2-19-2024 8:46am

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

Nate Weeks Editor

This happy Maneki-neko (which means "beckoning cat") is meant to bring good luck to Sumo in Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week there will be an exciting birthday celebration for Macon's favorite hockey mascot Mac, the opening of the Macon Music Live: Origins show, and the 68th Annual Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The following is just a small selection of some of the events taking place this week. Happy adventuring Middle Georgia!

MONDAY, February 19th

Mac’s Birthday Celebration at the Macon Bacon Hockey Game in the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

On Monday, everyone’s favorite ice skating Viking will celebrate his birthday along with hockey fans who come to watch the Macon Mayhem vs. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs game. As part of the celebration, tickets for the game cost $5 online at this link or the Macon Coliseum box office.

> Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

TUESDAY, February 20th

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

The Creative Disclaimer Meetup is for all creatives looking to complete creative prompts and share their written or artistic work with other creatives. Artspace Macon is an art gallery and art school that offers walk-in do-it-yourself art projects, classes, and various artwork from talented local artists.

> Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

WEDNESDAY, February 21st

Walking Wednesdays at Lockerly Arboretum in Milledgeville (7 - 10 a.m.)

If you are near the beautiful Lockerly Arboretum on Wednesday, stop in for a brisk stroll or a morning meditation. While there, you can also get your caffeine from the LEC/Morning Grind coffee truck (starting at 7:30 a.m.).

> Lockerly Arboretum - 1534 Irwinton Road, Milledgeville

Wheel of Fortune Live in the Macon City Auditorium (7 p.m.)

Wheel of Fortune has aired continuously since January of 1975 but this isn’t that television game show. Instead, fans of the television show will get a chance to take part in a Wheel of Fortune game with an entertaining host. Online reviews indicate some weren't happy with the VIP experience but many attendees seemed happy with the entertainment offered at this event. Tickets to Wheel of Fortune Live start at $20.50 online at this link.

> Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

“A Better Trip” with Comedian Shane Mauss at The Douglass Theatre (7 p.m.)

This comedy show is for mature audiences. Shane Mauss is a comedian who has been featured on Comedy Central’s “Tales From the Trip” as well as the Amazon Prime documentary “Psychonatics” A Comic’s Exploration of Psychedelics. Tickets start at $35 online at this link.

> The Douglass Theatre - 355 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon

THURSDAY, February 22nd

Macon Music Live: Origins at the Capitol Theatre (6:30 p.m.)

Macon Music Live: Origins is a family-friendly show directed by Jim Crisp featuring musicians and actors performing music from Macon’s rich musical past that is presented by Rock Candy Tours. The show will feature the stories of talents like Lucille Hegamin, Little Richard, Hamp Swain, Otis Redding, Phil Walden, Alan Walden, James Brown, and Ann Howard (Ann’s TicToc Lounge) with performances from local actors/performers Anthony Ennis, Charles Davis, Chomoya Faulk, Jim Montgomery, Roger “Christian” Walden, Saralyn Collins, and Trajan Clayton. Macon Music Live: Origins was written and conceived by Jessica Walden, is produced by Rock Candy Tours, and is sponsored by Macon200 as well as Visit Macon. There will also be a live concert from the Macon Music Revue after each performance presented by Grant's Lounge and 100.9 The Creek. There will be shows each night from Thursday through Sunday. Tickets to Macon Music Live: Origins start at $15 online at this link.

> The Capitol Theatre - 378 2nd Street, Macon

Georgia National Rodeo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry (7:30 p.m.)

The Georgia National Rodeo is back in Perry from Thursday through Sunday. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctions this exciting event which will include Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, and more. There will also be vendors with booths set up outside of the Reaves Arena from 12 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. each day of the Georgia National Rodeo. Tickets for adults cost $35 and tickets for children aged 2 to 12 cost $30 online at this link.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds - 401 Larry Walker Pkwy., Perry

FRIDAY, February 23rd

Pink Vegas 2024 at Fall Line Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)

Pink Vegas 2024 will include “heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, $2,500 in casino bucks and music” and all proceeds will benefit United in Pink, an organization that helps local families after a breast cancer diagnosis. There will be blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette tables, an open bar for VIP ticket holders, and more. Tickets start at $50 for a 50/50 Raffle ticket and $100 for general admission tickets.

> Fall Line Brewing - 567 Plum Street, Macon

68th Annual Georgia Sports Hall of Fame at the Macon City Auditorium (6 p.m.)

The 68th Annual Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony celebration will include the Burgess Pigment Golf Classic on Friday at River North Country Club, the annual Stifel FanFest on Saturday from 1 to 2:30 at the Hall of Fame, and an Induction Ceremony at the Macon City Auditorium on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., which includes a dinner and cocktail reception. The members of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame are Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Eric Berry, Cris Carpenter, Thomas Davis, Sr., Claude Felton, Paul Johnson, Brian McCann, and Wendy White-Prausa. Contact Janet Brown at (478) 752-1585 for signups for the golf tournament. The Stifel FanFest is a free event. The Induction Ceremony tickets start at $150 and can be purchased by contacting Janet Brown at (478) 752-1585.

> Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

Dino-Race Night at the Macon Bacon Game in the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

The Dino-Race will feature brave participants dressed in hilarious dinosaur outfits racing on the slippery ice. Sing up to be a participant at this link. Tickets to see the Macon Mayhem face off against the Birmingham Bulls start at $14 and can be purchased at this link.

> Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

SATURDAY, February 24th

Free Birds & Night Owls Public Walking Tour (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

Rock Candy Tours will present another Free Birds & Night Owls Public Walking tour but this one will be free to the first twenty people who email the tour company with proof of a Macon Music Live: Origins ticket purchase. This two-hour walking tour will focus on Downtown Macon’s commercial district, starting at historic Grant’s Lounge, and ending at The Rookery. Tickets to this tour are usually $20 per person.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Kid’s Workshop Board Game Design at Artspace Macon (11 a.m.)

This unique event led by the very creative artist Carie Pace will teach attendees about game mechanics, themes, and design. Tickets cost $35 per child at this link and include a Board Game Starter Kit.

> Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Big Bird Bash 2024 at The Hummingbird (4 p.m.)

The annual Big Bird Bash is back this year at The Hummingbird on Saturday and Sunday. The musical celebration will include performances from Forrest Isn't Dead, Blue, Koyal, Ash Tuesday, Rag n Bone, Justin Cutway, and Hunter Pettis. Tickets for this show cost $5 for those 21 years of age and older and $10 for those 18 to 20 years old. The doors open at 4 p.m. and the music starts at 5 p.m.

> The Hummingbird - 430 Cherry Street, Macon

“Whisper of the Heart” Movie Night at Hello Boba Cafe (6:30 p.m.)

“Whisper of the Heart” (1995) is an animated romantic drama directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and written by Hayao Miyazaki. Hello Boba Cafe will be screening the film to celebrate romance. Tickets to this family-friendly event cost $5.

> Hello Boba Cafe - 359 Third Street Macon

SUNDAY, February 25th

Public Ice Skating at the Macon Coliseum (12 - 8 p.m.)

The Macon Coliseum will become a skating ring on Sunday with five one-hour-long sessions. Tickets to skate start at $7 plus fees on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon