Top 5 To Do List in Athens, Ga on Football Weekends

This fall when you and thousands of others head to Athens, Georgia to cheer on the Dawgs in the Sanford Stadium, be sure to check out all that the Classic City has to offer beyond the hedges. With so many available activities, the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau has decided to compile a "Top 5 Things To Do in Athens on Football Weekends" list!

1: Explore VIBRANT DOWNTOWN

Just a short walk from Sanford Stadium, downtown Athens is bursting at its seams with stylish and quirky shops, a variety of bars and music venues, unbeatable dining, and more. The Victoria-era architecture creates an inviting atmosphere for both visitors and locals to take a leisurely stroll and explore the local shops. Athens nightlife is one of a kind- especially on game days. You'll have to experience it for yourself! While you're checking out the town, keep a look out for the world's only Double-Barreled Cannon on the corner of College Ave. and Hancock Ave and the Tree That Owns Itself, which is a few blocks away on the corner of Dearing St. and Finley St. Bordering downtown, the University of Georgia's beautiful North Campus, which also makes for a beautiful walk, begins at The Arch on Broad Street.

2: Catch a LIVE MUSIC show

Named the "Number One College Music Scene in America" by Rolling Stone Magazine, Athens is gushing with awesome music!  The local venues attract rising stars, old favorites, and everything in between. Not only have world-renowned bands such as R.E.M., the B-52's, and Widespread Panic originated from the Classic City, but hundreds of new and upcoming bands make their debut in Athens each year. Between famous Athens venues such as the Georgia Theatre, The Melting Point, and 40 Watt Club, and intimate venues such as Caledonia Lounge, Little Kings Shuffle Club, and the Green Room, there is always a great show to be seen. Check out the performance schedule here!

3: Indulge in LOCAL FOOD

No football fan will be underfed this season with dozens of delectable restaurants lining the streets of downtown Athens. The Classic City's food scene is booming and has recently caught the attention of national media. Among the most recognized eateries are Five and Ten, Top Chef Hugh Acheson's restaurant, and The Last Resort Grill on Clayton St., which is always a family favorite. Mama's Boy, Heirloom Cafe, The Grit, Porterhouse Grill, and East-West Bistro are also popular choices for weekend brunch. There is no shortage of traditional "tailgating food" such as pizza, burgers, and wings, which can be found downtown at Amici Italian Cafe, The Volstead, and Dirty Birds. A complete list of Athens restaurants can be found here.

4: Taste and tour TERRAPIN BREWERY

While in Athens, fans will want to try local Athens beer. Known for its unsurpassed flavor and character, Terrapin beer is quickly winning over the nation. Adding to their collection of awards, Terrapin Beer Co. recently claimed a spot on The Best 25 Craft Breweries in the U.S. list, and visitors will understand why. The whole family, including leashed four-legged friends, is invited to tour the brewery on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live outdoor music, free tastings, lawn games, and brewery tours every half-hour make for a pleasant, relaxing environment for all. A $10 souvenir beer glass secures eight four-ounce tasting tickets for visitors ages 21+.

5: Enjoy ATHENS ATTRACTIONS & TOURS

Did you know? Athens is home to Georgia's official state museum of art and the official state botanical garden. The Georgia Museum of Art, located on UGA's East Campus, is home to a permanent collection of more than 9,000 works of art as well as a variety of traveling exhibitions and is open to the public every day except Mondays. The 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia is open seven days a week and is the perfect place to have a picnic, take a walk on miles of nature trails, or participate in an interesting lecture, class, or hike. Neither of these attractions  have an admission fee but do accept donations.

For visitors interested in learning about the historical components of Athens, guided tours are available. The Classic City Tour of Athens is offered daily through the Athens Welcome Center, along with free self-guided brochures/maps, audio tours, and pod tours. Details can be found at here.
 

Athens Food Tours are a delicious and exciting option for those wanting to learn about and taste local and regional cuisine. Lastly, the self-guided Athens Music History Walking Tour focuses on the history of Athens music and the locations that made the music scene into such a success. The tour brochure is available at the Athens Welcome Center or online.

This fall, visitors should expect much more from Athens, Georgia than just a good football game. With the beautiful downtown, award-winning food, beer, and music, and interesting cultural elements, the Top Five Things To Do in Athens on a football weekend may require a second trip! For information on last-minute hotel availability, parking, tailgating, plus an event calendar and special deals, click here or call the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4430.

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, GA Debuts New Festival: Athens Slingshot

Athens, GA is proud to present the newest annual festival to hit the Classic City: Athens Slingshot! Featuring 45 performers from more than 20 countries, we're certain this festival won't disappoint. See what the hosts themselves had to say about this exciting new festival:

Athens, GA, home to R.E.M., the B52ʼs and a vibrant music history, is making history again. ATHENS SLINGSHOT, the new showcase for innovative music, art and technology in the Southeast, is taking over downtown Athens on March 9th, 2013. Spread over three city blocks, SLINGSHOT will feature local, national and international acts on stage, with boundary-pushing artwork throughout the urban
environment, and tech talks during the day with leading thinkers in arts technology.

The daylong event kicks off with “Tech Shots”, a short series of panel discussions focused on interactive media and the role of technology in art. Leading voices in digital media from Georgia Tech, The University of Georgia, NYU and the University of Denver, among others, will be participating.

From midday on, the festival will feature works by more than 45 artists from 20 countries at various indoor and outdoor locations throughout downtown. The art dimension of Slingshot is focused on new genres such as interactive art, video and sound art, electroacoustic music, site-specific works (locative media), performance and film. Irish media artist Conor MgCarrigle (2011 Venice Biennale) is creating a new iPhone-based “locative art experience” specifically for Athens and well-known filmmaker Vincent Moon will also be showing recent works from his series “Petites Planetes”.

The evening's music line up features an eclectic mix of new music composers and national and local acts. National acts including Japan's The Suzan, Atlanta-based DJ MK Ultra and Baby Baby along with local favorites Harouki Zombi, Reptar side projects Thick Paint and Co Co Ri Co, DJ Feral Youth, and more will be taking the stage. A host of music venues on the west side of downtown including the venerable 40 Watt Club and Athens' newest venue, The World Famous, will be hosting bands.

For more information about Athens Slingshot, please visit the CVB website!

Downtown Athens Christmas Parade of Lights is Thursday, Dec. 1

 So much of my Christmas spirit comes from seeing strings and strings of sparkling Christmas lights go up on houses, buildings, and all around Athens as the holidays draw near. Something about the colors and the twinkling of those decorative lights at nighttime really puts me in a happy, festive mood. I especially love the lighted reindeer, candy canes, and other holiday decorations that can be found in many yards.

If you understand this feeling, then you must make it out to the Athens Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights this year! Located in downtown Athens, this annual parade truly ushers in the holiday season with over 60 floats, bands, and other groups bringing the festivity through the downtown streets. The twinkling lights brightening up the downtown area at night will fill you, your friends, and your family with awe and wonder. The parade begins at 7 p.m. on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets and will end in front of City Hall. Be sure to stay for the whole time so you don't miss out on the traditional tree lighting ceremony hosted by the Christmas celebrities themselves: Santa and Mrs. Claus!

This is the perfect event to share with your family, and children and adults will be consumed by the magic and beauty of the lights. Another great reason to go and make a night of it is the Downtown Open House; if you head downtown prior to the parade, there will be awesome deals and extended hours offered by retailers!

With no admission charge and a night full of fun, this parade makes the list for one of the best holiday events out of the many that Athens has to offer. Mark it on your calendars, and prepare to be amazed and entertained!

For more Athens GA holiday events, check out www.VisitAthensGA.com/holiday.

- Debbie

RIP Frontier Store Cat, Raffia

Just got some sad news from Sarah and Devin at Frontier, in downtown Athens Georgia. Raffia the store cat has died. Raffia was a fixture in the store window on sunny days, and she will be dearly missed by Frontier's employees and cutomers. Here is a media notice from Frontier with more details on Raffia, as well as honoring the beloved cat with donations to Campus Cats.

"Athens, GA, April 4, 2011 - Raffia, the cat that lived at Frontier on 193 E. Clayton Street, was found dead in the store on Saturday. Storeowner, Devin Clower, recently reported her missing and received an overwhelming amount of support by members of the community in the search. Raffia was thought to be about 18 years old, having lived in the store since she was a kitten.

For anyone wishing to remember Raffia, shop Frontier in April and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Athens organization, Campus Cats. Donations will also be collected at Frontier.

Anyone who knows cats would understand the personality of the Tortoise Breed. Raffia, sometimes affectionate and other times independent, loved to explore. She often paraded in the store’s front windows, luring customers in with a meow and twitching of her tail. She also loved to curl up for long naps in the sunny store window. Often, customers would ask, “Is she real?”

Raffia was real indeed, famous among locals and visitors alike. She will be remembered for her confident attitude and unique story. In the end, she chose to climb among the crawl spaces of the store to die peacefully. Reflecting on her legacy, Clower says “she added so much character to the store and I’m just comforted in knowing that she died at home.” Clower plans to have Raffia cremated this week. "

AthFest CD Release Show

Calling all music lovers... Tasty World will host the AthFest CD Release Show this Friday night! This is a FREE show with performances by Ken Will Morton Band, The Incredible Sandwich and Pride Parade.

The 2010 AthFest CD will be available at the show for a special price before the official release date of May 4. The CD includes 16 diverse tracks of high energy rock, quirky pop, soulful Americana, jam rock and more, representing a fine cross-section of the Athens music scene.

This year's CD includes bands like The Whigs, Charlie Garrett Band, Timber, The Incredible Sandwich, Packway Handle Band and Modern Skirts, to name a few. Most of the tracks are previously unreleased. For a full track listing, click here.

At the show, there will be an announcement by AthFest founder/director Jared Bailey beginning the eBay auction for a Gretsch guitar signed by Drive-By Truckers. Proceeds from the sale will benefit AthFest, Inc. educational programs in local schools such as AthFest InSchool, AthFest AfterSchool and Keys for Kids.

Can't make it to the Release Party? The album will be available in select stores, online at AthFest.com and at online digital music stores worldwide. The CD will also be available at AthFest 2010 - the Athens Music and Arts Festival - which will be held in downtown Athens June 23 - 27.

To listen to the AthFest 2009 Compilation CD, visit our website and click "The Athens Sound."

Rock-n-Racquets

Looking for a fun event this weekend?

Hotel Indigo is hosting the Rock-n-Racquets Tennis Exhibition Event this Saturday, December 12. The event will feature tennis superstars Serena Williams, John Isner, Sam Querry, and Georgia's own Melanie Oudin.

Men's and women's single matches along with a Mixed Doubles match will be complemented by musical performances and a high-energy atmosphere.

After the event. stay for a special meet and greet & photo opportunities at Hotel Indigo's Athens Phi Bar & Bistro.

To book a room at Hotel Indigo, visit their website by clicking here.

Downtown Athens Christmas Parade of Lights

Downtown Athens is already a parade of lights- the trees lining the street are twinkling each night along with wreaths and garland. However, Thursday, December 3 marks the official start of the Christmas season in Athens with the annual downtown Christmas parade of lights. 

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 at 7 pm on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets ending in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Start your Christmas shopping early with the Downtown Open House before the parade starts and enjoy great deals and extended hours by downtown retailers.

This is my favorite time of year, and there is no better place to celebrate than in the Classic City!

Get Spooked: The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle

If you're not heading to Jacksonville this weekend & looking for a fun activity for Halloween night, check out the The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle .

For those who have experienced Halloween in Athens, you know that plenty of people arrive downtown dressed in full costume. The problem? Since it's the weekend of GA/FL some bars are closed, others are almost empty, & you end up feeling ridiculous being the only person dressed up.

The Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle is aiming to be the solution. Ready to take over downtown starting at 10 p.m. the Web site says:

"The vision of The Wild Rumpus is to provide an organized avenue for the massive array of Athens creativity which manifests with such awesome power every Halloween. This year we seek to organize this event for the purpose of channeling the creative spirit into a collaborative, all-inclusive, peaceful, fun time for all."

The event leaders will also be compiling videos & photos for a short feature.

After circling downtown a few times, the event will culminate at 11:11 with a party at Tasty World Uptown.

Participants will be organized into brigades including one led by the CVB's April Moore Skelton. To sign up for a bridgade and for more information including meet-up location, key costume guidelines, & key local ordinances (there's still an open-container policy even on Halloween!) visit the Wild Rumpus Website by clicking here.

Attention R.E.M. fans

R.E.M. Live at the Olympia in Dublin pre-release listening party will be held Monday, October 26 at the Rialto Room in Hotel Indigo. Ticket sales benefit Community Connection of Northeast Georgia & Communities in Schools of Athens. 

A benefit preview listening party for each R.E.M. album of all new material has been held in the band's hometown of Athens since the release of 1992's Automatic for the People.

Here's what the band's press release says about the new album:

"Live At The Olympia is a two-CD set featuring 39 songs from their acclaimed 2007 working rehearsals in Dublin, Ireland. R.E.M. set up camp at the venerable Olympia Theatre in Ireland’s capital city and tested new material over five nights before passionate, capacity crowds. This live album was produced by Dublin native Jacknife Lee who, along with R.E.M., co-produced Accelerate, the album which emerged from these shows. Live At The Olympia gives fans an opportunity to hear those songs at their earliest stages of development. "

In addition to the listening party, there will be a live auction including: a R.E.M. signed Rickenbacker electronic guitar, signed R.E.M. album artwork & limited edition poster, as well as a night in Hotel Indigo's 3,000 square feet Rialto Suite.

Tickets are $12 in advance & $15 the day of the party so get yours now & experience this great R.E.M. tradition.

Special Deal: The Georgian Southeastern Chophouse

One of the things I love about Athens is that you can constantly discover new restaurants or stores no matter how long you live in the Classic City. While walking around downtown Athens recently, I noticed The Georgian Southeastern Chophouse.

The restaurant offers lunch on Monday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & dinner Monday-Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Sports fans will notice the menu features fun items such as SEC sandwiches (think the Ole Miss Running Rebel or the Roll Tide Tuna Melt), Ivy League Sandwiches, & Big 12 Burgers.

Additionally for the night owls & party animals, the restaurant features a full bar every night and a late night menu Thursday-Saturday from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. For just $3 you get a BBQ or Brisket sandwich, chips, & a pickle. I tried the BBQ sandwich after rave reviews from my roommate & it was well worth the $3. Though I should warn those with a mild tongue- it was a bit spicy.

For more information on their specials click here.

To view their full menu click here.

LA Times features the Georgia Theatre

In last Sunday's LA Times, The Georgia Theatre fire and rehabilitation efforts were covered in a Hometown U.S.A. feature.

The article, (click here to view) profiles owner Wilmot Greene as he begins to rebuild the music venue that once played host to R.E.M. and the B-52's.

Among the things mentioned in the article, what I found most compelling was the reporter's comment that donations and fundraising ideas poured in even before Greene had time to set up the necessary legal apparatus to accept them.

Athens is always noted for its' music scene, parties, and football. But beyond that it serves as host to citizens (and students) who truly care about the history and preservation of their home (or home away from home).

It is nice to see that sense of concern was noticed by the LA Times reporter.