Athens This Weekend: February 10-12

It's finally the weekend! After a long week, I know I am ready for an exciting and eventful weekend, and I'm sure you are too! Luckily, there are so many exciting events taking place this weekend in Athens,GA. Get your planners ready, because the Classic City will guarantee you a great time!

1. Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers 

The Classic Center Theatre presents the legendary Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers! Jake and Elwood Blues will be accompanied by the sassy Bluettes to perform all of your favorite songs including, "Everybody," "Shake Ya Tail Feather," "Sweet Home Chicago," "Think," "Respect," "Gimme Some Loving," along with so many more. So don the sunglasses, dig out your best pork pie hat, and buff up those dancing shows for a night of the best music, moves, and comedy! The show will be Friday, February 10, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, and prices range from $9-$65.

2. Athens Kids Expo

Athens Kids Expo is a fundraising event benefiting the Wee Read Program of United Way of Northeast Georgia. This event is perfect for a family-fun day! Your children will be beyond excited when they hear what this event has to offer. The Athens Kids Expo will feature fabulous entertainment, face painting, bounce houses, balloon artists, a petting zoo, and more! There will be products and services for the entire family including educational products, toys and hobbies, health care services and products, cosmetics, jewelry, apparel, music and entertainment, arts and crafts, safety products and services, schools and daycare services, summer camps, and much more. Whew! This exciting event will be taking place Saturday, February 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. So bring out the entire family and enjoy a fun-filled day! 

3.UGA Women's Softball Red & Black Showcase

The University of Georgia's Softball Team will open its 2012 season by hosting the Fifth-Annual Red & Black Showcase this weekend at Jack Turner Stadium! The first game will be against Army on Friday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m. You can enjoy additional games throughout the weekend as well vs. Utah State, St. John's, Campbell, and North Carolina State. So come out and support Georgia Softball for another exciting season! 

Additional Events taking place in Athens,GA:

• Bring the family out to the "Owl Prowl" Friday, February 10 from 6:30-8:00 a.m., for an evening hike. You will search for the owl that inhabit the woods of Athens, GA, while learning about these fascinating feathered nocturnal animals. This event will take place at the Sandy Creek Nature Center.
• Grains of Sand will be performing at The Melting Point Friday, February 10, at 8:00 p.m. This band's desire is to keep the great music of the 60's and 70's around for everyone to enjoy-the young and old! Tickets are $10 in advance and will be $12 the day of the show. You can also reserve seating on the mezzanine level on a first-come first-serve basis. There will be tables of two available for $30 and tables of four available for $60. Come out and enjoy a night of fun, great music, and dancing! 
• Let the King romance you on Saturday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m. Buffalo's Southwest Cafe in Athens, GA,  will be featuring the Elvis-Burning Love Valentine's Show. Enjoy a romantic evening with delicious food from their full menu.
• The Senior Adults Sweetheart Prom will be Sunday, February 12, at 4:00 p.m. This romantic event will be held at Lay Park. Come and enjoy an evening of dancing, listening to soft music, socializing and light refreshments.This is guaranteed to be a good time!
These were just a few of the many exciting events happening in Athens,GA. Hopefully you've read something that will be of interest to you! Be sure to check out our Visit Athens, GA calendar for a full list of even more events and activities! 

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What are you looking forward to doing this weekend in Athens,GA?

Athens This Weekend: March 19 - 21

Friday, March 19:

• One person's trash is another person's treasure at Northeast Georgia's largest thrift sale Bargainza! Head to Old Farmers Hardware on Lexington Road to shop from an eclectic mix of merchandise including furniture, lawn and garden equipment, children's toys and clothing. This sale is a major fundraiser for the Junior League of Athens, and a percentage of the proceeds will benefit P.A.L.S. (Friday - Saturday event.)

• The UGA Observatory will be open for public viewing this Friday for 60 to 90 minutes. If the night is clear, those attending will look through the telescope at the stars. If cloudy, there will be a brief talk on astronomy that is of current interest. Everyone is welcome!

• The 40 Watt Club presents Athens' first ever Athens Music Collective (AMC) Showcase Concert. All proceeds from the night's ticket sales will benefit GoARTS!, a local organization that brings opportunities to under-served children in the Athens area. During the show, Classic City Promotions draw a winner of the R.E.M. autographed guitar, live on stage. Show starts at 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 20:

• Save the Ta Ta's! This year's BreastFest event at the Terrapin Beer Company will feature live music by some of Athens' finest musicians, food, beer tasting, brewery tours and a silent auction - fun for the whole family! All proceeds from BreastFest will benefit the St. Mary's Women's Diagnostic Center to support local women and families affected by breast cancer. Tickets are $20.00 in advance/$25.00 at the door. Children are free!!!

• The UGA Performing Arts Center is proud to present I Musici de Montreal, a Canadian chamber ensemble that has performed in many of the world's greatest halls under the dynamic direction of Yuli Turovsky. Their vast repertoire extends from the Baroque to the contemporary and their many recordings have garnered numerous awards. Show starts at 8 p.m.

• Grab the family and head over to the Lamar Dodd School of Art to learn about animals in art at Family Day: Spring Festival. Look at images of works from the museum's collection and then create your own real or imaginary animal to take home. The event will feature live animals including an owl, a snake, frogs and turtles, courtesy of Memorial Park's Bear Hollow. Snacks will be provided.

Sunday, March 21:

• Dancing with the Athens Stars returns this Sunday to the Classic Center! The event puts a spotlight on some of the Classic City's better-known faces and names, pairing them with an instructor and setting them loose on the Classic Center's stage to show off their moves. Routines will be representative of various dance syles such as ballroom, salsa and hip hop. All proceeds benefit Project Safe. Tickets are only $15!

Weekly Freebie: The Student Scene

Looking around UGA's website today I came across their master calendar. Even though I am a UGA student there is so much that goes on daily on campus I am rarely aware of all the different activities. The calendar intrigued me, & looking through it I realized there are plenty of free and budget-friendly opportunities for students and non-students alike.

Need a cheap date idea? The University Union offers movies at the Tate Student Center Theater in the new Tate 2. Ticket prices are only $1 for students and $2 for non-students. Afraid a $1 movie= $1 worth of boring entertainment? Juno and Away We Go are playing this week.

Just in the mood to learn? There are different lectures and discussions held almost daily. And many of them include free food! Just looking at today's list there are lectures and discussions on the integration of UGA, how to facilitate classroom discussion, reflections on the releases of the American journalists from North Korea, and healthcare.

You can also catch fun events like "Evening in the Garden" which features display art by students & jazz music at the Trial Gardens at UGA. The event also features tours throughout the garden and light hor d'oeuvres.

We can all agree that there are many things outside of UGA that make Athens, GA a great place to live and visit. But reaping the (free!) benefits of the college certainly doesn't hurt.