5-06-2024 9:58am

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

Nate Weeks Editor

Kevin "Scene" Lewis painted for appreciative fans at the Good Medicine event from Court of Miracles on Friday (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The first full week of May will include multiple events for entrepreneurs who want to learn and network, the opening of a new exhibit at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame commemorating Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run, celebrations of mothers and music, and much more. The following are just a few of the fun adventures to be had in the heart of Georgia this week.

MONDAY, May 6

Macon Startup Week (5/6 - 5/11)

Business owners are invited to come together with other Middle Georgia entrepreneurs for a week of networking and keynote speeches at various locations around Macon. This event is free to attend but registration is required and you can register at this link. There will also be a Women’s Summit on Friday ($30) and a Startup Macon Summit on Saturday ($75).

TUESDAY, May 7

Macon Area Connections Meetup at The Society Garden (5:30 p.m.)

The Macon Area Connections Meetup is a part of Macon Startup Week. This networking event invites you to meet other Macon business owners and “grow roots in the community”. Registration is required to attend this free event and you can register at this link.

> The Society Garden - 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Bark in the Park with Mercer Baseball in OrthoGeorgia Park (6 p.m.)

Bark in the Park celebrates a night of baseball and dogs at OrthoGeorgia Park this Tuesday. The Mercer Bears will face off against Kennesaw State and Millie’s Treats will be on hand with free treats for your furry friends. Tickets start at $8 online at this link.

> OrthoGeorgia Park - 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon

Bonnie Raitt at the Macon City Auditorium (7:30 p.m.)

Bonnie Raitt is a blues rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter and she will be performing at the Macon City Auditorium on Tuesday during her “Just Like That” tour. Tickets currently start at $55 on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, May 8

Wine Wednesdays at Loom and Bourbon Tasting and Smoking Class at The Society Garden (5 p.m.)

Two events for adult beverage enjoyers will take place this Wednesday with wine connoisseurs meeting for half-price drinks on select wines at Loom and bourbon aficionados learning more about bourbon at The Society Garden.

THURSDAY, May 9

Barrell Racing Spring Showdown (5/9 - 5/12) (8 a.m. - 11 p.m.)

Barrel Racing is a unique sport where a horse and its rider try to navigate around barrels in a cloverleaf pattern without upsetting any of the barrels. There will also be money on the line with $28,000 in added money as well as prizes, awards, and incentive money being up for grabs, according to the organizers.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

Macon Bike Party: Rock Candy Ride (6 p.m.)

Another fun Macon Bike Party will take place this Thursday with Jamie Weatherford of Rock Candy Tours leading this music-themed event through Downtown and Intown Macon. Make sure you stay safe and bring your helmet if you decide to take part in this bike party. Macon Bike Party is a free, family-friendly event presented by Bike Walk Macon.

> Bike Walk Macon - 834 High Street, Macon

FRIDAY, May 10

Mother’s Day Market at Houston County Galleria (5/10 - 5/12) (10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

Mother’s Day takes place on Sunday, so don’t be caught empty handed. Brownbrook Market and other businesses will have unique gifts for sale at the Houston County Galleria starting Friday and running through Sunday.

> Houston County Galleria - 2922 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins

Hot Glass Workshop at The 567 Center for Renewal (6:30 - 8 p.m.)

Learn how to create a glass seashell at this workshop on Friday. The class will be led by the very talented glass artist Jamie Adams. Attendees must be at least 16 to participate and there will be a lot of standing involved, according to The 567 Center. Tickets for this workshop cost $50 and can be purchased at this link.

> The 567 Center for Renewal - 456 First Street, Macon

Mental Health Matters presents Yoga in the Plaza (7 p.m.)

Every second Friday of the month, Mental Health Matters brings a free yoga class to the Cotton Avenue Plaza. This all-levels yoga class encourages participants to relax and start the weekend off on a good note.

> Cotton Avenue Plaza, Macon

ShreKaraoke at The Daisy Tequila Bar (8 p.m.)

If you want to find out why ogres are like onions, this Shrek-themed karaoke event might be for you. It was 20 years ago that the movie “Shrek 2” was released and singers will be performing songs from all of the Shrek movies. Dressing up as Donkey or other characters from the music is encouraged at this free event from Talk Nerdy To Me.

> The Daisy Tequila Bar - 518 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, May 11

Byron Spring Market Days in North Peach Park(10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Multiple local vendors will be in the scenic North Peach Park in Byron on Saturday for the Byron Spring Market Days. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

> North Peach Park - Byron

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

Macon Mental Health Matters will present another Mental Health Pop-Up Gym on Saturday. These free, family-friendly events include therapist consultations, yoga and meditation, drum circles, and fresh fruit and vegetable giveaways. Find out more and RSVP online at this link.

> South Bibb Recreation Complex - 7035 Houston Road, Macon

Hank Aaron Exhibit Unveiling and Celebration at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

An exhibit honoring Hank Aaron (also known as Hammer or Hammerin’ Hank) will open at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run. Hank Aaron’s long career started in 1954 and lasted until 1976 and he spent over 20 seasons with the Braves (both in Milwaukee and Atlanta). Hall of Fame inductees Ron Reed and Vic Correll, as well as journalist Phil Schaefer, will be speaking about Aaron’s athletic feats and more. There will also be an Atlanta Braves photo op, a food truck, giveaways, and more, according to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

> Georgia Sports Hall of Fame - 301 Cherry Street, Macon

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

The Macon Bibb County Recreation Department will host another Picnic in the Park on Saturday. This free, family-friendly event allows pop-up tents, picnic blankets, and lawn chairs and includes live entertainment from T-Luv Todd Davis.

> Carolyn Crayton Park (aka Central City Park) - 150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Fort Hawkins Archeology Day (12 - 4 p.m.)

The annual Fort Hawkins Archeology Day takes place this week. There will be pottery-making, classes about primitive skills and pottery-making, tours of Fort Hawkins, and much more. This is a free event.

> Fort Hawkins - 736 Emery Highway, Macon

Rotten Apple Stage Play at the Macon City Auditorium (7:30 p.m.)

The Rotten Apple stage play is a production that tells the story of a former heavyweight boxer, John Smitty, who is down on his luck. Smitty gets an opportunity to move his family to New York but he soon has to make some big decisions that might lead to disaster for his family. BLNK Entertainment presents the production and actors Omar Gooding, Dorien Wilson, Vanessa Simmons, Willie Taylor, Nalo Merriman, Paul Jerry, Michael Patterson, William Shipman, and Nailah Fuller will bring the story to life on the Macon City Auditorium stage. Tickets currently start at $45 on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

80’s Prom: A Drag Benefit Show at Friends on the HILL in Warner Robins (9 p.m. - 12 a.m.)

Dress in your best 80’s fashions for this 80’s Prom drag benefit show presented by The Trip and Y.A.L. Events. The proceeds will benefit Yutoya Avazé Leon as she prepares to once again take part in the Mx Peach Pit All Stars Pageant. There will be a $10 cover for this 21 and older event.

> Friends on the HILL - 104 Westcliff Boulevard, Warner Robins

Hue & Harmony: Art & Sound Bath Workshop at Artspace Macon (10 - 11:30 a.m.)

Sarah Payton will present a relaxing sound bath while workshop attendees create one-of-a-kind artworks. This all-levels workshop cost $35 per person and you can purchase tickets online at this link.

> Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SUNDAY, May 12

MOTHER’S DAY

Celebrations of mothers have taken part all over the world for thousands of years, although the celebration in the U.S. began around the time of the Civil War. Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the nurturers and mothers in your life with flowers, love, and sweet gifts.

Second Sunday Concert featuring Blak9earl on Coleman Hill (6 - 8 p.m.)

Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday Concert series returns to Coleman Hill this Sunday will a performance by songstress Blak9earl. This performer has gained a following in Middle Georgia with her soulful singing style and outsized stage presence. This event is family-friendly and free and picnics, lawn chairs, and well-behaved and leashed pets are allowed.

> Coleman Hill - 917 Georgia Avenue, Macon

WWE Supershow at the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

WWE wrestling is coming to the Macon Coliseum on Sunday for some high-testosterone, family-friendly entertainment. Tickets currently start at $20 on ticketmaster.com.

> The Macon Coliseum - 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon......