September
Fiesta Latina: Sept. 10. That’s this very Saturday, on River Street and Rousakis Plaza. From 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., multi–cultural food and frivolity, with music from Orquesta con Clase, Iraida Valdivia, Fusion Latina, Diego Val, Orgullo Paname dance troupe and others.
Savannah Pride Festival: Sept 10. One of the city’s most well–attended Forsyth Park events, Savannah Pride paints the town pink this Saturday, from noon to 9 p.m. Live entertainment, info, speakers, a children’s area and more.
International Food & Wine Festival: Sept. 10. Once again, this one happens this Saturday, so head on over to the Hellenic Center of the St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church to sample 50 different wines, and food from 12 restaurants, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Savannah Jazz Festival: Sept. 18–25. Local jazz and blues performances culminating in Forsyth Park with an all–blues show Sept. 22, and jazz/big band blowout Sept. 23, and a concert featuring jazz guitarist Pat Martino and others Sept. 24. On the 25th, there’s a Children’s Jazz Festival in the park.
Grays Reef Ocean Film Festival: Sept. 22–24. Screenings at the Jepson Center and Trustees Theater, and the Children’s Film Festival at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. It’s part of the Savannah Ocean Exchange, a month–long series of conservation–themed workshops, lectures and seminars.
October
Picnic in the Park: Oct 2. Eddie Wilson & the Strings of the South once again provide the tuneage as Savannahians attempt to out–picnic one another in Forsyth Park. Because of the impending arrival of the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon, this year’s theme is “Rock & Run.”
Tybee Pirate Fest: Oct. 6–9. Pirate invasions, a parade, stuff for sale and live music from the likes of the Trainwrecks, Derogatory, the Eric Culberson Band and Departure (the Journey Tribute Band). On the pier and the South Beach parking lot.
Savannah Folk Festival: Oct 7–9. For the 22nd year, the Savannah Folk Music Society brings us four events in three days, including a folk concert in Ellis Square (Oct. 7), the Youth Songwriting Competition and Old Time Country Dance (Oct. 8), and a big finale concert (held in Forsyth Park this year, the Oct. 9 event will feature Tom Chapin, the April Verch Band and others).
Savannah Greek Festival: Oct. 13–15. Yes indeed, it’s Greek food, Greek food and more Greek food. There’s entertainment, too, but ah, the food ... at the Hellenic Center of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church.
Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival: Oct. 14–15 at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill. A nice park, nice local music (with a special mid–festival .38 Special concert), arts and crafts, a classic car show and tons of family activities and of course great seafood.
Tybee Festival of the Arts: Oct. 16 (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) and 17 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.). In a new location this year – Jaycee Park – there’s $2,000 in juried prize money for the local and regional artists who sign up.
Savannah Film Festival: Oct. 29–Nov. 5. One of the year’s most anticipated events features day–long screenings of independent films, shorts and more, plus pre–release premieres of some big–name studio movies AND appearances by in–the–flesh stars! In 2010, we had Liam Neeson and Sir Ian McKellan. This one hasn’t been announced yet.
Shalom Y’all: Oct. 30. A delightful day in Forsyth Park, with dozens of vendors on site making and vending fresh and tasty Jewish foods.
November
Rock ‘n Roll Marathon: Nov. 5. In which an estimate 23,000 runners high–tail it through the streets of Savannah for a total of 26 miles, with a live band every mile or so to keep their adrenaline up.
Geekend: Nov. 10–12. Three days of tech talk, computer seminars, demonstrations, lectures, meetings and other 21st Century fal–der–al at the Coastal Georgia Center.
Savannah Children’s Book Festival: Nov. 19. Forsyth Park is the place to be for several dozen children’s book authors and illustrators, showing their stuff and chatting to their young fans. Live entertainment, and food, too. cs
