May Events in the Greater Augusta Area

May Events in the Greater Augusta Area "It's gonna be May"! Wait, it already IS May! Looking for something to get into(or out to) this month? With Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby and Mother's Day all sneaking up on us there are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore our great community! First Choice Home Builders has you covered with a list of area happenings in the greater Augusta area.   May 4 Films on Friday Morris Museum of Art Featured film is To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), starring Gregory Peck. Participants are invited to bring lunch. Noon. Free. (706) 724-7501, themorris.org Kentucky Derby “Hat Party” Gala Imperial Theatre Imperial Theatre gala celebrates the Kentucky Derby. Reception includes hors d’oeuvres, drinks, photo booth and spectacular hats. JAMP Band concert and Marx Brothers film “Day at the Races” follow the reception. 7 p.m. Reception $15; concert and movie are free. imperialtheatre.com May 4, 11, 12 “Gathering in the Shire” Kroc Center In Enopion Theatre’s newest musical, King Edwin disguises himself and searches the land for a Royal Storehouse Regent to help prepare for times of famine. Songs by Marty Goetz. Various times. Adults $16; children, seniors and groups of 10 or more $12. (706) 771-7777, enopion.com May 4, 11, 18, 25 Moonlight Music Cruise Augusta Canal Interpretive Center Bring refreshments and cruise down the canal with live entertainment every Friday evening. Music includes blues, pop and jazz with John Hobbs (5/4), indie and acoustic rock with Chris Hardy (5/11), powerhouse soul with Christian Ndeti (5/18) and bluegrass and honkeytonkwith The Clydes (5/25). 7-8:30 p.m. $25; reservations required. (706) 823-0440, augustacanal.com May 5 Giant Community Yard Sale Columbia County Fairgrounds More than 200 vendors sell a variety of goods including appliances, furniture, arts and crafts, jewelry and plants. 7 a.m.-noon. Free admission; parking donations accepted for charity. giantcommunityyardsale.com Cinco Saturday Evans Towne Center Park Cinco de Mayo celebration features pinatas, margaritas and music. 2-10 p.m. evanstownecenterpark.com “The Michael Jackson Experience” Hardin Performing Arts Center Tribute artist Michael Firestone performs Michael Jackson’s greatest hits in I Am King. 7:30 p.m. $46. Pre-show dinner also available; reservations required. (706) 726-0366, augustaamusements.com Date Night Auction Surrey Tavern Easter Seals fundraiser features eligible area bachelors and bachelorettes. Social hour 6-7 p.m. (meet bachelors and bachelorettes 6-6:30 p.m.); auction begins 7 p.m. $15, includes hors d’oeuvres. Cash bar. (706) 667-9695.  Derby Day The Legends Club Watch the Kentucky Derby with mint juleps and Southern cuisine. Includes ladies’ hat contest, gentlemen’s fashion contest, entertainment, auctions and raffles. Benefits Augusta Training Shop. 4-8 p.m. $75 in advance; $100 at the door. (706) 738-1358, augustatrainingshop.com Dragon Boat Race & Festival Lake Olmstead Rowing festival features dragon boat races, Asian-themed marketplace, food, music, live entertainment, crafts and children’s activities. Festival is free; fee for rowing participants. Benefits Goodwill. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (706) 650-5760, goodboats.org Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival Thomson Musicians include JD McPherson, Samantha Fish, Amy Helm, Kenny Neal, The Randall Bramblett Band and Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton. Bring blankets and chairs; no coolers or pets. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. $40. (706) 597-1000, blindwillie.com Swamp Saturday Hike Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Take a guided 2.5-mile hike through the park’s nature trails. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water to drink. No pets. Limited space; registration required. 9:30-11:30 a.m. $2; free for Friends of Phinizy and children age 3 and under. (706) 396-1426, phinizycenter.org May 6 Croquet for Ballet Aiken County Historical Museum Augusta Ballet fundraiser features croquet on historic grounds, live music, seated picnic lunch and open bar. Guest croquet instructor will be available. 2-5 p.m. $75. augustaballet.org May 9 Whose Live Anyway? Bell Auditorium The cast of Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” performs 90 minutes of improvised comedy and song based on audience suggestions. Appropriate for all ages. 8 p.m. $45-$73. augustaentertainmentcomplex.com May 10 Artist Opening Reception Sacred Heart Cultural Center Pat Warren and Frank Carstarphen display their oil, acrylic and watercolor works. Reception 5-7 p.m. Works remain on display through June 29. sacredheartaugusta.org Exhibition Opening Morris Museum of Art Preview “Street Scenes: The Magical World of Robert Vickrey” before exhibit opens to the public. 6-8 p.m. Member are free, non-members $5. (706) 724-7501, themorris.org May 11-12 Aiken Bluegrass Festival Aiken Fairgrounds Festival includes live music from nearly 20 nationally and regionally acclaimed bluegrass artists. Vendors available; no coolers. Gates open at noon. $30 and up. aikenbluegrassfestival.org May 11-13 “The Little Mermaid” Imperial Theatre The Augusta Players present Disney’s musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story. Various times. $28-$48. imperialtheatre.com May 12 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Nationwide U.S. Postal Service letter carriers collect non-perishable food items during their national Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Place items in bags by your mailbox for pickup. nalc.org Paddlefest Savannah River New route from downtown Augusta to New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam. Annual leisurely paddle and competitive race features canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a poker run for recreational boaters. 9 a.m. Afterparty at Lock & Dam Park includes barbecue, game and fish cook-off, live music and vendors 11 a.m.-2 p.m. savannahriverkeeper.org May 16 Brian Wilson Bell Auditorium The Beach Boys artist presents his Pet Sounds: The Final Performances tour. 8 p.m. $42-$116. augustaentertainmentcomplex.com May 18 Heartland Spring Concert First Baptist Church of Evans The Columbia County Chorale Society performs with The Augusta Chorale. 7:30 p.m. Adults $17-$20; students and children are free. columbiacountychoralsociety.org Hops & Hogs Downtown Aiken Festival features local barbecue, beer from more than 20 regional craft breweries and live music from 3rd Time Charmers. 6-10:30 p.m. Admission is free. Corner of Pendleton Street and Hayne Avenue Ext. aikendda.us May 19 Thunder Over Evans Evans Towne Center Park Armed Forces Day celebration features military exhibits, flyovers, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks. Free admission. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. thunderoverevans.com May 20 Lock to Lock Ride Savannah Rapids Pavilion Bicycle ride features an 18.5-mile route and a 37-mile route. Sign-in 12:30-1:30 p.m.; ride starts 2 p.m. $25 if registered by 5/17 (receive a T-shirt); $35 day of event. Includes snack, Powerade stations and lunch. Helmets required. (706) 724-2453; andyjordans.com Music at the Morris Morris Museum of Art The Mike Frost Band performs a set of jazz selections. 2 p.m. Free. (706) 724-7501, themorris.org May 21 Civil War Roundtable Augusta Snelling Center Guest speaker Dr. Edward Hightower, Clark Atlanta University professor, presents “The Reconstruction Period.” 6 p.m. $23, includes dinner. (706) 736-2909, civilwarroundtableaugustaga.com May 22 Memorial Day Concert Sacred Heart Cultural Center Concert recognizes and honors the sacrifices of fallen American military members. 7:30 p.m. $10-$30. (706) 826-4713. augustacs.org