Few people know just how “on the map” Augusta, GA really is, not just for Ft. Gordon’s continuing expansion, but for playing root to celebrities’ careers. Hulk Hogan is a smile/grimace product of our little metropolitan city on the river, with some loving and some hating the taste left in Augusta’s mouth. Of course, he was only born here, and raised in Tampa, FL, so you don’t have to claim the renown wrestler as brethren if you choose not to. Few would argue to claim Laurence Fishborn as Augusta-grown with such glowing and well-rounded performances as in Hannibal, Boyz In Da Hood, CSI, and, of course, the red pill or the blue, the Matrix trilogy. And of course the musicians we all hold dear, James Brown, Amy Grant, and the members of Lady Antebellum (all the sudden that amphitheater makes a lot of sense, huh?)
Maybe it’s the rise of these stars that inspire the very root of musical identity so deep into Augusta heritage and culture – we can’t be sure. What we can be certain of is this – it is almost our favorite season, and we Southerner’s can’t be held in at a time like this. Summer is the season to celebrate, and that’s precisely what we are going to do through the very root of our musical identity.
Here’s a few ways you can’t stop the beat in the CSRA this summer:
BLUES, BREWS, & BBQ:
A gem of our town, this would mark the seventh year that the Columbia County Ampitheater has played host to this easy, breezy, good time, hosting The Breaking News Band and Funky Bluester on Friday, May 1st, starting at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the smooth grooves, guests will be able to imbibe in Vineyard Wine Market‘s craft beers and SouthBound BBQ’s famous meals. COST: $5, kids under 12 free. MORE INFO.
PAPA JOE’S BANJO-B-QUE
If it’s the combo of southern tunes and pulled pork that fancies your fiddle, check out Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que in Evans, also known as the BBQ competition of the year, featuring up-and-coming rock and bluegrass bands from all around the region. And it doesn’t stop there. As a premiere opportunity to camp out and veg out, this event goes all out in making the trip worth it, with Pig Racin’, a petting zoo, and craft beer to boot. This year’s event will be at the Evans Towne Center on May 22&23. COST: $35-$65/head. MORE INFO.
“A DAY IN THE COUNTRY” MUSIC FESTIVAL
A tradition that ranks in at thirty years, this collection of bluegrass and country musicians kicks off with such stars as Parmalee, Mo Pitney, Michael Ray, Pat Cooper and Carey Murdock, before headlining 2011 American Idol champion Scotty McCreery. The benefit concert will open doors at the Augusta Marina at 11am on May 3rd, with music beginning at noon, and food being offered all day, with proceeds of the $35 at the door admission benefitting the Augusta SERTOMA Club. COST: $23-$35, MORE INFO.
THE KINFOLKS SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL
You may have to “push it” on the treadmill for a while after this festival featuring the traditional eats of the Deep South, with Award-Winning Chefs Robert Roberts and Amadeus. You might pick up a few Soul Food cookin’ tricks to slip up your sleeve for the next Sunday family dinner while rockin’ it out to the music of nationally-proclaimed and recently reunited Salt-N-Pepa. This just may be an event your tastebuds can’t afford to miss at Lady Antebellum Ampitheater on Saturday, May 2nd. COST: $25-$45, MORE INFO.
JOHN FOGERTY OF CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
Someone told us long ago that there was a calm before the storm, but we had no idea that this had been coming for some time. The late 1960’s and early 1970’s rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival cranked out so many hits in such a short period of time their name alone could stand as a part of the foundation of today’s classic rock scene. There’s no way we would have ever thought we’d have the honor of seeing John Fogerty live, but Augusta’s Bell Auditorium will be rolling out the Cajun broil for Fogerty at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12. Be a part of the Revival! COST: $45-95, MORE INFO.
We’ll keep adding to this list as we come across more music events in Augusta this summer. Do you know of any musical events coming up we should share?
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Some other cool community events to put on your calendar might be Fort Gordon’s Springfest, Fort Gordon’s Independence Day Festival, or Walden Foundation’s Golf Fundraiser.
This post is written by Milton Ruben Social Media Specialist Heather Cortright.
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