5 things to do this weekend: 706 Fest, Whammocon, American Music Festival and more

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
Updated ·2 min read
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Each week, the Banner-Herald will publish a list of five options for things to do in the Athens area.

Though there's never a shortage of festivals, markets and other cultural happenings in the Classic City, we've chosen to spotlight these events for the weekend of June 30-July 2.

FILE - Molly Tu Hott performs at the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop celebration at The World Famous in downtown Athens, Ga. on May 18, 2023. She will perform Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 706 Fest.
FILE - Molly Tu Hott performs at the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop celebration at The World Famous in downtown Athens, Ga. on May 18, 2023. She will perform Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 706 Fest.

706 Fest

WHERE: 40 Watt Club (285 W. Washington St.)

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 at 9 p.m. ($20 admission, ages 25+ only)

DETAILS: Atlanta bass music legend Raheem the Dream headlines this first-year event presented by 95.9 FM The Beat of Athens and United Group of Artists Music Group. The show will be hosted by Ant G and Alichia Cruz and will feature performances by Raheem and Athens hip hop artists Ant Da Ripper and Molly Tu Hott.

FILE - Elf Power performs during the final day of AthFest in downtown Athens, Ga., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. The group will perform Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Whammocon.
FILE - Elf Power performs during the final day of AthFest in downtown Athens, Ga., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. The group will perform Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Whammocon.

Whammocon

WHERE: Flicker Theatre and Bar (263 W. Washington St.)

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 at 8 p.m. (Free admission)

DETAILS: Athens-based Spaceball Entertainment will ring in its 25th anniversary with a "cosmic celebration" featuring a lineup of short and fast performances by bands that will include members of Go Public, Still Flying, Quadiliacha, Elf Power, Carbonis, NARC, Organically Programmed and more.

FILE - Mama Faux performing at Athens Pride and Queer Collectives Pride Anthem Drag Show Pride Month Kickoff at Akademia Brewing in Athens, Ga., on Friday, June 2, 2023. She performs on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Proud: A Pride Anthem Drag Show.
FILE - Mama Faux performing at Athens Pride and Queer Collectives Pride Anthem Drag Show Pride Month Kickoff at Akademia Brewing in Athens, Ga., on Friday, June 2, 2023. She performs on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Proud: A Pride Anthem Drag Show.

PROUD: A Pride Anthem Drag Show

WHERE: Akademia Brewing Company (150 Crane Dr.)

WHEN: Friday, June 30 at 9 p.m. ($5 admission, ages 18+ only)

DETAILS: Athens Pride & Queer Collective (APQC) will wrap up Pride month with an incredible lineup of local drag talent hosted by Karmella Macchiato including performances by Diamond Dupree Sanchez, Nik at Nite, Jacey Rockett, Vyrgo, Extasy Grey and Mama Faux. Akademia's “So Queer, No Fear” brew will be available for purchase to benefit APQC.

Original Splitz Band

WHERE: The Foundry (295 E. Dougherty St.)

WHEN: Friday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m.

DETAILS: The Original Splitz Band has been rocking the Classic City since the late 1990s with an astounding catalog of danceable live cover tunes of classic and contemporary R&B hits, 1970s funk and disco. Don't miss your chance to experience this nine-piece dynamo featuring the face-melting guitar skills of Floyd J. Weaver.

Classic City American Music Festival

WHERE: Southern Brewing Company (231 Collins Industrial Blvd.)

WHEN: Saturday, July 1 at 1 p.m. ($15 at the door, $10 with UGA I.D., free admission for kids 12 and under)

DETAILS: All-day finger-pickin' bluegrass festival with on-site BBQ tent and hours of live music performances featuring Grassland, WildJordan TonksCats, The Welfare Liners, Peach Ice Cream Bluegrass Band, McMaken Brothers, Broken String Band, Red Oak String Band and BorderHop Trio. $10 advance tickets are available at eventbrite.com/e/classic-city-american-music-festival-2023-at-southern-brewing-company-tickets-654852430247.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Five things to do in the Athens area this weekend (June 30-July 2)