It’s that time of the month to celebrate! Make your way downtown for First Friday. Kids tell your parents to get you there as soon as possible because from 6p.m.-8p.m. the first 100 kids to get to the “Fun Zone” in Third Street Park will receive a FREE hula-hoop. There’s also going to be sidewalk chalk for the little Picasos, a bubble machince, and a moonwalk! Don’t leave at 8p.m. though! Chase Bean will take the stage to perform for you.
It’s a great time to spend with friends and family in the city we live in and love so don’t miss out on this week’s First Friday
There was barely any breathing room on the third floor of Capital City Bank. People from all around town, and even out of town, gathered together discussing tips and tricks about their buisnesses and how to help each oher out.
Don’t get me wrong. This wasn’t some boring boardmeeting. Thisparty was a Get Down! The musical stylings of Justin Cutway filled the air while everyone filled their stomach with the fantastic food catered by The Downtown Grill.
If you didn’t get the chance to make it to this past Get Down, don’t sweat it. There will be plenty others. Right now you should mark your calenders for July 2nd to be sure to join the fun and excitement that First Friday will have for you
Everyone who hears about this is invited to this fundraising event! The Initials Inc. Fundraiser, hosted by ArrKeicha Danzie is benefiting the Tubman African American Museum. 25% of total sales will be donated to the Tubman Museum. The event will be Friday 25th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at 340 Walnut Street in Downtown Macon.
You’ll find unique gifts while donating to a great cause! That’s definitely killing two birds with one stone-without the killing though.
The 6th Annual Macon Film Festival is accepting entries for the 2011 festival scheduled February 17th-20th. Held in historic downtown Macon, talent from all around the world will be shown at venues including the Douglass Theater and Cox Capitol Theater. Submissions will be considered for competition in one of the following categories:
The Macon Film Festival Executive Board will reward over $13,000 in prize money to festival winners including a $1,2500 ‘Best in Show’ award. Check out maconfilmfestival.com for submission information and for other information.
There’s a little less than a year left. Get your camera ready and start working on your piece today! Who knows, people might see it on the big screen one day!
Mark your calenders for July 30th and 31st! Bragg Jam Festival is coming to Macon once again and with a huge line up of artists ready to play for you. For those who have never heard of Bragg Jam it is a huge community concert event for the entire family to enjoy live music and lots of fun.
This year, the festival is prepared to have 44 acts playing from every side of the music world. Bragg Jam starts off on July 30 with its annual Patrons; Party and Music Auction at the Armory Ballroom. The feature performer is the Randall Bramblett band. Invitiations to the exclusive event of hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music and a silent and live auction of music memorabilia, art and merchandise along with travel oppurtunities are given to the patrons and sponsers of Bragg Jam who donate $100 or more to the festival.
The big day will be July 31, rain or shine, and you don’t want to miss out. The daytime events include kid’s events, community performances, food, beverage, art amd gift vendors throughout Third Street Park in downtown Macon. Some of the events feature a “Bragg About It” hot wings contest, be sure to bring a towlet or two if you partake in the hot wings! A strolling magician and karate demonstrations will keep you kickin, after your finger lickin, and the Hayiya African dance troupe along with other performances from the “School of Rock” will keep you dancing through the day. The “School of Rock” features musicians and bands ranging from ages 9 to 18. Make sure you check out all the talent at no cost to you-this day long event is FREE!
The fun isn’t just in one place. Trolley pick-up and drop-offs will make sure you get to the many destinations during your night. At 5p.m., Sue & the Bastards will play at the 567 Cafe with special guests like Rabbi Larry Schlesinger to keep you entertained. The smoke-free venue also has Rocketboys; O’Brother; Demun Jones & Lamar Williams, Jr.; Sonny Spoon & Dollyhood Records Presents B.O.S. Entertainment; and St. Francis performing.
For the ages of 18 and up only, there are places just for you. Check out Bottoms Up where Ashutto Mirra will play at 6p.m. followed by Citizen Insane; the Moaners; and the Rolybots. The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom will be a 21 and up venue starting at 5:15 where the hip-hop collaborative the Local 478 Presents Floco Torres, Al K!ng & City Council. The Abby Owens Band; Dirty Guv’Nahs and Tron Jackson will follow.
Admission to Bragg Jam’s Concert Crawl is $20. The purchase gives you an armband for admission and includes free trolley transportation to all of the venues. The armbands may be purchased the night of the event at each of the festival’s venues.
Theses are only a handful of what Bragg Jam will have in downtown Macon. The fun and memories will be endless so be sure to get ready. Only 7 more weeks, let the countdown begin!
Looking for something exciting to do this summer but can’t go out of town? You don’t have to with everything that Downtown Macon has to offer! Kick the summer off right with the First Friday Sale-a-bration on June 4. It will be a night filled with all sorts of enjoyment for kids and adults. Music will fill the streets as the Middle Georgia Band “Cruise” plays soul and R&B in Third Street Park. Make sure to get an Impulse Card to receive discounts on stores and restaraunts in Downtown Macon.
The fun doesn’t stop there. The entire summer is packed with events to keep you busy and relaxed. Whether it’s picknicking at Amerson Works Water Park or gazing at the stars at the Summer Camp at the Museum of Arts and Sciences or venturing into the Ocmulgee River on a kayak, canoe, or tube with Ocmulgee Expeditions. Amerson Water Works Park isn’t your waterslide sea world- but it’s an outdoor adventure! Get close to nature while walking through miles of undeveloped forests, meadows, and wetlands. Bank fishing, biking trails, and a handicap-usable playground are just a few of the many activities AWWP has to offer. The OcmulgeeHeritageTrail.com and Ocmulgeeexpeditions.com will have more information on how to start your adventure.
When you need a break and a time to gather your thoughts together, Yoga Moga is prepared to help you find your peace and relaxation on Tuesdays and Thurdays with their Yoga Quickie Class. Poetic Peace Open Mic Night is every Tuesday at 7:00. Admission is free so go ahead and get that extra shot of whipped cream as you find yourself enthralled by the words of the night. These are only a few of the summer’s excitement listed but get your schedule planned by going to NewTownMacon.com. It will be a fun and exciting summer in the heart of Macon!
Each morning is different at NewTown Macon. At most offices, people file in from home more anxious for five o’clock escapes than their workload, but that’s hard to do when your workload is saving a city. At NewTown, we even envision a change (for some people) from this dreary system. Do you drive half an hour to an hour, fight for a place to park, and then rush in just before the clock strikes nine every morning? At NewTown Macon, we’re looking to change that in the Heart of Middle Georgia. Each day we’re looking to make lives more worth living!
At NewTown, we’re growing jobs. Most recently everyone in the office took a walk over to the Fickling Building to welcome Secure Health to their new offices downtown. This, along with places like the new Marriott Hotel and various new restaurants are creating jobs and reducing that recurring morning nightmare of a commute.
At NewTown, we’re gaining residents. Recent renovations on Cherry and Second Streets will add to the number of apartments downtown, contributing even more eager individuals to the Downtown area. This growing group of people can wake up, take a leisurely stroll to the local coffee shop (like Killian’s on Cherry St.) or grab a bite at an exceptional breakfast spot (like Market City Café). Then, with just a few steps they can be at work at a great job downtown.
At NewTown, we’re creating a sense of place. With efforts like graffiti removal (courtesy of Façade Squad, amongst others) and National Clean up Day (March 6th!), NewTown is created an area worthy of civic pride. Also, the recent renovation of the Terminal Station, the “Crown Jewel” of Downtown, adds character and dignity to such an elegant district of our city. Also, a day in the life at NewTown lately has featured the art exhibit “Angels of Virtue” by local artist Timothy Heeden. Come drop by and check them out! They were recently featured in the Atlanta Airport for the entire world to see.
Along with these three tenants of life here at NewTown, there are many more random and wonderful happenings worth noting. For example, recently while photographing some graffiti at an historic (yet slightly in disrepair) building in the Industrial area, intern Daniel Windham (that’s me!) fell off the side of a foundation and down a hill. I’m ok though, and I got my pictures. Also, Kris Hattaway met with locals to discuss a possible Caribbean festival downtown. Laura Schofield met with local volunteers to help with Clean-Up day. As those of you who get the e-blast know, Jesse Barth is doing great work at NewTown- a smiling face when you first walk in and a wealth of knowledge for your fun weekend! Keeping us all straight- Gail Mansfield keeps the books. Recently, Hal Baskin suffered a heart attack, but it’s likely he tried to work right after he left his hospital bed. He’s back though, and better than ever!
You never know what’s going to happen on any particular day at NewTown. Whether it’s President Underwood from Mercer or someone looking to open a business, anyone might walk in the door. There are two constants at NewTown- heart and hard work. It’s impossible not to get attached to this city and this Downtown. It’s been through a lot, as we all have in recent years. However, just as we must do with ourselves, a day in the life at NewTown is fighting as hard as we can for a better life. All of this is for you, Macon and especially Downtown. Whether you believe it or not, Downtown and Macon have a personality, and it’s our job to let it flourish. But hey, it’s just a day in the life.
Macon is the place to be for New Year’s Eve this year! As the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, Macon will count down the last seconds of 2009 with a Cherry Blossom Ball Drop. As part of First Friday at Midnight, presented by Robins Federal Credit Union, the 6-foot ball of lights decorated with metal cherry blossoms will drop down a 30-foot tower at the center of Third and Cherry streets to mark the start of the New Year.
Bill Underwood, president of NewTown Macon’s board of directors says, “We have big plans. First Friday has been a tremendous success for us… I think this [event] will take the success of First Friday and build a really great New Year’s Eve tradition.”
This First Friday at Midnight will be more adult oriented like the monthly First Friday events downtown while incorporating the holiday festivities. The event will contain live entertainment by Party Man Productions equipped with lights, video screens, and a variety of music to keep you dancing in the streets well into the New Year! There will also be live music in the clubs and on the street before and after the ball drop. The party will begin at 9 p.m. and will continue well into 2010!
Kris Hattaway, director of place for NewTown Macon, says, “We want people to be in the streets supporting the merchants. There’s going to be something for everybody.”
First Friday at Midnight is presented by Robins Federal Credit Union. Other sponsors include Macon’s Cherry Blossom Festival, AlphaGraphics, The Telegraph, Cox Communications, The Lemongrass, The 11th Hour, Cumulus Media, Fox 24, Community Development Systems, Inc, Duck’s Welding LLC, and NewTown Macon. For more information on the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop and all the New Year’s Eve festivities taking place in Down Town Macon visit the website at www.cherryblossomballdrop.com !
Make plans NOW to be in Downtown Macon, Georgia on New Year’s Eve!
On Saturday November 28th, Macon’s football fans prepared for the biggest college football game of the year in the state of Georgia – University of Georgia vs. Georgia Tech Institute. For over 100 years these two rivals have been matched up after Thanksgiving for what fans like to call “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate.”
NewTown Macon helped host the event, Rally in the Alley, which brought both Bulldog fans and Yellow Jacket fans together in Mulberry Lane Alley down town two hours prior to kick off. Though NewTown Macon has already hosted three Rally in the Alley tailgate events this year, the GA-GA Tech game has by far drawn the largest crowd.
After both sets of fans rallied together to tailgate, the event was moved to the Cox Capitol Theater. The game kicked off at 8 PM at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, but the fans that didn’t make it to the game were able to watch the game on the big screen at the Theater in Macon, GA.
Rally in the Alley was sponsored by Budweiser, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Cox Communications, Cumulus Media, Macon Magazine, The Middle Georgia Bulldog Club, The 11th Hour, The Telegraph, and NewTown Macon. If you missed this year’s Rallies, check out the info at www.rallyinthealleymacon.com and prepare for next year’s events!
Fox 24 was present to cover the event. Check out the video at http://www.fox24.com/news/local/77816497.html.
For more information on the other exciting events downtown offer the website at newtownmacon.com !
Two schools, separated by 70 miles, have been heated rivals since the 1890s. Two schools, both Georgia favorites, compete in athletics, academics, and prestige. These same two schools will play each other in an exciting and intense game on Saturday, November 28th. Who are these two schools?
The University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets!!!
The first known hostilities between these two schools trace back to the year 1891 when The University of Georgia’s literary magazine declared the school’s colors to be “old gold, black, and crimson.” However, the first UGA football coach, Dr. Charles H. Herty, felt that the old gold was too similar to yellow, the color that “symbolized cowardice.” At the same time at Georgia Tech, a student vote chose old gold and white as the official school colors. After the 1893 football game against GT, UGA removed old gold as an official school color. From then on, GT would use old gold for their uniforms as a proverbial slap in the face to UGA. Henceforth, the schools have continued to increase in their rivalry towards one another.
NewTown Macon is holding a Rally in the Alley for this intense game between rivals that will begin two hours before kick off of the UGA vs. GT football game. The event will start in Mulberry Lane Alley and will move to the Cox Captiol Theater at game time in order to watch the big kick off on the big screen.
Celebrate this more than 100 year old traditional rivalry of the UGA vs. GT football game matchup after Thanksgiving for “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.” Families may be divided with friendly competition, but everyone is welcome to unite in Mulberry Lane Alley to Rally in the Alley!
During the Rally in the Alley, enjoy live entertainment with the A2Z Party Band! Pick up dinner at a downtown restaurant, and for your tailgate supplies visit Academy Sports and Outdoors. Beverages will be available for purchase at the event. After two hours of tailgating, the party will be moved inside the Cox Captiol Theater to watch the game. This entire event is free and open to the public.
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame will also be selling souvenir mugs. All proceeds from the mugs will to go to Save the Sports Hall of Fame in Macon.
Rally in the Alley is sponsored by Budweiser, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Cox Communications, Cumulus Media, Macon Magazine, The Middle Georgia Bulldog Club, The 11th Hour, and NewTown Macon. For more information visit the website at www.rallyinthealleymacon.com . For more information on the “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” between GT and UGA visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean,_Old-Fashioned_Hate .
