Calendar

Please note: Some events may be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call or visit website prior to your trip.

n Apr. 6, May 4 – Virtual Science Night presents Lungless Salamanders of the Blue Ridge on Mar. 2; Wood Warblers in Georgia on Apr. 6; and Tree Biology on May 4. Free, but preregistration required. Info: www.elachee.org/770-535-1976. n May 1, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4 – The Winery Comedy Tour at Accent Cellars, 215 Auraria Rd., Dahlonega. Nationally recognized comedians travel the country tasting local wine and making new fans in this new comedy circuit that brings quality comedy to folks for a fraction of what comedy clubs demand. Times: 6:30-8 p.m. Admission: $13. Info/tickets/registration: universe.com.

Buford Community Center n May 1 – Derby Day with the Kentucky Headhunters features the running of the Kentucky Derby on the big screen followed by a concert featuring the Kentucky Headhunters with special guest The Georgia Thunderbolts. Event will be on the concert lawn and will be socially distanced. Pods for seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis so bring chairs or blankets to enjoy a night of live music. Masks are recommended. Free. Gates open at 5 p.m., Derby at 6 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. n May 7 – Masters of Soul is a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music. The 10-person cast consists of three lead male vocalists and three lead female vocalists backed by a fourpiece band of seasoned musicians who’ve been touring together for decades. The group performs tunes from Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, The Temptations, Barry White, The Four Tops and Diana Ross & the Supremes, and more. Tickets: $30-$35. Time: 8 p.m. in the Sylvia Beard Theatre. Info: bufordcommunitycenter.com.

Interactive Neighborhood For Kids n INK is now open, but some rules now apply. Times are 10

Elachee Nature Science Center n Thru May 29 – Live Animal Showcase at Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr., Gainesville. 45-minute showcases at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tour the exhibit (indoors) after the program. Admission: $5/adult; $3/child (ages 2-12); free/Elachee members. n Apr. 6, May 4 – Virtual Science Night at Elachee Nature Science Center. Wood Warblers in Georgia on Apr. 6; and Tree Biology on May 4. Free, but pre-registration required. Info: elachee.org/770-535-1976. a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 770-536-1900/inkfun.org.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort n Apr. 24, May 22 – Full Moon Party, 7-10 p.m., at LandShark Beach. Dance under the stars, hang out on the beach by the outdoor fire pits, enjoy food and drink at LandShark Bar & Grill and round out the night with fireworks show at 10 p.m. Cost: $14.99 per person. Info: 770-945-8787/lanierislands.com.

Northeast Georgia History Center n Each Wednesday, at 2 p.m., The Northeast Georgia History Center presents a livestream for the general public via Facebook or YouTube Live. Each Friday, the facility presents special Member Livestreams for local and digital members. Digital membership is $3/month or $35/year for member livestreams and more. Check negahc.org for the upcoming February digital event calendar. Info: 770-297-5900/negahc.org.

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds n Apr. 17 – Chris Janson, breakout country star, performs at 7 p.m. He is a platinum-selling recording artist, high-octane entertainer, multiinstrumentalist and award-winning singer/songwriter. He took home the trophy for ACM Video of the Year for his Gold-certified, inspiring hit song “Drunk Girl,” which also earned the Song of the Year title at the 2018 Music Row Awards and was named one of the “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” by NSAI. His chart-topping, triple-Platinum smash “Buy Me A Boat” earned the same NSAI honor, thus earning the title multiple times. Opening act: Davisson Brothers. Tickets: $47. Info: 706-896-4191/georgiamountainfairgrounds.com. Quinlan Arts Center n Apr. 13 – Ekphrasis for the Masses features 3-minute reading of poems (first 15 who register at the door). The monthly event leads up to National Poetry Month in April. Brown Bag Series (bring your lunch). Time: noon-1 p.m. Admission: Free. Info: 770-536-2575/qvac.org.

University of North Georgia n Apr. 2 – UNG Piano Ensemble Recital, 7:30-8:30 p.m., virtual music event features UNG Piano ensembles from Gainesville and Dahlonega campus presents multi-hands recital. n Apr. 8, 9 – Music Theater Ensemble (virtual) Spring Show, 7:30-8:30 p.m., features numbers from a variety of musicals. n Apr. 15 – Patriot Choir & Le Belle Voci (virtual) Spring Concert, 7:30-8:30 p.m., features patriotic music, sacred and secular pieces. n Apr. 22 – Sinfonietta Concert (virtual), 7:30-8:30 p.m., features the UNG-Dahlonega Orchestra. n Apr. 30 – Band Chamber Ensembles Concert (virtual), 7:30-8:30 p.m., features various chamber groups from the Gainesville Symphonic Band and the Dahlonega Wind Ensembles for a varied repertoire of chamber music for winds. Info: 678-717-3438/ung.edu.

Voices of North Georgia n The first half of the upcoming 52nd annual season (2020-2021) will be virtual. Its fall and Christmas performances will be shared through social media. Info: voicesofnorthgeorgia.com.

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April 2021 Colorful giant woven sculptures roosting at Gainesville Garden

By Jane Harrison

Three colorful avian guests will tower over the Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden through October. A giant woven peacock and two cardinals “flew” down from Massachusetts late last month to roost in the woodland garden near Lake Lanier.

Boston-area artists Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein, known as “the Myth Makers,” sculpted the 20-feet-tall peacock and pair of 15-feet-tall cardinals from natural materials such as bamboo and tree saplings. They wove in recyclable objects, tiles and zip ties to color their feathers. Volunteers from Brenau University helped assemble the brilliant tail of the peacock over two days last month.

Reached by phone before migrating to Gainesville,“Mr. and Mrs. Myth Maker” spoke excitedly about bringing their creations to Georgia. They named the larger sculpture “Flannery’s Peacock,” in tribute to Georgia author Flannery O’Conner whose estate, Andalusia, was roamed by peacocks. They expected to haul most of the completed bird in a light-weight trailer and engage Brenau students for a hands-on lesson in natural fabrication methods while they assemble the long flowing tail.

“It will take more than two people to build,” Moerlein said. Photos from a recycling warehouse where they weave their myths show him atop a high ladder attaching a blue and green fringe “necklace” to the peacock’s intricate split bamboo frame.

Dodson is shown affixing multicolor zip ties to a grid loom and fashioning pinwheels that will crown the peacock’s head. Peacock admirers can view the finished product inside and out. “They will be able to walk through,” Dodson said.

The cardinal sculptures, “Love Long Last,” are on loan from a

PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE Aisa Goforth, a senior at Brenau University, works to install the new sculpture art at Atlanta Botanical Garden - Gainesville. See ABG, page 54

Garden update for 2021

n The Myth Makers: 15-20-feet-tall peacock and cardinal sculptures on display through Oct. 31. n Tulips in Bloom: Thousands of tulips bloom through mid-tolate April, depending on the weather. n Cocktails in the Garden: Formerly Wine in the Woodlands, the popular relaxing evening expands to a weekly Saturday cocktail sip, stroll, and dine event with cash bar and pre-ordered food options from Harvest Kitchen. 3-7 p.m. May-Oct. n Children’s Garden: Kids are not the only ones to enjoy the whimsical garden, perched on the highest point and sprinkled with free play elements that highlight earth, wind, water and fire. Fairies, dragons, and a miniature trolly add to the fun. Story times for children ages 1-4 are scheduled at 10 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays May-Oct. n No concerts this year: The Gainesville Garden has again canceled its popular Concerts in the Garden, held traditionally at the Ivester Amphitheater. n Info: The garden is located at 1911 Sweet Bay Dr., Gainesville. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. (Last entry at 5 p.m.) Timed tickets are required for non-members. Admission: $10 adults, $8 children ages 3-12, free to garden members and children younger than 3. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. - compiled by Jane Harrison

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