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Time for Family Holiday Fun in Columbus, GA!
No doubt the holidays are officially upon us and that means spending time with family and friends enjoying this season. Spending lots of time together is great...until you've all been under the same roof long enough and you need to get out of the house and have some fun! Just because it's the weekend before Christmas, not to worry...there's still lots of things to get out and do.
Head to the Springer Opera House to catch the final performances of Annie on the Main Stage and A Tuna Christmas in Foley Hall. I saw "Tuna" last weekend for the umpteenth time and it gets funnier every time I see it. If you haven't witnessed two grown men playing 20 or so different characters...in full get-up...you need to treat yourself and go!
At the IMAX Theatre at Patriot Park (National Infantry Museum), they are having a Polar Express Pajama Party...I'll bet that movie is incredible on that big screen! Or you can take a really short roadtrip and head to LaGrange for Christmas Holidays at Hills & Dales or maybe start a new family tradition by making the Holiday Hayride with Santa at Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain something you look forward to every year.
Whatever you do this holiday time, be merry but safe!
Now, go have some Christmas Fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, December 20, 2012
More Holiday Fun in Columbus, GA!
If you're in the mood for more holiday happenings this weekend, Columbus, GA is the place to be! Let me give you a couple of ideas, but make sure you check the Event Calendar to find out more fun ideas.
I am so excited about this!!! A Tuna Christmas is now showing at the Springer Opera House. This truly is one of the best Christmas traditions…and many people around here think the same thing. In fact, this would have been the 12th season that “A Tuna Christmas” was produced by the Springer, but one year they decided that people had seen enough of the hilarious comedy about Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas and its Christmas yard decoration contest. People were furious that they weren’t doing ‘A Tuna Christmas’ in 2003, so it has been done every year since. If you haven’t seen it, it is a MUST! It’s a fast-paced show, where 22-characters are played by Ron Anderson and Paul Pierce, and each performance involves 11 wigs, beards & mustaches, 16 shoes & boots, 10 pairs of glasses, 13 hats & caps. The quickest costume change is six seconds! Whew!
FDR spent his Christmas Eves in the White House reading holiday stories to his family. The "Little" White House in Warm Springs plans to replicate that tradition this Saturday, December 15 with a reading of the popular Christmas story, POLAR EXPRESS. Children can ride the Warm Springs Choo-Choo to Mustian Place, where a real live conductor will read the story after punching their tickets. Refreshments will be served and of course, there will be a visit from Santa! Children will receive a reindeer bell as a gift. The train will depart from the Memorial Fountain at 10am, 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm. What a fun way to celebrate Christmas with your kids!
Cantus Columbus presents Message of the Season: The Carols of Christmas. This is such a great Columbus tradition and is usually a sold out show! Beautiful music and a lovely atmosphere, this is sure to get you in the spirit of the season. In Legacy Hall at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Monday Dec 17 at 7:30pm.
Nothing makes me think of Christmas and being a little girl more than the phrase, “sugar plum fairies.” Presented by The Columbus Ballet, The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition! Fun for the whole family, it is only happening this weekend at RiverCenter. Join Clara on her magical journey through the Land of Sweets to Spain, Russia, China and France. You’ll see a magical Christmas tree that grows to gigantic heights, flying cooks, dancing flowers and snow…lots of wonderful snow. From the music to the magic to the beautiful choreography, it wouldn’t be the holidays with The Nutcracker. And you only have 2 chances to see it, so get your tickets today!
“Annie” continues at the Springer Opera House this weekend with performances at 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. One of the world’s best-loved musicals, the whole family will enjoy this production of Annie.
And if you need a reason to look forward to Monday, how about a visit from Mickey Mouse? Mickey Mouse and his band of friends, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy will be performing in a music mash-up of mega proportions when Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival debuts in Columbus at the Civic Center. Attendees will hear greatest hits from the blockbuster movies, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story remixed to rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, jazz and country, among other jams. It features more than 25 Disney characters! Guests will be enjoy hip hop beats, dizzying acrobatics, flying carpets and magical transformations with Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie. Underwater is where the crowd will meet up with Ariel, Sebastian and their nautical pals to groove to the reggae rhythm. And, family and friends will stomp to the beat as Woody, Buzz and Jessie teach them how to boogie rodeo-style.
Lots of good stuff to do this weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Hooray for the Holidays in Columbus, GA!
I hope you're in the mood for some Christmas and holiday fun this weekend because there is plenty to get out and do! If you want to get a good look at all the activities, check out the Event Calendar so you can make your plans now.
First up, it’s become a holiday tradition to kick off the season by lighting the huge Christmas tree in Uptown during Broadway Holiday! It’s happening tonight beginning at 6:30 with Santa and his entourage being escorted by some of Columbus’ finest in a parade to the median of the 1100 block of Broadway so he can officially light up the tree and of course, he’ll then head to the gazebo so he can let all the kids sit on his lap with their gift list. There will also be vendors for a little holiday shopping, carriage rides, hot chocolate, candy canes, a giant slide ($2 donation), PAWS will be there, lots of Christmas carol singing, the Coca-Cola Bear and…it wouldn’t be Broadway Holiday with out it…lots and lots of snow!!!
It’s one of the best-loved Broadway musicals of all times and “leapin’ lizards,’ “Annie” is coming to the Springer Opera House! It’s Christmastime in New York City and the spunky orphan named Annie is determined to find her parents and escape from the orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, becomes friends with President Roosevelt, inspires the nation and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell and her lovable mutt, Sandy. Of course, you’ll get to hear some of the best-loved music numbers to ever be performed…Hard Knock Life, Maybe, I Don’t Need Anything But You, and the one we all know and love…Tomorrow (The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow). Every generation in your family will enjoy this one!! It's running now through December 20.
If you’re looking for some really unique Christmas gifts and want to help out a very worthy organization at the same time, head to Gina’s Junk (6010 Buena Vista Rd) for the JunkFest Handmade Holiday Bazaar this Saturday & Sunday. Tons of unique gift ideas with over 40 vendors, custom jewelry makers, great food, live music, drum circle, hula hooping…all to benefiting the Valley Rescue Mission food-drive for the holidays. No admission!
And there’s even more holiday cheer with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas in the Valley tonight (Dec 7) at 7:30pm. They are celebrating the season with a concert featuring special guests who actually live among us in the Chattahoochee Valley…hence the title! Folks like Voices of the Valley Youth Choir, The Columbus Ballet, and the one and only Peggy Jenkins…I would love to hear her belt out some Christmas carols! It’s a perfect concert for the whole family plus they’ll have lots of pre-concert activities for kids including a visit from Santa Claus himself! Tickets are $5-$36.
If you want to see almost 700 kids running like the wind, check out the 13th Annual Reindeer Run kicking off Saturday (Dec 8) morning in Uptown Columbus! This one-mile fun run benefits the Children’s Miracle Network at the Medical Center and it begins and ends in the space between Country’s Barbecue on Broad and the TSYS Parking Garage. This race is for children PreK - 8th grade. Parents may run/walk with your child at no extra charge. Awards will be given to winners in each age category and by male and female.
Stick around after the Reindeer Run is over because then it will be time for the Annual Bi-City Christmas Parade! The parade starts at 10:00am on Broad Street in Phenix City and goes north to 13th Street. The parade crosses over into Columbus on the 13th Street Bridge, goes south on Broadway and ends at Ninth Street. Handmade floats, motorcycles, marching bands, and even horses will be included in this annual parade.
That's a lot of Christmas cheer for just one weekend!
Now, go have some festive fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Shopping, on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Holiday Fun has Begun in Columbus, GA!
Want to see Santa? Sip some hot chocolate? Hear choirs sing Christmas carols? See some snakes and alligators? Yep, that’s right…this Saturday (Dec 1) you can do all of this and more at Oxbow Meadows Holiday Open House. This free event has something for everyone! All day you can participate in ornament decorating and wreath making, at 11am hear a Children’s Choir performance, and Santa will be stopping in for a quick visit from 12-2pm…make sure you bring your camera for pictures! There will be hot chocolate and sweet treats for everyone! Again, admission is free, but a $10 donation is requested for the wreath making activities and Oxbow is asking that you bring an old or new ornament to help decorate their Christmas tree. What a way to kick off the Christmas Season!
It’s been looking a lot like Christmas in the lobby of RiverCenter for a few days now! Keep Columbus Beautiful is in its 2nd year of River City Festival of Trees, where a forest of spectacularly decorated trees have been on display since November 26. It’s quite a magical atmosphere and people can come see the trees at no charge. Each tree has been professionally decorated and can be acquired through a silent auction or by purchasing a raffle ticket from the Keep Columbus Beautiful office located on Front Avenue.
How about some incredible music this weekend? Joe Bonamassa, a phenomenal blues guitarist, will be on stage at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts Friday, November 30. His regularly sold-out shows are amazing. There’s no opening act and he doesn’t leave the stage until the last encore, usually two hours later. The show starts at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $49 - $79.
Step back in time this weekend at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and see how Christmas was celebrated in Victorian Times. The museum’s annual Victorian Christmas Open House offers guests free admission, unique holiday festivities, refreshments and one-of-a-kind shopping opportunities. It’s so popular they are actually having 2 weekends of Victorian fun and both will feature slightly different activities. This weekend, enjoy shopping, Victorian Christmas music, a guided tour of the fully decorated museum, Christmas Past, a look at the Victorian era roots of our modern Christmas season, and a cannon firing. Fountain City Coffee will provide some light refreshments.
What about a fun way to celebrate Christmas with the kids!? CSU’s Department of Theatre tells us about Santa’s mischievous elves that forgot to get Santa’s own Christmas tree so Santa sends them out the find the most beautiful one of all. Of course, all the trees on Snowy Mountain dream of being chosen as Santa’s Christmas tree and living ever after in his forest. The funny & macho Mr. Douglas, the elegant & vain Lady Spruce and the sophisticated Sir Noble all believe they are the perfect choice. And Miss Merry, the scraggly little pine, has to agree. But when the wild Blizzard Wizard arrives to cause chaos on the forest, Miss Merry comes to the rescue. And the rest is Christmas history… One performance only, this Saturday (Dec 1) at 10:00am.
And if you're in the mood for a quick road trip, the Boys and Girls Club of Eufaula is holding a 5K for adults and a Rudolph’s fun run for kids this Saturday on their Rails to Trails. The 5k begins at 9am, registration at 8 am and the fee is $25. Kids 14 and under can participate in the Fun Run which starts at 10am and is $20. For more information call 334.616.7882.
Yep, holiday fun is definitely in the air! If you want to find out more, head to the Event Calendar for all the details.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hello Weekend, My Old Friend!
Just like any good friend, the weekend arrives just when you need him the most...and thankfully, with a lot of fun stuff in tow! If you want to get a good look at the events happening in and around Columbus this weekend, or if you're looking ahead to next week's holiday, head to the Event Calendar for a more complete listing.
A couple of things you might want to check out include "Shrek-The Musical" at RiverCenter on Saturday night (Nov 17). This is a great show for the whole family...and who doesn't love Shrek!
And here's a first...I can't ever remember having the chance to mention...of all things...a Pie Auction! And not just any Pie Auction, but a Celebrity Pie Auction to benefit the talented musicians of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus. I'm loving the idea that we can help out a great organization like this...and get to eat pie at the same time. Brilliant! This is also happening at the RiverCenter on Sunday (Nov 18) beginning at 2:00pm.
So if we’re going to chow down on pie on Sunday, then maybe we should all lace up our running shoes and take part in the Columbus Firefighters Association’s Fire Run 5K & 1-Mile Walk this Saturday cranking up at 8:30am. Great fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. All participants get a T-Shirt!! Race will begin at the Columbus Riverwalk at 10th and Bay Avenue.
Hard to believe but this is the next to the last weekend for Market Days on Broadway! Not to worry, it will be back in the Spring, but if you’re looking to get some fresh fruits, vegetables or flowers for Thanksgiving, then I would suggest getting there early on Saturday. It’s also a great place to do a little early holiday shopping because they always have different sorts of vendors on hand with anything from all kinds of artwork, handmade jewelry and baked goods, so you can find really unique stuff.
Besides “Shrek-The Musical at RiverCenter,” you’ve got a couple of more selections, depending on what mood your musical taste buds are in this weekend! On one end of the musical spectrum, you’ve got a performance with CSU’s Department of Theatre called “Amadeus”-the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who many consider the greatest musical genius of all time. And they say this production is filled with some of the greatest music ever composed! This one is taking place at Riverside Theatre Complex in Uptown Friday (Nov 16) beginning at 7:30pm. And then on the other end of the musical spectrum, you’ve got the talented bunch at the Springer Opera House and their production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” If you love the hits from the 50’s and 60’s-like “Lollipop,” “It’s My Party,” “Leader of the Pack,” and “Son of a Preacher Man,” then this one will have you tapping your toes or maybe even dancing in the isles. And a head’s up—this is the closing weekend so if you want to go, call to get tickets asap!
And to think this is just a sample of what's going on this weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Perfect Weekend Weather for Perfect Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
So what do horses, folk art and caramel apples have in common? They're all part of the fun going on in and around Columbus this weekend! And it looks like a great weekend to get out and enjoy this beautiful Fall weather. Want an idea of some things to do? Head to the Event Calendar for a full listing, but to get you in the mood, here are a few things you might want to do.
Halloween may be over, but you can still have some Fall fun! This Saturday is Oxbow Meadows’ Harvest in the Meadows Fall Festival! And this is a true fall festival in every sense of the word. There will be fun and excitement for children and adults of all ages! Hear live music, see reptile shows, play some games and more! There will also be face painting, a bouncy house and my favorite thing of all…a caramel apple bar! What a great idea that is! Caramel apples might be my favorite fall treat and this way I get to make it just how I like it….with lots of extra caramel. Admission is free but wristbands are required for all games and activities and are $10. Game participants will earn tickets, which can be redeemed for prizes!
Are you ready for a doggone funny musical? Then you need to round up the kids and go see Martha Speaks at RiverCenter tonight! (Nov 2) Martha was an ordinary dog until she ate a bowl of alphabet soup one day. Then something unusual happened…all those letters went to Martha’s brain instead of her stomach. And she literally became outspoken. Life with a talking dog is a ton of fun! You can amaze your friends, play tricks on the pizza delivery person and even get your dog to make all those phone calls for you. Martha’s clever way with words saves the day in this new musical that’s based on the delightful Martha Speaks series of books. What a great way to expose your kids to live theatre!
It’s time for the 23rd Annual Fountain City Classic! All kinds of activities have been going on this week but tomorrow (Nov 3) is the big day. The Fountain City Parade is at 10am on Broadway in Uptown Columbus and the big game kicks off at 2pm at AJ MCClung Memorial Stadium. For a complete schedule of events and ticket info, visit fountaincityclassic.com.
If you’ve never been to Pasaquan (Buena Vista, GA), this is the weekend to go! Artists for Pasaquan is Saturday & Sunday (Nov 3 & 4) and will include site tours, live musical performances, dance demonstrations, food vendors, and more! The Uptown Drum Circle will be there so bring your drums if you want to participate and there’s an art show and sale featuring the works of many regional artists. Artists for Pasaquan allows artists and musicians to demonstrate their belief in the importance of preserving Pasaquan and offers visitors one last chance to see this world-renowned art site before it closes for the winter. The site consists of 6 unique buildings all interconnected by a series of painted masonry walls, colorful concrete sculptures and an assortment of landscape elements and plants. Cameras and picnic baskets are welcome!
The National Infantry Museum will have special guests onsite this weekend….Kelly’s Heroes. They will be here to perform a World War II Living History Event. Join our WWII soldiers as they prepare for winter at Fort Benning in November 1942 on World War II Company Street, which is located behind the National Infantry Museum. Admission is free and it’s open to the public!
Horses, funny hats, food, fun, tailgating,…this can only mean one thing. It’s time for the Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens this Saturday (Npv 3). Fun for the entire family, there is a huge kids zone, all kinds of entertainment, Jack Russell Terrier races, stick pony races and of course, horse races. They have food onsite to purchase or you can bring your own picnic set-up. Proceeds go to benefit arts organizations in the area so it’s great fun for a great cause.
Talk about a good variety of events to choose from...you just have to figure out how many you can squeeze into one weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Friday, November 2, 2012
It’s a Weekend of Halloween Fun in Columbus, GA!
Who's ready for some Halloween fun?! Looks like there are all sort of fun event for folks of all ages going on this weekend. The Community Calendar is a good place to start making your weekend plans, so take a look there, but in the meantime, here are a few things you might enjoy doing to kick off this holiday.
It’s got all the makings for a fun event…costumes, candy and kids! Grab your trick-or-treat bag and head to the annual Spooktacular Halloween Festival in the 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway in Uptown Columbus this Saturday (Oct 27). This is the perfect setting for your kids to do some serious trick-or-treating (trust me, I’ve seen the stash of candy!), not to mention it’s in a very safe environment. CSU Student Government Association will be there with more than 50 activity booths and don’t forget the costume contest…there are 4 age categories and new this year, the group family category. The costume contest is really popular each year, so if you want to enter, make sure you sign up as soon as you get there before the slots fill up! Something else new this year is the Springer Opera House’s Tunnel of Terror where you’ll hear all sorts of ghoulish tales and scary stories! If you’ve got kids, this is the place to trick-or-treat!
I can’t believe I’m about to use this word, but it’s time to start thinking about Christmas! If you check the calendar, it’s just 2 monthsaway, so a lot of folks are already getting into the holiday mindset and I can’t think of a better way to kick off this season and maybe even start doing a little (or a lot!) of holiday shopping, then at Christmas Made in the South! The Trade Center is going to be filled with amazing crafts, art, unique gourmet food, jewelry, Christmas decorations, entertainment, and tons more. It’s a great place to find gifts for people who are hard to buy for or to find really unique, one-of-a-kind items. There’s so much good stuff here every year that I know people who take their gift list and before the weekend is over, all their Christmas shopping is done!! It's going on Friday through Sunday and it's only $6 to get in.
One of the most talented guitarist, singer, performer, and songwriter on this planet is hands-down Bonnie Raitt. You have a chance to see this 9-time Grammy Award-winner and Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductee in concert at the RiverCenter this Saturday night at 7:30. I've heard she puts on an incredible show!
I feel a real candy-overload coming on this weekend because besides Spooktacular on Saturday night, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra is hosting a really cool event especially for kids called “Treats & Trebles” at RiverCenter on Friday beginning at 6:30pm! This is more family fun that includes a special holiday concert—lots of fun and scary music, games, costume contest with a sweet prize for the winner and speaking of sweet, there will be plenty of candy!
So the kids get to have their Halloween fun at Spooktacular and other spots, but what about a place for us much older ‘kids?” Some of us just never outgrow looking forward to putting on a costume and celebrating Halloween, so if you’re 21 or over, how about heading to the Columbus Museum for their Monsters Ball this Saturday night?! They’ll have all sorts of music, food, drinks, and prizes for best couple, best group, and most original costume! You can even get really creative and bring a carved pumpkin to enter the carving contest. And in case you have a little too much “witches brew,” there will be cabs on hand for a safe ride home!
Several events are wrapping up this weekend so you may want to put these near the top on your “fun” to-do list: “Stimulus” at the Historic Liberty Theatre, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with Sherlocks Columbus, “Little Shop of Horrors” at Springer Opera House and Tales from the Haunted Trail at Roosevelt State Park.
That's a lot to do in one weekend!
Now, go have some "Halloween" fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Shopping, on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Who’s Ready for Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA?!
If the answer to that question is 'you,' then you've come to the right place to find out just where all this fun is happening! Got a few ideas for you here, but I'd really suggest the time to head over to the Event Calendar to get at good look at all the options because it's another weekend where there's tons of choices.
Ok, this has got to be one of the best productions of all time. The storyline is hilarious and so completely off–the-wall that it’s unlike anything else. If you’ve never seen Little Shop of Horrors, you are in for a real treat with the production going on at the Springer Opera House! It’s all about a nerdy floral assistant that becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers a tiny exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon the plant grows into an ill-tempered, R&B singing carnivore who offers the assistant fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Little Shop of Horrors is one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time and is charming, extremely funny, and full of great music! By the way, you can catch it this weekend or, if your calendar if filling up too quickly, go ahead and put it on the schedule for next weekend.
Nothing screams Fall like a good old fashioned fair…and The Greater Columbus Fair at the Columbus Civic Center is exactly that! Not just rides this year, this is the biggest and best fair in years. They have 2 stages with great local entertainment, lots of rides, and tons of games. There will be exhibitions inside the Civic Center Exhibit hall, a live lion and tiger show, The Puppetone Rockers, a roaming Grand Piano Show, the Torres One-Ring Family Circus, a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, and of course no fair is complete without its queen…the Miss Greater Columbus Fair Pageant will be held on Sunday (Oct 21) afternoon at 3pm. With all the fun and exciting activities plus all the wonderfully delicious fair food you can handle, this promises to be a most excellent weekend!
The Annual Arts on the River Festival will take place this Saturday, October 20 from 11am to 5pm in the 1100 block of Broadway. There will be over 30 artists from all over the Southeast with their work on display and for sale. Come down to Market Days on Broadway then make your way to Arts on the River for great music and beautiful art.
It’s October, it’s almost Halloween and that means it’s time for the Southern Pirate Festival! The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus is the place to be this Saturday (Oct 20) if you want to have fun…or better yet, have a ton of fun dressed as a pirate! You’ll see all kinds of wild and crazy things….but family-friendly wild and crazy things. There’s a large variety of entertainment…musical numbers, demonstrations, sword swallowers and snake handlers, and pirate battles throughout the day. There will also be food and merchandise vendors on-site. You can get the full schedule and line-up of events on the website but there will definitely be something for everyone!
Enjoy a bit of German culture at Fort Benning’s annual Oktoberfest at Uchee Creek. Festivities begin Friday, October 19 at 4 pm with a ceremonial keg tapping at 6pm and run through Sunday. Sample authentic German food and music. There will be kids activities, a pumpkin patch and more. For more info, call 706.545.4499. Admission is free and it’s open to the public.
And finally, well...all good things must come to an end…It’s time for the last FREE Fall Friday Night Concert (Oct 19) in Uptown Columbus! But at least they’re finishing with a bang! Atlanta-based band Satin Finish will take the stage at 7pm to rock the streets. Not only is there an awesome concert but Uptown Columbus and Big Dog Running Company are also hosting an all female Girls Night Out 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Schryl Carden Breast Cancer Fund. Satin Finish will actually kick off the race at 7pm then continue with the concert. You can register for the race at Big Dog Running Co. So don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened and we’ll all wait for the concerts to start back up in the Spring!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Friday, October 19, 2012
Another Insanely Fun & Busy Weekend in Columbus, GA!
If you thought last weekend couldn't be topped with choices of things to get out and do, wait until you take a look at the Event Calendar to see what's happening this weekend! It's crazy...but in a good sort of way! Just to get you thinking about your weekend schedule, here's a look a just a fraction of what's going on.
I hope your taste buds are ready for a treat because this Saturday (Oct 13), it’s the Uptown Beer & Wine Festival! This is pretty cool because it features all sorts of “Georgia Grown” wines and craft beers from more than 100 Georgia vineyards and southeast breweries. But this isn’t just all about spirits because they’ll also have several of Uptown’s eateries serving up some tasty bites to compliment the beer and wine, and there’s live music in the courtyard with Peggy Jenkins & The Bizness and of course, we are in the South, so you know that means football games on Saturday in this part of the country, so they’ll have places for you to watch the games, too! Everything kicks off at 1:00pm with the keg tapping…or in this case, a firkin tapping that promises to be a real spectacle! Remember, this one is for ages 21 & older.
You might as plan on spending the whole day in Uptown because they’ve got more fun things going on like the “Out on a Limb for Trees” tree climb where you’ll have a chance to relive those days when you were a kid and you’d climb any tree you could shimmy up! Thankfully in this case, you’ll be climbing with certified tree climbing instructors from Tree Climbing USA and be all harnessed up safely and they’ll even supply you with a helmet. All experience levels are welcome and beginners are encouraged! That's happening Saturday from 9:30am-3:00pm.
Earlier this year, Columbus had its very first drum circle event and it was so popular, the organizers got together to put another one together and it’s happening tomorrow! If you missed it last time, put it on your schedule to go Saturday (7:00-10:00pm) because it is really something. It’s NOT a drum class and it doesn’t use culturally-specific rhythms, but it’s where people of all levels of musical expertise (including no expertise) come together and share their rhythmical spirit with what ever drums or percussion they bring to the event…you DO NOT have to be a drummer to participate! They will have some drums available—first come, first served! Also look for a Folk Art Bazaar on site as well. Most of the action will take place on Broadway near 11th Street in Uptown Columbus.
Here’s a spot we haven’t been in a while and what a perfect time of year to do a little exploring at Providence Canyon State Park! Put on your hiking shoes and join in on Geology Day at the park. This is a 2-hour hike on Saturday (11:00am-1:00pm) into Providence Canyon with Professor Rich McWilliams and he’ll tell you how the canyons were formed and all about their history…and by the way, that whole thing about the canyons forming because a farmer’s wife used to throw bucket-fulls of dishwater out the back door, well, it’s a cool story, but it’s not true! Make sure you wear comfy shoes and clothes and maybe bring along some water.
How about a fun way to kick off the Halloween season!? For the next three weekends, Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain will be hosting “Tales from the Haunted Trail!” Start with a tractor-pulled wagon ride that takes you into the dark woods. A freakish, but friendly, guide will lead you down a lumpy, bumpy trail lined with flickering lights. Witches, goblins, and other scream-worthy denizens will tug at your sleeves before you encounter the Headless Horseman! Last year's haunted trail was a big hit with young and old alike. Approximate time to complete the guided trail is thirty minutes. They’ll also have face painting, crazy hair, pony rides, a petting zoo and a bouncy house for small additional costs. The "terror" starts at 7:00pm each night.
Now, if you do the Geology Day at Providence Canyon, then follow it up with “Rock Stars” at Oxbow Meadows on Sunday (2:00pm)! Just a billion or so years ago, there would have been volcanoes erupting and violent earthquakes in this part of the world, so this program will tell you all the secrets buried under our feet! Admission is only $3.
Wow...and believe me, that's just for starters!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Busy, Crazy, Fun Weekend in Columbus, GA!
This is one of the most jammed-packed weekends of year so far, so make sure you get a good night's sleep...you're going to need lots of energy to take in all the fun this long weekend! Here's a quick look, but do yourself a favor and head over to the Community Calendar to get a detailed look at tons of events.
Head down to Uptown Columbus this Saturday for The Market’s 3rd Annual Seafood Festival! Go hungry because they’ll have all sorts of delicious seafood, including the new food trucks they’ll have there this year. There will also be SEC football games on big screens, wine tasting booth, kid’s corner with games and bouncy house, and lots of live music with Ed Cox, Kevin VanNoy and the Soul Providers, and to end the night, the official and original Jimmy Buffet-sanctioned tribute band A1A will perform! So even if you don’t like seafood, this is an even the whole family can enjoy! Benefits the Uptown Market Thanksgiving, which helps feed the less fortunate.
Autumn is just barely underway and already the Fall festivals are popping up everywhere! Thankfully, we don’t have to travel far to go to one of the best fall festivals in the entire southeastern US! It’s the weekend for the big Cotton Pickin’ Fair just up the road in Gay, GA. If you’ve never been before, you’re going to love it for so many reasons—it’s set in the middle of a beautiful field with a huge barn and farmhouse, lots of old-fashioned entertainment, more arts, crafts, and antiques vendors than you can possibly imagine, and the reason many folks make this an annual pilgrimage…the FOOD! I have a couple of friends who go every time they open the gates and first they head for is the booth with the sausage biscuits to start their day and by lunch, there’re ready to hit the tent with the black-eyed peas, tomatoes & cornbread, then argue over whether to end the day with homemade banana pudding or fried ice cream…or both! In other words, go hungry & ready to have fun!
The Columbus Museum is getting into the Autumn spirit with a “Falling into Seasons” festival this Saturday from 11:00am-3:00pm. You and your kids can create seasonal art projects, take part in a scavenger hunt, visit the game ally, listen to seasonal stories and even enter the costume contest! And it’s all free!!
Don’t slow down now because there’re still plenty of choices for things to do this weekend—like the 2012 Junior League Attic Sale—Columbus’ Largest Garage Sale! Make sure you wear some comfy shoes so you can hunt for some serious bargains. They’ve got everything from all sorts of furniture, appliances, electronics, books, kid’s toys, housewares, clothes, and even holiday decorations…you’ll be amazed at all the stuff that’s available! And here’s a tip for you…if you have too much going on already on Saturday, you can go to what’s called the Doorbuster tonight where admission is $10 and the prices of the items are doubled, but you’ll still find all sorts of great deals! Don’t forget that all money raised helps the Junior League with all of their community projects.
If I had to make a top 5 list from all the books I read in elementary school, this one would have to be near the top. Who hasn’t read and fell in love with “Charlotte’s Web!” Loved the book and loved the animated movie, so I was thrilled to see that the Family Theatre is doing a production as part of their season this year. This, of course, includes Wilbur the pig, Templeton the rat, Fern and Charlotte and the wonderful story of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by the farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig") in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live. That’s as far as I can go because I’ll start tearing up it’s such a sweet story! And speaking of sweet, they even serve complimentary desserts at intermission!! Reservations highly recommended.
OK, one more then you have to get busy making some choices here...
Also on tap this weekend is the 37th Annual Andersonville Historic Fair complete with Confederate and Union encampments, mock Civil War battles, old time craftsmen at work, dealers in arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles, live entertainment and lots of kid’s activities. Admission is only $4 for adults and $1.50 for kids 12 & under. Andersonville is about an hour southeast of Columbus.
It's going to be a beautiful weekend...so enjoy this weather while you can!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, October 5, 2012
Let’s Get this Weekend Started in Columbus, GA!
We need to get this weekend started because we have a lot of fun stuff to cram in these next 48 hours! Forget about mowing the lawn or cleaning the house, you deserve to have a little fun this weekend, so if you haven't made out your "Fun To Do" list, here are a few ideas for you. You might also want to take a look at the Community Event Calendar to get some other ideas.
It’s not often you get to see royalty in person, but this Saturday night (Sept 29) you have the wonderful opportunity to see Broadway royalty, Bernadette Peters, perform at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Throughout her illustrious career, Peters has been honored with almost every theatrical award possible, including a Tony and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Saturday night, accompanied by a 28-piece orchestra, she’ll delight the audience with songs from Broadway and her Grammy-winning albums. I don’t know that you’ll ever have the chance to see Bernadette Peters live in Columbus, GA again so get your tickets today!
The Springer Opera House has a fun production going on this weekend. Peter Warrant Hatcher, star of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, has a big problem – his little brother Fudge. No matter what Peter does or where he goes, whether he’s playing with his friends, going to a birthday party or helping his parents, Fudge is always there, in the way, creating mischief and making a mess…and Peter has to straighten it out. When Peter brings home a pet turtle, another Fudge adventure begins. Kids and adults of all ages will love this hilarious look at family life with sibling rivalries. Especially if you can relate to the sibling rivalry part. This is a great way to introduce your kids to live theatre! It’s fun for the whole family and very reasonably priced.
If you're in the mood for some music under the stars, then head to Uptown Columbus because the Concert Series continues tonight (Sept 28) with Big Woody and the Splinters. A local favorite, the band will take the stage at 7pm in the 1000 block of Broadway. The concert is FREE! Bring your blankets, chairs and the whole family.
The Rock Ranch has a fantastic lineup for their Fall Family Fun Days! Every Saturday through November 10, they have a different theme and different activities along with all of their usual fun attractions! This Saturday is Lumberjack Day. See collegiate lumberjacks from UGA, University of Florida and Clemson compete in various lumberjack competitions throughout the day. There will also be a corn maze, cane pole fishing, hay rides, pony rides, a pumpkin cannon and so many more activities. Live music can be heard all day long and refreshments are available to purchase or you can rent a campfire site with a picnic area and bring in your own picnic lunch and snacks.
All you literature lovers and creative writing people, listen up! The Chattahoochee Valley Writers Conference is back in town this weekend at the Columbus Public Library. It actually kicked off last night with showings of 2 adaptations of Carson McCullers’ novels. Tonight (Sept 28) there is an evening of poetry with Irene Latham and Ayodele Heath, which is free and open to the public. The keynote speaker is Terry Kay. His presentation is Saturday morning at 9am and this too is free and open to the public. There are various courses and classes on Saturday. Registration is required for these and fees vary. It’s a full day of learning about different writing techniques for various genres as well as secrets to getting your work published and seen!
And here's a good way to crank up your Saturday morning! Put your running shoes on and take part in the 35th Annual Preservation Run this Saturday! There’s a 1-mile, 5k, and 10k race. The 1-mile begins at 8am and the 5 and 10ks begin at 8:30am. Registration is $15 for the 1 mile and $25 for the 5 and 10ks. Proceeds benefit the historic District Preservation Society and the race starts at 685 Front Ave.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Friday, September 28, 2012
Countdown to Fall Fun in Columbus, GA!
It's been many years since I've heard so many people talking about how excited they are that Fall is just around the corner...and I'm one of them! Let's kiss this "Hottest Summer on Record" goodbye and get ready for cooler temperatures that bring with it a lot of outdoor fun. There truly are tons of events planned for this new season and one of the best ways to keep track of it all is to be a regular visitor to the Community Calendar. It's a great resource to plan your fun time!
I mean, look at some of the things going on this weekend...and Fall doesn't even officially being until 10:49am this Saturday! The Springer Opera House kicking things off with a brand new production of "9 to 5: The Musical!" This is the story of three very different, unlikely friends who are fed up with their boss’ antics and bad behavior so they conspire to take control of the company and show him who is really boss. They learn there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world. Hilarious, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, it’s all about team work and taking care of business. And I didn’t know this until yesterday, but Dolly Parton, one of the stars in the movie, co-wrote 9 to 5! This should be a hoot!
Whenever I think of the band Journey, I think of a Peanuts Comic I saw where Sally says, “I just stopped believing for a minute. Journey is going to be so mad.” Well, maybe you love Journey or maybe you only know a couple of their songs…either way, tonight (Friday, Sept. 21), Departure: The Journey Cover Band will play at 7pm on Broadway as part of the Uptown Concert Series. This is completely FREE and It’s going to be a ton o’ fun. Bring your chairs, your blanket, and the whole family and get ready to dance in the streets of Uptown Columbus.
Did you know winter is the best time to prepare for the “beeezy” spring season? Me neither, but the crew at Oxbow Meadows and the Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association know all of this stuff, so they are hosting a basic information program for beginner beekeepers. Check it out Saturday from 1:00-5:00pm.
CSU’s Department of Theatre does a fantastic job of putting on great productions throughout the year and so many people haven’t even been inside the new Riverside Theatre Complex, which is beautiful! You have your chance this weekend as the Theatre Department puts on “Anton in Show Business.” As three actresses of very different backgrounds pursue their dream of performing in a San Antonio production of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters, they take a fall down the rabbit hole and enter the strange wonderland of theatre. This satirical, backstage comedy portrays the joys, pains and absurdities of “putting on a play” while poking fun at American culture!
Remember watching Scooby Doo as a kid and wanting to help solve all the mysteries? I don’t know if that show even comes on anymore, but the Columbus Museum is giving kids a chance to solve some mysteries themselves this Saturday. They can become part of Chicken George’s Gumshoe Crew. Armed with a magnifying glass they are ready to go on an exciting detective hunt through the Museum. They’ll search for clues that lead to works of art, create their own art projects and even become part of a painting during this fun filled afternoon. Kids aged 5-10 will thoroughly enjoy themselves as they become Art Detectives!
And seriously...that's just a few things to tease you with and get you in the mindset for the weekend...like you needed help with that.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Last Weekend of Summer Fun in Columbus, GA!
Fall officially makes it's debut next Saturday morning (Sept 22), so we've got one more week to squeeze in some Summer fun before the sun sets on this season! If you want a good look at what's happening, check out the Community Calendar, because there's a ton of fun going on this weekend.
Let me just start by saying that I’ve been familiar with comedian Bill Engvall for a while, but it wasn’t until the advent of satellite radio and one of the comedy channels, that I really got to enjoy his work. I mean enjoy it to the extent that when he did the routine about the “Dork Fish,” I was in my car driving to a meeting across the state and had to pull over because I was laughing so hard at this story!! You know someone is really funny when they can make you laugh out loud when you’re alone, it’s clean comedy and it’s something we can all relate to—marriage, kids, vacations, growing older--and he has these abilities in abundance. If you need a little laughter in your life…and who doesn’t these days…you can see him live at the RiverCenter tonight (Sept 14).
Earlier this week, I got a chance to go into the riverbed where all the construction is going on for the whitewater project and what this course is shaping up to be is nothing short of incredible! The whole thing will be done by next August, but in the meantime, if you have a kayak or canoe and are itching to get in the water, why not join in this event on Saturday called Race the Hooch?! It’s a 12.3-mile race down the Chattahoochee. You’ll just need to meet at 9:00am at the boat ramp behind the Trade Center and at the takeout spot, there will be shuttles to bring you back to the beginning. And not to worry, if you want to join in but don’t have a kayak or canoe, you can rent them from the Outside World for $20 and that includes paddles and life jacket. Cost to join in is $25 for solo and $40 for tandem.
Some things we just never seem to outgrow and one of those things has to be the circus! It’s the Shrine Circus and it will be at the Civic Center this Saturday and Sunday for several shows. Admission day of the show is $20 for adults, ages 3-12 $10, and Military with ID is $18.
You may not see elephants and lions at this event, but you will see plenty of action and excitement with some more familiar kinds of animals at the 24th Annual Harris County Rodeo at the Mike Tracy Arena in Hamilton, GA! They’re planning on having seven events on the program…things like steer wrestling, bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and the big-daddy…bull riding competition! This is a fun event for the whole family and they bring in some of the heavy-hitters and serious cowboys from the PRCA…or the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association…so you’ll get to see some of the best-of-the-best in action!
Now here’s something you don’t get to see everyday…Winston Churchill is coming to the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA! Actually, it’s Dr. Tom Wentland portraying Winston Churchill in a one-man show called “FDR…I Love That Man!” The show is all about the incredible bond between these two giants of history. If you’ll think back to your history classes, you might remember that during England’s darkest hour, Churchill appealed to the American people, especially President Roosevelt, for help and through all of the fire of World War ll, their friendship was forged. There will also be other living history components including a paratroop unit preparing to jump and additional exhibits of equipment used by our servicemen in WWII.
Tons of fun going on in Uptown Columbus this weekend including the free concert tonight featuring The Lava Lamps! With a name like that, you know this is going to be a fun show because this 70’s cover band will rock your platform shoes off! Bring you lawn chairs, blankets and your family for a great time in Uptown! Show starts at 7:00pm in the 1000 block of Broadway.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, River Fun, on Friday, September 14, 2012
Temperature’s Cooling Off, Outdoor Activities Coming Up in Columbus, GA!
Can it really be true?! Is there relief on the way from these staggeringly hot summer temperatures we've been enduring? It's a good thing we're cooling off a bit because there are lots of outside things to do this weekend. So maybe it isn't sweater-time yet, but it should be a bit more comfortable for outdoor fun. If you want to get a look at the big list of events, take a visit to the Community Calendar, but here are a couple of things you might want to check out.
A new event in Columbus, JunkFest 2012 makes its debut this Saturday at Gina’s Junk, Thrift & Antiques. This is going to be a very different kind of festival, one that is both fun for the whole family and teaches and encourages ways to make the earth a healthier and cleaner place. There will be BBQ, other local foods & beverages available for your refreshment. And for your entertainment, they have a great line-up…a drum circle starts at 11 am, a yoga session at noon, guitar-pulls all day between sets on the main stage, which is actually the main art exhibit built entirely with recycled materials, live music all day by musicians from around the Southeast, and for the kids there’s face-painting, hula-hooping, craft making and more. You’ll be able to shop and pick up some pretty unique items throughout the day as well.
Another of the many reasons I love Fall…RiverCenter’s new season begins and they have a fantastic lineup this year as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary! They’ll have a Birthday Bash this Saturday as they party with The Midtown Men. This sensational production is a one-of-a-kind concert experience that celebrates the music that defined the 60s. The talented stars performed together in Jersey Boys and reunite to bring you first-class choreography, incredible harmonies, and legendary onstage chemistry that make-up The Midtown Men. After the show, enjoy complimentary pink champagne and petit fours as we wish RiverCenter a very happy birthday!
The 3rd Annual Applause for Paws is back at RiverMill Event Centre Friday (Sept 7) at 7:30pm. It will feature local celebrities and their pets on stage as they perform and dazzle the audience and judges with their tricks. All proceeds benefit PAWS Humane.
When I hear the rumble of all those motorcycles on Broadway, I know it’s time for fall and for Bikes on Broadway! This is an annual event put on by the Columbus chapter of Southern Cruisers. The fun kicks off tonight (Sept 7) on Broadway with live music and lots of vendors. The bands start at 6:30 pm and Band of Thieves and Zero Two Sixty will take the stage. On Saturday the bands crank back up at 2pm with Seven Zero Sixty, Haywire, Vinyl Radio, SOL and Spent. There will be 50/50 drawings both nights and you can buy raffle tickets to win a trip to Biketoberfest in Daytona, a double bike trailer, a single bike trailer and a freezer from Daniel Appliance. This event is family friendly! And all the proceeds go to benefit Our House, a local orphanage.
Sherlock’s Columbus is back in action! This weekend the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre starts back up and it’s better and funnier than ever. You’ll strap on your spurs and take a trip back to the Old West. A town hall meeting has been called at the Long Branch Saloon to talk about the suspicious activities of Dodgey City’s most notorious citizen who has been forcing people to sell him their land…or else! Will anyone stand up to this evil cattle baron? Make you reservations and find out! Tickets are $48.50 per person and include the show and a three-course meal. The show starts at 7pm but if you want a better part at getting a chance to participate and be a part of the show, you need to get there early. The performances will run every weekend through October 27 and there’s a different menu each weekend, which you can check out in advance on their website.
And to wrap things up, let's get back to nature at Oxbow Meadows for their second Sunday program this weekend on Sunday, September 9 at 2pm. This month it’s all about butterflies as you learn about Monarchs across Georgia and their fascinating life, its migration to Mexico, and how you can help preserve this incredible phenomenon! Admission is only $3. Get there early to explore the center and meet some of their wildlife.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Summer’s Winding Down…But Not The FUN!
I keep looking at the calendar, but I still can't believe that Labor Day is just a little over a week away! Where did the Summer go? Even though this season is winding down, there's still plenty to get out and do this weekend...in fact, this is a really busy weekend for events so if I were you, I'd start making plans now! You might want to head to the Community Calendar to get a good look at some of the happenings or read on for a few hightlights.
If you have kids that love to read, or maybe your kids could use a little encouragement to do a little more reading now that school has started back, check out this event called “Booking It” this Saturday (Aug 25) from 11:00am-1:00pm. Volunteers from The Literacy Alliance will be on hand telling stories, playing games like Sight Word Bingo and Unscramble the Word, plus they’ll be handing out free books to participants. Computer stations will be set up to show families fun and educational websites that will help build vocabulary. This is all taking place at Sonic (Wynnton Rd) so another little perk is they’ll be handing out free ice cream cones to the first 200 people to register at the Literacy Alliance table on site, and you can get 50-cent drinks and corn dogs during the event! Adults can also learn about FREE adult literacy classes.
A little over a month ago, the world lost a legend of stage, screen and music but thankfully, Andy Griffith will always be with us, even if it’s on tape! Everybody remembers him most for his portrayal of Sheriff Andy Taylor or as country lawyer, Matlock but did you know he made his film début in this dramatic movie? It was back in 1957 and it’s called “A Face in the Crowd” and it’s about a country boy who rises to fame, and uses his television show as a gateway to political power. This country boy likes his adult beverages, is manipulative and power-hungry! Patricia Neal and Walter Matthau also star in this classic, which is about as far from Mayberry as you can get! In 2008, the movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress!! If you want to check it out, there's a special screening at the Springer Opera House this Saturday beginning at 7:30pm. Admission is only $10.
So if just the thought of Andy Griffith puts you in the mood for some mountain music, make sure you head to The Barn at Lake Pines Event Center this Sunday from 3-6pm for Bluegrass at the Barn! They’ll have a featured band as well as “open pickin” if you’d like to join in! It’s free and they’ll even be serving refreshments.
If you don’t have your running or walking shoes dusted off, you need to get them out of the closet and get ready for Saturday nights big event at Country’s Barbecue! It’s time for the 32nd Annual Midnight Express 5K and all around big party at the Country’s location on Mercury Drive. The course spans a little more than 3 miles, traveling through the nearby neighborhood where a couple of thousand folks will be cheering on the almost 3000 racers who are expected to take part! You don’t have to be a super-racer to join in…run at your own pace or walk. Everybody who registers get a highly-coveted T-shirt and bbq sandwich after the race. If you just want to hang out and enjoy the festivities, there’s plenty going on with live music from folks like Peggy Jenkins and Classic Addict. Don’t forget that all this takes place to help benefit visually impaired folks in our area! All the pre-race fun starts at 6:00pm and the race, of course, starts at midnight.
You know it’s going to be a fun event when part of the title is Fat Tires! Throw your mountain bike and helmet in your car and head to Flat Rock Park this Saturday for this family-friendly mountain bike Time Trial series. It’s going to be held on the Sidewinder Trail, aka The Bunny Loop, and it’s about 2 miles long. They’ll have 4 categories including Men Beginner, Men Experienced, Women and Kids—the Kids course will be a little shorter. There’s a picnic after the race and some really good raffles you can get in on. The reason for the raffle is these series of time trials is actually a fundraiser for a little fellow named Noah who is fighting against leukemia.
And a perfect way to wind down this weekend? Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy Jazz on the River at Columbus Civic Center. This outdoor concert features local, regional, and national jazz and smooth R&B acts. Enjoy the concert as the sun sets from the Columbus Civic Center Courtyard this Sunday from 7:00-9:00pm. And it’s free! Just kind of makes you want to say "ahhhhhh."
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Ah Weekend…How We’ve Missed You!
The wait is almost over...the weekend is rolling back around and it brings with it a barrell-full of things to get out and do with friends and family. We'll give you a couple of ideas here, but you may also want to check the Community Calendar to see more.
Have you ever wanted to travel through time? Well, this weekend at the Springer Opera House, you can! They’ll kick off their classic film series on Saturday with “Back to the Future!” If you’ve never seen the movie, in 1985 Doc Brown invents time travel; then as a result, in 1955 Marty McFly accidentally prevents his parents from meeting putting his own existence at stake. Whoops! The best edition of the film will be shown on a larger than life screen. The movie starts at 7:30 but the saloon opens at 6:30 if you want to grab some refreshments before it starts. This is the best way to watch in movie…in a historic theatre on a huge screen with popcorn and coke. Be on the lookout for other classic movies being shown at the Springer!
Calling all married or engaged couples! If you’re competitive and want to add some adventure to your relationship then you need to register for The Amazing Marriage Chase! It will consist of multiple challenges set up in Uptown Columbus and each couple can choose to participate in as many or as few challenges as they want. The challenges include scavenger hunts, brainteaser activities and physical exertion games. Put on by Right from the Start, it’s a way to celebrate the teamwork of marriage. Prizes will be awarded to the top three couples. Call to register and reserve your place. It is limited to the first 100 couples so make sure you call today!
How about a hearty breakfast to start off the weekend...and you don't even have to do the cooking! The Easter Seals West Georgia will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, August 18 from 7am-11am. The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice or milk. It’s $4 per person or $2 for kids under 5. All proceeds support Easter Seals.
If you’re into paddling & have wanted to take a trip down river, you’re in luck. The GA Conservancy is holding a Columbus Paddle this Sat, Aug 18. The group will meet at Rotary Park & head downstream past Oxbow Meadows to the Uchee Creek Marina at Fort Mitchell. The trip will total 16 miles & is a FULL DAY paddle. Get ready to be sore, but smiling when you get off the river. At 5:30pm there will be a post paddle cocktail party for paddlers at The Loft, where the featured guest is John Turner & he’ll give an update on the whitewater project. You will need to register at georgiaconservancy.org & the fee includes shuttle service, light snacks, guided paddle, and a GA Conservancy membership. If you need to rent a boat, a special rate has been set up at the Outside World for this trip.
If you are looking for a special night out, The National Infantry Museum will hold its third annual 1775 Gala and Silent Auction this Saturday evening. The black-tie gala is the museum’s signature fundraising event. This year’s theme is Benning Beginnings! Tickets are $150 per person and include a catered dinner, followed by a night filled with music and dancing to the sounds of Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. The silent auction will have prizes ranging from a week at an Italian villa to an autographed football signed by the University of Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban. This promises to be an evening to remember! Call to get your tickets today!
And here's something a little different to do this weekend! The Columbus Roller Derby League will take on the Marietta Derby Darlins this Saturday, Aug 18 at 7:30pm at the Civic Center. This is the last game of the season and it should be a good one! Tickets are $17.50 per person.
Looks like plenty of good stuff to do this weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Friday, August 17, 2012
It’s Time for Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
I've heard so many people talking about what a LONG week this has been...maybe it's that Dog Days of Summer thing! But not to worry, the weekend is almost here and there is plenty to get out and do. You may want to start your plans by checking out the Community Event Calendar to get a look at some of the things happening, but in the meantime, here's a quick look at a few of the things going on.
Ever walked through a field, the woods or even your backyard and you see some sort of tracks across the ground? Then wondered what animal paid you a visit? If so, you need to go to Oxbow Meadows’ Second Sunday Program, “On the Right Track.” You'll learn about tracks and the animals that make them. After this you’ll be a pro at identifying the tracks of local wildlife. Participants will even get to take home their own special set of tracks. After the program, there will be a guided hike along the wetland trail. This is the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon (starts at 2:00pm) with your kids either before they go back to school or to reward them for starting back this week.
It’s always good to be prepared for the unthinkable, especially if you have kids, work with kids or work with the general public on a regular basis. This Saturday (Aug 11), the Continuing Education Department at CSU is offering a CPR and AED course. This basic lesson will teach you how to correctly perform CPR and to use an automated external defibrillator on adults, children and infants. After the course and once you’ve demonstrated proficiency in the skills you learned, you will leave as a possible everyday hero, certified by the American Safety and Health Institute. The class is only from 9am to 12pm and those three hours could prove to be the most valuable three hours you ever spent.
If you're in the mood for some jazz this weekend, you've hit the jackpot! This Friday (Aug 10), from 7pm – 9pm, The Loft will host an all-ages free jazz performance. The Cavaliers will perform vintage big band tunes on August 10. Should be a great show and you can grab dinner first at Downstairs at the Loft. Then on Sunday (Aug 12), The Columbus Jazz Society will have their monthly Jazz Jam and Concert this Sunday from 6-9pm. The location has changed…it is now at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The featured artist is Kenyon Carter. Another great opportunity to hear some great music.
Are you up for something a bit more challenging this weekend? Columbus has become a Triathlon Mecca! It was home to a Half Iron Distance in April, a Sprint in July and this Saturday, there will be both an Olympic Triathlon and a Duathlon in Uptown Columbus. The Olympic Triathlon will consist of a 1500-meter swim, a 24-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run. The Duathlon will consist of a 2-mile run, 25-mile bike ride and a 10-mile run. Whew! Just thinking about that makes me tired! These events will start at 7am behind the Iron Works Convention & Trade Center if you’re interested in watching come amazing athletes in action! Registration proceeds from these events benefits House of Heroes.
We’re in for a special treat this Sunday afternoon…RiverCenter is gearing up for its 10th anniversary this season and in preparation, a special concert, “Four Hands/Four Feet,” is set for 4pm. The concert will feature the Jordan Concert Organ in Legacy Hall. This organ is amazing! It weighs more than 40,000 pounds and has almost 3,600 pipes. And if you’re not a classical music fan, don’t worry….this isn’t your grandmother’s organ recital. Attendees will hear jazz, classical music, and the finale, “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The concert will last about an hour and will feature 14 different organists. It’s the perfect way to end your weekend. And it’s completely free!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, River Fun, on Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Bit of Fun for Everyone this Weekend in Columbus, GA!
That's what's great about living in Columbus, GA...there's always something fun going on! Looks like this weekend is going to be full of all different sorts of events taking place, so there's something for everyone. Don't forget...you can always check out the Community Calendar to find out more.
How about something a little different to do on a Friday night!? The Joseph House Art Gallery is bringing back an event they used to do every year and it was really popular so they decided it’s time to bring it back! It’s the Art Scavenger Hunt and it is happening Friday (Aug 3) from 5:00-8:00pm. Here’s how this works: each guest is given a list of items that can be found hidden in the Joseph House but here’s the twist…all of the items are actually in various pieces of artwork throughout the gallery! The person who finds the most hidden items will get a piece of artwork donated by Gallery artists, Geri Davis and Barbara Gullett. This might be a fun first-date or it’s also a good thing to bring kids to because it’s a good way to introduce the world of art to them. Plus you get to see just how much incredible artistic talent we have in Columbus!
Here's a bit of trivia for you! Did you know it was National Inventor’s Month? Me neither, but now that we know, we can celebrate it at Port Columbus this Saturday because they have one of their Cool History programs going on and this one is called “Infernal Machines!” They’re going to take a look at inventions and technological advancements in the navies of both the North and South during the Civil War. I’m ashamed to say it, but I don’t think I ever knew that torpedoes and submarines were used during the Civil War…but I did learn about that going to Port Columbus…so they’ll talk about those and mines that were used, how the raid on the Albemarle happened, and how the sinking of the USS Cairo used the first electronically detonated mine—or did it? Find out more about this mystery at Port Columbus!
If you want tickets to individual shows or performances of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in the 2012-13 season at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Saturday will be your first chance to purchase them. Visit the RiverCenter this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to select your seats and purchase tickets. They’ll even be serving refreshments!
I recently saw a news story that was a little scary. It said the American Red Cross’ national blood supply is at its lowest level in 15 years!! The Red Cross needs 80,000 units on hand daily, but now has only about half of that and when you think about the fact that every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion, we need to donate! If you want to help out with this cause and maybe get a few other health screenings done this Saturday (Aug 4), check out the American Red Cross Community Health Fair & Blood Drive at the WalMart on Buena Vista Rd. They’ll have free vision screenings, blood pressure screenings, and education about preventing high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, and lots more. This is open to everyone and remember, if you’re able, donate some blood while you’re there!!
Don’t be worried if the wailing of sirens and the flashing lights of police cars come down your street Tuesday (Aug 7) night! It’s all part of National Night Out…an annual event started in 1984 to bring together law enforcement, civic groups, neighborhood organizations and just regular people together. If your neighborhood doesn’t have anything planned for this event, then head over to the Britt David Art Studio for their Empty Bowl Decorating! They’ll have bisque bowls already made and you get to paint and decorate however you want, then the staff there will fire and glaze the bowls and then be used for the annual Empty Bowl fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank. You can either join in on any of the caravans out Tuesday night or just go on your own! Another good way to help out our community!
And, if you're lucky enough to have a wedding in your future, head to the Ultimate Bridal Expo this Sunday (Aug 5) at RiverMill Event Centre. They’ll have gift bags for the first 300 people, local and regional vendors, fashion show, free samples and lots of prizes. Admission is $3 for brides and $5 for each guest.
There you have it...a small smattering of things to do for kicks this weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, August 2, 2012
It may be HOT, but that doesn’t stop the fun in Columbus, GA!
So what's a little heat? It's summer, we're in the South, that's just the way it is! A little extra heat isn't going to stop us from getting out and having a little fun this weekend. On the other hand, it is nice to know that most of these events happen indoors or early in the morning...just sayin'. Let's take a look at a couple of things going on this weekend...
Apparently, Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Gardens is the place to be on Friday nights during the summer! The fun starts in the early afternoon with the Callaway Gardens Farmers Market from 4pm to 7pm. Here you’ll find a variety of local and regional vendor selling fruits and veggies, flowers and plants, meats and dairy products, baked goods, soaps, sauces and other specialty items. All the products are grown or produced within a 150-mile radius of Pine Mountain. There are also demonstrations and children’s activities for a fun and interactive learning experience. The fun continues into the evening with live music, food, and drink specials. This week you’ll experience the musical talents of Matt Whitten. And if you want even more excitement, the FSU Flying High Circus will perform beginning at 8pm! What a night!
It must be that all the summer produce is so fresh and delicious right now because I’m obsessed with fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes. If you can’t get to Callaway’s Farmers Market last night, don’t worry, you can still head to Uptown Columbus Saturday morning for Market Days on Broadway. Every Saturday through November, in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway, from 9am to noon, you can find fresh produce, baked goods, art, jewelry, boiled peanuts and more! This market has really grown and I always find the most unique items and the best okra I’ve ever had. You do want to try and get there early though to get the best pick of the okra and tomatoes! They go fast!
Looking ahead into next week a little bit…I want to give you a heads up that next Tuesday and Wednesday will be the last days for the IMAX Free Summer Film Festival at the National Infantry Museum. They’ve been doing this all summer and it’s been a big hit. You get to see a great movie on a HUGE screen for FREE. You can’t beat that! Next week, they’ll be showing Iron Giant. These movies are always family friendly and there’s always a good crowd so get there a little early since seating is first come first serve. It’s a great way to spend some time with your kids and keep them occupied during the summer. Plan to spend some time the museum when the movie is over to explore. It’s an awesome experience!
Looking to cool off this weekend, maybe get a little exercise too? Then the place to be is the Columbus Ice Rink. The rink will be open for public skating Friday – Sunday from 4pm to 9pm each day. Now, I’m not great at ice skating…in fact I’m the person you see going around the rink and holding on to the wall for dear life. But even if you’re not very good, it’s still a lot of fun. And we’re really lucky to have a place to ice skate almost year round. I remember when I was a kid the closest place that I knew of to ice skate was in Montgomery or Atlanta. If you’re a pro you probably have your own skates, but they do have skates available to rent for just $3. So, get out there and have fun…but don’t laugh too loud if you see me out there clinging to the wall.
And to round out your weekend, The Loft will host free jazz performances Friday night (July 27) open to all ages from 7-9pm. Sheet Muzik will perform. It’s a great way to introduce someone, even kids to jazz. And did we mention the best part??? It’s free.
Well, there's a little peek into what the weekend holds, but make sure you check the Community Calendar for lots of other ideas!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, July 26, 2012
So, What Are You Doing This Weekend in Columbus, GA?
Looking for something to do this weekend? There's quite a bit of fun stuff going on in Columbus, GA and if you'd like to get a look at the big picture, check out the Community Calendar! To get you thinking about weekend fun, here's a quick look at a few of the highlights...
Denim & Diamonds is a country music concert put on every summer for the past 13 years that benefits Columbus Hospice and it's happening this Saturday (July 21) night! It’s always a great show, with awesome acts. This year is no exception as Travis Tritt and Diamond Rio take the stage to perform their chart topping hits. Travis Tritt is actually a Georgia native so this will be a little homecoming for him. The name suggests the event might be formal but it’s definitely more denim than diamonds. They'll have several raffles, one for a half-carat diamond! It’s a great night out, for a great cause. And although the name is Columbus Hospice, they actually serve 10 counties in Georgia and Alabama so they really touch a lot of people. Tickets are still available and you can get them at the Columbus Civic Center box office.
Pine Mountain has a new community theatre group in town, the Patchwork Players and they are putting on an original show this weekend at the David H. Aldrich Community Center. The play is titled “Reality South” and it’s about a Northerner that moves to a small, rural Southern town. Hmmm….I do believe this could be very comical. Because I’m sure that Northerner is going to be experiencing quite a bit of culture shock. Community theatre is always fun because it’s laid back and relaxed. I’ve heard the Friday performance is close to selling out so if you’re interested you might want to go ahead and call to reserve your tickets! For more details, you can call 706.663.4447.
Or how about a little fun under the stars? Dr. Rosa Williams, with the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, will be hosting an evening with the stars this Saturday at Providence Canyon State Park. Telescopes are available or you can bring your own. Starts at 8 pm and is $5.
Some days I think I want to fall down the rabbit hole just like Alice in Wonderland…and wind up in a strange new world full of adventure. But then I think how much I’d miss my family and friends. So I’ll settle for living vicariously through Alice. And this weekend is the last weekend I and everyone else can do that at the Springer Opera House. In this stage adaptation Alice does indeed fall down the hole and needs help from the White rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter the Queen of Hearts and all the other familiar characters to get out of this topsy-turvy world. It’s a fast-paced, fun-filled adventure that the whole family will enjoy. And before the evening shows, you can make reservations for a Mad Hatters Tea Party…it will be crazy fun. Tickets to that are $20.
This is the real deal. There is no script. Nothing is pre-planned. It’s the new Columbus Roller Derby League and they are serious about their sport. Roller Derby has become quite popular across the country and now that we have a team here in Columbus, I think everyone should go out and see what it’s all about…especially if you’re like me and don’t really know how the game works or the rules. This Sunday, Columbus will take on the Scenic City Roller Derby Team. Get your tickets now!
Here's a nice way to wind down the weekend--Jazz on the River will kick off its four-concert series this Sunday with Sheet Muzik featuring Tony Parkman, Fuscia, and After Ours performing from 6 to 9pm. The show will be outside of the Columbus Civic Center facing the Chattahoochee River. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday evening, watching the sunset over the river, listening to some great jazz. This concert is free and family friendly.
See? Lots of good things to get out and enjoy this weekend!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Get your market bags ready for Market Days on Broadway tomorrow from 9am to noon! details
Last chance to see Lakebottom Prime at the Springer is this weekend! link details
The special at tonight is crab cakes! details
CutBait Music Festival starts in 2 hours! I can't wait! link details
Show your imax ticket stub or lunch receipt from the fife & drum & get $2.00 off a round @ the est 2000 rifle range today only! details