This week, hear Chris Cagle, visit beer and crafts festivals, celebrate James Brown, too

What’s ahead this week in the Augusta-area? There are several stage shows and festivals/fairs for residents of all ages. The stage shows have a huge range from a concert by country star Chris Cagle to a performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella" by The Augusta Players. Some of the community fairs include the return of the Augusta Craft Beer Festival, a birthday party for the late superstar James Brown, and a night of animals, astronomy and more science fun at USC Aiken’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. Here are more details on these and other upcoming festivities:

Onstage

Chris Cagle is playing at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Miller Theater on Broad Street. The country artist is known for hits like “My Love Goes On And On” and “I "Breathe In, I Breathe Out.” 

Taking Miller's stage the day after Cagle is AbbaFab, a tribute group to the world-famous ABBA. AbbaFab will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

Tickets for Cagle and AbbaFab are available at the box office and online at millertheateraugusta.com.

Fort Gordon Dinner Theater opens a three-weekend run of "Things My Mother Taught Me" on May 6-7, 13-14, 20-21. The show tells of a couple whose move to a new city gets more complicated when their parents show up unexpectedly to help. Dinner starts at 6:45 p.m. with the show at 8. The Sunday matinee begins at 3 p.m. with lunch at 1:45. Get tickets by calling (706) 793-8552.

The Augusta Players will be performing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Cinderella" this weekend at the Imperial Theatre. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Get tickets online at imperialtheatre.com.

Augusta Ballet and Columbia County Ballet are presenting the annual performance of "The Roar of Love" at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center on Market Street in Evans. It tells the story of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" made famous by C.S. Lewis. Tickets can be bought online at thecenterofcc.com.

Previously:Dancer makes exit in Roar of Love's 31st year

Several performers are putting together a Mother's Day Comedy Show at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at James Brown Arena on Seventh Street. Artists include DC Young Fly, Earthquake, Karlous Miller, Corey Holcomb and Tony Roberts. Tickets are available at the box office and online at aectix.com.

Musical Theatre Workshops is performing Shrek the Musical at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at Augusta University on Walton Way. Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday. Buy tickets online at onwiththeshow.biz.

Community fairs and festivals

A free Community Health Fair is planned for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at 1447 Harper St. Available services will include doctors' visit for adults and children, prescription refills (bring old bottles), pap smears, HIV/PrEP, as well as school and vision screenings, dental exams and cleaning, mental health screening and women's health and dermatology screenings. Learn more about this event sponsored by the Asociación Latina de Servicios del CSRA by calling (706) 940-2527 or visit www.alas-csra.org.

Also:Family is among many Hispanics aided with health care through Clinica Latina in Augusta

The Augusta Handmade Fair returns from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Doris Building at 930 Broad St. This semiannual  fundraiser showcases local artists with more than 60 vendors selling jewelry, pottery, soaps, clothing, home decor and other. Food vendors will also be present. The event will benefit Sojourn Church in Kampala, Uganda and is presented by Redemption Church. Learn more at augustahandmadefair.com.

Augusta's businesses and organizations are hosting a downtown birthday party to celebrate what would have been the 89th birthday for iconic local James Brown. The "Birthday Get Down" is planned for 5-11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Augusta Common. It will feature several live music performances, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden and more.

You may also like:James Brown family eager to be part of Jagger, Questlove documentary on Godfather of Soul

The Augusta Craft Beer Festival returns to SRP Park in North Augusta's Riverside Village from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 7. More than 40 breweries will feature drinks in addition to live music, food and games.

Aiken Music Fest returns with a show by the Taylor Scott Band at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Highfields Event Center on Gaston Road in Aiken. There will also be area food and drink vendors. This is a monthly concert series. Get tickets at aikenmusicfest.com.

Family Earth and Sky Night begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken. Activities from 6-9 p.m. will include free hands-on activities and a chance to see animals like snakes, turtles and alligators. From 8:30-10:30 p.m., the Astronomy Club of Augusta will host naked eye, binocular and telescope observations of the moon, planets and stars on the lawn. Or visitors can view the night sky with the Bechtel Telescope on the rooftop. Planetarium shows will be available on the hour from 6-9 p.m. Tickets cost $6.50 for adults; $5.50 for seniors; $4.50 for 4K-12; and $2 for USC Aiken students, faculty and staff. Children under 4 are not admitted to the planetarium but are welcome at the evening's other activities. Visit usca.edu/rpsec or call (803) 641-3313 for more details.