Photography by Addie Strozier

It’s a paddle, a concert and a festival all in one. It’s the fifth annual Benderdinker.

Benderdinker is no “oar”-dinary event. The winning combination of a leisurely paddle on the Savannah River, plus good music, good food and a fun-filled festival, add up to a great time for all.

Faithful ’Dinkers are familiar with the itinerary.  For the uninitiated, the playlist goes something (well, actually a lot) like this – (a) enjoy a leisurely six-mile paddle on the Savannah River; (b) listen to awesome musicians play on pontoon boats and sample foods from local growers at stops along the route; (c) stick around for more music, food and lawn games at the post-paddle Riverfest.

“Benderdinker grows every year,” says Kristina Williams, who founded the event. “I just want people to have fun, get outdoors, enjoy each other’s company and enjoy the river.”

Paddlers can sample locally sourced food such as “branch mix” with Georgia peanuts, local pecans and Georgia blueberries; BBQ nacho shots and boiled or roasted peanuts. Water and sweet tea will be available as well.

For paddlers’ listening pleasure, country musicians Daniel Johnson, Me and Molly, Nick Brown and Jason White will pull double duty on water and on land. The Mason Jars, who have performed at Benderdinker in the past, will play at the festival only.

“We always have good musicians, but this year we have several Nashville recording artists,” Williams says.

Riverfest lawn games will include corn hole, giant tic tac toe, ladder ball, mini disc golf and bocce ball. If teamwork is more to your liking, then you can join a pickup sand volleyball game. Outdoor sports vendors will offer demos of their wares. Twisted Burrito will provide food at the festival, and thirsty festivalgoers – well, those who are at least 21 – can cool off with craft beer.

Proceeds from the event benefit Augusta Locally Grown and Benderdigger. Augusta Locally Grown gives residents the opportunity to purchase locally grown food at area farmers markets and from its online market. Benderdigger is a youth foodie program that teaches children how to grow, find, harvest and prepare healthy food.

Registration for the paddle is available online through Monday, April 25. Paddlers that prefer to do things the old-fashioned way (and avoid extra fees), can register in person at Escape Outdoors. Check-in will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 29 and 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 30.

If You  Go:

What: Benderdinker 

When: Saturday, April 30; paddle launches 10-11:30 a.m.; Riverfest noon-5 p.m.

Where: Riverside Park at Betty’s Branch, Evans

How Much: $35 per vessel in advance; $40 per vessel day of event. Cost to rent a kayak or canoe is not included. Food, beer and other beverages will be available for purchase at the festival.

More Info: benderdinker.com

An award-winning magician offers no illusions — wait, yes he does — about his entertaining style

Self-taught performer Adam Trent is not your stereotypical magician.

“I’ve always thought that magic should be entertaining first and tricky second. I don’t want people to remember just the ‘tricks,’ but also the laughs and the memories that were made,” he says.

His shows are part magic, part concert and part stand-up comedy, and he will appear in Evans on Saturday, April 16. The 17-year veteran of magic and stage performance blends dancing and singing to his original pop music with innovative stage illusions, wit and emotion. In the past year, he has performed more than 300 live shows in 19 countries at venues including cruise ships, colleges, comedy clubs, theaters and civic centers. He also has appeared on the Disney Channel in a feature performance. 

Trent is one of the youngest international award-winning magicians in history, and U.S. News & World Report named him one of “The 10 Most Influential Youths in the Nation.” 

Tickets can be purchased online at augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.

If You Go: 

What: The Futurist, Adam Trent 

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16 

Where: Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center

How Much: $40

More Info: augustaamusements.com

Irish eyes and rock ’n’ roll fans will have plenty to smile about with these coming musical attractions

From Celtic music to rock ’n’ roll nostalgia, the Jabez will be jammin’ this month as Augusta Amusements presents its March lineup.

On Thursday, March 3, “Women of Ireland,” a 20-member touring company of Irish performers, will take the stage with other world-class musicians, singers and dancers. A guest of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra during a 12-week tour of North America in 2009, the group has toured the United States every year since. 

While fans of the Eagles still might be mourning the untimely death in January of founding member Glenn Frey, they can honor the late performer’s legacy when 7 Bridges presents “The Ultimate Eagles Experience” on Friday, March 4. The tribute band re-creates the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period. 

Music lovers can enjoy another blast from the past when the one-man show, “One Hit Wanderer,” written and performed by Sha Na Na co-founder Henry Gross, comes to Evans on Friday, March 18. The veteran singer, songwriter, recording artist, actor and comedian will take an autobiographical look back at the pursuit, realization and subsequent demise of his rock ’n’ roll dreams. 

The performances start at 7:30 p.m. at Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. Tickets, which are $37.50 for “Women of Ireland,” $35 for 7 Bridges and $43 for “One Hit Wanderer,” can be purchased online at www.augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.