5 things to do this weekend: Twilight, Normaltown Music Fest, Bears' Birthday and more

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read

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 Apr. 26-28.

Each week, the Banner-Herald will publish a list of five options for things to do in the Athens area. Please note that the events in this list are subject to rescheduling, cancelation or tickets selling out.

Riders turn onto East Clayton Street during the Twilight women's pro Criterium in downtown Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Riders turn onto East Clayton Street during the Twilight women's pro Criterium in downtown Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Twilight Criterium

  • WHERE: Downtown Athens (Clayton Street at College Avenue)

  • WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 27 at 7 p.m. (Free admission)

  • DETAILS: Though the annual Twilight Criterium bicycle race is a two-day event that officially starts when the food court opens at noon on Friday, Apr. 26, the main attractions happen on Saturday evening with the Women's Pro Criterium, followed by the Men's Pro at 8:30 p.m. View the map and schedule at athenstwilight.com.

(L-R) Jazmin Janay, Celest Ngeve and BlackNerdNinja perform during Fortyfest at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The event raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofit Nuçi's Space.
(L-R) Jazmin Janay, Celest Ngeve and BlackNerdNinja perform during Fortyfest at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The event raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofit Nu?i's Space.

Normaltown Music Festival

  • WHERE: Athentic Brewing Company (108 Park Ave.)

  • WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 27 from noon to 11 p.m. ($15 admission for ages 21+, $10 for ages 16-20, free for ages 15 and under)

  • DETAILS: This all-ages family friendly event is a benefit for Nu?i's Space and Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens will feature food trucks and a full day of live music on two stages. The massive list of performers includes BlackNerdNinja, Empress Mokah, Night Palace, Lunar Vacation, Jay Gonzalez, Fishbug and many more.

Athena, a 12-year-old-female, looks up at the crowd from eating her sister Yonah's birthday cake during the zoo's "Bears' Bee-Day" birthday celebration on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
Athena, a 12-year-old-female, looks up at the crowd from eating her sister Yonah's birthday cake during the zoo's "Bears' Bee-Day" birthday celebration on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Bears' Birthday

  • WHERE: Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Zoo (293 Gran Ellen Dr.)

  • WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Free admission)

  • DETAILS: DJ, Athena and Yonah, the three bears that live at Bear Hollow Zoo, all celebrate their birthdays at the same time each year with a special free event that features family activities, animal encounters, crafts, refreshments, and a great view of the bears enjoying their special "cake." DJ, the oldest, will be turning 21.

The mural outside Treehouse Kid & Craft in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
The mural outside Treehouse Kid & Craft in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.

Treehouse Spring Art and Vintage Market

  • WHERE: Treehouse Kid + Craft (585 Barber St., Studio G)

  • WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Free admission)

  • DETAILS: More than 40 vendors are scheduled to be set up at Treehouse's annual Spring artist and vintage market, including everything from handmade jewelry and crochet to dog treats, puppets and craft sauces. There will also be kid artist booths, an animal rescue farm, and on-site eats from Homy's Food Truck.

FX Spring Concert

  • WHERE: UGA Fine Arts Theatre (255 Baldwin St.)

  • WHEN: Saturday, Apr, 27 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ($16 admission)

  • DETAILS: Dancefx's spring concert will feature performances by more than 15 of the Athens-based studio's adult class programs and companies with members ages18 and up. This year's theme is "Tribute," and the afternoon and evening shows include such styles as burlesque, concert dance, salsa and tap.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Five things to do in the Athens area this weekend (Apr. 26-28)

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