What's Happening (12-29-11)

THURSDAY

MUSIC:

Open acoustic jam night. Thursdays at the Nelsonville Eagles Lodge bar.

Musicians Open Stage. Every Thursday at Donkey Coffee from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Maplewood Tavern holds an open stage every Thursday night at 9.

Every Thursday evening Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at Casa Lopez Mexican restaurant at 1017 E. State St. from 6-9 p.m.

Cantina Karaoke. Casa Cantina.

ART:

Starbrick Cooperative Gallery presents A Starbrick Alternative Holiday. The co-op artists of Starbrick will present new work with gift giving in mind. This show runs through Dec. 24. 5-10 p.m.

"Another Language Altogether: Posters Celebrating the Poems of Wendy McVicker." Stuart's Opera House Gallery 1879. Through Jan. 17.

The 2012 Ohio University School of Art Faculty Exhibition, part of the College of Fine Arts 75^th anniversary. An opening reception is Jan. 6 from 6-8 p.m. Kennedy Museum of Art, OU. The exhibit runs through April 15.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Supper:Weekly free supper sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 5:30 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center provides a free breakfast to anyone under 18 Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.

Childhood Immunizations: Every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5:30 p.m. in Parks Hall room 014, OU. OU-COM Community Health Programs' Childhood Immunization Program. Free to all area children from birth through 18. Bring your child's previous shot records. 1-800-844-2654.

Holiday Trail of Lights: Annual event held at Lake Hope State Park and featuring 75,000 lights and animated displays, decorated trees, landscape lighting and holiday music, along with a quarter-mile trail near the park's nature center. The lights run every night through Dec. 31.

Bloodmobile: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Athens County Red Cross chapter house, May Avenue, Athens. Also, from noon to 6 p.m. at Edward Jones Investments. Call 1-800-733-2767 for an appointment.

FRIDAY

MUSIC:

Open Stage. Every Friday at 9 p.m. in the Front Room, OU.

Steve Zarate plays the 4:30-6:30 p.m. happy hour at The Oak Room in Athens.

Jammin' in the Lady Buck Saloon, with David McPherson, Vicki McPherson, Mike Thompson and anyone else who wants to play or sing. Uncle Buck's Riding Stable and Dance Barn, New Marshfield.

Zapano. Casa Cantina.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Friday Night Life: A free community meal for people from all walks of life, especially including those in need. 5:30 p.m. every Friday. The meal is provided by churches and community groups who volunteer. For info, call Good Works at 594-3339.

Free Food: The Nelsonville Community Center has a free lunch open to the public every Friday from noon to 1 p.m.

SATURDAY

(New Year's Eve)

MUSIC:

Belly-dancing and music. Every Saturday. Restaurant Salaam.

Every Saturday through the end of the year Zach Parkman & Jeremy Wright will be performing an acoustic set at the Athens Farmers Market at 1000 E. State St. from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

New Year's Eve at Abrio's. Dinner and dancing with Backwords. Special menu, champagne, party favors and special guests. Call 594-8500 for details.

New Year's Eve Dance at The Plains VFW 7174, featuring Double Shot. Pre-sale tickets on sale now. Food, favors, fun.

"Jive," Athens' only family New Year's Eve Party. 5-7:30 p.m. Music, dancing, food, party activities. Feel free to dress up. The ball drops at 7:30 p.m. Jackie O's Public House. Tickets available at Fluff Bakery, through PayPal at athensbirthcircle.com, or by emailing Liz at elizabethpahl@gmail.com.

Jackie O's New Year's Eve Celebration. 8:30 p.m. Music provided by Duke Junior & the Smokey Boots and The Porters. Tickets include admission, live music, food and a special midnight celebration. Tickets can be purchased at Jackie O's.

New Year's Eve show with Johnny Rawls. Court Street Grill in Pomeroy.

Elemental Groove Theory with the Paul Elisha Band. The Union.

Rock 'n Roll New Year's Eve. Casa Cantina.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Athens Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every Saturday on East State Street at the Market on State (former University Mall). 132 E. State St., Athens.

Saturday Lunch: Weekly free meal sponsored by UCM: Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice. 1 p.m. at UCM, 18 N. College St. Open to everyone, no questions asked. 593-7301. (Volunteers are needed, and donations are welcome with advance notice.)

Weekly Auction: 6 p.m. at the Golden Wings C.B. Radio Club, on Rt. 13 just outside of Chauncey. Fishtail sandwiches and other good food.

SUNDAY

(New Year's Day)

Editor's note: This being New Year's Day, we're making an educated guess that the first listed event probably won't be happening. If you're intent on checking up on our guesswork, at least call the venue ahead of time to make sure the listed event is still happening.

MUSIC:

Hocking College music professor George Hertzel, a working studio and live musician for more than 25 years, is performing at 9:30 p.m. every Sunday at Casa Cantina. His solo shows will include "a stage with keyboard instruments everywhere." Free.

MONDAY

MUSIC:

Open stage. 10 p.m. at Jackie O's Public House. Junebug hosts.

Rattletrap Stringband. Most Mondays at the Casa Cantina. (Closed the day after Christmas.)

MISCELLANEOUS:

Free Clinic: The OU-COM Community Health Programs provides free health services for low-income adults, ages 18-64, who are without health insurance. 8-11:30 a.m. in Parks Hall, OU. Call 1-800-844-2654 or 593-2432 to see if you qualify and to make an appointment.

Free Lunch: Every Monday at the First United Methodist Church, 2 S. College St., Athens. Noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to all, no questions asked.

TUESDAY

MUSIC:

Celtic Night. Most Tuesdays at Jackie O's Public House.

Open stage with Dale Kulchar Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Court Street Grill, Pomeroy.

Open Stage. Tuesdays at The Union.

Open Stage at the Smiling Skull. Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

Live jazz by the Word of Mouth Jazz Band. 8-10 Tuesday evenings at Tony's Tavern. Players are invited to join in this semi-formal weekly event.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Community Meal:The Athens Church of Christ, 785 W. Union St., Athens; a free community meal every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Spoken Word Open Stage: "Designated Space." Every Tuesday, 9 p.m. to midnight at Donkey Coffee.

Art: On exhibit at the Athens Public Library: "What to My Wondering Eyes Should Appear?" Photographs by Patricia Lauchman in the circulation area and "Gourd-geous Gourds" by Carrie Rogers, Renee' Fossett and Celia Wetzel (The Southeast Ohio Gourd Patch) in the display cases through the month of January.

Bloodmobile: Noon to 6 p.m. at the Athens County Red Cross chapter house, May Avenue, Athens. Call 1-800-733-2767 for an appointment.

Medical Presentation: Dr. Charles Steiner, D.O., will deliver a one-hour presentation on "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatique Syndrome." 5:30 p.m. at the Athens Public Library in the large conference room. Open to the public.

WEDNESDAY

MUSIC:

Open stage. Every Wednesday. 10 p.m. Casa Cantina.

Karaoke. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. at the Smiling Skull.

Karaoke every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Maplewood Inn.

Steve Zarate plays 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Room.

Jackie O's presents Wednesdays with Jess & Kyle in Jackie O's Brewery every Wednesday night, starting at 9:30 p.m. Music provided by Jess Kauffman and Kyle Martin (of Duke Junior & the Smokey Boots). Free.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Free Community Lunch: Noon to 1 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, University Terrace. Every Wednesday.

Free Lunch and Food Pantry: The Friends & Neighbors Community Food Center Wednesday Soup Kitchen. Noon to 3 p.m. at the Lottridge Community Center, 2754 Lottridge Road. Everyone welcome. Choice pantry open for USDA income guidelines eligible people from 12:30-3 p.m. For info call 667-0684 or 592-3969.

Health Screenings: O'Bleness Memorial Hospital is offering blood pressure screening as well as cholesterol and glucose screening. The free blood pressure screening will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until noon in the hospital's patient entrance lobby. The cholesterol and glucose screening, which will be offered for a $5 fee, will be available at the same location by appointment only from 9 a.m. until noon. To make an appointment, call O'Bleness' Community Relations office at (740) 592-9300.