17th Annual AthFest: June 19 - 23

It's mid-June and guess what that means- time for AthFest!  The festival celebrating music, art, kids and film is gearing up to return to downtown Athens, Georgia for its 17th consecutive year!  This festival is perfect for the whole family with entertainment and fun for all ages.  AthFest earned a spot on Livability.com's Top 10 Summer Music Festivals and is truly an event unique to downtown Athens.  The excitement for June 19th-23rd is building every day!  

AthFest is partially comprised of free performances on outdoor stages followed by Club Crawl performances at Athens' favorite venues including the Georgia Theatre, The Melting Point, Little Kings Shuffle Club, 40 Watt Club, Green Room, The World Famous, New Earth Music Hall, Caledonia Lounge, Flicker Theatre & Bar, GO Bar, Max, Cine, and Farm 255!  The outdoor shows are open to the public, but you'll want to grab an AthFest wristband so you enter the venues for free (or, you may opt to pay a cover charge for most events).  The wristbands are a deal for just $20 and grant unlimited free access to the aforementioned participating venues!

AthFest.com has again put together Compilation CDs featuring artists that will perform at the festival this year!  One includes music from the free outdoor performers, and the Club Crawl mixtape features the bands playing at the indoor wristband events.  Give them a listen, there is a lot of great talent headed our way!

AthFest will offer a KidsFest on Saturday and Sunday (June 22nd & 23rd) on Washington Street between the Morton Theatre and the parking deck.  The KidsFest  tent will house activities such as a rock climbing wall, carnival games, Good Dirt activities (Sat. only), water fun, crafts, a drum circle, kid-friendly entertainers and more!  

The Artists Market is integral to the festival, and will showcase over 60 artists from all over the Southeast.  Types of art displayed include  jewelry, woodworking, furniture, photography, drawing, painting, fabric, sculpture, clothing, glass, ceramics, and printmaking.  The beautiful art will be for sale, but simply walking around to take it all in is certainly encouraged!

The FilmFest is yet another exciting component of AthFest.  This inspiring series of music documentary films and locally produced movies will be shown at Ciné throughout all four days of the festival.  Expect to see pieces of all types and genres, including animated films, short narratives, documentaries,  zombie apocalypses, underwater projects, and action thrillers.  The most anticipated segment of the FilmFest is Sprockets, a local music video competition returning for its 8th year.  If you're in town Thursday, June 20th, visit the Morton Theatre at 8 p.m. for the Audience Choice Award and Best Music Video Award announcements and screenings of the winning videos.  During AthFest, on June 22nd, the Sprockets Local Showcase will be shown at Ciné from 5 - 7 p.m.!  Admission is free with your AthFest wristband ($5 without).

LaughFest, the Official AthFest Comedy Showcase, will kick off the first night of the festival (June 19th) at the Georgia Theatre!  The show will feature comedian Brendon Walsch and Friends and costs $15 at the door ($10 in advance or $10 at the door with your AthFest wristband).  Doors open at 8 p.m. - come out for some laughs to start a great weekend!

In spirit of AthFest weekend, why not learn something interesting about Athens' music scene and the locations that have shaped it over the years?  The Athens Welcome Center is offering two awesome Athens Music History Tours!  Saturday's tour includes a 90-minute walking tour of downtown Athens, plus a 30-minute bus tour to the steeple, Nuci's Space, Murmur Trestle, and Weaver D's.  Sunday's tour consists of a 90-minute bus tour covering broader areas of Athens' music history, including step-off points.  The tours depart at 10:30 a.m. on their respective days and cost $15 a person.  While supplies last, participants will receive a free CD that features Athens bands playing the music of R.E.M. when you show your AthFest wristband!  There's limited space available, so make your reservation today via phone at 706-208-8687!

If you have a few hours to spare during AthFest weekend, please consider signing up to volunteer!  It is a very rewarding experience, and the AthFest team is still in need of more participants.  Together, we can make this year's festival be the best yet!  Click here to sign up.  Also, be sure to download the iPhone/Android ATHFEST APP from the App Store!  It contains complete lineup and activity details for the entire festival, and you can keep it all in your pocket! A map of the AthFest can be found here.  We hope you're looking forward all of these great events as much as we are!

Screenshot from the AthFest app, available in the App Store

Athens This Weekend: September 7-9

As the Bulldogs head to Missouri for their first game in SEC play, things are getting really exciting in Athens, GA!! There won't be any big crowds and football traffic this weekend, so make sure you get out and explore the Classic City! There are tons of great art events taking place, including the Athens Aerial Arts Weekend, Family Day at the Georgia Museum of Art and the final weekend of ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind.

             1. Athens Aerial Arts Weekend

 

Athens has incredibly advanced programs involving aerial arts like Leap Flying Trapeze, Canopy Studio AerialDance, and Athens Vertical Pole Dance Academy. We’re so fortunate to have such great attractions enriching our arts scene and now, they’re turning to you! This weekend, you have the chance to test your ability on the trapeze and much more! The workshops and classes this weekend are designed specifically for beginners, so there’s no reason to stay on the ground! Events begin Friday evening and continue through Saturday afternoon. Sign up for a weekend in the air!

2. ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind

The Athens Institute for Contemporary Art will be exhibiting ATHICA Emerges V: The Synthetic Mind for the last time on Sunday. The collection opened earlier this summer to high acclaim and praise for nine artists participating and their works, which synthesize perception and awareness from a variety of approaches. On Saturday and the final day Sunday, they’ll be open from 1-6 p.m. Admission is free!
 

3. Family Day at Georgia Museum of Art

 In addition to Athens’ residents, students and visitors, the Georgia Museum of Art works diligently to support children’s creativity. They host so many great events for kids and this Saturday will be another to add to the list!! Inspired by the work of renowned artist Chakaia Booker, whose work is currently on display at GMOA, kids will be creating sculptures out of recycled materials. It's the perfect example of turning trash into treasure! The activities start at 10 a.m. but make sure you see all the other exhibits in the museum, too!

Other events in Athens, GA: 

• "The Board Room" Skateboard Auction @ The Gallery at Hotel Indigo, Sunday 4 p.m. 
• Ready, Set, Vote! Film Screening: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" @ the Special Collections Library 
• Murder at the Howard Johnson's Play @ the Morton Theatre
• Classic City Roller Girls vs. Charlotte @ Athens Arena
• UGA Heroes Bulldog Brawl @ Georgia Theatre

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

A Weekend of Holiday Cheer! Dec. 9 - 11 Athens Special Events

If you are like me, you have been looking forward to the holiday season all year. Something about the crispness of the cool air as winter approaches and the unpacking of warm winter clothes immediately brings to mind the images of twinkling holiday lights, the steam curling up from a mug filled with hot cocoa, family sitting around the dinner table staggering under the weight of a holiday feast, fireplaces, familiar holiday tunes, and lots and lots of gift-giving. There is also the fact that with the holiday season comes a variety of exciting holiday events, such as concerts, plays, parades, family activities, and much more!

Luckily for us, Athens GA is no exception, and as we get closer to the end of the year, there are plenty of events and things to do to help get us even more in the holiday spirit. If that is something you are interested in, I would advise you to mark off the weekend of Dec. 9 - 11 in your calendar because that weekend will be completely full of great holiday activities perfect for you and your family and friends!

1. Head over to Clarke Central High School on Friday, Dec. 9 for the 4th annual Not So Silent Night, where you can participate in a silent auction of items from some of Athens' finest establishments. There will be great food provided as well as lively music from Panablaze, Atlanta's renowned steel drum band. Enjoy this night of unique holiday shopping, food, and music, and support award-winning journalism staff of The Odyssey Newsmagazine and the Illiad Literary Journal. Admission is $20 and the event lasts from 7 - 9 p.m.

2. Friday is also the opening night for Overnight Christmas at the historic Morton Theatre. Cornerstone Productions proudly presents this unforgettable musical journey, where Frank Green, the main character, travels the world on the last delivery run before Christmas. This grand musical will fill your evening with delight, Broadway-style production numbers, and fun for the whole family. Overnight Christmas will show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission can be purchased in advance for $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors, and children 10 and under. Tickets purchased at the door are $15/$12.

3. On Saturday, Dec. 10, stop by the Sandy Creek Nature Center for Breakfast with Santa. Bring your children and chat with Jolly Old St. Nick himself! There will be crafts and activities for your family to enjoy. The breakfast runs from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. and admission is $5 for Athens Clarke County residents and $7 for non-residents.

4. Make sure you have reserved a spot for the 4th annual Holiday Spirits Museum Mile Tour held on Saturday night. This festive tour will provide you a chance to step back intohistory and experience antebellum Athens as you experience theatrical vignettes in four house museums that show you holiday traditions back in the day. Seasonal refreshments and period music will also be provided, completing your experience of historical fun. 2-hour tours will depart at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. There are a limited number of seats, so get your tickets today!

5. Those lucky enough to have scored a ticket to the Athens Symphony Community Christmas Concerts on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. will enjoy a wonderful night of holiday music. Held at the Classic Center, the concert will feature many well-known Christmas pieces, such as Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, Carol of the Bells, and The Christmas Song.

6. Bring your children with you to the 3rd Annual Holiday Tea, held at the historic Harris Room on Sunday, Dec. 11. Enjoy time spent and pictures taken with Santa, and eat your fill of of sweets, sandwiches, gourmet cookies, and hot chocolate. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for children and $20 for adults and helps support the programs of the Athens Community Council on Aging.

7. When you have a free moment on Sunday, make sure to drop by the Athens Artist Market First Annual Holiday Showcase. Over 40 local artists will be selling their work at the Athens Art Gallery at Hotel Indigo, allowing you to choose from a variety of quality selections of jewelry, pottery, home decor, skin products, mixed media, and more! Support local while getting a few things crossed off your gift shopping list. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Just thinking about all these holiday events makes me excited to spend my holidays in Athens, GA. What will you be doing the weekend of Dec. 9 - 11?

For other great holiday activities and events, check out www.VisitAthensGa.com/holiday.

- Debbie

Say Good-Bye to July: Athens, GA This Weekend: July 29-31

Well Friends, the time has come to begin bidding farewell to the glorious summer season as July comes to an end this weekend in Athens, GA. The heat may stick around a while longer, but the days of summer freedom are dwindling quickly... so let's make the most of them! Athens, GA is up for one last fun, free adventurous weekend of July- are you?

If you answered yes, proceed to the following paragraphs for details of the excitement awaiting you this weekend in Athens, GA:

1) Veer off the beaten path and take a culinary adventure to Roots Farm this Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, for the Beaverdam SlowDown Dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. each night. Discover the source of all your favorite Athens dining. Roots Farm is dedicated to growing fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables through natural and sustainable methods- they aim to distribute mainly to local establishments and to Community Supported Agriculture (kind of like a season pass to the farms produce- pay predetermined amount at beginning of season and receive fruit and vegetables throughout the year accordingly) The Beaverdam SlowDown Dinner at Roots Farm consists of two hour gourmet five course meal prepared by local chefs using locally grown foods, a short tour of the farm, and an open discussion about sustainable farming.

2) Stay up late at Terrapin for a late night tour and movie on the lawn beginning at 9:00 p.m., Saturday, July 30th, for a cause benefiting Film Athens- a non-profit dedicated to supporting and encouraging video production and digital media arts in the Athens community. The percentage night at Terrapin this Saturday night will cost $12, but will include eight ticket vouchers for 4-ounce brews and invitation to view "Planet 9 From Outer Space" on the lawn. So gather your friends and your favorite summer picnic blanket and prepare for lift-off at Terrapin Brewery!

3) Experience the signature sounds of the Athens, GA music scene this Friday and Saturday at The Melting Point with musical events like The 30th Anniversary Reunion of Phil and the Blanks (Friday) and Nomad Artists Present: Bomber City, Klezmer Local 42, and Ken Will Morton (Saturday). Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for food and drink service, so best show up early and make an entire evening of food, drink, and music fun!






But of course, these are just a few of the many other happenings taking place around town- so venture on to your final July hurrah and check out some of these other events as well:

Live! at the Library with The Triskelion , July 31 3 p.m., free concert of Celtic music on Sunday- after Saturday's Family Fun Day and End of Summer Party, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the ACC Library 

Frontier UPFRONT presents final days of Byram Family local artwork, July 29 & 30, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 

Concerts on the Lawn : Sons of Sailors: Jimmy Buffet tribute, Saturday, July 30, 5:00 p.m. at Ashford Manor

If this weekend is approached correctly and fully, saying goodbye to July will be a breeze because summer adventure will have been fulfilled in Athens, GA!

Classic Looks in the Classic City: Athens, GA Vintage Clothes Stores

Walk a few blocks through downtown and you'll start to notice something, whether it be your chic barista at Espresso Royale or the window display of a hip boutique. The proof is everywhere: Athens, Ga has style.  

The eclectic atmosphere of the city is not missed on the retailers in the downtown area. Of the many fun and quirky shops lining the blocks of this historic part of town, one type of store in particular seems to be a specialty of Athens fashion: Vintage. With seven vintage and consignment shops within a three-mile radius alone, the classic looks of the past are revived in the streets of the Classic City.  

So when it came time to start shopping for a birthday present for my sister this year, knowing I wanted to find something completely unique and special, I decided a day of vintage scavenging was in order. After enlisting the help of my most enthusiastic and fashionable friend, Emily, I devised a plan of action. We would visit all seven vintage stores in the downtown area in one afternoon. And we would find my sister the perfect gift. 

After a delicious lunch of jerk chicken and spicy squash at the new Indian and Jamaican restaurant, Kabana, Emily and I were energized and ready for our shopping day adventure.

First Stop:  Ohh Boy! located at 766 W. Broad at The Money Machine! slightly outside of downtown. Somewhat new to the scene, Ohh Boy! is host to a collection of vintage clothing and housewares as well as artwork from local, independent artists. The shop functions almost as a gallery to local craftspeople who volunteer to work the cash register in exchange for space to display and sell their work. Racks of colorful and interesting old clothes greeted us even before the friendly cashier offered her assistance. After spending a sufficient period of time trying on old fur coats and holding up polyester pant suits to myself in the mirror, I finally got down to business. While Emily tried on handfuls of vintage treasures in the dressing room, I perused the jewelery and art section with a regained focus of purpose. Ooh Boy's accessory and craft section is like a candy land of unique and beautiful art in the form of silk bow ties, abstract hair clips, hand drawn postcards, bejeweled light switch covers, and much more. A string of finely detailed charcoal drawings hung on the wall at an almost devastatingly affordable price by a local artist looking to make a few bucks. Though it was just the first stop of a long day of vintage scavenging, I knew the charcoal drawing would make the perfect birthday gift for my sister- it was charming and completely unique. After much discussion, Emily decided on a couple clothing items and we both made our purchases, but vowed to continue on our vintage journey of Athens anyway. After all, I had a birthday coming up myself and I figured I could use a unique gift as well! 

Second Stop: Community, located at 119 Jackson St., puts a chic spin on vintage in its upstairs boutique location. The store's interior design is as charming as the re-designed retro merchandise it displays. Color-coded racks of of all fabrics and cuts hang delicately around the loft space like they were always meant to be there. Community has the quality and feel of upscale and expensive tastes, but a few discreet peeks at the price tags will put the thrifty at ease. Each tag marks whether the item is vintage, locally designed, or redesigned for a better fit or a more hip look. Owner Sauni  Baumgärtner and collaborator Karen Freed create the line of redesigned clothing, aptly named Community Service, in order to give life back to clothing that has fallen out of fashion or form- all in the spirit of the store's mission of promoting sustainability and local design. Open since September of 2010, Community has since proven worthy of its name as the store consistently hosts and partakes in local events. Scheduled to run at least 10 more classes in the month of July alone, Community frequently offers a wide variety of sewing and redesign workshops in the store's studio area- welcoming all who share a passion and interest in creative design.

As I slowly took in the chic Community store environment, Emily, who was visiting the store for the second day in a row, was already heading to a dressing room. After a friendly chat with the beautiful store owner, I found out about the store's sewing classes, recent fashion show, and the new vintage merchandise just brought back from Germany. I eventually broke down and tried on a few pieces for myself and immediately understood why Emily was back for a second trip so soon- the thoughtfully chosen and designed clothing has a very high quality feel, but is, best of all, completely original, local, and sustainable. One hour later, Emily made her purchases, and we slowly made our way on the next store.

Third Stop: Minx, located at 166 W. Clayton St., more than just sells vintage, it embodies it. The bell on the door is like the ringing of a time machine transporting anyone who enters into the mid to late 20th century. Old arcade machines, globe lighting, a friendly owner and his dog greet all who visit their retro model of the past. Minx has a style all its own in the Athens vintage scene with an atmosphere so lively you can almost feel its heartbeat. Overhearing Emily and me discuss the diminishing time on our parking meter and collective lack of change, owner Dave Wolfe popped open the cash register and handed us a quarter like he owed it to us. Left to my own devices while Emily added time to the meter, I managed to try on a few vintage dresses suggested by Mr. Wolfe (who seemed to instinctively know the complete fashion history of every item I picked up). Minx is a great store to spend extended periods of time in, trying on big hats, clip-on earrings, silk scarves or whatever suits your fancy- you'll always feel welcome and free to explore. A long debate about broaches carried on at the counter after I purchased a 50s-style, summer dress, until it was time for us to move on to our last stop.

Final Stop: Agora, located at 260 W. Clayton St. No vintage shopping day in Athens, GA would be complete without a stop at Agora. Prepare to be momentarily stunned by the famous labyrinth of antique furniture, home decor, jewelry, clothing, and miscellaneous other packed tightly into the store space. To fully peruse the hearty spread of Agora's merchandise requires patience and dedication, but the rewards are plenty if the right amount of time is allotted. Agora's stock is an amalgam of the best and most valuable items collected, it would seem, from the roadside yard sales and dusty attics of our nation's grandparents- which happen to include quite a few designer brands. There isn't a corner empty of antique or vintage artifacts waiting to be picked up and cherished  by the next passerby- old bikes hang from the ceiling and plastic lamps illuminate the darkly lit aisles holding boxes of old campaign buttons, slightly damaged musical instruments, heavy racks of vintage apparel, or tall stacks of old luggage. Emily and I quickly lost each other in the jungle of mementos covering the store. The sound of haggling at the counter can usually be heard throughout the store as it is a special part of the Agora shopping experience. And Agora is, without question, a major part of the Athens Vintage experience.

After managing to hit 3 other vintage hot spots like Dynamite, Gigworn, and Cillies along the way as well, Emily and I finally ended our journey with empty pockets, tired feet, and a bounty of eclectic treasures. The vintage retailers of Athens provide more than just an abundance of unique options for today's retro trends, but also an appreciation of the value of history captured within the memorabilia of the past.




For more information on Athens shopping, check out our website.

Ready, Set, AthFest! June 22 - 26, 2011

The schedule has been released and the good news is being spread- AthFest 2011 is set to stimulate, inspire and entertain us on all fronts of artistic festivity planned for the eagerly anticipated event. For almost a year, we have been patiently awaiting June 22 - 26, 2011 -- the return of Athens, Georgia's favorite music and arts festival, dreaming of the week when our most talented regional musicians and artists will come together again and illuminate the streets with the sights, sounds, and performances of their respective crafts. 

For those who will be experiencing it for the first time, AthFest is a festival to celebrate Athens, Georgia music and arts.  Local and regional musicians, artists, performers, and other creative minds will showcase their work throughout the downtown area of Athens, GA. As music is the force that drives the Classic City, it is also the focus of the festival featuring 3 outdoor stages hosting 3 days of shows from an impressive line-up of headlining acts at no charge to the public. Some very exciting performers headlining this year include: Futurebirds, the pensive alt-country band will stop back home in Athens from their tour promoting the blossoming success of their current album; Guadalcanal Diary, will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of their formation as pioneers of 80's Southern indie-pop; Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, the soulful blues rock group with honest, poignant lyrics will play the sounds of the South.

The second and main stage outdoor performances are just the icing on the AthFest cake, though. The "club crawl" event taking place Friday and Saturday night will feature a diverse line-up of local bands and artists performing at around 12 of the best music venues in town. Think 40 Watt, The Melting Point, Little Kings, Caledonia and more. The venue schedule features some exciting Athens favorites, both the weathered and up-and-coming alike, filling virtually every stage in the downtown area. Some exciting performances to look out for: Hope For A Goldensummer, the recently re-emerging folky sister sirens will bring their haunting Southern voices to Little Kings Shuffle Club; Modern Skirts, the still buzzing alt-rock band return their harmonic success to the The Melting Point; Reptar, the young, fresh electro-pop band of boys will beam their high energy to a sure-to-be-dancing crowd at the 40 Watt; Twin Tigers; the dynamic and melodic sounds of their strong Athens influences will be heard at Go Bar. These among a total of around 200 other amazing bands and artists performing in venues and outdoor stages throughout the 3 days of music make the options endless and the choices impossible.

AthFest remains one of the best values on the scene.  All outdoor stages are absolutely FREE!  For admission to the club crawl and other affiliated events, an AthFest wristband is a must. At a price of $15 when purchased in advance or $20 when purchased at the festival, the wristbands will get you more than complete musical access with other perks including discounted tickets to lots of great events- so go ahead and grab your wristband now! 

For a complete weekend package including Athens hotel accommodations,
book an AthFest hotel package here.   

The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is also running a text-to-win promotion  for a chance to win an overnight AthFest package. Just  text DAWG to 95495. For more contest information, see VisitAthensGA.com.  For complete AthFest details, visit our event page.

In addition to an incredible musical agenda, the festival also showcases some very exciting comedy acts, dance performances, and film screenings. Notable events include: Laughfest comedy show, June 22 at the 40 Watt, the 2nd annual comedy showcase featuring nationally touring acts such as Dan Telfer and TJ Young with many other hilarious Athenians; WIRED 2011: Athens Dance Music Festival, June 25 at New Earth Music Hall, a showcase of the most talented regional electronic artists playing fresh variations of dubstep, experimental hip-hop, electro-house, and more; AthFest FilmFest 2011, June 22-26 at Cine, daily screenings of Athens-based rock docs, short films, teen screen, and more; Flagpole Music Awards, June 23 at the Morton Theater, the magazine's annual ceremony recognizes local bands across every genre and category who have displayed impressive musical creativity.

Another large component of the AthFest ensemble of events is the Artists Market which is made up of over 40 booths featuring the original artwork of around 50 local artists. With exhibited work in forms across almost every medium, regional artists and craftspeople compete for cash prizes accompanying the best in show, second place, and 5 merit awards that will be granted to the top works exhibited. The works of art displayed in the Artists Market will be available for viewing and, some, for sale.

At the corner of Washington and Lumpkin, tents will cover the KidsFest area with a multitude of crafts, games, workshops and family-friendly musical performances. A KidsFest parade, art contest, open mic opportunity, and songwriting workshop top a longer list of awesome events and creative opportunities for kids of all ages. Focusing strongly on the bulging schedule of family-friendly activities, AthFest caters to the kids who are, after all, a large part of the motivation behind the entire event. All proceeds from the festival go to AthFest Educates!, a program aiming to integrate educational music and arts programs into local schools. With arts and music education at the center of it's efforts, AthFest, as a component of the non-profit AthFest organization, shares the beauty and necessity of local creativity with the community and beyond.

A regional communion of cultural explosion could take place nowhere other than our prolific, Athens, Ga. AthFest 2011 is going to be, without a doubt, the biggest and best event of the summer, maybe even the year! So don't wait around to start making your AthFest plans! Check out VisitAthensGA.com/AthFest for more info on headliners and tickets, then compare awesome hotel package offers. And don't forget to text DAWG to 95495 to enter for a chance to win a complete AthFest package- see details here. Look forward to seeing YOU at AthFest 2011!  

Memorial Day Weekend in Athens - Great Deals & Events!

This Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a busy one for all Athens, GA, folks and friends! With a great lineup of options for fun and lots of savings, there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy this holiday weekend.

Maintaining the true spirit of Memorial Day, many Athens Businesses will offer special deals to our amazing men & women in uniform.

• Active Climbing is happy to offer a free climbing session to any and all holders of military I.D from 4-8 p.m. this Monday.
• Hotel Indigo will be running a Memorial Special, Friday through Monday, with rates of only $59 a night for members of the military. Be sure to mention the special when calling ahead to make a reservation.
• Hampton Inn is offering a rate of $80/night with military ID.
• At Sweet Peppers Deli this Memorial Day, all men and women in uniform will receive a free entrée of their choosing upon arrival. If your uniform is a bit more snug than it used to be, just bring along a jacket or article of insignia instead and enjoy your free lunch!

• Other Memorial Weekend hotel specials available to all visitors include:
• Candlewood Suites, $59/night, Thursday to Sunday
• Georgia Gameday Center, stay one night get one night 1/2 off
• Holiday Inn, $75/night, book here;
• Holiday Inn Express, rates starting at $69/night, book here; and

Come one, come all to the annual Memorial Day in Memorial Park celebration this Monday from noon to 3 p.m. If you are looking to stay true to Memorial Day tradition, then the Memorial Park celebration is sure to satisfy. Bring a blanket and the whole family out for a day of wholesome American fun. Have your face painted with the kids before sending them to bounce to their hearts content in the many inflatables provided for the celebration. Then indulge in your favorite concession food items as you relax in the grass and enjoy live music all afternoon. The weather will be warm and the company will be warmer. Keep in mind the park pool will not be open, but the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail certainly will be so don’t forget to say ‘Hello’ to these little cuties:

For more information on this event, visit our calender listing.

If you’re looking to get a little less traditional before your all-American Memorial Day or if you’re just looking to get a little culture, then don’t miss your chance to see ATHICA’s spring exhibit, The Way Things Work, in it’s closing weekend. The exhibit ends in celebration starting this Friday in a reprise of The Way Things Go 2, a video art experience, with outdoor screenings of short video artworks on the ATHICA porch from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, the closing ceremony will consist of an artist and curator discussion panel followed by a picnic on the porch provided by White Tiger and Trumps from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. With 12 artists from around the country and abroad, this highly stimulating exhibit includes artwork in forms ranging from large-scale installations to pencil drawings. The works featured focus around a theme of systems and norms within culture and society. With pieces like the one pictured below, Trivialities of Deportment by Will Pergl, this exhibit is sure to get you thinking! So try your hand at non-conformity and do something a little different this Memorial Day weekend!

For more information about this exhibit, visit out event listing.

Get fresh at the Athens Farmers Market this Saturday at Bishop Park from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Local foods, crafts, and works of arts from area farmers and volunteers will fill the park along with music from 2 very different groups of performers. Starting the day off right will be the all-female folk trio, Maiden Radio, performing at 8:00 a.m. Then prepare yourselves for a trip to the deep South when Maculele Capoeira take the stage in a traditional Brazilian performance of dance, martial arts, singing, and instrument playing. The Athens Farmers Market is always a great option for your weekend plans, as you’ll get to mingle with the community, enjoy the beautiful morning, and support local commerce.

Learn more about the Athens Farmers Market by visiting our event listing.

The city of Winterville will host Veteran Appreciation Day this Saturday. A complimentary BBQ lunch in Pittard Park will be provided for veterans and spouses following a ceremony at the Winterville United Methodist Church.

And in case you didn’t already have enough to choose from, here are a few other Memorial Day weekend options:

• ACC Library will be kicking off its new “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine” exhibit this weekend with an opening reception on Sunday and a movie screening on Saturday. The travelling National Library of Medicine exhibit will explore the relationship between Harry Potter’s wizarding world and foundational Renaissance science and medicine.
• Get crafty at The Native America Gallery on Friday night with a beginner earrings class from 6-8 p.m.
• Enjoy the sounds of the city this Memorial Day weekend with fantastic musical acts happening around town. Big name artist, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, will be headlining at the 40 Watt Club this Friday night. Or catch the soon-to-be-big-name Athens’ band, Reptar, at Little Kings Shuffle Club this Saturday night before they embark on a summer tour at hot spots and festivals around the country.

Bring your family, bring your friends, it’s going to be a very exciting Memorial Day weekend in Athens, GA. Visit our calendar for even more information on Athens’ events this weekend and beyond! Have a great one, friends!

The Unchained Tour of Georgia: Coming Soon To Athens!

Celebrating Independent Bookstores

I'm part of a clear minority. I've never owned a PS2, Wii, Nintendo, or XBox. I've never gunned down a virtual alien on Halo... although I can see the obvious appeal. Kids today play for hours on end, completely fascinated by the action that is created by game designers and enhanced by their own imagination. This feeling is not wholly foreign to me. I've been known to devour entire books in one sitting, gobbling up the words as if I had just regained the power of sight. Unfortunately, as a college student, it's hard to find time to read for pleasure anymore with the looming deadlines of exams and research papers. Barbara Walter's Audition has been collecting dust in my room for months now.

The Unchained Tour of Georgia and author and founder of The Moth George Dawes Green invite you to slow down and finally find time to celebrate the art of writing and storytelling. The 14 tour stops, starting on October 20, 2010, will feature original stories, musicians, and circus performers. But it's really all about literature; enhancing the appeal of the written and spoken word and fostering a tradition of readership in the host cities. The Tour will highlight independent bookstores at each stop.

The performers will roll into Athens (on a re-purposed school bus!) on October 20, 2010 at the Seney-Stovall Chapel around 7:30 p.m. These are not your grandfather's tales, these contemporary stories, drawn from personal experience, are riveting, hilarious, and contemplative. So set down the controller, unglue yourself from the laptop and just listen as 5 fabulous storytellers make you laugh and cry. Hope to see you there!

Check out The Unchained Tour of Georgia Facebook page!
The Seney-Stovall Chapel is located at 201 North Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30602.

Get Creative!

Athens, GA is famous for its music scene. And you might have heard of those Georgia Bulldogs a time or two. What you might not be as familiar with is the art scene in Athens.

Stroll downtown and you can check out dozens of galleries or boutiques featuring all local products.

Beyond that, some Athens artists are taking their creativity to the web.

Etsy, the popular Web site that allows local artists to showcase and sell their products, is home to over 70 Athens area artists. The blog Lillyella featured 6 artists from Athens recently (click here to view the post).

In addition to those great finds, my top 3 Athens Etsy designers are below.

1. Kittybutt (animal inspired art by Cathy Dailey)

2. ipullprints (prints individually pulled from hand-carved molds)

3. j.Nic Designs (home grown jewelry)

To sample more local creative wares in Athens, check out the Craft Athens blog.