3 months ago
Happy pre-Turkey Day weekend to you Central Georgia! Before the family hits town next week, take this weekend to unwind and indulge in a little "me" time. Check out a double-dose of Smoke on the Mountain plus three amazing events that only happen once a year!
Leeann Riggins, a.k.a. "June Sanders" has a few words of welcome for our first event, "Hi! This is June Sanders reporting to you from Mt. Pleasant. We just wanna invite y'all on out here to the church for our good 'ol country music singin' tonight!" Okay folks, it's not exactly Mt. Pleasant and she's not really June Sanders, but the whole "good 'ol country music singin" part is spot-on!
For an evening of Southern-fried, backwoods Baptist hilarity, you must go and see "June" and the entire Sanders family in the Milledgeville Players' production of Smoke on the Mountain.
Director John Geist has more, "It's a story about a Baptist church in the Depression Era...and the pastor is trying to bring the whole business into the modern age. He invites the Sanders family to come and sing...and once they arrive not much goes the way anybody expected!"
From endless laughs to over two-dozen gospel/bluegrass songs, this play's got all the good stuff!
Get your hallelujah on this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Allen's Market in downtown Milledgeville (located on the corner of Wayne and McIntosh). Tickets truly are selling like hotcakes - the words "selling out" have been bandied about - so be sure to call soon for reservations. That number is (478) 314-4054.
The Milledgeville Players aren't the only one channeling the Sanders Family! Forsyth's own Backlot Players have got a little smoke on their mountain, too! Or rather, three!
"Here at the Rose Theatre we have our last weekend of our wonderful show Smoke on the Mountain: The Homecoming," explains director Tullye Ralph. "This is the third show in the Sanders' family series. All of the children have grown up and they are married and have children of their own."
It's more music, more laughter and tons of fun! Catch the third installment in the Sanders family saga/comedy - Smoke on the Mountain: The Homecoming - at the Rose Theatre this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.. Call (478) 994-0443 for tickets.
Also on Friday evening, you may want to check out the annual Goodwill Gala. It's a grand event where you can simultaneously get your groove on and give back!
"It's gonna be a fun event! We're going to have an Atlantis theme, so we've got mermaids," says Christine Yoder. Amy Chastain quickly adds, "And a Greek God!"
The fundraiser features a little bit of everything! Take part in a raffle with a beautiful diamond ring up for grabs. Dine on delectable dishes from around the world as five chefs prepare food live for guests. And, of course, you must dance!
"Second Nature is coming back by great demand," explains Amy. "They were a hit last year and they had everybody on the dance floor. "
Get your tickets ASAP! The gala takes place at the Anderson Conference Center this Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Call (478) 471-4879 or stop by the Goodwill campus on Eisenhower Pkwy. to purchase those tickets.
And now, we direct your "me time" to an evening of awesome action. Saturday night, Mercer University's I.C.E. (Indian Cultural Exchange) presents Rangoli 2009 at the Grand Opera House!
According to Mercer student Monica Amin, "Rangoli is the only inter-collegiate Indian dance competition in Georgia. Teams from all over America are coming to compete this year.'
And in addition to the amazing dance teams, recording artist Jay Sean will be in the house! Sean is releasing a new CD next week and folks will get a chance to hear it first at Rangoli.
Of the event, Amin says, "Everyone gets into it! Even people that have never experienced Indian culture - they get into it. It's really different, it's really lively, it's exciting and you don't want to miss this!"
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the show starts at 6:00 p.m. Visit www.thegrandmacon.com to purchase tickets. For more information on the event, visit www.mercer.edu/ice/rangoli/ .
Finally, is there a better way to wrap up your festive weekend than with a full day of rockin' and relaxin' to music? According to the guys who put on the Skydog music festivals - that's a big NO!
This Sunday, spend a day filled with music magic at Skydog 63. "It's the celebration of the birthday, life and music of Skydog...five hours of music right here in Central City Park!" explains Glenn Harrell.
"Best said, if you like the Allman Brothers music, you're gonna really enjoy this event. (We'll have) jazz, rock, blues - a combination of all those."
What's the admission for this festival, you ask? Canned foods for the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank! You can't beat that!
Music starts at noon and wraps around 5:00 p.m. For more festival information, visit www.skydogmacon.com.
Alright, there it is - a perfect blend of fun and frivolity topped with a laid-back ending. Now go get your weekend on!
Check out Ben's preview of all things entertainment right now by clicking on the video to the right...
