Spotlight on the Arts at UGA

Dance. Music. Literature. Painting. Poetry. Cinema.

You'll find it all during the the "Spotlight on the Arts" festival, hosted by the University of Georgia! Over a nine-day period, more than fifty performing and visual arts events will take place in Athens, Georgia to showcase the wide variety of creative talent from inside and outside our community!

Here's a rundown of the "don't miss" events of the series!

Monday, November 5th:

• The large-scale mural, Doors, tracing the modern political history of Georgia is now on display in the Richard B. Russell Special Collection Library. The program at 5:30 p.m. will feature presentations by library curators and the artist, retired UGA Art professor Art Rosenbaum. 

Tuesday, November 6th:

• In honor of Election Day, members of Demosthenian Literary Society will re-enact classic campaign speeches in the lobby of the Russell Library at noon. 

• At 12:30 p.m., head to Memorial Hall Ballroom for an open Waltz and Swing class, sponsored by the UGA Dance Department. 
• Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m., Athens welcomes world-renowned musical phenomenon Blue Man Group as part of the Classic Center's Broadway Entertainment Series. The Blue Men use the stage to entertain with a combination of theatrics and performance art! Acclaimed by the New York Times as "one of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged," this is one you certainly don't want to miss!

Wednesday, November 7th

• UGA Trombone Ensemble and Choir perform at 6 p.m. in Ramsey Hall at the Performing Arts Center on UGA's East Campus.
• Somebodies, a locally produced feature film will be premiered with a Q and A to follow by writer/director Hadjii and co-star Kaira Akita. The film begins at 7 p.m. at Cine on W. Hancock Street. 
• The Blue Man Group concludes their two-night run in Athens with an 8 p.m. show!

Thursday, November 8th

•  Class of 1989 UGA alumnus, U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey will present readings and remarks at UGA Chapel. The Charter Lecture begins at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow at Demosthenian Hall.
• Chakaia Booker will present a lecture in conjunction with the exhibition of her work Defiant Beauty, currently on display in the Jane and Harry Wilson Sculpture Garden at the Georgia Museum of Art. 5:30 reception, 6:30 lecture in the Griffith Auditorium at the Georgia Museum of Art.
• Student Night at the Georgia Museum of Art with tours, food and DIY projects from 8-11 p.m.

Friday, November 9th

• World-renowned banjo player Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio perform at the Hodgson Hall in the Performing Arts Center on East Campus.
• University Theatre: The Darker Face of Earth by former Poet Laureate Rita Dove at the Fine Arts Theatre combines the Greek Oedipus myth with the reality of slavery. See it Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 10th

• Spend the morning at GMOA; It's Family Day!
• Young Choreographers Series Senior Concert at 8 p.m. features senior Dance majors culmination of choreographic works

Sunday, November 11th

• Don't miss the final performance of The Darker Face of Earth at the Theatre in the Fine Arts Building at 2 p.m.!
• Guests are invited to the Georgia Museum of Art for a Spotlight Tour of the permanent collections from 3-4 p.m.; meet in the GMOA lobby!

Enjoy the Spotlight!!!

All tickets for events requiring admission are available at www.pac.uga.edu. 

For a complete look at times, dates and more information about Spotlight on the Arts, http://arts.uga.edu/about/schedule.

Going the Distance - Athens, GA This Weekend: Oct. 21-23 Events and Things to Do

Have the rain and chill earlier this week been getting you down? Don't worry, the weekend is nearly here! And there are some really exciting events planned that will bring guaranteed fun to your day no matter what the weather may bring!

1. From Friday through Sunday, the Canopy Studio Company will be presenting their Fall Aerial Show "What Flies Beneath". This family-friendly show will feature zip lines, bungees, flying cubes, circus poles, straps, tight-wire, Spanish web, and more! The show will be at Canopy Studio at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Matinees will be 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available online or thirty minutes prior to showtime. Watch the preview video here to get a little sneak peek of what you can expect!

2. Are you a fan of jazz or bluegrass? Then make sure to go see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band perform at the Hodgson Concert Hall at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center this Saturday at 8 p.m.! These two legendary bands have between them such achievements as performing for royalty all around the world as well as winning a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album. Get your tickets today, and look forward to a night of authentic and uniquely American music; this will definitely be an unforgettable experience!

3. Calling all runners -- have you registered to participate in the 2nd Annual AthFest Half Marathon yet? Make sure to sign up because this run benefits AthFest, a non-profit organization in Athens, Ga., that supports arts and music education. While you run for this great cause on Sunday morning at 7 a.m., you can enjoy the beautiful scenery Athens has to offer; the run goes through several historic areas, by Sanford Stadium, and along the Oconee River Greenway. Also, don't miss out on the Health and Fitness Expo which will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Holiday Inn Express. You can register at the Expo on Saturday. Participants will receive a t-shirt and those who pick up their packet early gain access to some neat giveaways and sales.

If none of those fit in your schedule or will bring you out of your gloomy weather funk, take a look at the following events.

• Bring your family out on Friday night for Family Campfire and Storytelling at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The event runs from 6-8 p.m. and is limited to 40 participants, so register now! You will learn to build a fire, hear fun tales, and, best of all, enjoy that lovely treat known to all as S'mores!
• If you enjoy the art of dance, don't miss out on DanceAthens 2011's 11th Annual Dance Concert on Saturday. Many regional dance companies will come together for a night celebrating dance in Athens. It will take place at the Morton Theatre at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets soon!
• Check out the beauty of the North Oconee River during this Sunday's Athens Heritage Walk. However, you won't just be walking on this tour -- a portion of the tour takes place on a canoe! The tour will begin at 1 p.m.; get your tickets quickly before the tour hits its capacity (only 14 people!).

Any of these events will be a good start to a great weekend. Here's hoping for fair weather, so you can enjoy a variety of events, whether they be indoors or outdoors!

- Debbie

Athens This Weekend: March 5 - 7

Friday, March 5:

• Everybody have fun tonight! Travel back in time to the era of shoulder pads, bangle bracelets and living to excess. The Melting Point presents The Highballs in Concert. The Highballs will be putting on a totally awesome show so you can party to the max. Like, for sure! Duran Duran, Madonna, Journey, the Bangles...all the best of the '80s in a high energy live show.

Saturday, March 6:

• The UGA Performing Arts Center is proud to present Narek Hakhnazaryan, a 19-year-old cellist who won first prize in the 2008 Young Concert Artists International Auditions! His two rewarding debuts were in Carnegie's Zankel Hall in New York and at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater in Washington, D.C. According to San Francisco Classical Voice, "he produces a powerful and colorful sound in all registers, nails every big shift and flashes all the virtuoso's tricks with insolent ease. He should have a stellar career."

• Treat your family to Exotic Birds & Animals on Planet Earth: Family Day at The State Botanical Garden! Roy Hodge from Exotic Paradise, Atlanta will travel to the State Botanical Garden this Saturday to educate and entertain families with his menagerie of exotic forest animals! Attendees will discover amazing facts and adaptations of exotic animals in a live animal presentation. Children and their parents can pet and take pictures with cockatoos, parrots, owls, monitor lizards, anacondas, boa constrictors and more!

Sunday, March 7:

• Head over to The State Botanical Garden this Sunday for the opening reception of Claire Clements' paintings exhibition Bottlebrush Buckeye and Beyond! Participate in a fun art critique exercise and interpret artworks currently on display. Claire's process, cut paintings, involves cutting mixed media painting on paper. Free to the public.

Ongoing Events:

• Do not miss your opportunity to view a colorful display of late winter flowers at the 18th Annual Hellebore Days at Piccadilly Farm in Bishop, Georgia! The public is invited to stroll the gardens and view thousands of Lenten Roses in full bloom in the 2.5 acre display garden. Hellebore Days has been featured in the New York Times and numerous other publications. For those unable to attend the event, the gardens will be open on Fridays and Saturdays during the spring season.

• Athens Creative Theatre presents "Bull in a China Shop," a Women's Repertoire Show and Dessert Theatre. When a houseful of sweet little old ladies discovers that a handsome bachelor lives across the street, they are delighted! When they learn that he is none other than Detective Dennis O'Finn, of Homicide, they are faced with the problem of how to attract his attention. The answer is simplicity itself: a nice, genteel homicide with a cup of tea as the murder weapon! Patrons will enjoy a dessert buffet at intermission.

• Paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media, large and small sculpture, works in clay and in fiber, jewelry, photographs, drawings, prints, and other works! The 35th Juried Exhibition at Lyndon House Arts Center showcases a wealth of Athens area talent. Over 740 art works by 291 artists were entered in the competition this year and 142 pieces were selected by this year's juror Ron Platt, the Hugh Kaul Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Athens This Weekend: January 21-24

It's another exciting weekend in Athens with opportunities and events to hear the ever-familiar tunes of a country iconic legend, attend the Athens premiere of an award-winning independent film and experience the sounds of Moscow's most popular orchestra!

Thursday: Willie Nelson is on the road again to Athens to perform live at the Classic Center at 7:30 p.m! This iconic singer-songwriter is well-known for his classic hits including "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time," "On the Road Again" and duets with Waylon Jennings, "Good Hearted Woman" and "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Lukas Nelson- son of Willie- and his band, Promise of the Real, will open the concert. Tickets are almost sold out, so hurry fast!

Friday: Local Southern rock-'n'-blues band, The Rattlers, are performing at the 40 Watt at 8 p.m. The band plays from influences such as Jimi Hendrix, The Cure and Elvis while maintaining a guitar-driven, original sound. Shows often feature surprise special guests! Radiolucent will open. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10/$12 at the door.

Saturday: Cine presents the Athens premiere of the new award-winning independent film, "That Evening Sun" starring Hal Holbrook. The film is based on on Southern author William Gay's short story "I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down," which was originally published in "The Georgia Review." The film features original music by Athens' very own Patterson Hood and the Drive-By-Truckers. Admission is $20.

• 6 p.m. : The filmmaker reception starts at 6:00 p.m. with gourmet soul food by Homemade Catering.
• 7 p.m. : Introduction and discussion with writer-director Scott Teems.
• 7:30 p.m. : Film screening followed by musical performance with songwriter Patterson Hood.

Sunday: Experience a program of magestic Russian musical works at UGA Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of Moscow's most admired orchestras with numerous tours and Moscow concerts. The orchestra has performed on television and radio and can also be heard on many film soundtracks. A pre-concert lecture will be offered prior to the performance.

Here Come the Holidays!

The Classic City kicks off the Holiday Season this weekend with a number of festive events that will certainly get you in high spirits.

• Athens' annual Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights ushers in the holiday season this evening at 7 p.m. Over 60 floats, bands, and other groups parade through downtown streets awash in twinkling lights. The theme for the 2009 parade is "A Gift from the Heart." The parade begins on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets ending in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus. Come early for the Downtown Open House, with great deals and extended hours by great downtown retailers! For more information, visit http://www.accleisureservices.com/.
• The UGA Symphony Orchestra will perform a series of holiday favorites tonight, December 3rd, and tomorrow the 4th. Hear their smooth holiday tunes at 8 p.m. on both days at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall in the UGA performing arts complex. The concert is free admission.
• Celebrate the history of Athens this holiday season as The Athens Historic House Museum presents its 2nd annual “Christmas Spirits Holiday Tour” on December 5th and 6th. Visitors will enjoy guided tours of each residence while noshing on delicious seasonal refreshments. Two original theatre vignettes by Rose of Athens Theatre are sure to delight tour-goers of all ages. Come and see the four historic house museums in all their festive splendor! Tours will leave from the Ware-Lyndon house on Hoyt Street at 6 and 7 p.m. on the 5th and 2 and 3 p.m. on the 6th. Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 for children under 10. It is sure to be unforgettable holiday fun for the whole family. Call (706) 353-1820 for tour reservations.
• The Classic Center hosts an evening of holiday jazz with Grammy jazz vocalist nominee Nnenna Freelon. Joining Ms. Freelon will be The Jon Faddis Quartet, plus percussion. Mr. Faddis is one of the finest jazz trumpeters in the world. In addition to the wonderful holiday music, Jon will feature his renowned tribute to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. The show begins at 8 p.m. on December 5th. Tickets are available at the Classic Center box office or at http://www.classiccenter.com/.
• The State Botanical Garden’s Holiday Open House on December 6th offers free, festive, family entertainment inside the tropical Conservatory, This year’s holiday décor will keep with the theme of “An Audubon Christmas”, celebrating the Garden’s birds. Musical entertainment includes performances by The Georgia Children’s chorus, The Solstice Sisters and The Classic City Band. A professional photographer will take posed photos as Santa and Mrs. Claus listened to children’s wishes. Special holiday drinks and treats will be available for sale at the garden-side Café. The event begins at 2 p.m. and is free admission. For more information call 706-542-1244 or log on to the Garden's website.

This weekend's events are sure to please Athens holiday revelers of all ages... so enjoy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!