It’s Wednesday again already!  Great googlymoogly but this month is flying by faster than pigs to the cry of SOOO-EEEE!  I’m chock full of ideas for fun things for you to do this weekend and lucky for us both, I’ve done my research to help prevent mishaps like the Great Turtle Disappointment from happening again!  Opportunities for the weekend include events as varied as birdwatching, lasers, bands, documentaries, and even murder!

_________________

Thursday

As usual, Columbus starts the weekend a day early.  Whether you want to kick things off with a party or a film, I’ve got you covered.  The Jewish Film Festival continues at 7:00 at the Macon branch of The Columbus Library.  Tonight’s film ‘Arranged’ comes very highly recommended by Librarian Brian.  Also showing tonight is the documentary film ‘Horace King: The Bridge Builder’ at 6:00 at the Columbus Museum.  And here’s the best part — both screenings are absolutely free!

__________________

Finding yourself more in the mood for a party tonight?   The Bibb City Ramblers are bringing the bluegrass tonight (and for reals this time) to Soho’s Bar and Grill on Milgen Road.   More in the mood for a giggle?  The Loft hosts comedy night ever Thursday with shows at 8:00 and 10:00.  You may want to show up early or even make reservations as shows have been to known to sell out.

____________________

Friday

If you’ve got a morning to yourself and would like to become a better birdwatcher head on out to FDR’s Little White House near Warm Springs for the ‘Become A Better Birdwatcher’ program at 9:00.  If morning’s don’t work for you but you would appreciate something to do this evening that doesn’t involve a bar there’s always No Shame Theater at The Springer starting at 10:30 for audience members –  10:00 if you have no shame yourself and would like to participate.

____________________

*ed. note — I forgot to mention that this afternoon at 5:00 the Civil War Naval Museum is hosting a book signing!  History buffs will want to meet and mingle with Charles Misula, author of The Last Ditch.  This book is about our fair town on the river and the site of the last land battle of The Civil War.  Sgt. Grumpy is so excited about this I’ve even offered to stay home and be mommy so he can attend without childish distraction!

____________________

If you followed my advice and already checked out No Shame and would like to try something new and different, head instead to the Coca Cola Space Science Center in the historic district for LASER U2 in the Ominsphere Theatre.  The CCSSC also has a Saturday feature — LASER HYPNOTICA.  Both shows start at 8:00pm and include a seasonal star identification pre-show feature.  These shows (as well as the rest of their lineup, found on the website) run through the end of March.

____________________

In the mood for dinner with a murderer?  Maybe dinner as a murderer?  Check out Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theater‘s presentation of ‘Therapy Can Be Murder’ at the Historic Columbus Marriott.  Sharing a meal with this cast of characters involves more than merely eating — actors in the production will assign diners their own roles in the show!  The fun starts at 6:45 and the website recommends participants make reservations.  ‘Therapy Can Be Murder’ on Saturday nights as well as Friday through April 3rd.

____________________

So you’ve decided that you actually would like that drink afterall.  Perhaps see some live music?  I can help you with that.  Playing around town tonight are a variety of cover bands.  If you’ve been hanging on to your Spandex pants and your Aquanet hairspray from the 80′s, pile all of your best friends into your Ford Pinto and drive on over the The Roadhouse to see Motley Crue tribute band, Motley Crude.  If you’re more in the mood to do the Electric Slide, Peggy Jenkins will be at The Loft with her mix of funk, soul, blues, and all-round party favorites.  For those who just wanna hang out, shoot some pool or darts and in general be manly while having beers and whatnot, at Club Eighty Five the band Haywire will be playing good old fashioned rock and roll.  (See Kenny — I told you I’d mention it!)

____________________

If you’re in the mood to get outta town, head to The Strutting Duck in Auburn, AL and catch The New Familiars.  These boys are one of my all-time favorite show bands!  Their mix of bluegrass, folk, and fun near can’t be beat.  (Course being as they’re from my home state of North Carolina, I might be a tad biased…but I don’t think so.)

____________________

Saturday

Let’s say you’ve managed to get through Friday night without over-indulging and you’ve woken up early this morning all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and you’re ready to go.  Have I got ideas for you!  Oxbow Meadows is hosting a free guided nature walk at 8:00 this morning.  You say you’re in the mood for something more challenging?  How about an strenuous (their word, not mine) 8 mile bike ride up at Calloway Gardens?    The ride starts at 10:00 and is scheduled to end at 2:00.  A word of note here though — this cost of this ride is not included in the entrance fee to the Gardens and they’ve requested riders make reservations in advance.  The event is also BYOB — Bring Your Own Bike, that is.  (If you’d like to experience Calloway but aren’t up for the bike ride, don’t forget that active duty military and up to five guests in the same car still get free entry to the grounds.)

____________________

Saturday night is a party downtown as usual.  The Loft is featuring Mark Golden with Lauren Michelle Miller.  Lauren won the first round of The Rivertown Showdown songwriter competition back in 2008 I think it was?  (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.)  She sort of has a girl-with-keyboard-indie-pop vibe going on.   Brad Strickland over at Club Eighty Five was all excited telling me about his pick for tonight — The Blue Hotel.  He described them as ‘post-punk blues/rock and just fantastic!’.  Brad doesn’t steer me wrong.

____________________

The Strutting Duck is bringing another great band to Auburn tonight.  (What is UP with those guys this weekend?)  Holy Ghost Tent Revival is taking the stage this evening and man am I peeved that I can’t make it out to see them!  These guys have a loose-and-loopy old time medicine show/rag time band sound kind of like Squirrel Nut Zippers or Snake Oil Medicine Show.  My teeth hurt with envy.  If, like me, you just can’t make it out to the show at least check out their website.  You can listen to their albums in their entirety.  (They’re graciously providing the soundtrack to my morning right now!)

____________________

Sunday

Today is make-your-own-entertainment day.  Warm temperatures and clear skies are supposed to return to town by today.  Pack yourself a picnic lunch and some day-old bread, gather the kids (or borrow someone else’s if you’ve none of your own — you can have mine) and head to Cooper Creek Park to feed the ducks.  If you’re feeling both morbid and whimsical, take your picnic down to the historic Riverdale Cemetery and have lunch by the memorial to the circus folk who fell victim to the Carnival Train Collision of 1915.  Perhaps you could leave behind some gifts of orange marshmallow peanuts or cotton candy in memorium.  Feeling like getting to know your town a bit better?  Check out the Historic Chattahoochee Commission website for a listing of local historical markers and use the information to design your own little Urban Adventure.

____________________

In the event of rain there’s always The Columbus Museum and The National Infantry Museum.  Both are free and open to the public, though the Infantry Museum has more opportunities for fun if you’re willing to pay.  There’s an IMAX theater and a simulated rifle range.  If that doesn’t suit, take your crew out to see a dollar movie at the Peachtree Theater over by the mall.  I love a dollar movie.

____________________

Whatever you do, get up off your butt and go do something.  Spring is springing and it’s a shame to waste it in front of a television screen!