Gallery West’s final Friday, plus South of Atlanta Fest returns

It’s time for May’s First Friday and a lot is happening in Macon. In addition to monthly events, the second South of Atlanta Music Fest is another highlight coming this Friday and Saturday.

The South of Atlanta Fest

The Capitol Theatre’s Hubbard Beasley talked about developing the festival in 2025 alongside Georgia musician Brent Cobb.

“The festival is something we first put together with Brent Cobb last year to showcase Macon since Brent is someone who grew up on Macon music, played a lot in Macon and has recorded at Mercer’s Capricorn Sound Studios,” Beasley said.

The Americus-born, Ellaville-raised Cobb is a Grammy-nominated, self-proclaimed “songwriter first, singer second” who’s written hits for some of country music’s biggest artists, including “Don’t It” for Kenny Chesney, “Days Like These” for Luke Combs and “January Heart” for Miranda Lambert.

His own latest album is “Ain’t Rocked in a While.”

“We’re really glad to have the second year happening,” Beasley said. “Brent was key in making sure it did and we all wanted it to highlight a number of spots in Macon.”

Festivalgoers with wristbands can attend Friday’s kickoff event with live music from 4-6 p.m. on the back lawn of The Big House Museum, where Cobb will be tending a boiled-peanut pot. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. In addition, Tobacco Road and American Aquarium will perform at The Capitol — now The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre — at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Saturday offers an intimate “songwriter round” with Cobb and fellow songwriters in Capricorn’s legendary Studio B from 1-3 p.m. — a not-to-be-missed opportunity for longtime and would-be songwriters.

There will also be a pre-concert party at Grant’s Lounge Saturday from 3-7 p.m. prior to doors opening at 7 p.m. at The Capitol, where Kristina Murray will open for Cobb and his band, The Fixin’s. Afterparties will follow at Grant’s on both nights.

Visit tixr.com/groups/capitoltheatremacon/  for tickets and information. The “songwriter round” is a separately ticketed event and not included with festival wristbands.

Kirsten West’s retirement party at Gallery West

Kirsten West is retiring after 11 years as owner-operator of Gallery West, which she opened to show husband Kirk West’s rock photography and, in recent years, guest exhibits and local artists’ work by John Mollica, Kevin Lewis, Doug Miles, Deneise Ricketson, Maura Lucchese and David Knoll.

Her last day is May 31, so this will be her last First Friday at the gallery — but it’s going to be a good one with the usual Gallery West goodies plus special performances by musical guests EG Knight and Caroline Aiken.

“It’s been quite a ride, and we’ve had a great time at the gallery, but it’s about time I retired,” Kirsten West said.

She said sales are still on for Kirk West’s work at the gallery and online at kirkwestphotography.com.

Gallery West is at 447 Third St., and the retirement party is from 5-8 p.m.

Unfortunately, Kirsten West’s retirement means closing the gallery, which has become a fixture of downtown Macon’s revival and a landmark for national and international music tourists coming to Macon, especially those seeking Allman Brothers Band connections. Kirk West served as the band’s road manager and chief photographer for many years, as well as a master craftsman photographer of all manner of entertainers, beginning with Chicago bluesmen in his younger days.

But let me say this: stay tuned because you never know — something may still be afoot.

First Friday Art Crawl

The 567 Center for Renewal, 456 First St., has a unique exhibit opening this First Friday featuring two artists: the abstract architectural paintings of Brandon Narsing and pottery by Margaret Peth.

Peth started as a 567 pottery class student, later continued her work as a studio member and now teaches a 567 pottery-wheel date-night class.

“Margaret has sold work before at events, but we’re excited for her to have the first gallery show of her pottery and ceramic artistry here at the 567 this month,” said Melissa Macker, 567 executive director. “Her work is beautiful, and I think it pairs beautifully with the architectural and city life abstractions depicted by Brandon.”

With all the art offerings downtown, Macker said it’s a great time to go out and about on First Friday.

“Of course, spring is a great time to stroll downtown and strolling from gallery to gallery is certainly an inspiring way to see different kinds of art displayed at different galleries — from paintings and pottery to photography and more,” she said. “It also allows the opportunity to mingle with the artists themselves and learn what inspires them and how they create their work.”

The 567 Center’s First Friday reception runs from 5-8 p.m and will include light refreshments.

Here’s a quick look at a few other galleries and venues:

— Lore Gallery, 505 Second St., 4–7 p.m. This is one of Macon’s more intriguing spots with the mission of bringing works of art and the handcrafted items of indigenous peoples of Central and South America to Macon with profits benefiting them when possible. I’m pleased to have work from Lore on my walls. This First Friday, it’s 20% off any tribal mask.

— The Bohemian Den, 502 Cherry St. For years, Scott Mitchell has faithfully supported the arts by displaying their work at The Bohemian Den and his other enterprises. This Friday, The Bohemian Den presents art by Sydnee Robertson with a reception from 5-9 p.m.

— Macon Arts Alliance, 486 First St., 4-7 p.m. This month’s exhibit is “Happy Places,” featuring works from a variety of artists exploring the spaces — real or imagined — that bring comfort, calm and joy, allowing reflection on places we return to when the world feels heavy.

— Wesleyan College Leadership Lab, 522 Cherry St., 5-8 p.m. Don’t miss a last chance to see Cedric Smith’s exhibit, “Layers of Reflection,” at the lab’s gallery space during its First Friday closing reception. Smith will have an artist’s talk at 6 p.m. 

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. Find him on Instagram at michael_w_pannell.