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Looking for Stuff to do this Weekend? Boy, are you in the Right Place!
Driving into work this morning through Uptown Columbus there is definitely a festival-feeling in the air! Several stages are being set up, food vendors staking out their plot of land (oh please, let there be a funnel cake maestro somewhere in the mix), and organizers taking care of last minute details all in preparation for tonight's (May 17) kick off of the new CutBait Music Festival! This thing looks like it's going to be huge...and a whole lot of fun. Over 40 national and Southern artists, 9 stages, and just about every music genre you can imagine. This two-day event cranks up tonight at 6:30pm. Keni Thomas, Sister Hazel, Shooter Jennings and Bronze Radio Return are just a few of the artists you can see tonight. Then it starts all over again on Saturday (May 18) at 2pm. With both outdoor and indoor stages, and a mix of unique venues this is truly going to be an awesome festival. Some venues have as few seats as 75 so if there’s an artist you really want to see, get there early! For a full schedule you can check out www.cutbaitmusic.com. The best deal for admission is the Weekend Pass for $35, or you can get a $15 pass for Friday night, and a $25 ticket for Saturday. This is the ultimate music experience right on the banks of the Chattahoochee River.
Once you’ve rested up after CutBait Music Festival, head to Lakebottom Park in MidTown Columbus for the Annual Arts in the Park event at Lakebottom Park. Arts in the Park as been around for a while and is always a good time for the whole family. The event features the works of area artists, lots of children’s activities, including face painting, arts and crafts and pony rides and petting zoo, and musical performances by the Justice Family Bluegrass Band, Bob Barr Community Band and Jennifer Duncan. If you’re in the market to buy some art, you’re in luck because the art is for sale…it’s not just a show. This event is FREE and attendees are invited to bring a picnic basket, spread out on a blanket and enjoy the afternoon. There will be vendors on site selling food and drinks as well. Again, a great way to spend a Sunday with the family!
Or how about taking the kids to the Safe Kids Bike Rodeo at Hollywood Connection on Saturday? From 10:00am-2:00pm, there will be free bike helmets for kids under 14 years old, speed skating race, mascots, a safety obstacle course, door prizes, games and more!
Make sure you put this one on your list because this weekend is your last chance to see Lakebottom Prime at the Springer Opera House. Written by Georgia playwright, Topher Payne, Lakebottom Prime is the prequel to the 2011 hit, Lakebottom Proper. Before Lakebottom was a lake bottom there was actually a lake! The wedding of the century is being planned by Priscilla Tuttle and nothing will stop her from having the perfect lakeside ceremony attended by all of Columbus’ elite. But of course there are problems…the bride’s mother might be evil, the bridesmaids come down with malaria and the city begins to drain the lake. And as the water level gets lower, the anxiety rises because there’s a secret at the bottom and the Tuttle family will do anything to keep it hidden. I got a chance to see it last week and it is a hilarious show!
When people start thinking about fun things to do on the weekend, I’m quite sure going to a cemetery isn’t one of the first things that pops in your head, but this might change your mind! Linwood Cemetery is a beautiful historic cemetery with some pretty fascinating people buried there. On the third Saturday of the month (tomorrow) they have a guided tour. The walking tour lasts about an hour and is free and open to the public. You’ll start at the beautiful Lummus Chapel and hear stories of some of the more interesting people buried in Linwood, the history of Columbus, the beautiful stone and iron works, unique epitaphs and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water. No reservations are required!
And you thought it was just going to be a quiet, restful weekend.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, River Fun, Shopping, on Friday, May 17, 2013
Weekend + Spring = Fun Weekend in Columbus, GA!
The above is all the math you need to know for the weekend...which is a good thing for me! And yep, the deeper into Spring we get, the more packed the weekends are with fun stuff to do. In fact, just in Uptown Columbus alone this weekend, there's something going on almost the entire time. Of course, everything kicks off with Big Woody & The Splinters headlining the free concert tonight in the 1000 block, but on Saturday, there's also Junkin' on Broadway, Market Days on Broadway, A Feathered Affair, which is a birdhouse auction benefiting Columbus Area Habitat, a Cinco de Mayo Celebration, and a Comic Book Show at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
Oh, but wait...there's more! Don't forget that the Uptown Drum Circle that kicks off at 6:00pm Saturday night. It’s your chance to take part in or just watch something you may never have seen before-a Community Drum Circle. A drum circle is not a drum class, it’s a fun, family friendly event where people celebrate through rhythm and music. You don’t even have to have any musical expertise and you can bring whatever type of drum or percussion instrument you have. You can even make your own! Even if you decide not to participate, it should be really cool to watch!
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. What sets this festival apart has got to be the setting…it isn’t just a few tents pitched in an empty lot…it’s set on the grounds of a 1910 farmhouse, complete with a Cotton Warehouse, which makes this the absolute best setting for all the skilled artisans and antique specialists with booths filled with pottery, weaving, sculpture, woodcarving, painting, jewelry, wearable art, blacksmithing, and glass blowing—plus there’s live entertainment, and without a doubt, some of the best food in this entire state. In fact, I know folks who go just for the food because you’ll find anything from pimento cheese sandwiches, onion rings, and sweet potato fries! Don't even eat today-bank those calories for the weekend.
And finally, if you’ve got kids in the household because they are going to love this…or even if you’re just a fan of Roald Dahl, then you’re going to love this one too! It’s The Big Friendly Giant at the Springer Opera House and it’s all about a little girl named Sophie who is snatched from her orphanage bedroom, hauled off across the landscape to Giant Country and kept in a cave by a huge creature who talks squiff-squiddly…I don’t know what that means but now I’m really intrigued! Well, the giant promises not to gobble her up like an hors d’oeuvres, so of course, they become the best of friends and then go on all sorts of adventures together. This is the last weekend for it, so squeeze it in your weekend plans if you can. Good for any ages kindergarten & up!
Hopefully, some of that info will get you thinking about weekend plans...and let's face it, most of us have been making weekend plans since Monday morning!
Now, go have some fun,
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, May 2, 2013
A Wonderful Weekend Awaits in Columbus, GA!
Ah, Springtime in the South! The temperature is perfect, humidty hasn't reared its ugly head yet and there's plenty of events to get out and enjoy. You should go take a look at the Event Calendar to get a taste of what's going on this weekend...there's a lot to choose from.
Speaking of 'getting a taste,' that's just what you can do tonight and tomorrow at this year's Bash on the Banks. Barbecue. Beer. Live Music. Need I say more?! If you want to sample some of the best barbecue in the south, head down to Woodruff Park (Uptown) tonight (Apr 26) for the People's Choice competition...mmm, mmm, good! There’s live music from The Relics, a big car show on Saturday that benefits the Special Olympics, a best burger competition, Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned events on Saturday… in fact, the winner gets to go to Las Vegas to compete in the World Food Championships! Remember, admission is free but food and drinks will be sold separately.
Forget about lions, tigers and bears because this Saturday (10am-3pm) at Oxbow Meadows, it’s all about reptiles with their annual Reptile Fest! It’s a day dedicated to the awesome world of reptiles and they’ve got some really cool things planned like a reptile show hosted by Jason Clark of SnakesRUs, kid-friendly crafts, tortoise bingo, inflatables, games food, and two things that really sound worth the visit…an alligator feeding and the “Hiss America Pageant!” So this alligator feeding, which they’re calling “Brunch with the Gators” happens at 11:00am and this should be something to see because these gators only get fed a couple of times a year! And this “Hiss America Pageant?” First of all, it gets the prize for the most clever name ever, but it’s tons of fun and is just like a real beauty pageant…only with reptiles! Human participants will walk the runway with their dressed up pets and I guess answer for their pets during the Q & A portion!
If you’re in the mood for something cultural, like maybe some ballet…you’re in luck because the Columbus Ballet is having their Spring Performance this Saturday and Sunday at CSU’s Fine Arts Hall. The dancers will be performing all sorts of dance from classic ballet, contemporary ballet, to jazz! Tickets only $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 10.
If you’re looking for something a little different to kick off your weekend, you might want to make the short drive to Callaway Gardens tonight (Apr 26) for “Symphony on the Sand” that features the award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra! They’ll be performing under the stars on Robin Lake Beach and end the evening with a bang with a sky full of fireworks! You can either order a VIP Table on the Sand or you can opt for a ticket for a space on the lawn. I say pack up a picnic basket, throw a couple of lawn chairs and blankets in the car, put on your flip flops and enjoy this Friday night. And can I just say that this one has great date-night written all over it?!
It’s high-time to get your bicycle out of winter storage and on the road! Check out the Wheels to Heal Bike Ride to benefit the John B. Amos Cancer Center this Sunday beginning at 7:00am with check-in and breakfast. Rides, which begin at the Columbus Civic Center and range from 40-100 miles and the Family Ride, begin at 9:00am. Remember, it’s a ride not a race, so choose a route that matches your endurance and helmets are required! On top of all the other cook stuff you get for participating, there’s even a post-ride barbecue by Country’s!
The 3rd Annual Party on the Lawn is happening this Sunday on the lawn at the Wynnton Arts Academy!! You don’t have to live or work in MidTown to enjoy all the festivities…just bring yourself, your kids, lawn chairs and dancing shoes because the afternoon will be filled with music with Jan Hyatt and The Usual Suspects, lots of activities for kids, food samples for MidTown restaurants. What a great way to wind down the weekend!
Want to find out more? Just head to the Event Calendar to all the details!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, River Fun, on Friday, April 26, 2013
Listen! Hear That? That’s the Sound of Weekend Fun Calling in Columbus, GA!
Check the calendar...like you haven't already done that everyday this week to see if it was Friday yet...because the weekend is finally here! Looks like a beautiful weekend on tap with plenty of great things to get out and do. Like what, you ask? Well, check this out...
Frogtown Hollow Jam is back in Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus with a packed two-day music festival for the whole family. There will be nonstop live music on stage of all genres, tons of food, arts and crafts vendors, a big kids area with inflatables, face painters, stilt-walkers and more! You can also catch a ride in a hot-air balloon. As for the music, it’s really going to rock. Friday (April 19), the doors open at 6:30 and the music starts at 7. And what I’m really looking forward to…Departure, the Journey Tribute Band, will start at 8:45. Then the fun kicks off on Saturday at noon with an awesome line-up of music, including the Neal Lucas Band at 6pm, everybody’s favorite Peggy Jenkins and the Bizness at 7:45pm, and Roonie G will close it out at 10pm. It’s going to be a busy 2 days!
If you’re looking for something different to do on Saturday (April 20), this is for you! The National Civil War Naval Museum presents History Now!, a living history and museum theatre festival. Firs, they will be at Market Days Saturday morning at 10am in the 1000 block of Broadway with an interpreter in period uniform showing what daily life was like aboard ship. Then head to the museum for the rest of the afternoon where you’ll enjoy performances interpreting the 11th to 20th centuries through performing arts. Programming will include participants from The Knights of Pendragon who will be jousting, The Smithsonian, Colonial Williamsburg, The Liberty Theatre, CSU and Mercury Studios in Los Angeles. A great history lesson for kids!
Ready to get dirty? The Highland Mudder, a 5K Mud and Obstacle Race, is taking place at North Highland Church tomorrow at 8am. The course includes 13+obstacles including a mud pit, 80ft water slide and a barbed wire crawl. Even if you don’t want to enter, this will be a blast to watch! It’s $65 to enter.
Look who's turning the Big 6-0!! The Columbus Museum has a big party happening this weekend while celebrating their 60th birthday. Let There Be Art and Bloom is a beautiful event with many different components going through Sunday. Events include an Art Show and Sale (April 19-25) with artists from the East Coast, all over the South and from Europe, a Botanical Tent (April 19-21) where one can not only buy plants but also see demonstrations and consult with Master Gardeners, a Café (April 19-20 from 11:30am – 2pm) where you can come enjoy the view, terrific speakers and more demonstrations along with a boxed lunch for $12. Tomorrow, from 10am-5pm, there is a James Farmer Party. Farmer is a Southern author, gardener, floral and interior designer, and cook. Several events revolve around him including a lecture, meet & greet and book signing, culinary art demonstration and more. Om Sunday, enjoy a Southern Picnic in the garden with live Bluegrass music, arts and crafts and kids activities.
Talk about a great event to take that special little girl to!!! Family Theatre presents Twelve Dancing Princesses this Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm. This is a production you can take the whole family to and everyone will enjoy! Admission is only $10 for adults and $6 for students.
That's just a quick sample of what's going on this weekend, but to get a complete listing, make sure you take a look at the Event Calendar.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Thursday, April 18, 2013
Whew! It’s Finally the Weekend-Time for Fun in Columbus, GA!
Is it just me or does this feel like the week that would never end? Well, thankfully the end is so close you can almost taste it, so this is probably the perfect time to get a sample of what to do this weekend. You can always zip through the Event Calendar for lots of ideas or read on for a smattering of examples of things to do. P.S. I've been wanting to use the word smattering in a sentence all week. I now feel complete.
OK, let's take a look at stuff...
Spring has definitely sprung in Uptown Columbus and all the fun events we look forward to all year long are back! On Fri night, Peggy Jenkins and the Bizness will rock the streets in the return of Uptown Columbus’ FREE Friday night concerts. Bring your chairs, blankets and dancing shoes. The music starts at 7pm. On Saturday morning, from 9am to noon, Market Days on Broadway kicks back up with approximately 100 vendors! Wow! Get fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, art, jewelry and so much more. This will continue every Saturday through November. Then come back to Uptown Saturday evening at 6pm for the Uptown Drum Circle. All percussion instruments are welcome. Come celebrate life and a weekend full of fun, food, and music!
If you haven’t been to Oxbow Meadows in a while or if you’ve never been, Friday (Apr 5) is the day to go for their special program, Alligators & Agriculture. Spend the morning visiting with their resident alligators while exploring the amazing world of gardening and farming. Visit with several exhibitors through a series of stations that will feature lessons on seeds, plants, gardens, earthworms, pollinating bees, farming and more! It’s a full day of southern style educational entertainment. Some of the exhibitors include GA Farm Bureau, Masters Gardeners, 4-H clubs, and so many more. When the program is over, stay for a little while, meet the huge turtles (my favorite), and walk among the trees in their tree top canopy!
Treat yourself to some fantastic music this Sunday (4:00pm) in Legacy Hall at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. This "Surrond Sound: 360 Degrees of Music" concert features the CSU Choral Union with the Trumpet and Trombone Ensembles in music composed for multiple choirs. The audience is surrounded by the sounds of instruments and voices as the performers use Legacy Hall to its spatial potential. And it’s FREE!
Don’t miss this year’s Spring Fling at the Columbus Civic Center. The biggest and best yet, this is the last weekend for the exciting carnival! There’s heart-pumping, adrenaline boosting rides for the adults and tame, gentle rides for the kiddos. Lots of games on every corner and what carnival is complete without FAIR FOOD! Funnel cakes, corn dogs, hot dogs, french fries, cotton candy and so much more! My mouth is watering just thinking about. Even if you don’t like the rides, go for the food. Admission into the gates is free so you can go just to sample all the yummy concoctions. If you are the thrill seeker, an unlimited rides wristband is only $25, plus on Saturday from 11am – noon, all rides are free! Pack up the family and go!
In the powerful production of "The Women," the Liberty Theatre sets out to celebrate and educate audiences on the many contributions, struggles, and triumphs women have made throughout history. The Women features scenes and songs from classics like Sophisticated Ladies, Dreamgirls, Ain’t Misbehaving and Doubt as well as original works. Each production will have a post-show discussion with local women who are making a difference in our community each day. These women will offer pearls of wisdom, feedback on the production and insights from their own personal life journeys. Both inspiring and motivational, this would be a great girls night out.
And for a little something to look forward to on Monday (Apr 8 at 5:00 pm), you can join CSU Schwob School of Music students in a unique experience of collaboration under the direction of distinguished faculty. Show takes place in Studio Theatre at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. You gotta love this part...admission is free!
Lots to do, so start making your plans!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, April 4, 2013
Spring has Sprung in Columbus, GA!
It's the first weekend of Spring so that means it's time to get out and enjoy! What's going on this weekend? Glad you asked. Here's a short list of some of the things I've heard about, but you also need to check the Event Calendar to see all the things to choose from.
We have lots of organized runs and walks in Columbus, but this is unlike anything I’ve ever heard of! It’s called “Color Me Rad” and it’s a 5k run taking place in Uptown Columbus. What sets this run apart is the word ‘color’ in the title. Runners take off at 8:00 Saturday morning and that’s when the color bombs start flying! Waves of runners will get plastered with colorful cornstarch every 5 minutes so by the time they are done running, they’ll look like a kindergarten art class gone wrong! This is the first time this type of race has ever been held here and there’s a lot of buzz…in fact, estimates are there will be about 4,000 runners! If you want to run, you can still sign up the morning of, but with that many folks, go early! Even if you aren’t a runner, this is going to be fun to watch! Children’s Miracle Network is the benefiting charity.
Don’t leave your 4-legged buddies out of the fun this weekend! In fact, there is an event just for them! Bark for Life is coming up this Sunday at Britt David Park and it is a big party and doggie play date with food, fun, games contests and demonstrations. The day starts off with a non-competitive walk for dogs and their owners, followed by all the other fun. This is kind of a canine version of the Relay for Life and even though it will be a lot of fun for the pup-dogs and us humans, we can’t forget that this is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. You can still pre-register today or sign up on site on Sunday. This is also a really nice thing to do if you want to walk in honor of someone who is fighting…and hopefully winning…the battle against cancer!
Here’s another ArtBeat of Columbus event going on this weekend. It’s the Howard Ave Art Festival this Sunday from 1:00-5:00pm and they’ll have all sorts of musicians and artists from this area with handmade crafts, face painting & children’s area, interactive art activities for folks of all ages. Sounds like a pretty cool lineup of rockabilly, groove and jazz music on tap, too! Free and open to the public.
With Spring busting out all over, you know it’s festival time, so here is another one you might want to check out! Florence Marina State Park is having their annual Festival by the Lake Craft Day this Saturday. Now, when they say crafts, it may not be exactly what you’re thinking because they’ll have craftsmen showing off their skills in blacksmithing, flint-napping, knife making, wood carvers, rug makers, story-tellers, quilts, and candle dipping. They’ll even have info on bee keeping and all sorts of crafts on sale, not to mention a fishing booth, face-painting, and even a ride-the-bull game! And no festival is complete without live entertainment and some good eats. Or you can pack your own picnic basket and have a spread on one of their lakeside picnic tables!
There's also the annual Kaleidoscope Concert this Saturday night at RiverCenter. This performance is pretty unique because it showcases all 240 student musicians from CSU's Schwob School of Music and they’ll be performing a really fast-paced, high energy 70-minute concert that will include all sorts of musical styles. And this is pretty cool…they are dedicating the performance to our military troops! By the way, this is another ArtBeat of Columbus event.
And, if you’re looking for one more reason to get outside this weekend or maybe you have a love for horses, then head to Poplar Place Farms because beginning today and going through Sunday, it’s the largest event they have all year! Look for more than 450 horses in events that include show jumping, dressage and cross-country. The farm is located just off Highway 27, just before you get to Hamilton.
Yep, looks like Spring has Sprung!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Goodbye Winter! Time for Spring Fun in Columbus, GA!
Finally. It's the last weekend of winter but if you check the Event Calendar, you'd think it was already spring with all of the events happening this weekend! Take a look at just a few of the things going on...there is a huge selection of things to do, so get busy making some weekend plans.
First up, Friday night (3.15) brings us one the biggets and most fun fundraisers all year. It's Toast of the Town at RiverMill Event Center and it's all to benefit the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. By attending, you'll be helping to support a great organization...not to mention the fact that you'll get to sample tastings from some of the finest chefs in our region, quench your thirst with samplings from vineyards, breweries and distilleries---you know, adult libations--there's live music, silent auction and just a whole lot of fun!
Another big annual event you don’t want to miss this Saturday (3.16) is the big RiverBlast event at Port Columbus! This is a really cool interactive living history event and each year they have a different theme about the Civil War. Ladies…you’re going to really appreciate this one! It’s all about the Columbus Women’s Riot of April 11, 1863. A bunch of women got together to demonstrate how ticked off they were about high prices and scarcity of goods and they armed themselves with knives and pistols and marched on Broadway! Find out more about that and you can also check out the symposium that will talk about how all Columbus citizens dealt with the hardship of war, plus they’ll be have lots happening on the grounds of the museum with drills, encampments, programs on the Water Witch, and of course, cannon firings!
Here’s a great way to help out a wonderful organization…PAWS Humane…wet your whistle with some cold brew, and maybe even find your four-legged forever-friend with the pet adoptions at the Stage on Broadway this Friday night! It’s the Pints for PAWS Bar Crawl Fundraiser where $1 from each wristband purchased for the Downtown Nightlife Association’s Bar Crawl will go to PAWS Humane. Starts at 7:30pm.
Disney on Ice is back at the Columbus Civic Center and it looks like this show is bigger and better than ever! It’s called “Worlds of Fantasy” and it features four of everybody’s favorite Disney stories. You’ve got high-speed stunts with Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew from Cars; the Little Mermaid will be there with her undersea kingdom; then we’ll head to Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and all of her friends; then finally, the whole gang from Toy Story decides to bust out of Sunnyside Daycare and head for home! Shows run Friday through Sunday.
No matter who you are, it seems we all claim to be a little Irish on St. Patrick’s, so that means we’ll all enjoy this “Luck of the Irish Pops Concert” at the Trade Center this Sunday (3.17)! But it gets even better…you don’t just get to hear some toe-tapping Irish music as performed buy the incomparable Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, but you even get to enjoy an elegant lunch buffet…that means you don’t have to cook Sunday lunch! So if you love traditional Irish music, or some of the more contemporary pieces you might hear on Lord of the Dance, or just love some good, old-fashioned Irish fiddling, you’ll love this!
And finally, well, I can attest to this one firsthand! It’s one of the most fun productions the Springer Opera House has ever done and if you are the slightest bit of a Beatles fan, you MUST go see this show!! It's called "Yesterday & Today: An Interactive Beatles Experience" and you only have two more opportunities to see it…tonight and Saturday night. By the time they sang the last song, everyone in the theatre was on their feet dancing and singing! Tickets range from $15-$35.
I'm off to kiss winter goodbye and get ready for all of the events happening here this spring.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Who Else is in Need of Some Weekend Fun?
Anyone? Anyone? Yep, that's what I thought...we all are in need of a little fun this weekend. How about a couple of ideas of things you might like to check out? Oh, and don't forget to take a look at the Event Calendar because there's a lot of good info there.
Wednesday afternoon I was walking back to my office from a meeting and when I turned the corner to walk past the Springer Opera House, how excited was I to hear Beatles tunes being blasted from the balcony!? They are getting us all in the mood for the show that opened last night called “Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience.” Now, this isn’t just another bunch of guys who dress up and sort of sound like the Beatles…these guys are being called America’s foremost Beatles virtuosos. They don’t dress up or look like John, Paul, George (my first love), or Ringo, but they have spent years perfecting the entire Beatles catalogue note for note and producing a harmony that just won’t wait! And something really cool about this performance, the audience helps create the playlist every night so each show is different!
If you check the calendar, Spring is only 19 days away! That means of course some serious Spring cleaning and sprucing up around the house. If you’ve got some ideas of things you’d like to do around your house or need some ideas, head to the 2013 Home and Garden Show at the Trade Center this weekend. They’ll have tons of local and regional vendors set up with products for the home and lawn and garden all under one big roof. Plus, they’ll have a big selection of plants and flowers and other merchandise you might just have to take home with you. The cool thing about this show is that they aren’t there just to sell you some product, but they’ll have plenty of seminars and demonstrations to show you just how to complete your projects. You can even bring the kids to this one because they’ll have lots of activities for them. You’ll even have a chance to win some door prizes!
I know this is one that guys just won’t get, but ladies are going to love it! The Columbus Museum is having a really unique shopping experience going on today only called the Accessories Boutique. See, we ladies know that you can go out and buy a pair of black pants and a white shirt and keep it in your wardrobe forever because the trick is to accessorize! Finding the perfect piece or pieces of jewelry, a vintage handbag, a wrap, a hat or shoes can completely transform any outfit, so really…you’re saving yourself lots of money not buying new clothes! Hey, when it comes to shopping, I can come up with any story to rationalize a new handbag! They'll even have an expert stylist on hand to help you pick out the perfect pieces. This ties in nicely with the exhibit going on called “Parasols, Purses, and Petticoats” so take some time and check it out while you’re there. A portion of all proceeds benefit the Museum.
Also put on your radar to head to Oxbow Meadows for their Saturday Reading Club for Kids, the Benning Bazaar at Ft. Benning's Building 4, or Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Mikado" at RiverCenter for one show only Saturday night.
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Ft. Benning-Military, Shopping, on Thursday, February 28, 2013
It’s Time for “Sweet” Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
I took a look at the Event Calendar and can't believe (OK, yes I can believe it!) all the good stuff going on this weekend and next week for Valentine's Day! If you haven't made any weekend plans or need some ideas for something special to do with your hun-bun on Valentine's Day, maybe this will help.
Now, before I get all carried away with what a fun event this one is, more importantly, it’s a tremendous fundraiser for the Columbus Hospice Pet Piece of Mind Program. It provides veterinary & grooming services, and pet food for their patient’s needs. So the event itself is called Purse Party for Pets and it is one big party! I went with my buddy Helen last year and we giggled from the time it started until it was all over. Not only did I come home with a vintage Chanel handbag that was in my price range, but we were thoroughly entertained be the local male celebrities who modeled the handbags! If you’ve never seen Councilor Pops Barnes strut his stuff on the catwalk slinging a leather clutch bag—you just haven’t lived! Plus, there’re all sorts of great party food and champagne, as well as a silent auction. It's all happening at the Green Island Country Club beginning at 11:00am on Saturday (Feb 9).
Here’s something else that if you haven’t done yet, well you’re really missing out! Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theatre is kicking off another season with a killer (get it?!) performance called “The Godfather Murders.” Seems it’s the 100th birthday celebration of the Godfather, Don Cannoli Tortellini Pimento Clamato and the time has come for him to name a successor. Who’s he going to choose? Or will the ruthless Ravioli family make their move before he has a chance to make a move? Everybody in the audience (that's you!) wants a piece of the action and gets to be a part of the fun. This is great date-night potential because not only will you be entertained, but you get to have a delicious meal with fancy salad, steak and all the fixins for the main course, and dessert. Word of warning, tickets are going really quickly for this—tonight’s show is full and there are only a handful of seats left for Saturday. There’s also next weekend and a special show on Valentine's night!
Here’s a nice way to wind down the weekend! The Columbus Jazz Society presents the Lou Vallee Four with Suzanne Swann this Sunday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church from 6:00-9:00pm. Admission is only $10.
Ok, normally we talk about things happening over the weekend, but I have to tell you about a couple of events coming up next week for Valentine’s Day! If you’ve got a special someone, celebrate it! So here are a couple of ideas for you to start planning for...and yes, guys, I'm talking to you! First up, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has a performance called “A Charlie Chaplin Valentine’s” where they are going to show the classic black & white film “The Circus” and the CSO will play live in the orchestra pit to accompany the movie. I went to one of these a few years ago and it was really cool…you get completely caught up in the movie and the music!
How about seeing the classic film, Casablanca? The Springer Opera House is having one of their special movie screenings on Valentine's Day and this is another great idea for a special date night…or if you just love the movie and want to see it on the big screen. If you’ve never seen it before, a real quick synopsis: Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. All we need now is a piano playing to really set the mood! Get there a little early for concessions because the Saloon opens at 6:30pm.
And to conteract all the chocolate hearts and Kisses we'll be consuming this holiday, we might need/want to check this one out! You don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to start the fun…you can compete with your special someone in the Big Dog Valentine’s Couples 5-K Relay! There are 8 divisions…husband/wife, dads/daughters, mothers/sons, etc. Cost to join in the fun is $50 and that includes 2 race shirts and a post-race spread at Iron Bank Coffee Company! Race kicks off this Saturday (Feb 9) at 5:00pm.
Well, there's a quick tease with a few of the events this weekend...time to make some choices!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, February 8, 2013
Happy New Year in Columbus, GA!
Happy New Year!! It's hard to believe the holidays are coming to a close, but not to worry...there's still plenty of fun happenings going on that you can enjoy with family and friends! Remember, you can always check the Event Calendar to find out details of what's going on in town and to get you started planning your New Year's fun, here's a quick look at just a few things taking place.
Looks like lots to choose from at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain! Friday night (Dec 28), it’s the Cold Moon Ramble! Awaken your senses on a 1-mile night trail easy walk lit by the full moon, stars and lights from the valley below. Meet at the Amphitheater next to Park Office. Recommended for ages 7 & up. Make sure you bring a flashlight!
Don’t forget about the 4-legged members of the family! They need some holiday fun, too. Dress them up and take them to Bark In The Park: Dog Parade & Walk this Saturday from 1:00-2:00pm at FDR State Park. Bring your canine friend (festive attire encouraged) and join us for an easy forest romp. New sounds, sights, and discoveries for all of us! Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. You do not have to have a pet to join the walk because everyone is welcome! Meet next to the Trading Post and bring water for you buddies.
And, if you need to treat your lungs to some fresh air, lace up your walking shoes and join in on the First Day Hike on Tuesday (Jan 1) beginning at 1:00pm. Bring the family and explore the woodlands along the Mountain Creek Trail with guides from Pine Mountain Trail Association and Roosevelt State Park. This 3.2-mile easy trail will begin at the Training Post in the Campground in the Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. There is a $5 parking fee for all events.
Speaking of animals, this Saturday, (Dec 29), No Kill Columbus will hold their 2nd Annual Candlelight Vigil, to honor over 4,000 pets whose lives were ended at the city’s municipal facility in 2012. The solemn event will take place at Columbus Animal Care and Control, at 4910 Milgen Rd, from 5:30-7:30pm. The peaceful gathering will include guest speakers hot chocolate, live music, and a moment of silence. Candles will be provided at the event, and all are invited to join.
Have you ever pictured yourself ringing in the New Year at a formal ball? Now you can at the 2012 Rivertown New Years Eve Ball, held at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. Open to all couples or singles, this event is a formal, “Black Tie” Ball. The evening begins with dinner at 7:00 followed by the Ball at 8:30, a balloon drop with over 3,000 balloons at midnight, a champagne toast and party favors. The event will be followed by a continental breakfast. A cash bar and Portrait CD’s will also be available. Music will be provided by the Edd Jones Orchestra performing a mixture of all types of dance music. The event, hosted by the Mr. & Mrs. Club of Columbus, will feature a silent auction benefiting the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as well as prize drawings at each intermission. Seating is limited so purchase your tickets early. Tickets for the Ball are $75.00 per person and can be obtained on line at www.rivertownball.com or by calling 706-569-7788.
There's a little something fun for everyone to wind down this holiday season. Here's hoping 2013 will be your best year yet!
Now, go have some fun...
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, on Thursday, December 27, 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
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
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
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
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 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