Join us as we break ground for three future Habitat Homeowners! This event is free and open to the public.

We’re back at Cohen’s Retreat for our June Buy Local Savannah Luncheon.

It will be a packed house with 2 new marketplace members, T-shirts for sale, and the Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones as our guest speaker.

Early registration is required

Join us as several Habitat Homeowners say goodbye to their monthly mortgage payments! This event is free and open to the public.

DATE: June 24, 2021 4:30 pm – June 24, 2021 6:30 pm
LOCATION: Thompson Savannah (201 Port Street | Savannah, GA 31401)
COST: $15 Members | $25 Member Guests
CONTACT: Brooke Phillips
EMAIL: BPhillips@SavannahChamber.com
PHONE: (912) 644-6459
Join the Chamber’s Business Connection for an exclusive sneak peek of the new Thompson Savannah hotel in Savannah’s Eastern Wharf. Members will enjoy casual networking, cocktails, and a tour of the Thompson Savannah. The Thompson Savannah boasts 193 guest rooms and suites, an on-site restaurant featuring cuisine from the Georgia coast, a swanky rooftop bar with exceptional panoramic views, a sprawling pool deck featuring private cabanas, and flexible function spaces that are perfect for energizing meetings and serene nuptials. These Chamber events are the best way to build your professional network. Bring plenty of business cards and join us. Come meet like-minded pro-business professionals for networking and relationship building at the Chamber’s Thompson Savannah Business Connection.

Athens, Ga music comes to Savannah!

GET THIRSTY SAVANNAH!
Welcome to the first-ever Tails & Ales Festival! Presented by the Humane Society For Greater Savannah and Sponsored by Bentleys Pet Stuff
June 25th-27th
With the purchase of a special Ales & Tails cup guests will be able to drink 50 percent off from each participating business’s Ales & Tails drink menu!
Discounted drinks are unlimited with the use of an Ales & Tails cup. Hours vary for each participating business and can be found listed below.
1. Starland Yard
Friday 12pm-10pm
Saturday 12pm-10pm
Sunday 12pm-9pm
2. Service Brewery
Friday 12pm-10pm
Saturday 12pm-10pm
3. Moodrights
Friday 4pm-2am
Saturday 12pm-2am
4. Water Witch Tiki
Friday 11am-2am
Saturday 11am-2am
5.The Rail Pub
Friday 1pm-3am
Saturday 1pm-3am
6. New Realm Distilling Co.
Friday 11am-11pm
Saturday 11am-11pm
Sunday 11am-9pm
Drink your way around Savannah as you explore new businesses! Cups are $20 with 100 percent of sales going back to HSGS!
Cups and Event T-shirts can be purchased via the link below

Event Tickets

*Cups & t-shirts can be picked up at Starland Yard 2411 De Soto Ave, from the Humane Society for Greater Savannah table between 11:30 am-9 pm Friday-Sunday. The purchaser of the cups must be thereupon pick up. Please make sure to bring a valid form of ID, this is a 21+ event.
*Please hold onto your cup for the duration of the festival – lost cups will not be replaced.
Shop Bearded lady Bandanas, Bentleys Pet Stuff & Munchies by Moe Joe at Starland Yard during the festival.
We will be releasing drink menus leading up to the festival but for a sneak peek Starland Yard is doing 50% off all draft beer all weekend long!
This is the festival of the summer that you won’t want to miss! Limited cups are being sold and we expect them to run out!
Any questions, comments or concerns email Montana at mtohm@humanesocietysav.org
*Special Thanks to our friends at Celebritees for working with us on cup, t-shirt & banner designs.

Treasure Maps: The Georgia Storytelling Roadshow a pop-up, interactive, drive-in theater that will include live local hosts, installations, and safe interactive activities will be holding a free event in Savannah on Friday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Old Roberds Dairy Farm located at 2500 Tennessee Avenue. Attendees can register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/treasure-maps-the-georgia-storytelling-roadshow-savannah-night-tickets-156031367019?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail

Each show will feature the film screening of Treasure Maps, a collection of 10 Georgia Storytellers’ Life Maps which provide an up-close and personal viewpoint on navigating life as a person with a developmental disability. Guyton resident and Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society board Vice President Michael E. Holton, Jr. will be featured as one of the ten storytellers from across Georgia.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will switch to an online format.

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society will be participating in this event in partnership with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, L’Arche Atlanta, StoryMuse, and Resurgens Impact Counseling.

This project aims to bring the community together while observing current safety and social distancing practices in light of the current pandemic. It will also shed light on the current issue sitting before Georgia State Senate and Congress regarding the years-long Medicaid waiver waitlist. Currently, members of the disabled community are unable to obtain crucial services without access to funding.

Shannon M. Turner, creative director of the project, says “We want to provide a virtual stage for the important stories of people with developmental disabilities, inviting their stories in from the margins to the center of our communities. But an equally important component is to provide education and advocacy to the general population and legislators around the Medicaid waiver, a vital funding structure which supports the lives of people with developmental disabilities so they can live independently.”

Each show will be produced in collaboration with local community members and will be co-hosted by a storyteller (the “Show Marshal”); a local community member; and a Treasure Maps team member. The show will run approximately an hour and a half and will include interaction with the co-hosts and an invitation to direct advocacy action. The tour will also be making stops in Dahlonega, Athens, Macon, Columbus, and Atlanta.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA COUNCIL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (GCDD) STORYTELLING PROJECT
In 2018 and 2019, the Georgia Council of Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) teamed up with talented writers and photographers who set out across the state to collect some great stories about people with developmental disabilities to create The Storytelling Project. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Storytelling Project responded with season two of the podcast Hidden Voices focusing on the experience of social distancing. Their Over the Wire video project collected and dispersed stories virtually. In 2021 they introduced Treasure Maps: The Georgia Storytelling Roadshow, a pop-up, interactive, drive-in theatre production. Learn more here: https://story-collection.gcdd.org/the-gcdd-storytelling-project

ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) supports people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact online. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. For more information about LDSS, visit ldssga.org

CONTACT
Shannon M. Turner
Founder/Creative Director, StoryMuse
smtstories@gmail.com

CONTACT
John Bogardus
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society
jbogardus@ldssga.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912-844-9990
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com

Come support local businesses and witness the transformation of Broughton Street. Enjoy live music, games, workout classes, and more! All activities associated with the event are FREE and open to the public!

More details: https://bit.ly/35siPEe

Broughton Street is the center of our city and our shopping district. As we continue construction, we want to highlight not only the history but to give our community and visitors a place to create new memories. Broughton Street is one of the most unique settings in Savannah and the City is working diligently to maintain Broughton Street’s historical integrity while bringing critical infrastructure into the 21st Century. Our entire community has endured an unprecedented year with both personal and professional challenges. Now that some COVID restrictions have been relaxed, we hope you take some time to visit our newly constructed, hand-laid brick paver sidewalks, paved parking, crosswalks, lighting, landscaping, hardscapes, bike racks, and benches. We encourage you and your families to Explore Broughton.

To celebrate these incremental achievements and to bring attention to the great things happening on Broughton Street, we are partnering with Connect Savannah and other community partners to host an Explore Broughton Community Day. If you have a business on Broughton, we encourage you to join us in this great celebration! The Day will be filled with entertainment, food, shopping deals and sales, and other exciting activities! Please see event details below.

Don’t Miss Out – Plan your day on Broughton Street, Saturday, June 26th. to support our local merchants and come ready to Explore Broughton!

Join us on Tybee for Brunch at Salt Island benefiting Georgia Equality,

Beach day at and in front of The Deck on the beach

The Prom Movie at Tybee Post Theatre!
Raffle, Entertainment, DJ, and swag!

Speakers: Mayor Van Johnson
Mayor Shirley Sessions
Candace Hardnett
and we honor Mark Douglas from My Brothaz H.o.m.e.

We will also be commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS.

Forty years ago, on June 5th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on the first five cases of what later became known as AIDS. At that time, none of us could have imagined that AIDS would still be with us today or that it would have taken more than 32 million lives globally, including 700,000 in the United States.

Today, we honor the memory of these men, women, and children, many of whom we lost in the prime of their lives to this devastating disease. We also celebrate the more than 38 million people worldwide, including 1.2 million in the United States, who are bravely living with HIV.

Our June Drink Local Social is excited to be at one of Savanna’s newest hot spots, Mint to be Mojito Bar and Bites. This great local place is located at 12 W State Street and you can find us there from 5:30 to 7:30 on Tuesday, June 29th.
They will be serving up the freshest Mojito’s you have ever tasted all in the name of Local!
No ticket required. Open to everyone.

The 7th Annual Wine, Women & Shoes will be held in the Spring of 2021, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Savannah! Enjoyed a night of sip-sational wines, fabulous shopping, culinary delights, charming Shoe Guys and so much more! Interested in sponsoring or being a part of Wine Women & Shoes 2021? Contact Janet Kolbush at Janet@rmhccoastalempire.org.

Plant Riverside District will host the Savannah Stars and Stripes July 4th Weekend with family-friendly festivities that are free and open to the public.

The four-day event will offer free live music and performances by Savannah Cirque, mini golf, a boat parade as well as food and drink options for all ages. Plant Riverside District will sponsor the Savannah’s Waterfront Annual Independence Day Fireworks Show, which will light up the sky directly across from Plant Riverside District on Sunday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m.

Open seating on the riverwalk will also be available for the inaugural Freedom Floats Savannah July 4th Boat Parade, with the official judging in Montgomery Park on Sunday, July 4 from 3-5 p.m.

Featured performers at Plant Riverside District’s Savannah Stars and Stripes July 4th Weekend include Lyn Avenue, The Talisman, Dueling Pianos and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.
Additional highlights include A Red, White & Blue Spectacular circus show featuring awe-inspiring performances by Savannah Cirque on Friday, July 2; Saturday, July 3; and Sunday, July 4 at 8:30 p.m. in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Plant Riverside District will also present a nightly America the Beautiful Fountain Show with themed music and stunning patriotic displays.

In addition, free mini golf will be available July 2, 3 and 4 from 1-5 p.m. in Montgomery Park.

Throughout the holiday weekend, Plant Riverside District’s iconic smokestacks, fountains and other familiar landmarks will be illuminated with red, white and blue lights after dark. Thirteen exceptional restaurants at Plant Riverside District, serving a variety of cuisine from around the world, will also offer a wide range of Fourth of July food and drink specials.

This year on July 4th, freedom-loving boaters will celebrate independence day with an All-American Boat Parade presented by Freedom Boat Club passing the official judging at Plant Riverside between 3:30 and 5 p.m.

Presented by Freedom Boat Club, American-flag clad vessels set sail on Independence Day 2021. The parade will muster vessels at Elba Island at 3 pm then proceed to the Official Judging & Celebration at Plant Riverside District passing between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

Participants can register as an individual or company-sponsored vessel to celebrate America, attract attention, and win prizes for Best Decoration, Best Spirit, and a People’s Choice award which raises funds for each captains’ preferred charity. Freedom Boat Club Members enjoy complimentary registration as a benefit of their membership.

The boat parade can be viewed at SavannahCams.com remotely or Plant Riverside District is excited to offer an “Old Fashioned Carnival-Style Fourth of July” along their star-spangled riverfront. Guests will enjoy an incredible tribute to our nation as Plant Riverside District honors all-things-American with fantastic cuisine, live music from the Equinox Orchestra, Savannah Cirque performances, a new patriotic fountain show, and more!

More details on the Freedom Floats Savannah July 4th Boat Parade and All-American activities at Plant Riverside are available at FreeomFloats.us

Savannah’s Waterfront has announced they will host the annual Independence Day Fireworks Show on Sunday, July 4th at 9:15 pm.

“There’s always a reason to come down to Savannah’s Waterfront, but we are especially excited about this show as it’s the first event we’ve hosted in over a year,” said Julie Musselman, Executive Director. “Fireworks shows are always the highlight of July 4th, and we are thrilled to bring this free event to our community.”

As we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the show is not only entertaining but also symbolic of our freedom in the United States. There will be several opportunities to celebrate our nation’s birthday on Savannah’s Waterfront, including live entertainment at Plant Riverside District, dinner and drink specials at many waterfront restaurants, and the Freedom Floats boat parade. Merchants are looking forward to having spectators enjoy the many shopping and dining options along the waterfront over the holiday weekend.

On July 4th, the City of Savannah will be offering a flat rate of $5 parking in city garages and the Savannah Convention Center will offer $5 self-parking. Note that parking at the Savannah Convention Center is limited due to construction and the building will not be open. Spectators on the waterfront are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets; however, coolers are discouraged.

Savannah’s Waterfront wishes to thank the sponsors of this year’s show: Budweiser, City of Savannah, Falcon Fireworks, Plant Riverside District, Savannah Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, T-Mobile, Visit Savannah, and Yates-Astro.

The SODA (South Of Derenne Avenue) Business Networking Luncheons are coming back, starting on Wednesday, July 7th. We will once again be meeting at Barnes Restaurant on Waters Avenue from 11:30 to 1:00 and invite you to join us once again for Savannah’s best networking luncheon! All are welcome and remember to bring a friend!

The cost for lunch is $15 and there is no other cost to attend and no registration or RSVP necessary. Please contact Stephen Plunk with any questions at (912)657.9623 or stephen@tourismleadershipcouncil.com

Speaker: Rushe Hudzinski, Savannah Technical College

Title: Strategic Cyber Security Posturing for Business: Does the term Cyber Security leaves you dazed and confused? Do you think that your business size is too small for a cyber-attack? Does having a meeting about approaching cyber security and protection and it leaves you lost for words? Do you think Cyber Security is the same as Information Technology? If you said yes to any of the above, you are not alone and help has arrived!

Join us in July to learn more about:

-Defining Cyber Security verses Information Technology
-How to Mitigate Risk
-The Cost of Disjointed Training and Awareness
-Building a Plan for a Secure Cyber Future
-Build a Winning Security Culture

Runners of all skill levels and ages are needed for this year’s Red Hot Chili Pepper 5k, slated for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021. The ninth annual race, hosted by Georgia Game Changers, will benefit Family Promise of Bryan County.

The Red Hot Chili Pepper 5k, hosted by Georgia Game Changers benefiting Family promise.

Course Description:

The race will start and end in front of the Jalapeno’s Store in Richmond Hill, run through the local neighborhood (Richmond Place) and you will enjoy the post-race party across the street at the Georgia Game Changers Health and Fitness Center. There will be raffles, refreshments, and vendors at the post-race Expo.

Event Schedule:

Starting Price $25 and will go up $5 per month

July 16th Packet Pickup at Georgia Game Changers 10 to 7 pm

July 17th – Price on race day $40

6:30 am Race Day Registration opens
7:15 Close of Race Day Registration
7:30 5k Start
Post-Race Party and Awards Ceremony immediately after the race at Georgia Game Changers 8872 Ford Ave Ste 207 Richmond Hill GA 31324.

Keep up with the latest news on our Facebook Page:

Common Questions:

Walkers and Strollers are welcome
No Age Restriction
Awards for Overall winners
Timing provided by ERS Savannah – Electronic non-chip timing

At July’s Business on the Move, members will experience the unique boutique atmosphere of The Bluff Hotel Historic Savannah. The hotel’s design, through historical and local touches, pays homage to their Yamacraw Tribe roots. The evening will include great networking as well as food and drinks all while experiencing the hotel’s contemporary comfortable and convenient atmosphere. Come meet like minded pro-business professionals for networking and relationship building at the Chamber’s Business on the Move at The Bluff Hotel Historic Savannah.

Savannah AMBUCS will introduce the 2021 Celebrity Bowlers and have a Silent/Live Auction. it will be an evening of fun and fundraising! Savannah AMBUCS is a 502c3 that helps people with different abilities. All money raised stays in the Savannah area. Tables of 10 are $600 and individual tickets are $65. You can buy tickets using this link https://ambucs2021.givesmart.com. if you prefer a check or cash, please contact Kevin Sheehan at 912-658-3739.

Savannah Mega Comic-Con is a comic book & toy convention held in historic Savannah, Georgia July 24th and 25th 2021.

We will have all things comic book and superhero related, vintage & modern toys, anime, cosplay, vintage video games and so much more.

Join us as we host over 150 vendors with handmade treasures, unique vintage & antique items, boutiques, artists, jewelry, chefs with amazing goodies to sample and buy and so much more!

Enjoy an amazing variety of tastes from the South from our amazing Food Trucks! We’ll have cotton candy, sno cones, and drinks too!

This unique event will be both indoors and outdoors!

Vendors can apply on our website at www.southernaccentsmarket.org/upcoming-events

The SD Gunner Fund, a local nonprofit organization assisting veterans, children and first responders with the financial expense of training and owning service/therapy animals, will host the philanthropic event of the year — the third annual Savannah Carnaval!

The award-winning annual fundraiser returns for 2021. This year, guests will enjoy a sneak peek of The Kessler Collection’s Plant Riverside District final phase of development and exclusive tours of the new Atlantic Building. LPT, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based 10-piece Afro-Cuban salsa orchestra widely considered the “ambassadors of Salsa and Afro-Cuban music in the Southeast,” will perform live at the event. Additional entertainment highlights include dancing with Savannah Mambo and awe-inspiring performances by Savannah Cirque, Stardust Pixxies and Grupo Cabana Capoeira Savannah. Enjoy specialty signature cocktails and culinary tastings from the acclaimed restaurants at Plant Riverside District as well as a live auction featuring curated experiences and luxury items.

All proceeds from ticket sales and the live auction will be used to fulfill the organization’s 2021 mission of fully funding a triple amputee veteran with a service dog and purchasing holiday gifts for the children of veterans and first responders. Over the last seven years, the SD Gunner Fund has changed the lives of more than 33,000 children and veterans and hopes to assist many more this year.

TICKETS: Single and couple tickets are available for purchase at sdgunner.org and Eventbrite. Individual tickets are $100/person and couples tickets are $175/pair. The ticket price includes a full evening of entertainment, two drink tickets and delicious food.

The Savannah VOICE Festival returns for a LIVE format for 2021! Meet the artists in this wonderful concert of your favorite opera, musical theatre, and song selections! Standard admission to the performance is $27.50 and premium admission, which includes access to a reception following the performance, is $45.

A new spin on a traditional concept! We guide you through greater Savannah as you Sip & Savor cocktail tastes and special Prix Fixe menus at each location.

We’re excited to create the first-ever Seafood & Spirits Restaurant Week Presented by Eat It And Like It and sponsored by US Foods, Casa Noble Tequila, Savannah Morning News, Ghost Coast Distillery, and our restaurant partners! Visit awesome venues like St. Neo’s Brasserie, The Five Spot, Castaways, and more as we raise funds for their preferred charities through your votes!

Designed in a “Restaurant Week” format, you enjoy Prix Fixe Menus across town and vote for your favorites to crown champions in cocktail & cuisine categories!

YOUR VOTES COUNT AS THERE IS PRIDE & PRIZES FOR WINNERS!

More details are at seafoodandspirits.com

Head over to the marine masterpiece at the Savannah Boathouse to sample some of Savannah’s finest seafood delights.
Tonight, we celebrate Lowcountry traditions by cooking up the day’s catch and offering Lowcountry boil until it’s gone!

Come out to Tanger Outlets Savannah for a Craft & Vendor Show hosted by This & That on specific Saturdays from 11 AM – 5 PM.
Want to be a vendor? Contact This & That MB to see what is open! thisandthatmb@gmail.com
Bring the whole family out for over 100 Unique Vendors, there will be something for everyone!
Note: A percentage of sales goes to a local charity for each event!

The Savannah Summers are long and hot and the sun burns bright. But thanks to Urgent Care of Sandfly we have found some shad. Running Historic Wormsloe Park. This is going to be the most majestic tree line you have ever seen and will surely be among the most amazing photos you’ll get for free. Use this as a motivator to get you to the Rock and Roll Marathon, the bridge run, Tybee, or the Skidaway Island Marathon 2021.

Every Runners will have their State required $10 park fee paid through registration supporting Georgia Parks.

Electronic Chip timing
Finisher Medal & Event Shirt
Bag and Key Check option
7:30 am start to get out before the heat sets in
Free photos

Trail Run, very difficult for strollers

Partially closed course – See maps

Half marathon map – https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2097104911

10k map- https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2220187000

Onsite Registration is Available at packet pickup 9/17 and at the race until 7:15 am Sat 9/18

Registration includes ERS finisher medals to every runner and Event Shirt

Schedule/Bullet Points

Registration closes at 400 runners or Friday at Packet pickup
Packet Pickup – Friday Location:(pending)
Packet Pickup Race Day at Back Parking lot of Isle of Hope Baptist 22 Rose Ave.
Parking at Isle of Hope Methodist 412 Parkersburg Road Savannah, or Baptist 22 Rose Avenue.
Supporting the ministry of HIS RADIO- Website

You’ll hear music and ministry that uplifts and encourages you.
You’ll hear caring personalities who respect and appreciate you.
You’ll hear a radio station “safe” for your entire family.

Friday Night Worship Night with Dan Pavlin and Friends 9/17:

This year we are celebrating our partner his radio with a special worship night lead by Dan and some of his good friends. Come casual dress to Isle of Hope Baptist from 6 to 7:30 and enjoy music and encouragement and learn a little about what all His Radio does for our community.

The Golf Club at Savannah Harbor (Clubhouse)

VIP Hour: 4:00 pm

Event: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Monday, September 20, 2021

The Ronald Open Golf Tournament

The Golf Club at Savannah Harbor (Clubhouse)

Registration opens @ 8:00 am

Shotgun Start 10:00 am

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Janet Kolbush at

janet@rmhccoastalempire.org or 912-350-7641

Home

Click the link for the lineup and more details.

Savannah Jazz, in partnership with the City of Savannah and WSAV, announces that the 40th annual Savannah Jazz Festival will take place September 23 – 26. Free, live, and festive!

“We are beyond grateful that the City and WSAV will continue their lead partnerships to deliver the 40th Savannah Jazz Festival, poised to reach our biggest audience ever,” says Paula Fogarty, Interim Executive Director. Last year’s festival was live-streamed from Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum reaching 175,000 people around the world.

Fogarty explains, “Mayor Johnson will announce later this summer if we can gather again in Forsyth Park. His leadership has kept Savannah safe for residents, businesses, and tourists during the height of the pandemic, but things look hopeful as many music concerts in arenas and stadiums are planned for Summer 2021.”

Alternatively, Savannah Jazz is prepared to relocate the festival to Savannah Station according to City guidelines. In either case, Savannah Jazz Festival will live stream through its partnership with WSAV to reach the largest audience in the festival’s history.

The organization’s mission is to deliver world-class music for free to a large and diverse listening audience. Fifteen live performances plus a movie will fill our program, in addition to Master Classes delivered digitally to area school classrooms.

Our World-class Lineup
This year’s headliners include Grammy-award-winning, Charleston, SC-based, Ranky Tanky accompanied by Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame member, Quentin Baxter, on drums. Their timeless music is born of the Gullah culture of our region’s Sea Islands. Their eponymously titled debut album soared to #1 on the Billboard, Amazon, and iTunes Jazz Charts.

The Savannah Divas backed by the Savannah Jazz Orchestra headline Saturday night showcasing our region’s jazz superstars. Priscilla Albergottie Williams has headlined in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, Germany as well performances throughout the United States. Cynthia Utterbach a New Jersey native has performed around the world in the musical production “The Buddy Holly Story” and has performed throughout Europe as a jazz vocalist at festivals and clubs. Stephanie Nakasian, who recently adopted Savannah as her hometown, is listed in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz as one of the world’s leading singers. These ladies will front the 17-piece Savannah Jazz Orchestra that will play again for the first time since the 2019 Festival.

Jazz bass legend, John Lee, joins us with special guest, and Grammy-award-winning pianist, Lawrence Hobgood. John Lee, a legendary American jazz bassist, and Grammy award-winning producer started his career in 1970 and he has worked with jazz legends including Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, James Moody, Aretha Franklin, Gregory Hines, and many more.

Hobgood’s CD When the Heart Dances, a duet recording with iconic bassist Charlie Haden received worldwide acclaim earning 4-star reviews.

The son of legendary jazz guitarist Grant Green (1931-1979), Grant Green Jr. is joining us for his first Savannah appearance. He’s toured the world from an early age and was based in NYC for many years where he played with the Godfathers of Groove with Bernard Purdie.

Georgia bluesman Robert Lee Coleman brings his uniquely southern take on the blues. Coleman played guitar for Percy Sledge from 1964 to 1969. In 1970, James Brown hired him for his new band, “the JBs.” Robert’s guitar is featured on Brown’s album Hot Pants, including the songs Revolution of the Mind, recorded live at the Apollo Theater & Make It Funky from the “Soul Classics” LP.

Piano sensation Kenny Banks, Jr.’s music was described by Downbeat Magazine as “gospel and blues-infused” and calls his arrangements “thrilling, modern and surprising.” In 2003, Kenny joined the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra on tours of Peru, Canada across Europe. He has performed across the world and the United States with such artists as the Theo Croker Quintet, Jennifer Holiday, Jazzmeia Horn, and India Arie.

The tribute to America’s great military bands features perhaps the top big band The U.S. Navy Band Commodores. This 18-piece band has been entertaining crowds and military members for 50 years. Some of the top legends in American music have accompanied them including Ray Charles, Brandford Marsalis, Clark Terry, Grover Washington, Jr., and Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame Member, James Moody.

Headlining Blues night is female guitar and vocal sensation Ana Popovic. This Serbian-born blues lady has toured Europe and the Americas for 20 years and has shared the stage with superstars including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, and others. Bruce Springsteen called her “one helluva guitar player.”

Terry “Doc” Handy is a seasoned percussionist skilled in a diverse array of genres including Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, and Latin Jazz. Doc has also been selected as the opening performance for many greats including James Brown, Aaron Neville, Macy Gray, Kool, and the Gang, Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, and El Gran Combo. Doc is most inspired by percussionists Ralph McDonald, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Bill Summers.

Saxophone and flute virtuoso, Don Braden, returns to our festival with his soulful and swinging music. One of America’s most important jazz musicians performing today, Braden has been part of the Harvard Monday Jazz band for several years and has been Director of the renowned Litchfield jazz camp for over 20 years. He has performed with jazz greats including Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, and many others.

Regional performers include bluesman Eric Culberson, Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame Band, Georgia Southern’s Jazz Ensemble, Savannah State’s Gospel Choir, and others.

Join us for the first annual 5k for Molly’s Bridge. An out and back from Coastal Cathedral Church and through the Berwick Plantation Area. All are welcome to join us – run, walk, volunteer or sponsor.

Schedule

Online Registration Closes Thursday night Oct 21 at 11 pm
Friday Packet Pickup – Lifebridge Church, 1821 Montgomery Cross Road, Savannah GA 31406 – Noon – 7 PM
Saturday Race Start – 9 am
Event Includes:

Race Shirt
Age Group and Overall Winner Awards
Free Photos
Police Protected closed course
ERS Is Providing:

Timing
Course Set up
Event Management
Event Photos
While The MAMA-RUN 5K will celebrate Mothers Day in October this year, it is already planned for Mothers Day weekend starting in 2022, so make plans to support the event and celebrate moms with us again next spring!

Molly’s Bridge is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering single mother-led families
in their journey toward a thriving and financially self-sufficient life in our community. Molly’s Bridge
provides supportive transitional housing, family advocacy, and ally team support to our partner
families.

Your support for this event will be used to empower single mother-led families by providing housing,
engagement with educational, career, and family counseling services and to activate a community of
caring people offering kinship and mutuality for our partner families.