Newnan's arts commission lines up author talks, jazz nights, and comedy for 2026
The city-backed Newnan Cultural Arts Commission has announced a full slate of 2026 events — from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author to a three-night outdoor jazz series and a Nashville comedian.
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Newnan's publicly funded arts body has mapped out an ambitious run of live events for 2026, giving residents a season that stretches from a June author appearance through an October comedy night — all organized by a committee that has been quietly shaping the city's cultural calendar since 2005.
The Newnan Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC) — a standing committee of the City of Newnan, operating under the direction of the Mayor and City Council — has announced five ticketed or public events across three venues this year, according to the city's official website.
The season opens on Saturday, June 6, at the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium (25 Jefferson Street) with an appearance by Rick Bragg, a Pulitzer Prize winner for Feature Writing during his time at The New York Times, a Harvard Nieman Fellow, and a University of Alabama writing professor. Bragg is the author of the memoir trilogy 'All Over But The Shoutin',' 'Ava's Man,' and 'The Prince of Frogtown,' along with more than half a dozen other books. He has won more than 50 writing awards, including the Harper Lee Award for Alabama's Distinguished Writer of the Year in 2009, and writes columns for Southern Living and Garden & Gun magazines, according to newnanga.gov.
Three weeks later, the commission launches Jazz in the Park — a three-concert outdoor series at the Newnan Centre amphitheater (1515 Lower Fayetteville Road), each show starting at 7:30 p.m. The lineup spans the summer:
Friday, June 26: The Happy Hour, a multi-genre trio from Atlanta featuring Francisco Vidal, Harlee Pope, and Zoe Vaughan. The group has headlined at Eddie's Attic, Smith's Olde Bar, and the Southern Ground Amphitheatre, among other Southeast venues.
Friday, July 31: Jazz Legacy Project presents Billie Holiday featuring Maria Howell. Led by drummer Justin Varnes, the project is designed to bring casual listeners inside the music of influential jazz figures. Howell is an actor and vocalist whose career took off after her role as choir soloist in The Color Purple; she has since shared stages with Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles, Earl Klugh, and Ronnie Laws, according to newnanga.gov.
Friday, August 28: Melodie Fort, a 2022 graduate of Kennesaw State's Bailey School of Music, closes the series. The city's listing describes her as a festival performer and ensemble vocalist known for 'agile vocals' and a 'modern swing.'
The season closes on Saturday, October 23, back at the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium, with a comedy night headlined by Hugh Howser. A Nashville-based comedian, Howser is a regular at Zanies in Nashville and a frequent collaborator with comedy performer Leanne Morgan. His work has been featured on ABC, CBS, and CMT, and in publications including People, Vogue, and USA Today, according to newnanga.gov.
The NCAC was commissioned by the City Council in August 2005. It meets on the first Wednesday of each month at noon in the Newnan City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room. Meeting agendas and minutes are publicly available on the city's Boards and Commissions page. Ticket and event details are listed on newnanga.gov, with links to Eventbrite, and the commission maintains a Facebook page at @newnancac.
Why it matters — Newnan residents now have a full 2026 arts calendar — with dates, venues, and performers — organized by the city's own cultural commission, making it easy to plan ahead for events ranging from nationally recognized authors to outdoor jazz.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- Jazz in the Park events are free to attend
Reported by com.au, newnanga.gov
