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: November 16-18

Football is back in town! This weekend, the Eagles are flying up from Statesboro, GA to play in Sanford Stadium. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, be sure to celebrate the SEC East Championship and take a trip to Athens, GA! 

Yuengling Presents: The Gridiron Music Series 

Celebrate two of Georgia's greatest musical acts with the shows at the Melting Point this weekend! On Friday at 9 p.m., The Big Payback, a James Brown cover band will rock the night away! Saturday after the game, The Other Brothers Band play tribute to The Allman Brothers. 

UGA Football vs. Georgia Southern

Get ready for the first of two in-state battles when UGA welcomes Georgia Southern to Athens! Kick off is set for 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC. Don't miss the Dawg Walk, two hours before the game to congratulate the team on an SEC East Championship! 

Hidden In Plain Sight 

Canopy invites you to an evening of dance, film, and music featuring the Underground Dance Society at their Tracy St. studio! Get your tickets for this family-friendly event for their two shows this weekend: Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 6:00 p.m.

Even MORE events!

• Third Thursday for Visual Arts in Athens, Thursday @ 6-9 p.m.
• Athens Fashion Invasion, Thursday @ 8 pm. 
• Rehab with Oh Geez, Saturday @ 8 p.m.
• Hitchcock Classic Thriller Series: NOTORIOUS, Fri. & Sat. @ 7:30, Sunday @ 2:30

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-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!

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.

Third Thursday: Athens Arts Attractions Collaborate on Expanded Programming

We've got great news for art lovers . . . Athens, Georgia, already known as a Top Arts Destination, has expanded the opportunities to enjoy great  events and exhibits at many of our favorite arts venues.  Here's the scoop, recently released by Michael Lachowski at the Georgia Museum of Art:

Six of Athens’ established venues for visual art are introducing “Third Thursday,” a monthly evening when art can be viewed in the evening hours on the third Thursday of the month. The GeorgiaMuseum of Art and the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia; the Lyndon House Arts Center, GlassCube & Gallery@Hotel Indigo-Athens and Ciné in downtown Athens; and Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (ATHICA) in the Chase Park Warehouses near the Boulevard neighborhood will be open from 6 until 9 p.m. on those days unless they are between installations or closed for a holiday or weather emergency.

The six art establishments will maintain a calendar of their programming at a soon-to-be-launched website, www.3Thurs.org. The website will provide links to the venue resources and a Google Calendar of all their exhibitions, receptions and events, such as kids’ events, lectures and gallery talks. Some opening receptions and special features will occur on Third Thursdays, but they will endeavor to prevent conflicts of critical exhibition elements.

The first iteration of Third Thursday will be on September 20. Opening receptions will be offered at the Lamar Dodd Schoolof Art galleries and at Ciné. ATHICA will be in-between exhibitions, but is opening to reveal its new logo and will offer new t-shirts for purchase and a performance of experimental ambient music. The Georgia Museum of Art, LyndonHouse Arts Center and Gallery@Hotel Indigo will be open with current exhibitions on view.

Events on September 20 are all free and open to the public. Following is the programming for each of the participating venues:

Georgia Museum of Art

• George Beattie’s Agriculture Murals

• The Epic and the Intimate: French Drawings from the John D. Reilly Collection at the Snite Museum of Art

• Francisco de Goya’s “Disasters of War”

• The New York Collection for Stockholm

• The South in Black and White: The Graphic Works of James E. Routh Jr., 1939–1946 

• De Wain Valentine: Human Scale

Lamar Dodd School of Art

• DUOLOGUES: Las Hermana Iglesias, Jihn Moon and Rachel Hayes, and SATAN'S CAMARO, Gallery 307, reception, 6–8 p.m.

• Colour as a Medium: Graphic Design by RAW COLOR (The Netherlands), Gallery 101, reception, 6–8 p.m.

• Costa Rica Study Abroad Program undergraduate student work, Suite Gallery

• NUE WRK: First-year graduate students show, Plaza and Bridge Galleries

Lyndon House Arts Center

• The Orphan Show—exhibition and silent auction of artworks abandoned by their artists at LHAC over the years, including paintings, photographs and assemblage

• Period Decorative Arts ca. 1840–1890 and Athens History Museum Display in the Ware-Lyndon House, ongoing

Athens Institute for Contemporary Art(ATHICA)

JT Bringardner.

GlassCube & Gallery@Hotel Indigo-Athens

• PLACE: photography—works by Michael Lachowski, Carl Martin and Stephen Scheer

Ciné

• Works by Didi Dunphy, Carol John and Lou Kregel with an opening reception

For more information about Third Thursday schedules and plans at participating venues, please see the events calendar at  http://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/events/ or contact the venues directly. 

Georgia Museum of Art

90 Carlton Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

Michael Lachowski

706-542-GMOA

mlachow@uga.edu

georgiamuseum.org

Lamar Dodd School of Art Galleries

270 River Road, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

Jeffrey Whittle

706- 542-0069

whittle@uga.edu

Lyndon House Arts Center

293 Hoyt Street, Athens, GA 30601

Nancy Lukasiewicz

706-613-3623

bit.ly/lyndonhouse

Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (ATHICA)

160 Tracy Street, Unit 4, Athens, GA 30601

Hope Hilton

706-208-1613

info@athica.org

athica.org

Ciné

234 W. Hancock Street, Athens, GA 30601

Carl Martin

706-353-7377

carl@docunlimited.com

athenscine.com

GlassCube & Gallery@Hotel Indigo-Athens

500 College Avenue, Athens, GA 30601

Didi Dunphy

706-546-0430

didi@dididunphy.com

www.indigoathens.com

2012 Summer of SPOA: Athens' Skate Park!

Summer is always an exciting time in Athens, Georgia, and 2012 is definitely no exception. Nearly eight years ago, The Skate Park of Athens (SPOA) broke ground and became the first modern skate park in the state of Georgia. This summer, Phase 2 of the SPOA project is in full swing! Locals in the community are aiming to raise $30,000 in order to make street skate additions to the already-existing deep and shallow bowls at the park. The 2012 Summer of SPOA is a series of Athens GA events being held throughout the summer to raise funds, while honoring our local skate culture.


The Summer of SPOA events include many art exhibits throughout Athens, indicative of the sport of skateboarding. A photography show entitled "Concrete Culture" will continue through July 25, at Cine in Athens. Work by Bob Brussack, Jason Thrasher, Chad Osburn, Kent Pierson, and Ian McFarlane will be on display, and photographs will be available for purchase. The Hudgens Center for the Arts will host "Summer of Sk8" through August 25, an exhibition of different skateboard designs. The "Board Room" Exhibit at The Gallery@Hotel Indigo- Athens features skate decks designed by 55 Athens artists. On the last day of  the exhibit, September 9, Hotel Indigo-Athens will hold "The Board Room" skateboard auction from 4-10 p.m. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience unique Athens art, while supporting the local the community!


Aside from artistic works, the Summer of SPOA event calendar is also packed with rock concerts to aid in the fundraising efforts. Saturday, July 21, Farm 255 will host a benefit concert for SPOA. Performance times, participating bands, and ticket prices are TBA. Check out the restaurant's music calendar for updates and details. The 40 Watt Club will also host a Skate Park of Athens Benefit concert, featuring Dead Confederate, Brothers, Twin Tigers, and SheHeHe, on Friday, August 10. Tickets are $7 in advance, and can be purchased at the venue's website. Go see bands Grass Giraffes and Abandon the Earth Mission at the SPOA Skate Rock Show at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, August 28. Finalized show times are TBA.

The grand finale of the Summer of SPOA events will be the Skate Rock Festival, held on Saturday, October 6. Kick off this celebration with the SPOA Rock Show Pre-Party the night before on Friday, October 5, at Hotel Indigo-Athens. Saturday's Skate Rock Festival at the Skate Park of Athens will include great live music performed on one of the AthFest outdoor stages, exciting skate and BMX demos, and an open skate session for skaters. The 2012 Summer of SPOA is a great way to celebrate SPOA itself, the sport of skateboarding, and Athens' rich, diverse culture!


--Elizabeth Bertrand

Athens This Weekend: July 6-8

The weekend is right around the corner! Enjoy a little getaway to Athens, Georgia for some exciting events! Bring the family for kid-friendly activities, as well as friends for a fun night out! Whatever it is you're looking for, the Classic City provides for a fantastic weekend!

1. Meet the Author: Liza Wieland Reading & Book Signing

Avid Bookshop will host a free poetry reading and book signing by author Liza Wieland on Friday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. Wieland has published seven books, as well as having had two short stories and an essay published in The Georgia Review, an internationally circulated University of Georgia literary journal. Come out and enjoy a lovely evening with this award-winning author!

2. Carla Le Fever and The Rays

On Saturday, July 7, Athens' singer/songwriter Carla Le Fever, and her pop-groove-rock fusion band, the Rays, will perform a free concert at The Office Lounge at 9 p.m. Enjoy live music in Athens on Saturday with the energetic, smooth sounds of these talented local musicians!

3. Summer Classic Kids Film Series

Bring the whole family out for this fantastic summer event, held weekly at Cine on Hancock Avenue in Athens. The Summer Classic Kids Film Series will show the film, Yellow Submarine this weekend, with shows at 2 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 6-8. Admission is $5, but bring an extra $1 for popcorn and a drink. Enjoy a cool afternoon indoors, watching a great classic movie! 

Be sure to check out our calendar of events at Visit Athens, GA for a complete list of awesome summertime activities this weekend!

To stay up-to-date on everything going on in the Classic City, join our mailing list!

What's your favorite summertime activity in Athens?

Athens This Weekend: July 22-24

It's going to be one of those weekends in Athens, GA. You know, the kind of weekend with enough exciting events taking place around town for you to be able to customize your days specifically to your own interests. I suggest you start creating your itinerary now- so as not to miss the fun happenings going on in Athens, GA this weekend. There is:

1) Art to be discussed; If you haven't yet had the chance to visit the first Resident Studio Exhibition at ATHICA, featuring 30 oil paintings by Maxine Youngblood, then it's time to get out there and check it out  in its final weekend. The exhibit's Closing Reception will take place Sunday, July 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will include an artist & curator Panel for open discussion and finally, a reception with the artist. Having not started creating art until the age of 52, Maxine Youngblood, now around 73 years old, nevertheless, creates vivid, rousing works of art. The 30 oil paintings being featured in ATHICA's Resident Studio exhibit are of that same nature, bright, colorful, and passionate, often likened to the style of French and German Expressionism. Curator Lizzie Zucker Saltz and Assistant Curator Ashley Westpheling largely selected works that were figurative in nature- representing pop culture icons like Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Donald Trump, as well as other local artists, performers, and models. If you already had the pleasure of visiting this exhibit or will be visiting for the first time this weekend, be sure to remember to come out for the closing reception on Sunday to hear about the works from the artist and curators themselves! Open 1-6 p.m. Thursday- Sunday! For more information about ATHICA or the event, visit our calendar listing. 

2) Music to be danced to; In its seventh consecutive year, the Annual Darius Goes West Benefit Concert will feature huge acts, such as Bubba Sparxxx and the Nappy Roots who will be accompanied by Georgia Gurlz and Elite Tha Showstoppa- doors open at 8:00 p.m. Saturday night at the 40 Watt. Tickets will be $10 in advance and anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Darius Goes West: The Roll of his Life is an award winning documentary that followed Darius Weems, a teen with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, on a 7,000 mile journey across the U.S. to spread awareness about the fatal DMD disease and raise money for researching a cure. The film was widely praised and raised over one million dollars for research. Since the film, a Darius Goes West Foundation continues to spread awareness and raise money through events such as the one taking place in Athens, GA this weekend. Other Darius Goes West Day affiliated events taking place this weekend are: 

• Dealing For Darius/ Casino For a Cure: Poker Tournament at Lucky Dawg Billiards, Thursday July 21 
• Family Fun Night/ Carnival: The Body Shop of Athens, Friday, July 22, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
• Darius Goes West screening: Cine, Saturday, 7:00 p.m. See trailer below-

For more information about the benefit concert, visit our calendar listing.

3) Local commerce to be supported; The Athens Farmers Market is still in full swing, all local produce and crafts at their freshest and finest, Saturday at Bishop Park from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Your beautiful morning of perusing the displays of the healthy produce and delightful crafts in the sun will be set to a Celtic soundtrack this Saturday morning as Repent at Leisure will play at 8:00 a.m., but the track will flip with the soul folk sounds of local singer/songwriter Kyshona Armstrong at 10:00 a.m. I know it'll be Saturday, but the Athens Farmers Market is worth setting your alarm for this weekend! For more information, check out our event listing.   

4) Theater to be enjoyed; Opening night of The Circle Ensemble Theater performance of Metamorphoses will take place Thursday and run through the Saturday night, July 21-23, beginning each night at 8:30 p.m. in the pool at Ashford Manor. The play transforms ancient myth and lore into contemporary language in a story that takes place completely in and around a large pool of water. This performance is sure to be one of the most interesting theatrical events of the summer! Read more about it on our calendar listing. 

5) and much more to do in Athens, GA this weekend! Be sure to check out our weekend calendar for other fun and exciting events on the schedule, like the secret passageway opening and Slop Fest 2011!

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!  

Athens This Weekend: Feb. 18 - 20

There is so much to do this weekend in Athens! Whether you want to get outdoors and enjoy the weather, or spend time inside learning more about food, yourself, and other cultures, Athens, GA has it all!

______________________________________________

1. 18th Annual A Taste of Athens 2011 - Spend your Sunday evening sampling the best food and drinks that Athens restaurants have to offer! There will be over 50 restaurants offering food samples, a wine and beer tasting, and a silent auction. The best way to attend this amazing night guilt-free is to take part in the Taste of Athens 10K on Saturday! All proceeds from these events benefit the Community Connection of Northeast Georgia, who for more than 25 years has encouraged our community to GET, GIVE, and GROW HELP!

For more information visit: http://www.tasteofathens.com/

2. Total You Northeast Georgia Women's Expo - Saturday is the ultimate spa party at the Classic Center! It's time to finally be the better you that you've been planning for! Come check out healthy food, facial massages, waxings, exercise, scrapbooking, and self-defense workshops.

New this year is a special Little Princess area that includes face painting, nail painting, and a chance to meet Disney princesses! Stop by Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and pamper yourself!

Learn more at: http://www.totalyouexpo.com/

3. The 3rd Annual Jewish Film Festival - This festival opens Saturday at Ciné with a reception, dinner (Sold Out), and screening of The Infidel to get you ready for the rest of the cultural festival! Throughout the 5 day festival, there will be 10 feature film screenings plus other short films and children's classics. This year's theme is "Bridging Cultures through Film Screening and Discussion." No excuses because parking is free! For the festival schedule and other important information check out: http://www.athensjff.org/

That's not all that's going on in Athens this weekend! Are you among the select few who will see the B-52's back home in concert?

There is so much more to do so check out our event calendar and fall in love with this great city!

Not Since You

This weekend I attended the premiere of "Not Since You" at Athens Cine. I cannot stop bragging about the film- I was truly impressed with everything from the characters, the scenery and the music to the story line itself.

"Not Since you," produced by Epting Events' Ashley Epting, is a film that everyone will enjoy. It is the story of a group of once tight-knit college friends coming back together for a wedding-and having unresolved issues resurface even after years apart from one another. It addresses issues that we have all dealt with such as tensions in distant relationships, reevaluating life, finding love, growing up, getting married and even the tragic events of September 11.

Most importantly, it is set in this beautiful and historic town of Athens. Not only is the film set in Athens, it portrays Athens as itself- a unique and diverse town filled with great music and art.

Several historic landmarks and familiar faces are featured in the movie, including The Hill, The Arch, The Tree That Owns Itself, Jackson Street Bookstore and Athens-Ben Epps Airport, to name a few. You will immediately recognize cast members from well-known film and television shows including Desmond Harrington of "Dexter" and Kathleen Robertson of "90210." Other actors include Christian Kane, Sara Rue, Jon Abrahams and Will Estes.

"Not Since You" will be at Athens Cine until April 15. Every night this week from Monday - Thursday, patrons can elect for one dollar from each ticket to go to the designated charity of the day. On Friday, April 9, Epting Events will host a VIP Cocktail which will include a ticket to the screening, drinks, a cocktail buffet and a meet and greet with Ashley Epting.

Please spread the word about this movie around Athens and other communities, and most importantly, buy a ticket! I promise you will not be disappointed.

Athens this Weekend: April 2 - 4

Spring is in the air, and the warm weather is here! Start enjoying the month of April with the great events that Athens has to offer this weekend.

Friday, April 2:

• A parade of dog breeds, farrier and horseback riding demonstrations, hospital tours and exhibits- these are just some of the activities available to the young and old alike at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Open House! Guided tours of the College and Teaching Hospital facilities will be available throughout the day, and interesting exhibits will focus on topics such as animal behavior, equine reproduction and herd health.

Saturday, April 3:

• Great exercise, great fun and a great cause! Join the Athens' Habitat for Humanity and the Athens' Homeless Shelter for the 17th Annual Run/Walk for Home 5K! The race will start at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, run through the downtown area, the North Oconee Greenway and finish behind the Classic Center on Foundry Street. The race will start at 8:00 a.m., rain or shine, and is an event for walkers and runners alike. Proceeds benefits Athens Area Habitat for Humanity and the Athens Area Homeless Shelter.

• The Athens Symphony will present its FREE Spring Concert this Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Classic Center! The Symphony will perform movements from famous fifth symphonies and will feature a former UGA professor and a Monroe band teacher as soloists.

Sunday, April 4: Happy Easter!

• You're invited to celebrate Easter at The Georgia Center, with Easter Lunch served in the Magnolia Ballroom. Reservations required. Entree selections include leg of lamb, honey-glazed ham, sirloin of beef, chicken Key Largo and pecan crusted tilapia. Call 706.542.6341 to reserve today! Only $19.95 for adults, $6.95 for children and children under 6 are free!

Ongoing Events:

• Happy 30th birthday, R.E.M.! April 5, 1980 marked the very first time Bill, Peter, Mike and Michael took the stage together in Athens, GA. It has been 30 years since R.E.M. made its debut, and the Classic City is ready to celebrate with a weekend full of very special events! Take a music heritage tour with scenster Paul Butchart, celebrate at a very special party at The Melting Point, view a 90-minute retropective at Cine and listen to WUOG 90.5 fm for 5 STRAIGHT HOURS of R.E.M. music!

• Now is your chance to see Athens on the big screen! Produced by Athens native Ashley Epting, Not Since You is the story of a group of once tight-knit college friends coming back together for a wedding. This movie was filmed and set in Athens! One screening per day brought to you by Epting Events and Harry's Pig Shop. Monday through Thursday, each night will have a charity designation for which patrons can elect for one dollar from each ticket to go to the designated charity of the day.

• UGA Sports: UGA Tennis has two home matches this weekend and Top Ten-Ranked UGA Softball takes on Arkansas.

DON'T FORGET! Spring means festivals, and Athens has over 10 annual events/festivals just this month! We are offering 18 web coupons and 5 great getaway packages to make your planning easier! We also have a calendar of events with a list of all music, festivals, etc. Click here to see what we have to offer.

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.