How do actors become their character?
This imagination-engaging activity from the Savannah Cultural Arts Center helps beginning actors learn and practice character development skills.
Just in time for Halloween, try out this technique with your costume!
Find the instructions here.
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2020 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade-in-Place
Introducing Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade-in-Place. Over the course of three nights – Thurs. Nov. 5– Nov. 7 2020 – the Hilton Head Island community to put their lanterns on display in their front yards, balconies, windows.
Chantelle’s Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons will be out each night at a different location for a drive-thru spectacle of light. Come drive by one of these stops and see her large glowing puppets on display each evening from 7-8 PM.
* Thurs Nov. 4 @ Coastal Discovery Museum
* Fri Nov. 6 @ Fire Station 3 (534 William Hilton Pkwy)
* Sat Nov. 7 @ Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
The three neighborhoods with the most lanterns on display in your community will receive a surprise mini-lantern parade on your block @ sunset. So make sure you let organizers know you’ll have your lantern shining brightly.
If you plan to have a lantern on display please register online here.
Created by and featuring artist Chantelle Rytter, the Lantern Parade is a free event and an opportunity for the surrounding community and visitors to celebrate the history, ecology and people of Hilton Head Island.
Learn more here.
You’re invited to 41st annual Novemberfest: A Marketplace of Crafts for All Seasons @ Trinity Lutheran Church in Savannah on Sat. Nov 14 2020, 10AM-2PM
Start your holiday shopping with gifts for all. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Christmas, Easter and more. Accessories, centerpieces, children’s items, quilts, garden art, home décor, kitchen items, pet beds and toys, wreaths and decorated Christmas trees.
This event will also feature:
The TLC Bake Shoppe for homemade goodies from candy to jams and jellies.
A used book sale & children’s craft area in the Education Building.
Latin Chicks food truck will be in parking lot, 10AM-2PM. Buy lunch or take home for dinner.
Visit with Lizzie and Luke – LCC Comfort Dogs.
Drawings for hand embroidered quilt and a recliner.
For info. call (912) 925-4839. Social distancing and face masks required.
Trinity Lutheran Church
12391 Mercy Blvd
Savannah, GA 31419
20th Anniversary Gingerbread Trail & Competition, Savannah
(Savannah Gingerbread Trail. Nov 28—Dec 25.
Find a map of Gingerbread Trail here.
Unlike in years past when the gingerbread village was displayed at Westin Savannah on Hutchinson Is., this year the annual gingerbread tradition will be hosted by various businesses throughout downtown creating a new Gingerbread Trail.
Register as a youth group, family, business or in the Official Gingerbread Competition to win top prizes and support area charities.
Or register to host up to ten of the gingerbread houses. The Savannah Harbor Foundation will promote your business location and drive traffic directly to you. Create a special holiday offer like a gingerbread hot toddy or similar to maximize your sponsorship. The Build-Local Division is meant for non-profits, businesses, hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses to build and showcase houses with a cash donation of $1000 made to the winner’s charity of choice.
Learn more here.
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Find a map of Gingerbread Trail here.
Where can you find a boar in Savannah? Officially named Il Porcellino, this Italian bronze statue can be seen in the front lawn of the Armstrong-Kessler Mansion, just north of Forsyth Park.
Downtown Savannah is full of such animal statues and figures across its squares, homes, and fountains.
Follow along with the Savannah Cultural Arts Center to discover and learn more about our permanent animal residents–for free!
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @SavannahCulture and #animalsinsavannah
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Bring the kids to Risen Savior’s Pumpkin Patch in Pooler, which is designed to be a quality and safe fall activity for your family to enjoy.
Proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch go to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Farmington, New Mexico (This is also where the pumpkins come from, employing 700 Native Americans and making positive and lasting impact on a region with 42% unemployment); Risen Savior Christian Academy and Risen Savior’s youth conference travel expenses.
Pumpkin Patch 2020: Sat. Oct. 17 through Sat. Oct. 31, 11AM-7PM (weekdays); Noon-7PM (weekends).
UPDATE: Pumpkin delivery date has been pushed back so pumpkins will not arrive until Sun. Oct. 18.
Cost: free to enter (pumpkins are priced according to size), free family-friendly games & fall activities.
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Fall Festival 2020: Weekend of October 24-25
October 24-25 2020, Noon-5PM will be a festival weekend join with some additional activities for all ages (Pumpkin patch will be open until 7PM):
Risen Savior Christian Academy, 1755 Quacco Road, Pooler, Ga. 313122, 912.925.9431 Risen Savior Christian Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.
You’re invited to this free community event: Family Fall Fest/Trunk or Treat on Halloween, Sat. Oct. 31 2020.
The Fall Fest will be 3-5PM, followed by the Trunk or Treat at 5-7PM @ Pooler Church, 100 Commerce Court, Pooler GA 31322.
Free & open to the public.
Looking for a fun, socially-distant way for your family to enjoy the outdoors and burn off some energy?
Join Savannah Tree Foundation for a family-friendly, nature-based scavenger hunt Sat. Oct. 10, 2-4PM in Juliette Low Park. Search for tree-related natural items throughout the park. Learn about different leaf types, what seeds animals like to snack on, and more.
The first team to finish the scavenger hunt will win STF t-shirts for the whole family.
This will be a day of learning and adventure.
RSVP at the ticket link here, as this event will be limited to a capacity of 50 people.
RSVP online here.
Event’s COVID safety protocols:
Face masks will be required. Hand sanitizer and gloves will be provided. Prior to the event, please DO NOT ATTEND if: You or a member of your household has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks, you or a member of your household has had a fever, or you or a member of your household is waiting to receive results of a COVID-19 test.
Sat. Oct. 10, 2020 @ 2-4PM
Juliette Low Park in Savannah’s Gordonston neighborhood
Hosted by Savannah Tree Foundation
Impressionism Free Family Weekend
Nov. 13 at 10AM–Nov. 15 2020 at 5PM
@ Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center in Savannah
Families can explore Telfair’s beloved collection of impressionist art in a new light at the Jepson Center in this weekend of free admission for Savannah and Chatham County residents. Family Activity Kits include scavenger hunts in the museum galleries along with at-home art making kits. Family Weekends are free of admission to the Jepson Center only for City of Savannah and Chatham County residents. Investment is provided by the City of Savannah.
Learn more here.
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DRIVE UP Fall Festival 2020 @ Trinity Lutheran Church in Savannah
Sat. Oct. 24 2020
10AM-1PM (while supplies last)
Drive up for a free goodie bag filled with candy and goodies. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes
FREE & open to the public
Trinity Lutheran Church, 12391 Mercy Blvd. Savannah 31419
At-Home Kids’ Activity from Savannah Cultural Arts Center
Here’s a fun way your kids can use up a little extra black coffee for an abstract art activity.
What we love about this project is there are no wrong answers, no special tools needed, and it is fun for kids and adults!
Download the instructions from the Savannah Cultural Arts Center here, or watch the video on their Facebook page.
See the instructions online here.
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Kindermusik Savannah with 88 Keys Piano
In-person Move & Groove class for ages 4-7
Beginning next Monday, Kindermusik’s “Move and Groove“ class for ages 4-7 is moving back to the studio.
Join Kindermusik Savannah at 4PM every Monday for a thrilling musical experience with your older children. First trial class is free. Text 912-432-5885 for more info, or visit kindermusikwith88keys.com.
Visit 88keyspiano.com.
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For all educational institutions, teaching during a pandemic is challenging to say the least. Different strategies and methods are being used to deliver instruction, and there are challenges and successes.
The Savannah-Lowcountry community is invited to learn more about those during Georgia Tech Savannah’s next virtual Learners and Leaders session, which will focus on public education in a pandemic.
Register online here for this free event.
The online program will be 8-9:30AM Thurs. Oct. 8 and is free to all participants, though registration is required.
Panelists include Dr. Lizanne DeStefano, executive director of CEISMC at Georgia Tech; Dr. M. Ann Levett, superintendent of Savannah-Chatham County Public School System; Dr. Yancy Ford, superintendent of Effingham County Schools; and Dr. Paul Brooksher, Superintendent of Bryan County Schools. Each panelist will speak about their experiences with holding classes on a variety of different platforms and the planning that went into each system’s approach for dealing with COVID-19. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit written questions that may be posed to the panelists by the program facilitator if time permits.
Find more info about Georgia Tech-Savannah’s Learners and Leaders program or register here for Public Education in a Pandemic session or call 912-966-7922.
Meet the SMF Jazz Academy’s 2020-21 Artist Instructors
If you have a child enrolled in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools who plays a musical instrument or is interested in learning to play a musical instrument, please check out the free Savannah Musical Festival’s virtual Jazz Academy.
Registration is open now for the Fall 2020 semester of SMF Jazz Academy. Enroll online here.
Open to all students in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Open to all music levels.
This a flexible program that’s able to adapt to student’s needs and give them the skills to grow their creativity. It’s being offered virtually for fall 2020 and already serving students in jazz music education.
Here’s what’s included for each student FOR FREE:
Depending on musical level, students are provided the following:
1) 2 days a week (either Mon and Tues or Wed and Thurs) of Jazz Music Classes (online)
2) Private instrument lessons with one of SMF Jazz Academy Artist Instructors (pictured above)
3) If your student needs an instrument or practice materials, SMF Academy has some for them that they can rent for FREE.
My 6th-grade daughter is enrolled and has already had a few of the sessions. She had her first private lesson today and loved it. She’s been taking saxophone for a year now and is a beginner. I’ve never seen her so spirited about her instrument until after today’s lesson. SMF Jazz Academy has been a welcome bright spot in my daughter’s distance learning during this complicated season of virtual education.
SMF Jazz Academy is currently accepting beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Previous musical experience is not required.
Enroll online here.
Questions? Contact Jessica Messere at jessica@savannahmusicfestival.org or 912.234.3378 x107.
Advanced Academics in Pooler, which provides education services for early learners and homeschoolers, offers a two-week trial or grace period for families who want to try the homeschool program but want to see what it’s all about first before committing.
Get to know Advanced Academics in Pooler before making the switch.
Call 912-348-2017 or enroll online here.
Homeschool: Advanced Academics provides learning experiences for your homeschool student in the core subjects of reading, writing, and math. While on campus, students have a three-hour block with qualified teachers, leaving the rest of the school day for parent-led learning in science, social studies, and specials. Learn more here.
Early Learners: Choose from AM (7:45-11:15) or PM (12:15-3:45) sessions that take place in Advanced Academics’ Early Learning Studio with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Learn more here.
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Cut & Paste FREE Family Weekend @ Telfair Square, Savannah, Sept. 18-20
This weekend (Sept. 18-20 2020) Telfair Museums presents a three-day weekend of free admission for Savannah and Chatham County families to enjoy the exhibition ‘Cut and Paste: Works of Paper’ and provide fun, informal learning experiences.
Free admission for Savannah & Chatham Co. residents is spread out over three days during standard operating hours to allow for social distancing. Face coverings are required for the duration of your visit.
From 10AM-5PM Friday through Sunday, all Savannah and Chatham County residents will receive free admission to the large contemporary art space on the southwest corner of Telfair Square. Face masks are required. For more on Telfair’s safety procedures, visit telfair.org/hours-admission. Proof of residency required. Find a list if acceptable forms of ID here.
Telfair Square in front of the Jepson Center @ Telfair Museums
207 W. York St.
Savannah GA 31401
Learn more here.
Visitors to the Free Family Weekend are invited to tour current exhibitions and explore art activities led by Telfair’s education team.
From 2-4PM Saturday and Sunday, Savannah artist Amiri Farris, who is featured in the Telfair exhibition Breakout!, will provide live, distanced demonstrations of his process for works on paper.
A limited number of free art kits also will be distributed during the three-day period.
Exhibitions currently on view include Cut and Paste: Works of Paper, a special exhibition of paper works by Georgia artists, and Collecting Impressionism: Telfair’s Modern Vision, a sweeping survey of some of the museum’s most important paintings, as well as several other offerings.
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Major photography exhibition set to open
Also on view at the Jepson Center starting Sept. 18 will be a new photo exhibition featuring some of the most prominent names in 20th-century American photography, including Gordon Parks, Helen Levitt, and Bruce Davidson. Youthful Adventures: Growing Up in Photography considers the experience and expression of youth from the 1940s to the present.
Among the featured images will be several by the celebrated American photographer Davidson, which Telfair acquired in 2018 as part of a group of 347 of his works.
Telfair also is offering a free virtual opening lecture for Youthful Adventures at 6PM Sept. 17. Those interested can register for the lecture at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_shFxHllMTPemwZAWg7lBwA.
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You’re invited to a free Open House with MOMS Club of Savannah @ Hull Park Splash Pad in Savannah on Fri. Oct. 2 2020, 3:30PM.
Come along & meet some other moms in the area and find out what Savannah MOMS Club is all about!
Let the organizers know you’re coming via email at momsclubofsavannahga@gmail.com
If you would like more information or have questions, please email momsclubofsavannahga@gmail.com
Free Open House
Oct. 2 2020, 3:30PM
Hull Park Splash Pad
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About MOMS Club of Savannah
MOMS Club of Savannah is a group dedicated to the support of moms.
MOMS Club is not solely a group for playdates. The club is run by members and collectively members plan weekly activities, both in the morning and afternoons.
Learn more about the Savannah moms group here.
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FIND MORE MOMS GROUPS HERE.
FREE Family Weekends 2020 @ Telfair Museums, Savannah
September 2020
Cut and Paste Free Family Weekend
Sept. 18 at 10AM–Sept. 20 at 5PM
@ Jepson Center
Telfair presents a three-day weekend of free admission to the Jepson Center for Savannah and Chatham County families to enjoy the exhibition Cut and Paste: Works of Paper and provide fun, informal learning experiences. Free admission to the Jepson Center is spread out over three days during standard operating hours to allow for social distancing.
Learn more here.
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November 2020
Impressionism Free Family Weekend
Nov. 13 at 10AM–Nov. 15 at 5PM
@ Jepson Center
Families can explore Telfair’s beloved collection of impressionist art in a new light at the Jepson Center in this weekend of free admission for Savannah and Chatham County residents. Family Activity Kits include scavenger hunts in the museum galleries along with at-home art making kits. Family Weekends are free of admission to the Jepson Center only for City of Savannah and Chatham County residents. Investment is provided by the City of Savannah.
Learn more here.
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Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser
At-Home Kids’ Activity from Savannah Cultural Arts Center: Build-A-Story
Introduction to Improv
Tina the dog traveled to space and discovered the secret biscuit recipe?
Fun and imaginative, this activity from the Savannah Cultural Arts Center can be played in-person or virtually over video call and is appropriate for all ages. Build-A-Story is a great was to develop imagination and storytelling skills.
Use the icons provided with this instruction sheet – or make your own!
Find the instructions online here.
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Wondering what Soccer Shots Savannah is all about?
Check out their upcoming FREE Soccer Day in Forsyth Park, Sat. Sept. 12, 9-10:30AM.
Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development for ages 2-8.
This is a great opportunity for children to try a Soccer Shots program for the first time and for parents to meet some Soccer Shots coaches.
They will run abbreviated 15 minute sessions and have more information about the Soccer Shots program available. Event will take place on the Whitaker Street side of the park, on the south end by the tennis courts and Farmer’s Market.
Please preregister for this free event so organizers know how many children to expect and can plan with their coaches.
Enroll at savannah.soccershots.com, just search “free” to see a complete list of all free events near you.
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There’s a new multi-use public trail to explore in Savannah.
A portion of Savannah’s Truman Linear Bike Path is now usable, although the entire park trail – including usable portions – is not complete so please use caution.
A roughly three-mile section of the proposed six-mile public Truman Linear Park Trail is close to completion. The nearly complete section between Lake Mayer and East DeRenne Avenue parallels the Truman Parkway and Casey Canal, as detailed in the image above.
Part of the boardwalk that runs through a woodsy section of Magnolia Park neighborhood still has gaps that require bike riders to dismount but the majority of that three-mile Lake Mayer to East DeRenne Avenue section is usable. The section from the boardwalk to East DeRenne Avenue is not finished, but users can follow Woodland Drive to DeRenne until completed.
Here’s the route from Lake Mayer to East DeRenne Avenue: Trail travels from Lake Mayer north along Sallie Mood Drive to Eisenhower; cross over Eisenhower; turn right onto trail; trail travels along north side of Eisenhower; follow trail under Truman Parkway; follow trail left, traveling parallel to Truman Parkway; follow trail as it travels behind Hester & Zipperer parallel to Truman Parkway; trail travels past ball fields at the Scarborough Sports Complex (on your right); travel along Lovett Drive and follow the trail as it turns left onto Bacon Park Drive. Follow the trail along Bacon Park Drive. The trail then becomes a boardwalk through wooded area and (temporarily) spills out onto Woodland Drive. Turn left onto Woodland Drive to East DeRenne Avenue.
The proposed Truman Linear public path will eventually link Daffin Park on Victory Drive to Lake Mayer Park on Montgomery Cross Road.
The multi-use trail eventually will connect 18 neighborhoods and 13 schools. Learn more here.
Savannah Music Festival is currently accepting applications for a new free youth SMF Jazz Academy Program that starts Sept. 14 2020.
Savannah Music Festival, a leading nonprofit performing arts organization, will officially launch SMF Jazz Academy as a free virtual music education program designed specifically for Savannah-Chatham County Public School students.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SCCPSS recently transitioned to online learning for the start of 2020-2021 school year. Taking the district’s lead, SMF Jazz Academy will start online on Sept. 14 and continue exclusively online for the Fall 2020 semester.
The program is now open to any SCCPSS student in fifth grade through twelfth grade who does not have a jazz band offered at his or her school. SMF Jazz Academy is currently accepting beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Previous musical experience is not required.
SMF Jazz Academy has added several new staff members and, with the transition to online learning, will offer students special masterclasses and workshops led by talented artists from across the United States.
The online SMF Jazz Academy program includes free instrument rental, if needed, as well as weekly private lessons via video, composition and music technology classes, virtual practice rooms, online masterclasses with guest artists and much more. Thanks to founding sponsors Ron and Susan Whitaker, the program is free to all participating students. The Hodge Foundation, Junior Jazz Foundation and Widespread Panic’s Tunes for Tots provide support for free instrument rentals to participants.
Applications are currently being accepted for SMF Jazz Academy.
To apply, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org/jazzacademy.
Registration closes Sept. 4, 2020. Limited space is available. After open spaces are filled, additional submissions will be added to our wait list. Families will be notified about their student’s enrollment by Sept. 4.
Questions? Contact Jessica Messere at jessica@savannahmusicfestival.org or 912.234.3378 x107.
Come to Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah this Sat. Aug. 22 2020 for some social distancing, pollinator counting, and other fun activities.
Free admission 9AM-1PM.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
2 Canebrake Road
Savannah, GA 31419
Learn more here.
Archery class @ Skidaway Is. State Park, Savannah
Come learn the basics of archery and test your skills on Skidaway Is. State Park archery range in Savannah.
This program will cover basic safety and technique. Equipment will be provided but not shared. Participants must be at least 10 years old. Advance registration by phone at (912) 598-2300 is required as space will be limited to 4 participants, and social distancing will be required.
Please plan on arriving 10 minutes early to allow time to make your way to the program location.
9-9:30AM Sat. Aug. 29
10-10:30AM Sat. Aug. 29
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Scavenger Hunt @ Skidaway Island State Park
Snag the swag in this picture scavenger hunt throughout Skidaway Is. State Park. All you need is a way to take pictures and to be ready to explore our park.
Come to the office to get the list and complete your hunt between 9am and 4pm! When you’re finished, swing by the office and show us your pictures. Those who find 10 out of 16 will win prizes!
Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water for your group – stay cool!
9AM Sun. Aug. 16
9AM Sun. Aug. 30