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It’s All About Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
Just when you thought this week would never end, here comes the weekend! And if you're in the mood to have a little fun, you've come to the right place! There's a good lineup of event happening so here's a quick look at a couple of the things going on, but remember, to get the whole story, head to the Community Calendar to see what else you can add to the weekend list.
There are so many great children’s stories out there, but few of them have stood the test of time like Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” When the book was originally released, reviewers did not like it (they liked the illustrations better than the story!), but everybody else loved it…in fact it became a publishing sensation, and everybody was reading it including Queen Victoria and a young Oscar Wilde. The book has never been out of print and has been translated into at least 97 languages. And now the story is coming to life on stage at Foley Hall in the Springer Opera House. We get to see Alice plunging down the rabbit hole and into this topsy-turvy world and meeting up with the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. This is a great show for the whole family! It's going on this weekend and next, so hopefully you can work it in your schedule.
If you’ve never had the chance to get up close and personal with any of the members of the birds of prey family, you’ve got to check out this show at Callaway Gardens! It’s all about these feathered wonders and these free-flighted shows demonstrate their strength, speed and natural instincts…and they’ll be swooping directly over your head!! There are about a dozen birds in the program and usually 3-5 raptors are used in each show…so no two shows are ever the same! These birds have really sharp eyesight—depending on the type of bird it’s anywhere from 10 to 100 times better than humans! Here’s a tip for you: don’t bring your pets as these birds aren’t domesticated and retain all of their hunting instincts & abilities! Don’t forget this, along with the butterfly center, the discovery bike trail, the circus, the beach & more are included in the admission!
So we’ve got the kids covered with fun stuff going this weekend with the Birds of Prey shows and Alice in Wonderland, but the Springer also has something going on just for us older folks! If you’ve never had a chance to go see “No Shame Theatre,” you’re missing a treat! It’s all original performances and there are only 3 rules performers must live by: must be original work, can’t be longer than 5 minutes, and they can’t break anything…including the law! Even if you’ve been before, the beauty of theatre like this is that it’s different every single time you go…no two shows are ever the same. And I think you’ll be amazed at the variety and quality of talent! If you’re looking for something new and different to do for “date night,” this could be a lot of fun! (Must be 18 to perform or attend.)
And finally...I don’t care what kind of music you normally listen to, sometimes you just a dose of old-school funk in your life and that’s what’s happening at the Phenix City Amphitheatre Saturday night beginning at 8:00 when the Zapp Band takes to the stage. Admission : $10.00 for Adults, kids 12 & under get in free. Concessions will be available. Consider yourself warned…be prepared to boogie!!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Need Ideas for Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA? Well, Here You Go!
The 4th of July Holiday may be over, but we're still in the mood for some Summer fun! Here are a few ideas of things to get out and do this weekend in Columbus and the surrounding areas. There's not enough room to list all the fun stuff going on, so make sure you visit the Community Calendar to get a look at a full list of activities.
Here’s something to get your attention...Let’s talk about a little blood & guts! Thought that might intrigue you. What we’re really talking about is one of the coolest of the Cool History programs Port Columbus does all year. This Saturday July 7) is the one called “Medical Mysteries” and it’s all about medical stuff during the Civil War and believe me, they tell you things that we NEVER learned in History class! In fact, they’re doing something new this year by having three different components—one called “CSI: Port Columbus,” which will be a dramatization of the autopsy of President Lincoln’s assassin, Booth, that was carried out aboard the USS Montauk before a dozen witnesses and performed by the Surgeon General. Kids love this sort of gruesome stuff and they might learn something!
I think it’s pretty safe to say that there haven’t been too many people on this earth quite like eccentric folk artist Eddie Owens Martin. A self-taught artist born back in 1908 and he did all sorts of things before he established himself as an artist like move to New York, be struck with a really high fever, have a few visions where 3 people of the future from a place called Pasaquan tell him he’s been selected to depict their world through art, and then call himself St. EOM. So if you’d like to see this truly other-worldly compound that St. EOM created, you’ve got a chance this Saturday. The whole thing covers 7 acres in Marion County and includes 6 buildings including an old late 19th Century farmhouse. Both the insides and outsides of the buildings are painted in some wild colors and patterns and some even incorporate human figures and nature imagery. More than 2,000 pieces of his artwork are also housed at Pasaquan!
If you need some great music to wind down your weekend, check out the incredibly popular Jazz Jam with the Columbus Jazz Society at the Historic Liberty Theatre this Sunday beginning at 6:00pm. This month, they’re welcoming special guests the “Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Trio. Admission is only $10.
Living in the South, we’re lucky to have lots of good food this region is known for and one of those delicacies has to be honey! Can you imagine life without biscuits and honey?! I can remember ending many a meal at my grandmother’s house with having a hot biscuit right out of the oven and sweet honey to pile on top! But have you ever thought about where this honey comes from and just how in the world do they manage to get the honey without being beaten up by several thousand honey bees?! Here’s our chance to get all the answers at Oxbow Meadows this Sunday because the Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association will be on hand demonstrating how it’s done…from removing the honeycomb section of the beehive and knocking all the bees off before bringing it inside to then show us how they get the honey out. Did I mention we get to sample this delicious honey or even buy some to take home!?
I’ll bet you won’t find this going on anywhere else either in the country this weekend! It’s the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Look-A-Like Contest going on this Saturday!! Put on a dapper suit, a distinguished hat, a pair of spectacles and a long cigarette holder (without the cigarette!) and head to the Little White House for your chance to win. To make it even more interesting, organizers are dividing the contest into 4 age groups—so how funny will it be to see a little kid dressed up like this!!? The Grand Prize winner gets Friends of the Georgia State Park and Historic Site passes. Cost to join in the contest is $20. Make sure you take time to tour the museum and the Little White House while you’re there.
If you want to get in out of the heat, go check out some of the shows at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center—they keep it nice and chilly in the planetarium! They’re showing “Transit of Venus,” “In My Own Backyard,” “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” and others. Great way to keep kids entertained this summer!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Hot Fun in the Summertime in Columbus, GA!
Let's face it. It's summer. We live in the South. It's hot. We get it...that's just all there is to it! There may be a few recording-breaking temperatures this weekend, but we never let a little heat slow down how much fun we have. And to prove it, all you have to do is check out the Event Calendar to see all the cool (no pun intended) stuff going on!
In fact, tonight (June 29) is your chance to take part in or just watch something you may never have seen in Columbus, GA…a Community Drum Circle. A drum circle is not a drum class, it’s a fun, family friendly event where people celebrate life and their community through rhythm and music. This is open to people of all levels of musical expertise and you can bring whatever type of drum or percussion instrument you have. You can even make your own! So, tonight, in Uptown Columbus, people in our community will come together and show their support for one another and this Columbus community through music. Even if you decide not to participate, it should be really cool to watch! And it’s completely FREE! All the noise starts at 6:00pm.
Let's talk about a couple of big 4th of July celebrations happening. This Saturday, Fort Benning will put on their annual Independence Day Celebration. The fun starts at 3pm at York Field! There will be free entertainment, including a Natalie Stovall concert, games, inflatables, great food and of course, a huge fireworks display, set to a patriotic performance by the MCoE Band. This event is open to the public and admission is FREE!! I can’t think of a better place to start off all of the 4th of July festivities and celebrate our nation’s independence than at Fort Benning with our service men and women and their families.
And because next week is the 4th of July, some people will be celebrating a little early this weekend. One of them being The Rock Ranch with their Celebrate America program. Great for the entire family, it’s an evening of patriotic fun and of course, fireworks. There will be train rides, pony rides, zip lines, paddle-boats, live musical entertainment and many more awesome attractions. It is going to be hot, so kids can cool off in the sprinkler zone or misting tents! You can also Adopt a Duck this Saturday as part of the Stepping Stones Great American Duck Derby. You’ll have a chance to win a million dollars, a big green egg, free Chick-fil-A for a year and more! Plus the proceeds go to benefit a great charity!
If you’re from around here you know that one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in the area is WTVM’s Thunder on the Hooch! This is a family friendly FREE event that takes place on Wednesday, July 4th from 5:30-9:30pm on both sides of the Chattahoochee River in Columbus and Phenix City. There will be fun activities for kids, entertainment for the whole family, tons of food and craft vendors and of course, once it gets dark, a huge fireworks display will light up the night sky! You definitely want to get there early to get a great viewing spot. One good place to set up your chairs is in Woodruff Park, the green space off of Bay Avenue.
And how's this for something new and completely different!? Columbus has a new Roller Derby League!! They'll kick things off this Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 pm at the Civic Center. They’ll play the Pensacola Roller Gurlz. I don’t know much about roller derby but this sounds like it will be a lot of fun to watch! Tickets are $17.50. Call 706.653.4460 for more information.
Just remember, lots of folks will be out and about doing celebrating this weekend and next week, so keep it safe. Nag, nag, nag...
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Ft. Benning-Military, on Friday, June 29, 2012
Oh Weekend…Where have you been all my life?!
I read something the other day that cracked me up...saw a sign that read "The First 5 Days After the Weekend are Always the Hardest." Oh, truer words were never spoken! Thankfully, those 5 days are over and we can now concentrate on getting this weekend thing started. Are you looking for something fun to do? Here's a heads-up on a couple of things, but I'd also suggest you take a look at the Community Calendar to see what else you can put on your 'to-do' list.
Columbus has launched a brand new attraction that outdoor lovers, adventure seekers and geo-cachers are going to love! The RiverWalk GeoTour! Geocaching is an outdoor game similar to a treasure hunt played with a GPS device. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, then share your experiences online. There are over a million active geocaches around the world and now, with the RiverWalk GeoTour, there are even more reasons to bring the family and hike along the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, where you can check out the longest urban whitewater course as well. To start you’ll want to get a grid sheet from the Visitors Center (900 Front Avenue) or download it from the website (visitcolumbusga.com/visitors/riverwalk_geotour). If you’re not already registered, go to geocaching.com, create a log-in and find the GPS coordinates and other info for the RiverWalk GeoTour locations, Then start your search and set out on a mission to try and find the caches. They are located at 32 along the 15-mile RiverWalk. When you find a cache, log your name and comments on the logbook in the container and stamp your grid sheet with the stamp from the container. You can win some cool loot in 3 different ways. If you’re quick, there is a “First-to-Find” special prize. Second, there are 5 unique geocache series in the tour and if you find all of the 5 or 6 caches in the series you win a limited edition RiverWalk GeoTour playing card. And lastly, you can win a bronze custom geo-coin for completing 10 caches, a silver coin if you complete 20, and a gold coin for finding 30 caches. You just present your stamped sheet at the Visitors Center to collect your prizes. It really is fun for the whole family!
Get ready to shake your groove thing tonight (June 15) in Uptown Columbus. Big Woody and the Splinters will take the stage at 7pm in the 1000 block of Broadway. This concert is FREE as part of the Uptown Columbus Concert Series. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a great night of live music. There will be a free concert every Friday night in June so mark your calendars now! Next week The Soul Proprietors will rock it out!
Come out and join presenters from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center at the amphitheater in FDR State Park this Saturday night to do a little stargazing. The evening will include star talks, star maps, and viewing the night sky. This could be a romantic date night or a fun educational experience for the whole family.
It is Father’s Day weekend and we know dads love sports and outdoor fun…so come out to one of the area’s largest sporting and outdoor expo called the "Big Boy Toy Show." Pretty much any kind of toy or gadget you want will be on display, from boats, to the newest cigars to cars and trucks to gaming systems and the latest trends in technology. And since moms and kids will want to spend the day with their dad there’s even a women’s area that focuses on spa treatments, wines, and accessories and a big kids area. There will also be music and entertainment for the whole family. It's all happening at the Columbus Civic Center this Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am-6:00pm and admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and military.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, River Fun, Shopping, on Friday, June 15, 2012
It’s a Weekend Free-for-all in Columbus, GA!
Just checked the calendar and the rumor is true...the weekend is almost here! Time to make some plans for fun so we've got a few tips for you. Of course, you can always go to the Community Calendar to find out more about these and other events.
I know the cost of a gallon of gas has come down a few cents in the last couple of weeks, but it's still high enough to make me think twice about taking a long roadtrip this summer...especially when there's so much to do in our own backyard! Want to know how to spend your summer vacation? Where you should go? What there is to do right here in Georgia? If so, you need to make it a point to stop by Georgia On My Mind Day at the Welcome Center on Williams Road on Friday (June 8) from 11:00am-2:00pm. You’ll be amazed at how much there is to see and do right around the corner from home. Lots of experts from Georgia attractions will be on hand to give you all the details you need to start planning some fun family trips. The event is FREE and along with all kinds of information, there will be food samples, drinks, discount coupons, and games and entertainment. What a great way to kick-off summer!
Got a kid that loves chasing and catching bugs? And then bringing them to show you? Maybe not so much….Well, this Sunday (June 10) you can indulge your child in his love of bugs without having to play with the bugs yourself at Oxbow Meadows’ 12th Annual Insectival. This creepy, crawly fun family program will show you just how important bugs and insects are for a healthy environment. You can take a dragonfly hike, examine carnivorous plants, or watch honeybees get to work. Honeybees are really hard workers and pretty cool to watch. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous you can see how good you are at cricket spitting or buy some tasty bug snacks…Yum! It’s definitely a different way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your family!
Heads-up, animal-lovers! Join Paws Humane for their Yard Sale Extravaganza this Saturday (June 9), from 7am to noon at their shelter located on Milgen Road.100% of the proceeds will go toward the homeless animals at PAWS. Go shop until you drop and maybe meet your new best friend too!
I know D-Day was June 6, but the National Infantry Museum is having a special program in observance of the 68th anniversary of D-Day this Saturday (June 9). “The Americans on D-Day” will be shown throughout the day in the IMAX Theatre. The “Americans on D-Day” is the first part in a trilogy of documentaries called “The Road to American Victory.” Shot in real time in exact locations, they are underpinned by powerful veterans’ testimonies and re-enactments. Even better, the producer of the documentary and one of the veterans featured in the film will be there after the 2:30 showing to answer questions. Veteran Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, a paratrooper with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, is coming from Ohio to be here to tell his story. Don’t miss the chance to hear this hero’s story!
Come out and show your support and appreciation for the men and women that keep us safe…our local law enforcement officials. Tonight (June 8) at 7pm, there will be a free concert in the 1000 block of Broadway for Law Enforcement Appreciation Night. The concert will feature local favorite, The Neal Lucas Band. Don’t forget the concert is FREE! Bring your blankets or lawn chair and have a great night with the family in Uptown Columbus. In fact, you could get down there a little early and have dinner in one of the many fantastic restaurants in Uptown Columbus. Just make sure you bring your dancing shoes!
Speaking of shoes, you might want to lace up your hiking boots for Geology Day at Providence Canyon State Park. Learn the history of the canyons and how they were formed as you hike along with Professor Rich McWilliams. It’s a 2-hour hike so dress for the weather, bring lots of water and bug spray.
The weekend is here, so make the best of it!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Friday, June 8, 2012
A Thousand Ways to Play in Columbus, GA!
So there isn't room to list all thousand ways to play, but I can give you a quick list of things to get out and do this weekend! And you can always check the Community Calendar to get the latest info on all the happenings around town.
You know, Columbus has a lot of outstanding features that make us different from any other city in the nation including one of the best landmarks anywhere…the life-size replica of the USS Water Witch at Port Columbus! If you’ve driven by there and wondered if you can go on board this vessel, you certainly can and this would be a great weekend to go explore it because they have a special program this Saturday (1-4pm) called “Two Navies, One Ship: The Story of the USS Water Witch.” You’ll get permission to ‘come aboard’ and hear some really cool stories of the battle for this ship. The story goes that the Water Witch was sitting at anchor near Savannah as part of the Union blockade when the battle ensued. They say it was a brief but very bloody event, so at this event, we’ll get to hear ‘first-person’ accounts by sailors and officers from both the Union and Confederate sides.
So when you finish fighting that battle, you’ll need to have a little fun! Not only is this year flying by (hello June!), but can you believe it’s been 20 years since The Loft in Uptown Columbus opened their doors?! In fact, back in 1992, entertainment choices in Uptown were pretty much limited to The Loft and The Springer, and thankfully they are both still going strong today. That’s a milestone in any situation so there’s a big party planned in Uptown this Saturday night to celebrate these 20 years of creating music, laughter and memories. Believe it or not, this shindig is absolutely free to get into and will feature a lot of the great artists who have performed there over the years…folks like Grammy-nominate Shawn Mullins, Marshall Ruffin, Neal Lucas and Keni Thomas of Korn Bread. They’ll have a couple of different stages set up, so find the music you like and enjoy!
Now, when’s the last time you were able to get up close and personal with a real, live alligator!? If you’ve never had the chance to get close to one of these prehistoric critters, this is the weekend you need to head down to Florence Marina State Park for their Annual Alligator Day! They’ll have real experts on hand and you’ll get to meet an alligator trapper who will have a lot of cool stuff on display. If you’re brave enough, they’ll even let you touch a live alligator! But I think my favorite part of the day is hopping on the park’s pontoon boats to get out on the water and search for these beasts in their natural habitat. Sometimes you see two little bumps on the surface of the water as their eyes appear…and you know what’s underneath the surface! And as hot as it’s been, chances are good that you’ll see them sunning themselves along the banks of the river!
Here’s something else designed just for kids…especially for the really athletic kids in your household! It’s an event called “Y KIDS TRI” happening this Saturday morning at the Downtown YMCA. Y KIDS TRI is the perfect launching pad for young folks to break into the sport of Triathlon, and yes, they’ll be doing all the events in a real triathlon! The swim takes place in the pool at the Downtown YMCA and the bike ride and run will be held on closed roadways and running paths all along Columbus’ Uptown streets and RiverWalk. This is recommended for ages 6-12 and if they want to compete, make sure they bring a swimsuit, bike and running shoes. The cost for your kids to join in is $25 and 100% of the proceeds are given to the YMCA of Columbus!
There's tons to do and this list is just a sampling of what's out there, so enjoy your weekend.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, History, River Fun, on Friday, June 1, 2012
Bring on the Summer Fun in Columbus, GA!
It’s finally here…the weekend most of us wait for all year long! The unofficial start of summer kicks off with this Memorial Day weekend and there's a ton of fun going on. My advice? Check the Community Calendar because things are constantly being added to it...that way you won't miss out on anything.
I can’t think of any better way to get this summer underway than to head to Callaway Gardens for the 53rd Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be filled with some of the best skiers and wakeboarders on the planet doing their thing on Robin Lake. These guys will be doing all sorts of tricks, jumps and slaloms…things that the rest of us should never try on the water! Besides all the competition, there’s also live music, specialty vendors, custom car show, FSU Flying High Circus, the Silver Wings Night Pyrotechic Parachute Team and of course all the beach activities!
While you’re in that part of our region, you might also take a bit of the day to head over to the Little White House in Warm Springs. It only happens a couple of times a year and here’s one of those chances this weekend to take a dip in the historic pools created by President Franklin Roosevelt in his battle against Infantile Paralysis. Normally these pools are kept empty for preservation, but they are filling them up with that warm spring water that flows naturally from Pine Mountain. This mineral water is 88-degrees and even thought it didn’t do too much as a treatment for paralysis, it is unbelievably relaxing to swim in! The swim sessions are 90-minutes each and you do need to make reservations, because it’s limited to 80 people per session. A little known fact is that President Roosevelt spent two-thirds of his personal wealth to create this treatment center.
Let’s not forget what this day is all about, so to honor soldiers and veterans who have or are serving this country, Monday there is a special Memorial Day Dedication Ceremony along Heritage Walk at the National Infantry Museum beginning at 10:00am on Monday. After the ceremony is over, there will be other activities taking place at the Museum.
If you want to do a little exploring a little south of Columbus to see what’s happening this weekend, there’s something really cool going on at the 1850’s Village of Westville. That’s the place where when you walk through the big gate, it’s no longer 2012…you’ve gone back in time to life in the 1850’s! And this weekend, you get a to visit a Creek Indian village to she how they lived in the 19th-century and explore their culture. You’ll also get to hear both sides of the story surrounding the Creek Wars, but watch out…the Creeks will “attack” the village of Roanoke and Shepherd’s Plantation! Talk about living history…this is a lot more fun than watching a documentary on TV because you’re right in the middle of the action!
After you make it thru the Creek Indian War, you might need to chill a bit, so since you won’t be far from Florence Marina State Park, head that way for all of lots of activities with their Memorial Day Celebration! They’ll have lots going on Saturday-Monday with crafts, games and boat rides. But here’s a tip: If you can’t squeeze in a trip to Florence Marina this weekend because there’s just so much going on, not to worry; but, make sure to put them on the calendar for next weekend because that’s when they do their annual Alligator Day…tell you more about that next Friday!
Wow, it's a full weekend...just make sure you keep it safe while you're out and about!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Springtime Fun in Columbus, GA!
Listen. Do you hear that? You have to listen carefully! Tune out the sounds of clicking computer keyboards, kids squealing, car horns honking, and bosses doing that boss thing and you just might hear the sound of the weekend calling! So after all the hard work this week, you deserve to get out and have a little fun. Here's just a couple of suggestions for you, but you should also take a couple of minutes to glance at the Community Calendar to get a real taste of what's happening this weekend.
Start your weekend off right and head to Uptown Columbus, the 1000 block of Broadway to be exact, for another in the series of Friday night concerts! Headlining this week is the 10:30 Band. Bring a lawn chair and family and enjoy a free concert under the stars!
It looks like it’s going to be a perfect day on Sunday to throw your lawn chairs and blankets in the car and find a shady spot to enjoy a day full of fun with the 16th Annual Arts in the Park at Lakebottom Park's band shell. There are lots of different musical acts on schedule—from jazz to bluegrass; tons of activities for kids to enjoy and area artists will have their works on display for show and sale. I say do up all your favorite picnic food and throw them in a basket or swing by somewhere and get a bucket of chicken—or make it really easy and grab something from one of the vendors on site! It’s just a great way to spend some time with family and friends outdoors enjoying some great art and music! Everything gets underway at noon...and there's no admission!
If you know and love the production the Springer Opera House does every year called “A Tuna Christmas,” well…you are going to go crazy over this one! Looks like the adventure continues with our friends in the third smallest town in Texas—Tuna—as a lot has happened since last Christmas! In this installment, Thurston and Bertha, who of course got married at the end of “Red, White and Tuna,” have decided to take a vacation to Vegas to renew their wedding vows and the rest of the characters from Tuna decide to show up in Sin City for their romantic getaway—and let’s just say that hilarity ensues! Two hugely talented guys, Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson, play all16 different characters in this production. This is the last weekend, so make reservations before it’s too late!
Cool stuff going on up at Callaway Gardens because they’ve just kicked off the season for the Farmer’s Market they do every Friday. All the products are produced within a 150-mile radius of Callaway and you’ll find anything from baked goods (the last time I was there, I got an organic German Chocolate cupcake made with zucchini that was unbelievably delicious!), sauces, dairy products, even flowers, plants and soaps! Plus, they have all sorts of demonstrations going on and lots of kid’s activities.
And lastly, here’s one of those events where you get to have a great time and help out a very worthy cause at the same time! It’s “Go Green for Girls, Inc.” happening this Saturday at CSU’s Woodruff Park (RiverPark Campus in Uptown). Girl’s Inc is a non-profit organization serving girls in our community and provides a safe environment for them to learn to be themselves and to become “Strong, Smart, and Bold!” This event is for the whole family and for all ages because at this “Lawn Party” they’re going to have a Volleyball Tournament, a Backyard Bocce Ball Tournament, Kid’s Zone, great food and more! You don’t have to be an expert at any of the sports…just come to have fun and maybe win some of the cash prizes they’ll be giving out! There’s even live music beginning at 3:30pm.
Take these ideas and run with them!
Now...go have some fun,
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Let the Weekend Begin in Columbus, GA!
Not that I'm counting the hours or anything, but there's so much good stuff going on this weekend that it's time to get this thing started. It would take up too much space here to try and give you the rundown on everything going on, so you may want to check out the Community Calendar to get a better look.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect Spring festival, well, this is your weekend! It’s “The Cotton Pickin’ Fair” just up the road a bit in Gay, GA all day Saturday and Sunday. Tons and tons of vendors with anything from pottery, jewelry, antiques, loads of entertainment, and the reason most of us go...the FOOD. Here's a tip, skip dinner the night before and breakfast the day of so you can eat all the good stuff you want and you won't feel guilty!
There aren’t many places in this world where you can get something for free, but that’s exactly what’s going on this Saturday at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center with their Free Comic Book Day! Not only will you get a free comic book, but they’ve got a day full of fun stuff lined up like a costume contest, quick draw contest, you get to do some gazing at the sun (without damaging your eyes!), door prizes, you can shop for new comic books to add to your collection, and what sounds to me like the absolute coolest activity of the day……Reading with a Super Hero!!!
The Columbus Lions are playing some great arena football this season and it looks like an intense game shaping up at the Civic Center this Sunday at 4:00pm as they take on in-state rivals the Albany Panthers!
Headed back north a bit, chances are you’ll be passing through Warm Springs on your way to the Cotton Pickin’ Fair, so tack on some extra time to stop in and join the celebration at the Little White House! It was in May of 1932 that Franklin Roosevelt celebrated the completion of his cottage with a housewarming. Fast-forward 80 years and check out this reenactment of that celebrationthis Saturday! There will be an actor on hand portraying Pres. Roosevelt, as well as live music from the 30s and 40s, lemonade and cookies, even down to the smallest detail of being able to join in on an old-fashioned game of croquet on the lawn!
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with the Springer Opera House’s annual production of “A Tuna Christmas.” I don’t think I’ve missed a year yet, so when I heard about this brand new production this season, I did the proverbial Happy Dance! How just two actors…in this case Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson…can bring so much personality to so many characters is beyond me. Well, now we get to see the rest of the story and find out what’s been happening in the third smallest town in Texas. In case you haven’t heard, Bertha and that no-good husband of hers, Arles are headed to Las Vegas to renew their wedding vows & it turns out the whole town of Tuna tags along with them! They meet some new friends along the way…a mind-reading mystic named Anna Conda, a mafia thug, and a couple of Elvis impersonators. They actually come home wiser, happier & richer! I've got to see this...
That should get you started trying to figure out what you want to put on your weekend to-do list. Don't forget to breeze through the Community Calendar to find out more.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, May 4, 2012
Get your Play Clothes on because it’s Weekend Time in Columbus, GA!
Just checked the weekend forecast and I'm certainly no meteorologist, but even I can tell this looks like a perfect weekend to get out and have some Springtime fun! And just in case you're wondering if there is anything going on, boy did you come to the right place. I was taking a look at the Community Calendar and there is no shortage of things to get into this weekend. Here are just a couple of things you might want to add to your "To Do" list!
If you love barbeque, great music, games and good times down by the river, you’re going to love this! It’s the “Uptown Bash on the Banks” and it all happening tonight and all day tomorrow on Bay Avenue along the RiverWalk. Everything kicks off Friday night at 6:00pm with the 5th Annual Char-Broil Pig Bowl People’s Choice Awards—that means you get to sample some FINE bbq, wine tasting, music from Mudcat—a great blues band out of Atlanta and a Corn Hole tournament. Then on Saturday, the day kicks off with the Big Cat Quest Fishing Tournament, there’s the Columbus Police Department Car Show, the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned cook-off—hosting many of the top professional BBQ cooing teams in the southeast!—kayak demonstrations, more live music and tons more! It's all taking place on Bay Avenue in Uptown Columbus and admission is free.
It doesn’t get any ‘cooler’ than this! Disney on Ice is bringing a spectacular show to the Civic Center called Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey. This is another great way to kick off the weekend, but it runs through Sunday, so hopefully you can pile up the kids in the car and catch this show before the weekend is over. Looks like all the cool folks will be there—besides Minnie & Mickey, there’s also Ariel and Sebastian from the Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan & Tinkerbell, and Lilo & Stitch. Lots of great music, costumes, neat stories and of course, some incredible skating! Admission ranges from $15-$40.
Don't forget Market Days is going on Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm and you’ll find all sorts of locally grown fruits, veggies and flowers as well as art and handcrafted items! Look for it in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway in Uptown Columbus.
Looks like a really full day of fun just south of Columbus in Lumpkin, GA with their Spring Celebration! They are packing tons of stuff in on Saturday including arts & crafts, carnival rides like the inflatable slide, the whirly bird, the merry to round, the striker; and a balloon & dart game, not to mention raffles, lots of live entertainment, and there will even be a street dance that night! Back to the music, they are planning on having gospel, country, R&B, and jazz…in fact the Army Jazz Band will be performing in the afternoon and Lou Vallee & Suzanne Swan from the Columbus Jazz Society will also be taking the stage! This is a fundraiser for Lumpkin’s Downtown Development Authority. Believe it or not, admission to all of this is free, but donations are welcome!
With a name like “Spring Chicken Fling,” this has got to be good! This is an annual event put on by Northside High School’s Band. Saturday from 11:00am-3:00pm, they’ll have the Band Shell at Lakebottom Park set up with lots of great live music from bands like The Bob Barr Band, several of the bands from Northside and even schools like Blackmon Road, Midland and Double Churches. They'll entertain us while we pig out on lunch provided by Huckleberry’s BBQ and it’s a great deal! For just $8 bucks you get ½ a chicken, baked beans, potato salad and Texas toast.
I'm hungry just thinking about all the barbeque being cooked up for us this weekend!
And finally, if you’ve ever been curious about what loft living would be like, here’s your chance! Check out the 2nd Annual Uptown Loft Tour this Saturday from 10:00am-5:00pm and get a peek inside these really unique places to call home. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the day of the tour at Eagle & Phenix Mill or Eleventh Street Lofts. Proceeds benefit UpTown Columbus.
Rest up so you'll be ready for this full weekend...there's something for everyone going on!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, River Fun, Shopping, on Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Weekend is about to get underway in Columbus, GA!
Check the clock on the wall...we aren't that far from the beginning of the weekend, so hang in there because there is plenty to get out and do this weekend. I've got a few ideas for you here, but I'd also suggest checking out the Community Calendar to get a real taste of what's happening.
A great way to kick off this weekend is with the Uptown Friday Night Concert at 7:00pm, so throw your lawn chair in the car and head to the 1000 block of Broadway for a night of great music with Lava Lamp doing some serious throwbacks with cover songs from the 70's…and it’s absolutely free!
Looks like MidTown and UpTown are the places to be this weekend! First up, lace up your running shoes and do your stretching routine to get ready for the 6th Annual MidTown Classic 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run that kicks off Saturday morning at 8:00am. MidTown Columbus is one of the prettiest parts of town so I can’t think of a better place to take a run or a walk…or a bike ride, but more on that in a bit! Not only is this event going to be fun—all runners get to enjoy live music, food and door prizes after the race—but they are doing this for a good cause--raising money for the Wynnton Neighborhood Network, a non-profit organization that provides food and other necessities to families in Midtown Columbus; and Wynnton Neighborhood Housing. It's $10 to join in the Fun Run and $25 for the 5K.
So if running isn’t your thing, how about filling up the air in your bike tires and set off for the MidTown Historic Bike Around on Sunday afternoon? You don’t even have to be a serious cyclist to enjoy this ride…it’s a 4.6-mile, family-friendly ride that will take you by nine historic stops and there will even be an energizing station just in case you need a breather! Everybody who rides gets a cycling bag and all sorts of goodies. So what if you want to join in but don’t have a bike or helmet? They’ve got you covered there too…you can rent a bike from Ride on Bikes for only $10 and they will also have helmets available. There’s just something about being on a bicycle that gives you a whole different perspective than zipping by in a car. You’ll see great sites and even learn something along the way! If you bring your own bike and helmet, there's no cost to join in.
Now that you’ve walked, ran and biked all through MidTown Columbus, it’s time to kick back and relax with another free event...Party on the Lawn at the Historic Wynnton Arts Academy. Even if you didn’t do any walking, running or biking, everybody is still invited to the party this Sunday beginning at 3:00pm. It’s a great way to get a taste of MidTown Columbus…it’s where I happen to call home and I love it…and they’ll have all sorts of activities, food, fun and live music from the Ft. Benning Jazz Combo and the Genesis Gospel Choir from CSU. This is also a great event for kids. So come prepared to dance or chill out in your lawn chair—a great way to wind down the weekend!
Now if the title of this one doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will! It’s the Wild & Scenic Outdoor Film Festival AND World-Record Picnic Attempt at Oxbow Meadows this Sunday! It’s the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, so the Chattahoochee RiverWarden, Oxbow Meadows and the Columbus Film Society all got together to bring this film series to Columbus. The film series is incredible enough, but they wanted to make this event even more special, so they are urging everyone to bring a picnic dinner with you to enjoy as you watch the movie under the stars and everyone who does, will be counted as part of this world record picnic attempt that stretches from Columbus, GA to Melbourne, Australia!! All the proceeds will be used for the development of a water quality education program at Oxbow. Admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for students.
And finally, If music is good for the soul, then here’s an event you need to check out! The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents a performance called “And now the Concerto…” this Saturday at 7:30pm at RiverCenter. Tickets range from $5 to $38.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Friday, April 20, 2012
One Fun-Filled Weekend Coming Up in Columbus, GA!
If you've been waiting for the perfect Spring weekend to get out and have some fun, well, this could be the one! I was just looking at the Community Calendar and it looks like it's going to be one of those weekends where you'll need to build an itinerary to work in all this stuff. Here are some of the one's that really jumped out at me, but believe me, there is something for everyone this weekend.
OK, in the history of the Springer Opera House, there has never been another production with a cooler title—“I Tweeted on my iPad and I ‘Liked’ It!” This is a brand new comedy that takes a look at social networking, how folks are now communicating, how relationships are changing—it pretty much goes places other productions have never gone. What really sets this one apart is that it is full of audience participation—you know when you go to the theatre or any kind of performance, they tell you to turn off your cell phone, but not here—they insist you pull them out and actually tweet and those will be incorporated into the improv scenes! So the audience will actually have a major part in deciding where the team of comics and writers take each show. It's running now through April 21 and admission ranges from $15-$35.
If on your bucket list you have things like: Feed a 50-pound tortoise or Get up close and personal with a 15-foot reticulated python, well you’re in luck this weekend because it’s time for the 11th Annual Reptile Fest at Oxbow Meadows. They have all sorts of cool things going on like animal touch tanks, all sorts of creepy reptiles, face painting, crafts, tons of games, and of course, the highlight of the day at noon—the “Hiss America Pageant!” Here’s how this works: If you have a gorgeous pet lizard, snake or turtle that you want to show the world, sign ‘em up! Guests at the festival will be doing the voting, so the folks at Oxbow say bring on the props and costumes and go all out for this contest. Then at 2:30, you can watch them feed the 4 big adult alligators! Admission is only $5 and things get cranked up this Saturday at 11:00am.
How about browsing among the best in blooms and greens this Saturday at Columbus Botanical Garden as part of their 2012 Plant Sale & Garden Market. They’ll have lots of vendors on hand, displays and the ever-popular Masters Gardner’s Booth—so if you have a problem with one of your plants, take a sample and let the expert tell you how to do it right! Put it on your calendar for Friday: 10:00am- 4:00pm or Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
You can tell Spring is really here because this is the time of year when ‘sailors’ and ‘marines’ from both the Union and Confederate sides gather at Port Columbus for RiverBlast! This is one of the coolest and the largest living-history weekends they do all year at Port Columbus and it draws re-enactors from all over the country. These guys will be all decked out in their uniforms and doing weapons demonstrations and drills, skirmishes, event re-enactments and scenes from a typical day in the life of a sailor. There really is something for everyone to enjoy—anything from a naval landing demonstration to Civil War poetry reading, to a performance by the Columbus Brass! It's regular admission and the action will be taking place Saturday and Sunday.
Hold on to your zithers because there’s a really unusual concert happening this Saturday at RiverCenter called “Kaleidoscope Concert.” This features more than 250 students and faculty from CSU’s Schwob School of Music performing a wide range of musical styles. They’ll have large ensembles performing as well as some award-winning soloists and chamber ensembles. So don’t think this is just going to be one guy with a violin on stage (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), because you’ll hear anything from a string orchestra, jazz, musical theatre, even steel drums and of course, zithers! Admission is only $20 for all of this music.
If you need some football action, the Columbus Lions are taking on the Louisiana Swashbucklers this Saturday beginning at 7:30pm at the Columbus Civic Center. And how fun is this? It’s Cancer Awareness Night so watch out for Pink Footballs and Pink Jerseys!
We've got a great list of things to do now we just need to wait a few more hours for this weekend thing to get underway!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Easter Weekend Fun Hops into Columbus, GA!
The Easter Weekend is upon us it's chocked full of fun things to do with the family! Here's a sampling of some of the events going on, but to get the full view of all that's happening, head to the Community Calendar for tons of ideas.
OK, maybe this one isn't really Easter-related, but I can't think of a better way to kick off a weekend! It’s quickly becoming one of the best music festivals in the state and that’s because it features all sorts of national recording acts and hometown favorites! It’s the 5th Annual Frogtown Hollow Jam happening this Friday night and just about all day Saturday at Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus (Bay Ave). If you love amazing music, you are going to be all over this because it’s wall to wall amazing acts including Whiskey Bent, Natalie Stovall and John Popper of Blues Traveler. And you can’t have a real festival without festival food so go hungry and pig out on BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream, fresh squeezed lemonade and lots more. Since this is a family event, they even have lots for kids to enjoy like inflatables, facepainting, stilt walkers & a puppet band! Admission is $20 a day or you can get a 2-day pass for $30.
More good news and fun stuff coming out of Uptown Columbus as Market Days on Broadway kicks off this Saturday! Believe ir or not, this kicks off the 6th year of Market Days and a lot of folks make this a part of their routine every Saturday (9am-12noon) because you never know what you’re going to see as it’s a little different each time. What you can count on each week is loads of local farmers who sell locally grown fruits, vegetables and flowers & plants and other vendors who have all sorts of handmade treasures for sale like art, photography, jewelry, fresh baked goods (if the lady is there with the cinnamon rolls, you have to one)…all kinds of cool stuff. And something new this year, they’ll have a different activity going on…anything from Oxbow Meadows’ Creature Feature, to musicians, to PAWS Humane. This Saturday, there’ll be live bluegrass music by The Justice Family. Free admission...you just can't beat that!
If you’re ready to put out some plants for Spring, you might also want to check out Oxbow Meadows’ Native Plant Sale this Sunday cranking up at 2:00pm. It makes a lot of sense to buy plants that are native to this area, so you know there’s a good chance they’ll be happy and thrive! Free admission.
Alright, now we'll get into some of the 'egg-citing' (come on, you know it had to be said) Easter activities happening in the area.
Heading back to Uptown Columbus, this Saturday morning there will be an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10:30am in the green space on the side of the RiverCenter at 10th Street and Broadway. They'll have the hunt divided into two age groups and they do suggest you get there a little before 10:30 so your kids won't miss any of the fun. No admission for this one.
If you want to take your Easter celebration on the road, here are a couple of ideas: Up at Callaway Gardens in the Overlook Azalea Garden, the Easter Bunny assistants have divided this Saturday afternoon hunt for all different age categories…starting off with toddlers and even giving parents and seniors a chance to look for eggs later in the afternoon! How cool is that?! Be on the lookout for the Easter Bunny—he could be anywhere in the Gardens, so have your camera ready!
Then on Easter Sunday, Roosevelt’s Little White House will be hosting an authentic “Easter Egg Roll” similar to that held on the lawn of the White House in Washington! Kids will push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon and they’ll divide everything into 3 age groups to keep things fair! Bring your Easter baskets! This all kicks off Sunday (Apr. 8) at 1:00pm and admission ranges from $8-$12 and does include admission to the museum, the Little White House and the pool comlex, so you can really make a day out of this.
And how much fun does this sound? If you’ve hidden and hunted all the eggs you can, why not hang out with the Easter Bunny, have brunch with him and even take a ride on the SAM Shortline Train! Talk about making some memories. You'll need to meet the train at the Georgia Veterans State Park this Saturday at 11:00am (near Cordele on US Hwy 280). It's a bit more of a drive, but it sure sounds worth it! All tickets to ride the train and have brunch are $22.50.
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, River Fun, Shopping, on Thursday, April 5, 2012
It’s Spring! Time for Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
I know…we didn't have much of a winter around here, but this is officially the first full weekend of Spring, so I say that's reason enough to celebrate and get out and have some fun! More good news—there's plenty of things going on the choose from, so you might want to visit the Community Calendar to get the full list of events. But let's get you started off making your weekend plans by taking a look at a few of the happenings you'll find in Columbus, GA this weekend.
Kicking things off this Friday (March 23) is the 3rd Annual Toast of the Town: A Symphony of Food and Wine...celebrating fine foods, fine wine and classical music, three pleasures which are often underappreciated in today’s fast-paced world. Food tastings will feature local and regional chefs, restaurants and artisans. The wine tastings will have selections from vintners around the world, familiar favorites and others that are new to the Columbus area. A new aspect of the event this year is the southern hand-crafted beer offerings for the hops enthusiasts. Toast of Columbus is a truly special and unique event by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The event is a fundraiser which supports guest artists, young musicians and educational programs throughout the year. It's all taking place at the RiverMill Event Center beginning at 7:00pm. Cost to attend is $85 per person, but that sounds like a great deal considering all you get for that…plus you're helping out an incredible organization.
Over at the RiverCenter, it's the Tony award winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof, which has won the hearts of people all over the world and critics have praised it over and over. And we have the chance to see it live on the RiverCenter stage Friday night (March 23) only! Its heartwarming score includes “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The audience will be singing along in their seats. No other musical has so wonderfully woven music, dance, and laugher into such an unforgettable experience. Their was a showing last night and I heard it was fantastic. So if you’ve never seen the show, it’s a must and if you have, then it’s time to relive this fantastic tradition of musical theatre.
Here's a great reason to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. The Columbus, GA MS Walk will be this Saturday (March 24) at Golden Park. Registration starts at 9am and the walk starts at 10am. It’s a great event to bring people together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future.
I'm th first to admit it…if it has to do with animals—I'm all about it. So I'm happy to let you know it’s time for one the best events around…The 4th Annual Bark for Life! Put on by the American Cancer Society, this event is fun and for a great cause. Dog owners can bring the furry members of the family out to Britt David on Saturday for a morning of frolicking and fun. There will be a 1-mile walk at 9am, then the opening ceremonies at 10:15am which include the calendar dog lap and survivor lap. After that there will be games, agility dog demonstrations, and PAWS Humane will put on Pooch Pageants for Best Dressed, Heavyweight, Lightweight and Owner Look-Alike. If the promise of all that isn’t enough, there will also be yummy food such as hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream, funnel cakes and more. Humans are free, $20 for dogs, and ALL dogs must have their rabies vaccine paperwork.
How about a fantastic show for kids of ALL ages at the Springer Opera House! Amazing Grace is geared towards kids age 1st grade and up but even the adults will love this heartwarming production. The start of the show, Grace, loves stories. She loves to hear them, read them and tell them, but most of all she loves to act them out. She and her neighborhood friends create wonderful backyard adventures with Peter Pan, Joan of Arc, Mowgli, Hiawatha and Cinderella. This play is a roller coaster of imagination and a fabulous tale of creative fantasy, self-confidence and the importance of standing up for yourself. Kids will be entertained and will come away with some great life lessons. Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for students.
And to round things out, the Columbus Museum has a very special event happening Sunday (March 25) with their "Let there be Art: Sunday Lunch and Gospel Choir." It's a great family affair with delicious Southern cuisine, live gospel performances, ats and crafts for kids and one last look and opportunity to purchase the art on display. Adults are $22, kids $8.
What a way to kick off Spring!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Spring Fever Weekend in Columbus, GA!
OK, maybe I'm rushing it a bit…Spring doesn't officially start for a few more days, but this warm weather and sunshine have me in the mood to get out and have some fun! Who cares if the air is full of pollen…that's what they make allergy medicine for…it's just too pretty to sit at home and do nothing! So here's a few suggestions of things you might want to do this weekend. It's shaping up to be a full one, so you may want to head to the Community Calendar to get a complete listing of happenings or to get more scoop on the events listed here.
No doubt you're going to see and hear things buzzing overhead this weekend, but don't be alarmed…it's all part of the Thunder in the Valley Airshow at the Columbus Airport this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-5:00pm each day. If you've been before, you know how awesome this is…if this will be your first time there, prepare to be amazed! There will be aerobatics, vintage war birds, US Army Infantry vehicles, airplane and helicopter rides, a kid's carnival, tons of great food…and if it flies or has ever flown, chances are it will be on display or in the air. Admission is only $10 for adults, $8 for military and free for Scouts in uniform and also for ages 6 and under.
Art lovers—check this one out! The second annual Let There Be Art! at the Columbus Museum once again celebrates the brightest and most talented artists from the East Coast, across the South, and stretching across to Europe in a tremendous show and sale. We truly feel fortunate to have such a magnificent display of paintings, pottery, and porcelain in one venue—our own Columbus Museum! To learn more about the featured artists and view the fabulous art that will be on display, visit columbusmuseum.com/lettherebeart.
Speaking of things that the artistic ones among us will enjoy, here are a couple of things you might like to explore. First up, the Joseph House and Columbus Artist Guild will have artists painting outside as part of the Plein Air Painting of Uptown 2012. The paintings that are finished will be exhibited at the Joseph House Art Gallery from April 1, 2012 through April 27, 2012. These paintings will be watercolor, acrylic, and oils done by local artists. You can catch these artists at work between Saturday and next Friday (Mar 17-23)
This sounds pretty cool—The first public exhibit of Octogenarian and master cross stitcher, Jinny Reed, shows a lifetime of work, to benefit the Sally DeMuth Scholarship Fund, in memory of her daughter Sally. This event is open to the public and admission is free. The Sally DeMuth Scholarship fund was established In May 2011, to honor beloved educator, librarian and teacher Sally Reed DeMuth, who lost a valiant 5 year battle with ovarian cancer on March 17th, 2011. The event takes place at Vintage 222, located at 222 7th Street this Saturday (Mar 17) from 4:00 - 8:00pm.
And what sort of red-headed, green-eyed Irish girl would I be if we didn't mention a couple of things going on in honor of St. Patrick's Day? Let's start off Saturday with a little history at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and their event called "Paddy Goes to Sea: Irishmen in the Civil War Navies." It will focus on the part played by Irish immigrants and Irish Americans in the Navies of the American Civil War.
Of course, you've got to have a party to crash this Saturday, so head to Uptown Columbus for the St. Patrick's Day Concert featuring The Boneheadz. It all starts at 7:00pm in the 1000 block of Broadway and…here's the best part…wait for it…it's absolutely free!!! Bring your lawn chair…
So, it's only fitting this week that I close with my favorite Irish toast—"May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead!" I just love that one…
Have a great weekend!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, March 16, 2012
Spring Ahead with Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
It's hard to believe it's already time to do this, but this is the weekend we set the clocks ahead—which is great because that means we'll have more daylight to have more fun, but we do lose an hour so that means you'll have to work extra hard to get in all the fun stuff happening this weekend! To help you figure out what you want to do, we've got a peek at a couple of things going on, but don't forget to check out the Community Calendar to find out more.
Don't know about you, but I've got azaleas and dogwoods already blooming in my yard so that means Spring is just about here. I'll bet I'm not the only one who's ready to get outside and do some planting and filling up pots with brightly colored plants, so this is the perfect weekend to head to the Columbus Museum for the Chattahoochee Valley Camellia Society's Camellia Show. The show, sanctioned by the American Camellia Society, will have 30 judges, led by well known Camellia enthusiast John Newsome. There will be many categories for growers of all levels, including novice, and many cash awards. Maybe if I learn from the masters, I won't kill my plants before Spring is over…maybe. If you want to go, it's happening Saturday and Sunday and it's absolutely free to attend.
While you're at the museum for the Camellia Show on Sunday, take the whole family with you and check out the Family Art Affair, which starts at 2:00pm. Set your creativity free as you learn how to make a wax resist landscape in the Studio. Everybody in the family will enjoy this one and it's also absolutely free!
How about a little musical theatre this weekend? The Springer Opera House is running a production of "Damn Yankees" now through March 17. Great plot and music—Joe Boyd, a real estate agent and fan of the pathetic Washington Senators baseball team, hates the New York Yankees. "I'd sell my soul for one good long-ball hitter!" he shouts. Suddenly, the Devil shows up and turns Joe into a 22-year-old superstar who leads the Senators to the pennant game against the Yankees. To stack the deck, Satan sends his assistant, the sultry Lola, to help Joe forget his beloved wife Meg. But Joe is a salesman and has other plans. Includes "You Gotta Have Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants." Tickets range from $15-$38.
If you're more in the mood for some jazz music this weekend, you're in luck! The Columbus Jazz Society presents their monthly Jazz Concert and Jam Session at the Historic Liberty Theatre this Sunday night beginning at 6:00pm. Special guest is pianist Lenore Raphael…a top jazz pianist whose style is elegant yet energetic.
It's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend and it looks like you'll have plenty of fun stuff to choose from to get out and enjoy it. Make sure you hit up the Community Calendar to take a look at more events going on.
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
The Weekend Awaits in Columbus, GA!
Another work week is about the bite the dust…and that's ok with us because that means it's time to start the weekend! If you're looking for some ideas for fun stuff to do, you've come to the right place. We've got just a couple of ideas for you on things to see and do, but make sure you also check out the Community Calendar where you'll find more details on these and lots of other events.
I don't know about you, but this weather has been so warm that I already have azaleas blooming in my yard, so that means Spring can't be far behind and that of course means…time to start thinking about Spring cleaning and home projects! This weekend at the Trade Center is the Home and Garden Show that will feature local and regional vendors with products for the home, garden and landscaping—all under one roof. Take the kids with you because they will have special activties just for them, door prizes, workshops, food demonstrations and more. The first 500 adults receive a free tote bag, courtesey of the Ledger-Enquirer and other sponsors. Admission is only $2.
Here's a cool event where you'll get great food, a piece of art and you're helping out a wonderful organization. It's the Empty Bowl Brunch at the Northside Recreation and it's put on by Columbus Parks and Recreation as the main charity fundraiser for the Kids Cafe, a local program of the Feeding the Valley Food Bank. This program provides free meals and snacks to low-income children through a variety of community locations, as well as offering them supervised social and recreational activities. Here's how it works: you get to pick out a bowl to keep from among hundreds of uniquely made pieces and enjoy all-you-can-eat homemade-style soups, breads, desserts and drinks…and 100% of the proceeds fo to the Kids Cafe. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 & under.
And if you're in the mood for a little music this weekend, you're in luck because there are a couple of really good events to choose from! first up is the 2012 Men's Gospel Fest at the Liberty Theatre. Several Men's Choirs from the area will be performing and one will be crowned the best choir in the Chattahoochee Valley! The singing gets started at 5:00pm. Or, you may want to check out a concert by the Vienna Boys Choir at RiverCenter's Heard Theatre this Sunday at 7:30pm. No group of child musicians has won more renown than the incomparable Vienna Boys Choir. Founded in 1498 (I can't even wrap my head around that!), the famed choir continues to delight music lovers around the world with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and diverse crowd pleasing repertoire.
So maybe those ideas will get you started on making your weekend plans. Don't forget to zip through the Community Calendar to see what else is going on that might be right up your alley!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Weekend Fun!
Ready for the weekend? Me too! And there's lots to keep you busy. Here are just a few options…
“RiverDance” at RiverCenter
Highlights: The phenomenon returns! Riverdance is back at the RiverCenter this Saturday only! Show starts at 7:30pm. It’s a celebration of Irish music, song and dance and focuses on the evolution of Irish dance. You’re sure to be tapping your feet along with the dancers.
Location: RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
Dates/Times: Saturday (Feb 18) 7:30pm
Admission: $36.50 - $56.50
For More Information: 706.256.3612 or rivercenter.org
“Let’s Get Ready for Spring” at Columbus Botanical Gardens
Highlights: Join UGA Master Gardner, Bill Kes, at the Cols Botanical Gardens this weekend to learn about the how, why, when and where of pruning common landscape tress and shrubs. It is outside and hands on so dress accordingly for the weather. Space is limited to 12 people per class so call today for your reservations.
Location: Columbus Botanical Gardens
Dates/Times: Saturday (Feb 18) 10–11:30am or 2-3:30pm
Admission: $12 for members; $15 for non-members
For More Information: 706.327.8400 or columbusbotanicalgarden.com
“Fine Arts String Quarter, Legacy Live” at Legacy Hall in RiverCenter
Highlights: One of the most distinguished ensembles in chamber music today, the Fine Arts String Quartet joins the Schwob School of Music for a performance as part of its 65th anniversary tour. Features music by Mozart, Glass, and Schubert.
Location: Legacy Hall in RiverCenter
Dates/Times: Sunday (Feb 19) 4:00pm
Admission: $20
For More Information: 706.641.5124
“Benjamin Broeing and Matthew McCabe, Electroacoustic Composer” at RiverCenter in Studio Theatre
Highlights: A evening of cutting edge music. Features include electroacoustic music, works for video and appearances by Schwob School of Music faculty.
Location: RiverCenter in Studio Theatre
Dates/Times: Saturday (Feb 18) 7:30pm
Admission: Free
For More Information: 706.641.5124
“Presidents’ Day Dedication Ceremony” at the National Infantry Museum
Highlights: Ceremony to honor Soldiers, Veterans, and civilians that have recently dedicated a paver, tree or flag. More activities will follow after the ceremony. Open to the public, rain or shine.
Location: National Infantry Museum
Dates/Times: Monday (Feb 20) 10am
Admission: Free
For More Information: 706.685.5813 or nationalinfantrymuseum.com
Categories: Events, on Friday, February 17, 2012
Another Full Weekend of Fun in Columbus, GA!
I think I know the answer, but are you ready for the weekend? Yeah, that's what I thought! So how about we take a look at a handful of things going on this weekend and even stretching into next week…because you might need some ideas for Valentine's Day fun. One quick tip is to check the Community Calendar often because events are always being added to keep it up to date. So let's get this show on the road…literally!
It’s been four long years, but they’re finally back….The Follies! This year, the Junior League of Columbus proudly presents “Ballroom Blitz” at CSU's University Hall. This awesome musical variety show promises singing, dancing, and comedy acts by many familiar faces from our community. It’s a great way to spend this Friday (Feb 10) or Saturday (Feb 11) night….being highly entertained while supporting a good cause. Proceeds form the Follies benefit the operations, activities, and programs of the Junior League. Two that have been really successful are Kids in the Kitchen and Project Prom. You can get your tickets online or give the Junior League office a call. This could also make a great early Valentine’s present. Hint hint.
Since it looks like we're headed in the direction of romance this weekend, another option is a CSU vocal concert called "The True Story of Cinderella," with words and music by Warren Martin, featuring 12 Schwob School of Music voice students. The familiar tale takes some unexpected turns but ends happily ever after. It's happening Saturday (Feb 11) at 7:30 pm in Legacy Hall. And you've got to love this…admission is free!
OK, one more lovey-dovey mention! It’s not too late to pull off a romantic Valentine’s evening that will score you major brownie points! On Valentine’s Day, which if you don’t know is February 14th-next Tuesday-the Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents their annual Valentine’s concert. This year it’s My Jazzy Valentine featuring Joe Gransden and his Trio. Come hear why he’s been compared to Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. Some songs you might recognize and will enjoy are “My Funny Valentine,” “I Wish You Love,” and “A Portrait of Jenny.” Grab dinner beforehand at one of several close-by restaurants and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. Tickets range from $5-$36.
Switching gears completely…
Want to rock out this weekend? Well as crazy as it sounds, the Columbus Museum is the place to do just that! In conjunction with the Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography exhibit they have on display right now, the Museum will host it’s first ever local teen Battle of the Bands concert (Saturday, Feb 11 from 6:00-9:00pm). Six bands will play in the Patrick Theatre as they compete for the title of the best band. A teen advisory board selected the bands that will perform and the winners will be chosen by a panel of judges in the music industry. Prizes will be given to the top three bands. This event is free and open to the public! While you’re their make sure to check out the photography exhibit with photos of some very notable figures of the past five decades including Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Tupac Shakur & many more.
Well it’s not quite time for outdoor produce markets, but Callaway Gardens is having a winter market this Saturday (Feb. 11) with lots of seasonal products like baked goods, soaps, sauces and other specialty items. It might be a little chilly this weekend so the market will be inside the big circus tent at Robin Lake Beach so you don’t have to work about braving the elements. There will be a wide variety of regional vendors selling organic breads, brownies, sweets, and other yummy goodies, local honey, freshly squeezed lemonade, and even grass-fed beef. If you’re looking for something other than food, there will be handmade soaps, lotions and lip balms, handcrafted woodwork, birdhouses baskets and more. There is no admission to this event so there’s nothing to stop you from going!
And, if you need a reason to get outside for some fresh air (and who doesn't need that!), join the staff at Oxbow Meadows this Sunday (2:00pm) as they welcome Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center for a program on birds of prey followed by a release of a rehabilitated raptor into the wetlands. Sounds pretty cool! Admission is only $3.
With all these activities going on this weekend, you'll find something to make your weekend special. Don't forget to take a glance at the Community Calendar to find out more about these and tons of other events.
Now, go have some fun…
Ready for Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!!
Looking for stuff to do this weekend in Columbus, GA? You've come to the right place to get a taste of just a few of the things going on. Make sure you also check the Community Calendar to find out more.
We’re going to kick off the weekend tonight with something extra special for the younger members of the household! Tonight (Feb 3) at the RiverCenter is a production called “Ramona Quimby!” Now, if you have kids in your household, you’re probably familiar with Ramona, because according to her website, “there has never been anyone quite like Ramona Geraldine Quimby!” Ramona is in elementary school and her favorite activities include playing in the park, fairy tales, adventures, which all sound nice enough…but along with her big sister, and all their friends on Klickitat Street, they find all sorts of madcap adventures to get into! Based on the award-winning books by noted author Beverly Cleary. Kids…and I’ll bet even parents…will love this one! Admission is only $5-$15.
A lot of us made those dreaded New Year’s resolutions a few weeks back…so how’s that going for you?! If you haven’t quite gotten kicked those “I’m going to take care of myself and get healthy” resolutions into high gear or you don’t even know where and how to start…this is perfect. This Saturday (Feb 4 9:00am-2:00pm) at the Trade Center is the 2012 Columbus Health Expo and there will be a wealth of information at your fingertips and it’s absolutely free! There will be over 40 free health screenings given by health providers and the results will be reviewed by a doctor or a nurse. These tests include checking your cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, sleep issues, and something we can all relate to…stress! Admission is FREE.
So maybe you’re as healthy as you’re gonna get and you have other types of resolutions on your mind! If you’ve been thinking about getting in touch with your inner-artist, here’s something perfect to check into. CSU’s Continuing Ed is having a Watercolor Crash Course this Saturday and the great thing about this…you don’t even have to know which end of a paintbrush to hold! This one-day workshop is for beginners and you absolutely don’t have to have any drawing or painting skills, so don’t be intimidated that other folks in the class will be better than you! You’ll get right to work mixing colors and learning a few of the basic painting techniques on an original drawing created just for this class. You may discover hidden talents you didn’t even know you had and find yourself a whole new hobby!
This one may not be happening this weekend, but sometimes you need something to look forward to on a Tuesday night and it’s worth stepping out on a weeknight to catch this one. The Soweto Gospel Choir is coming to the RiverCenter for one show only Tuesday night. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a tour of the United States and Columbus is lucky enough to be one of the stops on this tour. They perform African gospel, spiritual songs, reggae and American popular music, as well as traditional South African songs. How good are these guys? They have performed on the Academy Awards show last year, they have performed for presidents and world leaders, and they’ve won Grammy Awards. What’s really impressive is that a portion of each concert’s proceeds goes to various charities. Admission ranges from $10-$59.
So far we havent had much of a Winter so it looks like Spring will be here before you know it. That means it’s time to start thinking about getting things ready for Spring planting. If you love to garden or want to find out how to do it right, check out this Getting Ready for Spring Gardening class at the Columbus Botanical Garden this Saturday at 10:00am or 2:00pm.
Quitting time will be here before you know it and the weekend will be well underway…hope some of these ideas will help you make some plans to enjoy your free time. One last reminder to visit the Community Calendar often because new events and details are always being added.
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
The FREE Summer Kids Series is back! See the details at: link details
A Veteran will donate $500 to the Vietnam Memorial Plaza @ the museum IF someone will match it! link details
We are a 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Winner! Thanks to all our guests! link details
Coming to Columbus over the summer? Book your hotel room here: link details
The Addams Family will be coming to RiverCenter May 29 and 30 to show you a creepy good time! link details