7-07-2024 5:25pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

One unique thing many people do in Downtown Macon is take an art class with friends, like the recent introduction to charcoal art class taught by Stacey R. Swann at the 567 Center for Renewal (Photographer Nate Weeks)

July continues this week with lots of hot days and cool, unique things to do for both kids and parents (and other adventurous adults). There will be multiple camps for kids starting on Monday, another Storytellers Macon event returning to Grant's Lounge on Tuesday (with a July-appropriate "hot" theme), and much more. The following are just a few of the adventures to be found in the heart of Georgia this week!

MONDAY, July 8th

SUMMER CAMPS IN MACON

There will be several unique summer camps for kids taking place this week including the following:

Art & Movement Kids Summer Camp at Society Garden (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

The Art & Movement Kids Summer Camp will take place two different weeks, from July 8th through 12th and July 15th through 19th. This outdoor camp with feature collaborations with local artists and musicians, a clay art project, gardening, painting, and music, according to the venue. Participants will need to bring their own lunch and water bottle as well as a swimsuit, towel, and labeled backpack. Liliana’s will also be offering a meal package for the week for $40. The registration fee for the camp is $160 per week with a $50 deposit due through eventbrite.com.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Summer Kid’s Workshop at Artspace Macon (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

This will be the second session of the Summer Kid’s Workshop, which will take place through July 31st, at Artspace Macon where campers will be able to experiment with different art mediums as well as learn about the elements of art and design. The classes will focus on arts and crafts on Mondays, mark-making and painting on Tuesdays, and hands-on modeling and three-dimensional design on Wednesdays.

> Artspace Macon - 2384 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

38th Annual Medieval Camp at The Creative Alternative (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

This camp is for students aged 5 to 12th and is billed as The Creative Alternative’s longest-running camp. Tickets to this class will likely go quickly and cost $150 per week. Contact The Creative Alternative for more information.

> The Creative Alternative - 262 Riley Avenue, Macon

TUESDAY, July 9th

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

The theme for the stories at Storytellers Macon’s “Hot and Heavy” storytelling event will be about life’s intense moments, whether romantic or otherwise heated. The talented entertainer Yutoya Avazé Leòn will be the featured storyteller for the evening. The true stories that the storytellers will tell are limited to five minutes per person and are uncensored (though no hate speech is allowed). Anyone in the audience can sign up to tell a story, either by following this link or before the event. This is a free event.

> Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, July 10th

Downtown Macon French Fry Fight (11 a.m.-11:45 p.m.)

Another Macon French Fry Fight is coming to Downtown Macon on Wednesday, courtesy of Sysco. The annual French Fry Fight is a competition where different eateries in Macon create unique french fry meals and this year the french fry creations will all cost between $10 and $20. This year participating restaurants include Bearfoot Tavern (Poutine Beef and Mozzarella fries), Biddy’s (Sumo fries with white queso, sweet sesame slaw, etc.), Fall Line Brewing Co. (Philly Cheese Steak Fries), Felicia’s Cake Factory (sugar cookie fries), H&H (fries with white bean chili, smoked turkey, bacon, sour cream, cheese, and serrano peppers), Sweet Eleanors (Nanny’s Funnel Cake Fries), and many other restaurants.

> Downtown Macon

THURSDAY, July 11th

Christmas in July with the Macon Pops at Fall Line Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)

The Macon Pops’ Steve Moretti, along with musician Josh Carson, will be performing beach music perfect for summertime weather at Christmas in July. This event helps raise funds for the popular Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular. You can help the Macon Pops by sponsoring a disco-themed ornament for $30 that will be personalized and hung on one of the decorated trees at the Museum of Arts and Sciences “Festival of Trees”. When you purchase any food or drinks at Christmas in July, mention the Macon Pops and a portion of the profits from your purchase will also help out their worthy cause of bringing the free Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular to town once again this year.

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

Kevn Kinney at Capricorn Sound Studios (7:30 p.m.)

Singer, songwriter, performer, artist, and poet Kevn Kinney, best known as the founder of the rock band Drivin N Crying, will be performing at Macon’s Capricorn Sound Studios on Thursday evening. Kinney was recently inducted into both the Wisconsin and Georgia Music Halls of Fame. He released his most recent studio album “Think About It” in 2022 and a compilation of songs celebrating his contribution to music called “Let’s Go Dancin’” in 2023. Tickets cost $35 (plus fees) online at this link.

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

Kevn Kinney recently performed with the band R.E.M. to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary

FRIDAY, July 12th

Christmas in July with the Grinch at Peachy Playtown in Perry (5:30-7 p.m.)

This Christmas-themed event will feature the hilarious Grinch and is suggested for kids from 0 to 6 years old. Tickets cost $15 per child for non-members and entry is free for members.

> Peachy Playtown - 623 Courtney Hodges Blvd., Perry

The Local Draw at Artspace Macon (6:30 p.m.)

The Local Draw is a monthly meetup for creatives to draw and create together. You can bring your journal to create in or use materials from Artspace Macon’s art cart. There will also be a collage bar and art bar available for $10 and a do-it-yourself menu for those who want to work on something different. This event is free and open to the public and guests are invited to bring snacks and drinks from the eateries around Artspace Macon.

> Artspace Macon - 2384 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Yoga in the Plaza (7-8 p.m.)

Macon Mental Health Matters will bring another relaxing all-level yoga class to the plaza on Cotton Avenue this Friday evening. This event is free.

> 448 Cotton Avenue, Macon

Gray City Limits at The Society Garden (7:30 p.m.)

The band Gray City Limits, which is made up of four young musicians from the town of Gray, will perform at The Society Garden on Friday evening. The band has previously performed at venues like GA Bobs in Warner Robins, Wild Wings Cafe in Macon, and The Strand Bistro & Chophouse in Jesup.

> The Society Garden - 2385 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SATURDAY, July 13th

ROAD TRIP: 2024 2nd Saturday Event Series in Downtown Griffin (8 a.m.-11 p.m.)

The 2nd Saturday Event Series, presented by Hoshizaki, will take place in Downtown Griffin through December 14th. Each occasion will feature live music, themed events, and specials in Griffin’s restaurants and retailers. The theme for the 2nd Saturday Event this Saturday is All American Summer.

> Downtown Griffin

July 13th Extravaganza at TK Med Spa in Gray (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

TK Med Spa is partnering with the Jones County Animal Shelter for this event where you can adopt a sweet dog from the shelter, enjoy a cold snow cone, bounce on an inflatable, or get a B12 injection, “Fire & Ice Facial”, or more for a special price. This event is free and open to the public.

> TK Med Spa - 4120 Gray Highway, Gray

Macon on My Mind Day at the Round Building in C.C. Park (3-6 p.m.)

Visit Macon’s Macon on My Mind will be celebrating Macon’s locally owned businesses this Saturday. There will be prizes, promotions, and more at this free event.

> C.C. Park’s Round House - 150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Sound Bath at Middle Georgia Medical Massage in Gray (5-6 p.m.)

Scientists have recently caught on to the fact that sound can be used for healing. If you have never experienced a sound bath before, you are in for a special treat. During the sound bath, attendees will lay back and relax as soothing and beautiful music is played on a variety of instruments like drums, chimes, and singing bowls. Tickets for this event cost $20 on eventbrite.com.

> Middle Georgia Medical Massage - 109 Atlanta Rd., Gray

ROAD TRIP: Iris City Concert Series + Market in Griffin (5-9 p.m.)

Downtown Griffin has a lot going on these days, including the Iris City Concert Series and Market. These events feature live music and local vendors and will take place every month through October.

> Park at Sixth - 204 Solomon Street, Griffin

SUNDAY, July 14th

Doggy Day at Fall Line (1-5 p.m.)

This event is for the dogs (and their people) and will feature vendors selling items for man’s best friend, pup cups, pools for the pooches, and more. The dogs must be kept on leashes at Fall Line’s patio, beer garden, and Fall Line Station. This event is free to attend.

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