2-17-2025 6:29pm

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

Macon businessman and politician Arthur Billlingslea is featured on one of the newest murals in Macon on Second Street (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The third week of February will include a workshop teaching kids about media career, consignment sales for kids clothing and for brides, events celebrating Black History Month, yoga with puppies, and many more unique events. The following are just a few of the unique, and often free, events taking place this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, February 17th

MEGA Fun Days at Centerville Community Church (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

MEGA Fun Days is a two-day event for students (kindergarten through 5th grade) that will include “crafts, games, bible lessons,” and more. Breakfast and lunch is provided and registration for one day cost $15 and $20 for both days. Register for MEGA Fun Days at this link.

> Centerville Community Church: 401 Wilson Drive, Centerville

TUESDAY, February 18th

Teen Media Workshop 25 at Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

This free event will “inspire and educate teenagers” about careers in the media field. Rose Person, who is an actress, script writer, and recreation leader, will present. Attendees will learn about the reality of media careers from industry professionals and teens can network with others with similar interests. This event is free and open to the public. Register at this link: this workshop is for those 12 to 17 years of age.

> Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center: 1931 Rocky Creek Rd., Macon

Wheelwriter Wonder: The Typewriter That Killed Wite-Out at MGSU’s Museum of Technology (12:30 p.m.)

Looking back at how technology has changed the way humans do things is fascinating, especially during our recent age of rapid technological advancement. This family-friendly exhibit will examine IBM’s Wheelwriter typewriter, which changed how corrections were made to typed copy. This event is free and open to the public.

> Middle Georgia State University: 100 University Station Drive, Macon

SHOPPING: VBC Children’s Consignment Sale Spring/Summer Consignment Sale (7-9 p.m.)

This shopping event will feature toys, clothes for children from infants to teens, uniforms, sports equipment, furniture, and more. VBC Children’s Consigment Sale is a non-profit consignment sale that helps benefit Vineville Baptist Church.

> VBC Children’s Consignment Sale: 2591 Vineville Avenue, Macon

WEDNESDAY, February 19th

SHOPPING: Tykes, Tots & Teens Consignment Sale (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

This consignment sale is described as Middle Georgia’s largest consignment sale for kids. The event will take place in the 40,000 square feet McGill Building at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The Tykes, Tots & Teens Consignment Sale will take place through February 23rd and is free to attend. On Saturday, February 22nd, a 50% off sale on selected items will take place.

> McGill Building: 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Macon

MUSIC: Ches Cheshire and Greg McKinney at the Brass Rack (8:30-11:30 p.m.)

Ches Cheshire and Greg McKinney will perform music from the last 5 decades for the crowds at the Brass Rack on Wednesday night. There is no cover charge for this show.

> Brass Rack: 2440 Riverside Drive, Macon

THURSDAY, February 20th

HEALTH: Piedmont Macon’s Healthy Heart Screening (7-11 a.m.)

Piedmont Macon North Hospital will offer fasting blood tests to check for high cholesterol, triglycerides, and A1C, weight and body mass index tests, and more. Register for this free event by calling (478) 538-0408.

> Piedmont Macon North Hospital: 400 Charter Boulevard, Macon

Panel Talk - Pricing it RIGHT at Third Street Studio (6-8 p.m.)

Pricing it RIGHT is a panel talk with discussion about how to price your creative goods. Panel members include Matt Odom, Jave Bjorkman, and Meredith Ochoa. Panel Talk is a monthly event hosted by Third Street Studio, a video and photo studio in Downtown Macon. Pricing it RIGHT is free to attend.

> Third Street Studio: 536 Third Street, Suite 1, Macon

Thursday Trivia at The Society Garden (7-9 p.m.)

The Society Garden combines trivia and food from the La Bella Morelia Food Truck every Thursday. Trivia champs will get a chance to win drink tickets, according to the music venue/beer garden. This trivia event is free to attend.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21st

Arti Gras 2025 in Milledgeville (5 p.m.)

Arti Gras 2025 will feature art activities, body art, exciting performances with fire from Strange Bedfellows, live music, art sales, and more. Hungry participants can receive special offers at local establishments including Buffington’s, Shima, and Blackbird Coffee by showing an Allied Arts stamp or flyer. Arti Gras is a free, family-friendly event.

> Allen’s Market & Black Heritage Plaza: 101 West McIntosh Street, Milledgeville

MUSIC: Big Bird Bash at the Hummingbird (6 p.m.-1 a.m.)

The Big Bird Bash returns to The Hummingbird on Friday with a night of music from 5 bands. This year African Americana, Buster Chrome, Modern Mischief, KP & the Sidewinders, and 726 Acoustics. Doors open at 4 p.m. with the music starting at 6 p.m. and tickets are $5 at the door.

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

Bourbon Street Bash in Downtown Perry (6-9 p.m.)

The City of Perry will celebrate its own version of Mardi Gras on Friday with the Bourbon Street Bash. Visitors will hear New Orleans jazz and blues music while walking around in Mardi Gras costumes and passing out beads. A traditional second line parade will also take place at this family-friendly, free event. Read more about the Bourbon Street Bash at this link and learn about the available public parking at this link.

> Downtown Perry: 757 Carroll Street, Perry

ROAD TRIP: Drive-In Movie Night at the Museum (6:30 p.m.)

Spalding County Leisure Services will present a screening of Pixar and Disney’s Soul on Friday evening. Soul is an animated comedy-drama and all ages are welcome. Space is limited to 30 vehicle and you can register for a spot by calling (770) 228-4120.

> 547 North 3rd Street, Griffin

Georgia National Rodeo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry (7:30 p.m.)

The Georgia National Rodeo returns to Middle Georgia this week and will take place from Thursday, February 20th through Saturday, February 22nd at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. This Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event will feature several different types of specialty acts, including bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Vendors will also be on hand during the rodeo. Tickets to the Georgia National Rodeo start at $30 at this link (children 2 and younger do not need a ticket).

> Georgia National Fairgrounds: 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

Racing Night at the Macon Mayhem vs. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs game at the Macon Coliseum (7 p.m.)

The Macon Mayhem hockey team will face off against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs on Friday night. The theme for the game will be Racing Night and proceeds will help benefit the work of the non-profit Alzheimer’s Association. Single game tickets cost $15 and a family pack of 3 or more tickets are just $10 apiece. Get your tickets by messaging Visiting Angels on Facebook.com to help the Alzheimer’s Association with their mission. If you aren’t able to see these two teams on Friday, they will meet once again on Saturday at 6 p.m. for Scooby Doo and Pucks ’n Paws night. You can also purchase tickets through the Macon Mayhem’s website.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

MUSIC: Bands at the Grand: Honor Band Festival at The Piedmont Grand Opera House (7:30 p.m.)

The 2nd annual Bands at the Grand will feature the Mercer University Wind Ensemble as it performs music “inspired by rock and popular music styles.” Conductors for this show will include Dr. Brittan Braddock and graduate conductors Galen Peters and Dillon Watkins. Dr. Monty Cole (clarinet) will perform Black Dog: Rhapsody for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble by Scott McAllister. The event continues on Saturday at 3 p.m. with the High School Honor Band concert which will feature top high school students from around Georgia. Bands at the Grand is free and open to the public.

> The Piedmont Grand Opera House: 617 Mulberry Street, Macon

Problematic: A Drag Cabaret at The Society Garden (8 p.m.)

Christina Leon and Yutoya Avazé Leon will perform at two-woman show at Problematic on Friday night. Expect singing, jokes, and dancing. Valtorin Dynasty will also give a special performance at this show which will also celebrate Black History month. Tickets cost $20 plus a .50 service fee at this link.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Connor Kelly & The Time Warp at Grant’s Lounge (8 p.m.)

Things are going to get weird at Grant’s Lounge on Friday with a performance from Connor Kelly & The Time Warp. This band is inspired by bands like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 at this link or at the door.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

The creative music video for Connor Kelly & The Time Warp’s song "Spineless"

MUSIC: Andrew Vinson, New Saint Nicholas, and Ash Tuesday at Vice Bar (10 p.m.)

Brent Thomason will debut his newest project New Saint Nicholas at Vice Bar on Friday night. Ash Tuesday and Andrew Vinson will also be performing at this free show.

> Vice Bar: 499 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

MUSIC: Tall Tall Trees at The Society Garden (8 p.m.)

Tall Tall Trees will perform once again at The Society Garden this Saturday. Mike Savino is a multi-instrumentalist who has helped create the genre of DIY banjo music and performs as Tall Tall Trees with a very fancy custom banjo.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

SATURDAY, February 22nd

BIKING: Crank to Coffee - Saturday Morning Ride from Bike Tech Macon (8-10 a.m.)

Crank to Coffee is a casual bike ride that covers about 10 to 15 miles on a mostly flat route, according to Bike Tech Macon. No bikes under 24 inches or training wheels are allowed and helmets are required for all participants. The ride will start at 8:15 a.m. after a 8 a.m. meeting at Bike Tech Macon shop. There is no charge to take part in the weekly Crank to Coffee bike rides (but you might want to bring some money to purchase coffee and treats to reward yourself for a good ride).

> Bike Tech Macon: 909 Second Street, Macon

Little Mr. and Miss Cherry Blossom Pageant (10 a.m.)

The Cherry Blossom Festival will soon return to Macon but before that several affiliated events will take place around the city, including the Little Mr. and Miss Cherry Blossom Pageant. This pageant is open to children from ages 5 up to 7. The winners will be official ambassadors to the Cherry Blossom Royal Court during the festival, which will take place from March 21st through 30th.

> The Douglass Theatre: 428 Mulberry Street, Macon

NATURE: Sip & Stroll Georgia Arbor Day Celebration at Wesleyan Arboretum (2-4 p.m.)

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful presents a Sip & Stroll that will celebrate nature and Georgia Arbor Day on Saturday at the Wesleyan Arboretum. Attendees will indulge in non-alcoholic drinks while enjoying snacks and a guided nature tour through the arboretum’s forest, which features 100 acres of mixed woods and 3 miles of walking trails. Register at this link to reserve your spot.

> Wesleyan Arboretum: 4760 Forsyth Road, Macon

National Margarita Day at Hotel Forty Five’s Loom (5-10 p.m.)

The restaurant Loom will celebrate National Margarita Day with margarita flights for $28 (for those of age - please drink responsibly). The drinks will be made with Carreta De Oro Tequila.

> Loom: 401 Cotton Avenue, Macon

MUSIC: Taj Farrant at The Capitol Theatre (8 p.m.)

Taj Farrant is a 15-year-old guitarist and singer/songwriter from Australia who will be taking to the stage at The Capitol Theatre on Saturday evening. Farrant is on tour for his debut album titled Chapter One. The doors open at 7 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25 on seetickets.us.

> The Capitol Theatre: 382 Second Street, Macon

Taj Farrant's ability to shred on a guitar is incredible considering his young age

MUSIC: Ben Chapman at Grant’s Lounge (9 p.m.)

Ben Chapman describes his music as “southern-funk jam-based country” and he will be performing on the iconic Grant’s Lounge stage Saturday night. Chapman’s latest album is titled Downbeat.Tickets to see Ben Chapman perform cost $10 online or at the door.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

SUNDAY, February 23rd

Puppy Love Yoga at Fall Line Brewing Co. (11 a.m.)

Homegrown Yoga will host a yoga class with adorable rescue puppies from Pawsome Southern Rescue on Sunday morning. Tickets are $5 and there are limited tickets available for this unique yoga experience.

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

Public Ice Skating at the Macon Coliseum (12, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.)

The Macon Coliseum often offers ice skaters a chance to get on the ice in the venue. Attendees will have one hour to glide over the same ice where the Macon Mayhem push pucks around the rink through 6 p.m. Tickets start at $7 plus fees on ticketmaster.com.

> Macon Coliseum: 200 Coliseum Drive, Macon

SHOPPING: 9th Annual Bride & Prom Consignment Boutique in Musella (1-5 p.m.)

Once Upon a Time Weddings will host a Bride & Prom Consignment Boutique on Sunday. This once yearly event will feature both new and used dresses for brides, bridesmaids, and prom attendees as well as veils, accessories, and decor.

> Once Upon A Time Weddings: 807 Tharpe Road, Musella

Hello Boba Maid Cafe at Hello Boba Cafe (6 p.m.)

Hello Boba Cafe will host its third annual Maid Café on Sunday. Guests will be served a three-course meal, boba drink, as well as games and entertainment. Contact Hello Boba Cafe for tickets and tickets are limited.

> Hello Boba Cafe: 359 Third Street, Macon