Macon. It's hotter here.

Half Week of Tim Fain: Video 2 - Portals Trailer

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:44:56 -0400

Half Week of Tim Fain: Video 2 - Portals Trailer

Half-Week of Tim Fain - Video 1: Tim Fain in the movie Black...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:29:03 -0400

Half-Week of Tim Fain - Video 1: Tim Fain in the movie Black Swan

Macon, Georgia has a lot to offer. A source of water, space for...

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:35:00 -0400

NuWay Weiners

The Grand Opera House

Douglass Theatre

Lake Tobesofkee

Ocmulgee Trails

Downtown Macon

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Macon, Georgia has a lot to offer. A source of water, space for businesses, historic homes, entertainment, museums, and a great deal of Southern Charm!

I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:19:32 -0400

Ocmulgee River

Bars & Entertainment

DJ Shawty Slim

Second Sunday @ Washington Park

Grant's Lounge

Museum of Arts & Sciences

Ocmulgee Indian Mounds

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Parks & Recreation

The Allman Bros. Museum @ The Big House

I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of town. The person was visiting from a bigger city and it made me realize that while Macon, Georgia is growing as a city, we are NOT trying to compete with Chicago or New York. We can’t offer giant museums, although our museums are great. We can’t offer a million places to eat, though what we have to offer is delicious. What we can offer is good food, a laid back environment (where you can sit out, enjoy your drinks, and unwind), and a lot of history.

What to Do When Visiting Macon: Part 2

11. The Ocmulgee River - The Ocmulgee offers lots of floating, feet dangling, and contemplation opportunities. And with warm- make that hot - weather for 8 out of 12 months, the citizens and visitors of Macon, Georgia have plenty of chances to take advantage of the river.

12. Bars & Entertainment - Whether you choose your favorite downtown bar, crosstown bar, or music venue, you will have plenty of chances for drink specials (Macon’s prices are much less than some of those big cities we can’t emulate), great music, and maybe even the chance to meet a local celebrity!

13. DJ Shawty Slim - We have plenty of local celebrities that are known across the world… Chuck Leavell and Robert McDuffie just to name a few. However, we happen to be a city where the local celebrities come out to play as well. From jazz and blue greats to hip hop artists, you never know who you’ll run into when you have a drink at the Hummingbird Stage & Taproom or Grant’s Lounge, including the official DJ for Grammy nominated artist B.O.B, DJ Shawty Slim.

14. Second Sunday at Washington Park - Of all the events that have begun uniting a city, the Second Sunday events, sponsored by College Hill Corridor, has brought people from all areas of town to enjoy music, food, and drinks in the park with family, friends, and pets.

15. Grant’s Lounge - You have to see The Wall, which shows the amazing history of music that has played within their walls. If you’re here on the right weekend, you’ll hear some amazing music as well.

16. The Museum of Arts & Sciences - We have a great museum with interesting collections, traveling exhibits, and original exhibits featuring the talents of locals. While it might not compare to MoMA or the Museum of Contemporary Art or Field Museum in Chicago in breadth, we also have the Mark Smith Planetarium. With the addition of the new lens, one of only three in the Americas, it projects images, photographs, visualizations of space, and more onto the third largest dome in the entire state (the largest in Central Georgia within 100 miles), and creates a virtual reality of space and other astronomy related programs for the thousands that visit every year.

17. Ocmulgee Indian Mounds - The Indian Mounds has the oldest living history record of anywhere in the United States and is one of Macon’s largest attraction. A visit would be remiss without taking your guest to the Indian Mounds.

18. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church - This Church is only one of many historical places in town that can be visited. The majesty and beauty of St. Joseph’s, the history and elegance of the Hay House, and other places like the Sidney Lanier Cottage. There is history in so many buildings. Taking a walk through downtown Macon can offer views like these.

19. Parks & Recreation - There are a lot of parks available for picnics, for reading, for relaxing… because if you’re visiting Macon, you’re here to see friends or family and you’re here to relax. Take advantage of those quiet times in some of our most beautiful open spaces.

20. The Allman Brothers Museum at The Big House - Here we are again with that musical legacy. We have a lot to be proud of and we have museums to show it. Plus, The Big House is beautiful, the back yard is phenomenal, and if you’re lucky, you’ll visit at a time when a band is playing.

Surprisingly, we’re not done! There’s much more to do when you visit Macon, Georgia.

I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of...

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:58:00 -0400

Rose Hill Cemetery

The Grand Opera House

Robert McDuffie Center for Strings

Golden Bough Bookstore

2nd Street record store

body rockin' at clubs

Tubman African American Museum

Eateries

Mulberry Street Market

Coleman Hill

I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of town. The person was visiting from a bigger city and it made me realize that while Macon, Georgia is growing as a city, we are NOT trying to compete with Chicago or New York. We can’t offer giant museums, although our museums are great. We can’t offer a million places to eat, though what we have to offer is delicious. What we can offer is good food, a laid back environment where you can sit out, enjoy your drinks, and unwind, and a lot of history.

What To Do When Visiting Macon: Part 1

1. Rose Hill Cemetery - Set up on the Victorian idea of cemeteries being a place to gather, picnic, and enjoy, Rose Hill is a great spot for a run, to paint, for contemplation, or in homage.

2. The Grand Opera House - Nearly every week there is something going on at the Grand. Whether it is a Broadway Show, a ballet, or The Symphony, you’ll find some really great events!

3. Mercer University’s Townsend Hall and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings - Great classical music happening much more often than you think. Visit mercer.edu to find out what’s going on.

4. The Golden Bough Bookstore - This requires a visit just because of the interesting collection of books about Macon or from Macon writers. Also, Eric Wakefield, the proprietor, knows a ton about books.

5. 2nd Street Record Store - Two words - Real Vinyl!

6. The Clubs of Macon - There are clubs for every musical taste, from country to jazz. You should visit at least one!

7. Tubman African American Museum - The largest museum in the southeast dedicated to African American art, history and culture. You should visit to see current art from the African American community and artistic portrayals of African American heritage and history.

8. Eateries - There are a great many places to eat in Macon. From American cuisine to Caribbean to Pho, we have many restaurants that will satisfy your most basic need to feed yourself or satisfy your need for high quality multicultural foods.

9. Mulberry Street Market - While this requires your visit to include a Wednesday, this is a great little market to visit. The vendors become friends, helping you find the best quality foods. They remember you and will save foods for you if they know you’re coming. While it is a small market, it is worth seeing and worth the reminder of how far we’ve come as a city.

10. Coleman Hill - While you might not be doing the sunrise yoga (though it’s a great way to greet the morning), Coleman Hill offers a great vantage point for viewing the city. Sometimes they are movies, or jazz, or just a free spot for picnicking. But definitely go for the view.

More photos and places to visit to come. If you’ve been to Macon, Georgia, do you have pictures of places out-of-towners should definitely visit? Add to our collection!

Once got a fake magazine cover from a friend. Now in love with...

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:10:44 -0400

Once got a fake magazine cover from a friend. Now in love with fake magazine covers!

magnolius: impressive embroidered portraits by...

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:53:27 -0400

magnolius:

impressive embroidered portraits by Philadelphia-based artist Daniel Kornrumpf

Come help Gateway Macon complete their vision by putting a ton...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:13:00 -0400

The rough sketch

Tracy Lee Stum on the bridge

Just add water

Tracy Lee Stum and Stephanie Shadden

Finished Bridge

Terrell Sandefur saves son!

Jim Burt braves bridge!

Artist Tracy Lee Stum & Sharon Namnath

Come help Gateway Macon complete their vision by putting a ton of people on this 3-D bridge! Tomorrow from noon - 1pm or from 4pm-5pm, come have your picture taken with as large a group of people as we can get out! But don’t get chased across it like Jami Gaudet!

We had a lot of fun on this bridge. Let’s make it more fun...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:08:04 -0400

The rough sketch

Tracy Lee Stum finishing the bridge

almost finished, just add water

Tracy Lee Stum & Stephanie Shadden

Terrell Sandefur saves his son!

Jim Burt braves the bridge!

Artists Tracy Lee Stum & Sharon Namnath

Finished!

We had a lot of fun on this bridge. Let’s make it more fun and fill this bridge full of people and take pictures and videos to remember forever! We want to do it before the bridge “washes away”, so join the Gateway Macon Hot Heads from noon to 1pm and/or from 4pm -5pm and see if we can break a world record! Wait, is there a world record? Let’s just get as many people on that bridge and make a splash! But don’t get chased across it like Jami Gaudet!

Wild Pink Yonder

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:11:45 -0400

There I went, kicking and screaming, into the wild pink yonder. Just a few years ago, I was forced to face one of my biggest fears, flying without a plane or a parachute. Without much warning and with very little caffeine, I learned that, in less than an hour, I would be riding shotgun in the Macon Cherry Blossom Balloon Race. Although they didn’t have an actual firearm, my client (an official race sponsor) did have a contract with my ad agency, and succeeded in twisting my arm. At 5am, I didn’t have many options.

At least I had another co-worker, ready to hop on board. Of course, while I was looking for any way out, Vicki was irritatingly excited about the adventure. Like a good girl scout, she had actually volunteered to ride! So, looking just as glamorous as you might imagine, we headed to Wesleyan College under the cloak of darkness, to get this thing over with. We find our captain, who turns out to be a nice guy, and he gives us the lowdown.

More than 20 teams would compete for a coveted pink prize. After a shotgun start, we would drive with our deflated balloon in back of the van until we found an appropriate place to launch. Apparently, the aeronauts (that’s what they call people who fly hot air balloons) must use their keen wind and weather-predicting skills to navigate their way back to the starting point within a specific amount of time. Then, in a very scientific manner, the captain must drop a hand towel into a spray painted circle to finish the race.

Well, we ended up in a deserted dentist’s office parking lot somewhere and began to prepare for takeoff. Ready to watch this colorful spectacle unfold, I soon discovered that I was actually supposed to help fly this thing! I was officially a member of the crew. Bless their hearts! Even though I was terrified, I was still incredibly competitive. If I was going to die, I would die with a pink ribbon!

Hot air balloons may look as light as a feather, but that sucker was heavy! Amazingly, within just a few minutes, the loud hissing sound of a propane tank on steroids filled the air while it filled the colorful bubble with magic gas. The giant balloon with our department store name emblazoned on the banner was ready to ascend. If only I was!

Vicki and I climbed into the over-sized Easter basket and waited. As the captain boarded, the ground crew untied the ropes that safely tethered us to Sweet Mother Earth. Terrified, paralyzed and mesmerized, we began to fly. The world was eerily quiet, randomly shattered with short fiery blasts. It was awesome! I felt like Tinkerbell, with my wings and heart fluttering, as we glided undetected over historic neighborhoods and green pastures. Mind you, I was not ready to lie down in one of them. Everything looked different up there. Sparkly. Fresh. Magical. Before I was ready, the captain threw in the towel and we floated back down to reality.

On the ground, as we were told all new aeronauts do, Vicki and I knelled to thank the gods of the wind and sky for a safe journey. When we lifted our angelic faces toward heaven, we were suddenly showered with cheap champagne and presented with a new set of wings. With sticky hair, runny mascara and a huge grin, I proudly walked into the Waffle House, with my wingman, as an aeronaut.

Foodies! Make it Hotter Here!

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:56:20 -0500

Foodies! Make it Hotter Here!

Nappy Roots performing Live at the Cherry Blossom Street Party...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 11:07:46 -0500

Nappy Roots performing Live at the Cherry Blossom Street Party in Macon, Georgia!

mountaindust:

“Aw Naw” by Nappy Roots

What Do We Need To Do?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:24:00 -0500

Gateway Macon is an initiative of the Peyton Anderson Foundation tasked with getting the word out about Macon to other places. We’ve started with Houston & Peach County, the Atlanta area, Savannah, and any other place we can capture the imagination of the traveler and convince them that Macon is a great place to stop.

We’ve been seeing a lot of conversation about Macon, Georgia. How do we express the things we are disappointed about while still being positive about the things that are actually great? How do we push our city forward? Do we believe we have a part to play in rebuilding Macon along the “right” lines? What are the right lines that Macon needs to move along? Everyone has an opinion and every opinion needs to be heard.

A few places trying to help get the word out about the great things going on in Macon:

Macon 500 - The Macon 500 is more or less like the Fortune 500, except instead of just companies (whom you should nominate) you are also nominating people, organizations, civic groups, and movements. If you think someone or something makes Macon a better place to live, they should be nominated.

I Love Macon - This campaign, started by 10 years of 5 under 40 leaders from Macon Magazine, wants us to start positive conversations about the city we love (yes, Macon, Georgia!) all with one thought in mind: What do you love about Macon, Georgia?

Celebrate Positive - Last year, Macon won an award for being a positive community. We won because of the events we sponsor, the way the downtown area has grown, and many other things. Like dieting, it is hard to see the results while you are around the dieter, but the outside person that hasn’t seen the city in years and finally looks in can see the positive changes. Celebrate Positive wants us to remember that there is an outsider view of us that shows that Macon, Georgia is pretty special and are achieving new things every day.

So, what how do you want to do this? Be positive and work to make some changes? Complain, do nothing, and put down every effort? Be critical, but work with those you believe will make a change? There are many answers to this question. What’s yours?

What's Up, Valentine's Day?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:16:00 -0500

Love. Exciting and new! There’s plenty to love about Macon, Georgia and plenty to do for people who are in love. There’s also plenty for people who are in lust. Singles, you’re not left out either, no matter how you feel when it comes to Valentine’s Day!

On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame hosts The Big Dance at the Macon Coliseum. Doors open at 6:00 pm with music by The Swingin’ Medallions and The Grapevine beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 each or $200 for a table of eight. Bring your own food and beverage. Tickets for the Big Dance can be purchased at the door. The Big Dance will also be the first opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the $10,000 drawing to be held at A Halluva’ Auction on June 8. A drawing for two $50 gift certificates to Jim Shaws will be held at the Big Dance and will be drawn from the tickets purchased that night! Not only do you have the chance to enjoy the night, but you could win a chance to eat at your favorite seafood place in Macon. Win/Win!

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, The Tubman African American Museum hosts Death by Chocolate. This Valentine’s Day affair is a benefit for the Pan African Festival. Death By Chocolate features a gourmet dinner, a wide selection of decadent desserts, live entertainment and an auction of exclusive items, such as chocolate sculptures, autographed memorabilia, fine art and more. This is the perfect way to treat your sweetheart to a memorable Valentine’s Day holiday and support a worthy cause in the process. Visit here for tickets: https://www.tubmanmuseum.com/shop/product.da/dbc-tickets

Several restaurants will have specials. And before you ask, Downtown Grill is all booked up. Look for menus to go up on Facebook over the weekend. Lemongrass has verified that they will have a special menu for all you lovers, even if you’re just a lover of food.

For you lusty or single individuals (and who says they’re two different groups?), there’s something for you to do “in da club.” Element has two nights of brazenness that is sure to be a hit… if you’re into that kind of thing. Friday night is for the Bitter, while Saturday night focuses on the couple with two for one entrance and a variety of specials. Be sure to check Facebook for events from The Power Station, Envy and Bottom’s Up.

While this is not “technically” a Valentine’s Day event, choosing to go to A Night at the 567 on Saturday, February 11, 2012 is a show of love for this community! The 567 has been a part of nurturing the downtown community. From offering inexpensive, but needed office space as a business incubator, to consistently hosting all ages events which give teens and youth a place to go and something to do, helping the 567 stay in business is a labor of love of which even a Valentine’s grinch would approve. Gringo Grande will play and fantastic auction items are just waiting for your bid.

So what’s up for you this upcoming Valentine’s Day?

Sometimes, it’s hard to find anything to do in Macon. This...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:58:44 -0500

The Arts

Mic check one... two...

Robert McDuffie

"Black Swan" violinist Tim Fain: Portals

Sometimes, it’s hard to find anything to do in Macon. This week is not one of those times.

African American Voices at the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Freddie Styles Exhibit at the Tubman Museum. Also, the Opening Arts exhibits from First Friday at the Gallery of the Macon Arts Alliance and The Gallery of The 567 are still going on.

Music will fill the week. Thursday, Rubblebucket will headline the Cox Capitol Theatre with JuBee and the Morning After (local band whose performance in Seattle was broadcast on Jimmie Kimmel Live), Baby Baby, and Triathalon. Saint Francis takes a break from recording in Nashville and heads home to the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom Friday night. Louise Warren, an up and coming singer/songwriter, will be opening for them. Tokyo Spa, local cover band, will round out the weekend at the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom.

Hip Hop, Rock and Alt Country are not the only music on display. You’ll can also experience culture. Make it to the Douglass Theatre at 1pm on Saturday and you’ll get to catch the final in the Wagner four-parter The Ring, Gotterdammerung, streaming live from the Metropolitan Opera.

Robert McDuffie, who lent his musical skills to the A Little More Soul video for Gateway Macon, will be playing at Mercer University on Saturday at 7:30pm. Students and faculty from the Center for Strings will join the Center’s founder in an evening of Vivaldi, Glass, Bach, Mozart, and a few surprises!

Also, Wednesday, Macon Arts Alliance in connection with the Macon Concert Association presents a preview of violinist’s Tim Fain’s Portals, Wednesday at 5pm at the Gallery of the Macon Arts Alliance. Portals (www.portalsproject.com) is an interactive experience combining film, dance, and spoken word with multimedia elements.

These are just a few of the things going on this week. What are your plans for this week?

First Weekend February in Macon, Georgia

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:28:00 -0500

February continues the awesome energy that was January’s First Friday of the year. If you remember, there was Roger Riddle and ClarkAfterDark’s DJ set, James Hance photography and a plethora of art openings. So let’s start with the Arts!

You’ll find more art than you can shake a stick at in Macon, Georgia. Start at the Opening Art Reception at the Gallery of the Macon Arts Alliance. Snacks and drinks are offered, which makes their early start time optimal for those looking to have a gander before heading to dinner. If you choose to eat on Cherry Street, don’t forget to stop by the 567 for their First Friday Art Opening and should you find your way to Mulberry Street (and I think you should), The Contemporary Arts Exchange has a plethora of art for your viewing pleasure. And don’t forget about the Tubman’s new opening reception featuring the work of Freddie Styles. Visual arts is not the only arts on the menu as Steve Berry celebrates the 170th Birthday of Macon’s renaissance man, Sidney Lanier.

The music doesn’t stop either, and if you want to go to them all, you’ll be in for a late night. Which we like in these parts. Roasted will host an art showing as well as a DJ set. What’s fantastic is that the artists are Heidi Clinite and Mitch Edward Longan and even more fantastic is the DJ is Roger Riddle. If you remember getting down with yo’ bad self at Roasted to Roger Riddle, this looks to be another night like that!

At Fowl Play, you’ll get your music on with Homeless Hill.

At the Rookery, Australian country musician Chris Pickering, with a new beer on tap, Allagash Black. Try them both!

At the Bird, you’ll hear the musical stylings of The Holidays.

If you venture outside of downtown and head to Mellow Mushroom on Bass Road, you’ll get an earful with Back City Woods and special guests Nick Malloy, Louise Warren, and The Vineyard.

If you want to shake shake shake… shake shake shake… shake your booty, you’ll have plenty of chances to do so. Whether you go to the “Anything but Clothes” party at the Powerstation with DJ Laylo Lopez or head to Element for the First Friday “Alkoholiks” party, with two amazing DJs in both rooms.

Don’t think the fun ends with the last note on Friday night! Saturday has plenty to keep your heart racing and your feet stomping.

The Bookin’ It 5K, Fun Run, and Band Party, sponsored by the Junior League, will start our with your racing heart and end up with your dancing feet. Join them at Wesleyan College at 8am for the 5K, at 8:45 for the Fun Run, and at 8pm at the Blacksmith Shop to watch the Finesse Band pull out all the musical stops.

For those of you who are writers, you may want to get into the Steve Berry writers workshop at Sidney Lanier Cottage. Lessons from a Bestseller will be an exciting walk through writing the best book you can write as Berry shares tips he’s learned while crafting best sellers.

If it’s music you want, of the country variety, you’ll do well to check out Josh Maloy and Kirk Sauer at the 567!

You’ll find Barry Darnell and the Mobile Slim Band bluesin’ it up at the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom.

On Sunday, we’re only doing things that involve the Super Bowl! Will you find us shucking oysters at Billy’s? Eating wings at Fowl Play? Catching the game on the multiples screens at Bearfoot Tavern or just posted up at the bar watching with Roger or Chuck at the Rookery? Where will you watch the Super Bowl and why?

What’s good this weekend? The last First Friday of 2011 is...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:33:48 -0500

Believe @ The Gallery at Macon Arts

Funky First Friday w/ DJ Roger Riddle

Theblueindian.com Presents

Megan Jean @ Roasted

What’s good this weekend?

The last First Friday of 2011 is today. You want to do it in style, right?

Start out at Believe, an Opening Reception at the Gallery at Macon Arts Alliance. Featuring the work of Nancy Butler, Malina Bisanti-Wall, Lauren Bausch, Alicia Bailey David & Hilda Tidwell, these artists will make a believer, and maybe a buyer, out of you! From 5pm -8pm at The Gallery on First Street.

From there, grab yourself a meal, check out Taste of Christmas for the 2nd and Poplar Street vendors, go to the Contemporary Arts Exchange, but don’t wear our your feet because you’re definitely going to need them for all of the great entertainment tonight and tomorrow.

Funky First Friday featuring Roger Riddle at Roasted Cafe is sure to be a good time! At 8m, a warm-up set by clarkafterdark will get the night started. The man, the myth, the legend, Roger Riddle will have you dancing until the wee hours, and even though I know you’ll be there for the music, you have to check out the ridiculously good prices for beer, wine, and food. If you’re into it, try out the heated patio hookah lounge. It should be a blast.

Let’s say you’ve given the DJ a try and now you’re ready for some female voiced jam band-esque music. Head to the Rookery for Old You. What if you’re ready for some live action Eagles music? Check out the Ill-Eagles at the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom. Just want to dance? Check out Bottom’s Up, Element, Envy, or Asylum.

The music doesn’t stop on Friday. Saturday night you can catch the the last Theblueindian.com Presents show of 2011 at the 567. The Alec Stanley Seven reunite, Oh Dorian has a new cassette - yes, cassette - out (but don’t worry, there’s a digital download), plus Scouts and Last Year’s Men. It’s sure to be a good one!

When you leave the 567, head on over to Roasted for Charleston favorites and Macon’s darling gypsy rock band Megan Jean & the KFB with Kentucky natives The Bloodroots Barter, playing the hell out of some bluegrass.

The Hummingbird will have The Scott Little Band bringing their Haggard & Parsons influenced song for those ready to get down. As always, there is plenty of dancing to be had on Cherry Street, MLK Jr. Blvd, and Plum, so enjoy this phenomenal weekend.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at 7pm, we will be sat in the Grand...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:17:00 -0500

Rock & Reel

A Little More Soul

StreetLines Drumline

Floco Torres, Macon Music Winner

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at 7pm, we will be sat in the Grand Opera House in Macon, Georgia witnessing the culmination of a lot of hard work on behalf of the City of Macon. In June of 2010, a group of creative people began the first steps in their efforts to put Macon, Georgia on the map - and in a good way. It started with a song and music video called A Little More Soul. It quickly blossomed into three contests: Macon Shorts, Macon Music, and Macon Mogul. On this Tuesday, Gateway Macon will be announcing the winner of the Macon Shorts competition as well as showcasing the work of talented Maconites in the creation of the 10,000 Hours EP by Floco Torres and giving a live performance of A Little More Soul with all of the original musicians present and accounted for. That’s right, Chuck Leavell, Bobby McDuffie, and Sonny Spoon will be there, as well as the writer and singer of the song, Tony Reyes and producer Steve Moretti - who worked with Floco Torres on the EP. Streetline Drumline will be in attendance and who knows what other surprises await those who come out this Tuesday night.

We waded through more than 70 songs to put together our group of 5 finalists. While we understood the disadvantage outside musicians would have coming up with a Macon song that would accurately capture the feeling that is Macon in some or all of its parts, we were also interested in finding outstanding musicians. Our biggest disappointment was with the small number of entries locally, but our biggest joy was the quality of musicians, singers, and songwriters who let us hear the rough cuts of their songs.

Breaking the over 70 songs down into a smaller group of musicians was hard. What was even harder was choosing the 10 musicians that went to our final judges. Not only did we have to pick from some really great musicians, but we also had to choose a song that was appropriately catchy, a universal tune that would appeal to many, across genre and across generations.

Our 5 finalists were a great group of musicians with an impressive list of accomplishments and many things to recommend them.

Project 51, a jazzy neo-soul group out of Boston, MA was another great offering. We immediately fell in love with lead singer’s Sentirenla Lucia voice as well as the easy going, groovy vibe from the band. This mature effort from the relatively young band stood out against a backdrop of singer/songwriters and rock musicians.

Eric Jennings had a soulful tone that reminded many of us of Counting Crows. His relaxed musical style and strong voice instantly pulls you into his music.

Alexis Vear’s voice was strong and she sings with a passion you believed. Soft and whimsical, there is a fairytale like quality to her songwriting and we enjoyed the rough cut offerings she submitted.

Shari Clarke voice bounded from her tracks, grabbing you from the get go. Her voice was so big, we were very surprised to connect it to the petite singer we met at the Otis Redding Celebration. Her voice stuck with us, even after our jurors picked their winner.

The winner of the Macon Music Competition was Floco Torres. He won because his Macon song, Cherry Street, was so infectious. It had a sound and feel that made us proud of the city we call home. However, because we couldn’t get Shari’s voice out of our heads, we did stick our finger in the stew and set it up so that Shari Clarke provided guest vocals on Floco Torres’ EP.

As the winner, Floco was able to record a 3 song EP at Star Motel Studio, complete with CD design and digital copy setup done by Burt & Burt. Bright Blue Sky filmed the music video for Floco’s Macon song, Cherry Street. If you come for the Nov. 15th event, Rock & Reel, you will get to see the full performance of the EP as well as the music video.

If Gateway Macon does another Macon Music competition, I hope that the performance and the quality of work for the EP and music video encourages more local talent, as well as musicians from around the world, to enter. We hope you can join us for the fun on November 15, 2011 at the Grand Opera House. Doors open at 6 for last minute ticket sales and will call, show is at 7:30.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011 at 7pm, we will be sat in the Grand...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:10:00 -0500

Rock & Reel

Joseph Guay, director "The Razzle"

The Razzle

James Kicklighter, director "Final Acts"

Final Acts

Kristin Wright, director "Superhero"

Superhero

The Macon Shorts Short Film Competition has been one of the most fun competitions to host. Not only did we get to see creativity from around the world (that’s right, world), but we also got to see creativity from right here. In the end, we chose three films that had something a little different to offer. Final Acts by James Kicklighter offered a view of Macon, with its amazing nature scenes, that was almost other worldly. The Razzle by Joseph Guay gave us a gritty, New York City-esque Macon, one that you don’t realize is truly there until you capture it on film. Superhero by Kristin Wright gave us the feel of what it’s like in downtown Macon - something that should look familiar to those of us who live and hang downtown.

On Nov. 15, we will see the three 10 minute films and we will announce the winners as chosen by our jurors. Our jurors include Carrie Preston (Macon native Actor/Producer/Director - AND Arlene on True Blood), Lisa Sheridan (Macon native Actor/Director), Gabe Wardell (Atlanta 48 Hours Film Festival and Decatur Docs), and Lee Cuthbert (Location Scout at Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment).

This stellar group will determine our Macon Shorts winner, but really, Macon wins because Gateway Macon will help the filmmakers pay the submission fee for other film competitions. We can only hope that out of town filmmakers will choose Macon to shoot their film and provide much needed economic stimulus for this Georgia Camera Ready town.

It’s going to be an unforgettable night. We hope you’ll be a part of it.

flocosmodernclock: November 15th. Live performance and watch...

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:24:52 -0500

Photo: Maryann Bates

flocosmodernclock:

November 15th.

Live performance and watch the brand new video to Cherry Street. The Grand at 7pm in Macon, Georgia. Be there!