This week brings concerts, stories, First Friday, Festival of Trees and burgers, burgers and more burgers. Loosen your belt, put on your stretchiest pants and let’s go. 

Thursday, Nov. 3

Black Jacket Bandolier at Grant’s Lounge

This local five-piece band known for their cover songs brings their sound to Grant’s on Thursday. Black Jacket Bandolier has been playing local joints such as Society Garden and JBA to growing audiences. Catch their set for a fun night out.

9 p.m.; $10 tickets available at seetickets.us; 567 Poplar St., 31201; (478) 746-9191; historicgrants.com

Friday, Nov. 4

First Friday Downtown

November’s First Friday will have activities all over downtown including a free Family Fun Zone in Third Street Park, cocktails in the courtyard of Emerson at Plum (543 Plum St., 31210; (478) 957-0005), and a chance to pick up unique holiday gifts at the 567’s (456 First St., 31201; (478) 238-6051)  “Artwork for $100 and under” exhibit. More information about the night’s events can be found at newtownmacon.com 

Saturday, Nov. 5

Storytellers Macon: Live at Wesleyan College Black Box Theatre

Storytellers partner with Wesleyan’s Lane Center for Social and Racial Equity for this two-part series of true stories from students about their experiences “bending the arc” of the moral universe toward justice. This call-and-response performance series will first hear from the perspectives of featured college-aged students in the fall, as they navigate race and culture. The second part of the event will be held next spring where older people will share their experiences. 

7 p.m.; $10 tickets available at Eventbrite.com, free for students with ID (donations welcomed); Porter Auditorium, Wesleyan College 4760 Forsyth Road, 31210; (478) 447-6610; wesleyancollege.edu

Sunday, Nov. 6

Kids Painting Class with Deonna Belcher at Society Garden

Deonna Belcher will lead this art class that instructs kids ages 6 and up on how to paint a scarecrow. All supplies and either a hot chocolate or an icee are included in the ticket price.

3-4 p.m.; $20 tickets available at Eventbrite.com; 2389 Ingleside Ave, 31204; (478) 200-0800; thesocietygarden.com

Monday, Nov. 7

Macon Burger Week at Participating Locations

This week-long celebration of burgers kicks off Monday. Twenty-six different restaurants, lounges, cake factories and cafes have created a $10 burger unique to their location. For example, Oh Honey Baking Company (2391 Ingleside Ave., 31204) has created the “Burger Macaron” which is made of a chocolate macaron shell with toasted sesame seeds, ganache with strawberry compote and swiss buttercream “cheese.” Satterfield Barbeque (120 New St., 31201) is offering their “Smoked Brisket Cheeseburger” which consists of slow-smoked brisket  topped with cheddar, fried onions, honey bourbon hickory sauce, Duke’s mayo special sauce, shredded lettuce and house pickles on a Victory Bagels’ bun. All of the $10 special creation burgers are in the running for week’s People’s Choice Champion. In addition, there is an Official Passport available on the Macon Burger Week website. When visiting the participating restaurants diners should have their passport stamped. After receiving five or more stamps the passport can be mailed to the Georgia Beef Council to be entered into a drawing.

Visit Maconburgerweek.com for a complete list of participating restaurants, their $10 burger creations and to download the Macon Burger Week passport. 

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

November is Native American Heritage Month which makes a great reason (not that you needed one) to visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. In the park’s more than 3,000 acres visitors can witness over 12,000 years of continual human history starting with the Paleo Indians, leading to the Muscogee (Creek) and, most recently, European settlement.  Make sure to visit the Earth Lodge, a reconstruction of a Mississippian culture council house, and the Great Temple Mound, where the chief would have lived during the Mississippian age. The top of Temple Mound gives beautiful views of downtown Macon. In the Visitor’s Center there is a museum with over 2,000 artifacts and a 17-minute orientation film that gives the history of the mounds.

8 a.m-5 p.m. daily. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day; Free: 1207 Emery Highway, 31201; (478) 752-8257; nps.gov/ocmu

Wednesday, Nov. 9

2022 Festival of Trees Champagne Preview at The Museum of Arts and Sciences

It’s the 36th Annual Festival of Trees and The Museum of Arts and Sciences is celebrating in a big way at this preview event. There will be champagne, hors d’oeuvres, a fine art sale and over forty designer-decorated holiday trees. The Festival of Trees event runs until Jan. 21.

Noon- 2 p.m; $50 tickets available at Eventbrite.com: 4182 Forsyth Road Macon, 31210; (478) 477-3232; masmacon.org