CD release ushers in spectacular two weeks

Hold on tight! Twice each year the stars align to produce a surge of quality entertainment that is almost beyond belief. It’s that time of year again. Hallelujah!

In the next two weeks, we’re looking at an array of music, theater and film that will leave us begging for longer weekends. In the music world, today marks the release of the CD by Mike Mills and Robert McDuffie, “Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra” on Orange Mountain Music. And, yes, the pair’s national tour includes stops in Macon and Atlanta. They’ll be at the City Auditorium on Oct. 27 and at Emory University the following evening.

But the CD release is just the beginning of a spectacular two weeks. Tonight the Mercer University Orchestra and Ward Stare present a free concert in Fickling Hall, and just days later, the Fabian Concert Series opens its new season with a performance that includes bassist faculty member Daniel Tosky’s first appearance in the series.

In a lighter vein, this year’s Jazz and the Arts on Riverdale is set for the afternoon of Oct. 22 and the following weekend the Macon Pops will present the first concert in Mercer’s Hawkins Arena.

THEATER, FILM AND HD

On stage this weekend we have a diverse collection of shows. “Messiah on the Frigidaire” by University of Georgia graduate John Culberston is at Macon Little Theatre, while at Theatre Macon is “Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grill,” yet another comedy with theological overtones.

While these two concurrent productions will run through Oct. 23, at the Rose Theater in Forsyth is “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a classic comedy that will close Sunday afternoon. I would be remiss if I did not tell you that this is also the closing weekend for the highly-praised “Thurgood” at Atlanta’s Theatrical Outfit.

At the Douglass Theatre on Tuesday is the documentary “Weiner,” chronicling the efforts of former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner to overcome his sexting scandal. The film is sponsored by the Macon Film Guild, the Macon Film Festival and (get ready!) Nu-Way Wieners. On Sunday at the Douglass is the National Theatre Live HD presentation of Terrence Rattingan’s highly praised “The Deep Blue Sea.”

FAREWELL, LOYD

Macon lost a musical giant last week. Loyd Landrum earned our eternal gratitude for so much of what is wonderful about music in Macon. His passion was such that he was attending concerts up until almost his final days. Ave atque vale.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "CD release ushers in spectacular two weeks."