Dalton Little Theater to present serio-comedy

DALTON, Ga. — The Dalton Little Theatre presents the award-winning serio-comedy “ART” April 27-28 and May 3-5 at 7 p.m. A Sunday matinee is April 29 at 2 p.m. “ART” is the story of Serge, Marc and Yvan, three best friends until, that is, Serge buys a painting that Marc doesn’t like. From there the relationship unravels as the men become painfully honest with one another. Tickets are available at www.daltonlittletheatre.com or (706) 226-6618.

Lake Country Beer Festival this weekend

EATONTON, Ga. — Beer often brings crowds together, starts conversations and entices a good time. That’s what organizers of the Lake Country Beer Festival hope to do this weekend.

The event will be held at the Eatonton Cotton Warehouse.

Organizer Tommy Cook worked with several middle Georgia distributors to concoct a list boasting about 33 breweries, featuring more than 100 beers that will be poured at the festival. From the golden hues of the ales to the strong, darker brews of the stouts, there will be something for every beer tasting palate.

The Lake Country Beer Festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. 

For more information or to buy tickets to the festival, visit http://lakecountrybeerfest.com.

Suwannee River Jam Audition finals set for Friday

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Twelve solo artists and two duos will compete Friday for spots in the Suwannee River Jam.

The Jam Audition finals begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the Music Hall at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

Among those competing Friday are Branford’s Sadie Miller, Jasper’s Hallie Davis and Live Oak’s Brittanie Powell as well as Katrina Alexis (Jacksonville), Jimmie Coleman (Jacksonville), Cliff Dorsey (High Springs), Austin Harden (Lake Butler), Teagan Hill (Jacksonville), Ashley Holbrook (Orange Park), Callie Leigh Johns (St. Augustine), Kamryn Palmer (Indian Harbour Beach) and Chyann Rose (Statesboro, Georgia). The duos are Bryan James (Oviedo) and Al Enzien (High Springs) and Karlie Scott Collins and Alex Sandlin (Lake City).

Admission is free to the finals, although reservations are highly recommended. Reservations may be made by calling 386-364-1703.

Those selected to move on to perform at the Jam from May 2-5 will join 10 regional bands already selected to perform at the country music festival. Those bands are Amy Rae Band (Conyers, Ga.), Andy Pursell Band (Bradenton area), Cole Tomlinson Band (Blackshear, Ga.), Kellen Vincent Band (Lake City), Ricky Valido Band (Hialeah), Snake Blood Remedy (O’Brien), SoulShine Band (Valdosta, Ga.), Sondra Hunt Band (Lake Butler), Southern Burn Band (Gainesville) and Treble Hook Band (Alachua).

Saturday is another big night at the SOSMP with the KISS America Ultimate KISS Tribute event in the Music Hall. Beginning at 9 p.m., the KISS America band will take those in the audience back to the KISS years with authentic costumes, stage décor and songs. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. Admission for the show is $15 per person at the door only.

The psychedelic, rock, outlaw country, classic rock, Top 40, blues, folk, hip-hop and R&B band SoulShine, of Valdosta, will open for KISS.

Run to connect dogs, residents 

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The public is being asked to asked to join BARC Humane Society 7 a.m. Saturday, April 14, during Underdogs Unite, the Seventh Annual BARC 5K, in Freedom Park to benefit rescued or fostered dogs. The nonprofit animal-rescue program works to save dogs from shelters to prevent them from being euthanized, organizers said. 

“I think that there’s such an animal overpopulation across the United States, and without rescues like BARC, more and more animals will be euthanized in the shelters around the country,” said Jackie Shoemaker, fundraising coordinator. 

Registration for the 5K is $25 preceding race day and $30 the day of the event. Proceeds from Underdogs Unite will go to the “unseen cost of the rescue,” Vice President Itaska Borowski said. 

“We need the fundraisers to care for them because we’re already committed to them,” she said. “It basically helps us continue to care for them. Even when we bring healthy dogs in the rescue, we still have to maintain them from month to month.” 

Shoemaker said veterinary expenses for the animals are high and raising money from the community will help with these costs. Open to all ages, people are encouraged to bring their dogs along with them for the walk/run. Borowski confirmed there will be adoptable dogs present. She said Underdogs Unite is about joining together, having fun and receiving education about adoption and fostering. 

“We’ve seen how (the 5K) has grown; people socialize, and they’re able to have a positive experience with their dogs, as well,” Borowski said. “The way we have it structured is you don’t have to be this great athlete to participate in the event.” 

Ghost runners, or people who can’t participate, can donate $20 and receive a T-shirt. There will be an award for the top female and male winner in all age categories, and also an award for the top dog finisher. 

“It’s a nice reunion for us to see some of the dogs who have been adopted from us come back to the race and walk in the race,” Shoemaker said. There will be goodie bags available for all participants, including dogs. Registration can be completed on runsignup.com.