Calling all We Let the Dawgs Out Artists

Anyone who lives in Athens or has visited is familiar with the bulldog statues around town, right? The "We Let the Dawgs Out" public art project hasn't come and left town like cow statues and other exhibits that travel around the country-- the bulldog statues, painted by local Athens artists, have remained installed in locations around town and continue to provide smiles and great photo ops.

One of the artists, Robin, is seeking out other We Let the Dawgs Out artists for a brief video documentary project, and I wanted to help spread the word. See her post at the AthensWorld blog for her contact info and more details on her project. Check out the We Let the Dawgs Out website for photos and locations of the statues -- it's a great activity for the kids while they're on vacation, or any time!

New Years Eve in Athens

Have you made plans yet for New Years Eve? Think outside the box of an impersonal, overpriced big city hotel ballroom and head to Athens, Georgia, one of the top live music scenes in America. The clubs will be pulling out all the stops and have some amazing talent booked, including Of Montreal for two nights at the Fabulous 40 Watt and Perpetual Groove at the Georgia Theatre. I hear that New Years Eve at the 40 Watt is already sold out, but that's a great excuse to come up a night early; there's just too much going on to pack in one night anyway. Tasty World has a great lineup of three rock bands, Vigilantes of Love, Five Eight, and Young Antiques. Have some retro fun at the Melting Point with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, or head to Allen's Bar & Grill to re-live your glory days in Athens with southern rockers The Rattlers. The Foundry Park Inn & Spa is offering a special overnight Champagne Jam package that includes Atlanta Rhythm Section tix. There's plenty more to choose from, including Farm 255, Rye Bar, Cine, Little Kings Shuffle Club, Mercury Lounge, and more. Check out Flagpole.com for these and more listings.

Classic City Brew Fest Tickets Now On Sale

Just in time for Christmas for the beer lover, Owen Ogletree at Classic City Brew has announced that tickets for the 2009 Classic City Beer Fest in Athens, Georgia are now on sale! Here are the details from this week's "Brewsletter."

Per Owen: 2009 CLASSIC CITY BREW FEST TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Head to http://www.brewfest.net to purchase your tickets for our Sunday, April 5 Classic City Brew Fest at the Foundry Park Inn & Spa in downtown Athens, GA. Only 750 tickets will be sold, and these will go FAST. What better holiday gift for the beer lover in your life than an afternoon of delicious craft beer at the Brew Fest? Our smaller Brew Fest continues to rank among the best beer events in the region, and we hope to see you there this year. If you would rather volunteer for the event, please send Owen an email at owen@classiccitybrew.com with "volunteer" in the subject field. Part of the fest proceeds benefits Project Safe Women's Shelter and the Athens Area Humane Society. Valued sponsors: Terrapin Beer Company, Redhook, Five Points Bottle Shop, and Bulldog 103.7 FM.

Athens Georgia Originals

Local products, and Georgia Made, Georgia Grown are big buzz words these days in travel circles. I know when I travel, I make a concerted effort to visit shops, restaurants, and attractions that I can't experience while I'm at home. "Eat where the locals eat" is a good mantra. Athens, Georgia is known for its independent spirit and creative energy, which has led to all sorts of uniquely local hip shops and hot spots. Locals relish these homegrown places, and they should be the first items on any visitor's itinerary. Here are just a few:

• Jittery Joe's Coffee, with several retail locations plus the Roaster at 780 E. Broad St. Stephanie Allerdice has a wonderful entry on Jittery Joe's at the GradyJournal.com.
• Terrapin Beer Co. started with a bang as the American Pale Ale Gold Medal winner at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival, and now has their own Brewery open for public tour and tastings every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• Andrees Essential Soaps has amazing handmade bath and body products, including a fragrance-free line and speciality items developed for use by cancer patients.

Find more Athens local products at http://www.visitathensga.com/all_about_athens/local_products

What are your local favorites?

Hotel Indigo Construction is Underway

Hotel Indigo, Athens' newest upscale hotel, is now under construction. Developer Barry Rutherford sent us a really cool aerial photo of the hotel site. The top left corner and top center of the photo is the Rialto Club, a lounge and music venue. The hotel will be built along the left hand side of the photo (Strong St). What you see in this particular photo is mostly the music venue (columns), and the bar/lounge along College Avenue. The large crane you see in the middle of the photo is actually sitting inside the future covered parking garage. There will be a parking deck above that as well. They begin going vertical with floors in mid January and still expect to be done by August! I'll post the progress as Barry sends new images.

Scoop on Idols in Concert Tickets

Just got word from The Classic Center that there are some prime seats available at the last minute for this weekend's Idols in Concert for the Holidays, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. American Idol finalists who will be appearing in Athens are Diana DeGarmo, David Hernandez, Kimberly Locke and Chikezie Eze. Tickets start at just $10, and there are discounts for groups over 20. So come out and bring your friends! Call the Classic Center box office at 800.918.6393 or buy online.

Holiday House Museum Tour on Dec. 13

The Athens House Museums annual Holiday Open House is back and better than ever this year. The Rose of Athens Theatre has developed a short museum theatre performance, "Christmas Spirits," specifically for those who take a guided tour of the four house museums. See how Athenians in past ages celebrated the holidays! Tours depart from the Athens Welcome Center at 1:30 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and tickets are just $25 for adults, $15 for children under age 10. Don't want to take the guided tour? The Church-Waddel Brumby House, T.R.R. Cobb House, Ware-Lyndon House, and Taylor-Grady house are all open from 10 a.m - 4:30 p.m. and there is no admission charge. More details.