5 things to do this weekend: Free concerts, drive-in movies, stand-up comedy and more

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
From left: Athens hip hop artist P.O. The Priceless 1 and ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment CEO Montu Miller onstage at The Lab at Ciné on Feb. 18.
From left: Athens hip hop artist P.O. The Priceless 1 and ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment CEO Montu Miller onstage at The Lab at Ciné on Feb. 18.

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 Sept. 1-3.

Fortyfest

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

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Free admission with any size donation to Nuçi's Space)

DETAILS: Celebrate Historic Athens Executive Director Tommy Valentine's 40th birthday with this six-hour event that features a massive lineup of Athens stars including Music Walk of Fame inductees Calvin Orlando Smith and Ishues. To reserve a ticket, visit eventbrite.com/e/fortyfest-tommy-valentines-40th-at-the-40-watt-a-nucis-space-benefit-tickets-669393392657.

The logo for nonprofit art theater and event venue Ciné appears on their pop-up drive-in screen at General Time Athens on Sept. 27, 2022.
The logo for nonprofit art theater and event venue Ciné appears on their pop-up drive-in screen at General Time Athens on Sept. 27, 2022.

Ciné Drive-In

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

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. ($10 admission)

DETAILS: The Ciné Drive-In pop-up event will screen twice this weekend with presentations of two classics from the 1980s. "The Goonies" will show on Friday night and "Sixteen Candles" will play on Sunday night. Tickets can be purchased in advance at athenscine.com/drive-in or at Southern Brewing the night of each show.

The Original Splitz Band performs at The Foundry in Athens, Ga. on Friday, July 21, 2023.
The Original Splitz Band performs at The Foundry in Athens, Ga. on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Concert at Athens Fairgrounds

WHERE: Friends of Athens Fairgrounds (1001 Dunlap Rd. in Winterville)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2 from 7-10 p.m. (Free admission)

DETAILS: Attendees can expect to enjoy amusement park rides, games, food and refreshments while listening to high-energy renditions of 1960s and 1970s R&B hits courtesy of longtime Athens-based ensemble The Original Splitz Band, featuring keys and lead vocals by Dierdra Stroud and lead guitar by Stanley Stroud.

'House Party' Exhibit

WHERE: Richard B. Russell Jr. Special Collections Libraries Building (300 S. Hull St.)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Free admission)

DETAILS: Opened Thursday and carrying on through December, the "House Party" exhibit chronicles the history of house shows in Athens, which were concerts performed in nonprofessional venue spaces like The Lounge, Ultramod Compound and more. For parking info and more details, visit libs.uga.edu/hargrett/exhibits/houseparty.

'Chop Shop' comedy show

WHERE: Work.shop (160 Winston Dr. #9)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. ($10 admission)

DETAILS: Local improviser and artist Jessica Mickey produced this experimental comedy showcase in collaboration with Flying Squid Comedy. Chop Shop's previous show happened in May and featured a variety of entertainment, including musical improv, drag, magic and character performances. $8 advance tickets can be purchased at flyingsquidcomedy.com.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Five things to do in the Athens area this weekend (Sept. 1-3)