Entertainment options this week include a ton of booked gigs by 70s rockers Little Feat and a Black Jacket Symphony performance of hits from The Police. In between, Christian music singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith and a tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin, conducted by Damien Sneed. There’s also another GreenJackets homestand Tuesday through Sunday as well as a Broadway presentation of “South Pacific” in Augusta. And for a meal or two in between, the Greek Festival returns, in person.
Augusta Greek Festival Returns
OPA! the Augusta Greek Festival is back this week – no more drive-thru only! – with in-person dining, entertainment and vendors from April 29 to May 1 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Telfair Street. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and the menu includes favorites like souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita and, YES! feta fries. Take-out orders will still be available through Augusta To Go, but there will be no drive-thru. Find the full menu at www.holytrinityaugusta.org/spring-greek-festival.
Augustus nightlife:Downtown Augusta offers food, music and drink. Here are some nightlife hotspots
In concert
Look who’s coming to town? Toggles small feat take to the stage at the Miller Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 to play “Waiting for Columbus” in its entirety – what better way to celebrate the live album’s 45th anniversary? Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Get tickets at millertheateraugusta.com.
Two live music options await you on Thursday, April 28.
christian music artist Michael W. Smith comes to West Acres Baptist Church in Evans for his “A Night at the Piano: Live In Concert” tour. With more than 35 years of success — he’s had 36 No. 1 songs — Smith has won 45 Dove Awards, three Grammy Awards, an American Music Award and he’s in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost between $15 and $49.50 and are available on etix.com.
Augusta Music Scene:This week, cheer on the local GreenJackets team, walk through the Garden City Festival, catch a concert
Also Thursday, Damien Sneed, Valerie Simpson and Karen Clark Sheard present a musical tribute to Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul. The show at the Miller Theater begins at 7:30 p.m. and celebrates Franklin’s legacy with songs such as “Respect” and “Say A Little Prayer.” Visit millertheateraugusta.com for more details.
Fans of classic 1960s and 1970s hits should head to the Imperial Theater to see Ryan Abel and Friends – complete with horns and strings – perform a Tribute to Laurel Canyon. You’ll hear hits from The Turtles, The Byrds, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King and The Eagles, to name a few. The concert will benefit the Junior League of Augusta and its charitable efforts. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Tickets cost between $20 and $42 on imperialtheatre.com.
Across the river in Aiken, listen The duo Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29 at the USC Aiken Etherredge Center. The show closes the 2021-2022 cultural series with award-winning saxophonist and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Marsalis. Tickets are available online at etherredgecenter.universitytickets.com or by calling (803) 641-3305.
Rounding out the weekend, a live performance of “Synchronity” and all the best hits from The Police – presented by Black Jacket Symphony – Saturday night at the Miller Theater. This tribute act will be “Wrapped Around Your Finger” with “Every Breath You Take” during their show. It starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30 to $35.
Need a bit of Broadway?
The Broadway Series in Augusta Presents Rodgers & Hammerstein South Pacific on Thursday, April 28 at the Bell Auditorium. This drama classic set during World War II weaves together “romance, duty and prejudice to create a story that is at once hilarious, heartbreaking and thought provoking”. Seats range from $48 to $70 on aectix.com.
Play ball!
The GreenJackets play at home at SRP Park in North Augusta’s Riverside Village this week — April 26 through May 1 — with games against the Delmarva Shorebirds. First pitch is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with night games the rest of the week at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday. Sunday’s game starts at 1:35 p.m. Find tickets and online game promotion details at milb.com/augusta. The team will be back at home on May 10.
get outside
the Columbia County Spring Fair runs through Sunday, May 1 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 5462 Columbia Road in Grovetown. Hours of operation are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8, with children 5 and under admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit columbiacountyfair.net.
Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events Features Food Truck Friday this week from 5-9 p.m. on April 29 at Gateway Park, 215 Partnership Drive in Grovetown, with live music from the Harlem Sons. Vendors arrive at 6 p.m. and live music begins at 7 p.m. Free entry.
Aiken Hot Air Balloon Festival is at the West Carolina State Fairgrounds beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April 30 through May 1. Guests will be able to see and, for an additional fee, ride in real hot air balloons as well as enjoy live music, games and food vendors. The evening will end at 8 p.m. with a light balloon and laser light show. One-day admission is $20 for adults, $8 for children, and free for ages 5 and under, with two-day and camping options available; parking is $5. Learn more at https://www.freshtix.com/events/aikenballoonfest.
Or stay inside
The CASA Home Show runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center, 212 Partnership Dr. in Grovetown. The event will bring together more than 80 local vendors with “designer kitchen artisans, interior design professionals and all manner of lifestyle artisans – there’s a little something for everyone, all at same place,” says Jack Posey of Posey Home Improvements. Recteq, the featured sponsor, will raffle off an RT-1250 grill worth $2,000, with a portion of the raffle going to the Augusta Salvation Army. Admission is $7 with kids 12 and under free; military and senior citizens admission is $5.
