As you get ready to set that clock forward Saturday night, don't let the one less hour of sleep get you down! There's plenty of things to do around Northeast Georgia!
Here's this weekend's list of events:
WEEKEND EVENTS MARCH 7 - 9
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Event Name: Dempsey Dash 5K, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8 at 9 a.m.
Event Location: Brenau University Amphitheater, Gainesville
Event Details: On March 9, Brenau University will host its annual Dempsey Dash 5K and 1K Fun Run in memory of the university’s long-time executive vice president and CFO, Wayne Dempsey. The event benefits the Wayne W. Dempsey Endowed Scholarship Fund, first funded in Dempsey’s memory in 2014 by an anonymous donor. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Gainesville/DempseyDash5K.
Event Name: Taste of Suwanee, Suwanee
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 12 – 6 p.m.
Event Location: 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee
Event Details: EAT. Shop. Play. Suwanee's tasty-est tradition! 25+ local restaurants to sample and enjoy! Vendor and sponsor booths. Kids zone with inflatables, games and face painting. Event entertainment to please every palette, including a concert stage with live music and performances. After dining, festival-goers can meet community partners and stroll through the Artist Market for arts and crafts from local artists. This fun, family community event is hosted by the North Gwinnett High School Baseball team as a fundraiser. Tasting and activity tickets will be sold onsite.
Event Name: Sip & Swine BBQ Festival, Lawrenceville
Event Date & Time: Friday, March 7 – Saturday, March 8
Event Location: Coolray Field, Lawrenceville
Event Details: Sip and Swine’s mission is two-fold: to showcase and promote the appreciation of competition BBQ in a fun-filled festival environment and to give back to our community by donating all of the proceeds to support homeless children and their mothers at Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Since admission is FREE to Sip & Swine, there’s no charge for our concerts all day Friday and Saturday! We’ve got an incredible line-up of performers for you to enjoy. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories.
Event Name: Sunday Funday at Braselton Town Green, Braselton
Event Date & Time: Sunday, March 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Event Location: Braselton Town Green, Braselton
Event Details: A joyful celebration of community, games, music, laughter, and springtime fun! Explore a lively marketplace filled with unique vendors, enjoy live music, indulge in delicious treats, and take part in games and activities that will bring smiles to all ages. Whether you're looking to shop, play, or simply relax and picnic on the green, there’s something for everyone!
Event Name: Polar Plunge, Dahlonega
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 10 – 12 p.m.
Event Location: Pinetree Recreation Center, 215 Pinetree Way, Dahlonega
Event Details: Take the plunge for a great cause! Join us on March 8th from 10 AM to 12 PM for the Pinetree Plunge, a fun-filled event featuring games, music, food, and prizes! If you’re brave enough to take the icy dip, the cost is $5. All proceeds benefit the Parks and Rec. Grab your friends, bring your courage, and come make a splash for a great cause!
CONCERTS
Event Name: Brenau Music Radio Hour, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, Gainesville
Event Details: The Southern Journey Big Band and Brenau Fine Arts Department present the Brenau Music Radio Hour featuring Brenau students and faculty. The performance is free and open to the public. More than an hour of music from the swing and crooners era will begin at 7pm, Saturday March 8, at Pearce Auditorium.
Event Name: Evenings of Intimate Jazz: Karla Harris, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Friday, March 7 – Saturday, March 8, 8 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: The Smitghall Arts Center, 331 Spring St., SW, Gainesville
Event Details: Jazz vocalist Karla Harris has captivated audiences for over three decades, performing at prestigious events from the Sarasota Jazz Festival to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets, go to www.theartscouncil.net.
Event Name: Diamond Rio, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Friday, March 7:30 p.m.
Event Location: Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville
Event Details: Originating as The Tennessee River Boys in the 80’s, the band evolved into Diamond Rio in 1989. The following year, they signed with Arista Nashville, and in 1991, with the release of “Meet in The Middle,” became the first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single. The band is also known for their multi-week chart-topper “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” crossover hit “One More Day,” as well as timeless hits “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” “I Believe,” and many more. Selling more than 6.8 million albums and surpassing over 1.05 billion global streams, Diamond Rio has charted 20 Top 10 singles, 15 Top 5 singles, and seven No. 1 singles. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets at www.bootbarnhallga.com.
Event Name: Chicago Tribute: Chi-Town Transit Authority, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
Event Location: Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville
Event Details: Chi-Town Transit Authority (CTA) is an 8-piece Chicago tribute band founded in 2017 and based out of Atlanta, GA dedicated to reproducing the “Chicago” concert experience.
The key to their success has been knitting together a highly accomplished team of long-time musicians who truly love the music of Chicago. Doors open at 5 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets at www.bootbarnhallga.com.
Event Name: Kyle Athayde Dance Party, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Sunday, March 9, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Boot Barn Hall, 312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville
Event Details: Step into an extraordinary evening of music at Ultimate Swing Night featuring the electrifying Kyle Athayde Dance Party! This 20-piece band includes trumpets, trombones, string instruments and more. They will play your favorites, as well as originals. Come early for a quick dance class so you can dance the rest of the night away to swing music, salsa and anything else that moves. Get tickets at www.bootbarnhallga.com.
Event Name: 84, Van Halen Tribute, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Friday, March 7, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd., Cumming
Event Details: 84 – Van Halen Tribute has quickly become the region's most sought after Van Halen tribute band. Faithfully recreating the sound, look, and energy of the original Van Halen lineup. Free admission & free parking.
Event Name: Back N Black, AC/DC Tribute Band, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Lou Sobh Amphitheater
Event Details: Rock with your AC/DC favorites, like “Back n Black,” “Highway To Hell,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “For Those About To Rock” “We Salute You”, “Black Ice” and more. Free admission & free parking. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Event Name: The Invaders, British Invasion Tribute Band, Dahlonega
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
Event Location: The Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega
Event Details: The Invaders celebrate the electrifying era of the British Invasion, when bands from the United Kingdom revitalized rock and roll in the 1960s. The Invaders pay tribute to this golden age of music, performing hits from iconic acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Animals, and many more. Immerse yourself in the sound that changed music forever as The Invaders bring the excitement and energy of the British Invasion to life on stage. Get tickets at www.hollytheater.com.
Event Name: Fleetwood Mac Experience, Hartwell
Event Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: The Station, 210 Railroad St., Hartwell
Event Details: Playing hits from Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, to Stevie Nicks solo material, this event features vocalist Lara Smith backed by a band of top notch musicians. You won’t want to miss this event that sells out every time! For details and tickets, go to www.freshtix.com.
Event Name: A Taste of Ireland – The Irish Music and Dance Sensation, Athens
Event Date & Time: Sunday, March 9, 7:30 – 9:15 p.m.
Event Location: The Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens
Event Details: After premiering Off-Broadway last season, ‘A Taste of Ireland―The Irish Music and Dance Sensation’ returns to stages across the USA in 2025, performing the show that has entertained thousands around the globe. Laugh, cry and jig into the night with a production that is Celtic, for this generation. Get details and tickets at www.americantowns.com.
THEATER & MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS
Event Name: Hello Dolly, The Musical, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Now through March 9, Weekends Only, Various Times
Event Location: FoCAL Center, 1150 Dahlonega Hwy., Cumming
Event Details: Hello, Dolly! is a musical filled with charisma and with heart. Matchmaker Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler --but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Hello Dolly! is boisterous and charming from start to finish. Get more details at www.thefocalcenter.com.
