Athens This Weekend: July 15-17

The summer heat has been a huge and steady companion to all venturing outdoors in Athens, GA these last couple of weeks- greeting all who exit the relief of air conditioning with an enthusiastic, all-consuming hug of humidity. But our good friend, Sweltering Heat, will be giving us some much needed space this weekend in Athens, GA, so let's make the most of it! With a varied calendar of options for all ages, plan on getting out and about for multiple weekend events!

1) Spend your Saturday morning in the midst of renewed classical antiquity and in the company of the little ones you love most at the Georgia Museum of Art Family Day event running from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The Family Day of July 16th will feature the Kress Collection, which includes 12 Italian Renaissance paintings donated in 1961 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. The valued collection, which includes pieces from as far back as the 14th and 17th century, has been integral to the museum's educational function as university students, faculty, and art historians from all over the world come to study the works. The Family Day activities will include refreshments and the crafting of Renaissance-inspired picture frames in the first-floor classroom following an educational tour of the Kress Collection. This highly informative and engaging Family Day event at the Georgia Museum of Art will entertain parents and kids alike, so come out and see how you and your family will be inspired! For more information on this event, visit out calendar listing.

2) The museum isn't the only place to enjoy displays of inspired cultural expression in Athens, Ga this weekend- The Rialto Room will feature the latest segment of their "Go Green" Series benefitting the Oconee River Land Trust- A Songwriters in the Round event is set to take place this Friday night, July 15, beginning at 8:00 p.m. The evening will feature songwriters of a Southern persuasion as all musicians fall under the country genre. Some past credits of the performers include: Mike Dekle, writer of hits "Scarlett Fever" and "Someone Must Feel Like a Fool Tonight" by Kenny Rogers;  Will Nance, writer of #1 Billboard hit "She's Everything" for Brad Paisley; John Ford Coley, writer and performer of hits "Love is the Answer," "Gone Too Far," and "Sad To Belong"; Byron Hill, writer of classics such as "Fool Hearted Money" by George Strait and many others. This unique and intimate event could only be made better by making it last all night- reserve a room for the night at Hotel Indigo- offering a special deal of one standard room and 2 concert tickets for $145.00. Single tickets are on sale for $15 here. Come escape for a unique evening at the Rialto Room this Friday night! For more information on this event, visit our calendar listing.

3) Connect with the Athens community through the delicious shared experience of enjoying some local food at events sponsored by the Taste Your Place Local Food Extravaganza, a couple of which will take place this Saturday and Sunday. This two week event, running from July 9 - 21, is sponsored by P.L.A.C.E., an Athens non-profit committed to maintaining and fostering the growth of a healthy, well-connected local food culture, seeking to unite the Athens community in an appreciation of good food from local vendors.  The Taste Your Pie Contest event will take place this Saturday at the Athens Farmers Market around 10:00 a.m. Contest entry is open to all who provide $5, a pie and the recipe, contest tasting of all pies costs only $5 as well. Prizes will be awarded to the most delectable pies. On Sunday from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m., a driving tour of 3 local farms will take place around Athens, seats can be reserved for $30 each- contact Amanda Tedrow (atedrow@uga.edu) to save your spot. For more information about past and upcoming Taste Your Place events, visit our event listing.

These three fantastic events are just the start of your fantastic weekend in Athens, GA- check out some other notable events taking place:

• View and partake in the creation of fairy homes in a Fairy House Workshop, Friday 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., at the State Botanical Garden.  

• Hear Native American Folk Tales at the ACC Library, Friday at 2:30 p.m., in a storytelling concert of Cherokee legends.

• Kayak or Canoe through Lake Chapman by the moonlight during Full Moon Paddles at Sandy Creek Park, Friday or Saturday from 9:00- 11:00 p.m.

Don't stop here--visit our weekend calendar for an even more comprehensive guide to this weekends events! Take advantage of the brief relief from the heat this weekend, get out and enjoy summer in Athens, GA!

Athens This Weekend: January 29-31

Whether you want to learn more about "going green", enjoy unique musical performances or are preparing for an upcoming wedding, Athens offers it all! Check out all of the exciting events happening this weekend in the Classic City.

Featured Event (Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30):

• I am always looking for new ways to save energy and learn more about recycling, and the Green Life Expo is the perfect opportunity for this! Join us at the Classic Center on Friday and Saturday to discover ways you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and make small changes that will have a big impact. Bring hard-to-recycle items including home electronics, CDs, DVDs, computer games, alkaline and rechargeable batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. It's two days of information and fun that you don't want to miss!

Saturday, Jan. 30: As always, there are plenty of opportunities to hear musical performances around Athens!

• Nothing is more relaxing and entertaining than watching a musical performance- especially one where musicians perform from the center of the room, level with the audience encircling them! Head to the Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo this Saturday at 9 p.m. for live performances "in the round" by Richard Leigh, Rob Crosby, and James Dean Hicks. $15 per ticket and only $99+tax for a hotel stay/show package!

• UGA Performing Arts Center presents a renowned musical matrimony and an evening of unforgettable Celtic music this Saturday. Known for her flamboyant skill and trademark step dancing, Natalie MacMaster mixes her shows with Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and American bluegrass music. MacMaster's "other half," husband Donnell Leahy, is widely acclaimed for his agility on the fiddle. It is guaranteed to be a fun show for all!

Sunday, Jan. 31: Athens is offering not one, but TWO bridal shows this Sunday. It's a bride's dream-come-true!

• The Classic Center hosts the Georgia Bridal Show which features 50 exhibitors from North Georgia. You can meet face-to-face with wedding professionals and find everything you have been looking for to create the wedding of your dreams including cakes, food, gowns, tuxedos, music and flowers! Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with a fashion show at 3:30 p.m.

• Athens Wedding Professionals presents the Ultimate Bridal Show at the Georgia Center from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with more than 40 local and Northeast Georgia wedding professionals participating. It is a one-stop shopping event with all of the wedding services you will need!

Athens this Weekend

Be sure to check out the great music rolling into Athens this weekend. And get your tailgate ready as the Dawgs play Between the Hedges for the last time this season.

Friday, November 20th:

• The Atlanta Rhythm Section plans to rock The Classic Center Theatre this Friday evening with classic rock anthems from their more than 15 albums. The Section has been a part of the Southern rock scene for more than 30 years with hits like "So Into You", "Champagne Jam", and of course "Spooky". Local band Eddie and the Public Speakers will open the show. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Classic Center. Tickets run from $10-$35 and are available online.
• The Rialto Room at the Hotel Indigo continues its inaugural "Rialto Bridge Series" with hit recording artist Edwin McCain. The Charleston, SC native is known for the jazz-infused romantic ballads "I'll Be" and "I Could not ask for More". Come experience McCain's smooth soul at either 7 or 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available on the Rialto Room's website.
• ATHICA hosts the 28th annual Studio Group Holiday Show & Sale today through Sunday at its Chase Street location. The market is a display and sale of works created by the studio group's twelve members. Items include fused-glass, photography, paintings, drawings, pottery, metals, and jewelry. Find something for everyone on your list! The show and sale runs from 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 12-4p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the group and the sale visit the studio group's website.

Saturday, November 21st:

• The Bulldogs host the Kentucky Wildcats for their final home game of the season. The game begins at 7:45 p.m. and will also be broadcast on ESPN2.

Be sure to check out our website and the offers recently listed on our blog for this weekend's available hotel rooms. The CVB wishes a Happy and safe Thanksgiving to those students heading home for the Holiday. (This Bulldawg is headed back to the Connecticut cold for the week.)

GO DAWGS!

Athens this Football Weekend!

The Dawgs hope to continue last week's offensive surge versus the Auburn Tigers while the rest of Athens comes alive with its usual game day energy.

Friday, November 13th:

• The Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo continues its "Rialto Bridge" series with recording artist Shawn Mullins. Mullins became an overnight success with his radio hit "Lullaby" after ten years playing in and around his native Atlanta. The Rialto Room will host two shows Friday evening at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Visit their website for more on Mullins and to buy tickets.
• No need to wait until Saturday for some inter-SEC action, Auburn rolls into town on Friday afternoon for its first match up against the Dawgs at the UGA Equestrian Center. The meet begins at 3 p.m. UGA volleyball takes on Kentucky at 7 p.m. at the Ramsey, with a second SEC match on Sunday afternoon versus the Tennessee Volunteers.

Saturday, November 14th:

• Fresh off their homecoming win, the Dawgs look to defeat the rival Auburn Tigers. Be between the Hedges for the 7 p.m. kickoff or catch the game on ESPN2!

Sunday, November 15th:

• The Athens Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 32nd year of free concerts with its Winter showcase. Enjoy the talents of these Athens musicians at the Classic Center this Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Admission is free with the possession of a ticket, which are available at the Classic Center box office. Visit the Symphony's website for more information about the musicians and past performances.
• UGA Women's basketball hosts Oklahoma at Stegeman Coliseum at 2:30 p.m.
• Aromas, the Five Points pub and wine bar, hosts its first Aromas Cask Ale Festival. The restaurant's front parking lot will be filled with tents featuring firkins ( a keg in the British sense of the word) from 10-12 of America's best craft breweries. Enjoy brews from Terrapin, Sweetwater, Bell's, Copper Creek, and more. Food items and live music will accompany the beer. The festival begins at 1 p.m. and lasts until every firkin is drained! Tickets are $30 and are available at the Aromas website.

Remember to keep an eye out for CVB staff members for a chance to participate in our fabulous giveaway mentioned below.

Enjoy the weekend and GO DAWGS!

Homecoming Weekend in Athens: "Take me Down to the Classic City"

After almost a month on the road, the Bulldogs are back at Sanford Stadium. Make a weekend out of UGA's homecoming with a series of Dawg-related events.

Don't forget to share your favorite UGA football memories with us on our blog. The best memory will win a free night's stay at the Holiday Inn Athens! You have until Friday to give us a great Dawg story.

Friday, November 6th:

• Start the weekend off right at the Melting Point's weekly "Lunch With the Dawgs". This week's featured speaker is UGA strength coach Dave VanHalanger. The Coach's expectantly motivational speech is sure to pump up Dawg fans for this weekend's showdown. The lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Price of admission includes lunch crafted by award winning Executive Chef Martin Smetana.
• The Homecoming Parade storms the streets of downtown at 6 p.m. Friday evening. UGA All-American gymnast Courtney Kupets will serve as the parade's Grand Marshal. She will lead a procession of floats, The Red Coat Band, UGA Athletes, and Athens dignitaries. For a complete list of the week's homecoming events visit the University Union's website.
• UGA Equestrian hosts Fresno State at the Equestrian complex on Friday afternoon.
• There is nothing better than an evening of live music the night before a Dawg's game. Come out and enjoy Kim Carnes at the Rialto Room this Friday. Nashville singer-songwriter Carnes has had three # 1 country hits, including Billboard #1 "Betty Davis Eyes". The song went on to win Grammys for both record and song of the year. Shows begin at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available on the Rialto Room's website.

Saturday, November 7th:

• The Dawgs are back at Sanford Stadium to take on the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Alumni visits and the crowning of the homecoming court will certainly make this a Saturday to remember.

Sunday, November 8th:

• Lady Bulldog basketball kicks off their 2009-2010 season this Sunday with an exhibition game versus Clayton State. Tip-off is at 2:30 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum. Admission is free.

This Sunday is also the closing of Athica's Free Press in Free Fall exhibit, be sure to witness this thought-provoking event before its too late. Visit the CVB's event calendar for a full list of the weekend's events. Enjoy your homecoming and GO DAWGS!