11-03-2024 9:48pm

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

Nate Weeks Editor

This large lion's head can be found on the front door of the opulent Hay House in Downtown Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in the heart of Georgia, there are a wide variety of things to do for friends and families, including free music concerts, art exhibits, and more. Fire and Ice, one of the largest ceramic and glass festivals in Georgia, will return to Macon for a sixth year, and the Cherry Blossom Festival's Veterans Day Parade takes place on Sunday, which is also when Choir of Babble will perform a free concert on Macon's Coleman Hill. The following are just a few of the unique events from November 4th through November 10th in Middle Georgia.

MONDAY, November 4th

Legos & Bots! at Washington Memorial Library (6 p.m.)

This family-friendly event invites young adults to come to build Lego sets with special guests from the award-winning high school robotics team, Smida Syndacate 4221. Lego & Bots! will take place on the 3rd floor of the historic Washington Memorial Library.

> Washington Memorial Library: 1180 Washington Avenue, Macon

McDuffie Young Artists Concerts at the Bell House (7 p.m.)

There will be a free classical music concert presented by the McDuffie Center Young Artists in the historic Bell House’s Jennings Salon on Monday. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and this event is open to the public. These short concerts are designed to be an enjoyable introduction to classical music, no matter your musical tastes.

> Bell House: 315 College Street, Macon

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

3rd Annual Small Works at the Macon Arts Alliance (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The 3rd Annual Small Works art exhibit opened during November's First Friday and presents artworks from over twenty artists in many differing styles and mediums. The unique pieces are also for sale, and pieces can often be found that make for great gifts. This exhibit is free and open to the public and will be on display through Wednesday, November 27th.

> Macon Arts Alliance: 486 1st Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, November 6th

Burger & Whiskey Night at Hotel Forty Five (4-10 p.m.)

Every Wednesday night, Hotel Forty Five's Hightales Rooftop Bar and Loom hosts Burger & Whiskey Nights. Attendees will enjoy Southern Gentleman, elk grind, aged 100-day gruyere, caramelized onion aioli, arugula, and pickled Okra, along with 1792 Bourbon Whiskey for $30

> Hotel Forty Five: 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

THURSDAY, November 7th

Happy Hour BINGO with 478 Creatives (5:30-7 p.m.)

478 Creatives will present Happy Hour BINGO at Grant's Lounge on Thursday night. The doors open at 4 p.m., and the game starts at 5:30 p.m. Happy Hour BINGO is free to attend.

> Grant's Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Chamber Music Ensembles at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville (7:30 p.m.)

Georgia College & State University will present its Chamber Music Ensembles concert on Thursday in the Georgia College & State University's Max Noah Recital Hall. Students will perform on instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, flutes, saxophones, trombones, pianos, bass, drums, and vocals. This concert will also be livestreamed. A $5 donation is encouraged for this concert: online donations can be made at this link.

> Max Noah Recital Hall: 210 North Wilkinson Street, Milledgeville

FRIDAY, November 8th

31st Annual Christmas Made in the South at the Macon Centreplex (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The 31st Annual Christmas Made in the South will showcase fine arts and crafts over three days at the Macon Centreplex. This event will include unique gourmet food, live entertainment, handmade, “one-of-a-kind designs,” clothing, jewelry, photography, and art from more than three hundred artists and makers from around the country. There will also be a visit from Old Saint Nick and a Holiday Buffet. Tickets to the 31st Annual Christmas Made in the South cost $9 at the door for adults and kids 12 and under get in free. There will be free parking at this family-friendly event.

> Macon Centreplex: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

6th Annual Fire and Ice at the Macon Arts Alliance (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The 6th annual Fire and Ice returns to Macon on Friday and will feature thousands of glass artwork pieces. The Macon Arts Alliance states that this is one of the largest ceramic and glass festivals in Georgia. This free, family-friendly event will take place daily through Saturday, November 16th, with a Happy Hour event on Thursday, November 14th, from 4 to 6 p.m.

> Round House in Carolyn Crayton Park: 150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

Soul Sights Historic Van Tour (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

These sightseeing tours take place on the second Friday and Saturday of each month and are also available in Spanish. Attendees will take guided tours of Macon in colorful Visit Macon vans, seeing everything from “architectural masterpieces to the places that inspired musical legends.” Tickets cost $10 each for adults and $8 for kids 8 and under.

> Visit Macon: 450 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

Park in the Dark: Twilight Member Walk at Ocmulgee Mounds (5:30 p.m.)

Ocmulgee Mound Association (OMA) members are invited to this free event where they will take a twilight tour of the historic and scenic park. Memberships start as low as $15 and help fund educational programs and events at the park, which might soon be one of the newest U.S. National Parks.

> Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park: 1207 Emery Highway, Macon

Georgia Big Band Concert at the Perry Event Center (7 p.m.)

The Georgia Big Band is a Middle Georgia band made up of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, a rhythm section, and a vocalist. The Georgia Big Band will perform two sets of danceable music from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and from 8:15 to 9 p.m. with a 30-minute intermission starting at 7:45. Attendees are invited to bring their own food and beverages. Macon Shag Club will also perform a dance demonstration at this event which is free and open to the public.

> Perry Events Center: 1121 Macon Road, Perry

The Randall Bramblett Band at Grant’s Lounge (8 p.m.)

Randall Bramblett and his band will perform at historic Grant's Lounge on Friday. Bramblett's album "Paradise Breakdown" is currently number four on the Billboard Blues Chart. The doors open at 7 p.m., and music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance or at the door.

> Grant's Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

BAS at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

BAS is a well-loved Middle Georgia rock/jam band that will play their groovy music at The Hummingbird on Friday. BAS's sound is often described as “multifaceted grooves with a psychedelic twist.” There will be a $5 cover at the door for this show

> The Hummingbird: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SATURDAY, November 9th

Cherry Blossom Veterans Day 5k and Fun Run at Middle Georgia State University (8:30 a.m.)

The Cherry Blossom Veterans Day 5k and Fun Run is a new event this year from the Cherry Blossom Festival. A portion of funds from this race will support the Georgia Department of Veterans Service Foundation, an organization that assists Middle Georgia vets with paying utilities, mortgages, rent, or home repairs. It costs $40 to register; registration and packet picket starts at 7 a.m., and the 5k beginning at 8:30 a.m.

> Middle Georgia State University: 100 University Parkway, Macon

Fall Foliage Paddle by Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions (10 a.m.)

Ocmulgee Outdoor Expeditions will “chase the peak of leaf color” at the remote Holly Grove access point on Saturday. Watercraft rental, paddle and personal floatation device, and waterproof cell phone holder are part of the ticket price, and tickets start at $20 for a guided tour with a personal watercraft or $75 to rent a kayak.

> Holly Grove Road, Juliette

Macon Vintage Market at Fall Line Brewing Co. (12 p.m.)

Lewis Ashe will be performing live music as “top vintage vendors from all over Southeast” sell everything from “retro graphic tees, vintage jackets, or timeless statement pieces, according to Fall Line Brewing Co. The Macon Vintage Market is free and open to the public. Fall Line's brews, wine, and cocktails will also be available for purchase at this event.

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

Linkin Park Listening Party at Fresh Produce Records (5 p.m.)

Fresh Produce Records will hold a listening party for Linkin Park’s upcoming album “Zero!” this Saturday. Attendees will listen through the album together, along with other fans of the band. There will also be giveaways from Fresh Produce Records.

> Fresh Produce Records: 567 Cherry Street, Macon

GMO Productions presents The Fall Màn Tour at Central City Skatepark (5 p.m.)

GMO Productions will present a free heavy metal concert with Death of a Capulet, First One Dies, and more at Central City Skatepark this Saturday. This is a free concert.

> Central City Skatepark: 180 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

3rd Annual Veterans Day Concert at the Griffin Opera House (7 p.m.)

Nathan Morgan will perform patriotic music at the 3rd Annual Veterans Day Concert on Saturday. Morgan is known for playing "hard driving, cranked up country/rock music." All veterans are invited to attend for free with one guest. Limited tickets are on sale for non-veterans as well. Tickets start at $25 (veterans use access code vet2024).

> Griffin Opera House: 102 North Hill Street, Macon

Hayden Coffman at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

Country music rising star Hayden Coffman will perform at The Capitol Theatre on Saturday. Coffman is a singer and songwriter whose newest song is called "Hate the Beer." Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music at 8 p.m. Tickets to see Hayden Coffman live cost $15.

> The Capitol Theatre: 382 Second Street, Macon

The Macon Sound at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

One of the most well-known party bands in Middle Georgia, The Macon Sound, will perform top 40 hits at The Hummingbird on Saturday night. There will be a $5 cover charge for this show.

> The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom: 430 Cherry Street, Macon

SUNDAY, November 10th

America’s Top 40 Musical at the Hawkinsville Opera House (2:30 p.m.)

Listen to music from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s at the Hawkinsville Opera House on Sunday. Tickets for America's Top 40 Musical cost $20 online or at the box office.

> Hawkinsville Opera House: 42 S. Lumpkin Street, Hawkinsville

Veterans Day Parade hosted by the Cherry Blossom Festival (3 p.m.)

The Cherry Blossom Festival's Veterans Day Parade will take place on Sunday. The parade will include large patriotic floats, military units, marching bands, and more.

> Downtown Macon

An Evening of Faith, Hope & Unity at the Atrium Health Amphitheater (5:30 p.m.)

Tye Tribbett is a gospel music singer, songwriter, and keyboardist who will present An Evening of Faith, Hope & Unity this Sunday at the Atrium Health Amphitheater. Tickets start at $35 for general admission lawn tickets and cost $62 for a seat.

> Atrium Health Amphitheater: 3657 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: Bragg Jam’s Second Sunday Concert Series: Choir of Babble on Coleman Hill (6-8 p.m.)

Bragg Jam presents another of its free Second Sunday Concerts this Sunday. The Choir of Babble plays edgy rock music that is reminiscent of Tool and other popular rock bands from the 90s. Attendees are invited to bring picnics, lawn chairs, and friendly dogs on leashes. This family-friendly is free and open to the public.

> Coleman Hill - 934 Georgia Avenue, Macon