Weekday Adventures in the Heart of Georgia (7/17-7/20)

Independent film lovers will want to be in Macon this week for the 2026 Macon Film Festival, which includes the premiere of a local documentary about rural health care at the Douglass Theatre on Wednesday night. The weekend closes with a lakeside music festival on Lake Sinclair and a storytelling fundraiser from the Storytellers Macon at stARTup Studios. The following are just a few of the unique, interesting, and often free things to do this week in the heart of Georgia.

This large scale artwork from the Garden Project at Mill Community Arts Project can be found outside of the historic building where The Rich Flip was held (Photographer Nate Weeks)

MONDAY, August 17th

  >> PETS: Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Lamar County in Barnesville (8:30 a.m.)

Lamar County pet owners can find an affordable spay-or-neuter option by dropping their animals off at the county shelter on Monday morning. A mobile transport nicknamed the “Snip Ship” will then take the pets to a low-cost clinic and return them to their owners at the county shelter the next day. Appointments are required and can be made on HelpSpayNeuter.org or by calling (770) 288-5592.

    > Lamar County Animal Shelter: 37 Roberta Drive, Barnesville

  >> Coloring, Cards, & Coffee at Laurens County Library in Dublin (10-11:30 a.m.)

The Laurens County Library offers a night for adults to relax with adult coloring books, Mahjong tiles, and card/tabletop games for a low-pressure Monday morning with other Middle Georgians. Coffee and tea are provided at the free community event, according to the library.

    > Laurens County Library: 801 Bellevue Avenue, Dublin

TUESDAY, August 18th

  >> FOR MOTHERS TO BE: The Nurtured Nest at Blessed Nest in Perry (10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Blessed Nest, a Perry shop that sells handmade pillows and hosts programming for mothers, holds a weekly group on Tuesdays for expectant moms led by local care providers on Tuesday. Coffee, tea, and snacks are also provided during The Nurtured Nest, according to Blessed Nest.

    > Blessed Nest: 725 Commerce Street, Perry

WEDNESDAY, August 19th

  >> MUSIC: Art of Science: “Sounds of Appalachia” at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon (7-8:30 p.m.)

The Museum of Arts and Sciences will present another performance in its new lecture series, “The Art of Science,” on Wednesday, “Sounds of Appalachia.” Attendees will learn about the musical traditions of Appalachia, hear its sounds, learn to read shape notes, and sing. This educational event is free for members, included in the museum’s General Admission ticket price, or costs $5 at the door.

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

The Museum of Arts and Sciences offers many interesting, family-friendly events throughout the year (Photographer Nate Weeks)

  >> Line Dancing with Kipala at Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery in McDonough (7 p.m.)

Southern Roots Tavern was declared the winner of the Georgia Country award “Country Dance Venue of the Year” in 2025, so it is no surprise they are offering a line dancing class this Wednesday. This event is for dancers of all ages. Line Dancing with Kipala costs $5 at the door.

    > Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery: 15 Griffin Street, McDonough

  >> MACON FILM FESTIVAL: Premiere of “Georgia Rising: A Rural Health Story” at The Douglass Theatre (7 p.m.)

The Macon Film Festival presents the premiere of “Georgia Rising: A Rural Health Story,” a 57-minute documentary funded by Mercer University School of Medicine’s Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and directed by Tabitha Lynne Walker. This film follows three local Georgia physicians who practice in rural areas, including Jones and Twiggs counties’ Dr. Keisha Callins. The screening of A Rural Health Story is free, but seating is limited and registration is required at this link.

    > The Douglass Theatre: 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Macon

  >> COMEDY: Zach Rushing - The Redneck Logic Tour at The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre (7 p.m.)

Mississippi comedian Zach Rushing gained his followers from viral Facebook and YouTube clips but is now telling his humorous stories on stages, including at the Capitol Theatre in Downtown Macon on Wednesday evening. Rushing is a two-time Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, and he runs an outdoor apparel and lifestyle brand marketed to hunters and fishers, BBB Outdoors. Ticket prices for this show currently start at $40.42 on tixr.com.

    > The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre: 328 2nd Street, Macon

THURSDAY, August 20th

  >> MACON FILM FESTIVAL (8/20-8/23)

The 2026 Macon Film Fest will celebrate independent films with screenings at The Douglass Theatre, Theatre Macon, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and The Museum of Arts and Sciences, where immersive Fulldome films will be shown on the museum’s planetarium ceiling Friday and Saturday night. The screening schedule and ticket options can be found on the Macon Film Festival’s website at this link. Single Block tickets, for one movie screening, cost $15; Day Tickets cost $30; a Screening Pass, which gives you access to all films, costs $75; and an All Access Pass costs $175: all can be purchased on the Macon Film Festival’s website.

    > Various Venues in Macon

Many of the films that will be screened on the ceiling of the Museum of Arts and Sciences, like "Resolution: A Cinephonic Rhapsody for the Soul" are hard to define

  >> MACON FILM FESTIVAL: FireStarters Showcase: “Defend the Sacred, Preserve the Past” and “AANIKOOBIJIGAN” at The Douglass Theatre in Macon (7:15-10 p.m.)

The Macon Film Festival’s official opening night combines two documentaries about Indigenous nations fighting to reclaim their ancestors’ remains and sacred ground. “Defend the Sacred, Preserve the Past” and “AANIKOOBIJIGAN” are presented with the FireStarters Film Festival and support from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. A reception will take place in the historic Douglass Theatre Annex before the screening. 21 and Up All Access Pass is required for this event. Visit the Macon Film Festival’s website for more information and the full Macon Film Festival schedule.

    > The Douglass Theatre: 428 Mulberry Street Lane, Macon

NOTABLE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:

  >> FRIDAY, August 21st: MACON FILM FESTIVAL: Fulldome Immersive Showcase at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (7:30-10 p.m.): You don’t have to go all the way to Las Vegas to experience a 360-degree screen and dynamic films. This fun annual event includes access to the museum’s well-curated art galleries, gyroscope experiences, drinks, food, and immersive special screenings. Visit Macon Film’s website for more information about the Fulldome Immersive Showcase and more. (2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins)

  >> SATURDAY, August 22nd: FloatChella - End of Summer Live Music Festival on Lake Sinclair in Milledgeville (12 p.m.): An end-of-summer lake party will take place at Lake Sinclair this Saturday with live performances from Stacey Blanton, Billy Robinson, and the 3rd Rodeo, Kyler Weston, and 40 Daze. Boat up is preferred at this event, which will also feature the Damn Yankee Sauce & BBQ food truck and vendors. Boat up is preferred at FloatChella, which is free to attend. (117 Avant Avenue NW, Milledgeville)

  >> SUNDAY, August 23rd: Stories Save the World and Fire Circle Membership at stARTup Studios in Macon (4-7 p.m.): Storytellers Macon holds its second annual fundraiser at stARTup Studios this Sunday. Attendees will be delighted with live personal storytelling, local art, delicious food, and drinks. Proceeds from this event help support Storytellers Macon’s monthly storytelling events, workshops, youth programming, and its “Heartbeat of Georgia” podcast. Tickets include a one-year Fire Circle Membership and can be purchased at this link. (1055 Riverside Drive, Ste A, Macon)

Graphic courtesy of Storytellers Macon

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