Music Fests, ‘Inherit The Wind,’ Halloween events and chili
With cooler temperatures and shorter days, fall is officially here, and Columbia is set to celebrate with a huge weekend of music, live theater, chili cook-offs and more.
1. Fall Music Fest at Big Shake’s
Good food and good music go hand in hand, and has become a staple at many fun events in downtown Columbia, and this weekend has a pretty good, not to mention, tasty one.
Big Shake’s Hot Chicken, 822 South Main St., will host its first, not to mention free, Fall Music Fest this Sunday, featuring 15 bands on two stages starting at noon.
In addition to a full day of live music, guests will have the opportunity to shop local vendors, as well as face painting and other fall-themed activities. And of course, Big Shake’s will be serving up its famous Nashville Hot Chicken.
Big Shake’s Fall Music Fest lineup will include:
- Damien Boggs – 12pm (main stage)
- Zac Carter – 12:30pm (outdoor stage)
- Classic Vinyl 931 – 1 pm (main stage)
- Matt Nicholls – 1:30 pm (outdoor stage)
- Kristin Larkin – 2pm (main stage)
- Don McKinnon – 2:30 pm (outdoor stage)
- Sarina Joi – 3 pm (main stage)
- Aaron Sizemore Band – 4 pm (main stage)
- Ryan Keeler (outdoor stage)
- Cochise County – 5 pm (main stage)
- CJ Hughes with Melissa Buck – 5:30 pm (outdoor stage)
- The Sun Bodies – 6 pm (main stage)
- Mike Peters – 6:30pm (outdoor stage)
- Yonder Grove – 7 pm (main stage)
- Chief Smiley Ricks & The C-Town Specials – 8 pm (main stage)
2. ‘Inherit The Wind’ premiere at Arts Guild
The Maury County Arts Guild continues to celebrate its 50th season by going back to where it all began, presenting what was its first production at the 705 Lion Parkway venue.
“Inherit The Wind” will take the stage for its two-week run, with performances at 7 pm Friday and Saturday, as well as a 2 pm matinee Sunday.
The historic drama was inspired by the 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial,” which challenged the morality of teaching the theory of evolution in public schools. Keep in mind this all took place in a small, very religious town. The true story also happened in Tennessee.
High School teacher Bert Cates is put on trial for sharing the teachings of Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species” in the Southern small town of “Heavenly” Hillsboro. The courtroom drama then plays out in an intense battle of words between opposing attorneys Henry Drummond and Matthew Harrison Brady.
Its conclusion will leave the audience wondering exactly what to think, about who really won the case and whether the community’s perspective on right and wrong has changed in the process.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and military and $10 for children ages 12 and under, and are available at www.TheMCAG.org.
3. Halloween events, cemetery tours
Halloween will be here before we know it, and now is the time to celebrate with lots of spooky local events.
Dance the night away for a good cause as the Center of Hope will host its fifth annual Boo Bash at The Memorial Building, 308 W. 7th St., starting at 6:30 pm Saturday. Tickets are $55 per person and are available at www.TicketTailor.com
Bring the kids to get free a picture with Mrs. Pumpkin starting at 1 pm Sunday at REMAX Encore of Columbia, 100 W. 6th St. The first 100 kids will receive a free goody bag. Other giveaways include balloons, treats and a drawing to win other big prizes.
Discover some of Columbia’s macabre past by taking a downtown ghost tour. Now in its 13th year, The Athenaeum will host tours starting at 8 pm Friday at the Maury County Courthouse. Tickets are limited and cost $10 cash or check, so call or text (931) 797-3316 to reserve your spot.
The James K. Polk Home, along with Watershed Public Theater, will host Ghosts of Greenwood, bringing a few of Columbia’s former residents to life for this weekend only. Tours will take place starting at 6:30 pm Friday and Saturday at Greenwood Cemetery. Tickets are $8-$12 and available at www.EventBrite.com.
4. Kiwanis Chili Cook-off at Maury County Park
Few things go better with cooler weather than a warm bowl of chili, especially when there are lots of great varieties to try.
Columbia’s Kiwanis Club will host its 2022 Kiwanis Chili Cook-off, which will take place at Maury County Park starting at 11 am Saturday.
Several local businesses and chefs will put their best chili to the competition for this year’s best.
The event also invites families to enjoy kid-friendly activities, such as large inflatables and a petting zoo. Live entertainment will be provided by Amped Sound and Lighting.
5. Live entertainment
Aaron Sizemore Band will perform at Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, 104 E. 5th St., starting at 7:30 pm Friday.
The Mighty Train Wrecks will perform at Puckett’s in downtown Columbia starting at 7:30 pm Saturday.
The Lawrences will perform at Bad Idea Brewing, 307 W. 11th St. in the Columbia Arts Building, starting at 6 pm Saturday.
What The Funk Band will perform at The Rebel Bar and Grill, 307 Riverside Drive, starting at 7:30 pm Saturday.
The Escape Band will perform at The Boondox, 3543 Highway 431, starting at 8 pm Saturday.
The Picking Crows will perform at The Rebel Bar and Grill starting at 4 pm Sunday.
Jay Powell covers events and entertainment for The Daily Herald. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.