1-07-2024 3:33pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

The one and only Rhonda "Sunshine" Miller had the reception for her first solo exhibition this past weekend and it was very well attended (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The second week of January will include plenty of unique and fun events for Middle Georgians. Events will include a large pickleball tournament, beginner fencing classes, a free storytelling event, and much more. The following are just a few of the adventures you can take in the heart of Georgia from January 8th through January 14th.

MONDAY, January 8th

CFP National Championship Game at The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom (7:30 p.m.)

Patrons at the Hummingbird will watch the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Washington Huskies and the Michigan Wolverines on Monday. Those who wear team attire will receive a raffle ticket and a chance to win prizes. There will also be drink specials and giveaways.

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

TUESDAY, January 9th

USA Atlantic South Regional at the Macon Mall (12 a.m.)

The Opelika Pickleball Club will present the USA Atlantic South Regional pickleball tournament from Tuesday, January 9th through Sunday, January 14. The tournament will take place at Rhythm & Rally Sports and Events in the Macon Mall. 835 players have already registered for the tournament as of the publication of this article. Wheelchair players are welcome. January 9th through 11th players 60 years old and older will play while January 12th through 14th will be for players 55 years old and younger. The registration fee is $90 and the event cost is $5 each.

- Macon Mall - 3661 Eisenhower Drive, Macon

Warner Robins Fencing Society’s January 2024 Beginner’s Class (6 p.m.)

The Warner Robins Fencing Society is hosting beginner’s fencing classes this Tuesday. Students ages 11 years and older are welcome and the cost is $65 and includes the use of fencing equipment. There will be a total of 6 classes and they will be 1 hour each on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact WFRS@hotmail.com for more information.

- Warner Robins Parks and Recreation - 900 N. Houston Road, Warner Robins

478 Creatives’ New Year Celebration at Macon Arts Alliance (6 - 8 p.m.)

478 Creatives is hosting a New Year’s celebration with an artist talk from Rhonda “Sunshine” Miller, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. Miller is currently the Macon Arts Alliance’s spotlight artist for January. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at this link.

- Macon Arts Alliance - 486 1st Street, Macon

Storytellers Present: Turning the Page at Grant’s Lounge (6:30 - 9 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon presents another night of riveting and free storytelling at Grant’s Lounge this Tuesday. The theme for the night will be “Turning the Page”. The featured storytellers are Rhiannon Bruner from the Wesleyan College Library and Jennifer Lautzenheiser from the Middle Georgia Regional Library. They, along with others who sign up to tell a story, will tell true tales related to those moments when life changes. The storytelling starts at 7 p.m. and signing up before then is encouraged. Each story is limited to 5 minutes and this event is for mature audiences, as the stories are all uncensored.

- Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, January 10th

Screening of “If Beale Street Could Talk” at The Douglass Theatre (2 p.m.)

The film “If Beale Street Could Talk” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4m3t3G3Zqc)(2018) will be screened at The Douglass Theatre on Wednesday. This film is part of the theater's Senior Cinema film series. "If Beale Street Could Talk" is a romantic drama written and directed by Barry Jenkins. It is also based on James Baldwin’s book of the same name. The movie is the story of a woman who tries to clear the name of her “wrongly charged lover and prove their innocence before the birth of their child”, according to Wikipedia. The Douglass Theatre's Senior Cinema movies take place on the second Wednesday of each month. (Please note, The Douglas Theatre's website shows that the movie "Selma", about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement, will be playing, but their Facebook event post shows the movies "If Beale Street Could Talk": call (478) 742-2000 for more information.) Seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis.

- The Douglass Theatre - 357 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon

THURSDAY, January 11th

EG Kight at Capricorn Sound Studios (7:30 p.m.)

Blues singer, songwriter, and storyteller EG Kight will be performing at the historic Capricorn Sound Studios on Thursday. Kight’s “Sticks & Strings” (2023) album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Tickets to see Kight perform live might be hard to find as they were currently unavailable on seetickets.us at the time of publication.

- Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum - 540 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon

FRIDAY, January 12th

Cookie Fest at Fall Line Brewing Co. (12 p.m.)

Fall Line Brewing Co. will host the unique Cookie Fest from Friday through Sunday this week. The brewery will be presenting an Oatmeal Raisin Stout, Midnight Munchies, and a cookie flight with four tasty cookies created by Annies Oven. The flight will be paired with four specialty beers. There will also be cookie-themed events, a cookie recipe swap, cooking decorating activities for kids, and more, according to Fall Line.

- Fall Line Brewing Co.- 565 2nd Street Lane, Macon

Glowga (Blacklight Yoga and Zumba) in Perry (6 - 8 p.m.)

This event from the City of Perry Government and Visit Perry will include “body paint, blacklights, glow sticks, strobe lights, and more”. Participants of this all-levels and all-ages class are encouraged to wear comfortable workout clothes and bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

- 1121 Macon Road, Macon

The Price is Right at the Macon Mayhem vs. Fayetteville Marksmen (7 p.m.)

Fans at the Macon Mayhem hockey game on Friday night will be able to take part in a game based on the television show "The Price is Right". The Mayhem resoundingly won their last game on Friday, January 5th against the Pensacola Ice Flyers 2 to 6. The Mayhem will be facing off against the Fayetteville Marksmen this Friday (and also on Saturday). Tickets start at $14 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

SATURDAY, January 13th

28th Annual “Run for Aviation” at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins (6:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

The 28th annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K run/walk, and Para Athletes Race will take place this Saturday on Robins Air Force Base next to the Museum of Aviation. Proceeds will help benefit the museum and its educational programs. 5K ticket prices are $40 in-person, Half Marathon ticket prices are $80 in-person, and Marathon ticket prices are $110 to $120 (and all races cost $35 to run virtually). Tickets can be purchased at this link.

- Museum of Aviation - 1942 Heritage Boulevard, Warner Robins

Macon Mental Health Matters’ Mental Health Pop-Up Gym at the Rosa Jackson Center (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Macon Mental Health Matters will be holding another Mental Health Pop-Up Gym this Saturday. This monthly event encourages self-care, healing, and community support and includes therapist consultations, yoga and meditation, drum circles, and fresh fruit and vegetable giveaways. Those interested in attending are asked to RVSP at this link.

- Rosa Jackson Center - 1211 Maynard Street, Macon

Middle Georgia Con at the Edgar H. Wilson Convention Center (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The two-day Middle Georgia Con is a comic, toy, and pop culture convention that takes place this Saturday and Sunday. Special guests at this event include Tony Amendola (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Stargate SG 1), Sam De La Rosa (Spider-Man, Venom), Ted DiBiase/The Million Dollar Man (WWE Hall of Famer whose popular catchphrase was “Everybody’s got a price for the Million Dollar Man”), and Laurie Hymes (Pokemon, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Tickets start at $12 for adult one-day admission or $20 for adult two-day admission with children 12 and under getting in free with adult admission.

- Edgar H. Wilson Convention Center - 220 Coliseum Drive, Macon

Ted DiBiase was inducted into the WWE’s Hall of Fame back in 2010

Kegs & Stills Tour with Rock Candy Tours (3 p.m.)

The first Kegs & Stills Tour of 2024 will take place on Saturday. This 2.5-hour long walking tour from Rock Candy Tours will feature visits to Macon’s distillery (Long Leaf Distillery, where the tour starts from) and two breweries (Fall Line Brewing Co. and Ocmulgee Brew Pub). Tickets for the tour cost $40 per person and can be purchased at this link.

- Long Leaf Distillery - 664 2nd Street, Macon

Smash Bros Ultimate Spellcheck at MopTop and Beardie in Gray (3 - 6 p.m.)

Gamers are invited to face off against each other in friendly (or not-so-friendly) games of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate this Saturday. The cost for entry into the competition is $10 and players must bring their own controllers.

- MopTop and Beardie - 4274 Gray Highway, Suite A, Gray

Winter Wonder Illustration Workshop at Artspace Macon (6 - 7:30 p.m.)

Artist Casie Trace will teach participants at this all-ages workshop multiple illustration techniques. Workshop attendees will also create “a whimsical winter scene using inking pens, golden high flow acrylics, and iridescent inks.” The workshop costs $25 (all materials included) and tickets can be purchased at this link.

- Artspace Macon - 2384 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, January 14th

100 Years of Magic: Grand Opening and Winter Showcase at Catapult Movement (6 p.m.)

Catapult Movement will be celebrating moving into a new studio with a grand opening and winter showcase event this Sunday. This community event will feature “animated acrobats” performing “beloved childhood tales” and there will also be face-painting, prizes, and more. Tickets to 100 Years of Magic are $5 and can be purchased at this link.

- Catapult Macon - 2954 Riverside Drive, Suite B, Macon