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!

Macon is an interesting town.

There are those who don’t think so, of course. This past First Friday, downtown Macon had an Easter Egg hunt, but the eggs were not your typical boiled eggs brightly coloured. These eggs contained prizes and gift certificates from businesses in the area. What a way to combine the upcoming holiday, First Friday and a marketing campaign for the downtown area. Yet when I read the article about it on macon.com, and the subsequent comments, one commenter made a remark about bringing their gun.

I wanted to say take the cannoli, leave the gun. But I stopped myself.

Downtown is not dangerous, but that’s not what this post is about. It’s about how great First Friday is. One day a month, restaurants stay open later than 6, drink specials, special events, more live music – it’s a smorgasborg of culture encapsulated within Downtown.

Questions for Craig Hamilton

The place I stopped this First Friday was the Contemporary Arts Exchange. Wait, I know I always go there. Usually, I hang with the Brothers O’Dell and stare at THE painting. If you don’t know which one I’m talking about, maybe you have your own. Anyway, this visit to the CAE was not to socialize, but to hear Craig Hamilton, comic book artist and all around good guy, speak to a Mercer University class about the philosophy of creativity. Interesting questions were raised, delved into, and though not always answered satisfactorily, at least became part of the collective consciousness of the artists and students in the room.

The crowd was small and attentive. Along with members of the Mercer class, taught by Dr. Creighton Rosental, were writers and artists who also wanted to know a little bit about the philosophical ramifications of their work. Most of us had not thought about it, the why of what we do. Even if we are artists of technique, there is still a bit of philosophy as we embrace the tactile work we do. Many of us would be lucky to be like Craig, being paid solely for the work we love to do. But until that is the case, we ponder how we get to that point and then work hard, as he proved that he did through his talk, to make our dreams the reality.

Now where else can you go to get enlightenment like that? I love downtown Macon.

After our foray into philosophy and arts, we went to Market City Cafe for a very delicious Cobb Salad and an only partially satisfactory Bobie. I’d never had that sandwich before, which is turkey, stuffing, and a cranberry compote on bread (I wish I had the actual description, which does the sandwich justice). I was expecting a warm sandwich, or at least for the turkey and stuffing to be nice and warm with the cold cranberry on top, but the entire sandwich was cold and that was very disappointing. The sandwich was tasty, but I couldn’t help but think that it would have been better if something was warm.

All in all, a good night was had by all who ventured out onto the streets. Even if they went without their guns.

There is a new market, a Fresh Market, on Forsyth… or is it still Vineville. I know the split is at Napier, but it’s right on the cusp. For now, we’ll say in the Steinmart shopping center, even though that is also not the official name…

I am in love with the Fresh Market. It’s everything I ever wanted in a market, and more. I haven’t been to a Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s since I lived in California and I’m pretty impressed with the one we have here. The cheese corner alone was enough to put me in rapture. I went for the sushi but after having a quick glance around I realized that I needed to spend a leisurely Sunday in there just walking around and admiring it. Or stalking it, however you want to look at it. Fresh Market, you send me!

First Fridays always give me a little thrill. I enjoy getting out and seeing places that I love open past 6. On First Friday, there are other options, not just the bars and it’s good to see people I enjoy being around in this great, relaxed setting.

I know it can be tiring when people say we don’t support the activities in Macon, but sometimes, the activities in Macon don’t support us. First Friday is an event that supports the people and allows for the people to support them. It doesn’t take much to participate – restaurants either lose a dollar or two on drink orders or they stay open and gain a bit more income. Artists get a different viewing crowd and if they come away with one new fan, that’s a plus. First Friday is everything an activity in Macon should be for its citizens. It’s safe, it’s active and it’s full of choices. You can hear great bands, you can eat great food and you can see something interesting, even if it’s just someone walking down the street.

I know where I’m going to be tonight. Where will you be?

Actually, I’ve been back for nearly a week. I was in Europe, trotting the globe, having adventures, walking many, many, many, many miles in Barcelona, Rome, Ariccia, and Paris. Read about it here.

Of course, I got sick coming back home. It snowed in London, which I thought was a common thing, but what I learned is that it usually just gets cold and rainy – so I witnessed a phenomenon similar to Macon getting snow. And although it was beautiful, I was far more worried about being delayed and living in Gatwick than how pretty the snow was.

I loved traveling, but I found that I missed Macon. In fact, being away made me appreciate having this place to come home to, something completely surprising and unexpected. I missed my normal hang out days and people, I missed being at Joshua Cup at night with Matt and Mike and the assorted cast of characters that show up regularly. I missed walking around downtown, although I appreciate it more since I basically walked the entire city of Barcelona.

Yes, I missed you Macon and I’m back and getting better just in time for Cherry Blossom. Maybe Wednesday I’ll get some ice cream. I’m definitely going to the Mulberry Street Arts and Craft dealio. Of course, I can not skip First Friday (last month, I had this delicioso chocolate raspberry cake at Market City with a glass of wine to go with it, talked with a guy at the Contemporary Arts Exchange who had been to Barcelona – he got me really excited about Gaudi, and I had these really, really awesome petit fors from Xocolatl) because you never know what is going to happen when First Friday and Cherry Blossom collide.

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.