Macon DJ Roger Riddle and Y-O Latimore of Poetic Peace Arts join us to talk about fun things to do in Middle Georgia over the weekend and beyond.

Y-O's picks for Nov. 7:

Allow me to add a little flavor to your family's agenda. How many of you have ever attended a Chaptacular International Chainsaw Carving Event?

Well, you can head on over to 541 Hungerford Road in Gray, Georgia to observe 30 national and international chainsaw sculptors in action from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9.

They set up tents and get to carving in the great outdoors. This is their Sixth annual show.

A lot of the artwork is large and phenomenal, and the details of the life-sized and larger than life sculptures are dynamic.

Examples of their products include Native Americans, wildlife and abstracts. But, everything is huge. So, drive a pick up or rent a U-Haul, if you plan on patronizing these artists.

Some of their work will be available for purchase and some will be donated for a public auction which takes place Saturday at 2 p.m., during the Chaptacular Chainsaw Carving Event. Proceeds from the auction sales will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Most of all, the Chaptacular Chainsaw Carving Event is free to the public. Again, it all takes place at 541 Hungerford Road in Gray, Georgia, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

You can find out more information about this event and view photos of the chainsaw art carvings on their FB page: Chaptacular Chainsaw Carving Event or call (478) 986-7405.

I don't care where I go, when I tell people I'm from Macon, most times they mention Otis Redding or the Allman Brothers.

Honestly, I didn't know anything about the Brothers other than them being a rock band.

So, when I moved back to Macon in 1999, I met Lamar Williams, Jr. which inspired me to study the Allman Brothers before, during and after the time Lamar's father played with the band.

At the time, Kirk West was their road manager and lived in the Big House. And, the house next door on the corner was the headquarters for the Hittin the Note Publication.

I learned so much about the Allman Brothers Band. Although these guys were obviously hippies, they were talented musicians who levitated this thing we call Southern or Classic Rock with songs like, "Ramblin' Man," "Whipping Post," "Jessica," "Melissa," and "Midnight Rider."

They created a movement that still exists. Mainly, they help put Macon on the map, globally. When you get a chance, go by and visit The Big House: The Allman Brothers Band Museum 2321 Vineville Road in Macon. Museum hours are 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

This band sets a prime example of how to engage the community with arts. Most of the Brothers are still touring and their music never seems to go out of style. I could have sworn I heard a rendition of "Midnight Riders" in a Geico commercial here lately.

For more information about The Big House Museum, log onto http://www.thebighousemuseum.com/

--Y-O

Roger's picks for Nov. 7:

Gena Knox grew up right here in Middle Georgia. Now she's become known for her simple southern recipes that update the our meal time favorites making them fresh and new.

She's based out of Athens now but Historic Macon is bringing her back home for the next edition of their Sidney's Salon series to talk about some of the recipes in her new cookbook, Southern My Way: Food & Family.

The event takes place at the Sidney Lanier Cottage on High Street in downtown Macon on Tuesday, November 12 at 5:30pm. Admission is free for Historic Macon members, $5 for non-members, and $3 for students.

Galactic has become wildly popular with the music lovers who go out of their way to attend music festivals. The began to discover this wild and funky New Orleans band and they fell in love.

I remember Lisa McLendon of the Big House Museum coming to me and telling me how excited she was about Galactic. I heard over and over again from friends how they wish they would come to Macon!

Well they are finally coming! They will be at the Cox Capitol Theatre this Sunday along with Earphunk and Space Capone for a great night of funky live dance music.

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $22.50 in advance and $26.50 day of show. Go to Coxcapitoltheatre.com for more details.

--Roger

Tags: Allman Brothers, Adam Ragusea, Roger Riddle, Y-O Latimore, Galactic, chainsaw sculpture