We've got strings and the Macon Symphony Orchestra. And We've got theater! Here are Jackie K. Cooper, Huffington Post film critic and local musician Betsy Fitzgerald's lists of what to do in Middle GA!

JACKIE'S LIST:
(1) Decatur Book Festival – Sept 4-6 – www.decaturbookfestival.com – 600 authors – keynote event/Erica Jong
I am moderating a panel titled “Small Towns/Big Murders” - Reed Farrel Coleman and Michael Koryta – THE DEVIL WINS and LAST WORDS. 1st Baptist Decatur Sanctuary, Sunday, Sept 6 2:30 – 3:15

(2) “ON GOLDEN POND” by Ernest Thompson
8 p.m. Aug. 28-29, Sept. 2-5; 2:30 p.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, Macon Little Theatre. Directed by Weldon Ledbetter. Box office opens Aug. 24. Call 478-477-3342 or 478-471-PLAY for reservations. $20 adults, $15 seniors (60+), $10 students.

(3) “SWELL PARTY” by Topher Payne - a parlor-room whodunit based on the real-life story of Zachary Smith Reynolds, a small-time aviator who was heir to a big-time North Carolina tobacco empire. 8 p.m. Sept. 4-5, 11-12; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9-10; 2:30 p.m. Sept. 6, Theatre Macon, 438 Cherry St. Directed by Jim Crisp. Members may call 746-9485 for reservations beginning Aug. 31, and everyone else may call beginning Sept. 2. Non-members may also purchase tickets at www.theatremacon.com. $25 adults, $20 seniors (60+), $15 students.

BETSY'S LIST:
Pathos and Passion
Presented by Macon Symphony Orchestra

The opening concert of the Macon Symphony’s 39th season will feature the Minnesota Symphony’s Assistant Conductor and Macon native Roderick Cox. The includes Beethoven’s Leonore Overture, selections from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the iconic Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. I recommend arriving early to attend the Conductor’s Chat, a great way to get an intimate view of the program for the evening from the conductor.

Pathos and Passion
Saturday, August 29, 2015
7:30 pm concert, 6:30 conductor chat
Grand Opera House
651 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201
$40 adults, $20 students, $15 children 12 and under

2015 Robert McDuffie Labor Day Festival for Strings Closing Concert

Every year I attend the always sold-out closing concert for the Robert McDuffie Labor Day Festival, which features amazingly talented eight rising high school seniors along with the esteemed faculty of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. The program features ensemble literature, conducted by Ward Stare (who is also the Music Director of the Rochester (NY) Philharmonic Orchestra) as well as chamber works. I highly recommend arriving very early in hopes of snagging a seat for a great hour and a half of classical music. The intimacy of Fickling Hall cannot be beat, along with the intimacy of these fine professional and aspiring professional musicians.

2015 Robert McDuffie Labor Day Festival for Strings Closing Concert
Monday, September 7, 2015
Neva Langley Fickling Hall at the McCorkle Music Building, Mercer University
3:00 PM
Free Admission

Tags: Leah Fleming, Your Middle Georgia Weekend, Jackie K. Cooper. Betsy Fitzgerald