Editor’s Note: Every Friday a list of local and area upcoming entertainment and cultural events will be published on the Steppin’ Out page in the Times-Recorder. To submit information for this listing, please send to Steppin’ Out, c/o Americus Times-Recorder, P.O. Box 1247, Americus, GA 31709, or fax to 928-6344 or e-mail to beth.alston@gaflnews.com



Americus

Tour of Homes

Sumter Historic Trust's 2009 Christmas Tour of Homes is noon-6 p.m. SATURDAY. All tour sites are historic homes or buildings of various architectual designs built between 1853 and 1921. The tour offers two ticket options. Tickets are $20 for the tour of homes only. Tour ticket plus cocktail buffet that evening at the Lee Council House is $65. Tickets are available at Americus Welcome Center, 123 W. Lamar St.; Minick Interiors on Cotton Avenue; Windsor Parlor, 117 N. Jackson St. or any member of the Trust's board of directors.



Dance

Americus Dance Experience presents "A Groovy Nutcracker" at 2 & 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Rylander Theatre. Tickets are $8 and available from the Rylander box office or at the studio at 147 Vienna Highway. For information call 928-4246.



Author’s Visit

Bill Lightle will speak about and sign sopies of his book, “Mill Daddy: The Life & Times of Roy Davis,” at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Lake Blackshear Regional Library. The public is invited.



Montezuma

Museum Hours

The Macon County Historical Museum is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and by appointment. Call the Montezuma Downtown Development Authority at 478-472-4777 for more information.



Columbus

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

900 Broadway

706-256-3612

www.rivercenter.org

• Kris Kristofferson — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 — Bill Heard Theatre

Country’s most infamous songwriting Rhodes Scholar and Airborne Ranger helicopter pilot will swing into town to perform a night of his classic gems. Heralded as an artist’s artist, and a living legend, this three-time GRAMMY® winner has recorded 26 albums and acted in more than 50 films.

• Sweet Honey in the Rock — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 — Bill Heard Theatre

From Psalm 81:16 comes the promise of people being fed by honey out of the rock. The metaphor of sweet honey in the rock captures the essence of these African American women. The group’s repertoire is steeped in the sacred music of the Black church and songs of struggle for justice everywhere. Sweet Honey in the Rock presents a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation.

• Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 — Bill Heard Theatre

Formed in 2006, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile is already playing to sold-out crowds around the world. The San Francisco Chronicle asks, “Why didn’t someone think about mixing bluegrass, jazz and classical music together sooner? Chris Thile is doing it with his new outfit and the result is totally mind-blowing.” Punch Brothers is composed of five fiercely talented musicians: Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Noam Pikelny (banjo), and Paul Kowert (bass). The group’s first album, How to Grow a Woman from the Ground, received a Grammy® award nomination.

• The Band of the Irish Guards & The Royal Regiment of Scotland — 7:30 p.m. March 15 — Bill Heard Theatre

In 2010 the Irish Guards and the Pipes, Drums and Dancers of The Royal Regiment of Scotland will march into RiverCenter as part of the group’s debut tour of the United States. The Irish Guards was formed in 1900 on the expressed wish of HM Queen Victoria. There is a fine tradition in the British Army of bands providing musical support to troops on active service. Also, musicians are trained to give support to the Army Medical Services in the event of mobilization. Don’t miss the pride, pomp and circumstance of this glorious performance.

The Classics Series:

• A Cantus Christmas, Tenth Anniversary Celebration Concert — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 & 21 — Legacy Hall

Join the celebration as this local tradition marks its 10th anniversary assisted by a full orchestra! A Cantus Christmas relates the Christmas story through musical masterpieces and audience carols performed without interruption for applause. A second performance of the regularly sold-out event has been added, and complimentary cake and champagne punch will be served at intermission!

• Emanuel Ax — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 — Bill Heard Theatre

World-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax brings his virtuoso performance to RiverCenter’s main stage with the works of Chopin and Schumann. Ax, who has performed with greats such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman, was awarded a 2009 Institute for the Arts and Humanities Medal for Distinguished Contributions to the Arts and Humanities.

• Camelot — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 & 20 — Bill Heard Theatre

“Timeless” — The New York Times

Rediscover the grandeur of one of history’s greatest love stories in Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece, Camelot. A sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign, Camelot follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere and the young Lancelot.

• A Chorus Line — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 & 10 — Bill Heard Theatre

IThis musical is for everyone who’s ever had a dream and has put everything on the line to achieve it. Winner of nine Tony Awards® (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever.



Current subscribers to all series should have received their renewal forms. If they were not in attendance at the final event of the series to which they subscribe, their renewal form has been mailed.

Once renewals are completed, new subscriber orders will be filled. If you are not currently a subscriber but would like to purchase season tickets to a series, you may call or come to the RiverCenter Box Office and submit your subscription for processing.

As RiverCenter prepares for its 2009-2010 season, we are inviting select businesses to participate in a new undertaking, the RiverCenter Subscriber Benefits Network. Season subscribers will be provided a card which entitles them to prescribed discounts at various places of business. More information on this undertaking will be available soon on RiverCenter’s website.



Atlanta

The High Museum of Art

• Alec Soth: Black Line of Woods — Through Jan. 3

Organized by the High Museum of Art, this exhibition is part of the “Picturing the South” commission series, representing one of the most distinctive and internationally significant aspects of the High’s growing photography collection. Alec Soth is the sixth photographer to have been commissioned in this series.

• Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius — Through Feb. 21

Exploring Leonardo da Vinci’s profound interest in and influence on sculpture, this exhibition will feature approximately 50 works, including more than 20 sketches and studies by Leonardo, some of which will be on view in the United States for the first time. The exhibition will also feature work by Donatello, Rubens,Verrocchio and Rustici.

• John Portman: Art & Architecture — Through Jan. 3

The High Museum of Art will be the sole venue for “John Portman: Art & Architecture,” an exhibition featuring architectural projects, furniture, paintings, and sculpture by Atlanta-based architect and artist John Portman. The 15 completed and current architectural projects that will be featured span five decades of national and international developments, including the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (1967) that is globally renowned as the first modern atrium hotel.



Night Life:

Americus

American Legion Post 558

Ga. Highway 30 West

Open 6-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday

7 p.m. Tuesday is Bingo Night

Wednesday is Games Night

Open 6 p.m.-2:30 a.m. weekends

Friday is Grown Folks Night Out, featuring dance party, karaoke, music video and disco lights show from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Presented by Monster Screen Projections

Saturday is Oldies Goldies Night

Sunday is Members/Guests Night



DogHouse Bar & Grill

120 N. Lee St.

924-3500

New menu includes She Crab Soup, house soups, seafood and more.

Happy Hour daily from 4-7 p.m./$1 draft beer

Daily lunch specials from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mondays — 25-cent wings from 7-9 p.m.

Texas Hold’em Tournament — from 9 p.m.-midnight, every Tuesday featuring $50 gift certificate for 1st place, $25 for 2nd and DogHouse apparel for 3rd. Free entry.

Wednesday is all you can eat cat fish.

Live music Friday nights

Come watch 17 flat panel TVs. Come play live trivia Buzztime Network.



G.W.F. Phillips Lodge

The Lodge is open every Friday night with oldies from the ’70s and ’80s with Master TJ and Bronco Bill at the Elks Lodge. No teens allowed.



Pat’s Place

1526 S. Lee St. 924-0033

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday

11 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday

• Wednesdays, fresh oysters and shrimp October-April

• Texas Hold’em Poker tournaments starting at 8:30, sign-up at 8 p.m. Must be 21 or over to play. No entry fee. Gift card prizes.

• Saturdays: live music starts at 9 p.m. on some Saturdays nights

• First Saturday Karaoke with The Backdoor Man



Quality Inn Lounge

U.S. Highway 19 South

Karaoke with Russell Halliwill (The Singing Cowboy), 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Karaoke and DJ with the Backdoor Man (Southwest Georgia’s Party Expert), 9 p.m.-closing Monday-Thursday

The Master of Ceremonies, DJ, Karaoke, singer, guitar and trumpet player Danny Bruce, 9 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays

DJ with the Backdoor Man, midnight-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. At Midnight the Backdoor Man sings his hit song “Black Drawers.”



Seafood Center

224 N. Jackson St.

924-5177

Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday — Raw oysters on half shell by the dozen plus beer and wine specials .

5-10 p.m. Monday — 45-cent wing

5-10 p.m. Tuesday — All you can eat boiled shrimp

5-10 p.m. Thursday — 45-cent oysters

Daily: $5 draft pitchers, $1.50 16-oz. draft, $1 12 oz. draft