10-06-2024 7:07pm

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

Photographer DSTO Moore enjoying the artwork of folk artist Mary "Missionary" Proctor at Gallery West this past Friday (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in Middle Georgia, the Georgia National Fair will be open through Sunday with nightly concerts from artists like Ginuwine, the Macon Pops will present a celebration of The Beatles of Friday, psychedelic rock band BAS will perform a free concert on Coleman Hill Sunday night as part of Bragg Jam's Second Sunday Concert Series, and much more. The following are just a few of the interesting things going on this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, October 7th

West Love and The 478 Band at the Georgia National Fair (7:30 p.m.)

West Love began singing at the age of three in a church in Valdosta. She now sings with The 478 Band and has opened for musicians like Pokey Bear and Bobby Rush. West Love and The 478 Band will perform at the Georgia National Fair on Monday. The fair’s nightly concerts are free with fair admission, which is $15 for adults. Kids 10 and under get in for free.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

TUESDAY, October 8th

Mixology Class at Longleaf Distillery (6-7:30 p.m.)

Learn how to make two drinks like an expert bartender at this Mixology Class on Tuesday at Longleaf Distilling Co. Attendees will find out how to create two gin cocktails during this event with Longleaf’s Southland Gin, which won gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits competition. Tickets to the Mixology Class cost $50 per person.

> Longleaf Distillery - 664 2nd Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, October 9th

Ginuwine at the Georgia National Fair (7:30 p.m.)

R&B singer Ginuwine, who had a string of hits in the 90s with songs like “Pony” and “In Those Jeans,” will be performing at the Georgia National Fair on Wednesday. The nightly concerts at the Georgia National Fair are free with fair admission, which is $15 for adults, and kids 10 and under get in for free.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

THURSDAY, October 10th

Macon Bike Party’s Bikes + Frights Haunted Tour in Downtown Macon (6-8 p.m.)

October is known as spooky season for a reason, with Halloween-themed events taking place throughout the month, like Macon Bike Party’s Bikes + Frights Haunted Tour on Thursday. The family-friendly bike ride invites participants to wear Halloween costumes and take part in a bike ride led by Will Schmidt to several possibly haunted locations around Downtown Macon. After the ride, attendees can meet each other at The Rose Room, located at 378 Second Street) to mingle with fellow bike enthusiasts. Macon Bike Party events take place every month and are free and open to the public.

> Bike Walk Macon - 830 High Street, Macon

Cooper Alan at the Georgia National Fair (7:30 p.m.)

Rising country music star Cooper Alan will be performing at the Georgia National Fair on Thursday before flying to Australia for several performances down under. Alan hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and boasts more than “14 million followers across all social media platforms”. Tickets to see Cooper Alan in concert at the Georgia National Fair this Thursday cost $15 for adults.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country mixes rock band style with roadhouse country and a little bit of psychedelia to create a unique kind of country music. The band will take the stage at 8 p.m., and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets to see Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country start at $25 online or The Capitol Theatre’s box office.

> The Capitol Theatre - 382 Second Street, Macon

FRIDAY, October 11th

Yachtley Crew at the Georgia National Fair (7:30 p.m.)

The yacht rock band Yachtley Crew will perform at the Georgia National Fair during one of its nightly concerts on Friday. Tickets to see Yachtley Crew perform at the Georgia National Fair Friday night cost $15 for adults.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

60 Years of “Fab!” A Celebration of The Beatles from Macon Pops at the Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m.)

Attention fans of the Fab Four: the Macon Pops will be presenting a show honoring The Beatles this Friday night at the historic Grand Opera House. Macon Pops will perform songs from the early “She Loves You” to the much stranger “Strawberry Fields Forever” at Friday night's concert. Tickets start at $30 online or the Grand Opera House’s box office.

> Grand Opera House - 617 Mulberry Street, Macon

NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress (5-8 p.m.)

NewTown Macon’s Tour of Progress is an annual event that shows off some of the newest opened businesses and projects underway in Downtown Macon. The free guided tour will start at A Brooke Haven Lounge and end with a toast and special event at Just Tap’s. Reserve your spot on the Tour of Progress at this link.

> A Brooke Haven Lounge - 401 Cherry Street, Suite 101, Macon

Open Seas at The Society Garden (8-10 p.m.)

The Middle Georgia band Open Seas, led by the singer, songwriter, and guitarist Justin Cutway, will take the big stage at The Society Garden on Friday night. Cutway previously released multiple albums as Trendleberg. Open Seas played at the Capital Theatre this summer during Bragg Jam as openers for Digable Planets.

> The Society Garden - 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The Retrograde and Rag n’ Bone Rock out at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Tallahassee rock band The Retrograde will perform with local band Rag n' Bone this Friday. The music starts at 9:30 p.m., and there is a $5 cover for this show.

> The Hummingbird - 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, October 12th

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

The Fall Native Plant Sale at the Wesleyan Market is a place to learn about the importance of native plants and also a good place to buy some for your yard. You can also donate native plants or volunteer to help out. This is a free, family-friendly farmers market that takes place on the second Saturday of each month and includes many different local vendors selling various items, including lawn statuary, produce, and more, as well as organizations educating attendees about various subjects.

> Wesleyan Market - 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon

Picnic in the Park Food Truck Festival at Macon-Bibb County Recreation (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Macon-Bibb County’s last "Picnic in the Park” for this year will take place on Saturday. Guests are invited to bring pop-up tents, picnic blankets, and chairs to enjoy food from multiple food trucks as well as live entertainment. Picnic in the Park is free to attend.

> Macon-Bibb County Recreation - 130 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Purple XPeRIeNCE at the Georgia National Fair (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday night at the Georgia National Fair, the Prince tribute band Purple XPeRIeNCE will perform for the fair’s attendees. Tickets to the fair cost $15 for adults.

> Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter - 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

SUNDAY, October 13th

Bragg Jam Second Sunday Concert Series: BAS on Coleman Hill (6-8 p.m.)

Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday Concert Series continues this Sunday with a performance from the psychedelic rock band BAS on Coleman Hill. This free, family-friendly concert invites Middle Georgia music lovers to enjoy a picnic while listening to a free concert and looking out over Downtown Macon.

> Coleman Hill - 917 Georgia Avenue, Macon

Help support your local entertainment source!

ONE MORE THING: Helping others is one of the most important things you can do to make our world a better place for others and yourself as well. With Hurricane Helene impacting so many people, your donations to the organizations listed below can go a long way in helping those caught in the path of the recent storm.