An Augusta tradition returns this weekend as the cultural and arts festival known as Arts in the Heart of Augusta brings performers, artists and food to downtown Sept. 19-21.
The award-winning festival will be located on the Augusta Common, Reynolds Street and by the Savannah River utilizing venues such as the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre as construction continues on Broad Street.
With an estimated economic impact of $1.8 million, the festival has various components.
Dancers, musicians and authors will bring performances and readings to multiple stages.
The Jazz Stage will be located at 8th Street Market Area Entrance to the Riverwalk and will feature the Pop and R&B Queen Niki Haris, former backup vocalist for Madonna who has performed with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Red Holloway & Ray Charles, according to a news release.
The popular Soul Suite Stage will be located inside the Augusta Marriott Hotel on the Riverwalk and will feature comedian Kerwin Claiborne. Urban Guitar Legend Elliot Holden will perform on the Community Stage at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre. Holden recently appeared in the Tyler Perry film “A Jazzman’s Blues.” The Family Stage will have lots of family-friendly performances including Piccadilly Puppets from Atlanta.
Soul Asylum is known for the raucous and emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower, and songs that range from aggressive to heartfelt will The group continues to be one of the most inspiring and hardworking bands in the rock scene, having broken through commercially with the double-platinum 1992 album Grave Dancers Union, which contained the Grammy-winning Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 hit “Runaway Train” and No. 1 Modern Rock smash “Somebody to Shove,” according to a news release.
Soul Asylum’s latest album, “Slowly But Shirley” includes front man Dave Pirner, drummer Michael Bland, lead guitarist Ryan Smith, bassist Jeremy Tappero and was produced by Steve Jordan, drummer for the Rolling Stones. Soul Asylum is funded in part by a grant from Destination Augusta.
Opening for Soul Asylum on Saturday night at 6 p.m. will be Leon & the Peoples, an award-winning Reggae Soul band from NYC, led by internationally acclaimed performer, singer-songwriter, movie and TV actor Leon. The single “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” charted No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales.
Area artists will paint live as part of ArtZilla. Artists include A.C. Daniel, Alex Foltz, Blaine Prescott, Boper9, Carrie Brooks, Foxphire, Francie Klopotic, Jacki Mayo Van Dyke, Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman and PASC.
Authors can be found in the literary lounge and sharing their stories in the children’s area.
The global food village is famous for its authentic taste of global cuisine and is a favorite spot for foodies with 19 authentic cuisine booths. Food booths include China, Greece, Germany, India, Ireland, South Sudan, Sudan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Lebanon, Trinidad, Philippines, Latin America, Jamaica, Turkey and Samoa.
A sampling of the menu includes a sesame chicken dinner, a snack noodle bowl and sesame chicken from China; a jägerschnitzel plate, bratwurst and fries and pretzel with bier cheese from Germany; and a vegetarian gyro; baklava ice cream sundae; and Yia Yia’s Stuffed Grape Leaves, according to a separate news release.
The Family Area includes interactive children’s activities, street performers, public art and the annual Young Artists Market.
More than 150 artists from across the country have been selected for the juried Fine Arts and Crafts event. Items include paintings, sculpture, jewelry, woodwork, leather and photography.
Advanced weekend passes are $15 and available online at ArtsintheHeartofAugusta.com. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Passes are good for the entire weekend. Badges at the gate are $20. Pets and coolers are not allowed; Lawn chairs are welcome.
Road closures are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Sept. 17. They include 8th and Broad Streets, 7th and Reynolds Streets, 9th and Jones Street, McCarten and Reynolds east to 8th & Reynolds Streets.
The following pedestrian paths will be blocked beginning Thursday — on the levy at the western edge of the festival boundary (the northeastern edge of the Marriott; on the river path at the west side of the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre; On the levy at the eastern edge of the festival boundary; on the river path at the eastern edge of the festival boundary.
All closures will remain in place until after the festival ends at 7 p.m. Sunday, and the Sheriff’s Department deems the areas to be safe for traffic
Augusta Good News is an award-winning member of the Georgia Press Association, receiving a second place General Excellence in 2025. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here.
