Macon that was founded in 2022. The band may have some end-of-year sales on their albums and merchandise. The Society Garden also now has an onsite Italian street food restaurant named Liliana’s if you get hungry for more than music while listening to Headstrings.

- The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Ugly Christmas Sweater Karaoke at The Patio at Rigby’s in Warner Robins (9 p.m.)

Fans of karaoke and ugly Christmas sweaters now have an event just for them. The Patio at Rigby’s will host this festive event.

- The Patio at Rigby’s - 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins

SATURDAY, December 30

Orange Bowl Watch Party at Billy’s Clubhouse (4 p.m.)

Billy’s Clubhouse is hosting an Orange Bowl Watch Party where patrons will be able to enjoy the game as UGA faces off against FSU. After the game, Glenn & The Boys will perform starting at 10 p.m.

- Billy’s Clubhouse - 1580 Forest Hill Road, Macon

Orange Bowl Watch Party at The Hummingbird (4 p.m.)

The Hummingbird will also host a watch party for the Orange Bowl on Saturday. The bar and music venue will offer a 1/2 off drink special from 4 to 8 p.m., swage giveaways, and raffles. After the game, Jeremy Short will perform at 10 p.m.

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

Say What!? Saturday Karaoke Marathon Party at Friends on the HILL in Warner Robins (6 p.m.)

Friends on the HILL will say goodbye to 2023 with their first-ever marathon party of karaoke on Saturday. DJ B3 will host this karaoke event. The first list drops at 6 p.m. and the second list will drop at 9 p.m. There will be free entry all night.

- Friends on the HILL - 104 Westcliff Boulevard, Warner Robins

SUNDAY, December 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Monkey Joe’s Noon Year’s Eve in Warner Robins (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Monkey Joe’s will be hosting an early New Year’s Eve event on Sunday for those who have early bedtimes. There will be a countdown at noon and then at 4 p.m. as well. Tickets to Monkey Joe’s cost $10.99 for kids and are free for their adults.

- Monkey Joe’s - 4993 Richard B. Russell Parkway, Warner Robins