Like many people, I first heard of pop-up restaurants on Food Network. Although there are a few definitions for what a pop up restaurant actually is, let us consider that it is a different culinary experience in a familiar restaurant.

My first pop up experience was Azul, the Latin American restaurant. I don’t have much experience with Latin American food. While I enjoy the Americanized tastes of Mexican cuisine as we’ve come to know it, when I’ve gone to more authentic restaurants, like Tacos dos Amigos or El Carnavale, I’ve found myself enjoying the complex flavours in the simplicity of the dishes.

Azul was definitely an upscale experience. I started with the chorizo pot stickers and the Azul margarita garnished with a lime. The bright blue colour was a surprise, but the taste was pretty smooth, a good blend of all ingredients. The chorizo pot stickers were more subtle in flavour and not nearly as spicy as I would have liked, but the meat was tender and the avocado sauce was excellent.

Since we ate with a bunch of people, I was able to try some of their dishes. The cerviche de la Azul was excellent. The tartness of citrus, the sweet flesh of shrimp, the soft, yet flaky fish, the crunch of onions and peppers, cilantro grounding them all, I didn’t even need the tortilla chips to devour this dish.

For the main dish, I had the Chorizo Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with wild rice and Catalon spinach, a wilted spinach with garlic, currants, and pine nuts. Since it was the same chorizo as the pot stickers, the crust on the sea bass was basically just crust. However, the chef must have realized this because three pieces of chorizo garnished the side and if you ate the sea bass with a piece of the chorizo, the taste must have been exactly what the chef envisioned when he considered putting chorizo in the crust. The sea bass and the chorizo complemented each other perfectly. I almost wish there had been a little sea bass in the pot stickers because the smokiness of the chorizo really came out with the sea bass.

I also got to try the Black Angus Hanger Steak with Chimichurri Sauce. The piece I had was extra chewy, though very flavourful, but a couple of other people had it and said it was perfectly tender.

Dessert was the Coconut Tres Leche Trifle. I first had a tres leche cake in Austin, TX and have loved it ever since. I don’t know if they still make it, but Tic Toc used to make an excellent tres leche cake. This was really delicious, although I like the cake best when the three milks have soaked through the cake. The cake was moist, but not tres leche moist. However, the taste was excellent. I’ve tried my hand at making a tres leche cake and I know how hard it is to get the three milks to soak all the way through without making the bread too soggy, however it can be done. If we see Azul return, I would like to see a better effort with the cake.

But that being said, it was some of the best food I’d had in a long time.

Tonight, we see another pop up restaurant, BERLYN… uber kaffe & bier haus. In celebration of Octoberfest, Lemongrass is cooking up German food for all and sundry. The meal is a la carte, so there is no set price. You can order and much or as little as you’d like. You can find a menu here.

I’m really excited about the beers, the brats, and the cider with barenjager honey liqueur. At Azul I ordered a flight of tequila, which means the only thing I can drink for the rest of the night is tequila. At least this time, beer and wine are the specialty drinks on the menu and plays well with other alcohols.

If you tried Azul, let me know what you had and what you thought! If you’re going to Berlyn, what are you looking forward to?

5. You’re saving a life. The shelter is facing possible closure. Coming to the benefit may help them gain the money they need to put get their shelter up to standards, but if that doesn’t happen, the animals will be going to an already crowded facility to be euthanized. Even if you can’t help the shelter stay open, you can help keep a dog or cat alive.

4. You’re supporting a cause. All About Animals Rescue is a no kill shelter in the Middle GA area. They believe healthy animals shouldn’t be killed and that they should have a place to live until they can be adopted. How much more worthy can you get?

3.You’re impacting the community. This is a community that wants to save animals. Nearly everyone we know has an animal and they care about this movement. Showing up shows you’re on the same page as the community. If your goal is to fight for community needs and issues, then you should be at this event.

2.You’re supporting the community. The animals and the shelter aren’t the only needy things at this Benefit. The bands, the artists, the businesses that willingly gave up some of their inventory for this event also need your support. These are people who are willing to sacrifice for the event, as they were able, anyway.

1. You’ll get lots of love. Back to the animals: These animals need stable homes with people who will give them love, walks, and treats. Our youngest kittie has so many quirks, even though we got her when she was only a few weeks old. You would have thought she was too young to have any of the street in her, but she amuses us greatly with her constant search for food and the way she has adapted some of her feral ways to fit in with us and our older kittie. We got the older kittie when she was about 6 months old. She finally came to trust that she would be staying with us and has grown to love us so much, as we love her. I couldn’t imagine not coming home to her demanding meows or having the follow me around on Tuesday mornings because they know they’re getting soft cat food that day. It has been so rewarding getting these pets. When I go to Pet Smart (where All About Animals has adoption times on Saturday from 11am-4pm), I just want to take them all home with me. My home can’t hold more animals, but I know that there are a few of you out there who are missing the love an connection that having a pet will grant you. And don’t forget the stories that can be told about their antics. I know many of you have the room in your heart, but if you can find the room in your home, you should adopt a pet.

The All About Animals Benefit is Friday from Noon – until the last band plays. From Noon – 6, there will be adoptions, silent auctions, and you get to meet the fabulous Ink for Paws girls. Then at 8pm, the music gets started with Amy Godwin, Citizen Insane, The Liabilities, Mag Tard, and Monster Party. It will be the best $5 you’ll ever spend on a Friday night because you get to see some really great bands and you get to add your touch to the community and to an animal in need.

Of course, while I’m good at holding a grudge, I had to let my grudge towards the Rookery go. Why? Something wonderful happened.They got new owners.

I don’t know much about Chad Evans or any of the other minds and moneys behind the revamped Rookery, but I know that when I first started going there, I could have died and gone to heave over their medium rare black and bleu burgers. I wanted to try other things, yes, I did. But the first few months, I couldn’t bring myself to order anything else. It got to the point that if I came in, the waitress would order along with me and The Honey. I did eventually venture to try other things: the red velvet cupcake, the grass fed chicken strips, the chicken salad, the specialty cheese from a local farm. All of it good. I’m not saying that The Rookery doesn’t have it’s misses. This past Wednesday I got an okay black and bleu burger though I wanted the burger topped with crispy bacon that was batter dipped and fried, but the fries I ordered were limp, slimy (from the grease) and gross. My friend Clifford once walked into the Hummingbird with a burger and fries from The Rookery and the fries were so good they prompted this week’s order. And no, they were not the batter dipped fries. What a disappointment. But that’s one disappointment in about 15 visits, which makes this incarnation of the Rookery a WIN!

Tonight, they are celebrating their one year anniversary. Royal Fireworks will be playing and it can be another stop on your Downtown tour of art, food, and music. If you haven’t eaten there, now’s the time to do so. Hope to see you out and about!

A few things I’m looking forward to:

Meat on a Stick - It’s no surprise that my first thought is food. Gary Schechterle stands outside of Lemongrass – A Thai Bistro, sweating over a grill to cook to order this wonderfully delicious, juicy beef on skewers. Also, if we’re lucky, Andrea will have created a nice libation so that you can enjoy it all on the go. If she doesn’t, just walk in and order your favourite, but don’t forget to look for the karma drinks. Purchasing one of these will get you a delicious specialty drink AND contribute to a worthy cause. Now how often do you get to do that???

Maryann Bates: Postcards to Macon – I knew Maryann way back when she was doing ceramics. I found this small little bowl with interesting, swooping edges and I wanted it, but I was cash free. Maryann was just going to give it to me, but my best friend ended up paying for it. When she switched to photography, I was a little disappointed because her pottery work was so interesting, but what I didn’t know was that her photography would by far eclipse her pottery.

If I didn’t know Maryann, I would be a little concerned with the way she thinks, which is not like the normal person. With a few “disguises” and some refurbished frames, she made going downtown and sweating it out at the Arts Exchange real fun. She set up a drop cloth, put out some frames of different sizes, glasses, hats, coaxed you to try something, anything, and proceeded to bring all the comedy, sense of fun, or beauty that you hoped would be there when the picture was printed.

This Friday, Maryann has an show at Macon Arts on 1st Street from 5-8. She’ll be showing new photos made to look like postcards from her travels. It looks like they will be weird and interesting things she saw along the way. I also heard there will be a picture of a mermaid…. I hope it’s a live one. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for those of us who have loved her work for so long, in all mediums. She will be showing her photos with Michael DeBerry, who will have his ceramic artwork on display.

The Arts Exchange – I try to make it here every First Friday, at least. I have a few friends with space up there and I love hanging out with the people that congregate. You can usually find me in the O’Dell space, though I am prone to wandering. This Friday, I will be wandering over to hear Wodige Wehali (AKA Reggie Solomon), who takes us to his American Indian roots through music. He’s not stranger to performing. He’s been the mind behind The Fellas for a while. I’ll admit, it’s not what I would normally do with my nights, but it’s definitely worth a listen. If the Tuesday Night Golden Bough crowd thinks they’re out of the mainstream, wait until they hear this music. Haunting and melodic, I can’t wait to hear it live. (The Arts Exchange is on Mulberry Street, the first door after you pass Michaels on Mulberry)

DJ Shawty Slim @ Bottom’s Up – I’ve been listening to this guy spin for a while. I’ve seen him do some pretty standard things, but I’ve also seen him hit amazing as well. I think hearing him spin at Dan & Monica’s 85th Birthday Party and seeing him keep up with Al K!ng and Floco Torres really solidified his DJ star power. While he says he’s trying to keep DJ Trent’s legend alive, he’s been making himself a legend in his own right. Though he normally DJs on Thursdays and Saturdays at Bottom’s Up, he’s making a special appearance just for First Friday. If you know me, you know I love to dance. If you love to dance, you’ll be there. (Bottom’s Up is on Cherry Street across from Greek Corner Deli)

So, what are your plans for the night? Are you staying in because you can’t stand the crowd on First Friday? Are you heading out to hear music or dance it up at the SoChi Gallery for the Electric Social (only $5 if you’re over 21)? Are you going to First Freakin Friday Dance Party at Asylum (a free event)? Whatever you’re doing, let other people know what’s going on – do it in the comments, do it in your status on Facebook, do it through texts if you want your friends to be there, but get the word out!

The last time I saw the band was Bragg Jam. It was also the best I’d heard them of the three other times I’d heard them of the three other times I’d gone to see them. In front of an audience filled with Christians, fans, the curioius, they declared their love for Macon, the Hummingbird in particular, and I felt a swell of pride for my city. I believed BJ Barham, the singer, becauseit was told through the honest of free alcohol and the lens of open armed hospitality that Vic Stanley and the ‘Bird always offered the band.

Maybe a week later, BJ visited the city, sans band, with fellow singer/songwriters Jay Buchanan and Joe Fieldman. American Aquarium were taking a break between tours. BJ talked to Joe and they set up their own mini-tour.

Joe Firstman met BJ in Raleigh after a show and BJ told him he had Joe’s first record and knew every song. Joe asked BJ if he wanted to be a part of his acoustic tour, but BJ recommended coming to the ‘Bird in Macon. Joe also asked friend Jay Buchanan to come along and Jay obliged, all the way from Los Angeles, CA.

Jay got the evening started at 11. My husband said he sounded like Jeff Buckley on the Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk album, but I thought he sounded like a blues musician. I see the Buckley comparison. His songwriting is excellent. The album has been on rotation at work. It has a very bluesy, guitar rock sound to it. Joe Firstman, on the other hand, was more soulful, deliberate with his lyrics and playing style. BJ was simply without band, playing music similar to what we would hear from him, putting a southern drawl on acoustic, indie rock music. It was a good night for music.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to seeing American Aquarium, not to mention that it’s ladies night. Increasingly, I find that Macon is getting to the point where I can pick a night and a venue and find good music. It’s about damn time! But even as far as it’s progressed, there is still a lot to do to make this a scene that other scenes want to be and other scenes’ groupies want to be with. I’m kinda optimistic we’ll get there. Fingers crossed.

The night was eating the day, digesting some of the heat. I caught up with Everett Verner and we talked about the weather and how great it is to own cats before he forked off towards his home and I continued straight down Cherry Street to get to the Rookery.

I have come a long way in my thoughts towards the Rookery since last year. I was thinking about it at Bragg Jam. Last year for Bragg Jam, it was the worst venue. The staff at the time were pretty much snarling by the time we got there to see MagTard play. When I asked if someone could come and bus the table where we were going to sit, I was handed a cleaning cloth. I held myself in check, although I did lash out in words later. Every drink I got that night from them were so watered down, I wondered if there was only tonic water and lime in the gin & tonic I ordered. And to top it off, the woman at the next table not only wanted me to bus her table (I didn’t) but she asked me if Vinny, the only other black person in the room, was my husband. Sure, easy mistake to make (maybe), but you don’t know me. Just wait and see for yourself. Yeah, I had such a bad experience, I swore I would never go to the Rookery again.

I had to take those words back when the Rookery came under new management. Suddenly, the food was better, the atmosphere was better and I find that, though I’m not a regular, on certain days, if I hold my head just right, it seems like I am.

That’s how I felt when I walked in. Kevin Meadows and his wife Christina were playing. It started later than it’s normal 7:30 start time, taking into account Second Sunday in the Park. I heard Dean Brown and his Dubshak band as I walked in the opposite direction. It sounded good, a cool, jamming groove on too hot of a day. Inside, the Rookery was nice and cold. Justin Cutway and Wil Cowart were at the bar, sort of waiting in the wings for their turn. I’ve heard Justin Cutway, AKA Trendlenberg, play many times, but I’d only heard Wil Cowart via MySpace and I was anxious to hear him play. Tim Gilliland showed up shortly after Wil Cowart started to play. That was also when people started trickling in from various other activities – Second Sunday in the Park, poolside church services, paying tribute to the god of tanning, or just from home in an attempt to get out and do something on a lazy Sunday night. We all sat around with our drinks, listening to talented fingers strumming six strings. Savana Cameron, the lovely host for Open Mic, even went electric on us. I’m really interested in what will happen as it gets going. I also have to add that though all the musicians were different, there was some really good singing/guitar playing going on. Even what mistakes could be heard produced laughter from musician and audience alike because we were amongst friend. I mean, besides the old, drunk guy sitting in the fron, judging each musician, it went pretty smoothly.

As I wrote earlier, the singer/songwriter challenge started with Aaron Irons and Justin Cutway. It was what first struck my interest and something I hope to see grow as the event does. The challenge, for anyone interested in being challenged, is to write a new song every week. Will that song be good? Maybe not. Might it sound like other songs you have? Yes. Will it give you an opportunity to grow as a songwriter? Yes. Savana even came up with the idea to create a board so that anyone interested can see where they are versus others taking the challenge. In a few weeks, there will be stars on poster board denoting all the new songs written in honor of the Open Mic Singer/Songwriter Challenge.

So if you have an instrument, come out and play it. If you’ve wanted to play in front of an audience, and even if you feel you’re too afraid to, come out! Play! Sing! Just ask for a shot of liquid courage before you head to the stage and play.

It activated my enjoyment of country music.

I listened to country music and nothing else for six months straight. It was weird. I went from Tool and Pantera to Mindy McCready, Deanna Carter, and Brooks & Dunn. Of course O Brother, Where Art Thou got me into bluegrass, much like most of the country, and now I can’t pass up a banjo when I hear one. While I wouldn’t say that country music is my favourite, I find I enjoy it when it’s good. If not for those 6 months, I don’t think I would appreciate what bands like the Liabilities and Hank Vegas had to offer and what Back City Woods offers us now.

A little over 5 months ago, my husband and guitarist Daniel NeSmith began writing songs like crazy. They played music together a while ago and have also had separate bands playing anything from Tool inspired hard rock to punk infused indie rock. When they decided to go the alternative country route, I was a little bit skeptical. They took a chance,  getting themselves a performance at the Soap Box Derby slash Magnolia Street Block Party but it wasn’t until they played at the ‘Bird with MagTard that I was really impressed by Back City Woods.

My husband’s band is good. Each time they play, they get better.

This past Saturday, Back City Woods was at Mellow Mushroom with Sean Clark as the opening number. Sean Clark stood on the right side of the stage, letting his guitar do the talking. When I finally made it out to the Mushroom, Abby Owens was singing with him. One of the guys in attendance came up to me and said her voice made the hairs on the back of his arms stand on end. Sean Clark was no slouch either. He played the guitar like it was an extension of himself. It was high energy and soulful playing, a good compliment to Back City Woods – and vice versa.

Back City Woods is an alternative country rock band – that is, indie rock music with country and bluegrass elements. Their music is meant to be danced to. Mellow Mushroom kept the tables in the middle of the floor, so people sat closer to the stage. There wasn’t much room for dancing, which is a pity. It was good to see so many people show up, especially so many of whom had not seen the band since the block party.

There is something I like about watching shows at the Mellow Mushroom and it is this: You can hear the music really well, even if you are outside. That way, I got to see a huge shooting star (the biggest I’ve ever seen, and I saw them nightly when I was in Africa) while the band played Death is Calling Me. It’s a little bit symbolic.

Jess Darsey on banjo is always a treat. It was his second time playing with the trio and I always enjoy hearing him play. He has a light touch with the instrument and his voice on Death matches so well with NeSmith’s. Special guest Amber Bennett from The Vineyard sang along on Let It Ride, the Ryan Adams cover. Back City Woods slowed the tempo closer to it’s normal pace. I think that might be the last time they play that song, so it was pretty special hearing female vocals with it. I loved Promises and Lawdy Mercy and loved how they convinced us to be interactive in the song My Way in Life.

They do a great job of mixing faster paced songs with slower ones, giving you dancing rest if you need it. It is always amazing to hear the changes they make to songs, even familiar ones. I get to hear the practice songs and hear the words as Collins comes up with them, but there is nothing like seeing the final product on the stage in full technicolor sound. If you didn’t get to see them Saturday night, or if you’ve never gotten to hear them, you’re missing out. Well, that’s my opinion anyway. Hope to see you at the next show.

That drink is the perfect description of this year’s Bragg Jam. It was delicious and when I got through the whirlwind that was great music, I almost couldn’t pinpoint where all that radical came from.

It was hot. Hot as hell. The hottest day of the year it seems. I caught up with Savana Cameron at the end of Magnolia and we stalked our way down Cherry Street towards the festivities. With $20 and a wristband, I was able to walk into 6 venues downtown – and if I had chosen, gone to three other venues by way of trolley. But my destination, since it was after 5:15, was The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom. My intention was to catch Al K!ng, since I hadn’t seen him since the beginning of the year, then head back into the heat to watch DJ Dirt Dog mix in Third Street Park but something happened at The Bird…

It got really awesome.

I always say Al K!ng is the weirdest person I know. Really, he’s just a very dynamic guy who also happens to be a little shy. Okay, so it’s the “you worms” bit of his call phrase that starts it and the extraterrestrial sound that he puts into his music that makes me think he’s weird, but I do enjoy watching “The K!ng” on the stage. I missed the first song, obviously something he did with Floco Torres, but came in on some of his new stuff. I always love his weird sensibilities, especially when it comes to hip hop. However, I got my most excited when he went into his old stuff. I pretty much screamed like a little fan-girl when I heard the synthesizer to Freak Show. Of course, at the end, we all got to drink him up as he gave us a great finale to Beer in a Wine Glass. The best though, was This Is My Shit, the song we came to identify him with and then his remix of the remix was appropriately out of this world.

Next up was City Council and I have to say they were the best I’ve ever heard them. The first song was the jam and Valentyne was a madman on the mic. Does that mean anything to anybody else? Maybe. I wish I had more pictures, but they move around so much, I just gave up and started dancing. They also gave us a snapshot of the group Sophisticated Misfits, of which Jubee and Valentyne are a part. I had the best time with their set and I’m really excited by what Sophisticated Misfits are going to do.

Floco Torres came onto the stage like a Rock God! The first song had him calling himself and asshole and it was probably one of my favourite songs of the night. Snippets of the song was from something he did on the mixtape he did with DJ Tagg. It was fantastic. He pretty much maintained the high energy throughout his set. He and his band are beginning to mesh really well. This was the first time they seemed like one entity.  I am so excited about Floco’s Modern Life! So if you don’t see Floco on the street, you know it’s because he’s grinding in the studio getting this CD out… and if the rest of the album is as good as the two contenders for a spot on the album (the first and last song from his set), then we are really in for something wonderful.

After some haggling with Gary Scherterle from Lemongrass over a drink he didn’t even have a name for, I headed over to the New 567 with Doski Wo, Shawty Slim, and Duo Maxwell *cough*. They left me to get food (rightfully so) while I got my Americana on with American Aquarium. The first time I heard the group, it was a Monday night and they played with Romantica, but I stayed after they performed. If I say a Gram Parsons sing-a-long occurred, I am not kidding. It was awesome, beautiful voices raised in song, the first time I heard the beautiful voice of Abby Owens and I have loved the group ever since. They did not disappoint at the New 567. After apparently ingesting an entire bottle of whiskey, the band was pretty giddy on stage, but the music was ROCKIN’! Maybe it was the sweet irony of BJ’s dirty mouth in the music loving church venue or the love of Jesus soothing their heathen souls, but this is the best I’d ever heard them.

I tried to make it to Citizen Insane, but right as I walked in, I heard the final strains of their last song. Boooo! I talked to Floco about his show and we decided to walk over to Greek Corner Deli for a gyro, that wonderful deliciousness that soothes the late night drinking music hopper. Greek Corner Deli has pretty much become a mainstay in the Saturday nightlife. After a night of dancing to some great music, it’s always good to be able to quench your hunger there. A gyro from Greek Corner Deli always hits the spot. After grabbing a bite, I walked back to Bottom’s Up to watch The Moaners. I love the duo. While the music is indie rock, they have a punk rock sensibility to how they play. I wanted to catch the Dirty Guv’nahs as well, so I left the Moaners. The Bird was so crowded, it was uncomfortable. The music sounded good, but there was no way to enjoy it. I headed down to the New 567 with Heidi Clinite to catch Sonny Spoon. He did a rendition of his show from the 11th Hour Reader’s Choice Awards, but that was so good, it was great to see it again. Of course, my favourite part was the drumline and the drumline dancers. The other acts were great, but I love the drumline. My favourite member is this kid with a curly, blonde fro. He acts like there are springs in his shoes. Yet the palpable excitement I get from all of the kids doing the drumline is beautiful. I think some of the dancers are really surprised by how much we enjoy them. When Sonny Spoon and crew were done, the crowd followed the drumline outside and begged then to perform. If they had not stopped, who knows how long we would have stood in the rain egging them on. Sonny Spoon also brought in Todd Bridges – that’s right, The.Todd.Bridges. What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis. Glad I never said it.

Afterwards, I ran back to the Bird to give an ear to Tron Jackson, but the crowded (awesome for the Bird) condition sent me back to Bottom’s Up for Roly-Bots.

Now, in all of this running back and forth, especially after I came back to Bottom’s Up from the Dirty Gov’nahs, I found myself in the main bar and dance stage listening to DJ Shawty Slim (that’s my DJ!). The dance party was off the chain, an expression that I never use and no one has used since 2002. Yes, it was that rad! It wasn’t just the heat of July 31 that had us sweating. We were all dancing our asses off, a whirl of arms and legs and hair. Each new song spurred different people to move front-ward and dance, even if they had only been moving along in their seats. Slim knows how to get a crowd moving and keep them there. I know I enjoy it every time I go.

Roly-Bots were to go on at 11:30, but Royal Fireworks became their warmup act. They were plagued by sound issues but they played through it. Roly-Bots started off with the same problems. It was enough to make one member leave the stage. Casey from Royal Fireworks stepped in on bass, but they only did two songs before ending the show. I was sad that I didn’t get to hear Doomsday Death Dance, but I would be even more sad if Roly-Bots don’t stay together. While I don’t know what was going on, it was pretty abrupt… Hopefully, the “just kitten” message on Roly-Bots facebook page was letting us know there will continue to be more Roly-Bots goodness in the future.

Bragg Jam was not without issues for me and some others. There was a lot of lag time, time when I wasn’t watching a band and had no band I was missing. Last year, the fest was so chock full of music I wanted to see (both local and visiting) that I barely had time to breathe. There was some advantage to this, since I was able to have a leisurely sit down dinner with Floco and others, but when I wasn’t hungry, it wasn’t great. I have to say, this Bragg Jam has some of the best shows I’ve seen in Macon. The musicians out-did themselves. My favourites of the night belong to Al K!ng, City Council, and Floco Torres. All three groups blew me away, which is surprising, considering how much I love rock ‘n roll. Admittedly, I missed Citizen Insane’s set and I did enjoy myself immensely at American Aquarium, but the night belonged to hiphop.

Last year’s Bragg Jam was my first, the first time I wasn’t out of the state for work or out of the country for me. Last year, I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, and it would have gone much worse for me if I hadn’t had my handy dandy printed Venue/Musicians checklist.

Do you have your Bragg List ready?

This year, the Bragg Jam page doesn’t have a great way for you to print and highlight your list. Sure, you could use your phone and check the listings, but you know it’s going to be dead by 9 because everybody and their pooch has been calling you to find out which venue has your your attention at the moment, and you’ve been taking too many pictures, or you accidentally dropped it in your reasonably priced extra large beer. While the Concert Crawl page on the Bragg Jam site is beautiful, I want a print worthy list.

So I made a .pdf of the Bragg Jam Schedule. Just click the link and print it out.

That printed list saved my ass last year as bands didn’t go on in time, or other bands ran over, etc. I think it might be helpful to you as well.

This year’s list of bands look so good. It’s good to see Third Street Park and The New 567 at 533 Cherry Street on the list. Of course, The 567 was a venue last year, just remember they are at a new address. So, who are you going to see? I’m definitely making my start at Third Street Park before heading to the Hummingbird. Then it’s a toss up between Bottom’s Up and The 567. I’m hoping that I will get to see American Aquarium for sure, then maybe catching the end of Abby Owens and the Dirty Guv’nahs with some Citizen Insane in the mix. And where in the HELL will I end up at the end of the night? Ralph Roddenbery Band? Roly Bots? Hank Vegas? Tron Jackson just because their band name is Tron?

I hope the printable schedule works for you and if you were on the fence about whether you should go to Bragg Jam, my answer is a resounding Hell Yeah! Even the heat can’t beat how good this event is and you get the best of local (although a few are missing – MagTard, Xavii, Trendlenberg, Back City Woods, Cult of Riggonia) you also get some really good bands that travel to Macon often (American Aquarium, The Dirty Guv’nahs) and one of my favourites from last year, The Moaners, are returning as well. There’s plenty to do, eat, and definitely hear, so get out there and enjoy yourself!

So, let me have it! What’s your schedule going to look like?

Normally, I like locally own restaurants and businesses. Like many people, I still visit chains, but I know that locally owned places need our business more. With the great pizza this area has to offer (Ingleside Village Pizza, Jonah’s on Johnston) there is no desire for me to go to Mellow Mushroom. So why do I go?

Mellow Mushroom has a dedicated committment to playing live music from local and nearly local musicians. There are plenty of venues showcasing music, some rely on bigger names, some rely on cover bands, but only a few places allow local musicians playing original music. Mellow Mushroom has played host to Packway Handle Band from Athens, Floco Torres, MagTard, Back City Woods, Trendlenberg, and Citizen Insane, all from Macon. They have been able to showcase their unique musical talents, including rap, rock, alternative country rock with bluegrass elements, folk and indie rock music with noise elements and all of this music coexist with a great following of fans. Even through Jas Frost, booking agent for Mellow Mushroom, has had to fight for every element of this musical endeavor, he has trusted that fans of these bands will come out and that those who hear the music can become new fans.

So go out there and be fans!

A note: I live downtown because I want to be able to walk to the activities I enjoy frequently. The beer selection at the Mellow Mushroom makes it hard to find a designated driver. Staying downtown and walking for free is optimal for most of us. However, helping our favourite bands grow, succeed, and get invited to more places will give them the foothold they need to move up to larger venues, to move closer to living off of doing the thing they love – make music. Also, at the Mellow Mushroom, it doesn’t cost you more than gas to make that happen.

Today, the Mellow Mushroom celebrates 1 year in Macon with family friendly activities, drawings, and giving away free appetizers (for the free appetizer, just sing Happy Birthday to your waiter. You know you want to do it!). Go here for more information.

Later tonight, at 10pm, be prepared to be dazzled and have your face rocked off by Holy Ghost Tent Revival and MagTard. Holy Ghost Tent Revival is livecasting their show here, allowing people like me to watch from afar.  I know you guys can’t wait. I just regret I won’t be there to share it with you. Get out  and enjoy the FREE show!