festivals

Peach Blossom Festival

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Lane Southern Orchards, 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley. Entertainment, Mark Ballard cooking demonstration from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., food and gift vendors, petting zoo and wine tasting. www.lanesouthernorchards.com.

Forsythia Festival

7 a.m.-6 p.m. March 9 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 10, downtown Forsyth. Fun events for the whole family including music, art, crafts, used book sale, 5K race, faith services and kids activities. www.forsythiafestival.com.

The Dukes of Hazzard Georgia Reunion, Classic Car Show and Music Festival

4-11 p.m. March 8, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. March 9 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 10, Old Middle Georgia Raceway, 4015 U.S. 41 North, Byron. March 8: concert by David Allan Coe at 5 p.m. March 9: original cast members John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach, James Best, Sonny Shroyer, Ben Jones and Rick Hurst will be signing autographs. Classic car show, family activities and helicopter rides. Proceeds benefit local children and families. One day pass is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Multi-day pass is $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. Children 6 and younger and seniors 65 and older are free. www.dukesofhazzardgareunion.com.

Cherry Blossom Festival Kickoff

Think Pink Kickoff: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, ACME Paint and Decorating, 1979 Riverside Drive. Cherry blossom car window painting; charges vary. Decorative 18-inch pink wooden poodles, $25. Meet Petals the Poodle, greet the 2013 Cherry Blossom royalty. Yoshino cherry trees, $10. Pink golf cart raffle, $5 tickets. Free admission. Cherry Blossom Festival is March 15-24, downtown Macon. The Pinkest Party on Earth. www.cherryblossom.com.

Mulberry Street Arts and Crafts Festival

March 23-24, Mulberry Street, downtown Macon. Arts and crafts festival with hundreds of vendors. Free to attend. www.middlegeorgiaart.org.

Bluebirds and Bluegrass Festival

9 a.m. March 30, Dauset Trails Nature Center, 360 Mount Vernon Road, Jackson. Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. Fun activities for the whole family, plus music from the Packway Handle Band, Johny Roquemore and the Apostles of Bluegrass and Cabin Point. www.dausettrails.com.

MARKETS

Wesleyan Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 9, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road. The event features a variety of locally grown and produced items ranging from flowers and organic fruits and vegetables to baked goods, art and crafts. Music, fun and educational events also offered. 757-5233. Free.

GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN

The Queens of Comedy

6 p.m. March 9, New Elim Baptist Church, 4368 Hartley Bridge Road. Featuring Jill Elliott and Chef Audrey. Refreshments will be served following the show. Suitable for all ages. Mark Hales, 235-1333. Donations accepted.

The Old Paths

6 p.m. March 16, Byron Baptist Church, 100 W. White Road, Byron. Keith Scott, 951-7272. Donations accepted.

Remembering Good Friday

7 p.m. March 29, The Rain Church, 257 Gunn Road, Warner Robins. Dance, music and drama. 953-7246. www.therainchurch.com.

JAZZ

Swing Into Spring

8 p.m. Friday, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Featuring Freddy Cole, brother of Nat “King” Cole. $25 advance, $30 at door, and $40 for VIP reserved seating and a pre-concert performance reception meet-and-greet with the artist. 742-2000.

DJS Jazz Social

6 p.m. March 24, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Presented by the Douglass Jazz Society, featuring music, refreshments, trivia and prizes. $5, free for DJS members. 742-2000.

VARIETY

First Friday in the Alley

5:30 p.m.-until Friday, Mulberry Street Lane, downtown Macon. Music from Go Box, from Atlanta. Free. Visit facebook.com/MaconFirstFriday for more details on what’s happening downtown.

Middle Georgia Talent Search

Friday-Saturday, Hawkinsville Opera House. Open to all ages. (478) 783-1884. www.hawkinsvilleoperahouse.com.

Big Bird Bash

Noon Saturday, Luther Williams Field at Central City Park, downtown Macon. Featuring the Drive By Truckers, Drivin N’ Cryin, Modern Skirts, Gringo Grande, Modern Sound Professors and Back City Woods. $25. www.bigbirdbash.com.

Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

8:30 p.m. March 9, Cox Capitol Theatre, 382 Second St. With special guests Homeless Hill. $16 in advance, $18 day of. 257-6391. www.coxcapitoltheatre.com.

Harlem Globetrotters

7 p.m. March 13, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. $20.50-$68.50. Additional Magic Pass ($20) allows children to spend time on court with the Globetrotters before their show. www.maconcentreplex.com.

Battle of the Bands

6 p.m. March 14 at the Market on Madison, Dublin. Hosted by the Student Government Association of Middle Georgia State College’s Dublin campus. Featuring the Paper Arcadia, AJ Davidson, Scott Fields and the Barbacks, the Matthew White Band, Turner Down and Living Love. (478) 275-6768.

Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley

7:30 p.m. March 14, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. With special guest Lee Brice. $27.50 and $52.25. www.ticketmaster.com.

Bible Belt Burlesque

9 p.m. March 16, Cox Capitol Theatre, 382 Second St. Paddy Waggin’s Pasties on Parade featuring Talloolah Love. $15. 257-6391. www.coxcapitoltheatre.com.

Elton John

8 p.m. March 20, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. $39, $79 and $139. www.ticketmaster.com.

Claire Lynch

7:30 p.m. March 22, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Two-time Grammy nominee for best bluegrass album. Acousticproductions.com. $20 adults in advance, $22 adults at door, $10 students.

Cherry Blossom Festival Street Party

5 p.m. March 23, downtown Macon. Featuring 38 Special, the Dirty Guv’nahs, Atlanta Funk Society and the Wild Feathers. $12 in advance, $20 at the gate. All ages event. Rain or shine. www.cherryblossom.com.

Suzy Bogguss

7:30 p.m. March 23, the Rose Theater, 23 W. Johnston St., Forsyth. $32 general admission. Tickets available at the Rose box office or by calling (478) 994-3118.

The Return

7 p.m. March 30, Theatre Dublin, 314 Academy Ave., Dublin. Beatles tribute band. Benefits J.O.Y. Medical Clinic. (478) 277-5074. www.returntothe1960s.com. $20 advance, $25 at door.

DANCES

First Friday Dance

8-10 p.m. Friday, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 301 Cherry St. Sponsored by Paula East and USA Dance No. 6059. Dancing with a DJ to a variety of music. Dress casual. www.gshf.org. 752-1585. $5 per person.

Steppers Bash

8 p.m. Saturday, JD’s Drama and Dinner Theater, 550 Riverside Drive. Live music with Interchange and NeuBreed, followed by a DJ. Tickets available at Habersham Records. $10 ticket price include lesson in stepping Chicago style at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. 718-3714.

Workshops with Dahlia Aitova

Noon, American Smooth, and 1 p.m. Latin, March 9, Howard Community Club, 5645 Forsyth Road. Hosted by Greater Macon Chapter No. 6059 of USA Dance. Members of USA Dance or non-members, couples and singles welcome. To sign up for the workshops, contact Dianne Kent, 986-4110 or dgk629@windstream.net. $20 per workshop or $30 for both.

Monthly Dance

8-10:30 p.m. March 9, Howard Community Club, 5645 Forsyth Road. Hosted by Greater Macon Chapter of USA Dance No. 6059. A variety of music to dance to by a DJ. Light refreshments, dressy casual. www.usad6059.org. 743-7970.

Big Peach Dance

8 p.m. March 16, Alva Tabor facility, Camp John Hope, 281 Hope Entrance Road, Fort Valley. The Fabulous Boomers will perform live. Benefits the Georgia Peach Festival and the Jay’s Hope Foundation. Participants are encouraged to bring their own table settings, food and beverages. A $100 cash prize will be presented for the best table decorations. Reservations can be made at www.gapeachfestival.com or call Cindy, (478) 972-2821, or Emily, (478) 966-4138. $150 table for six; $200 table for eight; $300 table for 12.

MUSIC HALLS

Bleckley County Jamboree

7 p.m. Fridays, Oak Grove Community Center, Ga. 126, Cochran. Classic country and gospel music, featuring Josh Lucas and Friends. (478) 230-3380. Free.

Hollonville Opry House

6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Ga. 362, Hollonville. This week: Patchwork, Making Memories, Bonnie Ridge Bluegrass and Kirkland and Friends. (770) 228-4832 or hollonvilleopry.com. Free; operated on donations.

Juliette Opry House

5:30 p.m. front porch local bluegrass jam; 7 p.m. open mic stage show; 8 p.m. headliner stage show; every first Saturday; Ga. 87, Juliette. Call 335-3895 for tickets or buy online at www.acousticproductions.com. $17.

Ole Clinton Opry

6:30-10 p.m. Fridays, 215 Old Ga. 18, Gray. This week: 5 p.m. Tommy and Friends, 6 p.m. Sanders and Simon, 7:15 p.m. welcome party for the new lessee of the Opry, 8 p.m. Country Rose. (478) 461-3544 or www.clintonopry.com. Free; donations accepted.

Powersville Opry

4-9 p.m. Saturdays; south onto Powersville Road off Ga. 247 Connector between Warner Robins and Ga. 49. This week: 4:30 p.m. House Band, 6 p.m. Lizella B.G., 7:30 p.m. Charles Oliver and Friends. Also open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. (478) 328-0678 or powersvilleopry.com. Free.

Wagon House Opry

6:30-10 p.m. Saturdays, 699 Altman Road, Haddock. This week: 6:30 p.m. Magnum, 7:30 p.m. Southern Nights, 9 p.m. Walnut Creek. Contact Randy, (478) 363-1274. Free; donations accepted.

Williamson Music Barn

Saturdays, 2232 Ga. 362 West, Williamson. Call John Williams, (770) 380-1935 or (770) 595-6947. For bookings, call (770) 375-8490. Free; donations accepted.

FILMS

Macon Film Guild

Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Films show at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. March 10: “Holy Motors.” April 14: “Amour.” Documentary series special presentation: “West of Memphis” at 7:30 p.m. April 23. 742-2000. Maconfilmguild.org. $5.

Senior Cinema: “Beasts of the Southern Wild”

2 p.m. March 13, Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Free for senior citizens. 742-2000.

FUNDRAISERS

Vineville Baptist Church Children’s Consignment Sale

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Ave. Select items half price Saturday. This is a non-profit fundraiser for children and youth ministries. 955-2182.

GEICO Road Race

9 a.m. Saturday, GEICO, 4295 Ocmulgee East Blvd. Benefits Middle Georgia Special Olympics. Register at www.geicoroadrace.com; race day registration will be available from 7-9 a.m. Randy Thompson, rathompson@geico.com or 744-4139. $25; $15 for participants under age 20.

The Undy 5000 5K Run/Walk

9 a.m. Saturday, Wesleyan College, 4760 Forsyth Road. Sponsored by the Coliseum’s Cancer Institute for Colon Cancer Awareness Month and benefitting the Colon Cancer Alliance. Participants are encouraged to run in their underwear. Instead of race day T-shirts, all registered participants receive a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers. Also includes a kids’ fun run and activities, including a bounce house. www.undy5000.org. 765-4805.

Kareem Jackson Celebrity Basketball Game

3 p.m. Saturday, Westside High School gymnasium, 2851 Heath Road. Kareem Jackson, Macon native, returns with his NFL, MLB and Olympic team friends. During halftime, there will be a high school dunk competition and a cheer-off featuring the Westside High School cheerleaders and other squads from the area. Benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia. Advance tickets, Cathy Snook, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, 743-5143.

Benefit Concert

6 p.m. Saturday, Crawford County Board of Education auditorium, Ga. 80, Roberta. Featuring New Grace and the Whisnants. Donations accepted. Benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 935-8163 or 956-1884.

Charity Dinner

6:30 p.m. Monday, Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave. Hosted by Mercer University Prosthetics and Orthotics Club, the event features a silent auction and a multi-course meal prepared by Chef Justin Keegan, executive chef of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Proceeds will be used for medicine, prosthetics, food and supplies for children visited in Vietnam during the club’s mission trip. $25 each or $160 for table seating eight. Gary Wall, gwall04@yahoo.com. www.muprosthetics.com.

Pull for the House

10 a.m.-noon, March 16, Cherry Street Plaza, downtown Macon. Benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia. Teams of 15 will compete to see who can pull a 70,000 pound truck for 40 feet in the fastest time. Inflatables, face painting, bean bag toss, sidewalk chalk decorating, concessions and more. Deadline for team T-shirt orders is Friday. 746.4090. www.rmhccga.org. The event is free to attend, although a $1 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities is requested for some of the activities.

Barbwire Bluegrass Band

7-9 p.m. March 16, Telfair Center for the Arts, 119 College St., McRae. Benefits Telfair County Relay for Life. Rip Maneely, (229) 868-7114. $10.

Cherry Blossom Road Race

8:15 a.m. 5K, 10K and Kids Corral; 9:15 a.m. one-mile fun run, March 23, Howard Middle School, 6600 Forsyth Road. Kids Corral includes inflatables, face painting, popcorn, sno-cones and other fun activies. Benefits Wesley Glen. www.cherryblossomroad.com Wesley Glen, 471-3711. $12 Fun Run; $20 5K/10K race, family discounts available.

LITERARY/LECTURES

Colby Marshall Book Signing

Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Good Books Cafe, 5171 Eisenhower Pkwy. The author will be signing her new thriller, “Chain of Command,” which will also be available for purchase. 471-4804.

Aubrey Hammack Book Signing

1-3 p.m. March 9, 57 North Jackson St., Forsyth. The author will be signing his book, “The Winning Edge: Lessons from Billy Henderson” at the Forsythia Festival Used Book Sale. aubreyhammack@bellsouth.net. 747-1366.

Audubon Society Event

7 p.m. March 11, Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Road. Featuring James Hunt, author of “Restless Fires,” a rendering of John Muir’s 1,000 mile walk through the South shortly after the Civil War. 477-3232.

Lunch and Learn: Birdsongs

Noon-1 p.m. March 14, Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Road. Dr. Jim Ferrari, Wesleyan College professor of biology, will present a program about the diversity of birdsongs, identification calls, their significance and their beauty. Advance registration required by March 9. $15 per person includes light lunch and drink. 477-3232.

Jason Clark, Southeastern Reptile Rescue

1 p.m. March 21, lakeside patio between the Jones and Professional Sciences buildings, Macon Campus, Middle Georgia State College. The star of Animal Planet’s “SnakesKin” will discuss reptiles and amphibians and some of the myths associated with them. His mobile museum will also be on campus. In case of rain, the presentation will take place in the Math Building auditorium. Jeffrey Mohr at jeffrey.mohr@maconstate.edu. Free.

Friends of the Library Old Book Sale

10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 21-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 23, noon-5 p.m. March 24, Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive. Admission and parking are free.

PAGEANTS

Miss Georgia Peach Scholarship Pageant

March 16, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley. Entry deadline is March 9. Any Georgia girl age 4-23 is eligible. Optional talent competition in all groups except Tiny Miss. Queens serve as official ambassadors of the Georgia Peach Festival and are recognized by the Georgia legislature and governor. www.missgeorgiapeach.org, (478) 923-3846 or missgapeachpageant@email.com.

Miss Black is Beautiful Pageant

6 p.m. March 17, Douglass Theater, 355 Martin Luther King Blvd. Josephine or Michael Johnson, 508-8518 or 978-1758.

Miss Pride of Jones County Pageant

April 20, Jones County High School Gymnasium, Gray. For pre-K through 12th grade residents of Jones County. Sponsored by JCHS Band Boosters. Entries must be post marked by Friday. Entries and rules are at www.jonescountybands.com. For information, e-mail MissPride2013@gmail.com.

ET CETERA

Morning Bird Walk

8 a.m. Friday, High Falls State Park, 76 High Falls Park Drive, Jackson. Wear walking shoes and bring binoculars for a guided walk in search for some of the common birds in the area. Meet at the park office. $5 plus $5 parking. (478) 993-3053.

Hay Day: The Ladies of Hay House

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Hay House, 934 Georgia Ave. Self-guided tours, special exhibits, music and fun activities for children all centered around the legacy of the ladies of Hay House, from Anne Clark Tracy to Maude Hay. Free. 742-8155.

Young Eagles Flight Rally

10 a.m. Saturday, Terminal Building, Heart of Georgia Regional Airport, Airport Road, Eastman. Registration closes at noon. Young people ages 8 to 17 will have a chance to take to the skies with pilots from Chapter 1332 of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Pilots will explain more about their airplanes, allowing young people to discover how airplanes work and about safety. www.youngeagles.org. Charlie Spratt, (478) 448-4737.

Craft Beer Tasting

6-8 p.m. Saturday, WineStyles Macon, 6255 Zebulon Road. Six different craft beers and munchies. 474-9595. $7 per person.

Italian Sauce Tastings

7 p.m. Wednesday and March 13 and 20, Marco Ristorante Italiano, 4581 Forsyth Road. Guests will be treated to a selection of Italian sauces prepared by Executive Chef Gianluca Sciagata. Before each course, Gianluca will describe the featured sauce, its ingredients and preparation method. Each event will feature three different dishes, salad and dessert served family style. Seating will be at tables of six or eight. Entire tables can be purchased. Reservations must be made in advance, 405-5660. Individual Tickets: $50 without wine, $75 with wine pairings.

Shelby West Pottery

10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 15, Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry St. Local potter Shelby West will demonstrate pottery on a 19th century-style foot treadle turn table in the Cannonball House’s backyard garden. Learn how early potters plied their trade. $6 includes tour. 745-5982.

St. Patty’s Party in Mercer Village

11 a.m.-10 p.m. March 16, Mercer Village, Montpelier Avenue near Mercer University. Green and New Orleans-inspired food and drink specials, arts and crafts for the kids, live jazz music and St. Patrick’s’ Day walking parades at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Free. 301-2008. www.mercervillage.com.

Macon Mud Run

11 a.m. March 16, Hephzibah Children’s Home, off Zebulon Road. A 5K adventure race through countless mud pits/mud walls/mud hills, climb over boulders, climb up and down ravines, cross through a pond, tunnel and finish with our 100-foot slip ‘n slide into one last mud pit! Open to individuals or teams. 1K Mini Mud for children ages 6-11. Entry in 5k: $50, $55 on March 1. Mini Mud is $15. Benefits Hephzibah Children’s Home. www.maconmudrun.com.

Cherry Blossom Festival Lantern Light Tour

March 15-17 and 22-24, Ocmulgee National Monument, 1207 Emery Highway. Guided and self-guided tours are available, with guided tours beginning at 7:30 p.m. and starting every half hour through 9 p.m. Each family participating will receive a lantern to carry during the one-mile tour. Tickets are available for pre-sale at the Ocmulgee National Monument museum store beginning March 1. 752-8257. $5, ages 12 and under are free.

Clark Powell Blacksmithing

10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 23, Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry St. Clark Powell and friends will demonstrate the artistic talents of blacksmithing. See amazing pieces of jewelry made out of raw steel and learn how the tradition of this once thriving trade is carried on today. $6 includes tour. 745-5982.

First Day of Spring Hike

10 a.m. March 23, High Falls State Park, 76 High Falls Park Drive, Jackson. Join the park naturalist on a hike looking for signs of spring. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. $4 plus $5 parking. (478) 993-3053.

MUSEUM EVENTS

Annual Instrument Petting Zoo

1:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Museum of Arts and Sciences, 4182 Forsyth Road. The Macon Symphony Orchestra and the museum partner to introduce kids the musical instruments. With a performance by the Macon Youth Orchestra. Free. 477-3232.