Weekday Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (4/13-4/16)

This week will include a chance to bike at night, hear exciting classical music, listen to interesting stories, and a celebration of Longleaf Distilling Co.'s 3rd birthday. Storytellers Macon returns to Grant's Lounge on Tuesday for another night of interesting true tales told by those brave enough to share their stories with their Middle Georgia neighbors. The following are just a few of the interesting, unique, and often free things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, April 13th

>> BIKING: Mountain Bike Monday: Bourbon Edition with Trek Bicycle McDonough at Dauset Trails in Jackson (7 p.m.)

Start the week off with some burn while riding 10 to 15 miles on Jackson’s Dauset Trails this Monday. Trek Bicycle McDonough invites bikers to bring their helmets and lights for a casual pace ride through the scenic bike trails at Dauset Trails. This biking event is free to attend.

    > Dauset Trails: 955 Brownlee Road, Jackson

  >> MUSIC: Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra led by Guest Conductor Yaniv Segal at The Piedmont Grand Opera House in Macon (7:30 p.m.)

Talented musicians from the McDuffie Center for Strings will perform along with professional musicians/mentors from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for the Season Finale of the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra on Monday evening. The guest conductor for the event will be Yaniv Segal, who grew up in New York City surrounded by other musicians and began playing the violin at the age of 4. The Mercer University Concerto Competition winner, Violinist Benjamin Linton, will also be performing. Tickets to the season finale of the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra start at $30+ online at this link.

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

Graphic courtesy of Robert McDuffie Center for Strings

  >> MUSIC: GCSU Department of Music Senior Recital with Violinist Taylor Doyle and Pianist Dr. Lev Ryabinin in Milledgeville (7:30 p.m.)

Violinist Taylor Doyle will present her Senior Recital this Monday at the Max Noah Recital Hall at Georgia College & State University. Dr. Lev Ryabinin will accompany Doyle on piano. This event is free and open to the public and can also be live-streamed at this link.

    > GCSU’s Max Noah Recital Hall: 210 N. Wilkinson Street, Milledgeville

TUESDAY, April 14th

  >> Senior Social and Bingo Lunch Buffet at Pond Restaurant in Warner Robins (11:30 a.m.)

The Pond Restaurant in Warner Robins will have a Senior Social and Bingo Lunch Buffet this Tuesday. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., the buffet lunch goes from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and bingo starts at 12:30 p.m. This all-inclusive buffet lunch costs $22 and includes iced tea and lemonade, as well as tax and tip, according to the restaurant.

    > Pond Restaurant: 2407 Moody Road, Warner Robins

  >> Storytellers Macon presents This Land is Your Land at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (6-8 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon will host another evening of storytelling at historic Grant’s Lounge this Tuesday, and the topic will be “This Land Is Your Land.” Storytellers will tell 5-minute, true stories about where they’ve been, what they’ve carried, and how they’ve come to stand where they are today to an audience of their peers. The featured storyteller for the evening will be author Latracia Tolbert Brite of Brite Pathways. This unique storytelling event is free and open to the public.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Storytellers Macon's holds events at Grant's Lounge and other iconic locations like Burke Mansion, where DSTO Moore earned a well-deserved award last year (Photographer Nate Weeks)

WEDNESDAY, April 15th

  >> A.I. for the Little Guy at the Butts County Courthouse in Jackson (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

The Butts County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Lunch & Learn series all about how small businesses can use artificial intelligence to stay competitive, save time, and more. The series will also be held on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 22nd, 29th, and May 1st. This series is $100 for chamber members and $175 for everyone else, which also covers the cost of food during the meeting days.

    > Butts County Courthouse: 25 3rd Street, Jackson

THURSDAY, April 16th

  >> April Food Truck Roundup: Hometown Heroes: Celebrating Military Kids at Perkins Field in Warner Robins (6-9 p.m.)

Visit Warner Robins invites the public to celebrate the month of the military child this Thursday with food trucks, live music, and a kids zone with activities and inflatables. Attendees are invited to wear purple to show support for the children of military members. This community event is free and open to the public.

    > Perkins Field: 105 Mulberry Street, Warner Robins

  >> Sunset Barre Pop Up Class at Gracie’s in Warner Robins (7 p.m.)

Join a pop-up barre class from Pure Barre and watch sunset from the rooftop bar at Gracie’s this Thursday evening. Barre is a type of exercise that uses the ballet barre and movements from not only ballet but also yoga and pilates. This class is free with registration on Pure Barre’s website at this link.

    > Gracie’s: A Rooftop Bar: 1056 GA-96, Warner Robins

  >> Longleaf Distilling Co.’s 3rd Birthday Celebration: Bee Three Celebration in Macon (2-11 p.m.)

Longleaf Distilling Co. will be celebrating 3 years of serving the Macon community with cocktail and food specials, giveaways, discounts, and more. Longleaf Distillery not only creates unique spirits, including vodka, gin, whiskey, and more, but they also help grow the longleaf pine population in Georgia through conservation efforts. This bee-themed style celebration is free to attend.

    > Wesleyan College Leadership Lab: 522 Cherry Street, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

 > Friday, April 17th > Warner Robins Autism Awareness Carnival (2:30-6 p.m.): The Surpass Behavioral Health clinic celebrates autism awareness month with a free community event featuring crafts, games, prizes, resources and more this Friday.

 > Saturday, April 18th > Thomaston Art & Soul Fest (10 a.m.-4 p.m.): The Thomaston Art & Soul Fest will include local vendors, live music, food, art competitions, activities for kids, the Smokin’ Souls Backyard BBQ Competition, and more.

> Saturday, April 18th > Record Store Day at Fresh Produce Records (10 a.m.): Independent record stores like Fresh Produce Records are hard to find, and Record Store Day is a way to celebrate the magic of music and record stores while getting access to special releases. You can check out the new releases at this link, but the store can’t take preorders or hold releases, so the best plan is to be there in person.

Graphic courtesy of Fresh Produce Records

Did we miss an event you are excited about? Leave a comment below to let others know about other fun and interesting events taking place this week in Middle Georgia.