It’s the last official week of summer and there is everything from cultural festivals, European music, theater, comedy and art to finish out the season strong.  If the forecast holds, you may even get to enjoy some of these with a taste of fall-like temps.

Thursday, Sept. 15

The Art of Empathy lecture series

Wesleyan College and the Georgia Humanities are kicking off a virtual six-lecture series on “The Art of Empathy.” The first lecture will be a panel discussion featuring Karleen Gardner of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Dr. Elif M. Gokcigdem, who has authored books on empathy building; and Dr. Zorana Pringle of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. This free event is happening on Zoom at 7:15 p.m. and requires advance registration.

Friday, Sept. 16

Music from the Grand Tour at The Hay

Listen to the kind of music the Hay House’s founders would have heard on their European honeymoon. The Ensemble Europa will play a concert of music from England, Italy, France and Germany in the Music Room of this iconic historic Macon home. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at The Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.

The Color Purple at The Grand Opera House

The award-winning film version of Alice Walker’s coming-of-age novel was a critical and financial success — grossing $142 million when it was released in 1985 and featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. The story follows the life of an African American woman in Georgia in the early 20th century as she deals with abuse, racism, sexism and poverty. The Grand is bringing this classic back to the big screen with a 7 p.m. screening.Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online for the showing at The Grand, 651 Mulberry St.

Ceramic Pumpkin Jay Workshop

Get a jump on fall decorating by grabbing one of the last available spots for this workshop presented by The 567 Center for Renewal. Participants will create their own custom looking pumpkin under the guidance of an artist. The event runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the $40 admission includes all of the materials. You can find more information and registration here. The 567 Center for Renewal, 456 1st St.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Macon’s annual celebration of Southeastern Native American cultures returns this weekend for its 30th anniversary and the first in-person event since 2019. Originally called the Ocmulgee Indian Festival, the Ocmulgee Indgenous Celebration includes two days of educational programs, storytelling, cultural crafts, demonstrations, music and dance. There will be food vendors as well Native American arts and crafts. The celebration also is a homecoming for the  Muscogee people who identify Ocmulgee as their ancestral homeland. Attendees must park at the former Macon-Bibb County Health Department at 171 Emery Highway and ride a free, handicap accessible shuttle to the celebration. The event will run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and free for those 5 and under. Adult tickets can be purchased in advance here but all tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Macon Hispanic Fest

Macon will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this inaugural downtown festival. The event will have food trucks, giveaways, vendors, a kids’ play zone and live music that includes a 2:30 p.m. performance by the Familia Madrigal from Disney’s movie “Encanto.” The consulates of Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Honduras will also be in attendance. The free event will take place in front of City Hall at 700 Poplar St. from 1-7 p.m.

Treasure Maps: Macon in Central City Park

Ten Macon storytellers with intellectual and developmental disabilities are featured in a short anthology of films about independent living, love, health, family and community. The event is part of The Storytelling Project, a collaboration including the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, L’Arche Atlanta, and StoryMuse.  Local partners include Storytellers Macon and Macon-Bibb Parks & Recreation. The program and film will start at 8 p.m. but gates open at 6:30 p.m. and there is a pre-show at 7 p.m. Weather permitting, the show will take place outside. The event is free but reservations are preferred. Elaine Lucas Center, 132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Murder on the Orient Express presented by Macon Little Theatre

It’s your last chance to catch this stage version of the Agatha Christie murder mystery about the stabbing death of an American tycoon who is discovered dead in his locked compartment after the Orient Express is stopped by snow. The show opened Sept. 9 with weekend showings at 8 p.m. and a final matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 18. Tickets range from $15 for students to $25 for adults and can be purchased online. Macon Little Theatre, 4220 Forsyth Road.

Monday, Sept. 19

34th annual Five Star Kevin Brown Russell Henley Celebrity Classic

This two-day charity clay shoot, auction and golf tournament raises money for the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia, Macon Volunteer Clinic, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The event kicks off Monday with a 9 a.m. clay shoot at Meadow Gun Club,1064 Rumble Road in Bolingbroke followed by an evening auction at 6 p.m. at Idle Hour Country Club. The full schedule and auction items can be viewed online. https://www.fivestarcelebrityclassic.com/

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Tattnall Tuesdays Group Walk by Bike Walk Macon 

This monthly walk is sponsored by First Choice Primary care and features a one-hour, medium pace walk that starts at 6 p.m. in the Oglethorpe Street parking lot of Tattnall Square Park. Participants should bring water and dress appropriately for a three-mile walk. Free.

Photographer Matt Odom at Macon Arts Gallery

There are a few chances left to take a look at Odom’s exhibit “Blue Collar South: Photographs of Industry.” Matt is a Macon-based, award-winning photographer whose work has been featured in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Bloomberg and ESPN. The gallery at 486 First St. is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Open Mic Night at Startup Studios

This recurring event presented by Clockwork Comedy is a chance to try out your own stand-up comedy or come and listen to others crack jokes. Participants should plan for a set that is no longer than 5 minutes. Startup is located at 1055 Riverside Drive and the mic will be open from 8-10 p.m. Free.

Republish