Huffington Post film critic Jackie K. Cooper and harpist Betsy Fitzgerald join us to talk about fun things to do in Middle Georgia over the weekend and beyond.

Betsy's picks for April 3:

Shakespeare in Love

The Macon Symphony will tackle great classical repertoire related to one of Shakespeare’s greatest theatrical tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.

The program features composers including Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev as well as music composer Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love) and classical and Broadway composer great Bernstein’s epic West Side Story.

A nice treat is the MSO is also including scenes from the play, featuring Theatre Macon’s own Leah Paris and Jake Adams and ballet from Ingleside Ballet’s Olivia Boyd.

Shakespeare in Love, Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., The Grand Opera House, Macon. Tickets: $38.50 adults, $18.50 students, $13.50 youth ages 12 & under.

Gypsy at the Rose Theatre

The Backlot Players in Forsyth are presenting the famous Sondheim musical Gypsy April 4-13.

The show features the story of Rose, a most aggressive stage mother, and how she raises her two daughters to rise to stardom and features great Broadway classics including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Let Me Entertain You.”

If you have not had a chance to see a performance at the Rose Theatre, I hope you will also not forget to try out Grits Café for a before or after dinner treat before you enjoy a great evening of theatre!

Gypsy, April 4-6, April 11-13, 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances, 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees, Rose Theatre, 23 W. Johnston St, Forsyth. Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors and students. For more information, please call 478-994-0443

--Betsy

Jackie's picks for April 3:

Harness Racing in Hawkinsville

The Harness Festival takes place Saturday, April 5, Hawkinsville, Georgia. In this Middle Georgia tradition, competitors race in low-lying buggies behind horses driven with long whips.

The grounds open at 11 a.m., opening ceremonies are at noon, races begin at 1:00. All events are at the Lawrence Bennett Harness Training Facility, 290 Abbeville Highway/US Highway 129.

Admission $5. Children under 12 are free.

Watch anything with Carrie Preston!

Carrie Preston is a marvelous actress from Macon who first gained audience recognition in 1997 with her role as a bridesmaid in “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”

She's had a big year in television, playing Elsbeth Tascioni on “The Good Wife”; Arlene on “True Blood”; Judy on “The Following”; Grace on “Person of Interest.”

Get on Netflix or any other platform and watch anything with Carrie Preston in it! We should be having Carrie Preston Day everyday in Macon.

--Jackie

Tags: Macon Symphony, Adam Ragusea, Betsy Fitzgerald, Jackie K. Cooper, Rose Theatre, Backlot Players, harness racing, Carrie Preston