I’m suffering from a little Post DRAMATIC Stress today but have to say, WHAT A WEEKEND in Macon, Georgia! If you weren’t at the Macon Film Festival, you certainly missed out! Downtown was a buzz in movie stars & filmmakers from all over the U.S. to celebrate the 4th Annual Macon Film Festival.

It all began with Governor Sonny Perdue helicoptering in to kick-off the film festival. UGA Coach Vince Dooley was in attendance for the world premiere of Vince Dooley: The Other Side of Football at The Grand Opera House. I had the honor of introducing the Governor and I have to say that feeling Rocks!

Hollywood Actors, Producers & Directors (and SoChilites) flocked to MAGA like moths to a flame. And let me tell you …they were on Fire! Movie Stars Karen Black & Carrie Preston were in town promoting their new indie projects. Oprah-impersonator, Michelle Marshall flew in from Las Vegas to work the red carpet. Former Maconites including Milly Sanders & William Mull came in from L.A. to see their projects on the big screen as well.

Did I mention AFTER PARTIES? Club Envy, The SoChi Gallery & Bright Blue Sky Productions rolled out the red carpet for the most groovy after party action. The Star of this show was most certainly the famous MAGAtini! This potent concoction’s recipe is kept under lock & key and only it’s creator, BJ Dunwody, knows how to mix ‘em up. So sorry … no playing with this fire on your own time. You’ll have to wait until MAGA 2010!

As for me, I’m crawling back in bed. Exhaustion is the sign of a fabulously fun weekend!

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

Moonalice w/ Colonel Bruce & The Clark Alliance @ The Cox Capitol Theatre, Saturday, 2/28
Doors open at 7, Concert at 8
General Admission Seating: $10

Virginia is for Lovers, but Valentines Day is for Foodies!

Life is about the traditions we create and Valentines Day holds one of our traditions: the Father/Daughter Valentines Day Dance @ the Museum of Arts & Sciences. This annual DATE begins with dinner before the dancing begins. My daughter, Nina, gets to select the restaurant. I’ve experience my share of dinners at Burger King, McDonald’s, Chic-fil-A and the S&S Cafeteria…dressed in formal wear. But this year her tastes have changed. She selected The Back Burner! A Foodie at Last! Dinner was delish and Christian Losito & Chantal Suteau made my daughter feel like the princess she is. Honestly, this date is one of the Highlights of my year!

Being economically conscious this year, I skipped the flowers, chocolates & mushy card this year! The cash went towards Saturday night’s dinner with my wife at Natalia’s Restaurant. Daniel hooked us up with the perfect Grey Goose & Tonics & the best Green Apple Martini in town! We had a fabulously secluded table and enjoyed the ever-fabulous food she prepares. Friends Mitch & Olga Rodriguez popped by our table to share a drink & a chat…it was nice. I hope your D was full of V!

This will be an exciting week to live in Macon, Georgia. MAGA aka Macon Film Festival invaded SoChi last night. Governor Sonny Perdue & Vince Dooley kicked off the festival (stay tuned for details!) Filmmakers, actors, media, paparazzi & film lovers from across the country will be in town for this years’ 5-day event. And yes, Virginia, there is an After Party…every night! So put on your party shoes swing on down!!!

“Film Fest Funky” is the attire … a MAGA t-shirt will do just fine. But If you need help with the funky part…head down to Treasure Vintage on Cotton Ave. They will Funk You Up!
See you at MAGA!!!

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

Macon Film Festival (MAGA)
Feb 19 – 22, 2009
If you would like to be a sponsor, please call Terrell Sandefur @ 478-238-6630. Honored Guests will include: UGA Football Coach Vince Dooley, Actress Carrie Preston of HBO’s “True Blood” and Actress Karen Black of “Airport 75” and “The Great Gatsby.”

Marco Restaurante Italiano’s 5-Course Wine Dinner. Thursday, Feb. 26 $60/person

The Sertoma Charity Drive @ the Macon City Auditorium. Saturday, March 14th @ 6pm. Silent Auction, Grand Prize will be a ’09 Automobile. For Tickets, call Dan Tidwell @ 478-747-8844.

“SoChi” (pronounced SoChee) is the new buzz word for South of Chi Chesters Pharmacy – the one on Vineville Avenue. SoChi encompasses MidTown & Downtown Macon. Folks in the know KNOW SoChi is the place to be & be seen. It’s where most of the Macon fun happens. SoChi is sort of a “Phoenix from the Ashes” rebirth sort of thing. Whatever works to get us all into the groove of making our town a hipper place to hang.

Out of this an even newer buzz word has been birthed: “SoChilite.” You are a SoChilite if you live or play (SoChilize) in SoChi. This is one label I happily embrace!

A group of us fled SoChi for Tybee Island this past weekend. It’s a one-tank trip to heaven. We pulled into town late with starving kids so we found Bernie’s Oyster Bar and chowed down. I recommend their Oyster Po-Boy! While dining with two 10-yr olds the clock struck 10p…the bewitching hour that the oyster bar becomes a booze bar! My kids were thrilled to be at a bar for the first time. We quickly finished dinner and headed out the door….only to discover a100th birthday party taking place at Doc’s Bar across the street. Who are we to deny our kids of attending a birthday party? Not us. The sign on the door read “No One Under 21 allowed” which my son pointed out … but the crowd was coaxing the kids to “come on in!” 100 yr old Miss Sylvia was playing the Moroccas with the band as she does most nights. We wished the birthday “girl” a happy birthday and departed. It was a big night…two bars in one night for the kiddies!

Tybee was hosting a media weekend and man, did they ever roll out the red carpet for us. Top media from Atlanta and Macon attended their cocktail party on Saturday night. We mixed, mingled, dined and enjoyed the new wine SASSY BITCH. Thank you Tami Fricks! You, my dear, are the sassiest! Frankly, I like it! You can pick up a bottle at Vineville Beverage. Also a thank you to the city of Tybee for sharing your vibe with us!

The Macon Film Festival (MAGA) is quickly approaching and people are asking, “What is the attire?” Answer: Film Fest Funky! The hot new MAGA T-shirt will do just fine. So…come dressed to SoChilize!

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

The Great American Trailer Park Musical @ Macon Little Theatre
Feb 6 – 15
For Tickets call 478-471-PLAY

Father/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance
Friday, February 13th @ Museum of Arts & Sciences, 7 – 9 pm
For Tickets & more info, call 478-477-3232 ext. 200

Macon Film Festival (MAGA)
Feb 19 – 22, 2009
If you would like to be a sponsor, please call Terrell Sandefur @ 478-238-6630. Honored Guests will include: UGA Football Coach Vince Dooley, Actress Carrie Preston of HBO’s “True Blood” and Actress Karen Black of “Airport 75” and “The Great Gatsby.”

Fun & Games were on the menu this past weekend! The Super Bowl & The Australian Open were the Ball games on the tube. Pittsburgh now has the title of most Super Bowl victories and Rafael Nadal now has the title of world’s greatest tennis player. On the other hand, I pulled a Roger Federer and lost my match with tennis coach Paul Tobin. Oh well, that’s the way the ball bounces.

The Sex games on Showtime’s “The L Word” were especially enlightening. But if I have to pick a weekend favorite it would have to be the Mind games that were in play Saturday night.

Being Economically-conscious, my wife orchestrated GAME NIGHT. We are always on the go, so this was a new, no-babysitters-required kind of deal…and I don’t mind saying, it was ingenious! We are People People, so why not make it a party! We invited friends old & new to mix it up a bit. 16 People & 12 Little People came. Dominos delivered 12 large pizzas & Priscilla Esser brought some of her famously delish pâté. The bar was BYOB. Simple & easy! The Little people congregated in the TV room (or as we call it the Wii room) and the Big people got their Game On! CATCH PHRASE to be exact. It was an inexpensive night out full of fun & fellowship. Perhaps PARTIni will be our next pursuit! Wanna play?

As Ashley suggested last week, The White Bean Soup @ Fountain of Juice is a must! Perfect for the winter months to warm the soul. BUT…you must also try their Roasted Pepper & Tomato Soup!

A TOAST to The 11th Hour’s Reader’s Choice Awards held this past Thursday @ the Cox Capitol Theatre! A Rockin’ Red Carpet, Celebrity presenters, and the snap, crackle, poppin’ bands including a Bob Dylan rendition impressively sung by Rabbi Larry Schlesinger! Brad Evans, Megan Evans and Chris Horne hit a home run on this event!

Add to your “Guide to Managing a Busy Life” file: The ultimate convenience luxury: A Sunday haircut by Atlanta Super Stylist Jack Adams. He comes to Macon on Sundays and cuts at Chadwick Hudson on Vineville Avenue. He books by appointment only. To reserve your spot, call Jack @ 404-543-0739. He’s the best Game in Town!

tS

Future Love Paradise . . .

Mammal Mayhem @ Museum of Arts & Sciences
Saturday, 10a-4p
The world-famous Frisbee dogs will be there.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical @ Macon Little Theatre
Feb 6 – 15
For Tickets call 478-471-PLAY

Macon Civic Club’s 48th Annual Musical Revue
“Opry at The Grand”
Feb. 4th – 7th
For Tickets call 478-301-5470

Father/Daughter Valentine’s Day Dance
Friday, February 13th @ Museum of Arts & Sciences, 7 – 9 pm
For Tickets & more info, call 478-477-3232 ext. 200

Macon Film Festival (MAGA)
Feb 19 – 22, 2009
If you would like to be a sponsor, please call Terrell Sandefur @ 478-238-6630. Honored Guests will include: UGA Football Coach Vince Dooley, Actress Carrie Preston of HBO’s “True Blood” and Actress Karen Black of “Airport 75” and “The Great Gatsby.”

Rocking Soon . . .

Modern Skirts and Oh Dorian @ Cox Capitol Theatre, Friday February 6th, 7pm

George Petit Jazz Trio @ Cox Capitol Theatre Saturday, March 14