Augusta's best-known event is the Masters Tournament, which is held each April at Augusta National Golf Club, but there's a lot going on during the other 51 weeks of the year.
If the Masters is the pinnacle of sports in Augusta, Arts in the Heart is the biggest celebration of visual and performing arts. The three-day festival, held in and around the Augusta Common in mid-September, is also known for its international food court.
Not too far away, a smaller, more frequent celebration takes place monthly on Broad Street. First Friday, which was started as a way to draw people downtown at night, has blossomed beyond its initial venue on Artist Row and now features live musical performances and vendors on sidewalks as far as Eighth Street.
Jennifer Bowen, the director of public relations for Augusta Metropolitan Visitors bureau, said the city benefits from nearby cities such as Atlanta.
"People there are looking for a day's drive, and we're perfect for that. People who are from Savannah are often looking for other things to do to get out of their hometown," she said.
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The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Society entertains the crowd at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta with a 50-foot dragon.
The Augusta Chronicle |
From Staff Reports
EVENTS CALENDAR
January Jan. 3: Dottie Peoples, Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., 5 p.m.; $25-$28; 722-3521.
Jan. 6: The Lord of the Dance, Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., 7:30 p.m.; $27-$40; 722-3521.
Jan. 10: The 15th annual Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Induction, Radisson Riverfront Hotel Augusta, 2 10th St., 6:30-9 p.m.; $90-$800; 724-4443.
Jan. 22-31: 25th annual Augusta Cutting Horse Futurity, Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Seventh St.; activities include the Western Culture and Food Fest, World Championship Bull Riding, the Wrangler Family Fun Fest, the Horse and Carriage Parade, the Futurity dance and more than 100 exhibitors of quality Western wear; $2-$15.50; 823-3417.
February Feb. 14: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Augusta Symphony, Bell Auditorium,, 8 p.m.; $10-$30, 826-4705.
Feb. 20: Augusta Arbor Day Celebration, Pendleton King Park, Troupe Street; exhibits about forestry and tree maintenance; beverages and snacks provided; 10 a.m., free; 724-4443.
Feb. 27: Kiss Me Kate, Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., 8 p.m.; $18-$35; 722-3521.
Feb. 27: Don Quixote performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet; USC Aiken Etherredge Center, 8 p.m.; (803) 641-3305; www.usca.edu/ec.
March
TBA: Garden City Music Festival, Augusta Common; 826-4702.
March 12: James Gregory, Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.; 722-8341.
March 3-26: 25th annual Agnes Markwalter Youth Art, Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, 506 Telfair St.; National Youth Art Month exhibit features works by public, private and home school pupils in Aiken, Burke, Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties; free; 722-5495.
March 5-7: The 16th annual Springtime Made in the South, Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Seventh St.; (704) 847-9480
March 12: Harlem Globetrotters, Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Seventh St., 7:30 p.m.; $13-$41; 722-3521.
April April 5-11: Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club; 667-6000.
April 14: Borenya, African drum and dance performance; USC Aiken Etherredge Center, 7 p.m.; (803) 641-3305
April 25: The 19th annual Augusta Canal Cruise & Cookout; 823-0440.
May May 2: 19th annual A Day in the Country, Augusta Riverfront Marina, 298 Prep Philips Drive, featuring Trace Adkins; 278-4849.
May 20: Fosse, Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., 7 p.m.; $18-$37.50; 722-3521.
July July 4: Independence Day celebration, Patriots Park in Columbia County; free rides, games, crafts, food, entertainment, a silent auction and fireworks; Time TBA, free; 868-3458.
July 16-18: Augusta Southern Nationals, Augusta Riverfront Marina, 298 Prep Philips Drive; 278-4849.
October
Oct. 1-3: Greek Festival, Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 953 Telfair St.; 724-1087
Oct. 15-24: Georgia-Carolina State Fair, fairgrounds on Hale Street; 722-0202
Oct. 21-30: Western Carolina State Fair, Jaycee Fairgrounds, Aiken; www.tixonline.com
Oct. 15-16: New Horizons Art Festival, Savannah Rapids and Patriots Park in Columbia County; juried art show and reception, crafts, food, rides, games and entertainment on Saturday; free; 868-3458.
Oct 28: Kids Halloween Festival, Patriots Park; 5:30-8:30 p.m.; free with perishable food donation; 868-3458.
November Nov. 19-21: The 18th annual Christmas Made in the South, craft show, Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Telfair St.; (704) 847-9480
December
Dec. 1-31: Easter Seals Fantasy of Lights, Augusta Golf & Gardens, 1 11th St.; 724-4443.
