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OCT OBER 2026
STUFF TO READ
Letter from the Publisher
October has arrived, and good Lord, we have earned it.
PAWS Humane Society
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ART & MUSEUMS
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Saturdays Are for Football at The Yard Calendar
The Joint Redemption
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AROUND TOWN
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Pumpkins At Callaway
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Springer
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CineForge Co-op
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Public Service Above Position Gregg Allman Returns
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Talbotton_BluesFEST
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Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World Calendar
Gets Its Biggest GLOW-Up Yet
Meet Us on the PATIO Columbus Has Cinema Blood in Its Veins
to the Big Screen at The Loft
David Johnson In Front Of Zion - Two Days Before The Work Began Photo By Shannon Belletti
Where the Blues Still Live
We need a break from the heat. We need a break from the stress of life and the noise of everything. Most of all, we need to get out of the house and remember that there is still plenty of good stuff happening all around us. We recently got a first look at this year’s Pumpkins at Callaway, and here is my insider advice: arrive around 6 p.m., while there is still a little daylight left. Give yourself time to explore the corn mazes, Cason’s Garden and the sunflower field before heading back for the Enchanted Glow Trail as the sky gets darker. The trail may only be a quarter mile, but it is absolutely worth it. If you think of Callaway only at Christmas, let me tell you: that place was made for autumn. Then there is Oct. 24, when apparently everyone in Georgia decided to throw a festival. Jarfest is happening here in Columbus, Pasafest is up the road in Buena Vista, and Talbotton BluesFEST—especially near and dear to me—will take over the grounds of Historic Zion Church. This year’s festival is its largest yet, produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian as part of America’s 250th anniversary. Jontavious Willis has assembled a phenomenal day of music, workshops and cultural programming, all in one beautiful little town. General admission is only $20, and VIP tickets are $45. Go. The drive alone is lovely. Inside this issue, Frank Etheridge introduces us to Columbus musician David Bond, whose journey took him to China—and eventually into a Chinese jail for playing music. Paul Rowe reminds us that Columbus has had cinema in its veins for decades, including when Mel Gibson and company came here to film We Were Soldiers. Gregg Allman fans should mark Oct. 27, when The Loft hosts an intimate screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul, with a musical tribute by Mike Jerel. The Springer has October covered, too: Movies Under the Stars on its beautiful new public patio, ghost tours, The Covenant and, for those who prefer their Halloween with fishnets and audience participation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We also had the great pleasure of speaking with Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers, before both the band’s RiverCenter performance and his library appearance discussing America’s Founding Son, his book about John Quincy Adams. Apparently a person can be a rock star and a history nerd. And all that barely scratches the surface. There is more art, music, theater, food and general carrying-on inside these pages than I could possibly squeeze into one letter—and still more at TheLocalColumbus.com. Our full digital issue is available at Issuu.com/TheLocalColumbus, and our community calendar is loaded. Get out your planner and start marking things down. The weather is finally giving us a break. Go do something cool. See you around town,
t hel o c a l c o l u mb u s. c om facebook.com/thelocalcolumbusga issuu.com/thelocalcolumbus
What We Are All About.
The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events, people and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.
PUBLISHER Monica Jones publisher@thelocalcolumbus.com editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN Mat Cornett
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Scott Berson
ADVERTISING | PR
Monica Jones ads@thelocalcolumbus.com
Monica Jones
CONTRIBUTORS & CREDITS Monica Jones Paul Rowe Frank Etheridge Scott Berson Amy Byrne
ON THE COVER: Cover Image from Jontavious Willis 2019 Album
Power House
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OCT OBER 2026
Saturdays Are for Football
at The Yard
who follow every play, casual viewers who mainly come to see friends, and everyone in between. You do not need to own a dog to join the fun. Humans are always admitted free, making The Yard an easy meeting place for groups, even when only some members arrive with pups. Naval History Crew Meet & Greet
Connect with fellow history enthusiasts, volunteers, and community members during a monthly gathering featuring conversation, museum insights, and occasional guest speakers or programming. First Mondays, 1–3 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus
College Football Season Is Here, & THE YARD IS READY FOR GAME DAY
½ Off Tuesdays at the Columbus Collective Museums
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ootball Saturdays are about more than what happens on the field. They are about gathering with friends and family, wearing your team colors, debating the rankings and finding the perfect place to settle in for an afternoon. Throughout college football season, The Yard will host College Football Watch Parties featuring some of the day’s biggest games on its giant outdoor screen. Additional matchups will play on televisions throughout the park, giving fans plenty of options when several teams are competing at once. Whether everyone in your group is cheering for the same school or you are part of a house divided, there will be a place to watch, relax and enjoy the day. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, round up their favorite people and pups, and arrive ready for kickoff.
Explore a maze of nostalgia, Americana, and quirky collections at the Columbus Collective Museums. Home to the Lunch Box Museum, Folk Art Museum, Royal Crown Cola Museum, Chero-Cola Museum, Nehi Drink Museum, Georgia Radio Museum, Tom Huston Peanut Museum, a rare Car Museum, and more, there’s something new around every corner. Local readers receive ½ off admission every Tuesday. Open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., 3218 Hamilton Road, Columbus.
Dogs visiting The Yard must meet its entry requirements. If your pup is not already a member, visit theyardcolumbus.com before game day to learn how to get started and explore available membership and daypass options. Taking care of those details ahead of time means you and your dog can get through the gate and into the game-day fun more quickly. Bring the family. Bring your friends. Bring your dog. Add a lawn chair, your team colors and as much game-day spirit as you can carry. Whether you are there for every snap or simply looking for a different way to spend your Saturday, The Yard offers a place to come early, stay awhile and cheer with the people and pups you love. With football playing throughout the park, cold drinks waiting at the Airstream Bar and plenty of room to enjoy the day, there is no need to leave anyone at home. College football Saturdays are better when the whole crew gets to come along.u For more information or sponsorship inquiries, contact Debbie Mayhew, Donor Relations Manager, at dmayhew@ pawshumane.org or 706-987-8372. Paws Humane Society 4900 Milgen Road, Columbus, GA 31907 pawshumane.org | 706-565-0035
Ghost Tours at the Springer
Discover the history, mystery, and unexplained legends of one of Georgia’s most iconic theaters during this 45-minute guided walking tour. Guests will explore the historic Springer Opera House while hearing stories of its rumored resident spirits. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets are available through the Springer Box Office at 706-327-3688. Tours begin at 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 11 p.m., Springer Opera House, 103 E. 10th St., Columbus
Look at Lunch
Take a midday break with a 20-minute gallery presentation followed by lunch in the museum courtyard. Bring your own lunch or purchase a meal from the Museum Café. Second Tuesday of each month, 12:15-12:45 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Drop In Tour: Celebrating the Columbus Museum Collection
Join a COMU docent for a guided tour highlighting The Columbus Museum’s permanent collection. No registration required. Every Saturday, 2 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Sketching Under the Skylight
Practice figure drawing beneath the skylights of the Bo Bartlett Center during this free monthly drawing session. Open to all ages and skill levels; participants should bring their own art supplies. Second Thursday of each month, 3-5 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
Columbus Artists’ Guild Monthly Meeting
Meet local artists and learn about their work during this monthly gathering featuring a presentation and question-and-answer session with a guest artist. The meeting is free and open to the public. Last Thursday of each month, 5-7:30 p.m. Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
“Saving Georgiana”: The Life and Legacy of Colonel John Word West
Explore the story of Colonel John Word West, creator of the “Fair of 1850,” and the efforts that eventually helped inspire Historic Westville Village. Presented in partnership with Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, the exhibition traces his legacy and the preservation of regional history. September 30-October 27. W.C. Bradley Reading Room Exhibition Cases, Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
Take 6
Experience the rich harmonies of multi-Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Take 6 as they blend gospel, jazz, R&B, and a cappella artistry in an evening showcasing the extraordinary power of the human voice. Thursday, October 1, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
The outdoor setting gives football fans room to spread out without missing the action. Instead of spending Saturday moving from the couch to the backyard every time the dog needs attention, guests can enjoy the games while their pups enjoy The Yard. It is an easy way to include the whole family in the weekend’s plans, four-legged members included. Of course, game day calls for something cold to drink. The Airstream Bar will be open with beer, cocktails, nonalcoholic selections and other options for guests throughout the day. Pitchers and beer buckets will also be available for sharing with the table. Claim a spot near the big screen, grab a drink and settle in for an afternoon of football, friends and a little friendly rivalry. The Yard was created as a place where dogs can play and socialize while their people spend time together. Watch parties bring that same idea to football season, creating a gathering place that feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a traditional sports bar. There is room for serious fans LocaL
Columbus Artists Guild Members Exhibition & Opening Reception
Celebrate local artists at the opening reception and awards ceremony for the 2026 CAG Members Exhibition, the Guild’s largest annual art show. The exhibition continues through October 30 and is free and open to the public. Opening Reception: Saturday, October 3, 6-8 p.m.; Exhibition: October 4-30. Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
John Crist Live
Catch comedian John Crist live on stage as he brings his nationally touring stand-up show to Columbus, featuring his signature observations on everyday life, relationships, and human behavior. Saturday, October 3, 7 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Colleagues & Rivals: Boccherini & Mozart
Join the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and clarinetist David Odom for an evening exploring works by musical contemporaries Boccherini and Mozart. The program includes Boccherini’s The House of the Devil and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, with a reception during intermission. Saturday, October 3, 7:30-9 p.m. Legacy Hall, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
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Art Speak: Emma Gaines
CSU alumna and interdisciplinary artist Emma Gaines leads a gallery discussion exploring the role of the “gaze” in film and visual culture through writings by Laura Mulvey and Jacques Rancière. Tuesday, October 6, 12:15-1:15 p.m. CSU Illges Gallery, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
The Avett Brothers
The Grammy-nominated folk-rock band brings its signature blend of bluegrass, folk, rock and heartfelt storytelling to the RiverCenter stage, performing fan favorites spanning its celebrated career. Thursday, October 8, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
MercyMe Tour 2026
Enjoy an evening of contemporary Christian music featuring MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Tim Timmons and Sam Wesley, with performances of beloved hits and new favorites. Thursday, October 8, 8-10:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth Street, Columbus
Paranormal Tours at Port Columbus
Explore the museum after dark with author and paranormal investigator Faith Serafin, who shares stories and discoveries from past paranormal investigations during this adults-only tour. Advance tickets required; space is limited. Friday-Saturday, October 9-10, 23-24 and 30-31, 7 p.m. National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus
Jessica Ingram: We Are Carver
Photographer Jessica Ingram documents life at Columbus’ George Washington Carver High School through portraits, conversations and archival materials gathered during a six-year project focused on the school’s Army JROTC program. The exhibition explores identity, leadership and the transition to adulthood. October 10-February 14. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Ali Siddiq: The Custom Fit Tour
Comedian Ali Siddiq brings his signature storytelling style to Columbus, drawing on personal experiences and sharp observations in a stand-up performance from the creator of the popular Domino Effect series. Saturday, October 10, 8 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
We Are Carver Panel Discussion & Reception
Explore Jessica Ingram’s photography exhibition documenting JROTC students at Carver High School, followed by a panel discussion with the artist and several featured students at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments provided. Thursday, October 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Covenant
Inspired by the legend of blues musician Robert Johnson, this haunting Gothic play follows a struggling guitarist who returns to his hometown a star, fueling rumors that he made a deal with the devil. FridaySaturday, October 16-17, and Thursday-Saturday, October 22-24, 7 p.m.; Sunday, October 18, 2 p.m. Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Experience the 1975 cult-classic film with a live shadow cast, audience participation and a props bag included with admission. Come in costume or as you are for two themed screenings: Vinyl Night on October 17 and Ink Night on October 24. Rated R; guests under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Saturdays, October 17 and 24, 8 p.m. Emily Woodruff Hall, Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus
Exhibition: The Royals - Adair Freeman Rutledge
Examining beauty standards, matriarchal traditions, and identity through portraits of queens and princesses from small-town festivals across America. On view through October 17, Wednesday-Friday, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Do Good Fund Gallery, 111 12th Street, Suite 103, Columbus
Lifelong Learners: Coulter Fussell
Artist Coulter Fussell discusses her exhibition The Proving Ground, followed by a book signing of the exhibition catalog. An optional gallery experience begins at 11:30 a.m.; guests may bring lunch or purchase it from the Museum Café. Tuesday, October 20, 12:15-1 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Public Reception: Chellis Baird | Garden of Athletes Celebrate Chellis Baird’s Garden of Athletes, an exhibition exploring the energy of dance and the relationship between individual expression and collective movement. Free and open to the public. Tuesday, October 20, 6-7:30 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
The Music Man
Follow charming salesman Harold Hill as he arrives in a small town with big promises in this beloved Broadway musical featuring lively choreography, humor and classic songs including “Seventy-Six Trombones.” Thursday, October 22, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
The United States Marine Band
Known as “The President’s Own,” the United States Marine Band brings its celebrated musical tradition to Columbus with a concert featuring selections spanning American music history. Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
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The Hunchback of Notre Dame Silent Film with The WAVE
Experience Victor Hugo’s classic tale in this annual Halloween silent film presentation, accompanied by live organ music performed on RiverCenter’s WAVE theater organ. Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Actors from the London Stage: Much Ado About Nothing
Experience Shakespeare’s witty romantic comedy in an inventive production featuring a small cast playing multiple roles. The fastpaced performance brings the classic tale of love, deception and mistaken identities to life. Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Film Screening: Everything Elvis |
The Art (and Obsessions!) of Joni Mabe
Explore the art and eccentric collections of Georgia artist Joni Mabe, whose fascination with Elvis Presley has inspired more than 40 years of work and a collection of over 30,000 Elvis-related items. Free and open to the public. Tuesday, November 3, 5:30-7 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
About America: Liberty, Legacy, and Loyalty at 250
Explore contemporary perspectives on American identity, history, and nationhood through works examining the symbols and ideas that have shaped the country over the past 250 years. The exhibition features artists including Carrie Mae Weems, Ansel Adams, Kara Walker, Jasper Johns, Jenny Holzer, and others. On view through November 21. CSU Illges Gallery, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
Wild Reciprocity: A Cycle of Damage and Healing along the Appalachian Trail
Explore photographs inspired by artist Justin Hadley’s six-month hike along the Appalachian Trail, examining the relationship between people and the natural world through themes of damage, healing, and connection. On view through November 21, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. CSU Illges Gallery, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
Exhibition: Southbound: A Survey of New and Previous Works by Y. Malik Jalal
Explore sculptures, collages, and photographs by artist Y. Malik Jalal in an exhibition examining memory, identity, and the stories found within everyday images. On view through November 28, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
The Bennett Prize - Rising Voices 4
Discover figurative realist paintings by women artists from across the country in the fourth iteration of The Bennett Prize, one of the largest art prizes dedicated to women painters. The exhibition features this year’s finalists and winner alongside The Cost of Life, a solo exhibition by previous Bennett Prize winner Deng Shiqing. On view through December 5. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
Coulter Fussell: The Proving Ground
Explore more than 40 large-scale sewn collages and mixedmedia installations by Columbus-born artist Coulter Fussell in her first museum-organized retrospective. Using donated textiles, photographs, clothing, and found objects, Fussell creates works exploring memory, family, place, and the landscapes of the American South. On view through January 10. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Circa 1776: A Celebration of America250
Explore a special exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary through artwork, portraits, furniture, medals, and decorative objects created around the nation’s founding. Drawn largely from the Columbus Museum’s permanent collection, the installation offers a glimpse into the people, craftsmanship, and ideas that shaped the early United States. On view through January 2027, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Eastern Visions: Asian American Art in Focus
Experience seven exceptional works on loan from the Honolulu Museum of Art in an exhibition celebrating the creativity, innovation, and diverse perspectives of Asian American artists. Featured throughout the museum and in a dedicated gallery, the installation invites visitors to discover new voices and fresh perspectives on American art. On view through January 2027, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Exhibition: Columbus at Play
Explore how recreation and leisure have shaped life in the Chattahoochee Valley over the past 200 years, from games and sports to music and community activities. On view through March 21, 2027, The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Want to see your event listed here? Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com 5
OCT OBER 2026
Kee p o n Ro ckin’ in t he Fre e World
By Frank Etheridge
In 2010, a popular Columbus musician left home to see the world. Fifteen years later, Chinese authorities detained and deported him for performing music outside the scope of his work visa. Back in Georgia—newly married and enrolled in graduate school—David Bond recounts his unexpected homecoming. to Harris County High School and graduated white foreigners—were not being allowed on national Isomewent from Columbus State in 2009. I formed a band with television at the time. friends in Columbus called Poanna. When the Then COVID hit, and the music industry collapsed. band went on hiatus, I shipped off to China in 2010. The appeal was that China was completely different from Columbus. I wanted to see the world. David Bond
I play keys. In Beijing, I started playing with local bands—mostly rock and roll. I also played with a hip-hop crew made up of both Chinese and foreign musicians, as well as a Chinese folk band. One of the rock groups was Feixu, which translates to ‘Ruins.’ It was a legacy band that had been quite popular about a decade before I joined. In 2016, the band signed again with a major label. We recorded an album, toured and played music festivals throughout China. I eventually had to leave Feixu after appearing with them on a national television show. This was during the first Trump administration, when the trade war began. We were told that Americans—and particularly LocaL
China went through rolling lockdowns and a complicated system of health and vaccine passports that continued into early 2023. As Beijing’s music scene began rebuilding, I organized mid-sized and smaller shows with audiences ranging from 100 to 500 people. I put together local-band
showcases, promoted them through Chinese social media and had a lot of fun doing it. Around mid-June 2025, we began hearing that musicians were being arrested after performing at a particular venue. Within a couple of weeks, the police showed up outside the school where I was teaching. It was morning in Beijing. They had been blowing up my phone after going to my girlfriend Scarlett’s apartment looking for me. The authorities had everyone’s number, but they were having trouble tracking me down because Scarlett and I had leases on two apartments—a larger place in the northern part of the city and a smaller crash pad near the center. I had always lived in China on a work visa. At the time of my arrest, that visa was tied to my teaching position, which was my primary source of income. I had previously worked as an art director at a local venue and also performed as a musician. For years, the rules 6
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straight from the detention center to the airport in Beijing and flew to Atlanta, where my parents picked me up. I was fortunate to have my wonderful family waiting for me. I stayed at their house for several months recuperating—the prodigal son coming home. On the drive back from the airport, we stopped at Taco Mac in Newnan. I had chicken wings and a cold beer. It was glorious. Absolutely glorious.” u As told to Frank S. Etheridge IV Follow David on Instagram at @david_likes_big_synths.
governing outside work by foreigners had been inconsistently interpreted and enforced. As enforcement became stricter, authorities began applying those employment laws to foreign musicians performing in Beijing—including me. It was scary. The police didn’t tell me anything. They put me in a car, took me to the station and interrogated me off and on all day: Where have you been playing? Who do you play with? Finally, they charged me with working illegally outside the scope of my visa. I was sentenced to 14 days in a detention center. After those 14 days, they told me I would be deported, but they held me for another 16 days without much explanation. I was kept in a 10-by-18-foot cell with seven beds, but anywhere from 11 to 15 men slept there each night. There was hardly any nutrition to speak of. They served tiny pieces of vegetables in broth. I will give them some credit: It was generally a safe place, and there was no violence among the detainees. The only violence I witnessed occurred after one man lashed out at the guards. They chained his wrists to his ankles and marched him around. I love China. There is a reason I stayed so long. It has an amazing culture, wonderful people and great food. The Chinese and Western musicians I performed with were world-class. I had some of the most fun of my life there and made some of the best music I’ve ever made. I don’t intend to live in China again, although I expect I’ll be able to receive a visa to visit family because Scarlett and I are now married. We were married in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Coming home was strange. I went LocaL
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community at Woodruff Park. Spend the day outdoors enjoying the start of fall in the heart of Uptown Columbus. Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus
FCM: Full Moon Market at the Bo Bartlett Center
Weekly Swing Dance
Learn the basics of swing dancing before enjoying an evening of social dancing set to classic and modern swing music. No experience or partner is required, making it a fun night for beginners and seasoned dancers alike. Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Scottish Rite Center, Valley of Columbus, 1027 2nd Avenue, Columbus
Family Feud-Style Trivia
Test your knowledge during a Family Feud-style trivia night with friends, food, and drinks at DawgHouse Bar & Grill. Mondays, 7 p.m. DawgHouse Bar & Grill, 5140 Warm Springs Road, Columbus
Tuesday Night Bike Ride
A weekly group ride for all skill levels along the Riverwalk, with multiple pace options ranging from casual to fast-paced mileage. Riders roll out together and often gather for dinner afterward. Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus
Taco Tuesday & Trivia
Enjoy $3 street tacos and weekly trivia during this Tuesday night gathering at Jarfly. Trivia is hosted by Tristan Daniels on the first Tuesday of each month. Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Jarfly, 1358 13th Street, Columbus
Story Time with Grammy Trish
Join us for Story Time with Grammy Trish where she’ll read charming children books and engage with your little ones. Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., Columbus Bound Bookshop, 1328 13th Street, Columbus
Wine Down Wednesdays
Discover new wines each week during an interactive tasting featuring different themes, regions, and unique selections. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. FLORA Wine Bar, 1329 Front Avenue, Suite G, Columbus
Sweet-South Music Revival @ The Loft
Enjoy music of the American South. Gospel, Blues, Soul, Funk, Zydeco, Jazz, Americana, and more. With Jesse Shelby & Jason Ezzell. Wednesday nights, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Fall Market at Uptown
Shop the new Fall Market in Uptown Columbus, featuring local vendors, seasonal finds, and more along Broadway. The market opens the second weekend in September and continues through October 11. September 10-October 11; Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Broadway, Uptown Columbus
Crown and Comedy Night @ The Loft
It’s always laughs at the Loft as our favorite hostess with the mostest Lil’ Bit takes the stage to introduce the best comedians around. Every Thursday, 7:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Live Jazz at The Goetchius House
Enjoy live jazz from rotating Columbus Jazz Society bands in the historic setting of The Goetchius House. Thursdays, 8–10 p.m., The Goetchius House, 405 Broadway, Columbus
Dancing on the River: Date Night Fridays
Learn the basics of bachata during this outdoor dance lesson designed for couples. No experience is necessary, making it a fun way to enjoy an evening on the Riverwalk with your spouse, date, or favorite dance partner. Fridays, 7:30-9 p.m. Columbus Riverwalk, Front Avenue Water Tower, 199 West 12th Street Parking Garage, Columbus
Basics of Blacksmithing Workshop
A 4-hour hands-on workshop covering foundational blacksmithing techniques, including drawing, twisting, and bending, as participants create their own S-hook. Registration required; ages 21+. $75 per person. Fridays & Saturdays through December 12, Historic Westville Village, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus
Shop works from local artists and makers during Fountain City Mystic’s Full Moon Market on the Bo Bartlett Center’s outdoor terrace. Browse unique and alternative creations while enjoying an evening overlooking the river. Friday, Saturday, September 26 & October 26, 6-9 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
Full Moon Ride
We will ride at a conversational pace with just a few miles to our destination. We’ll have some great music and will stop at a local spot to grab a beverage. Rentals are available but be sure to reserve in advance. Saturday, September 26 & October 26, 8 p.m., Ride On Bikes, 1036 Broadway, Columbus
Groove Monkey Live at The Loft
Close out the weekend with Groove Monkey live at The Loft and a Saturday night of music, drinks, and good company in Uptown. Saturday, September 26, 9 p.m. The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Jazz at Liberty Monthly Series
Celebrate the rich tradition of jazz during this monthly concert series featuring talented musicians in the historic Liberty Theatre. Enjoy an evening of soulful performances in one of Columbus’ most treasured cultural landmarks. Sunday, September 27, 5 p.m. Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 813 8th Street, Columbus
GP38 at Highside Market
Kick off October with live country music from GP38 at Highside Market. Friday, October 2. Highside Market, Columbus
32nd Annual Help the Hooch & Watershed Thank You Festival
Help keep the Chattahoochee River watershed clean during school and community cleanups on Friday, followed by a free festival Saturday featuring environmental education, family activities, food, live music and volunteer prizes. Friday-Saturday, October 2-3; Festival: Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Synovus Park, 1001 Front Avenue, Columbus
Relative Sound Live at The Loft
Start your Friday night downtown with live music from Relative Sound, cold drinks and a lively evening on Broadway. Friday, October 2, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Dionysus Live at The Loft
Keep the weekend going with Dionysus taking the stage for a Saturday night of live music in the heart of Uptown. Saturday, October 3, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Artful Babies (ages 6–24 months)
Little ones and their caregivers can explore books, hands-on objects and a simple art activity together in this drop-in program designed to encourage curiosity and creativity through play. Saturday, October 3, and Tuesday, October 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Pine Needle Basketry Workshop
Learn the basics of pine needle basketry from Historic Westville’s skilled basket makers and create a small handmade basket to take home. $75 per person; preregistration strongly encouraged. Saturday, October 3, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Historic Westville, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus
Mini Makers (ages 2–4 years)
Young children and their caregivers can enjoy story time, games and hands-on art activities, exploring new materials and creating mini masterpieces to take home. Saturday, October 3, and Tuesday, October 6, 1:30-2:30 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton
Road, Columbus
Punk Rock for Pups: A Benefit Show for PAWS Humane Rock out for a good cause with live punk performances by Jenny and the Exes, Tomorrow’s Achiever, Imposter and Craigzlist Punks, hosted by Foolish Moon. Enjoy a Most Punk Rock Pup costume contest and a free photo area for people and pets. Admission is free for people; $15 for dogs without a Yard membership. Pet food and supply donations encouraged. Saturday, October 3, 6-9 p.m. The Yard Dog Park, 1432 Fifth Avenue, Columbus
Kountry Wayne Live Comedy Show
Second Saturday Tours at Historic Westville Village
Enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy featuring Kountry Wayne, Chico Bean and Uncle Daddy (Erealist), with comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley serving as host. Saturday, October 3, 7-10 p.m. Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth Street, Columbus
Uptown’s Fall Festival
Browse handcrafted gifts, unique jewelry, art-inspired accessories and one-of-a-kind seasonal treasures, with special offers throughout the Museum Store. Thursday-Sunday, October 8-11. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
A 45-minute guided tour offering an overview of Historic Westville Village. Included with admission; begins at the Thornton Visitor Center. Second Saturdays, 11 – 11:45 a.m., Historic Westville, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus Celebrate the season in Uptown with a day of fall fun, food, and
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Meet the Author: Bob Crawford
The Avett Brothers bassist and history enthusiast discusses his debut book, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick, at this lunchtime author event. Free and open to the public, with books available for purchase. Thursday, October 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
Trustfall Live at The Loft
Make your Friday night plans around Trustfall, bringing live music to one of Broadway’s longtime entertainment spots. Friday, October 9, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
7th Annual River City Motorcycle Rodeo
Watch motorcycle riders tackle a challenging skills course at this annual event benefiting Special Olympics Georgia. Presented by the Columbus Police Department and Rally Point Harley-Davidson, the rodeo features special guests and free admission for spectators. Competitor registration is $50. Saturday, October 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Rally Point Harley-Davidson, 3230 Williams Road, Columbus
Monotype Adult Workshop (ages 16+)
Explore monotype printmaking with Columbus Museum staff, drawing inspiration from the museum’s collection before creating your own one-of-a-kind print. All materials are provided, and no experience is necessary. Saturday, October 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
15th Annual MidTown Mingle
Celebrate the MidTown community with an evening at Lakebottom Park featuring supper, beer and wine, an art auction with works by local artists, and a raffle. Children 5 and under are free. Wednesday, October 7, 6:30-10 p.m. Lakebottom Park, Cherokee Avenue between 13th Street and Poplar Avenue, Columbus
Meet the Author: Carlos Dews
Carson McCullers scholar Carlos Dews discusses All the Love You Can Use: The Letters of Carson McCullers, his newly collected and edited correspondence of the Columbus-born author. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Monday, October 12, 6-8 p.m. Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
After School Art Break (ages 5–10)
Explore new art materials and create your own works inspired by an object from the museum’s collection. No registration required. Tuesday, October 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass
Heart Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck brings an all-star ensemble to the stage for an evening of inventive bluegrass, blending traditional sounds with fresh musical collaborations. Tuesday, October 13, 7:30 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Homeschool Discovery Day
Explore Día de los Muertos traditions and the monarch butterfly migration during the garden’s “Meet La Catrina” program for homeschool families. Free for garden members; $5 per nonmember child, with one adult admitted free per registered child. Friday, October 16, 10 a.m.-noon. Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus
Denim & Diamonds 2026: Walker Hayes & Mark Wills
Enjoy an evening of live country music featuring Walker Hayes and special guest Mark Wills, with proceeds benefiting Columbus Hospice and its care for patients and families throughout the region. Friday, October 16, 8-10:30 p.m. Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth Street, Columbus
GP 38 Live at The Loft
Settle in for an evening of live music as GP 38 takes over The Loft stage, with food and drinks available throughout the night. Friday, October 16, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Look, Listen, and Make Workshop (ages 4–6)
Children and their caregivers will explore King Nobuyoshi Godwin’s The Leopard Is Having a Perfect Day Because It’s With the Animal Friends through storytelling, games and gallery activities. Registration includes one child and one caregiver. Saturday, October 17, 10-11:30 a.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Renew at COMU: Yoga
Begin with a mindfulness-focused gallery experience, followed by a gentle, all-levels yoga session led by Sue Tomkiewicz. A limited number of mats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Saturday, October 17, 10:30 a.m.-noon. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Rock the Lawn
Enjoy a free evening of live rock music featuring Psycho Wizard, Karavan, Proxi and Barbarosa Jones, plus local food trucks and
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Tattoo Alley, showcasing artwork from area tattoo artists. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for music spanning the ’80s to today. Saturday, October 17, 5-11 p.m. Columbus Civic Center Amphitheatre, 400 Fourth Street, Columbus
Conspiracy Theory Night at the Vibe
Eight local theorists take the stage to share wild ideas and explore unconventional topics in an evening of open discussion. Admission is $10. Saturday, October 17, 8-10 p.m. The Vibe on 6th, 1301 Sixth Avenue, Columbus
Gregory Marshall Roth Live at The Loft
Spend Saturday night downtown with a live performance by Gregory Marshall Roth at The Loft. Saturday, October 17, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Steeplechase Children’s Art Show
Celebrate the creativity of K–12 students from across the Chattahoochee Valley at this annual art exhibition presented by Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens. The long-running contest showcases young artists while supporting the region’s arts and cultural community. Thursday, October 22, 5:30-7 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
YMCA Lifeguard Certification
Join the YMCA aquatics team with a lifeguard certification opportunity that includes free training, swim conditioning and YMCA membership. No experience necessary. Thursday-Sunday, October 22-25. YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus; details and registration at YMCAColumbusGA.com
Red and the Revelers Live at The Loft
Head to Broadway for a Friday night performance by Red and the Revelers, with live music and The Loft’s signature downtown atmosphere. Friday, October 23, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
PasaFest 2026
Celebrate 10 years since Pasaquan’s grand reopening with an artist market featuring more than 30 artists and performances by Jake Xerxes Fussell and John Kiran Fernandes. Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Pasaquan, 238 Eddie Martin Road, Buena Vista
Talbotton BluesFEST
Celebrate blues, history and community with live performances by Vanessa Collier, Jontavious Willis, Albert White, Andrew Alli and more. Enjoy music throughout the day, cultural talks, dance and harmonica workshops, jam sessions, food and arts and crafts vendors. General admission is $20; VIP packages available. Children 12 and under are free. Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.9:30 p.m. Historic Zion Church, 27 Jackson Avenue, Talbotton
JARFEST 2026
Celebrate eight years of Jarfly in Midtown Columbus with a full day of live music featuring Michigander, Girlpuppy, Trash Panda, The Pink Stones, Tedo Stone, The Echolocations, The Band Honey, How On Earth, Caroline Bowling and Chris Johnston. Saturday, October 24, noon - until, Jarfly, 1358 13th Street, Columbus
Fall Festival: Movie Night Edition
Enjoy an afternoon of artmaking, games, a scavenger hunt, live performances and a costume parade celebrating figures in American history. At 7 p.m., head to the lawn for an outdoor screening of National Treasure. Bring a chair or blanket; food trucks will be on-site. Saturday, October 24, 4-9 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
Little Garden of Horrors (ages 13+)
Explore the spooky side of nature with a birds of prey show, carnivorous plant and owl pellet dissections, carnival games and a garden fun house. Enjoy an outdoor screening of Little Shop of Horrors, with concessions and a spooky bar available. Saturday, October 24, 6-9 p.m. Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus
Scream on the Green
Get cozy for a Halloween movie night under the stars featuring the family favorite Casper. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and your favorite pajamas or costumes for an outdoor screening with family and friends. Saturday, October 24, 7 - 9 p.m. TSYS Way, Uptown Columbus
Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul
Celebrate the life and music of Allman Brothers Band founding member Gregg Allman with an intimate documentary screening and music tribute by Mike Jerel. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the film at 7:45 p.m. Movie-only tickets are $25; dinner packages are available. Tuesday, October 27, 5:30 p.m. The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Experimental Soundbath: I BURNT MY FINGERS ON THE SUN
Immerse yourself in a meditative synthesizer sound bath led by Charles Fowler, featuring atmospheric soundscapes and deep analog bass. Bring a yoga mat, blankets or pillows to get comfortable. Tuesday, October 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus
The Grand Heist: A Roaring ’20s Whodunit Party
Step into the glamour of the Jazz Age for an evening of cocktails, food, music and mystery. Dress in your finest 1920s attire, uncover clues and encounter suspicious characters as an art heist unfolds, culminating in a theatrical finale. Thursday, October 29, 6-9 p.m. The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
KISS Tribute Live at The Loft
Get ready for a night celebrating the music of KISS, with a live tribute performance bringing the legendary rock band’s songs to the stage. Friday, October 30, 9:30 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Christmas Made in the South!
Shop handcrafted gifts, fine art and unique holiday treasures from artisans at this 35th annual Christmas market. Enjoy live craft demonstrations, visits with Santa and music from the Queen’s Carolers. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free. Friday-Saturday, October 30-31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, November 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus
Pretty Ricky & Plies Live in Concert
Enjoy a night of R&B and Southern hip-hop as Pretty Ricky performs fan-favorite throwbacks alongside rapper Plies. Friday, October 30, 8-11 p.m. Columbus Civic Center, 400 Fourth Street, Columbus
Big Dog Howl 5K
Get into the Halloween spirit with a costumed 5K through Uptown Columbus, featuring awards for top finishers and prizes for the three best costumes. Saturday, October 31, 8-10 a.m. 1100 Block of Broadway, Columbus
Tricks, Treats & Tall Tales
Trick-or-treat through Historic Westville Village with candy, crafts, games, prizes and storytelling, plus food trucks, tarot readings and live improv from SuperChatts. Costumes encouraged; leashed dogs welcome. Tickets are $14 for ages 2–17 and $18 for adults. Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Historic Westville, 3557 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus
Treats at the Museum!
Bring the family in costume for an afternoon of trick-or-treating through the museum galleries. Admission is free after 4 p.m.; children must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday, October 31, 4-6 p.m. National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus
Halloween Party & Costume Contest at The Loft
Dress to impress, show off your Halloween look and celebrate the holiday downtown with a costume contest and a night out at The Loft. Saturday, October 31, 9 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Want to see your event listed here? Email:events@thelocalcolumbus.com
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Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE!
Join Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley and Boober for a musicfilled adventure featuring colorful puppetry, playful storytelling and interactive fun for all ages. Sunday, October 25, 4 p.m. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Jazz at Liberty Monthly Series
Celebrate the rich legacy of jazz and historic Black theaters with an evening of live music presented by the Columbus Jazz Society. Sunday, October 25, 5 p.m. Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 813 8th Avenue, Columbus
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season to season. “The question we get a lot is, ‘Do you trick-or-treat there?’” Thompson said. This year, the answer is yes. Children can collect candy at stops throughout Pumpkins at Callaway from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. Costumes are encouraged, giving young visitors another reason to dress for the occasion—and parents one more chance to get their money’s worth from whichever costume their child absolutely could not live without. The candy stops join an experience stretching from Robin
That invitation extends across Pumpkins at Callaway. The celebration borrows some of Halloween’s most recognizable traditions while leaving room for visitors who prefer their autumn with more harvest than horror. For those ready to trade the dance floor for a dirt path, open-air trolleys connect Robin Lake Beach with Cason’s
Robin Bloom, We Found Her In The Pavillion
a t Calla w ay Gets Its Biggest GLOW-Up Yet By Andrew McCrory
Five Seasons In, A $600,000 Expansion Brings New Characters, Nightly Trick-Or-Treating & More Ways To Make Fall Memories At Callaway Resort & Gardens.
ome people welcome the fall season by willingly entering S a dark building where strangers are paid to terrify them. Gracie Thompson is not one of those people.
“I’ve been to haunted houses before that were too scary for me,” she said. Fortunately for Thompson—and anyone else who prefers pumpkins without the panic—Callaway Resort & Gardens has built its fall celebration around a gentler proposition. Pumpkins at Callaway delivers glowing trails, towering corn stalks, costumes and candy without requiring visitors to spend the evening peeking through their fingers. “We call it ‘kooky, not spooky,’” said Thompson, public relations manager at Callaway. “It’s a family-friendly fall event. It’s not scary. There are no jump scares—nothing like that.”
Now entering its fifth season, Pumpkins at Callaway is turning up the light with its largest expansion to date. Callaway has invested $600,000 in the 2026 experience, adding new characters, activities and entertainment across Robin Lake Beach and Cason’s Garden. The additions are not simply more things to squeeze onto the map. They reflect four years of watching how guests move through the evening, what brings them back and what they hope to find when they return. “There’s a lot of trial and error that goes on when you’re building these huge events,” Thompson said. “Every year, we’re able to take what we learned and go into the next year saying, ‘Here’s what we liked. Here’s what we didn’t like. Here’s how we’re going to fix it.’” Among all the questions Callaway has received during those first four years, one has followed Pumpkins from LocaL
Lake Beach to Cason’s Garden. At the beach, visitors can follow the Enchanted Pumpkin Trail through illuminated scenes filled with hundreds of pumpkins and larger-thanlife creatures. Foggy Hollow returns, along with Mini Glow Madness, Callaway’s glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course. The familiar circus tent at Robin Lake Beach has also been given a new life as Robin Bloom’s Harvest Hall. Part retail space, part food stop and part activity hub, the hall will host games, arts and crafts, and storytelling throughout the evening. At the center of it all is Robin Bloom, a new character with some Callaway roots of her own. Legend has it that Robin grew up in Kentucky and traveled to Georgia with her family because her grandfather was a close friend of Cason Callaway. During those childhood visits, she learned about gardening, pumpkins and the changing seasons. Now older, Robin has returned to spend the harvest at Callaway and share what she has learned with a new generation. Her tale moves beyond Harvest Hall through new characters and towering inflatables appearing throughout the grounds. A few steps away, Callaway’s iconic singing and talking
Garden. There, guests can wander among the sunflowers, stop for food and drinks at Cason’s Beer & Wine Garden or intentionally lose their way inside one of two corn mazes. One offers younger explorers an easier route, while the other gives more confident navigators a little more corn to contend with. The maze changes shape each year, although there is little chance of identifying the design while standing in the middle of it. This season’s creation requires a bird’s-eye view for good reason: The paths form a bald eagle in recognition of the newest ambassador joining Callaway’s Birds of Prey program. Long before visitors begin debating which turn they should
have taken, the work of creating the maze is already underway. “The corn gets planted months and months in advance,” Thompson said. “Toward the end of summer, the corn gets cut into the shape it needs to be.” Previous designs have included a butterfly and an azalea. Changing the pattern gives returning guests something new to discover while connecting the fall celebration to the plants and wildlife found throughout Callaway. Visitors can make a full day of exploring those surroundings before the first pumpkin is illuminated. A Pumpkins at Callaway ticket includes same-day general admission to the gardens, with access to attractions such as the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, the Discovery Center, the Birds of Prey program and pumpkin tree is preparing to host a different kind of gathering. The new Pumpkin Nights Dance Party brings music, lighting and guided dances to the area, inviting everyone onto the dance floor regardless of age, experience or possession of rhythm. “You don’t have to freestyle full time,” Thompson said. “Somebody will tell you exactly what to do.” Dance instructors will lead guests through the steps as music plays. The children may still outperform everyone, of course, but at least the grown-ups will have instructions. “You don’t have to be a professional to get out there and do it,” Thompson said. “The kids, all the way to the grandparents, are going to get to participate.” 10
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the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. Guests can also spend the day biking, hiking or fishing before the evening festivities begin at 5 p.m. As daylight gives way to fall color, everyone can decide what the season should feel like. For some, it means costumes, candy
might with Fantasy in Lights.” The goal is not to make the two celebrations identical. It is to give people another season to claim as their own—another date circled on the calendar and another set of memories that deepen each time they return. “I think this year especially is going to
and jack-o’-lanterns. For others, it is cooler air, sunflowers and the humbling realization that they have now passed the same row of corn three times. “If you want it to feel like Halloween and you want to be surrounded by pumpkins, you can find that here,” Thompson said. “If you don’t necessarily want Halloween, but you love fall, the harvest, the cooler air and corn mazes, we’ve got that too.” That broad appeal is helping Pumpkins
help cement its place as that legacy event,” Thompson said. Pumpkins at Callaway runs on select dates from Sept. 19 through Nov. 1 at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain. The evening event begins at 5 p.m., and admission includes access to the gardens earlier that day. Find tickets, schedules and complete details at CallawayResort.com or follow @callawayresort on Instagram and Facebook.u
at Callaway establish an identity of its own. Five seasons cannot yet match the history of Fantasy in Lights, Callaway’s nearly 35-yearold holiday tradition, although Thompson believes the younger celebration is beginning to inspire the same instinct to return. She remembers visiting Fantasy in Lights as a child, sometimes more than once during a Christmas season. The real measure of Pumpkins at Callaway’s growth, she said, will be guests deciding that one visit is not the end of the story. “Pumpkins at Callaway is much more of a household name than it was when we first launched it,” Thompson said. “We want families to say, ‘Yes, I’ve been once, but I want to keep coming back every year,’ just like they LocaL
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The organization revisited its capital campaign and expanded its plans. The Springer Academy needed more room for classes and rehearsals, audiences had embraced outdoor programming, and the long-held idea of creating a park-like community space suddenly made more sense than ever. The result is the PATIO, a landscaped outdoor performance and gathering space designed to serve far more than one purpose. Because the Springer is a 155-year-old National Historic Landmark, its permanent addition also had to complement the character of the existing building rather than compete with it. Now that the new government building across the
o n t he PATIO With Free Movies, Public Green Space & More Programming Ahead, The Springer’s Outdoor Venue Enters Its Next Act
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By Monica Jones
ong before the Springer Opera House turned its lawn into the PATIO, there was already a vision for that corner of Tenth Street and Second Avenue. During the Springer’s extensive 1998 renovation, Janice Biggers imagined transforming the outdoor area
into a park. Unfortunately, like many wonderful ideas pitched during major renovation projects, it became a casualty of the budget. The Springer completed its basement-to-ceiling overhaul while the outdoor space remained a dream for another day. That day arrived through circumstances no one would have chosen. When COVID-19 forced performances out of the theater, the Springer’s production team built the temporary outdoor stage to continue connecting with its audience. What began as a necessary pivot led to an important realization at the theater: People loved gathering outside. “The audience was saying, ‘We love this. Can we have more of this?’” Springer Opera House CEO Danielle Varner says. Then a donor asked the question that helped move the idea forward: How could the Springer make it permanent? LocaL
street is taking shape, the PATIO offers something increasingly scarce in that part of downtown: an open green space. Varner hopes employees from across the street—and anyone else spending time downtown—will see it as a place they can use, even when the Springer does not have an event underway. “People can just come out there and sit and enjoy their lunch, or just get out of their office for a minute,” she says. “Sit on the lawn, sit in the swings.” That may be the PATIO’s least-known feature. It is part performance venue, part classroom and rehearsal space, part rental venue—and, when it is not being used by the Springer, a place where the public is welcome to simply spend some time. This fall, the Springer is giving Columbus two new reasons to experience it with the launch of its Springer Classic Film Series: Movies Under the Stars, sponsored
more than ready to declare it spooky season. A Goofy Movie brings a different kind of nostalgia. Varner describes it as a multigenerational favorite—embraced by adults who grew up with it, the generation after them and children discovering it now. Guests may bring blankets, and the Springer will provide some seating toward the back of the viewing area. Concessions will be available for purchase, but outside food and drinks are not permitted. Coolers, carts, wagons and outside chairs should also remain at home, and children must be accompanied by an adult. These first two films are only the beginning. Varner says the Springer plans to bring Movies Under the Stars back in the spring. Other programming is already filling the PATIO
calendar. The Tall and Small Snowball, a Frozen-themed pre-show party, will be held there during the Springer’s upcoming production. Guests may attend the party even if they are not seeing the show. The venue will also host events connected with the Georgia Film Festival and a new performance series called Third Space Theater. Third Space Theater is an evolution of No Shame Theatre, with more intentional themes and a new
by The Locals Real Estate Group. The series begins with Beetlejuice on Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by A Goofy Movie on Saturday, Nov. 14. Both screenings begin at 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.The Springer is also considering moviethemed trivia before the screenings. Beetlejuice was a natural choice for October, when even those of us still enduring Georgia temperatures are 12
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format created specifically for the PATIO. The Springer is also developing an outdoor concert series, with details expected to be announced in late October or early November. Private rentals are another significant part of the space’s future. The PATIO is available to organizations, groups and individuals for celebrations, receptions and other gatherings. It has already hosted events, including a Steeplechase kickoff party, while providing much-needed classroom space during one of the Springer Academy’s most successful seasons. For Varner, the space carries a meaning even deeper than its expanding list of uses. The PATIO honors Paul Pierce and Ron Anderson, two leaders she credits with helping revive the Springer, grow its staff and make the theater a more accessible place for the entire community. “There is no one who is currently working at the Springer who would be here if it were not for Paul and Ron,” says Varner, who has spent 24 years with the organization. “When Paul got here, there were only three employees. Now we have a staff of 20.” Their work helped bring the Springer back to life. The PATIO extends that legacy beyond the theater’s walls, creating another place where performances, education and everyday community life can meet. Or where someone can eat lunch, sit in a swing and enjoy a little patch of green in the middle of the city. Movies Under the Stars begins with Beetlejuice at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by A Goofy Movie at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street. Admission is free. For updates, Tall and Small Snowball tickets or PATIO rental information, visit springeroperahouse.org. u
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fact many longtime residents still don’t realize. Columbus didn’t just build the theaters; it also produced enormous talent for the screen. The city’s bestknown export is Nunnally Johnson, born here in 1897, who grew up delivering newspapers, playing ball for Columbus High School, and watching productions at
Columbus Has Cinema
in Its Veins And I’m going to prove it to you
By Paul Rowe
Let me start with this volley: John Wayne, James Garner, Dee Wallace, Cuba Gooding Jr, Mel Gibson, John Travolta, Amanda Seyfried, Tommy Lee Jones, and more have filmed scenes in and around Columbus, Georgia. Now, a history lesson. This lesson starts, fittingly, on Broadway and not the one in New York, but the wide, tree-lined boulevard where the Springer Opera House has anchored the city’s cultural life since 1871. Long before it became known as the Official State Theatre of Georgia, the Springer hosted Edwin Booth, Oscar Wilde, Will Rogers, and Ethel Barrymore on its stage. Then, as if a prediction of the century to come, it screened Thomas Edison’s new Vitascope projections.
By 1915, the Springer was showing motion pictures regularly alongside live theater performances, but by 1931 it was almost exclusively showing films as Martin Theaters (which later closed down in the late 1950s; it wasn’t until the 1960s that it was restored as a live performance venue). That shift from stage to screen produced one of the great untold business stories in American cinema, and it started with a Columbus projectionist named Roy Elmo Martin. In 1910, Martin ran the city’s first moving-picture show in North Highlands; two years later he bought the Bonita Theatre on Broadway. Columbus soon filled with picture houses bearing his stamp and others’: the Dixie Theatre, the Grand, the Rialto, the Pastime, and eventually the grand Royal Theater on Talbotton Road, the largest in the city at the time. By 1928, Martin ran ten theaters across Georgia and Alabama; by his death in 1948, Martin Theatres had grown into a 140-location powerhouse across the Southeast, one of the earliest chains to prove that small Southern cities could sustain a thriving movie-going culture of their own. Martin’s sons further expanded the business when drive-ins swept the country in the postwar years, and Columbus got its share, such as the Rexview, the Columbus Drive-In, the Edgewood, and the Jet DriveIn, which began life as the Jive Drive-In serving Black moviegoers under segregation before Martin Theatres LocaL
purchased and renamed it in 1952. Columbus’s theaters didn’t integrate until 1963. In 1982, Carl Patrick Sr. bought the 250-screen chain from the Martins and renamed it Carmike Cinema, a mashup of his sons’ names, Carl Jr. and Michael, and built it, right here in Columbus, into “America’s Hometown Theatre,” a company which deliberately planted itself in small and mid-sized markets other chains overlooked. By 2016, Carmike had grown to 276 theaters and nearly 3,000 screens in 41 states, the fourth-largest circuit in the country, before AMC bought it for $1.1 billion later that year. For decades, decisions about how millions of Americans experienced the movies were made from a corporate office in Columbus, Georgia, a
the Springer before heading north to a newspaper career and then west to Hollywood. By the 1950s, Johnson was the highest-paid screenwriter in the business, the pen behind The Grapes of Wrath, Tobacco Road, How to Marry a Millionaire, and The Dirty Dozen. Fellow Columbus native Robert Parrish went from Oscar-winning film editor to director, eventually helming Casino Royale. The silent era claimed its own
Nunnally Johnson McFadden Publications, Inc
local daughters, too: sisters Louise and Justina Huff appeared in early features including Great Expectations, and Juliette Compton built a career on the silver screen’s first decades. In more recent memory, Columbus has sent Wayne Brady to television, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas to music and film with TLC, and Bob the Drag Queen to RuPaul’s Drag Race. Fast forward to today. Columbus is still catching the eye of location 14
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TLC - Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas scouts, and just as important, it’s still building its own filmmaking community, one film at a time. Much has changed since the Vitascope first flickered across the Springer’s stage, but one thing hasn’t: this city has cinema in its blood. What comes next is up to us: the audiences, the crews, and the local businesses who open their doors whenever a production rolls into town. Two developments have me especially hopeful for the future. The first is a proposed federal film tax credit that could stack on top of Georgia’s own incentive, with a provision aimed at rural cities and towns like ours, which provides a real chance to keep more productions, and more of their spending, right here at home. The second is further down the road but no less exciting: the possibility that Columbus reopens an independent cinema house of its own.u
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Public Service Above Position
By Monica Jones
Avett Brothers Bassist Bob Crawford Brings John Quincy Adams Back Into The Conversation With A Debut Book About Principle, Power & An Extraordinary Second Act
and author with a master’s degree in history from Arizona State University. His first book, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick, grew from a sixepisode podcast series about the nation’s sixth president. The podcast gave Crawford six 30-minute episodes. The book gave him room to tell the fuller story—not simply of Adams, but of the abolitionists, political forces and ordinary citizens who shaped his evolution. Adams kept appearing in Crawford’s reading because his life crossed nearly every major question of the young nation. He witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill as a child, served in diplomatic posts, became secretary of state under James Monroe, helped formulate the Monroe Doctrine and negotiated territory that expanded the United States. Then came a contentious election, a troubled one-term presidency and defeat. That is where Crawford’s real interest begins. Months after Adams lost reelection, his eldest son died by suicide. Adams, who had long suffered from depression and often steadied himself through work, returned to public life after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He remains the only former president to serve in the House, where he spent 17 years and, in Crawford’s estimation, made his greatest contribution.
“He’s def initely not our greatest president,” Crawford said, “but I do think he is our greatest public servant.”
The Battle Of Bunker Hill By Winslow Homer
Amendment and the public’s right to petition its government. The book also follows abolitionists Benjamin Lundy and Theodore Weld, who represented different generations of the movement. Their relationships with the famously reserved Adams became unexpectedly tender. They gathered information and pushed the cause outside Washington while Adams fought inside the halls of power—a partnership between grassroots activism and public office. That history remains relevant, Crawford believes, because Americans often treat the presidency as the only office that truly matters. Adams’s second act challenges that assumption. When one of his sons questioned whether serving in Congress after the presidency was a step down, Adams rejected the premise. If his neighbors wanted him to serve even on a town council, he reasoned, how could he refuse? “It’s this idea of public service being above position,” Crawford said. Crawford is also concerned about the accumulation of presidential power and the fear that can keep public officials from challenging it. He sees Adams—who survived censure
America’s Founding Son focuses on Adams’ battle against
or Bob Crawford, American history did not begin as a career slavery during the 1830s and 1840s. Crawford does not present F plan. It began with books on a tour bus and a question big that development as clean or immediate. Adams considered enough to keep him reading: Was there a line connecting the nation’s founding to the America he was living in? Crawford, best known as the Grammy-nominated bassist for The Avett Brothers, started seriously reading history around 2004 and 2005. The work of David McCullough drew him in, particularly the way the author restored humanity to people often flattened into monuments and dates. Crawford initially went looking for a clear thread through the American story. He soon learned history was far less orderly than that.
slavery morally wrong, but earlier in his career he approached it pragmatically, believing the federal government lacked the constitutional authority to interfere with it in states where it existed. In Congress, however, he saw how deeply slavery affected virtually every question before the government.
“American history is not like a thread, or a straight road,” Crawford said. “It’s really like an ocean, and it’s deep, and it’s wide, and it’s complicated.”
The curiosity became a vocation in 2016, when Crawford and historian Ben Sawyer launched The Road to Now podcast. Sawyer had grown up with Scott and Seth Avett and the band’s tour manager, Dane Honeycutt, who had watched Crawford devour history books and insisted the two should meet. A decade later, Crawford is a public historian, podcaster
Bob Crawford
Scan Of John Quincy Adams’s Diary Entry For February 9, 1825, The Day He Won The Presidency
The turning point came as antislavery petitions poured into Congress. Southern lawmakers responded with what became known as the gag rule, preventing those petitions from being read or debated on the House floor. For Adams, the fight was no longer only about slavery. It was also about the First
“It radicalized him,” Crawford said. “In defending abolitionists’ rights to free speech, he slowly becomes an antislavery activist.”
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Treaty Of Paris, An Unfinished 1783 Portrait By Benjamin West With John Adams Seated In Front And Benjamin Franklin Beside Him
attempts, death threats and a hostile press—as a useful study in political courage. Adams could be difficult, cold and deeply flawed, but he was not easily cowed by power or popularity. Crawford brought a historian’s rigor to the book, particularly its extensive notes and sources. He often begins a history book at the back, following citations into other books and original documents. He wanted his readers to have the same opportunity. “Party in the front, work in the back,” he OCT OBER 2026
joked. The narrative should feel alive, but the evidence still has to hold. His life in music surfaced most clearly during editing. Writing, recording and songwriting all require material to be shaped, cut, reconsidered. “You have to read it out loud,” Crawford said. “That’s how music is, right? You record, and then you listen, and then you change it.” He resists forcing a tidy metaphor between playing bass and writing history. The better connection is more practical: The Avett Brothers have given him an audience that may never have considered opening a book about John Quincy Adams. Crawford wants to meet those readers where they are and invite them into the larger story. “My goal is to bring people into history,” he said. “To take it out of the academy and bring it to the street, because that’s what music’s all about.” For listeners who arrive because they love the band but do not consider themselves history people, Crawford offers a simple entry point. This is the story of a man—not a monument, not a list of dates and not a flawless hero. Adams was an unsuccessful president, an imperfect husband and father, and a consequential servant of his country. “Don’t be turned off by the subject matter,” Crawford said. “I hope that people will see the humanity in the historical narrative.” u
EVENT INFORMATION
Bob Crawford will discuss America’s Founding Son at a free lunchtime author event Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road. No reservations are required. Books will be available for purchase and signing. The Avett Brothers perform at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
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The Diaries of John Quincy Adams 1779–1848
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marriage to Cher and the private, often sensitive person behind one of Southern rock’s most recognizable voices. Keach’s credits include producing Walk the Line and directing acclaimed music documentaries about Glen Campbell, David Crosby and Linda Ronstadt. For this project, he worked with producer Michael Lehman, Allman’s longtime manager and friend, to build a portrait that reaches beyond familiar rock mythology. Archival recordings, candid interviews and
Returns To The Big Screen At The Loft An Intimate One-Night Screening Brings The Music Of My Soul
To Downtown Columbus With Dinner, Drinks & Room For Only 72 Guests By the LocaL Staff
Gregg Allman spent a lifetime turning hard things into music. Grief, addiction, family, fame and the complicated history of the South all found their way into that unmistakable voice. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Columbus audiences will get a closer look at the man behind it when The Loft presents an intimate screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul. The event is part of a national series of one-night screenings designed to show the documentary somewhere closer to a concert setting than a traditional multiplex. That distinction matters. The film is built around music meant to be heard loud,
rarely seen concert footage place viewers close to the Allman Brothers Band at its creative peak while allowing Allman to speak, often painfully, for himself. The documentary does not dodge the darker parts of the story. It follows the weight of early loss, Allman’s anger after Duane’s death and the addictions that nearly consumed him. But it also pays attention to what he made from that pain: songs that sounded lived-in from the first listen and performances that could feel bruised, defiant and joyful within the same breath. The film also puts the Allman Brothers Band back into the larger story of American music. Their sound drew deeply from blues, soul, country and jazz, and the band rejected racial divisions that still defined much of the South when integrated rock groups were rare. That history gives the documentary more to consider than the rise and fall of another famous musician. It asks what the band represented, where its sound came from and why it continues to travel across generations. Lehman has said the film should be experienced more
like a live concert than a conventional movie. That is the thinking behind taking it into music rooms across the country: audiences can gather with friends, have a drink, see the archival performances on a large screen and treat the night as a shared celebration rather than another evening on the couch. That approach fits The Loft. For decades, the Broadway venue has been one of Columbus’ familiar places for live music, dinner and the kind of nights that become local stories later. Pairing this film with a limited-capacity dinner experience gives the screening some of the communal electricity the documentary is trying to preserve. Allman died in 2017 at his home in Savannah after complications from liver cancer. He left behind five decades of recordings, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legacy and songs including “Whipping Post,” “Dreams” and “It’s Not My Cross to Bear.” The Music of My Soul argues that the music endured because Allman never managed - or perhaps never tried - to hide every scar inside it. u Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul screens Tuesday, Oct. 27, at The Loft, 1032 Broadway in downtown Columbus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.; the f ilm starts at 7:45 p.m. Movie-only tickets are $25, with dinner packages available. Seating is limited to 72. Tickets and additional information are available at TheLoft.com.
in a room full of people who understand what the first few notes of “Midnight Rider” can do. The Loft will keep the gathering deliberately small, with only 72 seats available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the film at 7:45 p.m. Movie-only tickets are $25, with dinner packages also available. A portion of ticket sales will support music education through Gregg Allman scholarship funds or a local charitable organization dedicated to live music. Directed by Grammy and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker James Keach, The Music of My Soul traces Allman’s life from a childhood shattered by his father’s murder through the formation of the Allman Brothers Band, the death of his brother Duane, decades of addiction and his eventual sobriety. The film also explores his solo career, his widely publicized LocaL
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Jontavious Willis, Jayy Hopp, Stephen Hull and Dylan Triplett - taken for ‘the Talbotton Sessions
Where the BLUES Still Live Six Years After A Handful Of Musicians Planted The Seed, Talbotton Bluesfest Is Growing Into A Regional Celebration
Of Music, History & The People Determined To Preserve Both
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here is a moment along the drive from Columbus to Talbotton when the traffic thins, the sky opens and West Georgia begins showing off. The roads curve through farmland and tall pines. Small towns appear and disappear. Less than an hour
By Monica Jones
celebration bringing together musicians, dancers, historians and visitors from across the region. This year’s festival will spread across the grounds of Zion Church and neighboring Straus-LeVert Hall, with music and programming taking place inside both historic buildings and on the outdoor stage. The day begins with Sacred Harp singing and moves through gospel, acoustic traditions, harmonica, fiddle, electric blues, Louisiana rhythms, dance and cultural conversations before saxophonist Vanessa Collier closes the night.
from Columbus, the pace changes—and on Saturday, Oct. 24, those roads will lead to Historic Zion Church, where a festival begun during one of the strangest moments in recent history is preparing for its biggest year yet. Now in its sixth year, Talbotton BluesFEST has grown from a small gathering built on little more than faith, friendship and a love of the blues into a daylong It is an ambitious program, but its roots are remarkably simple. Before there was a festival, there were four musicians inside an old church. West Georgia blues musician Jontavious Willis first heard about Zion from his friend Connie Ray, who described it as one of the most remarkable small churches she had ever visited, with acoustics that deserved to be heard. Willis was intrigued. His family had connections to Talbotton, but he had never visited the church. He traveled there with fellow musicians Jayy Hopp, Stephen Hull and Dylan Triplett—then performing as Little Dylan—and they recorded several videos inside the LocaL
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Jontavious Willis, Jayy Hopp and Dylan Triplett building as part of what became known as the Talbotton Sessions. The response online was strong enough to stir a larger idea. “We should do a festival,” Willis remembers thinking. The sessions took place in fall 2020, when COVID had limited opportunities for musicians and audiences to gather. By the following year, as people began emerging from isolation and outdoor events offered one of the safest ways to come together, Willis and others were working with the people behind Zion’s restoration to create the first BluesFEST. That inaugural festival was originally scheduled for May, but severe weather forced organizers to postpone it until June 26. When the day finally arrived, so did the people. “It was just this huge crowd,” Katherine Johnson remembers. “It was fantastic.” She and her late husband, David, first became involved with Zion in the late 1980s, when the church’s interior was restored. Their more active preservation
work began around 2008, driven in large part by David’s deep appreciation for historic buildings and the labor, craftsmanship and community memory held within them. OCT OBER 2026
“The more we got involved with it, the more we loved it,” she says. “The more we got involved with it, the more people we knew in Talbotton. It just becomes family.” After years of inconsistent use and mounting preservation needs, Zion was transferred from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Supporters began the long work of securing public involvement and funding for the Jontavious Willis with Stephen Hull behind the scenes have grown considerably as the program expands in scale and scope. He has shaped an ambitious program that reaches beyond a traditional succession of stage performances. He wanted classes. He wanted conversations. He wanted visitors to encounter the history carried inside the music—and perhaps learn enough to join in. Throughout the day, the Atlanta Blues Dance Society will offer lessons designed for experienced dancers as well as people still negotiating with their two left feet. Harmonica player Andrew Alli will lead a class, while Lamont Pearley and Tafara Muhammad will host cultural conversations inside Straus-LeVert Hall. “I wanted to incorporate other elements, not just the music,” Willis says. “I wanted to have some classes and some talks like I’m used to going to at other festivals.”
building’s exterior restoration. “You just said to yourself, ‘We don’t fail,’” Johnson recalls. “‘We’re not going to fail these people.’” BluesFEST became one of the first major events to welcome the public back to Zion following the restoration. Since then, the festival has grown alongside a broader vision for the church, Straus-LeVert Hall and Talbotton itself. Johnson sees the two buildings as living spaces capable of bringing music, weddings, receptions, theatrical performances, lectures, tours, retreats and film productions into the community. “Talbotton is proud of those two places now,” she says. “They’re all fixed up, they’re being used, and it is energizing them to do more.” GROWING THE SEED Willis has served as artistic director since BluesFEST began, helping shape the festival from its earliest days. This year, both the festival and his role
The expanded programming has been made possible in part through a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. Willis’s existing relationships with Smithsonian staff helped connect Talbotton BluesFEST with the initiative, bringing new resources and national attention to a festival grounded firmly in a small Georgia town. Despite that growing reach, Willis deliberately built most of the lineup close to home. More than 70 percent of the participating artists are regional performers. The result is not one narrow definition of blues, but the Front Porch Collective
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Vanessa Collier
The revue brings together Gussie and Robert Parks, Eddie Hinton, fiddler Callie Hammond, Gary Waters and Alabama Mike, supported by additional musicians. For Willis, the group’s appearance in Talbotton is both a debut and an opportunity to give these artists something capable of continuing beyond a single festival. Robert Parks was the first guitarist Willis remembers seeing perform live. Parks still plays at the church where Willis grew up, and Willis will join him for a song during the revue before stepping into his own set. The larger lineup moves fluidly between generations and styles.
Bruce Sunpie Barnes
Alia Torres, Image by Wanda Sims
a portrait of the music as it has moved through churches, front porches, family gatherings, dance floors, juke joints and generations. “It’s old-fashioned music, but it’s new-fashioned people bringing it,” Willis says. The day will begin inside Zion with Sacred Harp singing, an unaccompanied vocal tradition built around shape-note music and communal harmony. The “harp” is not an instrument but the human voice. Willis’s connection to the singers began with a rare recording he discovered in Biloxi, Mississippi. The collection of acetate discs contained Sacred Harp singing credited to Lois Livingston. After Willis shared the recording online, a woman responded that Livingston was her grandmother—and that she had never heard her grandmother sing. Willis sent her the audio. That unexpected exchange eventually led him to the singers who will open BluesFEST. Albert white
Columbus vocalist Alia Torres, whose voice Willis describes as angelic, returns to BluesFEST as one of the region’s brightest musical treasures. Alabama Annie brings piano, guitar and the unvarnished energy that has recently earned her hundreds of thousands of views from performances posted from her front porch. Atlanta guitarist Albert White arrives carrying decades of musical history. The nephew of noted blues pianists Piano Red and Speckled Red, White has built his own life in blues and R&B and remains, in his 80s, a powerful connection to the music’s past. As evening settles over Talbotton, the energy rises. Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots will bring harmonica, accordion and the pulse of New Orleans to the outdoor stage. A former professional football player and longtime park ranger, Barnes is, in Willis’s words, “like a modern-day John Henry.” “He holds that big old accordion, and he holds court when he plays,” Willis says. “Sunpie is going to make you sweat.”
Stephen Hull follows with a full band and the highenergy electric blues he has carried from his Wisconsin home to stages around the world. Then comes Vanessa Collier. A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for turning the saxophone into a commanding lead voice, Collier moves easily through blues, soul, funk, rock and jazz. Willis first encountered her on the festival circuit nearly a decade ago and knew she could close Talbotton’s biggest BluesFEST with the force it deserved. “She has such a variety of songs,” he says. “Some of it is blues, some of it is jazz, and some of it is just an array of good feeling and good sound—and so much high energy.” CLOSE TO THE HEART Willis knows what it is to arrive at a festival, play his scheduled set and leave knowing little about what it took Stephen Hull
Alabama Annie
“It’s kind of a full-circle situation,” he says. That spirit of preservation continues with the Piney Woods Session Revue, made up largely of musicians Willis recorded earlier this year at Piney Woods Farm in LaGrange. Many had never been professionally recorded before. Willis understood what could be lost if no one captured their voices. He had heard too many stories— some from within his own family—about extraordinary musicians whose music survives only in the memories of people who once heard them play. LocaL
to build the day around him. Talbotton is different. Here, he knows the people. He knows the obstacles. He knows how many conversations, favors, donations, meetings and acts of stubborn faith were required to move the festival from an idea into its sixth year. “When you perform in a show versus being behind the scenes—knowing the people and seeing what it takes to actually grow that seed—it brings you much closer to the heart of it,” he says. That connection reaches into his own history. Born in LaGrange and raised in Greenville, Willis attended 22
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school in Troup County before studying at Columbus State University. He now lives in Luthersville, almost directly between Atlanta and Columbus, in the same broad stretch of West Georgia his family has called home for generations. He travels extensively, but home remains unmistakable to him. “The Georgia sky and those pines— they kiss so pretty, like nowhere else,” he says. “The sky looks different at home than it does anywhere else.” That love of place can be heard throughout the festival he has curated. Although BluesFEST is growing—and although this year’s lineup and Smithsonian collaboration may introduce Talbotton to an entirely new audience—its value does not rest on becoming bigger simply for the sake of being big. It rests on bringing good people together. Willis speaks of the musicians as “honest,” “cool” and “down home”—artists whose humanity is present in the music regardless of the style they play. He is less interested in hierarchy than in creating a complete experience and giving audiences an opportunity to encounter performers they may not otherwise know. “What matters is putting on a good festival,” he says, “and letting people see the different talents from around.” You do not need to arrive knowing every artist. You do not need to understand the difference between Piedmont blues, electric blues and Sacred Harp singing. You do not need to consider yourself a blues scholar—or even a blues fan. Come curious. Take the drive through the pines. Walk Vanessa Collier inside Zion and hear voices fill a church Image by saved by people who refused to let it Joseph A. Rosen disappear. Cross the grounds to StrausLeVert Hall. Learn a dance step. Listen to a story. Discover a musician whose name you did not know that morning. Then stay as the sun goes down and the whole thing begins to shake loose. Talbotton BluesFEST takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, at Historic Zion Church and Straus-LeVert Hall in Talbotton, Georgia. Programming begins at 10 a.m., with Vanessa Collier closing the outdoor stage from 8:30–9:30 p.m. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Tickets and complete festival information are available at ZionChurchTalbotton.org.u Vanessa Collier
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