5-13-2025 6:33am

Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia

Nate Weeks Editor

The impressive interior of St. Joseph's Catholic Church is even more inspiring with organ music (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week in the heart of Georgia, you can enjoy live music at a variety of inspiring locations, including the stately St. Joseph's Catholic Church, play pickleball while dressed in inflatable costumes with your friends at Play Rhythm & Rally, and much more. The following are just a few of the possible adventures to go on the second full week of May.

TUESDAY, May 13th

Poetry Reading and Book Signing with Patricia Starek and Walker Bass at Bear’s Books (5:30 p.m.)

Author, poet, and teacher Patricia Starek will travel to the heart of Georgia from Brooklyn, New York for this poetry reading and book signing event. Walker Bass, who has studied with Rebecca Gayle Howell, will also be reading poetry at this free event. The doors are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. and the program to start at 6 p.m.

> Bear’s Books: 835 Forsyth Street, Macon

Storytellers Macon presents “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” at Grant’s Lounge (6:30-8:30 p.m.)

Guests at Storytellers Macon’s “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” will hear true stories about the power of communication or wisdom at historic Grant’s Lounge this Tuesday. This free event lets anyone tell 5 minute stories about the theme for the evening. These storytelling events are recommended for mature audiences as stories are not censored.

> Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

WEDNESDAY, May 14th

Flavor of Texas Ribbon Cutting in Milledgeville (10:30 a.m.)

The Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber invites the Middle Georgia community to celebrate the opening of Flavor of Texas on Wednesday. Flavor of Texas is a restaurant that has been in business since 2009 and will sell dishes “from brisket to barbecue” once the doors open on Wednesday.

> Flavors of Texas: 960 N. Wilkinson Street, Milledgeville

THURSDAY, May 15th

MUSIC: Third Thursday Interlude with Dr. Gregory Hamilton at St. Joseph Catholic Church (12 p.m.)

Dr. Gregory Hamilton performs “majestic organ music” on the Third Thursday every month on the large organ at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Third Thursday Interlude’s are free and open to the public.

> St. Joseph Catholic Church: 830 Poplar Street, Macon

May Food Truck Roundup at Perkins Ball Field (5-9 p.m.)

Another Food Truck Roundup will take place at Perkins Field this Thursday. This free monthly event from Visit Warner Robins includes multiple food truck, live music from local variety band Good Company, and a chance to hang out with friends and neighbors (lawn chairs are encouraged).

> Perkins Ball Field: 105 Mulberry Court, Warner Robins

Throwback Inflatables DJ Night at Play Rhythm & Rally (5:30-8 p.m.)

Dress up in hilarious inflatable costumes and play pickleball with others dressed up in funny costumes like dinosaurs and unicorn gladiators at Throwback Inflatables DJ Night on Thursday. DJ Laylo will be spinning early 2000s music while all the wild pickleball playing is taking place. Tickets cost $10 (or $5 for students with student IDs) online at this link.

> Play Rhythm & Rally: 2661 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon

THEATRE: The Addams Family Musical at the Perry High School Theatre for the Performing Arts (8 p.m.)

The Addams Family Musical focuses on Wednesday Adams after she falls in love with a “normal” boy and invites his very normal parents over for dinner. This production is described by the performing arts school as hilarious and heartwarming. There will also be showings on Friday (8 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) as well. Tickets to the shows cost $8 in advance online at this link.

> Perry High School: 1307 North Avenue, Perry

FRIDAY, May 16th

Pet Party Palace Ribbon Cutting (2 p.m.)

The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce will present a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Pet Party Palace on Friday afternoon. This new business is the first ever indoor event venue for pets. Pet Party Palace will also offer pet photography.

> Pet Party Palace: 536 3rd Street, Macon

ART: Brighter Together (The Arc Artist Showcase) Opening Reception at Artspace Macon (3-7 p.m.)

The artists of The Art Macon will showcase their talents at the art exhibit “Brighter Together” at Ingleside Village’s Artspace Macon. The artists of The Arc Macon have developmental disabilities but they don’t let that hold them back from being creative. Local artists Lindsey Hopkins, Megan Hunter, Rhonda Miller, and Casie Trace collaborated with the artists, and the artists also created their own artworks, all of which will be available for sale. Proceeds from the exhibit will benefit The Arc Macon Arts Program. “Brighter Together” will be on display till June 7th.

> Artspace Macon: 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

ART: Artist Talk with Rhonda Miller at The 567 Center (5:30-6:30 p.m.)

Rhonda Miller will be giving another inspiring artist talk about her most recent exhibit “Poker Face” this Friday at The 567. Miller creates artwork that reflects her own experiences and mental states. Miller’s talks can best be described as inspiring and surprising as she doesn’t hold back about her own struggles and inner life. “Poker Face” will be on display at The 567 through May 30th.

> The 567 Center for Renewal: 2378 Ingleside Avenue, Macon

THEATRE: Junie B. B Jones The Musical at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton (6:30 p.m.)

Talented first graders will perform Junie B. Jones The Musical at The Plaza Arts Center this Friday. Junie B. Jones The Musical is based on the humorous book series of the same name by Barbara Park. This show will take place on Saturday as well starting at 11 a.m. Tickets to this funny, family-friendly musical cost $15 on The Plaza Art Center’s website.

> The Plaza Arts Center: 305 North Madison Avenue, Eatonton

MUSIC: Toxicity: Nu Metal Karaoke at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

Talk Nerdy To Me will present another unique event with Toxicity on Friday night. Karaoke singers will be yelling and singing their favorite Nu Metal songs. There will be a $5 cover at the door for Toxicity.

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

MUSIC: Bonnie Blue at Grant’s Lounge (10 p.m.)

Bonnie Blue is a Southern rock jam band from Jacksonville that will perform at historic Grant’s Lounge on Friday night. The band performed at the 15th annual Swamptown Getdown in Waycross earlier this month. Tickets to see Bonnie Blue cost $10 at the door or online (with fees) at this link.

> The Historic Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Bonnie Blue previously performed at the Swamptown Festival in 2021 as seen in this video from Festiviz on YouTube

SATURDAY, May 17th

The Great Bacon Race at Luther Williams Field (8 a.m.)

Runners will meet at Luther Williams Field for a unique bacon-themed 5k and a 1-mile fun run on Saturday morning. The 5k course will loop around the historic ballpark and its surroundings with tasty bacon at every mile. The race’s finishing line will be home plate, making the finish even more memorable. Tickets for the 5k or the 1-mile fun run cost $30 online at this link.

> Luther Williams Field: 225 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, Macon

The Lake Oconee Farmers Market at Harmony Crossing (8-11 a.m.)

The Lake Oconee Farmers Market (previously known as the Harmony Park Farmers Market) will take place every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through September 13th. Items like fresh produce, baked goods, jams, fine art, farm-raised meat and eggs, and more will be on sale at the markets.

> Harmony Crossing: 115 Harmony Road, Eatonton

Bird Walks with Amy Alderman at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (10 a.m.)

On the 3rd Saturday of each month, the Ocmulgee Audubon Society presents a bird walk with Amy Alderman at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. The walk starts at the museum’s scenic Sweet Gum Trail.

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

21st Annual Barnesville BBQ & Blues Festival (10 a.m.-10 p.m.)

The 21st Annual Barnesville BBQ & Blues Festival will indeed include lots of barbecue and blues music. Outside food and beverages and pets aren’t allowed the 2025 Barnesville BBQ & Blues Festival, which is free and open to the public courtesy of United Bank.

> 315 Thomaston Street, Barnesville

Macon Arts Alliance 40th Anniversary Artist Market at the Mill Hill Community Arts Center (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The Macon Arts Alliance will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an Artist Market on Saturday. The market will include art from popular local talents like Rhonda “Sunshine” Miller and John Mollica and will take place in the stately Mill Hill Community Arts Center.

> Mill Hill Community Arts Center: 213 Clinton Street, Macon

Junior Fishing Rodeo at Indian Springs State Park (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Kids under 15 are invited to take part in a fishing rodeo on Saturday at the beautiful Indian Springs State Park. Attendees are asked to bring fishing equipment as the park will have a limited number of equipment to use during the event. The Junior Fishing Rodeo is free to attend but a day ParkPass cost $5 at the park.

> Indian Springs State Park: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla

“Healthcare for Both Ends of the Leash” One Health Clinic at the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

Pet healthcare can be almost as expensive as human healthcare at times. The Macon Area Habitat for Humanity will offer free veterinary wellness checks, vaccinations, and microchips for cats and dogs. Guests can also schedule future spay/neuter appointments ($25 for cats and $35 for dogs).

> Macon Area Habitat for Humanity: 690 Holt Avenue, Macon

Hamlin Hills Farm Grand Reopening (5/17-5/18) (12 p.m.)

Hamlin Hills Farm is an agritourism attraction with a gift shop, produce, antique farm equipment, and more located in Forsyth right off of I-75. The Grand Reopening event will include a concert by the Middle Georgia band Free Lance Ruckus on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

> Hamlin Hills Farm: 477 Dames Ferry Road, Forsyth

Jeremiah’s Ice of Macon Grand Opening Celebration (12-10 p.m.)

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is one of the newer eateries in North Macon and it will be celebrating its Grand Opening with half off treats and entertainment. Jeremiah’s Ice’s menu items include Popping Boba, Italian Ice, and ice cream.

> Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: 1448 Bass Road, Ste 1101, Macon

MUSIC: African Americana and Choir of Babble at The Hummingbird (9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)

African Americana and Choir of Babble are two talented local bands with unique sounds that need no introduction. They will be performing at The Hummingbird until early into the next morning on Saturday. There will be a $5 cover at the door.

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

SUNDAY, May 18th

Furever After Rescue Spring Spectacular Fundraiser at Emerson at Plum (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Furever After Rescue’s Spring Spectacular Fundraiser will include Pause with Paws, yoga and breakfast from Macon Bagels and Fitness Inferno ($15), Mingle With Mutts, a cash bar with a Guitarras Mexican Grill food truck and live music from a classical cellist, a painting class, and more. The rescue helps many animals and need throughout the year and funds raised benefit the rescue’s mission. An All Day Pass for the Spring Spectacular Fundraiser cost $30.

> Emerson at Plum: 543 Plum Street, Macon

MUSIC: Yeah Man Jam at The Society Garden (1 p.m.)

The Middle Georgia music community will come together in a celebration of live music and the life of David Jarrell at the Yeah Man Jam on Sunday. This event will feature music from the bands Lizella Reign, Tier Blue, and many others. While this event is free to attend, donations will be collected to help the Jarrell family during this difficult time.

> The Society Garden: 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon