AMERICUS — 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

Emancipation Proclamation Celebration

The Emancipation Proclamation celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church on Bumphead Road in Americus. The speaker will be the Rev. Calvin Rollins, pastor of the Big Bethel Baptist Church. The host church is Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church. The Lincoln-Douglass Memorial Association would like for the churches and organizations to donate $20 for the program. This year, they will be celebrating a high school senior with a donation. For more information, contact Deacon James L. Bryant, President, Sister Elizabeth Robinson, Sister L. Virginia Davis-Fench, Deacon Frank Wiley, the Rev. Lodenia Coleman or Minister Andrea P.F. Brooks at 229-924-9745.



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. His books are available at www.blightle.com.

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.

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.

• “Porgy and Bess” — The World Tour — 7:30 p.m. March 19 — Bill Heard Theatre

Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2010, and RiverCenter joins the festivities with a brilliantly updated Living Arts’ production featuring a cast of 30, with live orchestra!

The Knology Discovery Series:

• Charlotte’s Web — 7 p.m. April 30 — Bill Heard Theatre

How does a pig named Wilbur avoid winding up as pork chops? With the help of a miraculous little gray spider named Charlotte of course. Theatreworks USA presents an endearing production of Charlotte’s Web, based on E.B. White's book. This treasured tale explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship,

Broadway on Broadway in Columbus Series

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

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. This singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever.

• 100 Years of Broadway — 7:30 p.m. April 13 & 14 — Bill Heard Theatre

“A breezy, sprawling revue that romps gleefully through the American musical theater’s greatest hits” — Punch Shaw, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

• Chicago — 7:30 p.m. May 18 & 19 — Bill Heard Theatre

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

2010 Atlanta Boat Show

The 48th annual Atlanta Boat Show will cruise into the Georgia World Congress Center from Jan. 13 to 17. The show will have special deals on everything from canoes and cruisers to engines and electronics, plus new attractions including the Distortion Boarding-Extreme Rail Jam, the Tupolev 007 Russian rescue boat. This is Georgia’s largest boat show, and will fill 300,000 square feet with hundreds of the latest boats from the region’s top dealers, plus a wide selection of marine accessories and features.

Show details:

Times and dates:

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 13 to 15

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 16

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 17

At the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for youth ages 13-15, free for children 12 and younger. $2 discount if tickets are purchased in advance.