April 5th marks the 30th Anniversary of R.E.M.’s legendary first performance as a band at the deconsecrated St. Mary’s Episcopal church building on Oconee Street in Athens. To celebrate this historic occasion thirty years later, Athens has a number of events planned for this weekend, including a film retrospective, a guided tour, and a tribute concert.
Athens-Life Unleashed and Flagpole’s websites report that the Athens Welcome Center & Classic City Tours are offering an Athens Music History Tour this weekend beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and again on Sunday. Tickets are $15 per person and space is limited. For ticket information, please call 706.208.8687.
Saturday through Monday, CINÃâ° will screen “R.E.M. @ 30: A Video Retrospective,” which will highlight the entirety of R.E.M.’s career with rare footage and clips from performances, videos, interviews, and much more. Running time is approximately 90 minutes and cost for the film is $5. “R.E.M. @ 30” will be the feature for the “Dinner and a Movie” offered by CINÃâ° and The National on Monday April 5. Cost for the Monday night dinner and movie is $25.
Showtimes:
Sat., April 3 – 3 p.m.
Sun., April 4 – 3 p.m.
Mon., April 5 – 7:30 p.m.
$5
CINÃâ°
234 West Hancock Avenue
Athens GA 30601
Last but certainly not least, the Melting Point will host “R.E.M. 30,” a celebration of R.E.M.’s 30th birthday by their friends, featuring performances by Cindy Wilson & Dana Downs and the Debauchelors, Mitch Easter, The HEAP, VieTNam, John Keane, Supercluster, and Casper and the Cookies. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Music at 8:00 p.m. For more information about the show, please visit the event page at the Melting Point.
Please note: R.E.M. will not be in attendance.