3-11-2024 8:31pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

The Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition will take place on Saturday and Sunday (Photographer Kristy Weeks)

This week the International Cherry Blossom Festival returns with special events at multiple locations around Macon. There will be plenty of other interesting things to do as well, including a free Storytellers Macon event at Grant's Lounge, a party for Goths at JBA, and much more. The following are just a few of the fun things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, March 11th

National Napping Day

National Napping Day is a day that was created to spread awareness about the benefits of getting enough sleep. The reason why it takes place today is because of the recent Daylight Savings Time changes and how that makes many at “their most tired and sleep deprived”.

TUESDAY, March 12th

Storytellers Presents: What Our Foremothers Told Us at Grant’s Lounge (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon is back with another night of storytelling at Grant’s Lounge on Tuesday. The theme for the stories this time will be “What Our Foremothers Told Us” and they will deal with “the wisdom passed down through generations of women”. The featured storyteller for the evening will be Julia Adele Callahan, a reproductive justice activist, mother, and small business owner based out of Macon. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. and the stories will start at 7 p.m. This event is free to attend and participate in: sign up to tell your own story online at this link.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Fabian Concert Series in the McCorkle Music Building (7:30 p.m.)

The Fabian Concert Series includes music from the classics of classical music to modern composers like Philip Glass. This concert will include Amy Schwartz Moretti on violin, Matthew Lipman on viola, Alexander Fiterstein on clarinet, R. J. Kelley on horn, Raphael Bell on cello, and last but not least Andrew Armstrong on piano. The musicians will perform music from Rachmaninov (Piano Trio in G minor), Gershwin (Prelude No. 1), and many more. Tickets to the Fabian Concert Series cost $17.93 online at this link while supplies last.

>McCorkle Music Building (Fickling Hall) - 1433 Adams Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, March 13th

One Hour Goth Party at JBA (10 p.m.)

JBA will have a special “Wobble Wednesday” this Wednesday with attendees invited to wear their “most gothic attire” to enjoy music for Gots from DJ Uh-Oh and DJ B3.

> JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

THURSDAY, March 14th

Sidney’s Salon - Dear Regina: Flannery O’Connor’s Letters from Iowa with Dr. Monica Carol Miller (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)

Dr. Monica Miller, who is the editor of “Dear Regina: Flannery O'Connor's Letters from Iowa” will give a presentation and discussion about her book on Thursday. Miller is also the author of “Being Ugly” Southern Women Writers and Social Rebellion” and is also an associate professor of English and Middle Georgia State University. There will be light refreshments served at 5:30 p.m. and Dr. Miller will begin her presentation at 6 p.m. Sidney’s Salons are a series of lectures and talks from the Historic Macon Foundation that are meant to honor famous poet Sidney Lanier. Admission is free but preregistration is required at this link.

> Historic Macon Foundation - 950 Third Street, Macon

Harry Potter Team Trivia Night at The Society Garden (7 - 9 p.m.)

The Society Garden’s annual Harry Potter Team Trivia Night returns on Thursday. The family-friendly event will include drink specials including Butter Beer. Costumes from the Harry Potter universe are highly encouraged.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The Jubilee Artists Series Presents Flautist Norman Menzales (7:30 p.m.)

The Townsend School of Music and the Jubilee Artists Series will present a live musical performance from flautist (or flutist) Norman Menzales. Menzales is a Georgia-born musician who began studying the flute at the young age of twelve. Tickets cost an extremely reasonable $3.86 online at this link.

> Townsend School of Music - 1329 Adams Street, Macon

FRIDAY, March 15th

Start of the International Cherry Blossom Festival

The annual International Cherry Blossom Festival will start on Friday and go through Sunday, March 24th with nightly music concerts at Carolyn Crayton Park (including Jones' County's Demun Jones on Friday at 8 p.m.), special unique free events in Downtown Macon, and much more.

Read more about other events at the International Cherry Blossom Festival at this link.

Lantern Light Tours at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.)

This family-friendly event is held every year during the Cherry Blossom Festiva. Attendees will take a lantern and walk through the park, listening to stories from actors playing the parts of historical people who once lived in Middle Georgia. The tours will begin at 7:30 p.m. and run every 10 minutes, with each tour taking approximately 1 hour. The last tour of the night will begin at 9:00 p.m. The park's gates will open at 7:00 p.m. and this event takes place no matter the weather. Attendees are advised the ground is uneven in places so make sure to wear appropriate footwear. The Lantern Light Tours will take place March 15th through 16th and March 22nd through 23rd. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online at this link.

> Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 1207 Emery Hwy., Macon

SATURDAY, March 16th

Cherry Blossom Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition in Downtown Macon (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.)

One of the special events taking place in Downtown Macon is the Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition. This event features talented dogs making big jumps into a pool of water and anyone can let their own dog try to make a big splash for $20 a dog per day. This is a free event that will take place on Sunday (12 to 5 p.m.) as well.

> Downtown Macon - 2nd Street, Macon

Cherry Blossom Wiener Dog Race in Downtown Macon (12 - 1 p.m.)

Another hilarious and thrilling event that will take place on Saturday is the Wiener Dog Race, where tiny Dachshund dogs will race down Cherry Street to see which one will be crowned "Fastest Wiener Dog in Middle Georgia!"

> Downtown Macon - Cherry Street, Macon

Cherry Blossom Bed Race in Downtown Macon (1:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

The Bed Race is a unique annual event where runners will push a teammate on a wheeled bed down Cherry Street to compete for three awards: the Dream Team Award, Sleep Walkers Award, and the Best in Bed Award. Georgia Power won last year but Macon-Bibb Fire Department may once again take the top spot this year as they have done for many years in the past.

> Downtown Macon - Cherry Street, Macon

Parmalee at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Carolyn Crayton Park (8 p.m.)

Parmalee is a country music band made up of brothers Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas as well as their cousin Barry Knox and best friend Josh McSwain. The Cherry Blossom Festival’s Nightly Concert Series will feature “local, regional, and national artists” performing each night from March 15th through 24th. Tickets to get into the festival include the nightly concert and cost $10 at the gate with children 10 and under getting in free. There will be a clear bag policy in effect and guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their lawn chairs for comfortable seating during the concert.

> Carolyn Crayton Park - 150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

The music video for Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine” has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube

Robert Lee Coleman at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Robert Lee Coleman, who is a pioneer both in the soul and funk genres, will return to Grant’s Lounge on Saturday night. Tickets to see the legend perform cost $10 online at this link.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SUNDAY, March 17th

Cherry Blossom Parade in Downtown Macon (3 p.m.)

The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade takes place on Sunday and will include “floats, marching bands”, and more. This year the parade’s route will start at the intersection of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Cherry Street and go down First Street from Cherry Street, then down Mulberry Street, and end at MLK Jr. Boulevard. Arrive early if you want to get the best view: you can scope out the parade route online at this link.

> Downtown Macon

St. Patrick’s Day at The Society Garden (1 p.m.)

The Society Garden will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an event on Sunday with Irish music starting at 1 p.m. Daniel NeSmith and The Shade Trees will play at 4 p.m. Make sure you wear some green to celebrate the occasion.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Daniel NeSmith performed “Promises” with Andy Johnson and The Shade Trees a few years ago at an event in Macon