1-14-2024 8:08pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

The Middle Georgia Con brought out lots of cosplayers and pop culture fans to Macon this past weekend (Photographer Nate Weeks)

Last weekend, cosplayers and fans of comics and pop culture attended the Middle Georgia Con. This week, there are events for creatives, entrepreneurs, book lovers, and more. The following are just a few of the interesting things to do in the heart of Georgia this week.

MONDAY, January 15

Martin Luther King Day Jr. Day

MLK Day is a federal holiday that observes the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights activist and advocate of nonviolent activism.

MLK Day Skate at Gray-8-Skate in Gray

Gray-8-Skate is celebrating MLK Day with a deal on skating and more. Patrons at the entertainment center will pay only $5 each for skating, laser tag, and more.

- Gray-8-Skate Family Entertainment Center - 4145 US-129, Gray

Macon Mayhem vs. Quad City Storm at the Macon Coliseum (2 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem will face off against the Quad City Storm for a lively hockey game on Monday. There will also be educational segments presented during the game by Tubman Museum. After the game, patrons will also get a chance to skate with the Macon Mayhem players. Tickets start at $14 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

TUESDAY, January 16

The Creative Disclaimer Meetup at Artspace Macon (6 p.m.)

The Creative Disclaimer Meetup is for all creatives looking to share their work with others. The group meets in Artspace Macon, a newly opened business and art school that lets patrons complete walk-in do-it-yourself projects, take classes, and buy artwork from local artists.

- Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

WEDNESDAY, January 17

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

This event is for entrepreneurs to network and meet others who are working on making their businesses a success. Startup Macon hosts Enterpreneur’s Happy Hour and each participant receives on free beer for attending.

- Just Tap-d - 488 1st Street, Macon

THURSDAY, January 18

St. Joseph Catholic Church Organ Marathon Fundraiser (12 p.m. - 12 a.m.)

This unique event will help raise money to renovate the organ at the St. Joseph Catholic Church and include performances from talented organists from all around Middle Georgia.

- Grand Opera House - 651 Mulberry Street, Macon

Talk by Authors Charles Richardson and Liz Fabian at Washington Memorial Library (6 p.m.)

Charles Richardson and Liz Fabian will be discussing the non-fiction book “American Deadline” at the Washington Memorial Library on Thursday. "American Deadline" was written by Greg Glassner, Charles Richardson (who was the editorial page editor at the Macon Telegraph for more than 20 years), Sandra Sanchez, and Jason Togyer. The book focuses on how the outsized events of 2020, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the presidential election and protests across America, were communicated to residents of smaller towns and cities in the United States.

- Washington Memorial Library - 1180 Washington Avenue, Macon

Silent Book Club at Sweet Eleanor’s (6:30 p.m.)

This book club meeting will include a time to mingle (from 6 to 6:30 p.m.) and then an hour of reading by yourself in the comfortable setting of Sweet Eleanor’s.

- Sweet Eleanor’s - 530 Poplar Street, Macon

FRIDAY, January 19

Macon Comic Book Roadshow at the Courtyard by Marriott (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Unlike last weekend's Middle Georgia Con, the Comic Book Roadshow is looking to buy comic books printed before 1980, sports cards printed before 1970, toys, video games, and more this Friday and Saturday. There will be no items for sale at this event. For more information, call (888) 5-COMICS or by visit the Comic Book Roadshow's website.

- Courtyard by Marriott - 3990 Sheraton Drive, Macon

ROAD TRIP: January Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art (6 - 10 p.m.)

If you are looking for something to do in the “big city”, the High Museum of Art hosts live jazz performances every third Friday of each month. There will be drinks and hors d’oeuvres as well as two performers playing jazz from two areas in the museum, the Robinson Atrium and Orkin Terrace. Tickets to January Friday Jazz cost $30 for non-members and are free for members of the High.

- High Museum of Art - 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta

Happy Gilmore Night at the Macon Mayhem Hockey Game (7 p.m.)

Happy Gilmore Night will feature a humorous slap shot competition on ice during the hockey game on Friday night. The Macon Mayhem will be facing off against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs as well. Tickets start at $14 on ticketmaster.com.

- Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

Diva Drag Bingo: Beyoncé vs. Taylor Swift at Reboot Retrocade & Bar (8 p.m.)

Diva Drag Bingo will be hosted by Yutoya Avaze Leon with special guest Hazel Moon and will include pop-up drag performances and a free game of bingo. This show is for attendees 18 years old and older and there is no cover for patrons 21 years and older.

- Reboot Retrocade & Bar - 566 Cherry Street, Macon

Just Peachy Classic at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry (7 a.m.)

The Peachstate Poultry Association presents the “Just Peachy Classic”, a poultry show, on Friday. A poultry show is much like a dog show except that the competitors are chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and pigeons along with their proud owners.

- Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

SATURDAY, January 20

Shred Day at SunMark Community Bank in Warner Robins (9 a.m.)

This event is for anyone who has sensitive documents (like checks, bank statements, etc.) they need to discretely and securely destroy. They will be shredded, free of charge, if you bring them by SunMark Community Bank on Saturday.

- SunMark Community Bank - 250 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins

“Healthcare for Both Ends of the Leash” One Health Pop-Up Clinic (10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

People & Pets Project is hosting this event for pets and their owners this Saturday. You can get a free health screening and pets will receive veterinary wellness checkups, vaccines, microchips, and pet food. There is a two pets per person limit and all cats must be in a carrier.

- Macon Area Habitat for Humanity - 690 Hold Avenue, Macon

Fort Hawkins Veterans Salute and Flag Retirement Ceremony (2 p.m.)

This free family-friendly event invites anyone who wants to retire an American flag to historic Fort Hawkins for a patriotic ceremony. This event is Fort Hawkins’ annual Veterans Day event that had to be rescheduled.

- Fort Hawkins - 736 Emery Highway, Macon

The Crew: The Many Shades of BRE at the Douglass Theatre (2:30, 3:30, and 6:30 p.m.)

This LaNita Pless King production tells the story of four girls who grew up in foster care that were known as "The Bre-Bre Crew". Their experiences led them to form a sisterhood and the audience is invited to celebrate their journey. There will also be a showing on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Tickets to see this production cost $20 in advance online at $25 at the door on the day of the show.

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

Nuclear Dodgeball Parent’s Night Out at OKS Martial Arts and Fitness (6 - 9 p.m.)

Nuclear Dodgeball isn’t as dangerous as it sounds (the balls are just glow-in-the-dark, not highly radioactive). This event includes pizza, glow face pain, and a chance for parents to have their kids entertained in a safe environment while they can relax for a few hours. Tickets to this event cost $25 and space is limited to 14 participants.

- OKS Martial Arts and Fitness - 6255 Zebulon Road, Ste. 196, Macon

Art Night: DIY Dolly Collage at Artspace Macon (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

This unique art workshop will feature mixed media collages inspired by the one-and-only Dolly Parton. The materials (including rhinestones) are included in the cost. Tickets to Art Night cost $25 for an 8x8 or 8x10 canvas or $40 for a 16x20 canvas.

- Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, January 21

Paint & Sip at Hello Boba Cafe (5:30 - 8 p.m.)

This family-friendly event is a creative and fun way to welcome the New Year with art and friends. Attendees will receive their favorite boba drink as well as an 11x14 canvas and the supplies needed to create a masterpiece. Tickets cost $35 and Paint & Sip is recommended for artists 8 years old and older.

- Hello Boba Cafe - 359 Third Street, Macon

Glow Yoga at Fall Line Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)

Homegrown Yoga will lead a black light yoga class at Fall Line on Sunday night. Patrons are invited to wear their best glow-in-the-dark yoga clothes and attend this beginner-friendly, free yoga class.

- Fall Line Brewing Co. - 567 Plum Street, Macon