Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

Guest blog submission by Michelle Naval, Augusta Sports Council

It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Augusta State University Basketball!

I can still remember going to my first ASU basketball game during my freshman year all because a friend of mine was a cheerleader and wanted me and the rest of our friends to go to the game to watch her!  Little did I know that first game would get me hooked on ASU Basketball!  That was about 5 years ago and till this day I still get excited when October comes around because I know Jaguar basketball season is right around the corner! Everyone gets excited to watch some great basketball. 

I always arrive with my game day posters and my Jaguars team spirit in hand on game days!  

Besides the game there are a lot of other things that will keep just about anybody that comes happy.  The game day environment in Christenberry Field House is great! Fans of all ages come out every game to support the teams and to enjoy some really great basketball.  Plus it also doesn’t hurt ticket prices are affordable. There’s also the ASU Study Abroad sponsored concession stand where you can get just about any candy you can think of plus huge tubs of popcorn for snacks during the game.  Halftime is probably the busiest time at the concession stand and thankfully you don’t have to wait long to get your snacks and back to your seat before the 2nd half starts! 

 
So whether or not you’re an alumni, student, community supporter, kid or just a basketball fan in general, I highly recommend coming out to catch a game at Christenberry Field House because trust me there’s still plenty of chances for you to catch a game this season!  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

So remember Augusta is not only the home of the Masters but also the Augusta State Jaguars!  Go Jags! See you at the game!

Augusta State University
Christenberry Field House
3109 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30909
(706) 737-1632

Ashton Randall, the Electronic Media Manager at the ACVB, went on her first Moonlight Music Cruise down the Augusta Canal. See video clips and photos from the cruise in this new video blog. For more information visit http://www.augustacanal.com 

WATCH VIDEO

Nestled away in the beautiful Forest Hills neighborhood in Augusta, Georgia along the legendary Rae’s Creek (which runs through the Augusta National Golf Club’s infamous Amen Corner) is Rae’s Coastal Cafe.

To be honest, the restaurant is a little difficult to find, it’s hidden and is a nice, quaint escape from the city. But, one call to the cafe and the friendly staff will be more than happy to guide you to your destination. Or you could always follow the smell of their unforgettable food!

My first trip to Rae’s Coastal Cafe was for a friend’s baby luncheon. Traditionally people have baby showers to celebrate the birth of a child, but she wanted something different and non-conventional. So, we chose a different, non-traditional restaurant.

They serve seafood, Southern and Caribbean style dishes. The atmosphere is quite cozy and nestled within a very pleasant neighborhood, surrounded by lots of trees and vegetation. You really feel like you’ve left the busy city, even though it’s simply minutes away.

Our waiter, Derrick, was fantastic and very knowledgeable about everything on the menu. The management was also very friendly and came out to check and make sure everything was perfect, and it was!

For an appetizer, we ordered the Onion Bloom and the Shrimp Pate with Mango Chutney, which was delish.

I ordered the Coconut Shrimp for an entree, which was served with the Rae’s House Salad (fresh greens, tomatoes, pita croutons  and Rae’s house made  dressing), and rice and black beans. I was very satisfied with my choice.

After hearing so many people rave about Rae’s famous She-Crab Soup, we couldn’t leave without trying it! And? It was fantastic! The soup was cream-based, similar to a chowder, but lighter with a sweet, fresh crab taste. Simply said…it is the best soup I’ve ever tasted.

Rae’s is open for both lunch and dinner. The Cafe also has a full bar and outdoor seating. Oh, and don’t forget their Key Lime Pie; it’s the perfect combination of sweet and tart, just as it should be.

If you haven’t tried Rae’s, you’re missing out on some scrumptious food!

Rae’s Coastal Cafe
(706) 738-1313
3208 W. Wimbledon Drive
Augusta, Georgia 30909

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Friday    11 am – 2 pm for lunch
Tuesday – Thursday   5 pm – 10 pm for dinner
Friday  -  Saturday    5 pm – 11 pm for dinner
Sunday  12 pm – 10 pm for lunch and dinner

This year’s Social Canvas is coming! It will be held Sunday, May 6th on the Riverwalk in front of the Morris Museum of Art. Check out last year’s blog about Social Canvas:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last weekend the Morris Museum of Art held its third annual Social Canvas event. The first thing you need to know about Social Canvas is that it is AWESOME! The second thing you need to know about Social Canvas is that it is FREE!

So, WHAT IS SOCIAL CANVAS?

Sound like fun? It should! If you have kids, they will adore all the art projects that they can be a part of; including painting on the massive canvas that’s appropriately titled the “Social Canvas!”

WHAT DO YOU DO?

If you’re like me and going alone or with a friend, there’s plenty for you to enjoy. Artists. Live music. Breakdancing. The Artisan Market. Art Projects. Did I mention the live music and breakdancing?

At the Artisan Market you can find anything from hand sculpted ceramic bowls, vases and sculptures to handmade jewlery and accesories, local photography and even hand sewn clothing. After I made my rounds and spent my hard earned money on FABULOUS finds in the market, I headed over to one of the art projects and tried my (decidedly unartistic) hand at screen poster making.

For those of you who have never tried screening a poster, it’s a step by step process-NOT at all like what I’m used to, which is creating a digital file and hitting “print.” The result is a beautiful, layered print with lots of bright colors and TONS of personality.

While waiting on each layer of my poster to dry, I sat under a tree with a sweet tea and listened to The Favors. I’d never heard them play before, although I have seen where they are frequent guests at Sky City- a local bar and indie music venue. Two words to describe them…smooth and catchy!

At the end of the day, I felt….well, sunburned (next year I’ll bring sunscreen) but also incredibly satisfied. For a self-admitted NON-artist, I had created an awesome poster, watched as local artists created paintings inspired by the atmosphere, listened to great music, boosted the local economy and left with a bag full of one-of-a-kind jewelry and art.

I grabbed a free sticker on the way out that says “I Experienced Art at the Morris.” Until you do something like this, you don’t really appreciate that phrase, so GO! EXPERIENCE! The Morris puts on events all the time-ranging from independent films, workshops, readings,  even cooking demos! It is always reasonably priced or free and most definitely worth a visit!

Morris Museum of Art

1 Tenth St.

Augusta, GA 30901

Top 5 things to get excited about in Augusta, Ga during December!

December 9, 10, 15, 16, 17

If you get a little tired of seeing the same holiday shows every single year, then you’ll love Misconception: The Lost Gospel of Christmas. Le Chat Noir’s inappropriately humorous, irreverent and endearing retelling of the greatest story ever told explores what might have happened if the birth of Jesus had happened during modern times.

December 11

The Augusta Museum of History is hosting their first ever Polar Express for children this year! Kids dressed in pajamas will receive their very own golden ticket and will board a real train and hear the story of the Polar Express while munching on cookies and hot chocolate.

December 16

Another first for the holidays in Augusta is the Magic of Santa Claus Trolley Tour! The entire family can take a magical journey that includes a sightseeing trip to view the city Christmas lights of both Augusta and North Augusta with stops along the way to meet with Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves from the North Pole! Stay warm in the trolley with cookies and cider or coffee.

December 18

A holiday favorite returns this year at the Imperial Theatre – 12 Bands of Christmas is back and bringing some of the best local artists to one stage for the biggest musical Christmas party of the year! If you want to take the show home with you, make sure you pick up a 12 Bands of Christmas CD while you’re there!

Through December 31^st

Stroll through millions of twinkling Christmas lights with a hot chocolate in hand at Lights of the South. While you’re there, you can take the kids to meet Santa, see Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, roast marshmallows and find your way through a lighted Christmas Tree maze!