Athens This Weekend: January 29-31

Whether you want to learn more about "going green", enjoy unique musical performances or are preparing for an upcoming wedding, Athens offers it all! Check out all of the exciting events happening this weekend in the Classic City.

Featured Event (Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30):

• I am always looking for new ways to save energy and learn more about recycling, and the Green Life Expo is the perfect opportunity for this! Join us at the Classic Center on Friday and Saturday to discover ways you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and make small changes that will have a big impact. Bring hard-to-recycle items including home electronics, CDs, DVDs, computer games, alkaline and rechargeable batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. It's two days of information and fun that you don't want to miss!

Saturday, Jan. 30: As always, there are plenty of opportunities to hear musical performances around Athens!

• Nothing is more relaxing and entertaining than watching a musical performance- especially one where musicians perform from the center of the room, level with the audience encircling them! Head to the Rialto Room at Hotel Indigo this Saturday at 9 p.m. for live performances "in the round" by Richard Leigh, Rob Crosby, and James Dean Hicks. $15 per ticket and only $99+tax for a hotel stay/show package!

• UGA Performing Arts Center presents a renowned musical matrimony and an evening of unforgettable Celtic music this Saturday. Known for her flamboyant skill and trademark step dancing, Natalie MacMaster mixes her shows with Celtic, Scottish, Irish, and American bluegrass music. MacMaster's "other half," husband Donnell Leahy, is widely acclaimed for his agility on the fiddle. It is guaranteed to be a fun show for all!

Sunday, Jan. 31: Athens is offering not one, but TWO bridal shows this Sunday. It's a bride's dream-come-true!

• The Classic Center hosts the Georgia Bridal Show which features 50 exhibitors from North Georgia. You can meet face-to-face with wedding professionals and find everything you have been looking for to create the wedding of your dreams including cakes, food, gowns, tuxedos, music and flowers! Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with a fashion show at 3:30 p.m.

• Athens Wedding Professionals presents the Ultimate Bridal Show at the Georgia Center from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with more than 40 local and Northeast Georgia wedding professionals participating. It is a one-stop shopping event with all of the wedding services you will need!

Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy- Athens Success by Six Program

Did you know that 61 percent of low-income families do not have a single piece of reading material suitable for a child? Or that one-third of Georgia children go to school unprepared to learn?

I did not realize what a vital issue literacy is in Georgia until last August, when I started working with a program called Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy. Ferst Foundation is a public non-profit with the mission to "provide books for local communities to prepare all Georgia preschool children for reading and learning success."

Children registered for the Ferst Foundation program receive a free book at his/her home every month until five-years-old. If registered at birth, each child will receive up to 60 free books for his/her own personal library! The children's classic The Little Engine That Could is the first book each child receives, and Look Out Kindergarten, Here I come! is the final "graduation" book that is received when the child turns five.

The local Clarke County partnership with Ferst Foundation, Success By Six/Wee Read, has a similar message: "to ensure that all children in our community receive the early experiences necessary for success in school and in life." This program also provides a newsletter with effective reading techniques, parenting information, local events and activities for children, and a book activity page.

If you have a child under five-years-old, I highly recommend registering your child for Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.

I have had the honor of volunteering with this truly inspirational program for five months. I am the Account Executive for this account through Creative Consultants, the student-run PR firm at UGA. My team (five other students) and I have planned and executed PR strategies to increase public awareness of the program and recruit registered families. One of our most exciting projects for the semester is to film and edit a promotional video for the program. We hope to release the video on the Ferst Foundation Web site, YouTube and other social media outlets. Please contact me at emilyekittle@gmail.com if your child is enrolled in the program and you would like to volunteer for filming.

Below are photos and testimonials from local Clarke County families registered with the program. I hope the testimonials will encourage you to register your child for Ferst Foundation. Stay tuned for the final production video which will be released in mid-to-late April!

Reading isn't just a pre-bedtime activity in the Dutcher household. They read (and occasionally re-read) a few different books daily. In this photo, Leslie Dutcher reads a current favorite from Ferst Foundation, Pip and Squeak, to her son soon after they arrive home from work and school. Leslie, a primary school teacher, recognizes the importance of early childhood learning and highly recommends this program.

"He is excited to receive the book each month. When I take the book out of the mailbox, and before we even get to the house, he wants me to open the book." -Leslie Dutcher

"Ferst Foundation is a great program and it's really exciting. Tristan receives books that are his own and he has thoroughly enjoyed getting them. It is something that really excites him every month- something to look forward to and make him excited about reading. I tell anybody that has kids to definitely join Ferst Foundation." -Beth Lowery, mother of Tristan (photo).

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Douglas Blackmon to Speak at UGA

The Richard B. Russell Library and partners present two special opportunities to meet and hear Atlanta Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Douglas Blackmon this Thursday, January 28. Blackmon is a passionate advocate of history and research as a tool for social justice.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m (Russell Library Auditorium):

Blackmon will discuss his approach to research as a journalist and scholar working to reconstruct a fragmentary history of forced labor of African Americans in years between the Civil War and World War II for his award-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, The Re-Enslavement of Black People in America from the Civil War to World War II. He will also entertain questions and ideas from those in attendance. This program will be a great chance for the campus community to compare notes and share ideas with one of the country's preeminent journalists and authors. This program is free, but seating is limited. To reserve a space for the program, please contact Jill Severn at 706.542.5766 or jsevern@uga.edu.

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Reading Room- 3rd Floor, Miller Learning Center):

Blackmon will also present a more formal free lecture entitled, A Persistent Past: Reckoning with Racial History in the Era of Obama. No RSVP necessary! Following this program, there will be a light reception and Blackmon will be available to sign copies of his book.

The Miller Learning Center is located on the northeast corner of Baxter Street and South Lumpkin Street. Parking is available in the adjacent Tate Center Parking Deck (entrance via South Lumpkin Street.) University of Georgia and Athens-Clarke County City buses stop in front of the Tate Center, which is next to the Miller center. See a map here.

Athens This Weekend: January 21-24

It's another exciting weekend in Athens with opportunities and events to hear the ever-familiar tunes of a country iconic legend, attend the Athens premiere of an award-winning independent film and experience the sounds of Moscow's most popular orchestra!

Thursday: Willie Nelson is on the road again to Athens to perform live at the Classic Center at 7:30 p.m! This iconic singer-songwriter is well-known for his classic hits including "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time," "On the Road Again" and duets with Waylon Jennings, "Good Hearted Woman" and "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Lukas Nelson- son of Willie- and his band, Promise of the Real, will open the concert. Tickets are almost sold out, so hurry fast!

Friday: Local Southern rock-'n'-blues band, The Rattlers, are performing at the 40 Watt at 8 p.m. The band plays from influences such as Jimi Hendrix, The Cure and Elvis while maintaining a guitar-driven, original sound. Shows often feature surprise special guests! Radiolucent will open. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10/$12 at the door.

Saturday: Cine presents the Athens premiere of the new award-winning independent film, "That Evening Sun" starring Hal Holbrook. The film is based on on Southern author William Gay's short story "I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down," which was originally published in "The Georgia Review." The film features original music by Athens' very own Patterson Hood and the Drive-By-Truckers. Admission is $20.

• 6 p.m. : The filmmaker reception starts at 6:00 p.m. with gourmet soul food by Homemade Catering.
• 7 p.m. : Introduction and discussion with writer-director Scott Teems.
• 7:30 p.m. : Film screening followed by musical performance with songwriter Patterson Hood.

Sunday: Experience a program of magestic Russian musical works at UGA Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of Moscow's most admired orchestras with numerous tours and Moscow concerts. The orchestra has performed on television and radio and can also be heard on many film soundtracks. A pre-concert lecture will be offered prior to the performance.

"The Wedding Singer" Brings Back '80s

I have always heard there was "just something about the '80s". I wish I could have experienced the days when pastel and neon were "hip", big hair was in style and fun songs like "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey were released. I look forward to events like the "The Wedding Singer" broadway musical where I can see the decade come to life. After all, who doesn't love '80s music?

"The Wedding Singer" broadway musical is bringing back the '80s to Athens on Wednesday, January 27 at the Classic Center. This Tony-nominated show is based on the film "The Wedding Singer" starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. It is a romantic comedy set in 1985- it will make you want to dance.

Not only will this event be a fun and exciting way to spend your Wednesday night, it is the perfect PTO/PTA fundraising opportunity! Gather a group of 15 or more people to attend the January 27 performance at the Classic Center and your group will receive a 10% discount off every ticket. PLUS your PTO/PTA will receive ten dollars for each ticket your group purchases!

When: Wednesday, January 27

Where: Classic Center Athens, Ga

Time: 7:30 p.m.

For ticket information, visit www.classiccenter.com

Darius Goes West- $1 Million Free Vote (Chase Community Giving)

"Darius Goes West" is an award-winning documentary about Darius Weems, a local resident of Athens who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the number one genetic killer of children worldwide. It has no cure, and it is 100 percent fatal.

I have had the pleasure to meet Darius on multiple occasions and I am continually inspired by his positive attitude and strong demeanor. He is determined to find a cure for DMD to help prolong the lives of others. The need for a cure is why you need to know about it.

Accompanied by his eleven best friends, Darius and the crew traveled across the country in 2005 and filmed an amazing documentary that has inspired millions to help raise money for a cure for DMD. The Chase Community Giving Challenge is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and money for DMD research.

Chase bank is giving away $1 million to the top cause in a free vote and $100k to the next five winners. Darius Goes West is currently in 11th place! You have until the end of the week (Friday, Jan. 22) to VOTE and help this wonderful cause earn $1 million for DMD research. Also, be sure to watch the documentary, which won 28 film festival awards. You are guaranteed a laugh, a cry and a determination to help this wonderful cause.

Athens This Weekend: January 15-18

Unfortunately, I was so busy traveling over the holidays and preparing for the new year that I was not able to take advantage of the great opportunities around Athens. This weekend, however, I plan on taking full advantage of the exciting opportunities the classic city has to offer...and so should you! After all, you deserve a break.

Saturday: Speaking of a break...what could be more relaxing than manicures, facials, massages and fashion shows? You can enjoy all of these treats (plus more!) at the Total You: Northeast Georgia Women's Expo this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Classic Center. Admission is only $5.00. Don't forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to the event by "retweeting" my twitter post by midnight Thursday!

Sunday: American Idol is back! And not just on television. American Idol Elliott Yamin, one of three contestants left standing at the end of season 5, will deliver a soulful performance this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Melting Point. Advanced tickets for the show start at $15.

Monday: "Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?" -Martin Luther King, Jr.

After you have relaxed over the weekend, I invite you to volunteer in the community on MLK day as many people around the nation make it a "day on, not a day off". There are many local non-profits to volunteer with and Athens-Banner Herald lists volunteer opportunities here. You can also join Hands on Northeast Georgia for the Athens Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteers will work on different local service projects in the morning then celebrate in the afternoon at the Lyndon House Arts Center with live music, variety shows, poetry readings and hands-on art activities.

What are your plans for the weekend? Feel free to leave comments with other event/volunteer opportunities and suggestions in Athens!

Drive-By Truckers Homecoming Shows

I really can't say enough great things about hometown favorites the Drive-By Truckers. Aside from being one of my favorite bands of all time, the guys (and gal) in DBT give a lot back to the community, from helping out the UGA music business program to their frequent involvement at Nuci's Space, Athens' ground zero for musician resources and support services. I'm going to the first show of their three-night stand at the 40 Watt tonight (tonight's show is a fundraiser for Nuci's Space), and I'm very excited about the lineup.

Opening for the Truckers is the Camp Amped Sampler, a group of kids who have been through Nuci's Space's Camp Amped program. Can you imagine having the chance to open for a band that's been called "the best rock band in America" (CNN.com) as a teenager? I think that's just great. I interviewed some of the kids from Camp Amped for the Athens Banner-Herald (my other job), and talking to them reminded me that none of us should take for granted just how valuable it is to invest in the youth of our community by supporting their creative efforts.

Friday and Saturday are sold out, but I don't doubt all the shows will be great--so get a ticket to tonight's show if you can. 2009 hit the music community in Athens so hard, and everyone around is hoping for a less tragic year in 2010. In that spirit, Patterson Hood promises on the DBT blog that the shows will be uplifting and celebratory: "I'm planning on kicking off our first show of the decade with the most life affirming songs I can find," he writes.

I'll raise a glass to that.

Willie Nelson is on the Road Again...to Athens!

It's time to kick-off the new year with the ever-familiar tunes of Willie Nelson, an iconic outlaw country artist with classic songs such as "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time", and "On the Road Again". With a blend of country music and honky-tonking, lyrical story telling and memories, and Willie's unique singing voice, it is sure to be a fun event for all!

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 21

WHERE: Classic Center Athens, Ga

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

COST: $46

For ticket information, call the Classic Center box office at (706) 357-4444 or visit the Web site www.ClassicCenter.com.

RT to Win the Ultimate Spa Experience

Looking for a relaxing yet educational way to start off your new year? We are giving away 2 FREE admit one vouchers on Twitter for the ultimate spa party, Total You 2010: Northeast Georgia Women's Expo.

At Total You 2010, you can enjoy free cooking demonstrations, manicures, facials, threading, massages, exercise prescriptions, meal planning, fat analysis, skin care assessments, spinal screenings, exercise workshops and fashion shows. Not only will you be treating yourself, but a portion of the proceeds will benefit Project Safe.

WHERE: Classic Center Athens, Ga
TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COST: $5 admission, children 12 and under FREE admission

How to participate in the Twitter contest:

Simply retweet my Twitter post about the event. After midnight on Thursday, January 14 a random number generator will select the winner.

New to Twitter or our contests? Not sure how to retweet? Click here or here for examples.

For official contest rules, click here

Tweet, tweet!

Harry Bissett's Back and Better than Ever Jan. 15

Athens unfortunately did suffer from some restaurant closings in 2009. Just a brief reassurance that the closed doors at Harry Bissett's do NOT mean that they have joined the ranks. Instead, they are in the midst of a two-week deep cleaning and menu update. They will reopen by January 15, "refreshed and ready to eat and drink and laugh with our friends!"

Green Life Athens, Jan. 29 & 30

Check this out and make plans to attend the Second Annual Green Life Expo, at The Classic Center in Athens. Free Admission, and I guarantee you'll come away with the knowledge to save a bundle! I'm on budget billing (flat monthly payment) with Georgia Power, and just got my adjustment for 2010 --- we used enough less electricity in 2009 that our bill for 2010 is dropping enough to cover our daughter's new monthly gymnastics registration fees!

Happy Birthday Michael Stipe!

Thanks, Paste magazine, for this nice shout out to Michael Stipe on his birthday. Here's an idea for R.E.M. and Athens music fans to celebrate: check out old stomping grounds on this self-guided Athens Music History tour!

(photo credit: Cara Pastore, Georgia Department of Economic Development)