6 minute read
Summer 2023
The Lake Oconee area is teeming with lively concerts, art events, and much more to spice up your summer.
A Farmers and Makers Market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Rutledge throughout the summer. Come back to town each Friday and enjoy a free concert around the gazebo as part of the town’s Summer Concert series. See the lineup in our festival roundup on page 42.
June
June 3
The annual Putnam County Dairy Festival is held in downtown Eatonton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the parade beginning at 10 a.m. The event features arts and crafts, live music, agricultural demonstrations, kids activities and more.
Putnamcountydairyfestival.com
June 4
“Memories of Jimmy Carter,” a lecture celebrating the life and legacy of 39th President Jimmy Carter, is held at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. led by author of “Jimmy Carter: Elected President with Pocket Change and Peanuts” Dorothy “Dot” Padgett and moderator and former US representative, John Barrow. Mmcc-arts.org
June 6
The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton hosts a “Meet the Author” presentation with Dan Chapman on his book, A Road Southward. Georgiawritersmuseum.org
June 8
The Squirrelheads perform a concert in Town Park in downtown Madison at 7:30 p.m. as part of the City’s “Oh Those Summer Nights!” event series. Shelby and Jeff McLeod will open for the Squirrelheads at 6 p.m. Food vendors, along with beer and wine, will be available at the event. madisonga.com
June 8
The Squirrelheads perform at Town Park as part of the City of Madison’s Summer Nights Concert Series. madisonga.com
June 9
MAGallery in downtown Madison hosts an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for “Home Is,” a Madison Artists Guild members show challenging artists to interpret what “home” means to them. The event features live music, hors d’oeuvres, wine and a Meet & Greet with the artists. The exhibition is on display through July 8. TheMadisonArtistsGuild.org.
June 10
The Artisans Village Art Gallery in downtown Eatonton holds an Introduction to Watercolors workshop led by Dana W. Thompson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artist-quality paints and watercolor paper provided. theartisansvillage.org/classes
June 17
A Juneteenth celebration is held in Town Park from noon to 5 p.m. The Morgan County NAACP and Morgan County African American Museum in partnership with the City of Madison presents the Celebration of Culture & Community Festival. The community event will feature a parade, food, music and more. Madisonga.com
June 17
The Artisans Village Art Gallery in downtown Eatonton presents “Out on a Limb,” a beginner-friendly acrylic painting workshop led by April Hendricks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. theartisansvillage.org/classes
June 22
The City hosts a Movie Night featuring “Mamma Mia!” on the big screen at Town Park in downtown Madison as part of its “Oh Those Summer Nights!” event series. madisonga.com
June 23 - July 28
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville holds its annual Members Exhibition, showcasing original works ranging from jewelry to ceramics by its members from across the county, surrounding areas, and beyond. ocaf.com/perspectives
June 24
The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton hosts a “Crime and Wine Experience” with Chief Clay Bryant, author of The Cold Case Murder of Fred Wilkerson. Georgiawritersmuseum.org
June 25
The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center presents “Menaboni’s Birds,” a visual arts exhibition featuring a collection of paintings by Athos Menaboni (18951990), one of Georgia’s most prominent artists. An opening reception is held on June 25 at 2 p.m. Mmcc-arts.org
June 28
Lakepoint Community Church presents a concert in Town Park in downtown Madison at 7 p.m. featuring the band Cochren & Co. The event is free and open to the public. lakepoint.cc
July
July 1
The annual “We Are One” music festival is held in Town Park at 5:30 p.m. featuring Motown, jazz, rock and R&B performances on the main stage. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. madisonga.com
July 1
Farmview Market holds its annual celebration of Local Heroes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring an family-friendly afternoon of food, live music, vendors with local crafts, and produce. Farmviewmarket.com
July 1
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in Buckhead holds its annual Founders Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Steffenthomas.org
July 1
The Artisans Village Art Gallery in downtown Eatonton holds an Introduction to Watercolors workshop led by Dana W. Thompson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artist-quality paints and watercolor paper provided. theartisansvillage.org/classes
July 3
The City of Madison holds its Independence Day fireworks display at Bill Wood Park at 9 p.m. madisonga.com
July 3
The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center holds its Independence Day Picnic on the front lawn of the Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The old-fashioned, family-friendly event features a free patriotic concert and guests are invited to bring picnic baskets, coolers, tables and chairs to enjoy the performance. mmcc-arts.org
July 13
The Funk Cake Band out of Atlanta performs at Town Park in downtown Madison at 7:30 p.m. as part of the City’s “Oh Those Summer Nights” event series. madisonga.com
July 14
An opening reception for book illustrator Tom Gonzalez and his show, This & That, is held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MAGallery in downtown Madison. The event features live music, hors d’oeuvres, wine and a Meet & Greet with the artists. The exhibition is on display through Aug. 12.
TheMadisonArtistsGuild.org.
July 15
The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center holds a curator’s lecture and luncheon with Russell Clayton, guest curator of the Menaboni’s Birds exhibition
Mmcc-arts.org
July 18
The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton hosts a “Meet the Author” presentation with Katherine Reay on her book, A Shadow in Moscow. Georgiawritersmuseum.org
July 20
Chris, Jon & Scott, all members of the renowned DriveTime Band, perform at Town Park in downtown
Madison as part of the City’s “Oh Those Summer Nights” event series. madisonga.com
Through July 22
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in Buckhead presents “Hinterglasmalerei: Reverse Paintings of Steffen Thomas,” featuring a range of experimentation Thomas did with the ancient technique of reverse painting. steffenthomas.org
July 28
The Firefly Festival Kids Night is held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Park. Kids 12 and under are invited to celebrate the end of summer with stilt walkers, music, bubbles, face painters, fun inflatables, creative kids crafts, and family entertainment. Tickets are $5 each and parents are admitted free. madisonga.com/351/ Firefly-Festival
July 29
The Firefly Festival “Date Night” concert is held at 7 p.m. in Town Park featuring a live performance by The Sensational Sounds of Motown. Tickets are $15 at the gate and children 13 and under are admitted free. Chairs, coolers and picnics are welcome on lawn. Tent spaces are available for $25 or Gazebo Terrace tables for $100. madisonga.com/351/Firefly-Festival
August Aug. 1
The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton hosts a “Meet the Author” presentation with Wanda Morris on her book, Any Where You Run.
Georgiawritersmuseum.org
Aug. 4
A Classic Car Show is held in downtown Milledgeville as part of Milledgeville Main Street’s First Friday event series. Milledgevillemainstreet.com
Aug. 12
The Old History Museum at the Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton hosts its annual August Adventure, beginning at noon. This family-friendly event features old-fashioned food, fun and games. oldschoolhistorymuseum.org
Aug. 10-13
Lake Country Players present “The Robber Bridegroom,” a rousing Southern fairytale by Eudora Welty set in 18th century
Mississippi. The production is directed by Charlotte Mosteller and choreographed by Maureen Brower. Performances are held at Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro at 7 p.m. nightly and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30 and go on sale July 20. www.lakecountryplayers.org
Aug. 12
Hard Labor Creek State Park hosts a Perseid Shooting Star Party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. gastateparks.org
Aug. 18
An opening reception for abstract artist Nancy Race and her show, Celebrating Freedom, is held at MAGallery in downtown Madison from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event features live music, hors d’oeuvres, wine and a Meet & Greet with the artists.
The exhibition is on display through Sept. 16. TheMadisonArtistsGuild.org.
Aug. 19
The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton presents “Rocketman: An Elton John Tribute” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45. plazacenter.org
Aug. 25-Sept. 10
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville hosts the 21st annual Pottery Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational, a huge exhibition and sale featuring the work of 48 of the top potters from across Georgia, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the OCAF 1902 building in downtown Watkinsville. ocaf.com
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