Weekend Adventures in Middle Georgia

The arrival of August brings another First Friday celebration to Downtown Macon, a disco celebration to Perry, and much more. This weekend will feature plenty of ways to stay entertained and make some memories with friends and family in the Heart of Georgia. The following are just a few of the ways to get your adventuring on from August 1st through August 3rd.

FRIDAY, August 2nd

I AM ME: A Self Love Portrait Workshop with Rhonda Miller (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

The one and only Rhonda Miller and the talented Casie Trace will present a collaborative workshop to teach students how to create a “powerful self-portrait reflecting embracing self-love” using mixed media on canvas. Participants can even bring in materials that most represent them. The I AM ME workshop costs $30 if you want to create on an 8x10 canvas or $45 if you prefer a 16x20 canvas. You can sign up online at this link.

 > Artspace Macon - 2384 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Craig Burkhalter: Etchings Letterpress Drawings at the Wesleyan College Leadership Lab (5 p.m.)

Craig Burkhalter, a printmaker and artist who creates everything from books to posters, will be sharing his prints, etchings, and drawings at the Wesleyan College Leadership Lab on Friday. Burkhalter will also talk about his art at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

 > Wesleyan College Leadership Lab - 522 Cherry Street, Macon

August First Friday in Downtown Macon (5-11:45 p.m.)

Another First Friday is here and this one will feature lots of unique, family-friendly events including:

 - Pup Cup Crawl is a new event that will be unveiled this First Friday. NewTown Macon will celebrate their new Hype Hounds Approved program by inviting Middle Georgians to bring their furry pets downtown for some sweet treats from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bear’s Books, The Puppery, Longleaf Distilling Co., Just Tap’d, Fall Line, Sweet Eleanor’s, The Bohemian Den, and Emerson at Plum. You can pick up a passport for the crawl at Mulberry Street Park (near Robins Financial Credit Union).

 - Quill will be presenting an oyster pop-up this First Friday with cold water oysters and a new summer cocktail menu. Matt McMillan (of Matt McMillan & the City Limits) will be performing from 6 to 9 p.m.

 - NewTown Macon’s Family Fun Zone returns this Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. with lawn games representatives of NewTown and Visit Macon from

 - Court of Miracles will present a unique dance party with a silent disco on August’s First Friday. This free, family-friendly event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Third Street Park

 - MD Exchange will be celebrating its first anniversary on Friday with deals for a penny and giveaways for the first fifty customers from 5 to 8 p.m.

FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

First Friday means another art crawl is here. For August’s First Friday:

 - You can see the photography of Adam Smith, along with the creative mixed media artwork of John Mollica, at the Macon Arts Alliance from 4 to 7 p.m. at the opening reception of "Goin' Down Slow”. Brother Ric Patton will be playing his guitar and harmonica for this show as well.

 - The 567 Center will open its August exhibit with paintings by Shannon Riddle, whose artwork often focuses on the fabulous stars of the big screen and musical entertainers like Harry Styles, from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop in to see the great work and celebrate.

LIVE MUSIC

 - The Hummingbird will host Sooza Brass Band and Jen In The Right Light, two Florida bands, starting at 10 p.m. There will be a $5 cover charge at the door.

 - Grant's Lounge will have musician Andrew Duhon playing some blues, folk, and Americana starting at 9 p.m. Tickets to the show cost $15 in advance or at the door.

 - Garret Cox will be playing at Emerson at Plum starting at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $15.

 > Downtown Macon

Perry Downtown Disco (7-9 p.m.)

This family-friendly event will feature lots of glow-in-the-dark, dancing, black lights, and even a Silent Disco. This event is for all ages but no outside food and drink will be allowed and no pets will be permitted either.

 > 1121 Macon Road, Perry

Graphic courtesy of the City of Perry

NyteByrd at Billy’s Clubhouse (10 p.m.-2 a.m.)

NyteByrd, a “powerhouse rhythm section” band from Macon, will be playing for the patrons at Billy’s Clubhouse late Friday night. There is never a cover charge at Billy’s.

 > Billy’s Clubhouse - 1564 Forest Hill Road, Macon

SATURDAY, August 3rd

Macon-Bibb County Recreation Back-to-School Event at the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center (10:30 a.m.)

Macon-Bibb County Recreation will hold its annual Back-to-School event this Saturday. There will be food, music, free school supplies, and information booths at this free, family-friendly event.

 > Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center - 130 Willie Smokie Glover Driver, Macon

Actin a Ruckus with Actus Reus Heavy Metal Show at JBA (8 p.m.-12 a.m.)

Four heavy metal bands will be playing at this concert on Saturday. The bands who will be playing will be Death of a Capulet (playing blackened metalcore), Spliced (playing nu-core), God Tongue (playing deathcore), and Actus Reus (playing metalcore). Tickets cost $12 before the show at $20 at the door. This concert is for those 18 and older.

 > JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

ROAD TRIP: Mock of Ages (Def Leppard Tribute Band) at Griffin Opera House (8 p.m.)

The band Mock of Ages will be playing at the Griffin Opera House on Saturday night. Tickets to this show start at $30 online at this link.

 > Griffin Opera House - 102 North Hill Street, Griffin

Radio Cult at Wild Wing Cafe in Warner Robins (9 p.m.)

The rock band Radio Cult will be playing at Wild Wing Cafe this Saturday night in Warner Robins. There is no cover charge at Wild Wing Cafe.

 > Wild Wing Cafe - 714 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins

Sam Morrow at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Sam Morrow will be playing his unique mix of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, funk, and honky tonk this Saturday night. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $10 online at this link or at the door.

 > Grant’s Lounge - 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Sam Morrow playing the song "Round ' Round" in Los Angeles a few years ago

Playlist at Billy’s Clubhouse (10 p.m.)

Playlist is a band from Atlanta who will be playing hit music from the 80s and 90s at Billy’s late Saturday night. As usual, there is no cover charge at Billy’s.

 > Billy’s Clubhouse - 1564 Forest Hill Road, Macon

SUNDAY, August 4th

The Bridge: Gospel R&B and Gospel Mashups Show at Serenity Entertainment Complex (6 p.m.)

This unique show will mix rhythm and blues with gospel and feature music from Kevin Ward, Just Courtney, and Hasan Green. Alex Gibson will host and DJ Smooth will be providing some music as well. Tickets start at $15 online at this link.

 > Serenity Entertainment Complex - 427 Poplar Street, Macon

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