If you’re not leaving the city for the 4th of July, then has Macon got a surprise for you! And I mean surprise in a good way, not surprise in that walk-by-an-empty-storefront-doorway-and-meet-a-homeless-person-SURPRISE! -way. I mean in a more-than-your-money’s-worth-good-time-great-drinks-awesome-music-even awesomer friends- way. Man, Macon, I think I’m growing to love you!

Movies

First Friday is filled with lots of delicious goodies, including $1 beer, $1 pizzas for kids and a $1 movie at the Cox Capitol Theatre (Independence Day – how long has it been since you’ve seen THAT???) on 2nd Street. If you haven’t watched a movie AND eaten food and had a nice beverage in a long time (or ever) tonight’s the night to remind yourself of just how good it can be.

Giveaways

Robins Federal Credit Union is giving away a GPS navigation system to a lucky participant. Go to Robins Federal Credit Union or NewTown Macon (on Mulberry and Cherry Street respectively) and enter your name for a chance to win. Yours truly came in 2nd place in the First Friday Sombrero contest, earning $25 Downtown Dollars to spend at any restaurant of my choice a few months ago. I chose Tokyo Alley because I had been missing their cold noodles and cheese rolls. Mmmmm, so delicioso. So don’t think you can’t win. Go enter if step by step directions make your heart pitter patter. NewTown Macon is also hosting events in Third Street Park (at Cherry and Third) that includes sandcastle building and live music by Joey Stuckey. It’s been a while since I heard him, so I’m gonna have to go see if he remembers me!

Music -Drinks -Food: Oh My!

There are a number of spots open later for the 4th with meal specials or live performances. If you’ve missed out on Molly’s Cafe on Cherry Street because you don’t get downtown before 6pm, then tonight is the night because they have a prime rib special. Call to make reservations 478.744.9898. Market City’s kitchen will be open until 9pm where you know you’ll get good food and good drinks. Now I want a thin crust pizza from them. Greek Corner Deli will have a live band (which means they will be open late, which means you can grab yourself a gyro for your walk or before you go to the Arts Exchange!),Grant’s Lounge on Poplar Street will have Old Soul featuring Bo Ponder , The Rookery has live music by Jeremy and Ryan, Luigi’s Bistro will have live music by Josh Campbell and Jared Wright, which you should check out before heading over the the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom to rock out to MagTard (our Magnificent Bastard with a necessary, uncopyrighted name change) and their friends the Pinx! The admission is just $5, the drinks are good and that’s where you’ll see me if you want to tell me how fabulous I am!

The new spot for local music, the 567 Cafe will be hosting One Bad Catholic and Profound Breadth tonight, so give them a listen. I heard One Bad Catholic on the ones and twos at a City Council concert. Yeah, I’m gonna pop my head in.

Even though I had to go on a rage rampage on the Brackett-Wold porch because of the grilled cheese sandwich incident (if you’re not voting at Coffee Cake Extravaganza, you have been missing something), I will still give a shout out to Club Synergy’s Absolut Red and White party. Pay admission today for the “pre-party” with Absolut drink specials, get free cover to July 4th’s official Absolut Red and White party. They just want you to wear red and white to show that Independence Day pride. Unfortunately, I won’t be checking this one out, but I’ll wear white for solidarity!

Platinum Sound on Second Street will have live street performances as well as studio tours, so if you’ve ever wondered what was behind the blacked out windows (I know I have) now’s your chance to find out!

Stuff To Buy

Don’t forget about the Cotton Avenue/Cherry Street before Second Street “L” that is full of surprises. First, Cotton Avenue – Stop by Meadows Fine Jewelry for sales, music, drinks and snacks and tell my girl Kara, “What’s Up!!!” and maybe buy yourself a little something. Across the street at Treasure Vintage, you’re sure to find something uniquely for you. I got some jeans from there that makes my ass look great and actually fits, so I know you can find something for you. Plus, she always has a sale going, and who doesn’t like a sale? Also, check out Dot’s Forget-Me-Nots on Cherry Street. Have they got a sale for you!

Mid South Travel on Cherry Street will be open until 6:30pm, so if you’ve always wanted to set your sights on far off destination, I suggest you start there!

Studio 481 on Broadway will showcase artist Timothy Hedden’s Original Art Exhibit “Show and Sell”. This dude isn’t beating around the bush. Buy art!

4th of July and 5th of July

Ya’ll, that was JUST First Friday! – Saturday the 4th also has some interesting “doings” – like fireworks at Sandy Beach on Lake Tobesofkee (watch out for werewolves), Fort Hawkins fireworks, July 4th Park celebrations, and birthday parties at Envy (Happy Birthday, Fourth!). The 5th of July brings us Kung Fu Panda at the Cox Capital Theatre for just $5 – not including meal, which you can totally buy and EAT WHILE YOU’RE WATCHING THE MOVIE!!! I know, I get a little excited, but it’s something different and it’s something I love! Kung Fu Panda shows at 6pm. You can also catch College Hill Corridor’s FREE showing of Field of Dreams in Central City Park. You can start hanging out at 7:30, but the movie starts at nine. Pack a picnic (who doesn’t love a picnic?), grab some good friends and head on down. It’s free and you know you’ll have food leftover from your 4th of July festivities!

Damn, that’s a good looking weekend!

I love First Friday. It has brought life to downtown Macon, one that those of us who always loved it and wished for it never thought could happen. Once upon a time, we were all huddled in our little hidey-holes, being creative, wishing more people would come downtown and see what it is we do down here and with First Friday, it’s happening. What is interesting is that you’re not always running into the same people. Whether you’re at the park at Cherry and Third or watching the park from Market City you still have plenty of opportunity to meet new people. Live music (when the venues are open), drink specials, and good friends walking around beautiful and historic downtown macon – can you really think of something better to do?

This past Friday, Meadows Fine Jewelry had its grand opening which was not only beautiful, but also delicious. I was supposed to go back Monday, so I’ll have to make a stop sometime this week to rectify the situation. There is a citrine bracelet and a frog ring that is calling my name.

I usually end my First Friday at the Contemporary Arts Exchange on Mulberry, in Eric O’Dell’s studio. It is an open and inviting circle that accepts anyone who wants to parlay, all of the weirdos who have felt neglected in their life, all of the college students who fear no one takes them seriously, all of the older people who have held downtown on their shoulders hoping it’s renaissance is happening now, any race or creed or genre. We stand around talking about movies and television, about books and music, we talk about past and present, about high school and life, about Oprah and wrestling. If your conversation is not going on, you start it. If your song is not playing on the iPod, bring your CDs. If you are lacking a painting or a drink, get one from us. The world is our oyster on First Friday and if you’re up for it, stay for First Saturday as well.

It’s been delightful meeting others, learning from them, laughing with them and supporting them in words and with money. So remember, if you see it, your probably can buy it and if you like it, you probably should.

Okay, to describe the Open Air Painting exhibit in Spike Lee terms is a little ridiculous, but there is a lot going on at the Museum of Arts and Sciences. Not only did I enjoy myself at The Art of Macon Comics, but I also showed up in time for Plein Air – the Open Air Painting exhibit by Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson. I first heard about it from Eric O’Dell, who met the couple in Italy the past summer. Not only did they give him a primer on what they do, but they also took him on a culinary tour of the Tuscany region. They sound like my kind of people.

In a couple of months, I’ll be heading to Italy myself so I thought I would check out their lecture, see where all they went, things like that. It was very compelling. I am not an art student, but I found myself captivated with what they called the “timelessness” of open air painting. There was little difference between the work done by Maddine and Joe and those done by famous Italian open air painters like Valenciennes and Corot, because they had to work under the same time constraints and working space as those guys did. In a way, the length of time, 2 hours tops and 20 minutes at the least, and the visibility of the brush strokes in open air painting in a time when paintings were praised for the invisibility of the painter, could almost be scene as a precursor to impressionism. In truth, there is a bit of an impressionistic edge to the painter’s need to grasp the fleeting light of day in their work.

I was drawn to a lake in the crater of a volcano, one so still thanks to shielding in that crater, that it was called the mirror of Diana. The lake at Nemi. In pictures, it’s beautiful, the land around it, the castle above it, it’s fascinating. As I talked to Maddine after their lecture at Mercer University, she told me that Nemi was not very far from where we will be staying for the majority of our trip to Europe. All the more exciting.

She also gave me some eating tips for being there that I appreciate. She leads an epicurean tour in November, full of wines and truffles. I would love to be able to afford that.

But more than the possibility of food (and me almost eating something I’m allergic to on opening night) is the beauty of the paintings. Painting on paper, Maddine and Joe tried to emulate, not only in location, but also in craft, the exact movements of the masters. Their work is breathtaking. Even the frames were built by the two, of which Maddine seems very proud.

Go look at my beautiful lake near Nemi and the other open air work by Maddine Insalaco and Joe Vinson. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.

Two weeks ago, I went to see the opening of The Art of Macon Comics at the Museum of Arts and Sciences where some old friends were under the spotlight for their work in comic books, whether it was for some other writer or as the writer themselves. I am by no means a part of their journey, but I remember them slaving away at the Jolly Rogers Studio, comic memorabilia filling the walls, half finished work laying in wait on drafting tables, low lights and everything done with a meticulousness that most people don’t get to see. It was extremely fascinating.

Compared to them, I felt like a slouch as a writer. Sometimes getting more than a line on paper takes much work. I’m not even sure how much work these guys do that doesn’t get used, but it has to be a lot. Yet they kept at it. Back in the day, I always expected them to explode at those of us who didn’t really belong, asking our questions, handling their “toys”, looking over their shoulders, but they handled us with a patience that, as I hear it now, was not recognizable in them. But they did. And as I peered at wall after wall of how known they really were in their world of comics, I couldn’t help but be proud of them, answering questions, signing autographs, smiling as if they didn’t have three projects at home awaiting their attention, laughing as if they enjoyed being front and center, although they longed for their four walls and their little drafting table.

I was amazed at the talent before me, even though I did know it existed. It’s important to revel in the talent around us and revel I did. Don’t miss this opportunity to see yet another aspect of the uniqueness this town has to offer.