Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia 1
Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia
The culture of Augusta, Georgia is
influenced by the many different
perspectives and histories of its community
members, as well as its own history. The
large African American population of the
area as well as the city's rural surroundings
have affected the types of festivals and
culture produced within the city. Another
major influence on the culture of the city is
the annual Masters golf tournament held in
April of each year. The most prolific
cultural medium produced by the city is its
musicians, as evidenced by James Brown,
Jessye Norman, and Wycliffe Gordon.
Sacred Heart Cultural Center
Large events and festivals
Augusta is host to a variety of annual events. The largest event held in the city each year is the Masters golf
tournament bringing in around 250,000 visitors.[1] One of the majors of the PGA tour, the Masters is also a major
cultural influence on the city. Most semi-professional sports teams in the city are named for puns related to the
tournament (the Augusta Greenjackets and the now defunct Augusta Lynx). Many establishments in the city,
especially in the area around the Augusta National Golf Club, are also named in a similar manner. Restaurants
throughout Augusta use memorabilia from the tournament as decor.[2] In fact, spring break for schools within the
Richmond County School System coincides with the tournament, similarly to the timing of school breaks in New
Orleans and Mardi Gras.[3]
Other annual events include the cultural festival Arts in the Heart of Augusta,[4] the Hip hop concert Mayfest,[5] and
the arts festival Westobou.[6] The Rock Fore! Dough Concert is a charity concert held each year to coincide with the
Masters golf tournament. The CSRA Classic, a traditional style marching band competition, is also held each year in
Augusta.[7]
Each year, Augusta also hosts the Augusta Futurity, the largest horse cutting show east of the Mississippi River. In
2009, the Futurity hosted its 30th annual event.[8]
Along with this annual events, downtown Augusta also hosts a monthly "First Friday" arts festival in the downtown
Artist's Row district.[9]
Theater and dance
The metropolitan area supports a number of theatrical venues and both amateur and professional companies. The
Imperial Theatre, where James Brown formerly practiced,[10] and the Bell Auditorium are the largest dedicated
theater venues in Augusta. The Miller Theater was formerly a movie theater that is now undergoing major
renovations in order to be returned to a usable, historic space. The Le Chat Noir Theatre is a new addition to the
theater scene in Augusta.[11] All of these spaces are located in the downtown district.
Two theaters operate in the district of South Augusta. The Augusta Mini Theater recently opened its doors for both
theatrical classes and performances.[12] The Fort Gordon Dinner Theater is a long-running theater that is based on
the military base of Fort Gordon.[13] [14]
Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia 2
The Augusta Ballet is a prominent professional ballet company based in Augusta. They perform mostly out of the
Imperial Theater. The Augusta Players are a theatrical troupe in the city.
Musical venues and companies
The James Brown Arena is the largest venue in Augusta. It is used for a variety of events. Notably, the arena was
named for Augusta-native musician James Brown just prior to his death in 2006.[15] The Sky City is a new music
venue in town while Sector 7G caters to the youth music scene.[16] [17]
The Augusta Symphony is a full concert orchestra that performs four major series each year.[18] The Augusta Choral
Society often performs with them, but also has its own concerts and series.[19]
Museums, historical sites, and other points of cultural interest
• Academy of Richmond County • James Brown statue (Broad Street at the Augusta Common)
• Augusta International Raceway • John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
• Augusta Museum of History • Morris Museum of Art
• Artist's Row • Old Medical College
• Confederate Powderworks • Sacred Heart Cultural Center
• Ezekiel Harris House • Sconyers
• Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art • Springfield Baptist Church
• Haunted Pillar
Other arts organizations
• Greater Augusta Arts Council
References
[1] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 040598/ met_124-3255. shtml
[2] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 102207/ yrb_148761. shtml
[3] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 040598/ bus_124-3224. shtml
[4] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 091606/ met_96947. shtml
[5] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 051499/ fea_mayfest. shtml
[6] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 091908/ met_476255. shtml
[7] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 110808/ col_482676. shtml
[8] Chris Gay Cutting horse show embraces milestone (http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 2009/ 01/ 18/ fut_508055. shtml), Augusta
Chronicle, January 18, 2009.
[9] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 050507/ met_127380. shtml
[10] Augusta Georgia: metro@ugusta: Soul singer Brown prepares for tour 03/18/99 (http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 031899/
met_021-1594. 001. shtml)
[11] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 040606/ art_76224. shtml
[12] Steven Uhles Dramatic debut (http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 2009/ 01/ 19/ met_508211. shtml), Augusta Chronicle, January 19,
2009
[13] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 063005/ ric_4521620. shtml
[14] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 061397/ fea_applause. html
[15] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 123006/ spe_110576. shtml
[16] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 2009/ 01/ 22/ mov_508505. shtml
[17] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 060807/ uhl_131395. shtml
[18] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 2009/ 01/ 22/ mus_508537. shtml
[19] http:/ / chronicle. augusta. com/ stories/ 040398/ fea_symphony. shtml
Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia 3
External links
• Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival (http://www.artsintheheart.com)
• Greater Augusta Arts Council (http://www.augustaarts.com)
• First Friday (http://www.augustaarts.com/firstfriday.htm)
• Westobou Festival (http://www.westoboufestival.com)
• Augusta Mini Theater (http://www.augustaminitheatre.com)
• The Augusta Players (http://www.augustaplayers.org/)
• Le Chat Noir Theatre (http://www.lcnaugusta.com)
• The Augusta Choral Society (http://www.augustachoralsociety.org/)
• The Metro Spirit (http://www.metrospirit.com)
Article Sources and Contributors 4
Article Sources and Contributors
Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=408425770 Contributors: Auntof6, Caveman80, KathrynLybarger, LizGere, Nickg79, SMSpivey,
Stacey hudson, TexasAndroid, Ulric1313, ViperSnake151, Wikignome431, Woohookitty, Wpgeek431, 6 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:Sacred Heart Cultural Center front gates.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sacred_Heart_Cultural_Center_front_gates.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Flickr user Stacie Wells
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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