Athens Today--January 20

The UGA Observatory will be open at 7pm today to the public. There’s a 24-inch telescope in the building’s dome, through which you can see Jupiter and Venus if it’s not cloudy. Faculty and students from the department will be on hand to point out sightings and answer questions.

Welcome to Irishman and Irish literature scholar Nicholas Allen, the new director of UGA’s Willson Center for the Humanities, and his family. He succeeds Betty Jean Craige, who was director from 1993 until her recent retirement.

A don’t-want-to-miss performance unfolds tonight at the Melting Point when Randall Bramblett and Friends take the stage. Guests include Kick the Robot w/ Dylan Hansen, Isaac Bramblett, John Keane and his twin daughters, Paige and Rachel Keane. Doors open at 6pm, music starts at 8pm. Tickets are $18.

Mark your calendar for Saturday: at 7pm, head to ATHICA for the Southern show, curated by Judy McWillie and Lauren Williamson. They describe the show as “An exhibition of artists who both consciously and unconsciously engage archetypes of the American South.” The works are startling and even disturbing. Be there or be square.

So, you got a hankering for Thin Mints? Fear not. Girl Scout Cookies are back! And brother, are they organized. To locate the cookies nearest you, just click on this link, plug in your zip code, and Mr. Computer will hook you up with the closest cookies.