03.04.2010 | Posted By Jessica
Macon, Georgia's Tattnall Square Park will play host to two premiere events of athletic competition on Saturday, May 1 2010.
The 1st Annual Macon Cycling Classic will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. with criterium races in 10 different categories. The course will be a 0.7 mile (1.1k) rectangular loop around Tattnall Square Park. A criterium is a fast-paced race, typically around a few city blocks closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Criterium racing is broken into various categories based on skill/ability, gender, and age, from first-time beginners through seasoned professionals. Criteriums are the most popular form of bicycle racing in the U.S. and have become enduring events in many cities including the “Athens Twilight Criterium” held annually in Athens, Ga. The race is being promoted and sponsored by Macon's Walthall Oil Cycling team and the collegiate Mercer Cycling team.
As the last criterium comes to a close, Bragg Jam’s Moonlight Miles 5K Fun Run will be gearing up with its course designed to start and finish around Tattnall Square Park. This is the third year for the nighttime running competition, which serves as a fundraiser for the Bragg Jam Festival and usually takes place in July. Organizers made the decision to move the race to May 1 when the opportunity became available to partner with the organizers of the Macon Cycling Classic and create a full day of activities in Tattnall Square Park, located in the heart of the College Hill Corridor. Registration and check-in for the Moonlight Miles begins at approximately 7:00 p.m., with runners taking their mark at 8:30 p.m.
Organizer for both events hope to feature live music, food and beverage vendors and family-friendly activities throughout the day in the park. The College Hill Alliance will host a free movie screening following the announcement of the Moonlight Miles winners.
04.07.2010 | Posted By Jessica
(Macon, GA) Preparations for Bragg Jam 2010, taking place on Saturday, July 31, are well underway. Changes have been implemented, new venues have been added and bands are being booked in hopes of making this year another banner year for the community event, which has donated over $100,000 to local charities that enhance nature, arts and culture in Macon.
Festival organizers announced in March that the Moonlight Miles 5K has moved from the weekend before the music festival to May 1, 2010. The race will begin at 8:30 p.m., following the Macon Cycling Classic in downtown’s Tattnall Park. The race application is now available on Bragg Jam’s website at www.braggjam.org, under the Moonlight Miles page. In addition to the race, there will be entertainment in the park and a movie shown after the awards are given.
The festival’s free daytime family arts event has been moved from the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail to Third Street Park. Now known as “Bragg Jam’s Arts from the Heart,” the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. on Saturday, July 31.
Music acts from the festival’s signature Concert Crawl are also being confirmed. One of the most anticipated performances will be the reunion of one of the early 1990s’ original jam bands, Allgood, set to take place at the Cox Capitol Theatre. Allgood, originally called Allgood Music Company, was based out of Athens. They released their first full-length album Ride the Bee, containing the hit song "Trilogy," in 1991 and earned a top spot performing at the first Super Jam. After constant touring, including a co-headlining spot on the H.O.R.D.E Festival, Allgood was signed to A&M Records where they released their second album Uncommon Goal. Their third and final album was a live album titled Kickin' and Screamin' before breaking up in 1995.
Other bands to date include The Moaners, American Aquarium, Deep Blue Sun, the Ralph Roddenbery Band, 16 Bars Hip Hop Orchestra, The Soulphonics featuring Ruby Velle, Abby Owens Band, Little Country Giants, The Bushels, Hank Vegas, Mississippi John Doude and Big Mike and the Booty Papas
Concert Crawl starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, and will include free trolley rides to and from Bragg Jam venues. Venues include the Cox Capitol Theatre (non-smoking; all ages), the Rookery (non-smoking; all ages until 10 p.m., then 18 & up), the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom (21 & up), the Shamrock (non-smoking; all ages until 10 p.m., then 18 & up) and Rivalry’s (18 & up). New to the Concert Crawl will be the 567 Café’s new location at the Thorpe’s Building on Cherry Street (non-smoking; all ages), Bottoms Up (18 and up) and the Mellow Mushroom (non-smoking; all ages).
Check www.braggjam.org for the latest updates on the festival, as well as artist and venue additions.
Inspired by late musicians and brothers Brax & Tate Bragg and operated as a 501c3 under a volunteer board of directors, the Bragg Jam Festival has contributed over $100,00 of its net proceeds to charitable organizations in the Macon community. Since 1999, Bragg Jam has evolved from an impromptu jam session to citywide music festival to a full-scale arts festival and Macon’s premier music event.
04.28.2010 | Posted By Jessica
Join the Bragg Jam crew in Macon's Tattnall Square Park this Saturday for the Moonlight Miles 5K. Registration is still going strong to run or walk one of the coolest races taking place in the heat of the night. Entertainment will be happening within the park before and during the race, featuring the Hummingbird live music stage with the Fluffy Poodles playing 80's favorites and an outdoor movie screen showing "Rocky." Beer and food vendors will be on hand. Join us for free and run for a low cost to a great cause!
05.27.2010 | Posted By Jessica
Call to artists! "Art in the Park Open Show" is open to all levels, ages, mediums and styles of visual art. The winning artist for this year's Bragg Jam poster will be selected by local jurors involved with Bragg Jam and awarded $200 cash prize. A juried artist reception, exhibit and sale will also take place for selected entries at Macon Arts on Wednesday, July 28. Entries must reflect in some way or feeling Bragg Jam's mission: "Enhancing the soul and vibrancy of the downtown and surrounding city through live music, arts and festival energy that doesn't just bridge a community but creates a community, in its own right, that is looked forward to every year. Entries will need to be submitted in person at Macon Arts Gallery (486 First Street) during June 14-18 and will need to be hangable. And medium, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and mixed media will be accepted. Questions? Email Meagan Evans at meg@11tthhouronline.com.
06.07.2010 | Posted By Jessica
Bragg Jam Festival is seven weeks away and the 10 venues and 44 acts have been finalized for a Concert Crawl line-up that includes more diverse music and all-ages and smoke-free venues than ever before.
The festival officially kicks-off with its annual Patrons’ Party and Music Auction on Friday, July 30, at the Armory Ballroom in downtown Macon. The Randall Bramblett band will be the party’s feature performer. Patrons and sponsors of Bragg Jam who donate $100 or more to the festival are invited to the exclusive event featuring hors d’oeuvres, open bar, live music and a silent and live auction of music memorabilia, art and merchandise and travel opportunities from Bragg Jam supporters.
Saturday, July 31 is the official day of the festival. Bragg Jam’s daytime event featuring kids’ events, community performances, food, beverage, art and gift vendors is moving this year to Third Street Park in downtown Macon. The event, now named Bragg Jam’s Arts @ the Park, will feature a “Bragg About it” hot wings contest, a strolling magician, karate demonstrations, the Hayiya African Dance troupe and an entire day of performances by the “School of Rock” featuring different bands of budding musicians, ranging from ages nine to 18, from local schools. The FREE, day-long event takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., as the Concert Crawl gets well underway.
Third Street Park will continue to serve as a Bragg Jam stage during the Concert Crawl until 10 p.m. In addition to the “School of Rock,” the all-ages Third Street Park will feature bands Stribling, Dub Shak featuring Dean Brown, Brian Lee & the Family and D.J. Dirt Dogg. It will also be a trolley pick-up and drop-off destination.
The new location of The 567 Café (in the former Thorpe’s building on Cherry Street) will kick-off at 5 p.m. with Sue & the Bastards. The local law faculty group will feature special guests like Rabbi Larry Schlesinger. Also performing at the all-ages and smoke-free venue are the Rocketboys; O’Brother; Demun Jones & Lamar Williams, Jr.; Sonny Spoon & Southern Kaos; and Saint Francis.
Bottoms Up (566 Cherry Street) is an 18 & up venue featuring Ashutto Mirra at 6 p.m.; followed by Citizen Insane; the Moaners; and the Rolybots.
The all-ages and smoke-free Cox Capitol Theatre (382 Second Street) starts at 5 p.m. with Deep Blue Sun; an encore reunion of Macon’s Loose Change; the much-anticipated reunion of Allgood; and the Ralph Roddenberry Band.
The soon-to-be-opened Elizabeth Reed’s Music Hall (original location on Cherry Street) will be a 21 & up, smoke-free venue. It kicks-off at 5:30 with the Royal Fireworks; followed by American Aquarium; the 16 Bars Hip-Hop Orchestra; and Soulphonics & Ruby Velle.
The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom (430 Cherry Street) is a 21 & up venue, starting at 5:15 with hip-hop collaborative the Local 478 Presents Floco Torres, Al K!ng & City Council; followed by Abby Owens Band; Dirty Guv’Nahs and Tron Jackson.
Bragg Jam’s mainstay venue, the Rookery (543 Cherry Street), where the first performance took place to honor the memory of Brax and Tate Bragg, will be all-ages until 10 p.m., before switching to 18 & up. It will remain a non-smoking venue and feature Little Country Giants at 5:30 p.m.; followed by the Friends of Brax tribute; the Bushels; and Hank Vegas.
The Shamrock (342 Rose Avenue) is also all-ages until 10 p.m., then switches to 18 & up. It kicks off at 5:45 with Mississippi John Doude; followed by Good Country People; Big Mike & the Booty Papas; and Vex.
Rivalry’s (3986 Northside Drive) returns as an 18 & up venue. Ocha La Rocha gets things started at 5:30 p.m.; followed by the Corey Crowder Band; Lingo; and Sol Junky.
A new location for Bragg Jam, the Mellow Mushroom (5425 Bowman Rd) is an all-ages, smoke-free venue. Molly Stevens returns from Nashville for her performance at 5:45; before Acoustic Workship re-unites; followed by the Nick Malloy Band; and the Shane Bridges Band.
Admission to Bragg Jam’s Concert Crawl is $20 for an admission armband and includes free trolley transportation to all of the venues. Armbands are sold the night of the event and available at each of the festival’s venues.
Check the Concert Crawl page for the latest updates on the festival, as well as additional artist information. This year Bragg Jam will continue the tradition of raising money for a donation to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.
