Due South concerts kick off Saturday in Thomasville

THOMASVILLE — Art, food and especially music lovers from across Southern Georgia and Northern Florida are expected to flock to Thomasville Saturday as the first weekend of the Due South Festival gets under way.

Now in its fifth year, the Due South Festival is a showcase of art, food and music and is aimed at drawing attention to the Thomasville Center for the Arts, which hosts the event each year.

Because Due South now encompasses two weekends, Saturday’s event is known more formally as Due South 209, and will welcome crowds to downtown Thomasville to enjoy both art exhibits and live music.

When it comes to live music, Due South has established a tradition of welcoming both regional and national artists, many of whom are generating buzz throughout the music world. This year is no different, as Due South welcomes three celebrated acts Saturday: Tallahassee’s Fried Turkeys; The Black Lillies, from Knoxville, Tenn.; and headliners Shinyribs, out of Austin, Texas.

General admission tickets for the concert are $10 and are available at the gate or in advance through the TCA by calling (229) 226-0588 or by visiting thomasvillearts.org.

Special VIP tickets are also available for $150, and those tickets include a preview of the latest exhibit from Savannah painter and photographer Cedric Smith, titled “Soul to Soil.” The exhibit showcases the artist’s perspective of Southern heritage and Americana.

A VIP reception and exhibit will be held inside TCA’s Studio 209 warehouse gallery, and guests to the VIP experience will have a chance to meet and mingle with Smith while enjoying a variety of refreshments, including food provided by some of Thomasville’s most popular restaurants.

Although VIP tickets may be available at the gate, organizers say they are going fast and encourage patrons to purchase them in advance.

Saturday’s festivities kick off at 5 p.m. when the gates open, and the concert will start shortly after.

The concert area will also feature food and beverage vendors, as well as the Terrapin beer garden. Coolers are not permitted, but lawn chairs are encouraged.

Due South will continue next weekend as the festival welcomes Athens’ Drive-By Truckers, who will play May 1 at the Tall Timbers Research Station, just down the road in Tallahassee.

Like Band of Heathens, which served as last year’s headliner, Drive-By Truckers have amassed a huge following around the country, while drawing comparisons to classic artists like Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The Truckers, as they are known by fans, will be joined by opening act The Futurebirds, who have also toured with renowned performers like Grace Potter and Widespread Panic.

Tickets to Due South at Tall Timbers are currently on sale for $40, and beer bands for adults over the age of 21 are also available for an additional $5. Get tickets by calling (229) 226-0588 or by visiting thomasvillearts.org.

In addition to the two concert dates, Due South will also feature a special gathering called Spring Porch Beach Party with Landmarks on April 28, that combines regional history with bluegrass music.

That event will be held on the front porch of the historic Hebard House in Thomasville and will feature banjo music from the Kenny Hill Band, along with southern libations and other fare. Tickets to the Spring Porch Beach Party are $15 and can be purchased through thomasvillelandmarks.org.

For more information on all the Due South events, contact the TCA at (229) 226-0588 or visit thomasvillearts.org.