Weekend Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (7/13-7/19)

The second full week in July will be a busy one, with multiple summer camps, live music at venues tiny and grand, storytelling in historic Grant's Lounge, and much more. For both art and science lovers, Macon's Museum of Arts and Sciences continues its Art of Science lecture series this Wednesday with an all-ages lecture titled "Anatomy and Art." The following are just a few of the engaging, educational (and often free) things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, July 13th

  >> STEM Summer Camp: Space Parks (K-5)/Circuit the Cosmo (6-8) at the National STEM Academy in Warner Robins (7/13-7/17) (9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)

The National STEM Academy is again offering a STEM Summer Camp this week, with Space Sparks for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade, and Circuit the Cosmo for kids in 6th through 8th. The young explorers will learn about the possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through activities presented at their levels. Find out more about the National STEM Academy's STEM Summer Camps online at this link.

    > National STEM Academy: 1942 Heritage Boulevard, Warner Robins

  >> ART SUMMER CAMP: Young Artist Camp at The 567 Center for Renewal in Macon (7/13-7/17) (9:30-4:30 a.m.)

Downtown Macon’s 567 Center for Renewal will offer a Young Artist Camp this week. The campers will create art projects, learn new skills, and spend half the day making pottery and clay projects, while the other half will be spent drawing, painting, learning about mixed media, and more, according to The 567. Lunch is not provided, so parents are asked to prepare meals for the campers. Learn more about the Young Artist Camp online at this link.

    > The 567 Center for Renewal: 448 Cotton Avenue, Macon

Art can be a form of entertainment as well as a way to share your visions with the world (Art courtesy of KBM/Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> MUSIC: King Center Sessions at Capricorn presents Amy Ray Band at Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum in Macon (7 p.m.)

Amy Ray began her love affair with music in high school in Atlanta, forming a band with Emily Sellers, the Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls. Ray is a musicians’ musician, and guest appearances from artists like Susan Tedeschi, Phil Cook, and Derek Trucks have appeared on her albums. Tickets to see the Amy Ray Band live cost $30 (plus fees) on tixr.com.

    > Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum: 520 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

TUESDAY, July 14th

  >> Peanut the Rabbit Story Time and “Nice Hands” Animal Experience at Clay Hill Exotics in Macon (10-11 a.m.)

Clay Hill Exotics will have a story time featuring Peanut the Rabbit, a huge but gentle Flemish Giant rabbit, on Tuesday morning. This story time event is designed specifically for children 2 to 6, though older children are welcome, according to Clay Hill Exotics. Attendees will be taught about being gentle and respectful of animals, including the right way to pet them, and receive a take-home craft. Clay Hill Exotics requests that those attending RSVP by messaging the business’s Facebook page or texting (478) 258-3515 with your name and each child’s name and age. This unique family-friendly event is free to attend.

    > Clay Hill Exotics: 2668 Gray Highway, Suite A, Macon

  >> Storytellers Macon presents “The Taste of Freedom at Grant’s Lounge in Macon (6:30-8 p.m.)

Storytellers Macon brings another evening of riveting and moving storytelling to historic Grant’s Lounge on Tuesday evening. Dr. Keith Moffett, County Manager for Macon-Bibb County, will be the featured storyteller for the night's stories. Audience members can also sign up to tell a true, 5-minute-long story that revolves around the theme of freedom and how it is “supported, protected, and passed forward.” Storytellers Macon presents a free open-mic event every 2nd Tuesday of the month at historic Grant’s Lounge.

    > Grant’s Lounge: 576 Poplar Street, Macon

Storytellers Macon presents special events throughout the year ( Graphic courtesy of Storytellers Macon)

WEDNESDAY, July 15th

  >> Art of Science: Anatomy and Art at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon (7-8:30 p.m.)

The Museum of Arts and Sciences’ new Lecture Performance Series, “The Art of Science,” continues Wednesday with an all-ages class from Art Historian Lauryn Dawson about human anatomy and art. This family-friendly event is included in the museum’s General Admission ticket price, is free for members, and costs $5 online or at the door.

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

  >> TRIVIA: Popular Opinion at Wild Wing Cafe in Warner Robins (7-8 p.m.)

Trivia Days presents another Popular Opinion trivia game at Wild Wing Cafe this Wednesday. This family-friendly event is for skilled trivia players as well as those with opinions about everything, according to Trivia Days. There is no charge to play Popular Opinion.

    > Wild Wing Cafe: 714 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins

THURSDAY, July 16th

  >> THEATRE: Shrek the Musical at Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton (7/9-7/19) (7-9 p.m.)

Donkey, Shrek, and other beloved characters from the Shrek universe will be taking the stage at Plaza Arts Center once again this Thursday evening. Theatergoers can expect lots of riotous songs and plenty of heart and humor at this production. Tickets for the Plaza Arts Center’s production of Shrek the Musical can be purchased on The Plaza Arts Center’s website starting at $12 for students and children and $20 for adults.

    > Plaza Arts Center: 305 N. Madison Avenue, Eatonton

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

>> SATURDAY, July 18th: Mount Pilot at The Society Garden in Macon (8 p.m.): Mount Pilot formed back in 1992 with members of Nuclear Fishin’ and The Piedmont Cooks, as well as other Middle Georgia musicians. The band has worked with acts like Drivin’ and Cryin’, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and The Winter Brothers Band during their 34 year career. (2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon)

  >> SATURDAY, July 10th- SUNDAY, July 11th (10 a.m.-5 p.m.): Macon Market at stARTup Studios in Macon (10 a.m.-5 p.m.): July’s Macon Market at stARTup Studios takes place next Saturday and Sunday with local artisans, crafters, and small businesses selling a wide range of art, baked goods, jewelry, and more inside a historic, air-conditioned building in Downtown Macon. Vendors can sign up at this link. Macon Market is free to attend. (1055 Riverside Drive, Macon)

Local creatives like artist, author, and creator Rosaly Aponte will be at stARTup Studios' Makers Market this weekend (Photographer Nate Weeks)

Since 2021, Middle Georgia Times has been your source for the events worth attending, people worth knowing, places worth exploring, and the businesses making our communities better.

But here's the truth: keeping a local publication alive costs money and time - and right now, Middle Georgia Times runs almost entirely on passion.

A small donation goes a long way toward keeping Middle Georgia Times free, independent, and focused on what matters most: you and your community. You can help support Middle Georgia Times here or through our Venmo account (@MiddleGATimes). Any amount is greatly appreciated!

Above all, thank you for reading Middle Georgia Times!

- Nate Weeks, Editor of the Middle Georgia Times

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.