Love is in the air. As are comedy, opera, 1980s jams and Chinese lanterns. In short: a lot of stuff is in the air this week in Macon (not counting the occasional paper mill smell we’ve all become accustomed to). 

Thursday, Feb. 9

TOTO at the Macon City Auditorium

This 1970s yacht rock staple has been experiencing an uptick in popularity with their 1982 song, “Africa” gaining traction with Millennials through covers (there have been at least 40 different cover versions of the song) and constant internet streaming. The band brings their “Dogs of Oz” show to the Macon City Auditorium. The crowd is likely to be of various ages, with old-school TOTO fans mingling with the new-school fans who were born well after their favorite song charted. 

7:30 p.m.; Tickets start at $46.75 at Ticketmaster.com; 415 First St., 31201; (478) 803-1596; maconcenterplex.org

Friday, Feb.10

Avenue Q at The Macon Little Theatre

The best way to describe the puppet-centered musical,  “Avenue Q” is to say that it’s what “Sesame Street” would be if it were for adults with an ironic sense of humor. This means that despite the puppets, this show is not meant for children. Puppets, puppeteers and actors interact on stage discussing adult issues and breaking into song and dance now and again with songs like “My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada” and “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist.”

8 p.m.; Tickets start at $15 at ci.ovationtix.com; 4220 Forsyth Road, 31210; maconlittletheatre.org

Saturday, Feb.11

“Heart and Soul Comedy Live” at the Douglass Theatre 

This fundraiser for the Georgia Arrhythmia Foundation features comedians Marvin Lee and Wellington Juku. In addition to comedy, Lee is an actor who may be remembered for his work on season six of “The Walking Dead” where he played Kyle. 

 7 p.m.; Tickets start at $25 at douglasstheatre.myboxoffice.us; 355 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., 31201; (478) 742-2000; douglasstheatre.org

Sunday, Feb.12

Macon Film Guild Presents: “The Inspection” at the Douglass Theatre 

Based on the real-life experience of writer/director Elegance Bratton, this film tells the story of a gay young Black man’s experience at Marine boot camp on Parris Island, S.C. Main character Ellis French (played by Jeremy Pope who received a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination for the film) is hazed by his homophobic training instructor but at the same time finds a sense of community in the corps. 

2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a discussion after the 2 p.m. showing; $5; 355 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., 31201; (478) 742-2000; douglasstheatre.org

Monday, Feb.13

Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra at The Grand Opera House 

Opera is synonymous with romance. Maybe it’s the scene in “Pretty Woman” where Richard Geer takes Julia Roberts to see “La Traviata” and she cries at the beauty of the music, but passion and opera have forever been linked. Macon native and rising star in the opera world, Jasmine Habersham performs along with the Macon-Mercer Symphony in their playing of Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.” The symphony will also perform Barber’s “School for Scandal Overture” and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, op. 64, E minor.

7:30 p.m.: Tickets start at $25 at mpv.tickets.com, students attend free; 651 Mulberry St., 31201; (478) 301-5470; thegrandmacon.com

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Storytellers: The One That Got Away at Grant’s Lounge

What better day to reminisce about past relationships than Valentine’s Day? This Storytellers event is all about the “one who got away.” Hear from featured storytellers about lost love and sign up to tell your own story about the one that got away. 

6:30 p.m.; Free; 576 Poplar St., 31201; (478) 746-9191; historicgrants.com

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Lantern Festival at Wesleyan College

The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that honors deceased ancestors. The Confucious Institute at Wesleyan is celebrating the festival that promotes forgiveness and unity where attendees can create their own lanterns, enjoy the traditional sweet rice ball called yuanxiao and learn sachet making.

6-7 p.m.; Free; The Corn Center at Wesleyan College; 4760 Forsyth Road, 31210; Confucius Institute (478) 757-2450; wesleyancollege.edu

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