Let’s start with this week’s Hop, Skip & Jump….
DRAGON CON! (Aug 29 – Sep 2)
Whether you’ve been planning your costume since last August or you’re just looking for something fun to do for a day, Atlanta’s massive pop culture convention is underway this weekend with autograph signings, gaming events, panels, and more. This year’s celebrity guests include stars from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Monty Python”, “Daredevil”, “Firefly”, “Doctor Who, and “Star Wars: The Acolyte. The crowd favorite parade starts Saturday morning at 10 a.m. (map here).
Hours vary; prices vary from free to not-free; locations vary depending on the event; Downtown Atlanta.
Thursday, August 29
Summer Salon @ Plunkett Gallery
They’re not touching your hair, nails or clothes. Nope. This salon, featuring the work of 17 senior class students, focuses on a wide variety of art disciplines, from painting and sculpture to graphic design, video, printmaking and more. Light bites and refreshments will be served.
6 p.m.; free; Mercer University Plunkett Gallery at Hardman Hall, 1400 Coleman Ave, Macon, GA 31207. For a campus map, click here.
Friday, August 30
Matheny + Bradbury
Singer/Songwriters William Matheny and Darrin Bradbury co-headline the stage at Grant’s Lounge. Matheny’s been compared to Elvis Costello and Marshall Crenshaw, while Bradbury’s alt/indie vibe leans more folk satirist/redneck noir.
8 p.m.; $10 in advance or at the door; Grant’s Lounge, 576 Poplar Street, 31201.
Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1
Labor Day Fun for the Kids!
Billed as the world’s largest themed inflatable bounce house, Mega Bounce Land offers two days of fun for kids, parents, grandparents, you name it. More than 20,000 square feet of fun, with 2,000 of it reserved for toddlers. Food and drinks available for purchase.
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; $22, kids age 3 and under are free with a paying adult; tickets available here; Carolyn Crayton Park, 150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive, 31201.
Monday, September 2
Labor Day Festival Closing Concert
Talk about cream of the crop! This weekend, eight high school seniors, chosen from a group of highly competitive musicians who auditioned, will immerse themselves in the craft with Grammy- and Emmy-nominated violinist Robert McDuffie, Emerson String Quartet violinist Lawrence Dutton, and Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim. The violin, viola and cello intensive workshop culminates with a concert by the young artists and their teachers that’s guaranteed to stir the senses.
2 – 3 p.m.; free; Fickling Hall in the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer University campus, 1329 Adams Street, 31210.
Tuesday, September 3
Tears on the Beach
Ben Katzman, finalist in season 46 of the TV show Survivor (“Surviber”?), is in town for the debut of his new album Tears on the Beach. Get a sample below, then head to Fresh Produce Records for an intimate performance, meet and greet, and album release.
7 – 9 p.m.; $10 at the door, all ages welcome; Fresh Produce Records, 567 Cherry Street, 31201.
Wednesday, September 4
Art and Craft of a Creative Career
The Leadership Lens, Wesleyan College monthly speaker series, features diverse perspectives on the value of thoughtful leadership. This month, it features multidisciplinary artist Kiel Johnson’s commissioned installation “Makin Macon” and his presentation on “The Art and Craft of a Creative Career: Insights on Artistic Entrepreneurship.”
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.; Free, but you must reserve your spot; Wesleyan College Leadership Lab, 522 Cherry Street Macon, GA 31201.
