Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1489803
The Otis Redding Center for Performing Arts (339 Cotton Ave.) is a tribute to the late soul legend who lived in Macon all of his life. Construction is underway for its new, state-of-the-art center, located in the heart of Downtown Macon. Live music opportunities continue to abound, stretching from historic downtown venues like Grant's Lounge (576 Poplar St.), Hargray Capitol Theatre (382 Second St.), and Macon City Auditorium (415 First St.), providing a larger stage for regional touring acts. Just outside of downtown, you have the outdoor stage at Society Garden (2389 Ingleside Ave.), which also attracts a variety of local and touring artists. If you want to get a full overview of the past, present, and future of Macon music, take a Rock Candy Tour, which offers music history tours that will also give you a live guide to the places and faces of music today. The Macon Music Trail website is another source of exploration, from historic sites to a live music calendar. It's here you can find details of can't-miss landmarks like Rose Hill Cemetery (1091 Riverside Dr.), The Big House Allman Brothers Band Museum (2321 Vineville Ave.), and the H&H Restaurant (807 Forsyth St.), which is a quintessential music-meets-food- for-the-soul experience. You'll also find Macon music references throughout many menus in Macon and memorabilia on the walls, too. Famous Mike's (524 Poplar St.) and the Rookery (543 Cherry St.) remain local, music-centered favorites. Be ready for live music spilling onto the sidewalks at any First Friday celebration in Downtown Macon. And nothing beats the summertime Bragg Jam festival, Macon's epic, multi-stage concert crawl with local, regional, and national touring acts taking over Downtown Macon for the last Saturday of July. Once you tune into Macon music, you'll hear it at every turn. Welcome to your new soundtrack. 20