Athens This Weekend: March 22 - 24

Spring has officially sprung in the Classic City! Kick off the new season right with Athens' biggest thrift sale, a relaxing outdoor gathering at Terrapin and the famous Dancing with the Athens Stars Competition. If this is only the beginning of Spring, we can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the season. Come see us, folks!

Bargainza Thrift Sale

Spring weather means new clothes, and what better time to go shopping than during the Classic City's biggest Thrift Sale? Bargainza is the perfect opportunity to stock up on the latest fashion trends for remarkably low prices! This exciting event begins Friday night (March 22) at 6:30 p.m. where guests can preview all of the items for sale. The big sale will then be held Saturday (March 23) from 8 a.m. to noon. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to stock up on all of your Spring needs!

BreastFest Athens

In honor of raising breast cancer awareness in the Athens community, Terrapin Brewery is hosting Athens' annual BreastFest Saturday, March 23! Join us for a day of local beer, food and live music from Kinky Waikiki, Dangfly and The Heap. This exciting event will even feature a special kids carnival with delicious food from Zaxby's, not to mention kids get in FREE! Beginning at 1:30 p.m. and extending to 8:30 p.m., this outdoor event is the perfect way to kick off the Spring season! 

Dancing with the Athens Stars

We've all watched Dancing with the Stars on T.V., and now it's time to bring that entertainment right here to the Classic City! Dancing with the Athens Stars has entertained thousands of people since it first began in 2008. Featuring 11 talented teams, the money raised at this annual event supports services for survivors of domestic violence. Don't miss out on this exciting dance competition Sunday (March 24) at 7 p.m. Admission is $20.

More events...

• 5th Annual EcoFocus Film Festival, March 20 - 24
• Athens Aviation: Then, Now, Next, Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Spring Bird Ramble at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Sat. 8 a.m.  

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities going on in Athens? Explore 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!

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!

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!  

Fall Festivals in Athens!

If you're searching for some fun this fall, look no further! Athens is serving up some of the coolest festivals and expos around to help you celebrate the fabulous weather and changing colors. Check out local films, crafts, music, and food. We've got an overview of 8 of them happening in the next two months so that you can mark your calendars. Events are listed below by date order.

1. 3rd Annual EcoFocus Film Festival- September 24 - October 3
EcoFocus celebrates environmental stewardship in Athens with high-quality films and shorts. The festival, presented by The University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology, hopes to inspire viewers to take up the cause in their own lives by reducing, reusing, and recycling.

2. Dixie Film Festival- October 1 - 3
The Dixie Film Festival allows independent, international film makers to show off their craft in the heart of the South. High-quality full length films, shorts, and documentaries will compete for awards like Best Comedy and Best Animation. There is sure to be something for everyone here.

3. Clips of Faith Beer and Film Tour- October 1
New Belgium Brewing, hailing all the way from Colorado, is touring the country with 20 handpicked amateur short films. Local food will be served with samples of some of the latest New Belgium creations. Bring a lawn chair to Hot Corner and expect some incredibly funny films.

4. 26th Annual North Georgia Folk Festival- October 2
The beloved North Georgia Folk Festival is back in Athens for it's 26th year! The festival will kick off with bluegrass music, craft demonstrations, and some of the tastiest soul food you will ever have. Kids are welcome too! Sandy Creek Nature Park employees will have crafts and activities just for the youngest folk lovers as well as animal demonstrations.

5. 3rd Annual Next To Last Festival- October 28 - 31
The Next To Last Festival will offer music lovers the unique experience to check out over 70 musicians, bands, and artists. The acts will be taking over nearly every major musical venue in Athens. Concerts will be followed by the Wild Rumpus parade, warehouse parties, and haunted houses.

6. 2nd Annual Cask Ale Festival- November 7
Taste 20 cask-conditioned ales at Aroma's Wine Bar on South Milledge Avenue in the heart of Athens, Georgia.

7. Athens Christmas Art & Craft Show- November 19 - 21
Shop for all your Christmas and holiday gifts at one of the largest theme craft shows in the area. More than 150 artists and craftsmen from around the country will be showing off their wares and giving demonstrations . You're sure to find something for everyone on your list; from jewelry lovers to pottery collectors.
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Check out www.visitathensga.com for more upcoming events in The Classic City.

Darius Goes West- $1 Million Free Vote (Chase Community Giving)

"Darius Goes West" is an award-winning documentary about Darius Weems, a local resident of Athens who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the number one genetic killer of children worldwide. It has no cure, and it is 100 percent fatal.

I have had the pleasure to meet Darius on multiple occasions and I am continually inspired by his positive attitude and strong demeanor. He is determined to find a cure for DMD to help prolong the lives of others. The need for a cure is why you need to know about it.

Accompanied by his eleven best friends, Darius and the crew traveled across the country in 2005 and filmed an amazing documentary that has inspired millions to help raise money for a cure for DMD. The Chase Community Giving Challenge is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and money for DMD research.

Chase bank is giving away $1 million to the top cause in a free vote and $100k to the next five winners. Darius Goes West is currently in 11th place! You have until the end of the week (Friday, Jan. 22) to VOTE and help this wonderful cause earn $1 million for DMD research. Also, be sure to watch the documentary, which won 28 film festival awards. You are guaranteed a laugh, a cry and a determination to help this wonderful cause.

Celebrate Hot Corner this May

Athens has many downtown hot spots, but "The Hot Corner" has to be one of Athens oldest and most beloved local traditions.

During the early 1900s, the corner of Washington and Lumpkin Streets, nicknamed "The Hot Corner," was the center of cultural life in the Black community. Today, the Hot Corner Association, non-profit organization, preserves this history by presenting the Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food Fest.

The 9th annual Hot Corner Festival will take place Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2. Friday's festivities will include a concert in the Morton Theatre from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and are on sale at the Morton Theatre.

Saturday will include an all day street festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the corner of Hull St. and Washington St. Saturday night, return to the Morton Theatre from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. to view “Fashion: Imagination Unrestricted.” When a fashion design student has a short amount of time to finish her senior project, it is up to her imagination to get her out of the fashion dilemma. Fashion designs from local Athens and Atlanta designers and businesses will be shown. Tickets go on sale in April and they are $12 in advance.

For more information contact Legendaryeventplanning@gmail.com.

Athens Cine Turns Two

Birthday and anniversary wishes are in order this week as Cine, Athens downtown, art house cinema celebrates its second anniversary.

The cinema not only features film, but also contains a bar and cafe. This week the they will be showcasing a variety of foreign films representative of the films usually shown.

This week's festivities includes a line up of film's including: SILENT LIGHT with an introduction by Dr. Diego Del Pozo on Tuesday, March 31 at 4:15, 7:00 and 9:45; OUR CITY DREAMS with an introduction by Judith McWillie Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:30; and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE with an introduction by Dr. Ari Levine Thursday, April 2 at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:30 on the theater's actual anniversay.

If you have not yet made your way to Cine, this is the perfect opportunity. With its unique European feel, out of the box movie selections and charming atmosphere, Cine is the perfect place to learn all about Athen's hidden gems. Click here for more information about this event.

To learn more about Cine's past, present and future, watch the clip below. You may be surprised to find the eclectic history behind its walls.

Go Behind the Scenes at the Robert Osborne Film Festival this Weekend

Looking for a way to make the most out of your cinema packed weekend in Athens? Take advantage of this great opportunity to meet some of the festival's most important guests.

Saturday, March 21 at 11:30 attendees are invited to attend a special brunch with special guests and other film goers.

The brunch will take place in the Athena Ballroom at the Classic Center. A limited number of $30 tickets and $90 festival passes that include brunch are available at the Classic Center box office.

The second special event to look forward to, “Curtain Call with Fred and Friends” will take place on Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. in the Classic Center theater lobby.

Guests can enjoy coffee and light refreshments and mingle with guest host and actor Fred Willard and fellow film fans. A limited number of tickets are available for $15 at the Classic Center box office.

The movie lineup for the festival includes Goldfinger, King Kong, Rear Window, Funny Girl, Sunset Boulevard, For Your Consideration, The Godfather and E.T.

Remember, ticket options include an unlimited pass including brunch, $90 ($75 with UGA student/ alumni association ID), a festival pass including tickets to film discussions, $60 ($45 with UGA student/ alumni association ID) and individual film passes, $10 ($8 with UGA student/alumni association ID).

This is one weekend, you will not want to miss! For more details, click here.