If your New Year resolutions consist of attending more local art shows, entertainment, nature or some light reading then look no further for upcoming events in Augusta to welcome 2023.
Entertainment:
- January 10-11 at 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Shen Yun 2022 Tour by the Falun Dafa Association of Atlanta. Bell Auditorium will host a performance dedicated to honoring Chinese culture and traditions. Shen Yun’s works reflect ancient China through classical Chinese dance and a “unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops” and an experienced orchestra. The show will also feature tales of love, loss, humor and heroic deeds. Tickets are available for purchase at https://www.shenyun.com/augusta/william-b-bell-auditorium
- January 13 at 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Southern Soul & Song: John McEuen and the Circle Band by the Morris Museum of Art and the Imperial Theatre. With tickets ranging from $20- $50, Legend John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and country-folk, bluegrass, and his band will be performing at the Imperial Theatre for the first time. According to the theatre’s website, along with his musical talents, McEuen will also share “never before seen” film from past performances and tours to show an “unseen backstory of this iconic musician and band.” To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.imperialtheatre.com/event/morris-museum-of-art-presents-southern-soul-song-series-john-mceuen-and-the-circle-band-will-the-circle-be-unbroken/
- January 14 at 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. – Aquila Theatre’s Julius Caesar presented by The Etherredge Center. In this recreation of Shakespeare’s political thriller, “complex characters and powerful contemporary parallels” are utilized to tell the story of Julius Caesar’s complicated assassination. Described by The New Yorker as “superb acting and clever staging,” the non-profit theatre company is established as a staple of the New York City entertainment scene. Tickets range from $25-50 for adults and discounts are offered for children, young adults and older adults. To purchase tickets, visit: https://etherredgecenter.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1435&r=f29010203b734e71941313807f8e7c8d
- January 27 at 8 p.m. – Heather McMahan, The Comeback Tour. Hosted by Augusta’s Bell Auditorium, located at 712 Telfair St., famous comedian Heather McMahan is stepping out onto the stage once again. With a bit of southern flair, McMahan is known for her standup and storytelling abilities, which bring “giggles nationwide.” To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com/aec_events/heather-mcmahan/
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Outdoor Activities:
- January 3 at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Puddle Ducks: Kids & Caregivers Club by the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. For $10 per child, families are invited to bring their toddlers (five and under) out on the first Tuesday of each month. Enjoy stories, crafts and interactive experiences with nature at Phinizy Swamp. For more information or to register: https://phinizycenter.org/puddle-ducks/
- January 14 at 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Swamp Saturday Family Guided Hikes by the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. For $5, enjoy a 2.5 mile hike through nature trails, Phinizy Swamp offers scenic plantlife, a variety of wildlife and teaches the importance of “urban wetland ecology.” The center suggests participants wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and water to drink. For those with younger children, the center offers a 1 hour, kid friendly hike that includes a story and craft. For more information, please contact Kim Dillard for more information at 706-396-1418 or kim.dillard@phinizycenter.org. Pre-register for hikes at https://phinizycenter.org/events/swamp-saturday-family-guided-hikes-november/2023-01-14/
- The third Saturday of January – Swamp Treks by the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. For every month, Swamp Treks makes the outdoors exciting for third to eighth grade children with different nature-inspired themes and activities. January’s theme focuses on a survival skill – campfire meal making. Each morning will include a guided hike which leads into a hands-on activity revolving around animals, insects, survival skills and camping. Register by phone at (706) 396-1426.
- The third Saturday of January – Hilltop Riding Stable’s Family Fun Day. For the third Saturday of every month, adults get 50% off when accompanying a child between the ages of 7-18. Located at Fort Gordon, Building 508 off of North Range Road, the stable asks participants to arrive 45 minutes prior to ride time and wear closed toe shoes for safety. Guided trail ride times include: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call (706) 791-4864.
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Local Art:
- January 5 at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Iconic Augusta Artists Reception presented by the Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Open through January 20, the gallery’s showing will feature a variety of art with attending artists. With free admission, displayed art will be up for purchase and will “reflect the heart of Augusta.” Located at 1301 Greene St., Augusta, Ga.
- January 12 at 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Create with Me! New Year, New Art! by Morris Museum of Art. Families are invited to see one of the museum’s newest Morris additions, “Farmer and Farmer’s Wife” by sculptor Willie Tarver. Afterwards, visitors are encouraged to create their own sculpture. This activity will be free for museum members and $5 for non-members. Register online at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=tAzjwC or call (706) 828-3867. Sponsored by the Bank of America, the museum also offers free Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- January 15 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Artrageous! Family Sunday: All Shook Up! by the Morris Museum of Art. The museum freely invites families to take a tour of the museum and learn about the famous Howard Finster’s sculpture of Elvis Presley. Following, children will be encouraged to create their own “Elvis-inspired cape” and demonstrate their rockstar skills with an Elvis impersonator.
Literature and Education:
- January 7 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – An Afternoon with Poet Jimmy Broccoli hosted by Appleby Library off of Walton Way. As the fourth stop on Broccoli’s winter 2022-23 tour, he will read a selection of poems from his various poetry collections. Recognized as a best-seller for American and contemporary poetry, Broccoli’s poems often center around intense topics such as grief, loss, mental health struggles, domestic violence, addiction and loneliness. The library is located at 2260 Walton Way, Augusta, Ga.
- January 20 at 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Art at Lunch: Dr. J. Drew Lanham by the Morris Museum of Art. J. Drew Lanham, a South Carolina native and Clemson University professor of wildlife ecology, will hold an open lecture and a book signing of his biography “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature.” Sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, registration is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Register by January 10 at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=j33jNp or call (706) 828-3867.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
