My #1 New Year’s Resolution for 2010 is to Do The Local Motion…Shop, Eat & Play Local.  And by local, I mean independently owned & operated businesses.  Regardless of what city you are in, local businesses drive the local economy.

Hold on…just one sec. “Yes, I’ll have a Triple Venti Caramel Soy Latte..extra Hot, Please!”  OK, OK, I know Starbucks is a total chain, but you gotta give me that one. I’ll also have to say that in this economically precarious time…QUALITY has never been so important.

EAT LOCAL. Abso-FORKING-lutely attend the 4th Annual FOODIE AWARDS on Sunday, Jan. 24th @ the Grand Opera House. This event celebrates the independently owned & operated restaurants with all the award show accoutrements: Song, Dance, Comedy, Celebrities, Awards & Acceptance Speeches.  13WMAZ’s Ben Jones will host the event. Priscilla Esser & I will be presenting the Best Bartender category. $25/seat.

DRINK LOCAL. Macon Water on Tap! we have the Best Aquifer in the country.

Swallow some All Y’all’s Organic Sweet Tea, born & brewed in the Warner Robins, GA.  Before Whole Foods puts it on their shelves, come try it at the Urban Cowboy Party on Jan. 29th @ The SoChi Gallery! All Y’alls Organics is made with love for all y’all. $7/gallon.

SWEAT LOCAL. Yes You Ca’in! Isn’t loosing weight on everyone’s resolution list? Well, for me: 15 pounds in 2010.  Join the Downtown Fitness Camp at the new TRAINED BY CAIN STUDIOS located at 419 Cherry Street. 478-318-0243.

LEARN LOCAL. The 11th Hour is a free bi-weekly publication that focuses on the city’s arts & culture.

WEAR LOCAL. 2010 Macon Film Festival T-Shirts on Sale now @ the Macon Arts Gallery. $10.

GIVE LOCAL. The Super Fund of Middler Georgia. $10 a month can make a big difference.

GIVE GLOBAL. The Earthquake Relief Effort for Haiti.

PLAY LOCAL.

WEEDS Season 3 @ the Cox Capitol Theatre. Sunday, Jan. 17th @ 6pm.  $1 Pizza, $1 Draft Beer.  Episodes begin @ 7pm.

Karaoke: Wednesdays with Mitch Kersey @ BJ Billiards. 9p-1a.

“NIGHT MOVES.” Macon Symphony Orchestra’s 31st Annual January Pops Concert.  A Bob Seger Tribute featuring Bob Caloca & the MSO orchestra. Macon City Auditorium. Saturday, Jan. 23rd @ 7:30pm. Tix: $5-$15. Tables: $300-$400.

Urban Cowboy theme party @ The SoChi Gallery. Cowboy Attire. Choreographer Pilar Wilder will be conducting Boot Scooting Boogie Line Dance classes @ the gallery every Wednesday night in January prior to the event.  For more info: 478-238-6630.

The Wizard of Oz meets Pink Floyd. The 11th Hour presents THE DARK SIDE OF THE RAINBOW. Saturday, Jan. 30th @ the Cox Capitol Theatre.  7pm. Tix. $5.

Macon Civic Club’s Annual Musical Revue. This year’s theme: “AFTER MIDNIGHT.”  Feb. 3rd – 6th @ the Grand Opera House. Click for Tix or call: 478-301 5470.

Macon Film Festival Feb. 18th – 21st. Cox Capitol Theatre, Douglass Theatre, Marriott City Center Hotel. Festival Pass – $100; Screening Pass – $50 / $30 students with ID; Day Pass – $15/day

The 11th Hour’s READER’S CHOICE AWARDS. Thursday, Feb. 25th @ the Cox Capitol Theatre. Tix: $5.

Chelsea Handler’s Stand-Up Comedy Show: CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG @ The Fox Theatre. March 28th @ 8pm. Tix: $62-$83.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MACON – SoChi Companies is starting the new year with a cocktail party intended to bring out the honky-tonk in all of us. On January 29, SoChi Companies will host an “Urban Cowboy “ themed party. To get into a western groove, dance classes are available prior to the event with Pilar Wilder at the reins. A mechanical bull will be available to assess your ridin’ skills. Come join us for a rootin’ tootin’ time!

This is just the first of a variety of events planned for 2010.

Event: Urban Cowboy Theme Party
Date: January 29, 2010
Location: SoChi Gallery, 534 Second Street, Macon, Georgia
Attire: Cowboy Duds
Cost: $10 at the door. Cash Bar.
Signature Drink: The City Slicker
Music: DKH Entertainment

Visit the Urban Cowboy Facebook Events Page: http://bit.ly/6G9gd7
The Dance Class Page: http://bit.ly/8kKgZ6
To register for line dance class: http://bit.ly/5aE8Dt
Dance Classes are held at the SoChi Gallery every Wednesday until the event. The class time is 6:15pm – 7:15 pm.

About The SoChi Companies:

The SoChi Companies is a multifaceted lifestyle and entertainment group dedicated to offering a wide range of services, from event planning to marketing and promotions, as well as cultural activities and theme parties.

The SoChi Companies office is located at The SoChi Gallery, 534 Second Street in downtown Macon, Georgia.

For more information, contact Saxy Butler, Director of Communications and Outreach for The SoChi Companies at 478-238-6630, or on Facebook.
——————–