Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

The country music duo, Sugarland, rocked a sold-out James Brown Arena on Thursday night, June 23. I can honestly say it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to, and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush were nothing shy of amazing!

The duo sang several of their well-known/award-winning hits including: “Settlin,” “Stay,” “All I Want To Do,” “It Happens,” “Every Day America,” “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and of course, “Baby Girl,” “for fans who have been there from the beginning,” she said. And the crowd sang along; the energy was high and everyone was having a good time. They also sang songs from their newest album, Incredible Machine: “Stuck Like Glue,” “Tonight,” “Little Miss,” “Shine The Light” and “Every Girl Like Me” are my favorites!

The duo seemed right at home in the Garden City. Nettles even gave a shout-out to local trendsetter and business owner CoCo Rubio, owner of Sky City and Soul Bar. Nettles said she remembers the days before she “hit it big” playing shows at the Soul Bar and drinking $1 PBR specials; a special that is still offered today!

Being born and raised in Douglas, GA, a short drive from Augusta, the crowd was full of her family and friends. Even her high school band director was there; she jokes saying that it was a good thing the “audience hit all their P’s and Q’s.”

It was one of the best shows I have been to in a long time! I cannot wait to see another show at the James Brown Arena when Keith Urban takes the stage on Saturday, August 13 right here in Augusta, GA! Will you be there?

James Brown Arena

601 7th Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 724-2400

http://www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com

A friend of mine got a new job recently and we haven’t had much time to see each other. I wanted to hear all about her new gig, so we decided to have some much needed catch up time with dinner and a chick flick. And we got to go to one of my favorite downtown restaurants, Bees Knees.

Bobbie Jo enjoying our Buttered Rum Crème Brulee

Bees Knees is a great tapas place and has larger entrée size portions as well. But I love the tapas since it means I get to try a lot of different tastes in one meal, without completely overloading on food.

Stuffed Jalapenos

We went for some of my favorites with the Sesame Tuna Tartare, Shrimp & Vegetable Tempura and Avocado Chop Chop – half of an avocado covered in chopped crab meat and Japanese aioli and then baked, so good. But they had a couple of new menu items that we tried as well. The Smoked Gouda Nachos are unbelievable and the Stuffed Jalapenos were just spicy enough without being too hot.

Gouda Nachos

I think my absolute favorite thing on the menu is their crème brulee and they even had a special for that – Buttered Rum Crème Brulee. We just couldn’t turn that down.

Buttered Rum Creme Brulee

Bees Knees has great drink specials every night. Fridays are Sangria Night and Saturdays feature Skyy Martinis. They are definitely worth checking out.

The Bees Knees
211 Tenth Street
706.828.3600
http://www.beeskneestapas.com/

I won’t even mention the movie (it was really that bad).  But the theatre has comfy chairs that are set up stadium style so I can see without looking around the person in front of me, and wasn’t freezing the way most movie theatres are.

Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 & IMAX
1144 Agerton Lane
706-667-6653
http://www.regmovies.com/

This year for my first time I went to the dinner theater in Augusta, Georgia and it was fantastic. We had an office outing to the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre to see their production of Dearly Beloved. I really did not know what to expect accept everyone had always told me the food was great and the shows were fun. They were right about both.

The trip out to Fort Gorgon was easy. I arrived at the theater to find the parking lot full. Katrina pulled in just behind me, so we walked up the meet the rest of the team. When the doors opened, they showed us to our table. You enjoy dinner first and then the show. So here is the inside tip……get your dessert before you get your dinner. I grabbed my slice of chocolate cake and then went back for the prime rib. The buffet was full of good things. Potatoes au gratin, stir fry vegetables, rice with a spicy shrimp, and of course the prime rib. All was yummy. But I did notice at the end of the meal, the desert table was looking slim on choices. So don’t forget the inside tip.

Our dinner was on the same level as the theatre stage. There is also an upper level of seating. I took this photo while the lights were still on – but I think you can get an idea of the setting. I enjoyed the seats throughout the play.

The play was the story of a wedding in small town that goes awry when the bride and groom go missing. Of course there is a happy ending but I don’t want to give everything away. The actors at the Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre are terrific. They are all local, some even soldiers. The production was so much fun to watch. I really got lost and the story and enjoyed my time.

The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Season has about six productions a year. Each show runs about two weeks. Tickets range from $25 – $39. You can also just go for the show and not do dinner. I recommend dinner.

It was a different experience for me and glad for the office outing. I hope to go back soon this time without the team.

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre
Located on 3rd Avenue, Building 32100, Fort Gordon, Georgia
Box Office (706) 793-8552

One of my favorite lunch spots in downtown Augusta is the Mellow Mushroom! Not only do they have the best pizza in town in my opinion, they offer great service and a quick lunch menu.

I usually get the slice and salad offered on their lunch menu.  This is the best of both worlds-a treat and something healthy. It’s one of the best cheap, quick lunches in town! I also enjoy the garlic pretzels with marinara sauce. They come straight to your table warm from the oven and drizzled with a little bit of Parmesan and butter, and they’re so good!

Whether you have little time, or as much time as you want, make sure to pay Mellow Mushroom a visit! Enjoy!!

Mellow Mushroom
1167 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706)828-5578

Another fun-filled Friday night in Augusta began in the Augusta Common for the 17^th annual Border Bash, a famous celebration that brings South Carolina Gamecock  and Georgia Bulldog fans together. It is traditionally held the Friday before the rivalry game on the following Saturday.  My friends and I cheered for our team, the Georgia Bulldogs, or more intimately the ‘bulldawgs’, and saw each team’s mascots, cheerleaders and enjoyed musical entertainment by The Joe Stevenson Band (from right here in Augusta) and Sister Hazel. Not only was this event fun for everyone, it feels good to know that proceeds from this event benefit several children’s organizations in Augusta and the CSRA.

After the Border Bash, we decided to stay downtown and head to 80’s Night at one of our favorite spots downtown, the Soul Bar. Soul Bar features themed nights like Disco Inferno and 90’s Night also, but 80’s Night is always jam-packed with Augusta locals, especially college students and local artists and musicians  every second Friday of the month.

We danced the night away and sang along to our favorite 80’s songs like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” which, magically everyone in the entire bar knows the words to. The DJ plays a variety of music famous to the featured decade. We danced for hours as we sipped on one of Soul Bar’s famous drink concoctions, the Green Disaster.  This drink is special to only Soul Bar, and their bartenders are more than happy to share their recipe with the faithful readers of the Metro Spirit. It contains ¾ ounces of Malibu Rum, ¾ ounces of vodka (any brand), ¾ ounces of melon rum, a splash of orange juice, sweet and sour mix and a splash of Sprite. It is delicious if you are looking for something fruity, but something different.

If you are in Augusta on a Friday night and are looking for a spot with happening night life, check out the Soul Bar, located at 984 Broad Street in downtown Augusta or e-mail info@soulbar.com, especially the second Friday of the month. Visiting the first Friday of the month? Check out the monthly First Friday celebration downtown.