Stuff to do

athfest

Although last week's fire at the Georgia Theatre has necessitated some shifting of venues, the 12th annual AthFest is a show that must go on. The salute to regional music runs through Sunday at a variety of venues in Athens. The headliners include Black Lips, Dead Confederate, Patterson Hood and the Screwtopians, the Randall Bramblett Band and the reconstituted Dreams So Real.

Wristbands, which get participants into nearly 20 music venues, cost $15 in advance or $20 at the festival. Go to www.athfest.com.

daso art

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, 1116 Phillips St., will present an exhibition of work by Augusta-bred artist John Daso. Mr. Daso's work will be on display from Wednesday, July 1, through August. A reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at the museum. Admission to the museum is $5 general, $3 seniors and military ,and $2 students. For more information, call (706) 724-2866 or go to lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.

mouse in the house

The Art Factory will present a final performance of its production of Stuart Little at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Monte Santo Elementary School auditorium, 3173 Wrightsboro Rd. The performance is the finale of the Art Factory's Summer Stock program, a three-week camp for ages 6-16 focused on musical theater. Admission is free. For more information, call (706) 731-0008.

the rockets'red glare

The nation celebrates Independence Day (it happened 233 years ago now) with the tested and true tradition of blowing things up. Here's a quick rundown of celebrations (with the requisite snap, crackle and pop) planned in the Augusta area:

Riverblast begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Augusta Common. The annual downtown event features arts and crafts, dancing, music and a fireworks display. Admission is free. For more information, call (706) 826-0026.

The Columbia County Fourth of July celebration starts at 4 p.m. July 4 at Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road. The event will feature fireworks, inflatables, rides, live entertainment and food vendors. Admission is free. Go to www.columbiacountyga.gov.

The annual Star-Spangled Fourth concert begins at 8 p.m. July 4 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St. The event follows the fireworks on Riverwalk with afterglow barbecue in the River and Berlin rooms and a performance by the Independence Day Chorus and Orchestra. General admission tickets cost $15, and patron tickets are $60 a pair. Patron tickets include preferred parking, seating and program recognition. Go to www.riverwalkseries.com.

Fort Gordon's Independence Day celebration will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Barton Field on Fort Gordon. The event features a performance by the U.S. Signal Corps Band, children's carnival and pony rides, games and food vendors. Go to www.facebook.com/fortgordon.

Contact Tharon A. Giddens, features editor, at (706) 823-3347, or tharon.giddens@augustachronicle.com.