New Year's Eve in Athens! How will YOU say goodbye to the aughts?

So if Time magazine is correct and the "aughts" have been the "decade from hell," that sounds to me like a good excuse to party even harder to say hello to a new decade, right? If you're looking for a good party, you couldn't find a better spot than Athens, GA.



Here are a few ideas:

• The Melting Point, at the Foundry Park Inn & Spa: Celebrate the sounds and flavors of New Orleans and ring in the New Year Big Easy Style featuring Bonerama with Lil Brian & The Zydeco Travelers. Get all the details here.
  


• The Rialto Room, at the Hotel Indigo: NYE celebration and dance party at the Rialto Room, featuring motown music from The Common People. The New Year's Eve Blowout Package is just $189 per couple, including overnight at the Hotel Indigo. Party-only tix are just $50 per person. More info here.
  


• 40 Watt Club: Atlas Sound, Supercluster, and the Selmanaires

What are YOU doing for New Year's Eve? Where are other hot spots for NYE in Athens?

I've Got the Spirit!

I can't say that I've figured out how to eliminate HECTIC from my holiday repertoire. I CAN definitely say that, after being out and about in Athens this week for various shopping and holiday lunch excursions, I've had an easy time embracing the good spirits of the season.

Had a lovely lunch with my wonderful co-workers at East-West Bistro. Renee was hostess with the mostest-- I enjoyed watching her bounce from table to table, and it seemed like she was on a first name basis with everyone. Such a small-town type of experience; am so glad Athens is holding on to that!

The oddest gift on my shopping list was a hiking stick, and I found just the one at Native America Gallery-- thanks so much to the wonderful elves there, who even offered to gift wrap the dang thing (though I told them it wouldn't be necessary-- I'm gonna just slap a bow on it, I think).

Our Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board holiday luncheon was hosted by the new Hotel Indigo, in the Rialto Room music club. We were all wowed by the attention to every detail in the construction and the decor. One of my table-mates was telling me about sitting right in front at the recent Edwin McCain concert. Best. Concert. Experience. Ever., she said. Almost 100 local hospitality folks were gathered, and as each briefly highlighted what they've got coming up, I couldn't wait to get out and see and do all these great events. I was also so thankful to be amidst so many amazing, creative, positive Athenians and know we have great things ahead of us in 2010.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year, and hoping you'll take the opportunity to get out and about in Athens! Go ahead and plan your New Year's Eve in just a click or two.

Would love to hear YOUR favorite scenes or experiences of the season in Athens!

GIFT IDEA! Brew Fest Tickets Now On Sale

Head to http://www.brewfest.net to get your tickets for the 15th annual Classic City Brew Fest coming to Athens, GA on Sunday, April 11, 2010. Tickets make perfect gifts for the beer lover in your life, and only 750 spots will be sold for this intimate beer celebration. There will be around 200 world-class craft beers to sample and live music from Athens' Tropical Breeze. See the website for complete details - including deeply discounted hotel rooms at the lovely Foundry Park Inn for the night of the festival. The event is proudly sponsored by Athens Area Humane Society, Terrapin Beer Company, Five Points Bottle Shop, Redhook A/B and the Foundry Park Inn & Spa.

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.

Here Come the Holidays!

The Classic City kicks off the Holiday Season this weekend with a number of festive events that will certainly get you in high spirits.

• Athens' annual Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights ushers in the holiday season this evening at 7 p.m. 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 on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets ending in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus. Come early for the Downtown Open House, with great deals and extended hours by great downtown retailers! For more information, visit http://www.accleisureservices.com/.
• The UGA Symphony Orchestra will perform a series of holiday favorites tonight, December 3rd, and tomorrow the 4th. Hear their smooth holiday tunes at 8 p.m. on both days at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall in the UGA performing arts complex. The concert is free admission.
• Celebrate the history of Athens this holiday season as The Athens Historic House Museum presents its 2nd annual “Christmas Spirits Holiday Tour” on December 5th and 6th. Visitors will enjoy guided tours of each residence while noshing on delicious seasonal refreshments. Two original theatre vignettes by Rose of Athens Theatre are sure to delight tour-goers of all ages. Come and see the four historic house museums in all their festive splendor! Tours will leave from the Ware-Lyndon house on Hoyt Street at 6 and 7 p.m. on the 5th and 2 and 3 p.m. on the 6th. Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 for children under 10. It is sure to be unforgettable holiday fun for the whole family. Call (706) 353-1820 for tour reservations.
• The Classic Center hosts an evening of holiday jazz with Grammy jazz vocalist nominee Nnenna Freelon. Joining Ms. Freelon will be The Jon Faddis Quartet, plus percussion. Mr. Faddis is one of the finest jazz trumpeters in the world. In addition to the wonderful holiday music, Jon will feature his renowned tribute to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. The show begins at 8 p.m. on December 5th. Tickets are available at the Classic Center box office or at http://www.classiccenter.com/.
• The State Botanical Garden’s Holiday Open House on December 6th offers free, festive, family entertainment inside the tropical Conservatory, This year’s holiday décor will keep with the theme of “An Audubon Christmas”, celebrating the Garden’s birds. Musical entertainment includes performances by The Georgia Children’s chorus, The Solstice Sisters and The Classic City Band. A professional photographer will take posed photos as Santa and Mrs. Claus listened to children’s wishes. Special holiday drinks and treats will be available for sale at the garden-side Café. The event begins at 2 p.m. and is free admission. For more information call 706-542-1244 or log on to the Garden's website.

This weekend's events are sure to please Athens holiday revelers of all ages... so enjoy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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!