Coastal Ga. Weekend: Savannah, Coastal Events Jan. 17-20

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Saturday sees the return of the Unity 5K and festival in honor of Martin Luther King Day / Unity 5K on MLK and Festival on Forsyth Park on Facebook

Make the most of a busy Savannah weekend with the help of Marianne Ganem Poppell of Savannah Master Calendar and Leah Arnold of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.Marianne and Leah talk weekend events.

Leah's picks:

• See a classic on the big screen when SCAD Cinema Circle presents The General at the Trustees Theater. Buster Keaton wrote, directed and stars in this touchstone of silent film. SCAD film professors will host a Q-and-A after the screening. The show begins at 8 p.m. Thursday; $8 general admission, $5 students, seniors, military.
• Experience the '80s like you've never heard them at An '80s Redeux at the Tybee Post Theater. The Southern Holiday Jazz Band will perform jazz twists on favorite '80s songs by the Pretenders, Van Halen and more from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday; $18.
• Catch all the action at the Savannah Hockey Classic, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Teams from UGA, Georgia Tech, University of Florida and Florida State will face off on the ice at the Civic Center at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; $12-18.
• Head to the theater with the Savannah Philharmonic as they present The Best of Broadway! at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. The orchestra and chorus, along with the Savannah Theatre Ensemble, will perform Broadway favorites from Carousel, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof and more at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $25-80.
• Laugh the night away with Front Porch Improv's latest Sorry Not Sorry evening of improv comedy at Bull Street Labs, inspired by pop culture, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; $10.

Marianne's picks:

• Enjoy a night out (and some tasty cupcakes) at the second annual Velvet Gala, supporting the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. The evening at Cohen's retreat includes music, drinks and hors d'ouevres, along with the event's signature red velvet cupcakes, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday; $65.
• Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Unity 5K on MLK and Music Festival, presented by Blessings in a Bookbag. The race begins at the Forsyth Park fountain and is followed by music and fun for the whole family, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday; $40 to register for race through Thursday, $45 on Friday, $50 day of, free to attend festival.
• Chow down on seafood at Savannah Riverkeeper's Roast on the River fundraiser at Hogan's Marina on Wilmington Island. Enjoy fresh, local Bluffton oysters and lowcountry boil made with wild-caught Georgia shrimp, along with Savannah craft beer and raffle prizes from local businesses, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday; $50 individual, $80 couple.