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ATHENS |
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The small and very likeable city of ATHENS , almost seventy miles
northeast of Atlanta, is home to the 30,000-plus students of the
University of Georgia, and has a liberal feel - and city government -
unusual for the South. The compact downtown area north of the campus is
alive with book and record stores, clubs, bars, restaurants and cafés;
Broad Street in particular is lined with sidewalk tables. It has
achieved world fame in recent years as the home of rock groups REM and
the B-52s.
Pilgrims drawn by the REM connection will want to head straight for the
original home of the Automatic for the People slogan - Weaver D's soul-food
café, well within walking distance east of downtown at 1016 E Broad St (tel
706/353-7797). Unaffected by its new sideline in memorabilia, it
continues to serve its delicious southern fried chicken and vegetables
on molded styrofoam plates. The band started out playing at the 40 Watt
Club , originally housed at 171 College Ave but now resurrected in its
third, and by far its largest, premises at 285 W Washington St (tel
706/549-7871), and half-owned by Barrie Buck, wife of guitarist Peter.
Athens Music Factory , 420 E Clayton (tel 706/353-8869), holds a weekly
open mic and puts on a "Battle of the Bands" contest each summer, while
Caledonia Lounge , 256 W Clayton St (tel 706/549-5577), is where you can
hear new sounds from up-and-coming bands. On the other hand, the big-name
bands tend to appear at the Georgia Theatre , 215 N Lumpkin St (tel
706/353-3405), a converted movie theater that still shows films on quiet
nights. You'll find information on all music events in the free weekly
Flagpole .
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from $99.00
USD