Weekday Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (8/3-8/6)

The first week of Autumn includes a special event for moms at Rigby's Water World, events for gamers in both Macon and Warner Robins, an event for history lovers, and much more. Macon once again earns its reputation as a home for music lovers this week with two unique concerts from The Hillbilly Thomists and Jim Lauderdale. The following are just a few of the adventurous, interesting, and often free things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

MONDAY, August 3rd

  >> Mom Monday at Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Rigby’s Water World will hold Mom Mondays every Monday morning in August. This event is held at Rigby’s Hideaway Falls Pool, which is only 4 feet deep and features a big waterfall you can relax under. Mom Mondays are for attendees 21 and older. Tickets to Mom Mondays cost $20 and include a lime margarita.

    > Rigby’s Water World: 2001 Karl Drive, Macon

  >> Ocmulgee Archaeological Society August Monthly Meeting at Fort Hawkins in Macon (6:30 p.m.)

Macon’s long and fascinating history will be discussed during OAS’ monthly meeting on Monday evening. The historically curious will learn about Dr. Henry Woodward from author Mauriel Joslyn. Dr. Woodward was an important Englishman who established important trade networks with Southeastern Native Americans and explored precolonial Georgia, according to OAS. This educational event is free to attend.

    > Fort Hawkins: 736 Emery Highway, Macon

TUESDAY, August 4th

  >> GAMING: Game Night at the Reverb Room in Warner Robins (5 p.m.)

Players of Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and fighting games will gather at the Reverb Room on Wednesday night for a night of games. Game Night happens every Wednesday and includes Dungeons & Dragons for all levels, fighting games shown on a big screen, and casual Magic games, according to the Reverb Room. Entry to Reverb Room’s Game Night costs $5.

    > Reverb Room: 1758 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins

  >> MUSIC: An Evening with The Hillbilly Thomists at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre in Macon (7:30 p.m.)

The Hillbilly Thomists is a bluegrass band whose members are friars from Province of St. Joseph of the Dominican Order, and they will be performing in Downtown Macon this Tuesday evening during a gathering “rooted in faith, beauty, and shared encounter.” The band’s unique name actually comes from a quote from famous author Flannery O’Connor, who lived in Milledgeville. The Hillbilly Thomists’ debut album reached number 3 on the Billboard bluegrass chart. Organizers Paloma & Fig and Resona Magazine promise to also unveil “a vision for cultivating culture, conversation, and creativity here in Macon and beyond” during the evening as well. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Balcony tickets cost $26.30 and can be purchased online at this link.

    > The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 563 Mulberry Street, Macon

The official music video for The Hillbilly Thomists' first album

For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

WEDNESDAY, August 5th

  >> GAMING: Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Party at Prime Time Gaming in Macon (7 p.m.)

Prime Time Gaming will host an evening of Magic: The Gathering Super Heroes Commander on Wednesday evening, which will feature two 75-minute rounds. Players will face off with their chosen superheroes armed with Infinity Stones to see who will be the “ultimate champion.” Entry to this gaming event costs $7.

    > Prime Time Gaming: 3076 Riverside Drive, Macon

THURSDAY, August 6th

  >> WRITING/ART: Paint Between the Lines: A Creative Collaboration between Local Authors and Artists at The Artisans Village Art Gallery in Eatonton (5-7:30 p.m.)

The Artisans Village and Georgia Writers Museum are presenting Paint Between the Lines on Thursday evening. Using stories, scenes, poems, and essays of no more than 300 words from writers, the artists from The Artisans Village seek to prove “a thousand words are worth a picture” by creating artworks based on the submissions. The theme for the written submissions was “Everything Around Us.” This event from The Artisans Village Art Gallery is free to attend.

    > The Artisans Village Art Gallery: 110 W. Marion Street, Eatonton

  >> Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center's Garden Party at the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House in Milledgeville (6 p.m.)

Relax in the garden of the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House, originally the Beecher-Brown Hotel and later the State’s Rights Hotel, during Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center’s Garden Party on Thursday night. The curious can learn from the historic building’s backyard medicinal herb garden, enjoy light refreshments, and paint a flower vase to take home, according to the organizer. Tickets are $25 per person, and you can register for the Garden Party online at this link.

    > Brown-Stetson-Sanford House: 601 W. Hancock Street, Milledgeville

Middle Georgia is filled with historical significance to be found at places like the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House in Milledgeville and Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> MUSIC: Jim Lauderdale at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon (7 p.m.)

American country, bluegrass, and Americana singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale will be performing at Capricorn Sound Studios this Thursday night. Lauderdale's songs have been recorded by many artists, including George Strait, Patty Loveless, George Jones, Charley Crockett, and Dave Edmunds. Among his many accolades, Lauderdale has won two Grammy Awards in the Best Bluegrass Album category. Tickets to see Jim Lauderdale perform in Downtown Macon’s Capricorn Sound Studios cost $40.98 online at this link.

    > Capricorn Sound Studios: 530 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

Help us keep uncovering the best of Middle Georgia!

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

  >> FRIDAY, August 7th: First Friday in Downtown Macon (5 p.m.): First Friday returns to Downtown Macon with an August Art Walk at galleries like Macon Arts Alliance (“Joie Debris – art beyond waste” from 4-7 p.m.), The 567 Center for Renewal (Woodfire Potters of Georgia from 5-8 p.m.), McEachern Art Center ("The American South," with artwork by Cal Walker and music by Julie Anne Steed and Jake Steed from 6-8 p.m.), The Bohemian Den (Artwork by Euphoria Artblock from 5-9 p.m.), and least but definitely not least, Gallery West, which will celebrate its Grand Re-Opening celebration with artwork by Amoria Stephens. Many local restaurants, bars, and businesses will also be presenting special events during August’s First Friday, including Ocmulgee Brewpub, where Artspace Macon will present their Summer Showcase from 5 to 8 p.m. and The Rose Room, which will present a solo exhibit of Will Washburn’s artwork, with an artist talk at 5:30 p.m. Music is a big part of First Fridays, so visitors can also check out live music and special events at venues like Robins Financial Capitol Theatre and Grant’s Lounge as well as establishments like Cashman’s Pub and Wellness Hug. (Downtown Macon)

Downtown Macon is full of interesting historic buildings like the Al Sihah Shrine Temple (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> SUNDAY, August 9th: Jamaican Day Celebration at The Society Garden in Macon: Enjoy reggae music, food from a Jamaican food truck, vendors, and dancing at the Jamaican Day Celebration this Sunday. There will be a $5 cover. (2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon)

Since 2021, Middle Georgia Times has been a 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.

A small donation goes a long way toward keeping Middle Georgia Times independent and focused on what matters most: you and your community. You can help support Middle Georgia Times with your donations at this link 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