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

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, May 4, 2012

Get your Play Clothes on because it’s Weekend Time in Columbus, GA!

Just checked the weekend forecast and I'm certainly no meteorologist, but even I can tell this looks like a perfect weekend to get out and have some Springtime fun!  And just in case you're wondering if there is anything going on, boy did you come to the right place.  I was taking a look at the Community Calendar and there is no shortage of things to get into this weekend.  Here are just a couple of things you might want to add to your "To Do" list!

If you love barbeque, great music, games and good times down by the river, you’re going to love this!  It’s the “Uptown Bash on the Banks” and it all happening tonight and all day tomorrow on Bay Avenue along the RiverWalk.  Everything kicks off Friday night at 6:00pm with the 5th Annual Char-Broil Pig Bowl People’s Choice Awards—that means you get to sample some FINE bbq, wine tasting, music from Mudcat—a great blues band out of Atlanta and a Corn Hole tournament.  Then on Saturday, the day kicks off with the Big Cat Quest Fishing Tournament, there’s the Columbus Police Department Car Show, the Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned cook-off—hosting many of the top professional BBQ cooing teams in the southeast!—kayak demonstrations, more live music and tons more! It's all taking place on Bay Avenue in Uptown Columbus and admission is free.

It doesn’t get any ‘cooler’ than this!  Disney on Ice is bringing a spectacular show to the Civic Center called Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey.  This is another great way to kick off the weekend, but it runs through Sunday, so hopefully you can pile up the kids in the car and catch this show before the weekend is over.  Looks like all the cool folks will be there—besides Minnie & Mickey, there’s also Ariel and Sebastian from the Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan & Tinkerbell, and Lilo & Stitch.  Lots of great music, costumes, neat stories and of course, some incredible skating!  Admission ranges from $15-$40.

Don't forget Market Days is going on Saturday from 9:00am-12:00pm and you’ll find all sorts of locally grown fruits, veggies and flowers as well as art and handcrafted items!  Look for it in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway in Uptown Columbus.

Looks like a really full day of fun just south of Columbus in Lumpkin, GA with their Spring Celebration!  They are packing tons of stuff in on Saturday including arts & crafts, carnival rides like the inflatable slide, the whirly bird, the merry to round, the striker; and a balloon & dart game, not to mention raffles, lots of live entertainment, and there will even be a street dance that night! Back to the music, they are planning on having gospel, country, R&B, and jazz…in fact the Army Jazz Band  will be performing in the afternoon and Lou Vallee & Suzanne Swan  from the Columbus Jazz Society will also be taking the stage!  This is a fundraiser for Lumpkin’s Downtown Development Authority.  Believe it or not, admission to all of this is free, but donations are welcome!

With a name like “Spring Chicken Fling,” this has got to be good!  This is an annual event put on by Northside High School’s Band. Saturday from 11:00am-3:00pm, they’ll have the Band Shell at Lakebottom Park set up with lots of great live music from bands like The Bob Barr Band, several of the bands from Northside and even schools like Blackmon Road, Midland and Double Churches. They'll entertain us while we pig out on lunch provided by Huckleberry’s BBQ and it’s a great deal!  For just $8 bucks you get ½ a chicken, baked beans, potato salad and Texas toast. 

I'm hungry just thinking about all the barbeque being cooked up for us this weekend!

And finally, if you’ve ever been curious about what loft living would be like, here’s your chance!  Check out the 2nd Annual Uptown Loft Tour this Saturday from 10:00am-5:00pm and get a peek inside these really unique places to call home.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the day of the tour at Eagle & Phenix Mill or Eleventh Street Lofts.  Proceeds benefit UpTown Columbus. 

Rest up so you'll be ready for this full weekend...there's something for everyone going on!

Now, go have some fun...

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, River Fun, Shopping, on Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Weekend is about to get underway in Columbus, GA!

Check the clock on the wall...we aren't that far from the beginning of the weekend, so hang in there because there is plenty to get out and do this weekend.  I've got a few ideas for you here, but I'd also suggest checking out the Community Calendar to get a real taste of what's happening.

A great way to kick off this weekend is with the Uptown Friday Night Concert at 7:00pm, so throw your lawn chair in the car and head to the 1000 block of Broadway for a night of great music with Lava Lamp doing some serious throwbacks with cover songs from the 70's…and it’s absolutely free!

Looks like MidTown and UpTown are the places to be this weekend!  First up, lace up your running shoes and do your stretching routine to get ready for the 6th Annual MidTown Classic 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run that kicks off Saturday morning at 8:00am.  MidTown Columbus is one of the prettiest parts of town so I can’t think of a better place to take a run or a walk…or a bike ride, but more on that in a bit!  Not only is this event going to be fun—all runners get to enjoy live music, food and door prizes after the race—but they are doing this for a good cause--raising money for the Wynnton Neighborhood Network, a non-profit organization that provides food and other necessities to families in Midtown Columbus; and Wynnton Neighborhood Housing.  It's $10 to join in the Fun Run and $25 for the 5K.

So if running isn’t your thing, how about filling up the air in your bike tires and set off for the MidTown Historic Bike Around on Sunday afternoon?  You don’t even have to be a serious cyclist to enjoy this ride…it’s a 4.6-mile, family-friendly ride that will take you by nine historic stops and there will even be an energizing station just in case you need a breather!  Everybody who rides gets a cycling bag and all sorts of goodies.  So what if you want to join in but don’t have a bike or helmet?  They’ve got you covered there too…you can rent a bike from Ride on Bikes for only $10 and they will also have helmets available.  There’s just something about being on a bicycle that gives you a whole different perspective than zipping by in a car.  You’ll see great sites and even learn something along the way!  If you bring your own bike and helmet, there's no cost to join in.

Now that you’ve walked, ran and biked all through MidTown Columbus, it’s time to kick back and relax with another free event...Party on the Lawn at the Historic Wynnton Arts Academy.  Even if you didn’t do any walking, running or biking, everybody is still invited to the party this Sunday beginning at 3:00pm.  It’s a great way to get a taste of MidTown Columbus…it’s where I happen to call home and I love it…and they’ll have all sorts of activities, food, fun and live music from the Ft. Benning Jazz Combo and the Genesis Gospel Choir from CSU.  This is also a great event for kids.  So come prepared to dance or chill out in your lawn chair—a great way to wind down the weekend!

Now if the title of this one doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will!  It’s the Wild & Scenic Outdoor Film Festival  AND World-Record Picnic Attempt at Oxbow Meadows this Sunday!  It’s the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, so the Chattahoochee RiverWarden, Oxbow Meadows and the Columbus Film Society all got together to bring this film series to Columbus.  The film series is incredible enough, but they wanted to make this event even more special, so they are urging everyone to bring a picnic dinner with you to enjoy as you watch the movie under the stars and everyone who does, will be counted as part of this world record picnic attempt that stretches from Columbus, GA to Melbourne, Australia!!  All the proceeds will be used for the development of a water quality education program at Oxbow.  Admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for students.

And finally, If music is good for the soul, then here’s an event you need to check out!  The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents a performance called “And now the Concerto…” this Saturday at 7:30pm at RiverCenter.  Tickets range from $5 to $38.

Now, go have some fun...

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Friday, April 20, 2012

One Fun-Filled Weekend Coming Up in Columbus, GA!

If you've been waiting for the perfect Spring weekend to get out and have some fun, well, this could be the one!  I was just looking at the Community Calendar and it looks like it's going to be one of those weekends where you'll need to build an itinerary to work in all this stuff.  Here are some of the one's that really jumped out at me, but believe me, there is something for everyone this weekend.

OK, in the history of the Springer Opera House, there has never been another production with a cooler title—“I Tweeted on my iPad and I ‘Liked’ It!”  This is a brand new comedy that takes a look at social networking, how folks are now communicating, how relationships are changing—it pretty much goes places other productions have never gone.  What really sets this one apart is that it is full of audience participation—you know when you go to the theatre or any kind of performance, they tell you to turn off your cell phone, but not here—they insist you pull them out and actually tweet and those will be incorporated into the improv scenes!  So the audience will actually have a major part in deciding where the team of comics and writers take each show.  It's running now through April 21 and admission ranges from $15-$35.

If on your bucket list you have things like:  Feed a 50-pound tortoise or Get up close and personal with a 15-foot reticulated python, well you’re in luck this weekend because it’s time for the 11th Annual Reptile Fest at Oxbow Meadows.  They have all sorts of cool things going on like animal touch tanks, all sorts of creepy reptiles, face painting, crafts, tons of games, and of course, the highlight of the day at noon—the “Hiss America Pageant!”  Here’s how this works:  If you have a gorgeous pet lizard, snake or turtle that you want to show the world, sign ‘em up!  Guests at the festival will be doing the voting, so the folks at Oxbow say bring on the props and costumes and go all out for this contest.  Then at 2:30, you can watch them feed the 4 big adult alligators! Admission is only $5 and things get cranked up this Saturday at 11:00am.

How about browsing among the best in blooms and greens this Saturday at Columbus Botanical Garden as part of their 2012 Plant Sale & Garden Market.  They’ll have lots of vendors on hand, displays and the ever-popular Masters Gardner’s Booth—so if you have a problem with one of your plants, take a sample and let the expert tell you how to do it right!  Put it on your calendar for Friday:  10:00am- 4:00pm or Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm

You can tell Spring is really here because this is the time of year when ‘sailors’ and ‘marines’ from both the Union and Confederate sides gather at Port Columbus for RiverBlast!  This is one of the coolest and the largest living-history weekends they do all year at Port Columbus and it draws re-enactors from all over the country.  These guys will be all decked out in their uniforms and doing weapons demonstrations and drills, skirmishes, event re-enactments and scenes from a typical day in the life of a sailor.  There really is something for everyone to enjoy—anything from a naval landing demonstration to Civil War poetry reading, to a performance by the Columbus Brass!  It's regular admission and the action will be taking place Saturday and Sunday.

Hold on to your zithers because there’s a really unusual concert happening this Saturday at RiverCenter called “Kaleidoscope Concert.”  This features more than 250 students and faculty from CSU’s Schwob School of Music performing a wide range of musical styles.  They’ll have large ensembles performing as well as some award-winning soloists and chamber ensembles.  So don’t think this is just going to be one guy with a violin on stage (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), because you’ll hear anything from a string orchestra, jazz, musical theatre, even steel drums and of course, zithers! Admission is only $20 for all of this music.

If you need some football action, the Columbus Lions are taking on the Louisiana Swashbucklers this Saturday beginning at 7:30pm at the Columbus Civic Center.  And how fun is this?  It’s Cancer Awareness Night so watch out for Pink Footballs and Pink Jerseys! 

We've got a great list of things to do now we just need to wait a few more hours for this weekend thing to get underway!

Now, go have some fun...

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, April 12, 2012

Easter Weekend Fun Hops into Columbus, GA!

The Easter Weekend is upon us it's chocked full of fun things to do with the family! Here's a sampling of some of the events going on, but to get the full view of all that's happening, head to the Community Calendar for tons of ideas.

OK, maybe this one isn't really Easter-related, but I can't think of a better way to kick off a weekend! It’s quickly becoming one of the best music festivals in the state and that’s because it features all sorts of national recording acts and hometown favorites!  It’s the 5th Annual Frogtown Hollow Jam happening this Friday night and just about all day Saturday at Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus (Bay Ave).  If you love amazing music, you are going to be all over this because it’s wall to wall amazing acts including Whiskey Bent, Natalie Stovall and John Popper of Blues Traveler.  And you can’t have a real festival without festival food so go hungry and pig out on BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream, fresh squeezed lemonade and lots more.  Since this is a family event, they even have lots for kids to enjoy like inflatables, facepainting, stilt walkers & a puppet band!  Admission is $20 a day or you can get a 2-day pass for $30.

More good news and fun stuff coming out of Uptown Columbus as Market Days on Broadway kicks off this Saturday!  Believe ir or not, this kicks off the 6th year of Market Days and a lot of folks make this a part of their routine every Saturday (9am-12noon) because you never know what you’re going to see as it’s a little different each time.  What you can count on each week is loads of local farmers who sell locally grown fruits, vegetables and flowers & plants and other vendors who have all sorts of handmade treasures for sale like art, photography, jewelry, fresh baked goods  (if the lady is there with the cinnamon rolls, you have to one)…all kinds of cool stuff.  And something new this year, they’ll have a different activity going on…anything from Oxbow Meadows’ Creature Feature, to musicians, to PAWS Humane.  This Saturday, there’ll be live bluegrass music by The Justice Family.  Free admission...you just can't beat that!

If you’re ready to put out some plants for Spring, you might also want to check out Oxbow Meadows’ Native Plant Sale this Sunday cranking up at 2:00pm.  It makes a lot of sense to buy plants that are native to this area, so you know there’s a good chance they’ll be happy and thrive!  Free admission.

Alright, now we'll get into some of the 'egg-citing' (come on, you know it had to be said) Easter activities happening in the area.

Heading back to Uptown Columbus, this Saturday morning there will be an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10:30am in the green space on the side of the RiverCenter at 10th Street and Broadway.  They'll have the hunt divided into two age groups and they do suggest you get there a little before 10:30 so your kids won't miss any of the fun.  No admission for this one.

If you want to take your Easter celebration on the road, here are a couple of ideas:  Up at Callaway Gardens in the Overlook Azalea Garden, the Easter Bunny assistants have divided this Saturday afternoon hunt for all different age categories…starting off with toddlers and even giving parents and seniors a chance to look for eggs later in the afternoon! How cool is that?!  Be on the lookout for the Easter Bunny—he could be anywhere in the Gardens, so have your camera ready!

Then on Easter Sunday, Roosevelt’s Little White House will be hosting an authentic “Easter Egg Roll” similar to that held on the lawn of the White House in Washington!  Kids will push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon and they’ll divide everything into 3 age groups to keep things fair!  Bring your Easter baskets!  This all kicks off Sunday (Apr. 8) at 1:00pm and admission ranges from $8-$12 and does include admission to the museum, the Little White House and the pool comlex, so you can really make a day out of this.

And how much fun does this sound?  If you’ve hidden and hunted all the eggs you can, why not hang out with the Easter Bunny, have brunch with him and even take a ride on the SAM Shortline Train!  Talk about making some memories.  You'll need to meet the train at the Georgia Veterans State Park this Saturday at 11:00am (near Cordele on US Hwy 280).  It's a bit more of a drive, but it sure sounds worth it!  All tickets to ride the train and have brunch are $22.50.
 

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, River Fun, Shopping, on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Spring Fever Weekend in Columbus, GA!

OK, maybe I'm rushing it a bit…Spring doesn't officially start for a few more days, but this warm weather and sunshine have me in the mood to get out and have some fun!  Who cares if the air is full of pollen…that's what they make allergy medicine for…it's just too pretty to sit at home and do nothing!  So here's a few suggestions of things you might want to do this weekend.  It's shaping up to be a full one, so you may want to head to the Community Calendar to get a complete listing of happenings or to get more scoop on the events listed here.

No doubt you're going to see and hear things buzzing overhead this weekend, but don't be alarmed…it's all part of the Thunder in the Valley Airshow at the Columbus Airport this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am-5:00pm each day.  If you've been before, you know how awesome this is…if this will be your first time there, prepare to be amazed!  There will be aerobatics, vintage war birds, US Army Infantry vehicles, airplane and helicopter rides, a kid's carnival, tons of great food…and if it flies or has ever flown, chances are it will be on display or in the air.  Admission is only $10 for adults, $8 for military and free for Scouts in uniform and also for ages 6 and under.

Art lovers—check this one out!  The second annual Let There Be Art! at the Columbus Museum once again celebrates the brightest and most talented artists from the East Coast, across the South, and stretching across to Europe in a tremendous show and sale. We truly feel fortunate to have such a magnificent display of paintings, pottery, and porcelain in one venue—our own Columbus Museum! To learn more about the featured artists and view the fabulous art that will be on display, visit columbusmuseum.com/lettherebeart.

Speaking of things that the artistic ones among us will enjoy, here are a couple of things you might like to explore.  First up, the Joseph House and Columbus Artist Guild will have artists painting outside as part of the Plein Air Painting of Uptown 2012.  The paintings that are finished will be exhibited at the Joseph House Art Gallery from April 1, 2012 through April 27, 2012. These paintings will be watercolor, acrylic, and oils done by local artists.  You can catch these artists at work between Saturday and next Friday (Mar 17-23)

This sounds pretty cool—The first public exhibit of Octogenarian and master cross stitcher, Jinny Reed, shows a lifetime of work, to benefit the Sally DeMuth Scholarship Fund, in memory of her daughter Sally. This event is open to the public and admission is free. The Sally DeMuth Scholarship fund was established In May 2011, to honor beloved educator, librarian and teacher Sally Reed DeMuth, who lost a valiant 5 year battle with ovarian cancer on March 17th, 2011. The event takes place at Vintage 222, located at 222 7th Street this Saturday (Mar 17) from 4:00 - 8:00pm.

And what sort of red-headed, green-eyed Irish girl would I be if we didn't mention a couple of things going on in honor of St. Patrick's Day?  Let's start off Saturday with a little history at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and their event called "Paddy Goes to Sea:  Irishmen in the Civil War Navies."  It will focus on the part played by Irish immigrants and Irish Americans in the Navies of the American Civil War.

Of course, you've got to have a party to crash this Saturday, so head to Uptown Columbus for the St. Patrick's Day Concert featuring The Boneheadz.  It all starts at 7:00pm in the 1000 block of Broadway and…here's the best part…wait for it…it's absolutely free!!!  Bring your lawn chair…

So, it's only fitting this week that I close with my favorite Irish toast—"May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead!"  I just love that one…

Have a great weekend!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, March 16, 2012

Weekend Fun Anyone?  Yes, Please!

The end of another long week is in sight so that means it's time to start thinking about the important and meaningful things in life…like what sort of fun can we line up!?  There are always plenty of things to get out and do in and around Columbus and to make planning your fun-time even easier, bookmark the Community Calendar and take a peek at it often because events are always being added or updated. To get you started, here's a quick look at a few things you might want to add to your wish-list.

If you hear roars of laughter coming from inside RiverCenter Friday night (1.27), don’t be alarmed….it’s because Jerry Seinfeld is back in town! I believe this is the 3rd time he’s been to Columbus, so it’s obviously a good show if we keep bringing him back. I saw him a few years ago and I can tell you that whether or not you watched his show when it was on television, you will love his stand-up routine. Seinfeld’s so good at making the little, ordinary, mundane things in life seem so hilarious and because he is joking about these ordinary happenings, everyone can relate to him and his stories. If you haven’t seen him live, and even if you have, I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night. Count it as your ab workout for the week!

How about something really intriguing at the Springer Opera House?  Richard Nixon was maybe one of the most polarizing public figures of the last century. Disgraced as president and forced to leave the White House, Nixon was the first president to resign from office. Three years after leaving the White House, Nixon, who had not done a television interview since, decided he needed to remake his image and get some much-needed money. So he seeks out Frost, a lightweight British entertainment reporter figuring he wouldn’t ask any hard questions. However, Frost sees this as the opportunity of a lifetime. So you have Nixon that wants to save his image and Frost, who wants to save his career and the result was an electrifying event that shook the nation. A little known fact is that all the television networks turned down the interview and Frost had to personally call them and beg for the airtime. Even those youngsters that may not be aware of these infamous interviews will enjoy this show and hopefully learn a little bit about American history.

If you’re an antique lover and need some new pieces for your home, this event is for you. Starting Friday and running through Sunday, the Uptown Columbus Antique Show will be at the Convention & Trade Center. The show features dealers from the Atlanta area and you’ll be able to find furniture, sterling silver, fine estate jewelry, Persian rugs, fine French antiques and much more. It’s a shopper’s paradise of unique and beautiful items!  Admission is only $3!

Commemorate FDR’s birthday one day early, this Sunday at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain. Author David M. Burke Jr. will be there to sign copies of “Images of America Warm Springs.” And what birthday celebration would be complete without cake?! Join staff on this Sunday at 11:00am and have a piece of cake, cool drink and learn a little bit about an important person in American history.

To kick-off the 60th anniversary of Callaway Gardens in 2012, they are offering free admission to all guests for 60 days. This began January 1 and will run through February 29, 2012. What a great deal! It may technically be winter but these mild temperatures we’ve been having are perfect to enjoy the bike and walking trails and other outdoor activities and if it does turn cold, you can still enjoy the indoor butterfly center and the gorgeous floral displays at the Sibley Horticultural Center.

See?  There's a little something for everyone this weekend…you just have to decide which one you want to do first!  Don't forget to check the Community Calendar to see what else is going on.

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Shopping, on Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Year just Started but there’s lots to do in Columbus, GA this Weekend!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season and let's cross our fingers that 2012 will be the best year yet for us all!  The holidays may be over, but If you're still in the mood to get together with family and friends this weekend, you're in luck because there's plenty of fun things to get out and do.  Before we take a quick look at a couple of things happening, just a quick reminder to check the Community Calendar often because that is a great spot to find out more details on these and tons of other events.

OK, I know the title says Gospel Brunch, but stay with me on this one. If you are a fan of rock ‘n roll music, you are going to love this! The Columbus Museum has a brand new exhibit on display called “Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography” and it is incredible! There are amazing photos of the Beatles, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, Little Richard—and more of the most notable and memorable figures in rock ‘n roll of the last 50 years. But this Sunday, not only can you take a look at these photos, but plan to attend the brunch where they will be serving New Orleans-style cuisine and have live music by the Genesis Gospel Choir.  Cost to attend is $25 for Museum members and $30 for non-members.

So you can spend the earlier part of Sunday at the Columbus Museum and then head out to Oxbow Meadows for the special Second Sunday program they’ll have going on (2:00pm). The program is all about bees and the fact they seem to be disappearing—a topic that’s been in the news a lot lately. Oxbow and the Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association are screening the film “Vanishing of the Bees,” which was filmed across the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia. It takes a look at the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and earth. When the film is over, the Beekeepers president will lead a question and answer session. Plus, you can take a look at the hive on site. Can’t imagine life without biscuits and honey!!!!  Admission is only $3.

Well, here we are in the middle of winter, but it’ll be time for June weddings before you know it! Actually, weddings aren’t so much of a summer tradition anymore because you can have it any season and put your own twist on it. If you’ve got a wedding coming up in the near future, you need to head to the Convention & Trade Center this Sunday for the big Wedding Extravaganza. So if you’re drowning in a sea of choices and ideas or don’t even know how to start planning, here’s a good way to speak with tons of vendors in person, check out a spectacular fashion show, find out trends on entertainment, receptions, honeymoon locales, cake designs…you name it and they’ll have info on it to make your planning a whole lot easier! They’ll also have demos, samples and they’ll be giving away some great prizes!  It'll only cost you $6 to get in and enjoy the show.

If you thought all of the great after Christmas-sales were over, get ready for one more because this is a good one! The Columbus Museum is holding their annual Winter Sale this Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re planning to go to the Gospel Brunch this Sunday, tack on a few extra minutes to explore some of the cool things they have in the Gift Shop and you’ll get really good deals…like 30-75% off. That’s my kind of sale!! And since it’s at the Museum, you know they’ll have cool artsy stuff for sale but also unique handcrafted jewelry, giftware, handbags, scarves, books about local history, historic and art-related children’s toys, and much more! So not only will you rack up on cool stuff but remember, all sales benefit the Columbus Museum’s educational programs and exhibitions.  Free admission!

Just a couple of ideas to get you started making your weekend plans.  Don't forget to visit the Community Calendar!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Friday, January 6, 2012

It’s Going to be a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Columbus, GA!

After weeks, and in the case of some people, months of preparation, the holidays are finally here!  It's definitely a time to spend with family and friends and celebrate the season.  But if you need  to get your family and friends out of the house for a bit, you can always head to the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus (they are closed only on Christmas Day), the National Infantry Museum (closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), or the Civic Center for action on the ice with the Columbus Cottonmouths (Dec. 27), or enjoy Wonderful Wednesday at the Columbus Museum.

And don't forget to always check the Community Calendar...events are always being added!

Now, go have some Holiday Fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, December 22, 2011

Even More Weekend Holiday Fun in Columbus, GA!

And you thought last weekend was busy with fun stuff!  We'll you're right, but this weekend ain't too shabby either.  Here's a quick look at a few of the things going on, but remember to always check the Community Calendar...it's THE best place to go when you're looking for things to do in and around Columbus. 

One of my personal favorite traditions and definitely a local must see during the holiday season, A Tuna Christmas is now showing in Foley Hall at the Springer Opera House. Set in Texas’ third smallest town, Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson play a variety of hilarious characters. The Christmas season has descended upon the town of Tuna and everyone in town is in a tizzy about the annual yard display contest. Competition is fierce! Of course, the Christmas Phantom makes his appearance once again to threaten several of the entries. From the beginning to the end, you’ll be holding your stomach while laughing in the aisles as A Tuna Christmas celebrates its 10th anniversary!

Everyone needs to hear the Christmas story at least once during the season and hearing it through music makes it that much better. A regularly sold out tradition, Cantus Christmas, does just this through musical masterpieces and audience carols. The professional chorus, Cantus Columbus, presents the 12th installment of Message of the Season – Music of the Masters in Legacy Hall at RiverCenter this Monday night. This year’s concert will feature the Organ and Woodwind Quartet. If you haven’t been feeling the Christmas spirit yet or maybe you’re just looking for that special holiday event to make this year memorable, you need to get tickets to this today! It’s always a fantastic show and as I mentioned before, has been known to sell out…

Cinderella is still playing at the Springer Opera House until December 23! It’s an awesome show that kids of all ages will really enjoy. Full of comedy, dancing, music and romance, you don’t want to miss it.

What kid, of any age, doesn’t love a pajama party? The only thing better would be a Christmas themed pajama party! And this Sunday, you’re all invited to a Polar Express Pajama Party at the Imax Theater inside the National Infantry Museum. Guests will get to meet Santa and the Conductor, make holiday crafts and much on delicious holiday cookie. Then you’ll get to see The Polar Express in 3D on the gigantic screen inside the theatre. All of this while wearing your comfy pajamas, which is my kind of party! I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend the Sunday before Christmas than hanging out with my family, watching a great Christmas movie in my Rudolph pajamas.

Callaway Gardens has a new, must see event this season called “A Diva’s Christmas presented by Serenbe Playhouse.” It’s a jazzy holiday cabaret and dinner act that will knock your socks off. The evening begins with a delicious gourmet dinner, followed by lively Christmas entertainment. These three beautiful divas will sing an eclectic mix of Christmas standards and contemporary favorites, with lots of audience interaction and some rip-roaring sing-a-longs. Tickets are only $60 per person and that includes the show and dinner, and I can tell you that I saw the menu and my mouth started watering. Check it out on Callaway’s website if you’re ready to be hungry! Call today to make your reservation.

And if you just need a break from all the holiday fun, check out the new exhibit that just opened at the Columbus Museum called "Sound & Vision:  Monumental Rock & Roll Photography Exhibit, which captures some of rock & roll’s most notable and memorable figures of the last five decades with startling and remarkable images. It will run through April 1, 2012. Free admission!

There's plenty of good stuff out there to do, so get your family and friends together to make a plan for the weekend!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, December 15, 2011

More Weekend Holiday Fun in Columbus, GA

If you're looking for holiday fun the whole family can enjoy, then you're in the right place!  Columbus, GA offers all sorts of activities this weekend, so make your list..and with all of the events going on this weekend, you may have to check it twice!  I'll tell you, a great place to check is the Community Calendar...it has details about the following happenings and lots more.  So let's take a quick look at a few of the things going on.

It’s one of the most magical musical comedies ever, in my personal opinion, and the Springer Opera House is bringing it to life. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will grace the stage this holiday season making girls of all ages wish they could be a fairy-tale princess. But remember, this is a comedy about fairy godmothers, evil stepsisters, magic wands, beautiful dresses and of course…glass shoes. And when things get crazy as the clock strikes midnight, it’ll be a good thing those glass slippers made an appearance. There will be comedy, music, dancing and romance…everything a great date night should have!  TIckets range from $15-$38.

Two local events that are a must during the Christmas season are Country’s Reindeer Run & the Bi-City Annual Christmas Parade. The Reindeer Run is for the kiddies & is held every year at Country’s on Broad. It’s a brisk 1-mile, kids-only run, through Uptown. After the run, there’s a visit from Santa, free hot dogs for the runners, cotton candy, games & awards. Online registration is available today through 2 pm & is $20 or you can register on-site tomorrow morning for $25. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Immediately following the race, at 10am, is the Christmas Parade. There are over 100 entries including floats, cars, youth groups & more & of course, Santa with his sleigh and reindeer. It begins in Phenix City at Broad St & Dillingham, will travel north on Broad St to 13th St, then over the 13th St Bridge to Columbus & south on Broadway to 9th St where it ends.

Enjoy an old-fashioned 1850s Christmas Celebration at Westville this Saturday (Dec 10) from 10am to 6pm. Visit with Father Christmas, make your own tree candle, enjoy a reading of The Night Before Christmas, see the Lighting of the Lanterns and so much more! Admission is $10 per person.

Ever drive down the road and see those beautiful homes all decorated on for Christmas on the outside and think, “Hmmm, I really wish I could see the inside of that house. I bet it’s gorgeous!” Well, this Sunday (12-6pm) you can! Historic Columbus is doing their Holiday Tour of Homes in the fantastic Averett Woods and Hilton Heights neighborhoods this year. 7 mid-century homes will be open to the public and decorated to the nines. Carolers and refreshments will be at the Mistletoe Market at Clubview Elementary Gym, where you can also purchase handmade and homemade holiday treats, décor, and other items. You can buy advance tickets ($20) at several locations around town or the day of at each residence ($25).

The Nutcracker, that classic, must see during the Christmas season is coming to RiverCenter this weekend. On Saturday & Sunday, The Columbus Ballet will wow the audience and make them see visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. This is a show for kids of all ages and a great way to celebrate the holidays with your family.  Tickets range from $18-$20.

Make your tree even more special with a one-of-a-kind, made-from-your-hands holiday ornament. Local potter, Irene Pate, will be on hand at Oxbow Meadows (Sunday, 2:00pm) to help attendees design their own special ornament to take home and place front and center on the tree. These are the kind of ornaments that have a story and make you smile as you hang them year after year. Admission is only $3 but supplies are limited so make your reservation today!

So jingle all the way and enjoy some holiday cheer with your family and friends this weekend!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, December 8, 2011

Santa, Singing and SNOW in Columbus, GA!

It's time for some serious weekend holiday fun in Columbus, GA so we've put together a quick list of some of the things you really should take time for.  It's a BUSY weekend, so here's a quick peek at just of a few of the happenings, but make sure you check the Community Calendar for all the details.

And yes, we said SNOW in Columbus, GA!  Tonight (Dec. 2), it's the 5th Annual Broadway Holiday in Uptown Columbus—complete with a parade, lots of Christmas carols being sung by area school choirs, the Coca-Cola Bear, the lighting of the huge Christmas tree, hot chocolate, hot chestnuts, Santa in the gazebo (kids, bring your wish list!) and lots and lots of 'snow!'  Something new this year, PAWS Humane will be there with a trailer full of furry, four-legged friends looking for their forever home.  That would make the best present ever.  It all takes place in Uptown Columbus in the 1100 block of Broadway from 6:00-8:00pm and it's all absolutely free!  If you've got kids…you have to bring them to this one!

I started putting up my Christmas last night & I’m proud to say I’ve gotten all the lights strung & a total of 7 ornaments on it. There was a point while stringing the lights that I thought to myself that I’m getting one of those real-looking trees, already strung with lights. What about a tree that not only has all the lights on it, but if also professionally decorated?! I’m loving this idea! That’s exactly what’s gong on with the first-ever River City Festival of Trees at RiverCenter. It’s sponsored by & is a fundraiser for Keep Columbus Beautiful. Designers have decked out these 7-1/2’ trees & they are available for silent auction & they’ll be raffling off two trees. They’ll announce the winners at the Finale Party Monday at 5:30. Can you imagine? A tree already decorated and you can just store it in a bag and you’re set for next Christmas!  Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.

If you need a little music to get you in the holiday spirit, the Ft. Benning’s Maneuver Center of Excellence Band is holding their annual concert this Sunday at RiverCenter. There are performances at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Admission is free, but tickets are required…available on post at Omega Travel or at RiverCenter’s box office.

Something that’s become a real tradition around here is the Annual Victorian Open House that Port Columbus puts on every Christmas. In fact, it’s gotten so popular that they expanded it to two weekends this year. If you missed it last weekend, not to worry, Santa will be there all decked out in his fancy, Victorian Christmas suit—red and white striped pants and a dark blue jacket with big with stars! So here’s another chance kids have to get their list together and go talk to the big guy himself. This is also a great place to have professional photos taken (they’ll have photo packages available). You might even see Victorian-era carolers performing traditional Christmas songs, Victorian Vaudeville performers, and you can even knock out some holiday shopping in the Museum’s gift shop! Santa is even going to fire the cannon at the end of the day!!!

How about a little Christmas music the whole family will enjoy?! The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is having “A Christmas Family Concert” this Friday at RiverCenter. Santa is a busy guy this weekend because he’ll be there too, so bring your camera! They’ll also have Carmike Cinema popcorn, hot cocoa and cookies, candy canes, Christmas games, and of course, lots of festive Christmas music designed especially with kids.

Enjoy breakfast this Saturday (Dec 3) with Santa and then stay for one of the best Christmas movies ever…The Polar Express in 3-D at the IMAX Theatre at the National Infantry Museum. Tickets are $10 for all ages and that includes breakfast and the movie. It all starts at 9:00am.

You have to take a break from shopping at some point, so include some of this fun in your 'to-do' this weekend!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Ft. Benning-Military, Shopping, on Friday, December 2, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving from Columbus, GA!

It's a time for family, friends, and lots of good food!  But once all of the turkey has been gobbled and your family and friends are itching to get out of the house (or maybe you're the one ready for them to scoot!), there are a few things you can get out and do for fun…after all, you can only shop so much before you get overloaded!

Here's a great one everyone will enjoy and this has been so popular over the past few years that Port Columbus has added an additional weekend to their Victorian Christmas Open House!  Normally it's held the first weekend of December, but thanks to an opening in Santa's schedule, he's able to make it a little earlier for this weekend, too!  And when Santa visits Port Columbus, he gets all decked out in his special period outfit and really sets the stage for a unique celebration.  This weekend will feature first-person museum theatre performances showing life in the Civle War Navies and how Christmas was celebrated at sea.  Also, Victorian-era carolers will perform traditional Christmas songs, there will be a Victorian Vaudeville performances and the Museum Gift Store will be open to provide a perfect place to find really cool gifts!

If you really want to boot everyone from the house so you can start on your Christmas decorating, they might like to head south for "Christmas in Plains" to be held on Saturday, November 6 beginning at 5:30pm.  President Carter will light up downtown Plains for the Christmas season!  Or, you can head north when the sun goes down and experience the other-worldly beauty of Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens.  Believe it or not, this is the 20th anniversary for this spectacular event!  See the magic of Christmas come alive with the brilliance of eight million lights in one of the world's largest outdoor light and sound shows.  This is another great place to find gifts that are totally unique!  If you can't make it this weekend, make sure you put it on your calendar to do something between now and December 30…you don't want to miss this.

There's plenty of stuff to get out and enjoy and the best place to find all the details is the Columbus Community Calendar.

Whatever you do this weekend, we wish you the happiest of holidays!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

We Love Weekends in Columbus, GA!

And this weekend is no exception!  Take a quick look at just a few of the things going on…there's bound to be something here that tickles your fancy.

Maybe kick off the weekend with a good old-fashioned hay ride at the campground at FDR State Park.  They'll be doing rides Friday and Saturday nights (Nov 11 & 12) beginning at 7:00pm.  I can't think of a better way to get in the festive Fall spirit!

Put on your running shoes and get ready for the Soldier Marathon and Half Marathon that will crank up this Saturday at the National Infantry Museum, wind through Ft. Benning and end on the RiverWalk in Uptown Columbus.  The race begins at 7:00am, so bundle up and join in or cheer on the runners!

How about a little musical theatre this weekend?  The Springer Opera House has a production taking place called "Honky Tonk Angels."  Follow the adventures of three talented and sassy young women in this hit country musical as they pursue their Music City dreams in Nashville!  Looks like you'll be hearing some incredible music in this one…"Stand by Your Man," Coal Miner's Daughter," "9-to-5," and "These Boots are Made for Walking."  That should get your toes tapping!  If your weekend has already filled up, you can also catch it next weekend…go ahead and put it on your calendar!

If you're in an artsy mood this weekend, take the family to the Columbus Museum for their Family Art Festival this Sunday beginning at 2:00pm.  Drop by the studio and learn how to make a dreamscape window…and it's absolutely free!

'Tis the season to plant trees!  Find out more at the Second Sunday program at Oxbow Meadows called "Right Tree, Right Spot."  Experts from Trees Columbus, Inc will show you what to consider before planting a tree and give you all the scoop and answers you'll need for a healthy tree.  And how cool is this?  Everyone who attends will receive a free seedling!  Admission is only $3.

And there's no better way to wind down the weekend than with the monthly Jazz Jam at the Liberty Theatre.  The Jazz Concert and Jam Session will kick off at 6:00pm this Sunday evening.

It's going to be a beautiful weekend, so get out and enjoy!  Make sure you take a look at the Community Calendar for lots more ideas on things to see and do.

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Ft. Benning-Military, River Fun, on Friday, November 11, 2011

Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA?  Yes, Please!

You've come to the right place to find out about fun stuff to do in Columbus, GA this weekend!  It looks like another beautiful Autumn weekend, so let's get out and enjoy.  Take a look at these suggestions, then you should also take a couple of minutes to investigate the Community Calendar to find out more…because there is a lot going on again this weekend.

Now that it’s finally starting to feel like Fall around here, that can only mean one thing…it’s time for Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens! This Saturday (Nov 5), you’ll be able to enjoy this really unique event in a beautiful setting as you watch horses race and spend time with friends and family. You’ll also want to look for the terrier races, art displays, music, stylish tailgating and a HUGE kids zone with a ton of stuff to keep your little ones occupied. This event benefits the arts so it’s a great cause. If you want to start celebrating early, the big Chaser’s Eve party will take place Friday evening at The Columbus Museum.

It’s a big weekend for football in Columbus as Fort Valley State and Albany State battle it out on the field in the 22nd Annual Fountain City Classic! The game starts at 2pm on Saturday (Nov 5), but the festivities start way before that. On Friday (Nov 4) evening you can shop 'til you drop at the Vendor Fair Village at the Trade Center. From 5pm to 1am, you can get men’s & women’s fashions, Greek merchandise, accessories and more. Then on Saturday morning at 10am, the annual FCC parade will come across the 13th Street bridge and make it’s way down Broadway to 9th Street. You can start tailgating at 10am Saturday morning in the Civic Center parking lot.

The Coca-Cola Space Science Center will have a mobile astronomy night this Saturday at 7pm at the Center located on Front Ave. Attendees will be able to see the Moon, planets, star clusters and other bright objects in the night sky. You can bring your own telescope or they will have some available for use. Best part is…it’s FREE!

The 1850’s Village of Westville is celebrating the start of this new season with Harvest Days. Step back in time this Friday and Saturday and enjoy the cool Autumn weather as you learn about days gone by. Staff will be there to gin cotton, cook sugar cane syrup and make candles and soap. If you want to get in on the action, you can help stack hay and shuck corn. There will be plenty of games and you can enjoy some good old-fashioned Southern cooking. Bring the whole family and show the kids how easy they have it these days…we can just go to the store and buy our soap, candles and syrup. A fun and educational day!

If you’re wondering what to do with those pumpkins after Halloween, we have the answer for you. It’s Pumpkin Destruction Day at The Rock Ranch! How cool is this?! Guests will be able to assist in destroying any unsold pumpkins or they can bring their own. There will be a pumpkin cannon, pumpkin bowling, the hammer smash and the 40ft lift crane pumpkin drop among others. There will also be airplane pumpkin bombers and monster truck crushing pumpkins. Professional monster trucks are participating in this event and rides will be available for an additional $5. If you get hungry, there’s a pie eating contest too…pumpkin pie, I would assume. Pack a picnic or buy food onsite, but plan to make a whole day of it with the family.  The Rock Ranch is located about an hour's drive of Columbus in Thomaston…well worth the short drive!

And to wrap up the weekend, Callaway Gardens is offering free admissionon Sunday in honor of the Garden’s founder, Cason Callaway. Special organ concerts will be featured in the Ida Cason Memorial Chapel.  What a great deal!

Football, horses, astronomy, and pumpkins…you can't get much more diverse when it comes to finding something you might like to do this weekend!  Don't forget to take a look at the Community Calendar to find out more about these and other things going on.

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, November 3, 2011

Fall Mean Lots of Fun in Columbus, GA!

How 'bout this cool weather?! Throw on a sweater and get ready to head out this weekend to enjoy all the activities going on.  One of the best ways you can find out all the details of all this fun is by heading to the Community Calendar...you'll find a comprehensive list things to get out and do.

Here’s one of the coolest things they do all year at Port Columbus and, believe it or not, it’s the only big event they do all year that isn’t really related to the Civil War! It’s the Southern Pirate Festival and this thing has gotten so big that it’s now held on Saturday and Sunday! (Oct. 22 & 23) It’s going to be a swashbuckling day full of pirates, performers and skits, pirate music, pirate school, games, and entertainment of all kinds—anything from belly dancing to magicians. All the events during the day are great for the whole family, but then on Saturday night there’s the Dead Buccaneer’s Ball, a costume ball with a piratical attitude!

How about another favorite Fall tradition?! This weekend also sees the return of Oktoberfest at the Uchee Creek Activity Center at Ft. Benning. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy traditional German music (including an authentic oom-pah band!), food, games for all ages and a Volksmarch. If you’re a runner, check out the 10K race that starts at 9:00am or you can hop on the pontoon boat for a cruise, enjoy live music, join in on the Doggie Doppelganger contest—a dog and owner look-a-like contest, the Hot Dog competition (best costume), or the Clever Canine—the best tricks contest. And of course, there’s everyone’s favorite…the Ceremonial Keg Tapping! Remember this is a family event, everyone is invited & there is no entry fee!

Lace up your walking shoes and join in on the American Heart Association' is  annual Greater Columbus Heart Walk this Saturday beginning at 10:00am at the RiverWalk near CSU’s Riverpark Campus. Fun way to help out a great organization!

Judging from the amount of Candy Corn we've already consumed in our office, there's no doubt that Halloween is just around the corner…it’s even been feeling like Halloween weather…so the crew at Oxbow Meadows has something really cool to kick off this holiday! It’s Tricks, Treats, & Trails this Saturday beginning at 4:00pm. Kids can go trick-or-treating on the wetland trail and they may even meet wildlife who will tell them about their role in the environment, venture Beyond the Grave at the fossil exhibit inside the Natural History Center, come face to face with Swamp Thing at the alligator pond, or test your courage listening to ghost stories read by CSU’s Department of Theatre. There’ll be a costume contest, owls on display, staff from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center with their telescopes, pumpkins for sale, games and facepainting for kids and even something new this year…an Empty Bowl Pottery Sale to benefit Feeding the Valley.

So maybe your kids have been behaving exceptionally well this week…maybe…so why not treat them to a special kickoff to the weekend! There’s a fun show perfect for the younger members of the family happening at the RiverCenter Friday night (Oct. 21) called “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical.” It’s chocked full of adventure, song, and gigantic dancing laundry and it tells the tale of firsts…a stuffed animal’s first trip in the laundry and a little girl’s first words. And it’s all centered around the heart and heartache that can only come from a family visit to the local Laundromat! A great show for ages 4 and up!

Another way to celebrate the arrival of Fall and Halloween is by heading to The Landings this Saturday for the judging of the Scarecrow Contest! There will also be a pumpkin drop and the Chattahoochee Bee Keepers will have a bee demonstration. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

And that's just for starters!  Don't forget to go to the Community Calendar to get more details on these and plenty of other events.

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, Ft. Benning-Military, on Thursday, October 20, 2011

Columbus, GA—Get Ready for a Jammed Packed Weekend!

Another beautiful Autumn weekend, another weekend full of fun!  Clear your schedules of any non-fun related stuff and fill that time with one of the many events taking place.  I've got a quick peek at just a few of the things going on, but make sure you head to the Community Calendar to get all the details about these and other happenings.

If you’re planning on checking out Market Days on Broadway on Saturday (Oct 15), make sure you tack a little extra time so you can take a look at all the cool art that will be a part of the 16th Annual Arts on the River (11:00am-5:00pm). Local and regional artists will have their best works on display in the 1000 block of Broadway and…in case you see something you really like…it’ll be for sale too! They always have a good variety of artists with anything from pottery, pastels, photography, woodwork, even jewelry.  Free admission!

OK, I have to admit that I got more than a little thirsty reading about this event! It’s the 2nd Annual Backyard Brewfest happening this Saturday in the backyard/courtyard of The Loft (1032 Broadway). They’ll have live music from MudCat, food and lots of cold beer! In fact, they’ll have more than 100 different craft beers from around the world. You even get a complimentary souvenir mug for your taste testing! And if you prefer wine over beer, you can check out the brand new wine-tasting part of the event. Lest we forget that it’s a Saturday in the South in the Fall, there has to be football so they’ll be showing the Auburn v. Florida game on 3 big screen TV’s. You can get tickets in advance ($30) or at the door ($35).

When’s the last time you went on a real hayride? You’ve got a chance this Friday and Saturday night at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain! Just meet at the campground’s Trading Post and get ready to hit the trail at 7:00pm. It’s free, but donations will be accepted and there is a $5 parking pass.

It’s been called “the scariest comedy of all time” and I have to admit it’s one of my all-time favorite movies. Just the mention of “Eye-gor,” “Frau Blucher,” “Ovaltine,” “Abby Normal,” and “No Tongues” and you know we’re talking about one of Mel Brooks’ finest…Young Frankenstein!! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen it and never get tired of it…because it’s just that funny. So how cool is it that it’s being show Friday night (Oct 14) at the RiverCenter’s Studio Theatre! And it gets even better…it’s absolutely free and open to all of us. Just remember that it’s being shown in the Studio Theatre at RiverCenter, so seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first serve basis. This is the perfect set-up to the LIVE stage performance that will be at RiverCenter in a couple of weeks…more details to come!!!

Ready to do a little cycling? Then grab your bike and head for the Midtown Bike Around this Sunday! It’s a 9.3-mile ride that will begin and end at Dinglewood Park (across the street from Locos Grill & Pub on 13th St.) This is a great way to take in the sites of Midtown’s historic districts and even learn a little about Columbus’ 19th & 20th Century history. And don’t worry if it’s been a while since you’ve been on a bike! This ride is designed for cyclists of all levels and will be escorted by the Columbus Police Dept Bicycle Unit. Even if you don’t have a bike, they’ll have some on-site for rent for just $10. Remember that helmets are required! All registered participants get a cycling bag, t-shirt, and cycling bottle.

The music continues with Uptown's Friday Night Concert Series with Big Woody & The Splinters on stage in the median of Broadway from 7:00-10:00pm. This is a free, family-friendly event so bring your lawnchairs and enjoy a night of great music!

Well, there you have it…just a little taste of what there is to do this weekend.

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Thursday, October 13, 2011

Ready to Make Some Weekend Plans?  Columbus, GA is the Place to be!!

So how 'bout it?  Are you ready to make out your list of things to do this weekend?  I don't mean things like cleaning out the gutters, doing laundry or grocery shopping…it's time to have some fun, so let's take a look a just a few of the event taking place this weekend.  And so I won't ramble on for days, make sure you head to the Community Calendar to get all the scoop on these and lots of other happenings going on.

It’s another busy weekend in Uptown Columbus, but that pretty much seems to be the norm! First up, I can’t think of a better way to kick off this weekend than with a free concert in Uptown Friday night (Sept 30) and there’s a lot of buzz around this band…The Dirty Guv’nahs…so can’t wait to check them out. Take your family and your lawn chairs and enjoy the show in the 1000 block of broadway! And it's free…you gotta love that.

Then, it’s the 2nd Annual Seafood Festival brought to you by The Market (1039 1st Ave) and it’s a day crammed full of fun and this event has something for everyone…shopping, live music, SEC football, adult libations, and tons of SEAFOOD  (Saturday, 12:00noon-10:00pm)! They’re not kidding when they say tons…more than 12,000 pounds of seafood, 10 cooking stations and Columbus’ largest oyster bar are on tap. Lots of live music is planned from the likes of Ed Cox, Kevin Vannoy and The Soul Providers, a Kids Zone, and vendors set up with some great shopping opportunities! But the best part is that this will raise funds for AFLAC’s Children’s Cancer Center and ‘An Uptown Market Thanksgiving’ that will help feed the less fortunate this Thanksgiving.  Admission is only $10 for adults and ages 12 and under are admitted free.

This is one of the coolest things I’ve heard about in a long time! After the groundbreaking and hugely successful 2010 Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour, legendary rock band Kansas is not only continuing, but expanding the tour this fall…and that includes a stop right here in Columbus where they’ll be performing with the Schwob School of Music at CSU. Their first album was released back in 1974 and they have been churning out hits since then like “Point of No Return,” “Carry on My Wayward Son,” and “Dust in the Wind.” The point of this tour, besides getting to hear some incredible music, is they are helping to raise funds and awareness for college and university music programs. Make sure you check out the violinist—it’s one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen and Columbus’ very own David Ragsdale!  It's taking place in Heard Theatre at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts this Saturday night (Oct 1) beginning at 7:30pm and tickets range from $26.50-$46.50.

It’s also a big weekend at the Little White House in Warm Springs, GA! There are activities happening all weekend, so work this in your plans if you can. Kicking things off Saturday morning (10am) is the 3rd Annual Roosevelt Regatta at the Boat House. President Roosevelt loved all things nautical and this will include a model sailboat regatta, living history, knot-tying instructions, compass reading and more. Then there’s the Memorial Plaque Dedication on Saturday (1:00pm) celebrating the 100th Masonic Birthday of Pres. Roosevelt—they’ll even have lots of cool antique cars on display on the front lawn of the Little White House. On Sunday, the whole town will be celebrating FDR’s first visit to Warm Springs complete with a proclamation ceremony, an FDR impersonator, book signing, and even an “Ask FDR” segment!  Admission ranges from $5-$8.

If you’re in the mood for some theatre this weekend, you’re in luck! Not only will you find the “Blues Brothers Review” at the Springer (last weekend, by the way!), but there’s also a new musical production at the Liberty Theatre called “Purlie,” and this was written in part by screen legend Ossie Davis. The plot centers around a dynamic, traveling preacher, Purlie Victorius Judson, who returns to his small Georgia town hoping to save the community’s church. Performances will be held Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm and there's also a matinee this Sunday at 3:00pm.  Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for Seniors, Military, and Students, and kids ages 12 & under get in for $10.

And there’s even more theater being offered up and it’s one that younger members of the family will love… “Oliviatown” at the Springer Opera House. It’s a production created by two of the most talented people in Columbus—musician Alan Levi and artist Garry Pound. If your schedule has already filled up, go ahead and pencil it in for next weekend.  Admission: $5, $7, $10.

Maybe knowing there's a weekend of fun stuff coming up will help us get through the next couple of days!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Shopping, on Wednesday, September 28, 2011

What’s Going on in Columbus, GA this Weekend?  Plenty!

With this week's influx of cooler air, we're all ready to get outside and enjoy the reprieve from the heat!  And the even better news is that there's plenty to do, so you're bound to find something that piques your interest.  Here's a quick look at a few things taking place…but don't forget to take a look at the big Community Calender...it's chocked full of tons of fun ideas.

It’s that time again. Time to hear the rumble of motorcycles on Broadway for a good cause. Bikes on Broadway comes to the 1000 block of Broadway in Uptown Columbus again with a weekend full of activities. Things kick-off on Friday night (Sept 9) with two great bands taking the stage. Spent will play at 6:30 PM and Band of Thieves cranks up at 9:00 PM. There will also be a ton of vendors with some really cool stuff for sale. A 50/50 raffle will also take place Friday night. Things continue on Saturday morning when those that are registered for the dice run will get things started. Then the bands crank back up at 4:oo PM and the lineup includes Vinyl Radio, Zero 260 and Haywire. It’s a family friendly event so come out and support this great event that supports “Our House.”

I know it’s hard to believe but we are coming up on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. To commemorate this day, there are two very special events happening in Columbus. On Sunday September 11, CSU's Schwob School of Music and The Fort Benning MCOE Band will put on a patriotic performance at RiverCenter at 7:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. Also on Sunday, the National Infantry Museum will commemorate the day as well with events like search & dog rescue demos, team building activities, and a scavenger hunt for families. Here's something that will give you chills…a beam from the World Trade Center will be on display and a special 9/11 movie will be shown in the Imax theatre. Other activities consist of a blood drive, police & fire interactive experiences and more. All of these activities are free and open to the public.

OK, let's lighten things up a bit with something that the younger crowd will really enjoy!  CSU’s Department of Theatre presents “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” this Friday-Sunday, at the Theatre on the Park in Uptown Columbus. Show times are every day at 7:30 PM, plus Saturday at 10:00 AM and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $5 - $10.

Oxbow Meadows has been really busy this summer. They opened a new facility, which is absolutely gorgeous, and have had lots of fun and entertaining programs. Well, the trend continues this weekend with their Second Sunday program (3:00 PM), Creek Country. Join local historian Billy Winn for a discussion about the people who first inhabited this area and how the environment changed after European colonization. If you’ve never heard Billy Winn speak, you are in for a real treat. I’ve never known anyone that knows more about Columbus and the area than he does and he’s such a good storyteller that you can picture yourself back in the times of whatever he’s talking about at the moment. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and admission is only $3!

This is such a different and cool event that I had to tell everyone about it today. The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is a fantastic organization and they are about to celebrate their 100th anniversary. So to mark this momentous occasion they are trying to reconnect with all past members. So if you are a Girl Scout alumnae, you really can’t miss this event. On Saturday afternoon (5:00 PM), they will have a traditional sing-a-long and S’MORES! Who doesn’t love s’mores! You do need to register if you are an alumnae and you can do that at gshg.org. Kids of all ages are welcome. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket and your singing voice!

Bargain Hunters, listen up. This Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, there will be a postwide yard sale across all of the post’s housing areas. Buyers are encouraged to park in a high-density sale area and walk from sale to sale. This only happens twice a year and while selling is restricted to post residents, buying is open to the public. You will not need a vehicle pass, but all passengers will have to show id.

Hopefully this will get you in the weekend mood because there's plenty of choices of fun things to do!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Ft. Benning-Military, on Thursday, September 8, 2011

Labor Day Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!

Hard to believe it but we're at the "unofficial" end of Summer!  I have to admit I won't miss the seemingly endless string of upper 90 degree days and I'm excited about all the great Fall events on the way.  This weekend is just a taste of all there is to come…and boy, is there a lot going on this Labor Day Weekend.  Here's a quick list of fun, but don't forget to check the Community Calendar for all the scoop.

One of the things a lot of us look forward to is the Fall Friday Night Concert Series and it’s cranking up in Uptown Columbus. What a great way to kick off this long Labor Day weekend! From this Friday all the way through October 28, there will be free concerts in the median of Broadway from 7:00-10:00pm and this Friday night they’re kicking things off with a bang! On stage, it’s none other than local favorite Big Woody & The Splinters! Bring a lawn chair and get set for a great night of FREE music. It’s going to be a jammed packed Fall of events in Uptown Columbus and we’ll be bringing you lots more details in the weeks to come!

Talk about ending the Summer on a high note! The 13th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival is back at Callaway Gardens this weekend and it’s bigger and better than ever. Things kick off Friday night with live music on the beach and an incredible site with the balloon glow around Robin Lake Beach…that is truly a site to see! Then Saturday and Sunday are filled with cool stuff to do like taking a tethered balloon ride or watching the balloon launches, checking out the Classic Car Show, the Disc Dog Demonstrations, enjoying all the live music and great food (anything from a pancake breakfast, to hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill to a low country boil), lots of activities for kids like T-shirt tye-dyeing, kite building, laser tag, swimming and more!  Admission is $12.50 after 4:00pm on Friday and before 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday.  (After 9:00am, admission is $25)

How about something fun to do on Monday! Check out the Old Russell County Labor Day Fair complete with music, games, barbecue, artifacts & fossils, arts & crafts, antiques and more! Legendary folk artist Butch Anthony will even be on hand!! It’s Monday from 9:00am-5:00pm at the Old Russell County Courthouse in Seale, AL. FREE ADMISSION! (334.297.3147)

Here’s another fun way to kick off this holiday weekend! Grab the family and head out to Wetherby Field at Ft. Benning because they are starting up another series of their “Movie Under the Stars” every Friday night in September! First up, it’s “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” on the big outdoor screen. This is a great movie for the whole family and it stars Jim Carrey who inherits 6 penguins and turns his house into a winter wonderland! This is free and open to the public (that’s all of us—not just military!) and all you have to do is bring blankets and lawn chairs…they’ll even supply the popcorn for free!!  Show starts at 8:30pm this Friday night.

Here’s a little history for you: Searching for relief from polio, President Roosevelt first came to Warm Springs, GA in 1924 to swim in the spring’s naturally heated water. Roosevelt enjoyed swimming in the warm water and within a year, hundreds of other polio patients started coming to swim in the warm water. Normally kept drained for historical preservation, the shallow pools will be filled with the naturally warm spring water and we’re all invited to go take a dip this Labor Day weekend! Just remember, because there’s a limited number of folks who can swim at one time, they have sessions designated and you need to make reservations. But I can guarantee you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed after your swim…they say even your hair feels like it’s had a deep conditioner on it!!  Saturday through Monday, they'll have three swim sessions each day and admission is $20 for adults, $12.50 for kids or you can get the Family Package for $75 and that even includes admission to the Little White House!  (706.655.5870)

If you’d rather head south this weekend, check out all the activities they have planned at Florence Marina State Park! They’ll have all sorts of crafts for everyone to do, boat tours, even snakes and reptiles on display! Saturday-Monday—10:00am-4:00pm. There is a $5 parking fee, $5 for boat tours and $1-$4 for crafts. Florence Marina is located south of Columbus in Omaha, GA. (229.838.4706)

With all this (and more) to choose from, it's time to start making some weekend plans!

Now, go have some fun…

shelby

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Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Wednesday, August 31, 2011