From Macon 200 – On Wednesday, June 14 at the Capitol Theatre, Macon200 celebrated Black Music Month with a live reveal of its bicentennial anthem, “I Love My City” by CMD Styles. The song, which was written by the artist as a tribute to his native city, features a plethora of references to assets that make Macon proud, from the Macon Bacon and the Ocmulgee Mounds to the Hay House and Bragg Jam.

Accompanied by a free afterparty with all-Macon artists Charles Davis and the Velvet Sound, Reese Soul, and CMD live in person, the video release was covered by all major Macon media with more to come. The simultaneous social media announcement received over 3,500 views in a matter of 24 hours with hundreds of shares and positive comments from Maconites.

Tonight at 5 p.m., The Bicentennial Art Show will kick off their second quarterly exhibition, titled “Untold Stories,” in the Macon Mall. This show will feature events, places, and people that are under-recognized, challenging our history from the perspective of local artists. Photography is a major lens for this exhibition with photographers DSTO Moore, Christopher Ian Smith, and Matt Odom selected as featured artists, and a new collection debuted by local gallery owner Kirk West. Jessica Whitley Photography will provide a live art installation with free family portraits, providing a service to residents as well as a living archive of what families are like during the bicentennial.

The Bicentennial Art Show is anchored by a two-story installation called “The Canopy” by Wini McQueen, with an artist talk called “Piecework” presented on Thursday, June 15.

Finally, Macon200 wraps a busy week by celebrating with the whole city as a major partner in Macon’s Juneteenth celebrations, both the 31^st Juneteenth Freedom Festival happening on June 17-18 in Tattnall Square Park and the 1^st Juneteenth Parade downtown on Monday, June 19^th.

To keep up with all bicentennial news, follow Macon200 on Facebook and macon.200 on Instagram or go to Macon200.com
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About Macon200

Throughout 2023 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Macon, the city where soul lives. As we stand on the precipice of Macon’s third century we reflect on our past, remain rooted in the present and imagine a future blossoming with potential for all. The Macon-Bibb County Bicentennial Celebration is a year-long opportunity to come together as a community to both honor and acknowledge our history, while celebrating the bounty of talent and potential here, now. The major initiative for the bicentennial will be Bicentennial Park, a park in East Macon that will serve as valuable public space and commemorate the vibrancy of our city. For more information, visit Macon200.com