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Augusta’s Classical Father

Augusta has many visionaries across the arts. In music, one such name is Harry Jacobs. 

The first chair of the music department at Augusta University (when it was known as Augusta College), Jacobs developed the department, while simultaneously designing the fine arts building and the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. 

He founded the Augusta Symphony — and was its conductor and music director for 25 years — and helped establish the Augusta Opera, Augusta Ballet and started WACG-FM, the classical music radio station in Augusta. 

Upon his retirement from the Augusta Symphony, music enthusiasts from across the city joined together in the discussion of a high-quality chamber music series to honor Jacobs.

The Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society was formed in the fall of 1990 and led by the director until his death in 2001.

Today, the series is renowned for bringing in some of classical music’s greats — think Zuill Bailey, the St. Petersburg String Quartet, Charles Wadsworth and many more. 

After moving from the ballroom of the Medical College of Georgia (its first home) to the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, Augusta University officially became the series’ permanent home in 2018. 

The 2026-27 concert season opens with the Augusta debut of the Modigliani Quartet, who will perform works by Debussy and Beethoven on October 15. 

For additional performances listed in our arts calendar.

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Real Music 4 Real People

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the legendary Augusta band, PlayBack “The Band.”

Founded in 1991, the popular dance and cover band was known for its energetic live shows and musical influences from Memphis, Motown and James Brown.

PlayBack shared the stage with world-class musicians such as B.B. King, Clifton Davis, New Edition, Danny Glover, Cicely Tyson, SWV, James Brown, The Manhattans, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, the Ohio Players, The Impressions, Dennis Edwards and The Temptations. They played a special performance with President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore during Clinton’s initial campaign for president in 1992. 

In addition, they notably welcomed the Clinton-Gore entourage at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre in their boats and yachts, and accompanied by Secret Service agents in suits. 

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Medical Horizons

Scheduled to open in late August, the new Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center is a six-story, 254,000-square-foot facility that will be the flagship hospital in Columbia County. Featuring a 17-bay emergency department, the hospital is expected to become a Level II trauma center. 

The location (5000 Gateway Boulevard in Grovetown) will reach rural counties and expand the medical care offerings to individuals in those areas, as well as those residing in Augusta. 

The 520-bed teaching hospital will create opportunities for students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University to train using the latest medical technologies. Patient rooms will include cameras, digital whiteboards and larger windows to incorporate more natural light — something proven effective for a patient’s overall well-being. 

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A New Player In Town

The Augusta Players and the Imperial Theatre have a new chief executive officer, Shane Peterman. Peterman now leads the organizations as they continue toward their merger and shared vision for the performing arts in Augusta. 

“I’m deeply honored by the trust both organizations have placed in me during such an important and exciting moment in their histories,” says Peterman. “I look forward to working alongside the boards, staff, artists, patrons, donors and the greater Augusta community as we help shape a strong and sustainable future for the performing arts together.”

Peterman’s nearly 30 years in the performing arts arena have been made up of both commercial and nonprofit roles; most recently, he served as the producing artistic director of WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas, where he helped guide the organization through financial recovery, audience growth and renewed stability during one of the most transformational periods in the company’s history. 

Congratulations are also in order to Charles Scavullo, the Imperial’s longtime executive director, who retired in May 2026. On the Imperial’s Facebook page, Scavullo shared a fond farewell saying, “I’m not going anywhere, so I look forward to seeing [you] around the ‘house’ in the future. I have always loved working at the Imperial Theatre and will continue to love the historic Imperial.”

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Modern Americana

Augusta & Co.’s Modern Americana exhibit, in conjunction with America’s 250th anniversary, is a group show featuring a wide range of artistic expressions reflecting the diversity of the U.S. through paintings, prints, crafts and other decorative items. 

View the nostalgic depictions of rural life, historical events and iconic American symbolism through October 1. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

For more information, visit augustaarts.com/galleries.

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Crochet Comeback

Creative Crochet was inspired by the weather. And by owner Allyssa K. Blair’s body type. 

On her artist page at augustahandmadefair.com, Blair reveals: “I make almost everything I wear! I’m 6-feet tall with long arms and legs. Clothes are either too short, too tight, too big, too plain or just not me. One day, God told me to stop complaining and start sewing.”

Blair’s creations include covetable handkerchief tops, garden pants, ruffled socks and everything you need for vacation. And since winter will be here before we know it, it’s a great time to stock up on cardigans, tams and scarves — if you can find one of her pom-pom scarves, grab it!

Creative Crochet is based in Hephzibah, but you can find the store on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/CreativeCrochetAKB.

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The Cat’s Pajamas

Known for its thought-provoking performances and its dedication to bringing in events not found elsewhere in the area, Le Chat Noir is home to Augusta’s only internationally adjudicated film festival, the Black Cat Picture Show, which takes place every year in August. Its productions are almost always Augusta premieres, and Le Chat Noir hosts Augusta’s first and only professional improv comedy group, Schrodinger’s Cat, which performs every First Friday.

And that only skims the surface — recurring events include Cat Scratch Art Nights, a drink-and-paint with a local model; Tales & Ale Live Storytelling is also vastly entertaining! Be sure not to miss the area’s largest and longest-running Halloween extravaganza, the Black Cat Carnival, on the last Saturday in October. 

Visit lcnaugusta.com.

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Olde Town vibes

Hidden away beneath the Olde Town Inn, at the corner of 4th and Telfair streets, is one of Augusta’s best places for live music. 

The cozy Fox’s Lair regularly welcomes the Southeastern Songwriter Series, a music-in-the-round experience where you hear the stories behind the music from the people who wrote them. It doesn’t matter what the genre is — if you love music, you’ll love this format. It happens every third Wednesday of the month with rounds at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

If you want to show up early, there’s never a bad time to visit the Old World-style bar, with exposed brick walls, dim lighting and classic cocktails. 

And should you overindulge, the Olde Town Inn offers beautifully appointed rooms. 

Check out more details at oldetowninn.online/thefoxslair.

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As seen in the August/September 2026 issue of Augusta Magazine.

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