Tag Archive for: Athens

THE CLASSIC CENTER TO HOST BALLOONIVERSITY EVENT IN ATHENS GA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/29/22

Free event is open to the public for the first time ever, inviting the guests to view the one-of-a-kind balloon displays and help raise money for charity

Sunday, August 14 2-5pm

 

The Classic Center is proud to host Ballooniversity®, an industry convention created by burton + BURTON® for balloon and floral professionals; and for the first time, burton + BURTON® is inviting the public to view the one-of-a-kind balloon display at their 40th anniversary Ballooniversity® event on Sunday, August 14, from 2–5 p.m. An out-of-this-world exhibit with more than 100,000 balloons will be on display in the Grand Hall at The Classic Center during the Balloon Showcase which will also include live entertainers that children of all ages will love.

Admission to the Balloon Showcase is FREE. Donations are appreciated and will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens and Extra Special People (ESP). 100% of all donations will go directly to these charities. burton + BURTON will make a charitable contribution to both organizations and deliver balloon art to their local headquarters.

Each Ballooniversity® features an exciting theme, and for 2022, that theme is “The Future Is Ours”–a celebration of space and exploration. Balloon designers from around the world will create space-themed balloon art, from planets to rocket ships to aliens.

To reserve a time to visit, go to ClassicCenter.com/BalloonShowcase.

ATHENS RESTAURANT WEEK 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/11/22

Visit Athens GA Highlights Unique Dining Venues

Ahead of Annual Athens Restaurant Week

The second annual Athens Restaurant Week will take place from July 11-17, 2022, offering residents and visitors a taste of the budding dining destination

 

Visit Athens GA, The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, is celebrating the upcoming Athens Restaurant Week by sharing unique dining venues and authentic culinary experiences that residents and visitors can enjoy in the destination. The week-long celebration taking place July 11-17, 2022 will offer curated menus and specials from the best local restaurants and taprooms.

“Athens Restaurant Week celebrates the resiliency of our vibrant restaurant community and encourages residents and visitors to support these businesses by dining local,” said Katie Williams, Director of the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Participating restaurants will offer various pre-fixed options for lunch and dinner at special prices all week long. Lunch specials will have at least two courses priced at $10 or $15 and dinner specials will feature at least three courses priced at $25 or $35. Local breweries are also getting in on the action by offering beer flights for $10. Additionally, dessert spots will have special creations for just $5.

“Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity for Athenians and visitors to experience the culinary creations of Athens’ talented chefs,” said Linda Ford, Director of Business Services at the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

Located 60 miles northeast of Atlanta, Athens has emerged as a top dining destination in recent years. James Beard winner Hugh Acheson helped put the destination on the map, first with his own Five & Ten, then with an ever-expanding list of restaurants opened by chefs who came up through the Five & Ten kitchen. Those participating in Athens Restaurant Week include:

  • home.made – Chef Mimi Maumus pulls from her New Orleans roots as well as her decades in Georgia for inspiration at home.made. The restaurant has drawn national attention from her inventive twists on old standards and local community ingredients. Earlier this year, Maumus opened a new bar space attached to home.made called Sidecar, which provides an outlet for her creativity in food and drinks, including non-alcoholic cocktails.
  • The National – This neighborhood gathering spot serves an expansive menu inspired by the cuisines of the Mediterranean and Spain, with seasonal influences from the bounty of farmers in Northeast Georgia. Founder Peter Dale (owner of Seabear Oyster Bar, Condor Chocolates and Maepole) brought together a team of brilliant hospitality professionals, including Chefs Jeremy Collins and Daniel Fetter, to deliver incredible food and beverage offerings at this local favorite.

In addition to fiercely independent restaurants, Athens is known for its award-winning craft beer scene. Recognizing the vibrant beer culture that has been fostered in Athens over the past two decades, Visit Athens GA launched The Athens Beer Trail in the fall of 2021. The trail takes visitors through the nine-mile area of Athens breweries, including Athentic Brewing Company, Normaltown Brewing Company and Southern Brewing Company which are participating in the upcoming Athens Restaurant Week.

To see a complete list of participating restaurants and breweries, please visit AthensRestaurantWeek.com.

WILDWOOD REVIVAL RETURNS TO THE FARM WITH AN AMAZING FIRST ROUND LINEUP, OCTOBER 8 – 10, 2021

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/29/21

The 7th Annual Gathering at Historic Cloverleaf Farm Will Feature Jenny Lewis, Sharon Van Etten, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Hiss Golden Messenger, John Moreland, White Denim, The Bones of J.R. Jones, Tré Burt, Elizabeth Cook, Packway Handle Band, and More 
General Admission and VIP Tickets Options on Sale Now
Wildwood Revival, a thoughtfully curated and intimate gathering and festival, has made good on its pledge to return to Cloverleaf Farm with the release of its first round of artists for the seventh installation, October 8 – 10, 2021. Embodying the magic of a Deep South setting out into the wildwood while celebrating Athens’ storied music scene, this year’s lineup will have hands counting the days until they can return to the Farm.  Wildwood Revival’s exploration into music, food, and friendship, this coveted festival is a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll, and everything in between.
With tickets on sale now, the initial lineup for 2021 has been released, and it is the most exciting to date. This year’s performers will keep fans guessing and dancing from Country, Blues, and early Jazz to Gospel, Soul, Rock n’ Roll, and beyond. Featured performers include Jenny Lewis;  Sharon Van Etten; St. Paul & the Broken Bones; Hiss Golden Messenger; John Moreland; White Denim; The Bones of J.R. Jones; Tré Burt; Elizabeth Cook; Packway Handle Band; Early James; Suzanne Santo, and The Pink Stones. Fans can catch performances at the Pecan Grove as well as inside the farm’s open-air barn. Beyond the stage lights, there are late-night picking sessions around the campfire where the best stories are often sung.
The festival also features a dynamic artisan market with vintage clothing, antiques, printmakers, woodworkers, 1800’s-era tintype photography, leather makers, handmade crafts and more.  Celebrating what’s old is new again, Wildwood Revival  embraces its history as a cultural revival; making it a true antithesis to what people have come to think of festivals. Around the grounds, festival goers can experience great food, cold craft beers from Creature Comforts Brewing Co., and meals made with local produce.  In addition, this is a plastic-free experience with no plastic single use cups or bottled waters, with YETI offering festival goers stylish drink ware options. All the water is filtered, cold and free. Camping is encouraged for the full experience, but if guests prefer a king bed and AC to a shady patch of grass, there are plenty of lodging options in nearby Athens.
All tickets to Wildwood Revival include three full days of music. VIP tickets include access to a 7,000- square foot historic mansion; featuring chef-driven catered meals, multiple bars, and lounges with craft cocktails; Creature Comforts Beer and wine, private restrooms, outdoor lounges, experiential programming and entertainment, and all food and beverage options. Layaway ticket options are also available to secure your tickets without having to pay the total upfront. The farm opens Friday at 12 p.m. and music starts at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $112. To purchase tickets, visit https://wildwoodrevival.com/tickets. Stay connected via Instagram and Twitter at @wildwoodrevival and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wildwoodrevival.

Wildwood Revival: Stay Awhile

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/5/19

Sip a mule, watch some music, stay awhile.

A few miles out of the hustle-and-bustle of the college town of Athens sits a farm with a beautiful plantation style home, several lean-tos, a barn, pastures, and everything you’d expect in rural Georgia. But this southern farm is only masquerading as a farm, it’s really a lively event venue and home to Wildwood Revival. Beyond Cloverleaf Farms’ ambiance, Wildwood Revival has turned the open-air barn into a juke joint full of music, while down yonder is the bar full of tasty treats, a pasture where people sit in their own tailgate chairs, and at the house, VIP sip and savor some unique treats. Wildwood Revival isn’t your typical festival, it’s laid back, chill, listen to some music, sip on a Kentucky Mule, eat some delicious local grub. Stay awhile.

The music itself had a little bit of everything from rock to country to southern rock, blues, blue grass, gospel. We saw The Texas Gentleman who are a mix of country, funk, southern rock. We did some research and found they have done back-up work for country legend George Strait. So, we get where they get some of their country roots, but their songs don’t sound country. They’re more what The Austin Chronicle calls, “eclectic country funk groove.” We concur. It’s a fun mix of genres that goes from toe tapping to soft piano ballads, like “Pain.*” Then there was Cedric Burnside, who was a mix of soulful guitar blues, with a hint of R&B. His music permeated the grounds and you could feel his music in the air. You could see it in the crowd that had gathered in the juke joint. Hoots, hollers, cheers erupted on this lazy Sunday afternoon!

Beyond the soulful, heartfelt performances by The Texas Gentleman and Cedric Burnside, they had some delicious local food, as well as craft beer and cocktails. We had the pulled pork plate from Maepole out of Athens and it the best music festival food we’ve ever had, ever. The pork was flavorful and tender. What really stuck out was the bean salad. It was a deep, savory flavor with a little spice and little sweet. They mix the beans and veggies with jalapenos, garlic, and cilantro. Also, everything they make on the side is vegan, so there’s no cheese in those grits! We also put a little bit of the spicy avocado on top and mixed up the salad, pork, and grits together. WOW! They mentioned they were going to open in Atlanta. CANNOT WAIT. We will be there with bells on!

After our delicious meal, they had local craft beer from Creature Comforts, as well as ASW Distillery on site with their whiskey and vodka. First off, ASW Distillery makes some great liquor, we really like their Lawn Dart product! We got a Kentucky Mule made with ginger beer, lime, and their Fiddler Unison Bourbon Whiskey. was like sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair, sipping a refreshing cocktail and just watching the sunset type of feeling.

Kid friendly, they had a barn with an upstairs transformed into a chalk art area where the kids and the kid in you could create chalk art, color, and watch the acts outside the little window. We might or might not have colored in an octopus. At the end of the day, we enjoyed the over-all feel of Wildwood Revival. This “anti-festival” really is laid-back, relaxed, and makes you feel right at home. It’s a bring your chair, your camera, your family, make a day or a weekend of it festival. See you next year, Cloverleaf Farm.

*Research on their background/confirming song name Pain came from Austin Chronicle’s Hot Luck Review: The Texas Gentleman article 5/25/18.

Wildwood Revival 2019

Date: Friday, September 27th to Sunday, September 29th

Time: Varies

About: Already setting the stage with a thoughtfully curated lineup announced earlier this Summer, Wildwood Revival is living up to its moniker as the “anti-festival” going beyond the music and announcing the schedule for the sixth annual event’s workshops and experiences. Ranging from a Gospel brunch where you can bring your instrument to a kayak river excursions, grilling demos, yoga, an artisan market and more. And while select experiences and workshops come free as a part of your ticket, there is limited space to certain activities, and Wildwood Revival ticket holders are encouraged to sign up in advance. A full list, with descriptions and sign up links, of workshops and experiences can be found at wildwoodrevival.com/experience.
The full Wildwood Revival Experience includes:
THE LINEUP: Lucinda Williams, Shovels & Rope, Mandolin Orange, Son Volt, Langhorne Slim and The Lost at Last Band, Rayland Baxter, Rebirth Brass Band, The Texas Gentlemen, Charley Crockett, Lilly Hiatt, T. Hardy Morris, Super Doppler, Cedric Burnside, Illiterate Light, Revel in Dimes, and Georgia Mountain String Band. Performers take the stage in the Pecan Grove as well as inside the farm’s open-air barn. Beyond the stage lights, there are late-night picking sessions around the campfire where the best stories are often sung.
THE EXPERIENCES: Camping via tent, trailer or RV, a dance party to wrap up the festival on night two, a selection of local food and craft beer, an artisan market meets cultural revival, featuring handcrafted leatherwood, unique jewelry, vintage clothing, herbal apothecary, kitchen wares, modern-folk pop art, magic performance, tintype antique photography, yoga, a spectacle of badassery with purpose known as South East Women Wrestlers, all our favorite B’s with the Bluegrass brunch- booze, biscuits and banjos courtesy of Georgia Mountain String Band, guided river expeditions and the Gospel Brunch for One and All, featuring a host of the weekend’s artists and even you (bring your instrument).
THE WORKSHOPS: ASW Distillery tasting, featuring Fiddler Bourbon, Resurgens Rye, Duality Double Malt, Tire Fire Single Malt, and Armour & Oak Apple Brandy (free),  Creature Comforts’ Taste of the South bottle collection tasting (free), Fire + Flavor Grill Experience, featuring Chef Patrick Fosgate (free), carry your positive affirmations on your wrist by making your own Mala bracelet ( $20), explore the world of herbal infusions with Cedarhill Homestead ($15), craft your own path to relaxation with an herbal bath bomb class ($15), learn about the healing properties of native plants and have a place to hang them on an herb drying mobile ($15) a portion of the proceeds will be donated to United Plant Savers, and take your mixology game from the Garden to the Glass when Cherokee Moon Mixology brings botanically-inspired cocktails, featuring Cathead Distillery and other spirits home ($15).
Celebrating what’s old is new again, Wildwood Revival embraces its history as a cultural revival; making it a true antithesis to what people have come to think of festivals. The intimate gathering is returning September 27th through 29th on historic Cloverleaf Farm just outside of Athens, Georgia. All ticket options to Wildwood Revival include three full days of music and are still available. VIP tickets include access to a 7,000- square foot Antebellum Mansion that includes gourmet catered meals, complimentary alcohol, private restrooms, and an outdoor courtyard. The farm opens Friday at 12 p.m. and music starts at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $92.

More Information:

https://wildwoodrevival.com/

WILDWOOD REVIVAL ANNOUNCED WORKSHOP AND EXPERIENCE SCHEDULE FOR SIXTH ANNUAL EVENT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/2/19

Key Activities to Include:  Bluegrass and Gospel Brunches, Creature Comforts Taste of the South, Fire & Flavor Grill Experience, Garden to Glass Cocktail Workshop, Kayaking, South East Women Wrestlers, Tintype, Wrist Mala Workshop, Vendor Market, Yoga, and More

General Admission and VIP Tickets Options Still Available

Already setting the stage with a thoughtfully curated lineup announced earlier this Summer, Wildwood Revival is living up to its moniker as the “anti-festival” going beyond the music and announcing the schedule for the sixth annual event’s workshops and experiences. Ranging from a Gospel brunch where you can bring your instrument to a kayak river excursions, grilling demos, yoga, an artisan market and more. And while select experiences and workshops come free as a part of your ticket, there is limited space to certain activities, and Wildwood Revival ticket holders are encouraged to sign up in advance. A full list, with descriptions and sign up links, of workshops and experiences can be found at wildwoodrevival.com/experience.

The full Wildwood Revival Experience includes:
THE LINEUP: Lucinda Williams, Shovels & Rope, Mandolin Orange, Son Volt, Langhorne Slim and The Lost at Last Band, Rayland Baxter, Rebirth Brass Band, The Texas Gentlemen, Charley Crockett, Lilly Hiatt, T. Hardy Morris, Super Doppler, Cedric Burnside, Illiterate Light, Revel in Dimes, and Georgia Mountain String Band. Performers take the stage in the Pecan Grove as well as inside the farm’s open-air barn. Beyond the stage lights, there are late-night picking sessions around the campfire where the best stories are often sung.

THE EXPERIENCES: Camping via tent, trailer or RV, a dance party to wrap up the festival on night two, a selection of local food and craft beer, an artisan market meets cultural revival, featuring handcrafted leatherwood, unique jewelry, vintage clothing, herbal apothecary, kitchen wares, modern-folk pop art, magic performance, tintype antique photography, yoga, a spectacle of badassery with purpose known as South East Women Wrestlers, all our favorite B’s with the Bluegrass brunch- booze, biscuits and banjos courtesy of Georgia Mountain String Band, guided river expeditions and the Gospel Brunch for One and All, featuring a host of the weekend’s artists and even you (bring your instrument).

THE WORKSHOPS: ASW Distillery tasting, featuring Fiddler Bourbon, Resurgens Rye, Duality Double Malt, Tire Fire Single Malt, and Armour & Oak Apple Brandy (free),  Creature Comforts’ Taste of the South bottle collection tasting (free), Fire + Flavor Grill Experience, featuring Chef Patrick Fosgate (free), carry your positive affirmations on your wrist by making your own Mala bracelet ( $20), explore the world of herbal infusions with Cedarhill Homestead ($15), craft your own path to relaxation with an herbal bath bomb class ($15), learn about the healing properties of native plants and have a place to hang them on an herb drying mobile ($15) a portion of the proceeds will be donated to United Plant Savers, and take your mixology game from the Garden to the Glass when Cherokee Moon Mixology brings botanically-inspired cocktails, featuring Cathead Distillery and other spirits home ($15).

Celebrating what’s old is new again, Wildwood Revival embraces its history as a cultural revival; making it a true antithesis to what people have come to think of festivals. The intimate gathering is returning September 27th through 29th on historic Cloverleaf Farm just outside of Athens, Georgia. All ticket options to Wildwood Revival include three full days of music and are still available. VIP tickets include access to a 7,000- square foot Antebellum Mansion that includes gourmet catered meals, complimentary alcohol, private restrooms, and an outdoor courtyard. The farm opens Friday at 12 p.m. and music starts at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $92. To purchase tickets, visit https://wildwoodrevival.com/tickets.

WILDWOOD REVIVAL UNVEILS FULL PERFORMER LINEUP

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/13/19

WILDWOOD REVIVAL UNVEILS FULL PERFORMER LINEUP FOR SEPTEMBER 27 – 29, 2019 ATHENS, GEORGIA EVENT

A Curated Gathering on Historic Cloverleaf Farm Returns for a Music-Infused Weekend Featuring Lucinda Williams, Shovels & Rope, Mandolin Orange, Son Volt, Langhorne Slim, Rayland Baxter, Rebirth Brass Band, The Texas Gentlemen, Charley Crockett, and More

General Admission and VIP Tickets Options on Sale Now

Wildwood Revival, a thoughtfully curated and intimate gathering and festival, is set to return this September 27th through 29th on historic Cloverleaf Farm just outside of Athens, Georgia.  Celebrating its sixth anniversary, the event embodies the magic of a Deep South setting, out into the wildwood while celebrating Athens’ storied music scene.  From Country, Blues and early Jazz to Gospel, Soul, Metal and Rock n’ Roll, Hip Hop and beyond, this isn’t your every day festival.  Exploring music, food and friendship, this coveted festival is a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll, and everything in between.

With tickets on sale now, the full lineup of performers for 2019 has been released. Festival goers can enjoy engaging sets from an array of artists including: Lucinda Williams, Shovels & Rope, Mandolin Orange, Son Volt, Langhorne Slim and The Lost at Last Band, Rayland Baxter, Rebirth Brass Band, The Texas Gentlemen, Charley Crockett, Lilly Hiatt, T. Hardy Morris, Super Doppler, Cedric Burnside, Illiterate Light, Revel in Dimes, and Georgia Mountain String Band. Performers take the stage in the Pecan Grove as well as inside the farm’s open-air barn. Beyond the stage lights, there are late-night picking sessions around the campfire where the best stories are often sung.

The festival also features a dynamic artisan market with vintage clothing, antiques, printmakers, woodworkers, 1800’s-era tintype photography, leather makers, handmade crafts and more.  Celebrating what’s old is new again, Wildwood Revival  embraces its history as a cultural revival; making it a true antithesis to what people have come to think of festivals. Around the grounds, festival goers can experience great food, cold craft beers from Creature Comforts Brewing Co., and meals made with local produce.  In addition, this is a plastic-free experience with no single use cups or bottled waters, with YETI offering festival goers stylish drink ware options. All the water is filtered, cold and free. Camping is encouraged for the full experience, but if guests prefer a king bed and AC to a shady patch of grass, there are plenty of lodging options in nearby Athens.

All tickets to Wildwood Revival include three full days of music.  VIP tickets include access to a 7,000- square foot Antebellum Mansion that includes gourmet catered meals, complimentary alcohol, private restrooms and an outdoor courtyard. The farm opens Friday at 12 p.m. and music starts at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $92. To purchase tickets, visit https://wildwoodrevival.com/tickets.