Macon GA
9-02-2024 8:28am

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

One of artist Beth Collins's unique artworks displayed at The Creative Alternative this past weekend (Photographer Nate Weeks)


This week starts with a celebration of labor (and relaxation) on Monday with Labor Day. The rest of the week will include unique events like an album release party in Fresh Produce Records on Tuesday, a free screening of the movie "Coco" in Perry, and the opening of the Visions Unseen art gallery this Friday at Gallery West. The following are just a few of the adventures to be had this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, September 2nd

LABOR DAY

On Monday, many people across Middle Georgia will be celebrating Labor Day, which honors and recognizes American labor movements and laborers's development of achievements in the U.S., with annual cookouts, races, river floats, and much more.

47th Macon Labor Day Road Race (7:30-10:30 a.m.)

The 47th annual Macon Labor Day Road Race will include a 5k, 10k, and a fun run. The 5K will start at 8 a.m. at Vineville Avenue’s intersection with Pio Nono Avenue Church. The 10K will start at 8:30 a.m. in front of RunFit Sports. The Fun Run starts at 10:15 a.m. at Central City Park near the finish line for the 5K and 10K runs. This race is part of the Macon Tracks Piedmont Sports Medicine Race Series and you can find out more on Macon Tracks’s website.

Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions’s Labor Day Paddle (8:30 a.m.)

The Labor Day Paddle from Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions (OOE) will start at Popes Ferry Landing on the Ocmulgee River and include Class 1 shoals. At the end of the float, at Amerson River Park, participants will load up on OOE’s bus to go back and start another five to six-hour float of the Ocmulgee. Reserve your spot for the Labor Day Paddle online for as little as $45.

 > Popes Ferry - Jones County

The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music’s Labor Day Festival (3-5 p.m.)

The Labor Day Festival takes place after three days of intensive solo and chamber study with Center faculty. During the concert, eight high school seniors and the McDuffie faculty as well as current students will perform in celebration of the Labor Day holiday. Seating is first come first served at this event.

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

TUESDAY, September 3rd

Ben Katzman’s Tears on the Beach Album Release at Fresh Produce Records (7-9 p.m.)

Ben Katzman was known as a “rock and metal maniac” before he competed on Season 46 of the television show Survivor”. He will be holding a release party for his new album “Tears on the Beach”, which is based on his time on the popular show, at Downtown Macon’s Fresh Produce Records. General admission tickets (standing room only) for this event cost $10 online.

 > Fresh Produce Records - 567 Cherry Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, September 4th

Coop Jam ’24: Benefit for Tony Cooper at The Society Garden (6-10 p.m.)

Coop Jam ’24 is a free concert that will help raise funds for the medical expenses of Tony Cooper. The impressive lineup includes The Wall, Lizella Reign, and Big Mike & The Booty Papas along with featured guests Eddie Stone (Wet Willy), RJ Johnson (Tres Hombres), and many more. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the music starts at 6 p.m.

 > The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

THURSDAY, September 5th

Karaoke at JBA with Fresh Produce Records (9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.)

The one-and-only Willie D of Fresh Produce Records will take the big stage at JBA once more this Thursday for an evening of unique karaoke singing.

 > JBA - 491 MLK Jr. Boulevard, Macon

FRIDAY, September 6th

Whimsical Wreath-Making Workshop at Artspace Macon (10 a.m.)

With the changing of the seasons, wreath-making is a great activity to do with friends. During this workshop, participants will create a colorful wreath using “rich purples, deep teals, mystical blacks, and shimmering golds”. Workshop participants can make a 14-inch wreath for $50 or a 24-inch wreath for $75 and you can sign up on Artspace Macon’s website.

 > Artspace Macon - 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

Visions Unseen at Gallery West (12-3 p.m.)

The second annual art show that brings awareness to mental health will take place at Gallery West during September’s First Friday celebrations. This event is presented by Minds Eye Connections, a nonprofit organization that promotes “creativity and contemplate practices as mental health practices”.

 > Gallery West - 447 3rd Street, Macon

Rhonda Miller's unique style and creativity have gained her a large fan base in the art community in Middle Georgia (Photographer Nate Weeks)

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

First Friday is back in Downtown Macon with special events from An Evening of Respect: 3rd Annual King of Soul Fest, the Expresso Martini Crawl, and art gallery exhibit openings including:   

  • The McEachern Art Center will continue to host the second edition of their annual "From Ocmulgee to Okmulgee" series this Friday. This art exhibit features the artwork, incluing painting, jewelry, sculpture, and more, of three Muscogee (Creek) artists Johnnie Diacon (Muscogee/Thlopthlocco), Kenneth Johsnon (Muscogee/Seminole), and Jamie Bennett (Muscogee/Cherokee) (4-7 p.m.)
  • The 567 Center’s “Antiquity to Modernity” exhibit will feature the compelling travel photography of the talented Michael Williams with light refreshments from Sherri and Randy Goss (5-8 p.m.)
  • The Green Light Gallery will present a new exhibit with artwork from Victor Rigole with an artists’s talk at 5:30 p.m. as well as light refreshments and drinks (5-8 p.m.)

VENUE CHANGE: Good Medicine will take place this Friday at Reboot Retrocade with another fun silent disco as well as art, music, and movement that invites both young and old to enjoy the magic of play. There will be two DJs spinning music at this event, DJ MUSH and DJ Astral (7-9 p.m.)

There will also likely be street musicians playing for the crowds downtown as well as concerts at venues like The Hummingbird (“Smokey Jones and The $3 Pistols” (10 p.m.)

 > Downtown Macon

Fall Film Series “Coco” in Perry (6-10 p.m.)

The city of Perry will present another screening of a family-friendly movie this Friday night with Disney/Pixar’s “Coco” (rated PG). This free event will include popcorn and activities and outside coolers are permitted and lawn chairs/blankets are encouraged.

 > Perry Events Center - 1121 Macon Road, Atlanta

Storytellers Macon Live: “Straightening My Crown” with Wesleyan College (7-8 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon will present another event all about storytelling this Frida and the theme for the evening will be ”Straightening My Crown”. First, storytellers will take part in Wesleyan College’s first “Discovery Day” where they will participate in a storytelling workshop called “Sharing Stories, Building Communities”. Then they will present their stories at “Straightening My Crown”. The host for “Straightening My Crown” will be Mariana Furlin and the storytellers are to be announced.

 > Wesleyan College Leadership Lab - 522 Cherry Street, Macon

An Evening of Respect: 3rd Annual King of Soul Festival Honoring Otis Redding at the Macon City Auditorium (7 p.m.)

This Friday the Otis Redding Foundation’s 3rd Annual King of Soul Festival will take place at the Macon City Auditorium. This annual event honors the life and legacy of the unforgettable Otis Redding. St. Paul and The Broken Bones along with special guests Macon Music Revue will headline "An Evening of Respect” this year. On Saturday, the celebration continues with a performance from DJ NABS at the Big 'O' Homecoming Show & Dance taking place at The Capitol Theatre. Tickets to the homecoming show are only $20 while balcony tickets to “An Evening of Respect” cost $55 on the Otis Redding Foundation’s website.

 > Macon City Auditorium - 415 First Street, Macon

 > The Capitol Theatre - 382 2nd Street, Macon

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7s9A3s8iv8 -->

St. Paul and The Broken Bones performing "Call Me" for OurVinyl

Talk Nerdy to Me Presents Dragon Con Trivia and Cosplay at The Library (8 p.m.)

This will be the fifth year of Talk Nerdy to Me bringing a bit of Dragon Con to Macon the weekend after the big event in Atlanta. Along with Dragon Con Trivia, attendees are encouraged to wear their best cosplay outfits for a chance to win a costume contest. This event is free to attend.

 > The Library - 1530 Mercer University Drive, Macon

Graphic courtesy of Talk Nerdy to Me

SATURDAY, September 7th

Georgia Day at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Georgia Day returns to the Museum of Arts and Sciences this weekend. Guests will learn about Georgia’s wildlife, get a chance to show with local vendors, meet friendly native animals, participate in fun activities, and more. Members get in free to Georgia Day while tickets for adults cost $10, tickets for children over 3 are $5 (and children under 3 get in free), and seniors, military members, and college students receive discounted ticket prices.

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

Fall Warehouse and Sidewalk Sale in Downtown Perry (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Historic Downtown Perry's merchants will host another Sidewalk Sale on Saturday with items being sold on the picturesque town’s sidewalks. There will also be a Warehouse Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Perry Events Center where vendors will show their wares all under one roof. Cash is king at this shopping event.

 > Perry Events Center - 1121 Macon Road, Perry

International City Experience at Perkins Ball Field (10 a.m.-8 p.m.)

The International City Experience will feature international dances and music, food trucks with offerings from around the world, vendors selling a wide variety of items from handmade goods to crafts, art, and more, as well as activities like interactive workshops, games, and dance lessons. This family-friendly event is free to attend.

 > Perkins Ball Field - 105 Mulberry Street, Warner Robins

Fig and Ivy Grand Opening in Downtown Macon (11 a.m.)

Fig and Ivy will host their Grand Opening this Saturday and Sunday with free gifts with each purchase as well as refreshments and raffles.

 > Fig and Ivy Plant Shop - 361 2nd Street, Macon

The Wild Oats at The Society Garden (8-10 p.m.)

The Wild Oats is a rock band from Macon who will be rocking out at The Society Garden on Saturday night. The five-piece band last performed at this venue in June of this year.

 > The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The Climb: A Drag Competition at JBA (9 p.m.)

Fifteen contestants will compete to win a cash prize and a paid booking with The Empire at The Climb this Saturday. Christina Leon will host The Climb, winners of The Tribe Macon’s Glitch contest, Zoya Marx and Hazel Moon, will be on the judges panel, and Ken Davenport Dupree will make a special guest appearance.

 > JBA - 425 Cherry Street, Macon

SUNDAY, September 8th

The Andrea Effect: The Relationship Conversation at Serenity Entertainment Complex (6 p.m.)

The Andrea Effect: The Relationship Conversation will take place this Sunday evening at Serenity Entertainment Complex and will feature an evening of “laughter [and] thought-provoking discussions”. Andrea Cooke will host this event. Cooke is the founder of Macon Mental Health Matters, an organization devoted to bringing accessible mental health counseling and events to Middle Georgia. She is also a talented and entertaining storyteller whose hilarious stories often lead to a good dose of laughter.

 > Serenity Entertainment Complex - 427 Poplar Street, Macon


More News from Macon
1
I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive