There’s a lot happening around the Golden Isles this week—and it’s a good mix of everything. From a packed live music lineup and multiple trivia nights to a JAWS screening at the Ritz and a few under-the-radar gems you might not expect, this is one of those weeks where you’ll want to actually check the calendar before making plans. Oh—and Brunswick showed up big, raising over $7K for Safe Harbor…plus the new Aldi has people talking.

See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s brand-new Women’s Expedition.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded women by your side, this trip connects you with the local communities you visit ,giving you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side, this trip gives you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

Part of Intrepid’s Women’s expedition range, this eight-day adventure has been thoughtfully designed to support local women in tourism while delivering immersive experiences specifically for women travellers.

You’ll traverse the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos trail in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, spend time in an Andean village learning about daily life, take part in a traditional textile workshop led by local women and experience a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a female shaman.

Find your adventure

A big win for the local community this week—Tipsy McSway’s Lip Sync Battle raised nearly $7,000 (and counting)for Safe Harbor Children’s Center.

The event brought out a packed crowd, plenty of laughs, and some seriously committed performances—all for a cause that matters.

Safe Harbor, established in 1991, is a nationally recognized nonprofit serving children and families facing abuse, neglect, homelessness, and crisis situations. Their work here in the Golden Isles is critical—and support like this goes a long way.

Shoutout to Jen Beato of Little Zooks for taking home Judges’ Choice, and to everyone who showed up, performed, and donated.

👉 Proof that Brunswick knows how to have fun and show up for its own.

Brunswick is hosting a full week of free, family-friendly events for Georgia Cities Week—built around this year’s theme: Love Your City.

Here’s what’s worth checking out 👇

🎯 Monday, April 20
🕰️ 4:00–6:00 PM
Water Safety Awareness – Mary Ross Park
Hands-on safety tips for kids and families.

🎯 Tuesday, April 21
🕰️ 9:00–10:30 AM
Coffee with City Officials – Old City Hall

🕰️ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Gray to Green Outing – Liberty Ship Park
A surprisingly interesting look at how Brunswick is tackling flooding and runoff. (RSVP required)

🎯 Wednesday, April 22
🕰️ 4:00–6:00 PM
Bike Rodeo – Mary Ross Park
Obstacle courses, safety training, and free helmets for kids.

🎯 Thursday, April 23
🕰️ 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Neighborhood Clean OUT – Multiple locations
Drop off unwanted items and clear the clutter.

🕰️ 4:00–5:00 PM
Neighborhood Clean UP – Palmetto Park or Norwich St.
Show up, grab supplies, and help clean up the community.

📸 Happening Now
Photo Contest + Student Art & Essay Contests
Submit your best “Love Your City” moments or pick up details at City Hall.

This all ties into a broader push around keeping Brunswick cleaner and protecting local waterways—something the city is investing in more heavily right now.

👉 Full details: https://www.brunswickga.org/citiesweek2026

A few new guides, one big debate, and plenty of local opinions.

Here’s what’s new 👇

🍗 Best Food Trucks in Brunswick & The Golden Isles
From 95 Wingz to Don Que’s BBQ to Shake It Up for dessert, locals didn’t hold back on this one. If you’ve ever chased down a food truck or wondered which ones are actually worth it—this is your list.
👉 https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/best-food-trucks-in-brunswick-the-golden-isles

💍 Wedding Caterers in Brunswick & The Golden Isles
Planning a wedding (or just curious who people trust with the big day)? Locals shared everything from budget-friendly BBQ to full-service caterers—and a few hidden gems you might not expect.
👉 https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/wedding-caterers-in-brunswick-the-golden-isles

🛒 Brunswick’s Second Aldi — Love It or Leave It?
The new Aldi has people talking…loudly. From die-hard fans to strong critics, this one turned into a full-on debate about groceries, prices, and what Brunswick really needs.
👉 https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/brunswicks-second-aldi-love-it-or-leave-it

Want to explore more?

👉 Locals Recommend: https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/t/locals-recommend
👉 Community Conversation: https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/t/conversation

🍺 Service Industry Night @ Silver Bluff Brewing
🕰️ 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Silver Bluff Brewing Company, Brunswick

Calling all hospitality folks, first responders, and healthcare workers—this one’s for you.

Silver Bluff is pouring 30% off all drafts every Monday evening, making it one of the best low-key hangouts to kick off the week. Grab takeout from your favorite downtown spot, bring it in, and settle in for a well-earned pint.

🎨 Open Studio Night
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Makers BWK, Brunswick

A creative, come-as-you-are kind of night.

Open Studio at Makers is exactly what it sounds like—a shared space to work on whatever you’re into. Painting, crocheting, writing, sketching…or just showing up and seeing what happens.

It’s free, it’s welcoming, and you never quite know what you’ll walk into—which is kind of the point.

🌱 McIntosh County Master Gardener Training
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎯 UGA Extension Office, Darien

Ready to level up your plant game? This in-depth Master Gardener training kicks off a multi-week journey into all things Georgia gardening. Expect serious knowledge, hands-on learning, and a chance to give back through volunteer work.

This class is already FULL, but it’s worth keeping on your radar for future sessions—these fill up fast for a reason.

📖 Poets – David Blumenfeld and Shutta Crum
🕰️ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
🎯 St. Simons Casino Theater, SSI

A thoughtful, low-key gem for your morning. Two accomplished writers bring short readings that range from heartfelt to humorous—with just enough depth to make you think on the drive home.

💰 Free for members / $10 non-members

🎨 Paint-a-Perch
🕰️ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll

An easygoing creative afternoon where you’ll paint and customize your own wooden birdhouse. No experience needed—just show up and let the coastal vibes do their thing.

💰 $20+ per birdhouse

🍺 Music Bingo with Silver Bluff Brewing
🕰️ 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Silver Bluff Brewing Company, Brunswick

Bingo… but make it loud 🎶

Swap numbers for songs and compete for prizes, beer tickets, and gift cards. This one’s dangerously fun and tends to turn into a full evening hang.

🧠 Trivia Tuesdays at Mack’s Bar-B-Que
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Mack’s Bar-B-Que, Brunswick

Brains + brisket = a strong Tuesday night combo.

Hosted by local radio personality Scott Ryfun, this weekly trivia showdown mixes pop culture, history, music, and more—with prizes that might just cover your tab.

🎤 Trivia with Cary Collins at Fish Tales
🕰️ 6:00 PM
🎯 Fish Tales Pub & Grill, Brunswick

Another trivia option enters the arena. If you’re out on the north end, Cary Collins is bringing the questions—and likely a few curveballs—to Fish Tales. Good food, casual vibes, and a chance to prove you actually do know random facts.

🩺 Brunswick Community Breast Ultrasound Screening
🕰️ 8:30 AM – 3:10 PM
🎯 South Georgia Center for Optimal Wellness, Brunswick

A great opportunity to take a proactive step in your health. These screenings can detect cancers that mammograms may miss—especially important for women with dense breast tissue.

Quick, non-invasive, and no prescription required.

💰 $295
More info: https://www.HerScan.com

🍸 Millionaire’s Mixology Workshop (21+)
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll

Want to mix drinks like you actually know what you’re doing? This hands-on cocktail workshop walks you through pro-level techniques—plus you’ll craft your own drink and take home a branded glass and recipe card.

A fun one for date night or a small group.

💰 $50+

🃏 Cards, Cocktails & Competition
🕰️ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Driftwood Wine & Cocktails, Brunswick

A new midweek hang built around rotating card games—Spades, Hearts, Gin Rummy, and whatever the crowd’s feeling.

It’s free, it’s social, and it pairs extremely well with a cocktail or two.

🎬 Film: Waiting for Guffman
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 8:40 PM
🎯 St. Simons Casino Theater, SSI

A cult classic comedy night featuring Waiting for Guffman—Christopher Guest’s brilliantly awkward small-town theater satire.

💰 $5 at the door

🧠 Trivia Night at Tipsy’s
🕰️ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 Tipsy’s McSway’s, Brunswick

Midweek trivia with a little extra edge. Expect laughs, competitive teams, and possibly a few “how did I not know that?” moments.

Cold drinks, good food, and bragging rights on the line.

💼 Financial Fundamentals for Business Owners
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎯 715 Bay St, Brunswick

If you run a business (or want to), this is one of those quietly valuable workshops.

Learn how to actually use your financial data—cash flow, profitability, and how lenders evaluate your business.

Register: https://ugasbdc.training/bru/0793-001

📚 Spring Book Sale (Member Preview)
🕰️ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎯 St. Simons Island Library, SSI

Book lovers, this is your Super Bowl.

Thousands of titles at prices that feel like a time machine:

• Paperbacks: $2
• Hardcovers: $4 (or 3 for $10)
• CDs/DVDs: $1

More info: http://www.LitGuildSSI.org

🚢 Cruising for Causes
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 St. Simons Lighthouse, SSI

A breezy, coastal fundraiser with bites, raffles, and live music—all benefiting New Roots Glynn and For Good Glynn.

💰 $35 / $60 couple

🎬 Cinema Gourmet: JAWS
🕰️ 6:30 PM
🎯 The Ritz Theatre, Brunswick

You’re gonna need a bigger… dinner 🍽️🦈

Cinema Gourmet is back with a screening of Jaws, pairing the classic summer thriller with a curated food experience. It’s part movie night, part dining event—and a pretty unique way to experience one of the most iconic films ever made.

Expect a lively crowd, themed bites, and just enough suspense to make you think twice about the ocean (even here).

📞 (912) 262-6934
More info: https://goldenislesarts.org

🎨 Chris Groves Workshop – Abstracting the Landscape
🕰️ April 9 – April 11, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily
🎯 Anderson Fine Art Gallery, SSI

A three-day immersive painting workshop blending classical landscape fundamentals with modern abstraction techniques.

💰 $695
More info: https://andersonfineartgallery.com/april-2026-chris-groves-in-studio-on-amelia-island

This week’s Live Music Roundup is sponsored by Dreamweavers DJ — a father-and-son DJ team helping couples celebrate across Brunswick, SSI, Jekyll, Savannah, and Jacksonville.
https://dreamweaversdj.com

🎹 Tim Akins @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎤 Open Mic Night @ Palm Coast Coffee, SSI – 8:30 PM start (sign up 8:00 PM)
🎸 Joe King @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll – 7:00 PM
🎸 Rastar @ Rafters, SSI – 10:00 PM–12:00 AM

🎸 Joey Thigpen @ Tortuga Jack’s, Jekyll – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Brody Williams @ Downtown Cooter Brown’s, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎹 Michaele Hannemann @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI – 7:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Eddie Pickett @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll – 7:00 PM

🎸 Joe King @ 24 Coastal Grill, Jekyll – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Rider Duo @ Tortuga Jack’s, Jekyll – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎻 The Pine Box Dwellers @ Boondox Tavern, Brunswick – 5:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Levi Moore @ Catch 228, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎹 Tim Akins @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Joey Thigpen @ Hilton Garden Inn/Garden Grill, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry @ Mack’s Bar-B-Que, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Soulful Dave @ Uptown Tap & Cigar, SSI – 6:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Tony Adams @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 6:00–8:00 PM
🎶 Live Music @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse, Woodbine – 6:30 PM

🎸 Rob Willis @ Tortuga Jack’s, Jekyll – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎤 Songbird Open Mic @ Hootenanny’s in the Yard, Brunswick – 6:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Rider @ The Wharf, Jekyll – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry @ Ocean Lodge Resort, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎻 The Pine Box Dwellers @ Reed’s Ponderosa, Tarboro – 6:30 PM
🎸 Tony Adams @ Bennie’s Red Barn/Tree Bar, SSI – 7:00 PM
🎸 WharfRatz @ Wee Pub Beach, Jekyll – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Jenn Burns Trio @ Rafters, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎶 Live Music @ Mullet Bay, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Joey Thigpen & Keith Dean @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Reid’s Apothecary/The Study, Brunswick – 9:00 PM
🎸 Crawford, Jim & Jayson @ Tipsy McSway’s, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM

The Golden Isles Lantern continues to grow, and we’re opening a few spots for local sponsors who want to reach an engaged audience across Brunswick, St. Simons, Jekyll, and the surrounding area.

If you run a local business and would like to get in front of Lantern readers each week, I’d love to talk. Sponsorships help keep the newsletter free while supporting more local coverage, events, and community conversations.

Interested?
Email: [email protected]

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