New Year's Eve in Athens

It's almost time to bid adieu to our good friend 2013. We've had some good times, but we're moving on to something bigger and better... 2014! New Year's Eve plans are of the utmost importance because how you spend that night is said to be how you'll spend the rest of the next year. No one knows how to party better than Athens, Georgia, and with so many parties to choose from, they've got you covered for December 31st. So pop open that bottle of champagne, start belting out the lines of "Auld Lang Syne," and get on down to Athens to ring in the New Year in style!

Forget about stressing over your New Year's Eve plans! Spend your night dancing away at The Melting Point, and you won't have to worry about a thing because Foundry Park Inn & Spa has it all covered with New Year's Eve's biggest bash. They're offering two special packages, beginning at just $199! Enjoy a night of live music with The Swingin' Medallions, including dinner package options, champagne at midnight, and the area's largest balloon drop. 

If you're looking for a good time this New Year's Eve, look no further than Hotel Indigo's party in the the Rialto Room. The Hotel Indigo will be offering a special NYE package including a one-night stay in a luxurious room, two tickets to the exclusive party in the Rialto Room, and champagne at midnight! Athens' own band, The Highballs, will be rocking the stage all night to make sure no one forgets their last moments of 2013!


There can be no more exciting place to count down those last seconds of the old year, than at Athens' famous Georgia Theatre. Make it a night to remember when you toast to the new year with all your friends among the backdrop of some fabulous live music. New Madrid takes the stage at 9 p.m., followed by Velveteen Pink at 10 p.m. and then The Whigs take over at 11:15 p.m. to rock the house for the last time in 2013.


If you're considering celebrating 2014 in Athens, then a trip to the internationally-renowned 40 Watt Club should definitely make your list. No party in Athens would be complete without some great live music, and 40 Watt does it up right this New Year's Eve with Radiolucent. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m.

One Day without Shoes

Did you know that more than 40% of people do not own a single pair of shoes? That's a tough one to imagine since I know I am guilty of more than a few pairs in my own closet.

Tom's Shoes is fighting to end this statistic, by putting a pair of shoes on every child's feet. Tom's= shoes for tomorrow and the idea is simple: for every pair of their shoes you purchase, they donate a pair to a child in need. One for One. Pretty cool concept.

This Thursday, Tom's is hosting "One Day without Shoes." A global campaign asking people to go barefoot for one day and its coming to Athens!

One Day without Shoes at UGA will take place on Brumby Beach (the grassy field in front of the freshman high rise dorms on campus) from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16.

Come out and become a kid again, dance barefoot to live music, jump shoeless on our moonwalk and watch the TOMS Shoes documentary to learn more. If you already own a pair of TOMS shoes, "Style Your Sole" and decorate your own signature pair.

The best part? It's free and everyone is invited, not just students.

I was introduced to Tom's a little over six months ago and fell in love with this cause. Plus the shoes are super comfortable and cute, when does that happen? Before you go out shopping next consider Tom's. Stop by on Thursday, who knows maybe you will end up with one more pair in your closet?

Celebrate Hot Corner this May

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

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

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

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

For more information contact Legendaryeventplanning@gmail.com.

Athens Cine Turns Two

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

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

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

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

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