Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia
Encyclopedia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
is influenced by the many different perspectives and histories of its community members, as well as its own history
History of Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia was founded in 1735 as part of the British colony of Georgia, under the supervision of colony founder James Oglethorpe. It was the colony's second established town, after Savannah...
. The large African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
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
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
, and Wycliffe Gordon
Wycliffe Gordon
Wycliffe Gordon is a jazz trombonist. He also plays didgeridoo, trumpet, tuba, piano and sings.In 1995, he re-orchestrated the theme song for NPR's All Things Considered...
.
Large events and festivals
AugustaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
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. One of the majors
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
of the PGA
Professional Golfers Association
Professional Golfers' Association, , is the usual term for a professional association in men's golf. It is often abbreviated to PGA...
tour, the Masters is also a major cultural influence on the city. Most semi-professional sports teams in the city are named for pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
s related to the tournament (the Augusta Greenjackets
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season, although Augusta has fielded a team in the South Atlantic League since 1988...
and the now defunct Augusta Lynx
Augusta Lynx
The Augusta Lynx were a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Augusta, Georgia. The Lynx played their home games at the James Brown Arena...
). Many establishments in the city, especially in the area around the Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
, are also named in a similar manner. Restaurants throughout Augusta use memorabilia from the tournament as decor. 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
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
.
Other annual events include the cultural festival Arts in the Heart of Augusta, the Hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
concert Mayfest, and the arts festival Westobou. The Rock Fore! Dough Concert
Rock Fore! Dough Concert
The Drive for Show, Rock Fore! Dough Concert is an annual American rock benefit concert that is played at the First Tee of Augusta in Augusta, Georgia. The charitable concert was first performed in 2005.-2005:...
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.
Each year, Augusta also hosts the Augusta Futurity, the largest horse cutting show east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. In 2009, the Futurity hosted its 30th annual event.
Along with these annual events, downtown Augusta also hosts a monthly "First Friday" arts festival in the downtown Artist's Row district.
Augusta hosts an annual LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) pride parade called Augusta Pride
Augusta Pride
Augusta Pride is the annual LGBT pride parade in Augusta, Georgia . The event started in 2010.-See also:* Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia* LGBT rights in Georgia Augusta Pride is the annual LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) pride parade in Augusta, Georgia (USA). The event started in...
. Augusta Pride attracted 4,000 people in 2010, its first year. The festival is rapidly growing and an estimated 7,000 people attended in 2011.
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, and the Bell Auditorium are the largest dedicated theater venues in Augusta. The Miller TheaterMiller Theater
The Miller Theater is a former movie theater located in Augusta, Georgia. The Miller was built by architect Roy A. Benjamin utilizing the Arte Moderne style of architecture and was owned by Frank Miller. Due to an economic downturn in the 1980s in downtown Augusta, the theater was forced to close...
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. 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. The Fort Gordon Dinner Theater is a long-running theater that is based on the military base of Fort Gordon
Fort Gordon
Fort Gordon, formerly known as Camp Gordon, is a United States Army installation established in 1917. It is the current home of the United States Army Signal Corps and Signal Center and was once the home of "The Provost Marshal General School" . The fort is located in Richmond, Jefferson, McDuffie,...
.
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 ArenaJames Brown Arena
The James Brown Arena is a multi-purpose complex, in Augusta, Georgia.It features an 8,500 seat arena, renamed the James Brown Arena, in honor of musician James Brown on August 22, 2006...
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. The Sky City is a new music venue in town while Sector 7G caters to the youth music scene.
The Augusta Symphony is a full concert orchestra that performs four major series each year. The Augusta Choral Society often performs with them, but also has its own concerts and series.
Artists' Row
Artists' Row is a small district located in downtown along Broad Street. Artists' Row is an important landmark in downtown Augusta because it is one of the first beginning revitalization efforts throughout downtown. It is named for the local art galleries, which are located along the 700-1200 blocks. The business fronts stay open for the arts council's First Friday. Every First Friday of the month downtown galleries, dinners, and boutiques stay open until 10 pm for the First Friday celebration. First Friday began in 1995 and continues today.Museums, historical sites, and other points of cultural interest
- Academy of Richmond CountyAcademy of Richmond CountyThe Academy of Richmond County is a public high school listed on the National Register of Historic Places located in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783...
- Augusta International RacewayAugusta International RacewayThe Augusta International Raceway is a multi-use motorsports facility located in Hephzibah, Georgia, United States .-Half mile oval:The oval hosted NASCAR Grand National Series races from 1962 to 1969...
- Augusta Museum of HistoryAugusta Museum of HistoryThe Augusta Museum of History is a history museum located in Augusta, Georgia, U.S.. The museum was founded in 1937 to preserve and share the history of Augusta and its surrounding area...
- Artists' Row (Broad StreetBroad Street Historic District (Augusta, Georgia)The Broad Street Historic District in Augusta, Georgia is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It includes 158 contributing buildings....
) - Confederate PowderworksConfederate PowderworksThe Confederate Powderworks was a gunpowder factory during the American Civil War, the only permanent structures completed by the Confederate States of America. Colonel G.W...
- Ezekiel Harris House
- Gertrude Herbert Institute of ArtGertrude Herbert Institute of ArtGertrude Herbert Institute of Art is located in Augusta, Georgia, in the home of former Augusta Mayor and United States Senator Nicholas Ware. Olivia Herbert founded the Institute in 1937. The original name for the Institute was the Augusta Art Club; it was later renamed in memorial to Olivia...
- Haunted PillarHaunted PillarThe Haunted Pillar is all that remains of a farmer's market that once stood at Fifth and Broad Streets in downtown Augusta, Georgia. The market stood from 1830 until February 7, 1878, when it was destroyed in a tornado....
- James Brown statue (Broad Street at the Augusta Common)
- John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet SchoolJohn S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet SchoolJohn S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School is a public magnet school for the fine and performing arts located in downtown Augusta, Georgia, USA. It draws students in grades 6 through 12 throughout Richmond County...
- Morris Museum of ArtMorris Museum of ArtThe Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia was established in 1985 as a non-profit foundation by William S. Morris III, in memory of his parents, as the first museum dedicated to the collection and exhibition of art and artists of the American South....
- Old Medical CollegeOld Medical CollegeOld Medical College Building, also known as Augusta Garden Center, was the original Medical Academy of Georgia building, founded in 1828.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1996.-External links:...
- Sacred Heart Cultural CenterSacred Heart Cultural CenterThe Sacred Heart Cultural Center, known also as Sacred Heart Catholic Church, is an events center and a former Roman Catholic Church located in Augusta, Georgia. It is one of the more notable and recognized landmarks in the city.-History:...
- Sconyers Bar-B-Que
- Springfield Baptist ChurchSpringfield Baptist Church (Augusta, Georgia)Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia was built in 1801 by a Methodist congregation. It is the oldest church building extant in Augusta and one of the oldest in the state...
See also
- Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, GeorgiaAugusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
- History of Augusta, GeorgiaHistory of Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, Georgia was founded in 1735 as part of the British colony of Georgia, under the supervision of colony founder James Oglethorpe. It was the colony's second established town, after Savannah...