4-08-2024 4:50am

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

Nate Weeks Editor

This iconic building on First Street in Downtown Macon looks almost like a brick castle (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The week starts with a partial solar eclipse on Monday and continues with unique, and often free, events featuring live music, hot food, storytelling, plants, a soapbox derby, and much more. The following are just a few of the interesting things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, April 8th

Partial Solar Eclipse (1 - 3 p.m.)

Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. They are more common than you might think, occurring approximately twice a year (although often not viewable from Middle Georgia). The eclipse will appear around 77% full from Middle Georgia and the next one won’t be viewable from the continental United States until 2044. On Monday, there will be many viewing events, including one at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park starting at 1:30 p.m. and the park’s rangers will teach about solar eclipses before the special event. There will also be an Eclipse Hike taking place at Brown’s Mount where hikers will pay attention to the way the animals respond to what will appear to be partial nightfall. The Eclipse Hike starts at 2 p.m. and both of these events are free and open to the public.

> Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park - 1207 Emery Highway, Macon

> Brown’s Mount - 2069 Joe Brown Drive, Macon

TUESDAY, April 9th

Storytellers Macon presents “Inked” at Grant’s Lounge (6:30 - 8 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon will present another evening of storytelling at historic Grant’s on Tuesday with “Inked". The theme will be about “the heartfelt and sometimes downright absurd ways that permanent marks make their mark on our lives”, according to Storytellers. Featured storytellers for Inked will be Jordyn Dorrough of Redemption Tattoo and Maiesha Clark. The crowd will begin to gather for conversation at 6:30 p.m. and the stories will start at 7 p.m. If you want to tell your own true story that fits the chosen theme, you can sign up beforehand at this link. The stories told are not censored so this event is for mature audiences.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Fabian Concert Series in Fickling Hall (7:30 p.m.)

Another concert in the Fabian Concert Series will take place on Tuesday, with music from Amy Schwartz Moretti (violin), Sihao He (cello), Jeewon Park (piano), Amy Beach (who will perform a sonata for violin and piano), and Nadia Boulanger (who will perform three pieces for cello and piano and a Schumann Piano Quintet). Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults (and they can be purchased at this link) and students get in free with student ID.

> McCorkle Music Building’s Fickling Hall - 1433 Adams Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, April 10th

Balance Your Bliss at The Society Garden (6 - 9 p.m.)

This free event from BLNCD and The West Collective will include complimentary product testing and education, yoga, live art, aromatherapy, intentional workshops, surprise dance performances, a sound healing, and a tasting bar. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the workshops start at 6 p.m.

> The Society Garden's The Garden Room - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Wobble Wednesdays at JBA (10 p.m. - 1:15 a.m.)

JBA is quickly becoming the place to go to hear electronic music in Macon. Wobble Wednesdays include DJs playing Top 40, electronic dance music, hip hop, and more in their large game room. There is no cover charge for Wobble Wednesdays.

> JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

THURSDAY, April 11th

Schmitz’s Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 1 Album Premiere Party at the Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum (6 p.m.)

This album premiere event will include a reception and program to celebrate the release of an album written by Christopher Alan Schmitz and featuring Amy Schwartz Moretti on violin. Steve Moretti produced the album as well. This event is free and open to the public, though space is limited so be sure to RSVP at this link.

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

Macon Bike Party Secondhand Spin (6 p.m.)

Bike Walk Macon presents another Macon Bike Party on Thursday with Secondhand Spin. Participants are invited to bike while wearing “your craziest thrift store finds”. After the ride, the riders will meet up at The Society Garden to socialize: the ride also starts at the music venue and bar. This event is free and open to the public and participants should bring their helmets to participate.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

FRIDAY, April 12th

ROAD TRIP: 88th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park (12 - 6 p.m.)

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will feature art, “international performances”, music, and more. The festival takes place from Friday through Sunday. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

> Piedmont Park - Atlanta

Tour of Progress in Downtown Macon (5 - 8 p.m.)

NewTown Macon will present the 2024 Tour of Progress which will show behind-the-scenes at 16 different projects and businesses in Downtown Macon. The family-friendly tour starts at Longleaf Distillery where of age attendees will receive a free drink. Afterward, tours will take attendees to visit locations on Second Street, Plum Street, Third Street, and Cherry Street. Attendees are asked to RSVP at this link.

> Longleaf Distillery - 555 Poplar Street, Macon

Just COS! at JBA with DJ B3 (10 p.m.)

Just COS is a Cosplay Con Party experience where people are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character. DJ B3 will be on the mixing board. This event is for cosplayers 18 and older and tickets for those 18 to 20 cost $10 and are $5 for those 21 and older.

> JBA - 491 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon

SATURDAY, April 13th

ROAD TRIP: Oakland Cemetery Spring Plant Sale (9 a.m.)

Plant lovers will be able to find “interesting and hard-to-find plants” at the Historic Oakland Foundation’s Spring Plant Sale. There will also be food vendors, tours, and more at this event. Reserve your spot at the Oakland Cemetery Spring Plant Sale at this link.

> Oakland Cemetery - 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta

Spring Native Plant Sale at the Wesleyan Market (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

If you don’t want to drive up to Atlanta, there will also be a plant sale in Macon on Saturday, though this one will focus on plants native to our area. This event is free and open to the public.

> Wesleyan Market - 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon

Perry Dogwood Festival in Downtown Perry (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

The 35th Annual Perry Dogwood Festival will include more than 150 vendors selling art, clothing, food, and more. There will also be a kids’ zone and adult zone vendors according to the organizers. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> Historic Downtown Perry

The 14th Annual 2024 Magnolia Soap Box Derby (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The Magnolia Soap Box Derby will feature three separate classes of derby racing, dozens of race teams, food trucks, music from DJ B3, a Hot Wheels Learning one, Art in the Park, a Big Wheel Race, and more, according to the organizer. This event is free to attend.

> Washington Park - 1134 Magnolia Street, Macon

Hometown Spring Festival in Gray (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The Hometown Spring Festival will include food trucks, music, inflatables, and vendors in the small town of Gray (which is lovingly called Grayberry by some of its residents). This is a free, family-friendly event.

> Downtown Gray

Mental Health Pop-Up Gym at Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Macon Mental Health Matters will host another Mental Health Pop-Up Gym this Saturday, this time at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center. This free event includes therapist consultations, yoga and meditation, drum circles, and fresh fruit and vegetable giveaways. Be sure to register for the Mental Health Pop-Up Gym at this link.

> Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center - 1931 Rocky Creek Road, Macon

Picnic in the Park Food Truck Festival in Carolyn Crayton Park (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

The first event of the 2024 season of Picnic in the Park food truck festivals will take place this Saturday. Guests are invited to bring pop-up tents, picnic baskets, and lawn chairs and come try out tasty food from multiple food trucks.

> Carolyn Crayton Park - 130 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

10th ArtHealthy Festival in Milledgeville (11 a.m.)

This free festival will include live music, a toddler and kid’s zone, obstacle courses, aerobics, vendors, and more, according to the organizer.

> 300 W. Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Macon Taco and Tequila Bar Crawl (1 - 6 p.m.)

This event is for those who love tacos and the drink with the little worm. Various ticket options include things like four signature tacos, a Taco and Tequila Bar Crawl koozie, a professional photographer, and more. This event is for those 21 and older and participants will visit locations like 3rd & Cherry, The Daisy Tequila Bar, Churchills on Cherry, Tzango, Sophia’s on Second, Parish on Cherry, and Ocmulgee Brewpub. Tickets to the Macon Taco and Tequila Bar Crawl start at $24.99 online at this link.

> Downtown Macon

Autism Rocks Music Festival at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (3 - 9 p.m.)

This musical celebration will include live music, hot food, and lots of fun activities. Matt McMillan and the City Limits, the Open Seas, and Laura and the Dale Rivers will perform, there will be a silent auction, food trucks, lawn games, and more. Tickets to the Autism Rocks Music Festival, which helps raise funds for Central Georgia Autism, start at $20 online at this link.

> Museum of Arts and Sciences - 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon

Loomis Bros. Circus at the Macon Coliseum (7:30 p.m.)

The circus is coming to town with “fearless aerialists”, motorcycle shows, and more at the Loomis Bros. Circus on Saturday. Tickets to the circus for adults start at $30, with the first ticket for a child 2 to 12 being free and additional child tickets being $8, on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

SUNDAY, April 14th

Fall Line Brewing Co.’s Spring Market (3 p.m.)

Fall Line Brewing Co.’s Spring Market will include local artists and vendors selling jewelry, clothing, food, and more as well as giveaways and spring-themed cocktails. This event is free to attend.

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

Second Sunday featuring Adam Henley & The Testifiers (6 - 8 p.m.)

Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday concert series continues this Sunday with a free concert from Adam Hendley & The Testifiers. The crowds will gather on Coleman Hill on picnic blankets and camping chairs and many people will also have their adorable leashed pets. This family-friendly, free concert is a great way to get outdoors and spend time having fun with other Middle Georgians.

> Coleman Hill - 285 Spring Street, Macon