There is always something creative and fun to do in Middle Georgia! Two Middle Georgia notables, Jackie K. Cooper, Huffington Post film critic and local musician Betsy Fitzgerald, have been keeping their eyes on events coming up in the area and share their best ideas.

JACKIE'S TOP TWO CHOICES:
John Berry: the Christmas Concert
Dec 19 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
John Berry: The Christmas Concert will be presented on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. Grammy Award nominee John Berry returns with his nationally touring Christmas concert to the Grand Opera House for this annual holiday favorite event. Berry’s 1995 album O Holy Night launched his annual Christmas concert tour, which is now in its 17th year. Berry has had a string of hits, including Your Love Amazes Me, Standing on the Edge of Goodbye, I Think About it All the Time, Change my Mind, If I Had Any Pride Left At All, Kiss Me in the Car, What’s in it for Me and You and Only You. But it was his stunning performance of the title track of the O Holy Night album that led to his most enduring legacy, his annual Christmas concert. In 1995, Berry’s single Your Love Amazes Me earned him a Granny nomination, joining the 18 other hit songs of his that made it to the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. In fact, many of Berry’s albums have gone gold and platinum, earning awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. Still, for Berry, the Christmas concert is special, as it provides him with a chance to share his faith and, according to his website, he views his performances as part of “his walk with Christ, (where) his calling has been to share God’s love with his audience.” Audiences nationwide agree, selling out each stop on a regular basis, and joining together to celebrate with song and good company what the season means to them – family, friends and faith. Single tickets cost $37 for all seating levels.

Second Annual Buzzard Drop
News Eve Celebration
There is the Peach Drop and several Possum Drops but only one Buzzard Drop to help bring in the New Year and only in Perry, Georgia.
Several years ago these migratory foul returned to Perry and decided it was a good layoff spot. Trying to make lemonade from lemons, the Buzzard Drop was conceived.
Last year’s celebration was a huge success and requests were made for a repeat. So the Perry Main Street with the support of the City of Perry is once again sponsoring a fun filled evening and invites everyone to come to the historic downtown square to ring-in 2015.
Headlining the entertainment will be The Has Beens at 9 p.m. with warmup band Jettison Blue kicking it off at 8 p.m.
The Has Beens band features Eddie Stone (keyboard and vocals), an original member of the Doc Holliday Band, as well as four original members of Stillwater: Mike Causey (guitar and vocals), Al Scarborough (bass and vocals), Rob Walker (guitar and vocals), Sebie Lacey (drums and vocals).

Jettison Blue features Kurt Woods on drums, Shea Smith on guitar, Al Magallano on bass guitar, Edward Clark on saxophone and Bill O'Neal performing lead vocals.

Organizers have expanded the festival to add food vendors, additional restroom facilities and a Buzzard Boogie dance contest with a $100 cash prize for the winner.

Top Hat Presenting sponsors for the event will be International City Builders and Jeff Smith Automotive Group. The Feather Your Nest Presenter is State Bank. ComSouth is the Stage Presenting sponsor. Chick-fil-A of Perry is the Shake Your Tail Feathers Presenter, and Perry Holiday Inn Express is the Official Buzzard Roost Presenter for the event. O'Neal Insurance is sponsoring the Buzzard Bench where festival attendees can take photographs with Bob the Buzzard, and Rusty's is the Get Your Buzz On sponsor.

ESG is the This Flush is On Us sponsor, sponsoring the portable restrooms. Bibb Distributing is sponsoring arm bands and cups for the event, while Georgia Power is the event's Official Power Source. WBML is the event's media sponsor.

Buzzard Buddies are Bank of Perry, Perry Downtown Merchants Association, Perfect Pear, Walker Energy Group, New Perry Cleaners, Mary Beth Bass, Darlene McLendon, Creative Signs & Designs, Robins Pacers Running Club and Daisy Patch Flowers.

The City of Perry will provide a courtesy shuttle to take home residents within the city limits.
Visit the Perry Buzzard Drop website for more information.

HERE ARE BETSY'S FAVES:
Frozen at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
If you are looking for a great family excursion during the holiday season, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame has the perfect thing for you. They will show the ever-popular Disney film Frozen in their 205-seat theatre. While waiting for one of the three movie showings, the entire family can enjoy the museum with free admission. They will even have kid-friendly refreshments including hot chocolate, popcorn and soda for sale.

Frozen at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
301 Cherry Street, Macon
Movie showings are 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:00 pm
Museum open 9:00 am until 5:00 pm (free that day)

Hayiya Dance Theatre
Presented by the Morning Music Club
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Hayiya Dance Theatre is Middle Georgia's premiere West African dance company under the artistic direction of Pilar Wilder. Known for their pioneering outreach programs, the company will present an educational, entertaining and enlightening performance featuring African music and dance. This performance is presented by Macon’s Morning Music Club and is one of three open to the general public.

Hayiya Dance Theatre
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Porter Auditorium, Wesleyan College
4760 Forsyth Road, Macon
10:30 AM
No tickets required

Tags: Leah Fleming, Jackie K. Cooper. Betsy Fitzgerald, Middle Georgia Events