UGA performing arts season, free family-friendly carnival, pitch a friend, gin & rescues, and more. 
Happy Friday, Athens. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Athens Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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Free carnival 🎆
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Gin & rescue 🍸️
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Pitch a friend 💼
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
UGA Presents 30th Season: The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center has unveiled its 2025–26 lineup of over 40 world-class dance, music, and theatre events — see the full lineup.
Star Spangled Classic heads to Athens: The ACCGov welcomes everyone to Southeast Clarke Park on Saturday for free carnival rides, a Funk Brotherhood concert, and a fireworks finale — check out the full details.
Square dance lessons start soon: The Jug Tavern Squares will offer beginner lessons at the YMCA (50 Brad Akins Drive) in Winder at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 — learn more and sign up.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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Statesboro named first retail ready city
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GA court overturns several election rules
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Volunteer to help clean up this neighborhood
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Learn about paddle safety and rescue
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, Akademia Brewing Company turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—Sweetie Pie by Savie is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, Shokitini hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Ready, set, print: When you need flyers, banners, or that custom-worthy business card that’ll have everyone asking for your number, Athens Printing Company is your one-stop shop for turning pixels into paper perfection.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Athens happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍴 Nosh Pop-Up @ Athens Taproom | Friday (6/27) at 5 pm – Taco lovers and snack hunters, assemble! This roaming feast brings everything from quesabirria to walking tacos straight to your favorite brewery. Pair your pint with fearless flavor experiments—and don’t blame us if you can’t stop at one round.
🎤 Pitch A Friend @ Athentic Brewing | Friday (6/27) at 7 pm – Got a single friend who’s a hidden gem? Create a killer slideshow, step up to the mic, and pitch them to a room full of potential matches. Think of it as “Shark Tank” meets romantic comedy—minus the sharks (but with plenty of laughs).
🤣 William Lee Martin: The Funny Life Tour @ Morton Theatre | Friday (6/27) at 7:30 pm – Ready for jokes that feel like chatting with your funniest friend? Martin’s blend of heartfelt storytelling and clean punchlines is the perfect midweek pick-me-up. Grab your crew, snag a cold one, and let the laughter roll under the stars.
This weekend
🍸 Gin & Rescue Wins @ Oak House Distillery and Speakeasy | Saturday (6/28) at 1 pm – Sip handcrafted gin cocktails and swap rescue tales at this feel-good afternoon gathering. The distillery doors swing open at 1 pm, pouring smooth botanicals and pairing perfectly with furry-friend adoption stories. Expect good vibes, great gin, and a chance to support local rescues. Bonus: every order could nudge a pup closer to their forever home.
🎤 Grammy Winner John Berry: 40th Anniversary Party @ Normaltown Brewing Co. | Saturday (6/28) at 2 pm – Dust off your cowboy boots and join Grammy-winning heartthrob John Berry for his 40th Homecoming Celebration. The party kicks off at 12 pm with local openers, ramps up at 2 pm, and culminates with Berry belting out classics at 7 pm. Rain or shine, this outdoor bash has food trucks, tailgate chairs, and enough nostalgia to make you swoon. Just remember: parking’s a premium, so carpool or grab an Uber.
👑 The 2025 Miss Black Northeast Georgia Teen Pageant @ Morton Theatre | Saturday (6/28) at 4 pm – Witness the next generation of queens vie for the crown in this electrifying second-annual pageant. Expect dazzling evening gowns, inspiring talent showcases, and heartfelt community vibes from start to finish. Grab your tickets now and cheer on local talent as they compete for that coveted title. Spoiler alert: you’ll leave feeling proud, inspired, and maybe ready to try out next year.
🎆 Star Spangled Classic @ Southeast Clarke Park | Saturday (6/28) at 6 pm – Kick off your Independence Day celebrations early with carnival rides, face painting, and live tunes by the Funk Brotherhood at 7 pm. Pack your picnic blanket and sample treats from a lively food truck court under twinkling summer skies. As dusk settles, eyes skyward for a fireworks extravaganza launching at approximately 9:30 pm. Pro tip: arrive by 5:30 pm for shuttle-friendly parking and skip the post-show traffic chaos.
🏳️🌈 Athens Queer Space Tours @ Memorial Hall | Sunday (6/29) at 10:30 am – Lace up your walking shoes and your fiercest rainbow gear for a 2-mile romp through Athens’ LGBTQ+ history. Local legend Rin Gunn will spill all the tea on landmark spots like Memorial Hall and Church Bar. Plus, each $20 ticket sends $5 straight to APQC—activism never looked so good.
💖 Barbies X Brats X Baddies @ The World Famous | Sunday (6/29) at 6 pm – Peach City Sapphics is throwing the ultimate sapphic theme party, so drape yourself in hot pink, sparkles, and bold femme flair. Whether you’re repping Barbie glam, Bratz attitude, or full-on baddie energy, this is your night to strut, slay, and shine. Get ready to dance, flirt, and live out your most fabulous doll fantasies under one glittering roof.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/27 Check The Signs @ Athentic Brewing – 6 pm
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6/27 The Original Splitz Band @ The Foundry – 7 pm
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6/27 Brother Fat @ Nowhere Bar – 9:30 pm
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6/28 Exuberance Ecstatic Dance @ work.shop – 1 pm
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6/28 John Berry @ Normaltown Brewing Company – 2 pm
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6/28 Ashes to Omens and more @ Georgia Theatre – 8 pm
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6/28 Victor Charlie and more @ Ciné – 9 pm
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6/29 Blues & Burgers @ New Covenant Athens – 6 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Athens edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Jarrett M. Martin (Corcoran Classic Living) – 5 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Built in 1983 | 3471 sqft
A white oak runway for your socks, a kitchen that’s basically a brunch command center, and not one but two screened porches for all your bug-free gossiping needs—685 Pinecrest Drive brings the party (and the peace) to Five Points. The Greatroom’s got more beams than a lumberyard, dual fans for dramatic hair flips, and a wall just begging for your biggest TV.
The primary suite is basically a spa retreat with a closet big enough to lose your shoes in, while the terrace level moonlights as a gym, office, or secret lair. Parking for an entire tailgate crew, a yard ready for your Heisman-worthy moves, and you’re a stroll away from the Dawgs’ stomping grounds. Touchdown, indeed.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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