The Pulse 17.10 » March 5, 2020

WEED WRANGLE • CULTURAL EVOLUTION • AMY NELSON BENEFIT

A VIEW ON ARTISTS FROM ATOP LOOKOUT DECADES OF VIBRANT TRADITION AND CULTURE ON DISPLAY VOLUME 17, ISSUE 10 | MARCH 5, 2020

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BREWER MEDIA GROUP President & Publisher James Brewer, Sr. THE PULSE Managing Editor Gary Poole gary@chattanoogapulse.com Assistant Editor Jessie Gantt-Temple

Contents

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 10 • MARCH 5, 2020

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Music Editor Marc T. Michael

A VIEW ON ARTISTS FROM ATOP LOOKOUT Witnessing three does cross the two-lane mountain road and only encountering three stop lights on my one-hour drive, the journey to the Rising Fawn Studio Tour was as inspiring as the artists I encountered.

Film Editor John DeVore Art Director Kelly Lockhart Editorial Interns Halley Andrews Lindsey Clute

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Senior VP of Sales Lisa Yockey-Rice lisay@brewermediagroup.com Office 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse Founded 2003

by Zachary Cooper & Michael Kull THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

Contents Copyright © 2020 by Brewer Media.

All rights reserved.

CHATTANOOGA’S CULTURAL EVOLUTION For the last three years, Chattanooga’s artistic community has been undergoing a kind of quiet revolution. In rooms all over the city, arts leaders have been sharing the challenges they face on myriad issues, big and small, in a quest for solutions.

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TUGGING ON YOUR GUITAR’S HEART STRINGS I have been writing about music on and off for well over two decades now. There are more than a few common elements that run through that body of work but I suspect the most readily apparent would be that I’m not stingy with praise.

4 CITY LIFE

7 JONESIN' CROSSWORD

19 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

5 CONSIDER THIS

12 ARTS CALENDAR

20 FILM & TELEVISION

6 SHRINK RAP

16 MUSIC CALENDAR

21 NEW IN THEATERS

7 EDITOONS

18 MUSIC REVIEWS

22 GAME ON!

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 3

CITY LIFE · BETWEEN THE BRIDGES

The Weed Wrangle Wants You! Planting the seeds of change by uprooting non-native plants

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EED WRANGLE IS COMING UP! WHAT IN THE world is Weed Wrangle? It’s is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants.

By Tish Gailmard Pulse contributor

“

Non-native plants have a huge effect on the health of our forests by spreading into the understory and suppressing native plants.”

Stop. Wait. Pull weeds for someone else? Are you kidding? Nope! Stay with me and learn. Non-native plants have a huge effect on the health of our forests by spreading into the understory and suppressing native plants and the wildlife that depends on them. These species will destroy or replace native food sources, making the ecosystem less diverse and more susceptible to further disturbances like disease.

Exactly what is a native plant? In North America, a native plant is defined as an indigenous grass, shrub, vine, tree or herbaceous flora species present in a habitat or ecosystem prior to the arrival of European settlers on the continent.

“Native plants are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people,” explains experts at the Audubon Society. “Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local

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birds cannot survive. Research by the entomologist Doug Tallamy has shown that native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars whereas ginkgos, a commonly planted landscape tree from Asia, host only five species of caterpillars. When it takes thousands of caterpillars to raise one brood of chickadees, that is a significant difference.”

Bees are in trouble and are critical pollinators—they need native plants to pollinate. Native plants may utilize a variety of pollinators, but many are most successfully pollinated by bees.

Without bees, native plants would set fewer seeds and would have lower reproductive success. This would drastically alter ecosystems.

Native songbirds depend on native plants to provide food and shelter— cardinals and rose breasted grosbeak need elderberry and serviceberry, just to name a few.

You see, everything is coupled together and when one piece of the forest is sick, the rest will become sick.

Now do you see why it’s so important to eradicate non-native plants?

Byron Brooks, Invasive Species Spe-

cialist at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center excitedly reminds us, “Privet did not co-evolve in this system and out-competes natives for light, food and space. They create mono-cultures and reduce plant diversity which reduces wildlife diversity.

Our goal is to remove non-natives, expose the native seed bank and plant natives.”

Reflection Riding is one of the many places you can volunteer for Weed Wrangle 2020 this Saturday morning.

Others include the City of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain Conservancy, McCoy Farm and Gardens, Waterways and Enterprise South Nature Park, Signal Mountain Stewards, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. If you plan to volunteer, be sure to wear long pants, closed toe shoes and gloves. Bringing water and snacks is always a good idea too.

This family friendly event hopes to create a movement that will have the greatest impact on the invasive plant population and to challenge neighbors to take action in their own spaces and neighborhoods.

Weed Wrangle’s mission is to establish partnerships that connect volunteers and public lands for the purpose of education and eradication of nonnative invasive plant species followed with the planned restoration of native plant communities.

For every non-native plant you eradicate, you are providing significant habitat improvement for not only native plants but the wildlife that depends on them. Could you imagine not hearing the songbird morning chorus or not seeing the red fox slink through your native woods? Let’s make sure that never happens.

Walk 100 Million Steps

Cons ider This w ith Dr. Rick

Ruby Falls suports heart health in a big way Walking one hundred million steps in one month is a monumental challenge and a Ruby Falls tradition each March. The historic attraction is gearing up for the third annual “100 Million Steps in March” month-long event in collaboration with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red for Women.

Combating heart disease one step at a time, Ruby Falls guests and team members are challenged to collectively walk 100 million steps at the iconic destination through the month of March. Since the 2018 inaugural event, participants have successfully walked an impressive 283,133,620 steps which is approximately 113,253 miles.

“Every step walked is one step closer to living a longer, healthier life,” said Ruby Falls president Hugh Morrow. “The 100 Million Steps in March challenge is an active way to engage our community and guests from around the world

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver, poet, 19352019

in the AHA/Go Red for Women’s mission of raising awareness for cardiovascular disease and stroke which is the nation’s number one killer.”

Visitors to Ruby Falls walk an average of 2,700 steps as they tour the cave, ascend Lookout Mountain Tower, and walk along Blue Heron Overlook. Guests can show their participation in the 100-million step goal by sharing their reason to live a long, healthy life on the giant “100 Million Steps in March” banner and take home a complimentary special edition recipe card featuring a delicious

dessert.

“The health of our community continues to be a top priority and we know that even modest changes to diet and lifestyle can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease by eighty percent.” says Emily Fuller, executive director of the American Heart Association. “Initiatives like 100 Million Steps in March are a perfect example of community partners working together to create a healthier Chattanooga.”

So let’s all put one step in front of the other and help to make everyone’s heart healthier.

— Missy Montgomery

Pete Buttigieg has made history. An honored Navy lieutenant, a Rhodes scholar, an out, gay, married Midwestern mayor with degrees from Harvard and Oxford. It was so unlikely that in the history books of our republic something like this could possibly happen—that a candidacy like his would be taken seriously. But Pete believed in himself.

Pete ended his improbable and historymaking campaign for President a few days after having breakfast in Plains, GA with former President Jimmy Carter. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation.

Just like any oppressed minority member who hopes to believe themselves worthy of their best dreams, their highest aspirations, Pete gave hope to countless kids who feel different and need desperately to believe in themselves.

And he did it quietly, genuinely and with impact.

His page in history is one we can all be proud of.

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 5

COLUMN · SHRINK RAP

Leaving Your Baggage Behind Broadening your view within a few steps

I Dr. Rick

Pulse columnist

“

Travel has a way of opening the mind, creating lasting, life-altering experiences, and teaching us about understanding and compassion for others.”

Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, author, minister, and educator in private practice in Chattanooga. Contact him at DrRPH.com, visit his wellness center at WellNestChattanooga.com

HAVE A YOUNG FRIEND WHO REcently finished hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail—seven days’ worth. He has plenty of tales from that experience; some are entertaining, some heartbreaking, some positive and life-affirming. He’s not even from this country, he’s from the U.K., but very much wanted to begin an exploration of America, meet people from different walks of life, and generally gain the kind of awe-filled inspiration and wisdom that Mama Nature offers in abundance.

So he began with the Trail.

He’ll make his way through several states, then end up in Maine for a lovely coastal summer. He’s on his own, meeting very interesting people, and creating experiences he’ll take with him to college and beyond. And he’s only eighteen.

Another friend travelled to Hawaii last year to witness the birthing of humpback whales. She works for the Oceanographic Institute in D.C. Her job includes protecting the ecologically-sensitive coastlines of the mid-Atlantic. Yet she had never seen the extremely rare, miraculous sight of whale calves being born. So, she packed up her grandson and off they went for a once-in-a-lifetime education. She’s sixty-two.

The moral of these stories is, travel is education. Whether you’re an 18-yearold on a gap year or a grandmother wanting to teach her inquisitive grandson about nature, travel has a way of opening the mind, creating lasting, lifealtering experiences, and teaching us about understanding and compassion for others.

When you visit island nations where the residents cannot afford decent shelter or food, and fresh water is a scarce

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commodity, you are changed.

When you are dropped into the middle of a culture that does not speak your language, eat your food, wear your clothes or engage in tribal rituals and relationships that are well beyond your experience, you are changed.

But here’s another way to go about this. Not everyone has the resources to embark on trips across the world, or across the pond. Not everyone has the time or the financial/familial/employment support to find out firsthand what the Dalai Lama eats for lunch after praying. This isn’t, however, the only way to travel.

Right here at home, our scenic city has gorgeous trails that end in waterfalls. Mountain top views that stun. A river that passes through breath-taking gorges…with great swaths of color in the Fall. Any one of these areas lend to the soul-enriching meditative moments that can change one’s perspective forever.

Have you ever gone barefoot on a trail (called, “Earthing” or “Grounding”) for a few miles, and ended up on a rock-outcropping to meditate with the sound a flowing creek in the back-

ground? I have a couple of local friends who do this regularly. Aside from a greater appreciation of Mama Nature, they talk about the benefits of more positive moods, slower, more mindful daily routines, a stronger desire for turning inward and gaining self-awareness, lowered anxiety, and even a better quality of relationships. They are learning about their big universe (outside themselves) and their small universe (within).

All for free.

Have you ever just sat and people watched? On a bench with an ice cream cone, a return to childhood. At the park.

By the river. In the sculpture gardens. At the zoo. The aquarium. Mean Mug. Just watch. Let your mind travel. Breathe.

Travel is education.

Until next time, I’ll leave you with these words of wisdom in the hopes that they may inspire you to take steps toward broadening your horizon; perhaps toward opening your mind and heart to others, perhaps toward opening inner doors to yourself.

When you’re in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you’ve been buried. Perhaps you’ve been planted.

Bloom.” — unknown

EDITOONS

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

“Soy If I Care”—it coulda bean worse.

ACROSS 1 Margarita glass stipulation 7 Be decisive 10 Ranch handle 13 Gallery display 15 “... how I wonder what you ___” 16 Indiscriminate amount 17 Coal region of Poland that caused some 18th-century wars 18 2007 Simon Pegg buddy cop film 20 Elizabeth I was the last to represent it 22 Yellowstone animal 23 Genre for Toots and the Maytals 24 Essentials 28 “Nothing is as it ___” 31 “___ Well That Ends Well” 34 Ball field cover 35 Dr.’s org.

37 “Stay (I Missed You)” singer Lisa 39 Match, as a bet 40 Like shiny metal space suits and the

dieselpunk genre, e.g.

45 “Strange Magic” band 46 “Girls” creator Dunham 47 Back on a boat 48 Design problem 50 “Three Little Pigs” antagonist 52 Japanese hybrid apples 56 ‘70s-’80s Egyptian president Anwar 58 Have a latke on one’s mind?

60 Pub choice 61 Vegan breakfast dish (and this puzzle’s theme) 66 Ignored 69 Gets less strict 70 Last words of an engagement 71 Org. before the gates?

72 Draw 73 Prom rental 74 Forced laugh sound 75 Didn’t fade DOWN 1 Old Ramblers, e.g.

2 Baltimore bird 3 Physician’s patron 4 Blows away 5 Pick the wrong side in a coin flip 6 Groups of three 7 “Hawaii Five-O” setting 8 Motivate 9 Range in Wyoming 10 19th Greek letter 11 Split ___ (new wave band from New Zealand) 12 Historic “Affair” of 1797-98 14 “The Metamorphosis” writer Franz 19 Agonize (over) 21 Yarns 25 Right direction?

26 1 + 2, in Germany 27 Engineering detail, for short 29 Just scratch the surface 30 Tiny, to twee pet owners 32 Hulk portrayer Ferrigno

33 Word sung twice after “Que” 36 Some 38 “Back to the Future” antagonist 40 Rulebook pros 41 First name in the Jazz Hall of Fame 42 Mario Kart character 43 Relative of Crazy Eights 44 Disco ___ (“Simpsons” character) 49 Light bulb measure 51 Attribute 53 Tries to punch 54 Light up, old-style 55 Oozed 57 Fang, e.g.

59 Be behind 62 It may get blown 63 Mitt Romney’s state 64 On the open waters 65 Computer capacity units, briefly 66 Toasted or wasted 67 .org relative 68 “The Masked Singer” network

Copyright © 2020 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents perminute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 978 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

A View On Artists From Atop Lookout Decades of vibrant tradition and culture on display

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ITNESSING THREE DOES CROSS THE TWO-LANE mountain road and only encountering three stop lights on my one-hour drive, the journey to the Rising Fawn Studio Tour was as inspiring as the artists I encountered.

By Jessie Gantt-Temple Pulse contributor

Green pastures (and all green lights which I considered a sign that I needed to get to this gem as soon as possible) surrounded the wet pavement until I hit the top of Lookout Mountain. A stone’s throw from Cloudland Canyon State Park, lies a bounty of creative souls who embrace nature and have rekindled a time-honored tradition.

What was once the Plum Nelly Clothesline Art Show, founded by local printmaker Fannie Mennen in 1947, resurged just over a decade ago renamed the Rising Fawn Studio Tour.

Throughout the decades, there have been many name changes from the

Plum Nelly Festival turned New Salem Festival to the now Rising Fawn Studio Tour. However the feel of community and creativity never wavered.

After many successful years, from starting with 300 visitors in the 1950’s to presently almost 20,000, the Plum Nelly name left the mountain (to permanently reside with the storefront in North Shore) and the event took a hiatus.

Until three years ago when artists and Lookout Mountain residents Bonnie Cayce, Claire Vassort and Nikki Oliver wanted to continue the tradition of bringing together artists on the mountain as well as encourage visitors to partake in the joys of their creations.

“We all have our strengths and

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weaknesses but we all collaborate to make it a great event,” says artist Claire Vassort. “The tour for me is awesome because it’s a community event with both the community of artists as well as community of local and not so local folk. That’s the beauty.”

Originally from France, Claire Vassort opened Silks By Claire just off Plum Nelly Road in 2006 and offers classes as well as finished products like lanterns, scarves, frames, prints and greeting cards.

“I started painting silk when I was sixteen. My mother would get together with other ladies and learn different mediums. Then she got to the silks class and thought it was little too time consuming so she gave me all her silk painting tools and said, ‘Here go play.’”

A common theme you will see with Claire’s design are fluid, colorful trees. “Trees are my favorite but I do like to branch out,” she laughs as the

pun came as naturally as her designs.

“I always keep an eye out for odd trees to tell stories about the human condition. Trees communicate through their roots and they support each other— it’s like a metaphor for community, corporation and collaboration—and that’s kind of my message.”

With over thirty years of art experience, Claire enjoys teaching as it gives her an opportunity to share what painting has done for her and encourage others to experience it for themselves.

“Teaching it, teaches me,” she said.

“I’m a teacher by trade and I’m trying to use the medium of silk painting to bring people together to facilitate that we can get to know each other by working together to create.” She taught at Townsend Atelier for around three years and currently teaches class at her studio on Lookout but will also come to you and rent a space to host private classes.

Contact Claire via her website clairevassort.com to schedule an appointment to visit the studio or for commission work. She loves doing commission as it is another chance to collaborate and she enjoys the process of getting to know her customers.

“The commission work creates a closer connection to the artist,” she says. “The first step is the customer has homework to reference my website and find three pieces they like best then I usually see a trend in color or design and we finalize their custom piece.”

This year, she is trying to gear her projects more towards community.

Last year, she ran a free program of silk painting classes at the Chattanooga Library with over one hundred students. This year, she is a member

of Public Art Chattanooga’s creative strategist group whose goal is to create and run community programs that would also be art projects. Driven by her love for connecting community and art, the Rising Fawn Studio Tour is another way to make this happen.

At my next stop on my quasi Rising Fawn Studio Tour, I was warmly greeted by a vocal grey and white tuxedo cat named Emmylou who escorted me up the stone frog and daffodil laden walkway to the home of Cayce (pronounce K-C) Creations.

Bonnie Cayce is a yoga instructor, world traveler and artist who is as vibrant as her decorative and functional textile art. For over thirty-two years, Bonnie has been teaching and displaying her sewing skills in creations such as postcards which can be mailed or framed, aprons, wine totes, purses, wall décor, and fabric memorial pieces for any events such as births, weddings, birthdays or funerals.

She uses ethnic, collectible, recylced, and vintage material as well as handmade embellishments. “In my work I reduce, reuse, recycle. I constantly use vintage fabrics or fabrics people give me. I’m making a purse out of this,” Bonnie said as she pulled out black and grey outdoor upholstery fabric. Fabric resources range from the local Joann’s to her trips across the ocean.

Other fabrics she absolutely adores using are ones from ethnic cultures because they use such vibrant colors.

Her son-in-law is South African so she gets fabric from her frequent trips there or from his family. She also incorporates materials other than fabric like stones, sea glass and driftwood. “I do a lot of collages and use nature in all my things,” she says. From quilted cardinals to embellished Day of The Dead to silk Chinese fabric complete with original bell ornaments.

Before I left, she warmed my heart showing a memorial piece she just fin-

ished using the mother’s shirts, jeans, jewelry and her comb. The comb resting in the shirt pocket stopped me in my fast-paced tracks. This is why Bonnie doesn’t do large pieces often because she would rather create more moving memorable works. “I stay so busy with smaller funkier pieces that I rarely do straight quilts.”

As Cayce Creations is an addition onto her home, Bonnie houses several artists in her workspace including watercolor artist Mary Jo Jablonski and her daughter Anna Cayce Smit. Anna, like her mother, likes to upcycle and gives new life to much loved trinkets by repurposing vintage chains, watches and beads. Copper, brass and semiprecious stones are also used in her one-of-a-kind pieces.

Bonnie’s love for embracing the art community expands beyond her studio doors. She learned how to dye silk from Claire Vassort then quilts the silk and regularly visits Mark Issenberg at his Lookout Mountain Pottery when she wants to restock her handmade buttons.

A mere twist and turn from Cayce Creations is Mark Issenberg’s Lookout Mountain Pottery which houses two huge kilns and a shop that never closes. Encompassed by a rustic feel,

as an old beater marks the studio’s entrance and vintage farm implements pepper the driveway, the space is as eclectic and inspiring as Mark and his work.

He greeted me on this cold, wet day standing in front of his kiln and handed me a warm empty mug straight from it then we quickly went inside the gallery to dry out and peruse all the masterpieces. Platters, mugs, vases, sculptural totems, tile, flasks, jugs and saki sets are just a few items he offers.

“I go through phases on what I create,” he says as we walk over to a display of colorful tile. “I have always loved plants so right now I’m into making planters specifically for bonsai and succulents. I’m thinking about creating oyster trays because I just love oysters.”

A potter since ninth grade, Mark’s knowledge is as expansive as his product line. With a degree in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida, he then headed north to work with Charles Counts in Tennessee and became a pottery teacher himself showing students how to design handles and merge pieces together.

As he recently transitioned where his classes are taught, visit LookoutMountainPottery.com to find out when and

where he will be teaching again as well as witness the expansive gallery.

Mark’s pottery is available at Ember on Main Street but the experience of visiting Lookout Mountain Pottery is as captivating as his designs.

Again, the gallery is always open and he evens sets out a you-pick-pottery jar where he relies on the honor system of his shoppers. This setting sums up the artists on Lookout pretty well—welcoming, creative and laid back.

The Plum Nelly Clothesline Art Show was always in October but with the rebranding, the renamed Rising Fawn Studio Tour which we now know, happens every December. Since its rebirth three years ago, the tour grows each year in visitors as well as participants.

Unlike Claire and Bonnie, fellow event creator Nikki Oliver’s whimsical wood carving shop St. Nick’s by Nick is only accessible during the tour.

His warm inviting studio displays hand carved Santas, angles, elves, mangers, and other holiday themed wood carvings.

Other artists include welder and photographer Julie Clark, who creates impressive metal yard art and bird feeding stations that range from a foot tall to almost ceiling height. Her photography showcases her love of flowers and the prints are framed in her forged steel. Vista Mahan offers a colorful array of hand dyed washable silk scarves, small wall hangings, mug mats and sun printed note cards.

As there are multiple artists, there are multiple Facebook pages so feel free to look up all of them. However, for more details on the actual event, follow the Rising Fawn Studio Tour page.

Bonnie said it best, “We’ve all been involved in the art world in Chattanooga.” Therefore my thought is for Chattanooga to take a trek just plum outta Tennessee, nearly to Georgia and visit their world for some art atop Lookout.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Chattanooga’s Cultural Evolution

“Arts Forward” forges a path to the future “Making Space” For Women When you walk through the doors of Chattanooga WorkSpace on 6th Street downtown across from the YMCA, you’ll have a hard time believing that the vibrant building used to be a one-star nursing home. After a much needed renovation, the building was transformed into the colorful, creative place it is today.

In its décor and in its operation, Chattanooga Workspace promotes joy and a zeal for life, aiming to create a positive space for artists to work together. The space contains forty-two private studios for artists to work their magic, in addition to hosting Open Studios during the first Friday of each month.

This Friday’s event is especially significant because the focus—in fact the entire collection—is art created by women.

March is Women’s History Month and in celebration, Chattanooga WorkSpace is hosting “Making Space: Artwork by Amazing Women.”

Wander through four floors of artistry and experience the work of thirty local artists, all women, who specialize in everything from weaving to photography to oil painting, and anything in between.

The women of Chattanooga are absolutely bursting with artistic talent, and now is the perfect time to show it off. The event is free and begins at 5:30 p.m., so bring your mom, your girlfriends, or your sister and celebrate womanhood through art. — Halley Andrews

F

OR THE LAST THREE YEARS, CHATTANOOGA’S artistic community has been undergoing a kind of quiet revolution. In rooms all over the city, arts leaders have been sharing the challenges they face on myriad issues, big and small, in a quest for solutions.

By Todd Olson Pulse contributor

The revolution is called “Arts Forward” and it’s an initiative which aims to strengthen and empower arts organizations in areas such as sustainability, operating capacity, programming, and internal processes. Specific program goals include fostering better collaboration between arts groups and finding ways of empowering professionals.

The creation of Arts Forward began in 2016 with Kathleen Nolte,

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Program Officer for the Lyndhurst Foundation, and Kristy Huntley, Program Officer for the Benwood Foundation.

For years community arts groups frequently approached these local foundations seeking financial help, as well as guidance on topics such as capacity building, new staffing strategies, improved board training, and long-range planning. Nolte and Huntley had a notion that they could address these needs within the Chattanooga arts ecosystem.

Nolte had heard of a consultant

group called Arts Action Research, run by a dynamic duo, Nello McDaniel and Anne Dunning. They had a reputation for in-depth and complex organizational development with arts groups. Nolte also heard of the good work they had done with many groups in North Carolina, and so she reached out to them.

Nello and Anne specialized in working with arts workers and thinkers in a consortium format, building strong networks of communication and collaboration within those communities.

It was clear to Nolte and Huntley that Nello and Anne’s cohortstyle approach could be helpful and timely. Late in 2016, Nello visited Chattanooga for conversations with foundation officials and other arts makers. Soon thereafter, program framework and a timeline

took shape. The Footprint Foundation joined in, playing a major role in funding. And Arts Forward was born.

The program kicked off in summer 2017 with twelve chief participants: ArtsBuild, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Chattanooga Boys Choir, the Theatre Centre, CoPAC/Barking Legs, Glass House Collective, HART Gallery, Hunter Museum, Scenic City Clay Arts, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, SoundCorps, and Unity Performing Arts Foundation.

The larger group gathered every other month, while CEOs met with Nello or Anne for additional one-onone coaching sessions. Occasionally they met with boards or staff.

Topics ranged from “How to Engage Boards,” Long-Range Planning, and S.W.O.T. analyses (assessing institutional Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).

Immediately, CEOs appreciated the individualized attention. “Arts Forward has allowed our organization to take an aerial view of the challenges we face,” says Anne Rushing, Executive Director of Sculpture Fields. “We’re now able to look beyond the shortterm needs of the organization, and towards a sustainable and impactful relationship with the greater community and with our core supporters.”

The partner foundations were pleased by the initial results, citing what they noticed was a deep level

“

Arts Forward is helping arts organizations and artists control their own destinies by providing resources and training in areas where they need the most help.” of organizational growth, reduced stress, greater organizational capacity, as well as improved relationships with fellow arts organizations.

As such, new arts organizations were invited to join the program, including Pop-up Project, StoveWorks, Art120, The Chattery, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and Scenic City Clay Arts. Together this expanded group tackled a wider span of topics driven by needs of the participants.

Samantha Teter, Executive Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, said, “Arts Forward is helping arts organizations and artists control their own destinies by providing resources and training in areas where they need the most help.”

As Arts Forward enters year three, the format has evolved from internal work to now looking at the greater arts community, helping to shape what the future holds for the city.

The topics deemed most pressing in the city are: arts advocacy, social engagement, expanding audiences,

increasing visibility, centralizing information, sharing resources, supporting arts workers, and arts in education.

“It’s a huge step to identify and come to a consensus on community challenges and goals within a group,” says Jules Downum and Mattie Waters of The Pop-up Project, Chattanooga’s only modern dance company. Teter stresses, “While there is still a lot of work to be done, bringing all of the arts together has been a great way to share knowledge and expertise and lift each other up.”

Nolte’s assessment thus far is positive. “We have seen tremendous growth in the eighteen participating organizations and, importantly, these arts organizations have developed closer relationships with one another, and a more cohesive arts community.” Thanks to the foundations, Arts Forward will continue to nurture cultural leadership and strengthen the economic and social vibrancy of Chattanooga.

THU3.5

FRI3.6

SAT3.7

CIVIQ Speaker Series

First Friday: Featuring Robert Schoolfield

Disney’s Frozen Jr.

Connecting the Chattanooga community with national and international trends in urban design.

6 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com

Chattanooga's premier downtown art gallery showcases the works of this talented local artist.

5:30 p.m.

Area 61 Gallery 721 Broad St. area61gallery.com

The production will feature 35 of CCA’s talented middle school performers, as well as two recognizable puppets.

7 p.m.

Center for Creative Arts 1301 Dallas Rd. centerforcreativearts.net

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR THURSDAY3.5 Drawing Large with Timur Akhriev 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Miller Park Farmers Market 11 a.m.

Miller Park 910 Market St. millerparkmarket.com Throwback Thursday 4 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org CIVIQ: A Speaker Series Honoring Robert Taylor 6 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 thecamphouse.com Steve Croy Author Signing 6 p.m.

McKay Books 7734 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-0067 mckaybooks.com Southern Dialogues Screening 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org River Runners 6 p.m.

Basecamp Bar and Restaurant 346 Frazier Ave. (423) 803-5251 basecampcha.com Life Drawing Open Studio 6 p.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Beginner Crocheting: Headbands and Ear Muffs, Two Part Workshop 6 p.m.

12 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Introduction to Social Media Management 6 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org WTCI’s Annual Masterpiece Experience 6:30 p.m.

Easy Bistro 203 Broad St. (423) 266-1121 wtcitv.org Open Mic Poetry & More 6:30 p.m.

Stone Cup Café 208 Frazier Ave. (423) 521-3977 stonecupcafe.com Jason Cheny 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Alcoholics Not Anonymous Comedy Open Mic 8 p.m.

Barley Taproom 235 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 682-8200 chattanoogabarley.com

FRIDAY3.6 Drawing Large with Timur Akhriev 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Art Therapy for Adults 1 p.m.

Chattanooga Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattlibrary.org Grindsploitation Film Fest 2020 5 p.m.

The Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave.

(423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com WomanART: Celebrating International Women’s Month 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com Frist Friday Art Reception 5 p.m.

Reflections Gallery 1635 Rossville Ave. (423) 892-3072 reflectionsgallerytn.com Making Space-Artwork by Amazing Women 5:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Workspace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com First Friday’s Art Show 5:30 p.m.

Northside Presbyterian Church 23 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-1766 northsidepresbyterian.org Matthew Conner Arts Reception 5:30 p.m.

River Gallery 400 E. 2nd St (423) 265-5033 river-gallery.com First Friday: Collection by Robert Schoolfield 5:30 p.m.

Area 61 Gallery 721 Broad St. (423) 648-9367 area61gallery.com First Friday Gallery Reception 6 p.m.

Keeody Gallery 756 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 755-1018 keeody.com Women’s Writing Circle & Empowered Art 6:30 p.m.

The Retreat at The Wellness Corner 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 720-1174 wellnesscornerchattanooga.com Couple’s Massage 101 6:30 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Disney’s Frozen Jr. 7 p.m.

Center for Creative Arts 1301 Dallas Rd. (423) 209-5929 centerforcreativearts.net Jason Cheny 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com The Floor is Yours: Hindsight 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Straight Up With Stassi Live 8 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Ruby Falls Lantern Tours 8:30 p.m.

Ruby Falls 1720 S. Scenic Hwy. (423) 821-2544 rubyfalls.com

SATURDAY3.7 Habitat’s Women Build Breakfast 9 a.m.

Chattanoogan 1201 Broad St. (423) 756-3400 habichatt.org Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 243-3250 saygrace.net Beginning Beading with Ashley 10 a.m.

Bead-Therapy 1420 McCallie Ave. (423) 509-1907 bead-therapy.com The Cycle to Success

10 a.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Mixed Media Art Journaling 10 a.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Exploring Indigo & Shibori 10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Sew What Noon Chattanooga Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattlibrary.org Artisan Silk Crochet Necklace with Cathy 1 p.m.

Bead-Therapy 1420 McCallie Ave. (423) 509-1907 bead-therapy.com Soap Making 101 1 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org The Color Purple 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Embellished Silk Tassel with Cathy 3:30 p.m.

Bead-Therapy 1420 McCallie Ave. (423) 509-1907 bead-therapy.com Grindsploitation Film Fest 2020 5 p.m.

The Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Hospice of Chattanooga’s Journey 2020 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center

1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 hospiceofchattanooga.org Disney’s Frozen Jr. 7 p.m.

Center for Creative Arts 1301 Dallas Rd. (423) 209-5929 centerforcreativearts.net Jason Cheny 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Ballroom Mix Party 7:30 p.m.

The Retreat at The Wellness Corner 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 720-1174 wellnesscornerchattanooga.com Jim Breuer: Live and Let Laugh 8 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Standup Comedy starring Bridgette Martin 8 p.m.

SkyZoo Chattanooga 5709 Lee Hwy. (423) 521-2966

SUNDAY3.8 New & Advanced Indigo & Shibori Techniques 10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com The Color Purple 2 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Write Every Day 4:30 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Paul Merrion and Eric Keller 6 p.m.

Wanderlinger Art Gallery 1208 King St.

(423) 269-7979 wanderlinger.com Jason Cheny 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Daylight Savings Time Comedy Show w/Ian Abramson & Zach Peterson 7:30 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

MONDAY3.9 Open Studio Tour Day 10 a.m.

Lanewood Studio 100 Cherokee Blvd.

(904) 294-4152 lanewoodstudio.com Get Started Making Helpful Videos 5:30 P.M. The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Winter Belly Dance Session 6 p.m.

Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com Joggers & Lagers 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. (423) 702-9958 chattabrew.com Tokyo Godfathers 7 p.m.

AMC Chattanooga 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 fathomevents.com

TUESDAY3.10 Chattanooga Self Improvement Meetup 8 a.m.

The Edney Innovation Center 1100 Market St. (423) 643-6770 theedney.com

Annie Sloan Beginner Class 101 11 a.m.

Rustic Trading Co. 199 River St. (423) 888-1405 rustictradingcompany.com Handbuilding 2 with Carrie Anne Parks 1 p.m.

Scenic City Clay Arts 301 E. 11th St. (423) 883-1758 sceniccityclayarts.org Sew What 4 p.m.

Chattanooga Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattlibrary.org Chess K-night 5 p.m.

Mad Priest Coffee Roasters 1900 Broad St. (423) 393-3834 madpriestcoffee.com Values & Defining Your Lane 6 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Introduction to Product Photography 6 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Paths to Pints 6:30 p.m.

The Tap House 3800 St. Elmo Ave. taphousechatt.com Chess K-night 7 p.m.

Mad Priest Coffee Roasters 1900 Broad St. (423) 393-3834 madpriestcoffee.com

WEDNESDAY3.11 Alla-Prima Portrait Workshop with Sean Cheetham 10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com

11th Annual Odyssey Awards Luncheon 11 a.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 cglaonline.com Free Indoor Archery Session 3:30 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Beginner Embroidery: Pet Portraits 6 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Instant Pot 201 6 p.m.

The Chattery 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 521-2643 thechattery.org Mick Foley 7 p.m.

SkyZoo Chattanooga 5709 Lee Hwy. (423) 521-2966 Improv Open House 7 p.m.

The Edney Innovation Center 1100 Market St. (423) 643-6770 theedney.com Tokyo Godfathers 7 p.m.

AMC Chattanooga 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 fathomevents.com Open Mic Comedy 8 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 13

THE MUSIC SCENE

Tugging On Your Guitar’s Heart Strings Special fundraiser benefits a multitalented lady

Positive Vibes All Around A sweet, sweet sound that is reminiscent of all the peaceful things in life: a perfect cup of coffee, the summertime sun, maybe the crackling of a campfire.

I’m describing Jason Lyles’ voice, and his guitar playing perfectly coordinates with his vocals to create the feeling of warmth and home, drawing you in with the first strum.

If there’s a sound that represents security, it certainly can be found in his music. “Positivity is my thing,” Jason says, and you can tell he means it with original songs like “Lift Me Up” and “Stronger Than This”, which he says perfectly exemplifies what he is as a musician and songwriter. “The song is unapologetically upbeat and positive, and it lends an encouraging word to whoever needs to hear it.”

Jason will be taking the Pax Breu Ruim stage this Thursday at 7 p.m. to show off music from his new album, and he won’t be alone. William Bowers will be opening the show to set the chill atmosphere, and Tyler Green will make an appearance alongside Jason to perform collaborated covers.

Jason will show you how to wash your worries away with plenty of uplifting vibes to go around. If you like what you hear, you can pick up a copy of his CD and a t-shirt after the show to keep the optimism flowing — Lindsey Clute

I

HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT MUSIC ON AND OFF for well over two decades now; I’ve written several hundred articles just for The Pulse alone. There are more than a few common elements that run through that body of work but I suspect the most readily apparent would be that I’m not stingy with praise.

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

“There is one thing I have learned about the scene here in Chattanooga over the last two decades; we look out for each other…”

I’ve sat here contemplating those words for a bit now, and I have to say the fellow who said them really knew what he was talking about. I couldn’t say it better myself, in no

14 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

small part because I’m the one who said them the first time around.

I lifted the line from a write-up I did a few years back for a benefit show that was held on behalf of a local artist who was just beginning a battle with cancer. I’m happy to report that she beat the disease and the benefit raised enough money to sustain her through an unimaginably difficult time.

Today I find myself in the bitter-

sweet position of writing a similar article. Bitter, because of the circumstances that have made a benefit necessary, and sweet because the outpouring of love and support in this instance reaffirms that longago quote as a “Great Truth”. The artistic community in our fair city is more family than community, and we do indeed look out for one another.

I’d be hard pressed to name a better-known figure in the scene than Amy Nelson. If you don’t know her, you know someone who does (and ought to take the time to say hello yourself.) Her contributions to music, art, and culture here are voluminous. Hundreds of folks have their own, “How I met Amy” story.

For myself, I first met Amy when we were instructors at the inaugural Chattanooga Girl’s Rock Camp, some of the most grueling fun I’ve ever had.

Being a close and intense environment, you get to know your coworker quickly. Amy turned out to be one of the sweetest, toughest, kindest, smartest, no-nonsense individuals I have ever met.

Being locked in a small room with five pre-teens and loud instruments is somewhat less serene than holding a metal garbage can over your head while someone strikes it vigorously with a ball-peen hammer, but she was a model of pa-

“

I learned what so many other people already knew, that there is a great deal to respect, admire, and love about Amy Nelson.” tience, understanding, and dedication and I consider it an honor to this day that I got to work with her to train up our girls from complete novices to rock stars in the space of a week.

In short, I learned what so many other people already knew, that there is a great deal to respect, admire, and love about Amy Nelson.

Already a cancer survivor, Amy recently had to undergo emergency aortic repair.

Yup, having kicked cancer’s ass, the universe decided to throw open heart surgery in for good measure, but when I called Amy tough, that wasn’t a thoughtless adjective.

She is easily one of the rock solid toughest people I have ever met. She came through the surgery and is on a long road to recovery now and if you know nothing else about medicine in this country, you know that it is expensive, devastatingly so.

This Saturday, Exile Off Main Street is hosting the Straight from the Heart benefit party for Amy and the list of contributing artists and musicians is exhaustive. Opening at noon, the benefit will offer original pieces, prints, jewelry and more from local artists including Alecia Vera Buck-

les Thomas Foote, Heather Lacy, Jamie Jameson, Megan Foster, Morgan Oostra, Meri Wright, Carrie Warren, Jackie Blue, Kathleen Vlodek, Barrot Rendelman, Emily Compton, and Travis Knight.

Performing musicians include Sammy David, Lewis and Clark, Matthew Bohannon, Changers, Dalahäst, Lillian, Possible Side Effects, One Timers, Ghetto Blasters, Rosey Grier, Mixed Signals, and Tourist Trap.

Food will be provided by Sluggo’s Vegan Cafe, treats from Sweet Briar Vegan, and Ourluck Print will be doing screen-printing on site (bring your own or purchase one there).

The event will run until 7 p.m. and all proceeds go directly to benefit Amy. There is no admission, but the suggested donation is $10 to $15. Or more, if your wallet supports it.

Folks, I tend to be a cheerleader for the scene, my enthusiasm is no secret, and it is moments like this that illustrate better than anything else why that is.

Chattanooga’s artists of all streets really are family. This Saturday please consider coming to the reunion.

THU3.5

FRI3.6

SAT3.7

Larry Ochs’ Fictive Five (Less One Live)

Mojo Whiskey

Road To Nightfall Finals

You've read about them here, now come see them live and see why they're so good.

7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org

Somewhere between sweet tea and an assault charge is the southern rock sound known as Mojo Whiskey.

9 p.m.

HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com

Come out and root for your favroite local band to make it to the Nightfall stage this summer.

9 p.m.

Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 15

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR THURSDAY3.5 Danimal & Friends 6 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com David Anthony & Paul Stone 6 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Jason Lyles 7 p.m.

Pax Breu Ruim 516 E. Main St. (423) 648-4677 Toby Hewitt 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Larry Ochs’ Fictive Five (Less One Live) 7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Naomi Ingram 7:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com CSO Presents: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. chattanoogasymphony.org Carl T. Band 7:30 p.m.

The FEED Co. Table and Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 8 p.m.

Walker Theatre 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Today Is The Day, The Obsessed 9 p.m.

Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 265-8711 Jess Goggins Band, Emma’s Lounge 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

16 • THE PULSE • MARCH 5, 2020 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

FRIDAY3.6 Courtney Holder 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Rubiks Groove 7 p.m.

Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks Hill City Sessions: Tin Cup Rattlers 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. chattabrew.com Newsboys United: Greatness of our God Tour 7 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Wendy Case and Michael McCallie 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre 4501 Amnicola Hwy. chattanoogastate.edu Courtney Holder 7:30 p.m.

Gate 11 Distillery 1400 Market St. gate11distillery.com Cody Ray 7:30 p.m.

Cadek Conservatory 751 Oak St. utc.edu Jesse Jungkurth 7:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com JettSam 8 p.m.

The Bicycle Bar 45 E. Main St. (423) 475-6569 No Traffik, Palace Crashers, Sammy David, El Rocko 8 p.m.

The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Ben Chapman Trio 8 p.m.

Fireside Grille 3018 Cummings Hwy.

firesidechattanooga.com Eli Young Band 8 p.m.

The Signal 1810 Chestnut St. thesignaltn.com Tennessee Tremblers with Flattop Boxers 8 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Emerald Butler 8 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Eric Nelson with Ashley Krey 9 p.m.

Barley Chattanooga 235 E. MLK Blvd. chattanoogabarley.com Gino Fanelli 9 p.m.

The FEED Co. Table and Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Smitty Rocks 9 p.m.

Big River Grille 222 Broad St. bigrivergrille.com Mojo Whiskey 9 p.m.

HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com Murkury, Haley Lane, Willy Style 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Thomas Hinds 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Jon Worthy & the Bends with Adam Brock & Friends 9 p.m.

Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 265-8711 Dar Williams w/ Heather Maloney 9 p.m.

Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks Jordan Hallquist

10 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Aunt Betty 10 p.m.

Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SATURDAY3.7 Danimal 10:30 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Straight From The Heart Benefit Noon Exile Off Main Street 1634 Rossville Ave. David Ingle and Friends 6 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com A Tribute To The Queen, Aretha Franklin 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. theatrecentre.com Ryan Oyer 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Triumphant Qt. Karen Peck and New River Inspirations 6:30 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com The Doyle and Debbie Show 7 p.m.

Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks Heatherly 7:30 p.m.

Gate 11 Distillery 1400 Market St. gate11distillery.com Webb Barringer 7:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Paul Smith & Sky High Band 8 p.m.

Eagles Club 6128 Airways Blvd. foe.com Ben Chapman 8 p.m.

Doc Holiday’s Bar and Grill 742 Ashland Terr. docholidaysbarandgrill.com Joe Buchanan 8 p.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 N. Terrace Rd. jewishchattanooga.com Daniel Boiling 8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Dallas Walker 8 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Mother Legacy 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Jason Lyles 9 p.m.

Big River Grille 222 Broad St. bigrivergrille.com Voodoo Slim 9 p.m.

HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com Black Magic Flower Power, Brother Hawk, Sick Ride 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Noah Marr, C-Grimey, Ez DaPoet & Milz + Friends 9 p.m.

Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 265-8711 Ludge, GG Wallin, Happy Camper, Nice Things 9 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Road To Nightfall Finals 9 p.m.

Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks

Aunt Betty 10 p.m.

Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SUNDAY3.8 The Briars 11 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Carl Pemberton 11 a.m.

Westin Chattanooga 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com 9th Street Stompers 11 a.m.

STIR 1444 Market St. stirchattanooga.com My Name Is Preston Noon Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Heatherly 1:30 p.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 E.T. 3 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Jubal 6:30 p.m.

The Woodshop 5500 St. Elmo Ave. thewoodshop.space Behold The Brave, Brother Lee and the Leather Jackals 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

MONDAY3.9 Open Air with Jessica Nunn 6 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St.

granfalloonchattanooga.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Blues Night Open Jam 7 p.m.

Songbirds South 41 Station St. songbirds.rocks Zach Pietrini & McKenna Bray 8 p.m.

The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Ida York 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Moon Kissed, Self Help, Field Hockey 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

TUESDAY3.10 Tyler Martelli & Maria Jordania 5 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Heart Strings for Hope 6 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Acoustic Bohemian Night 6:30 p.m.

Mexi-Wing IX 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Danimal 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com The Neighborhood feat. DJ & Marv 7 p.m.

Plus Coffee 3800 St. Elmo Ave. pluscoffee.com Megan Howard 7:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St.

westinchattanooga.com Live Jam Session 8 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Ran Adams 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Nordista Freeze, Keem the Cipher 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

WEDNESDAY3.11 Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Greg Tardy Quartet feat.

Taber Gable 7 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Gino Fanelli 7:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Chiddy Powers, Taking Meds, dannythestreet, Niiice 7:30 p.m.

The Spot of Chattanooga 1800 E. Main St. facebook.com/1800EMain Tyson Leamon 9 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Minnesota 9 p.m.

Songbirds North 35 Station St. songbirds.rocks Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 5, 2020 • THE PULSE • 17

CHAD RADFORD'S RECORD REVIEWS

New Music From Time Is Fire, Kassa Overall

Time Is Fire In Pieces (Electric Cowbell/Insect Fields)

O

vercoming cognitive dissonance while making sense of a day in the life in Washington D.C. has long driven the capital city’s music scene.

Be it the wild go-go rhythms of Chuck Brown and EU or the full-throttle hardcore and post-hardcore that Minor Threat and Fugazi broadcast unto the world, strength lies in bold creativity.

Time is Fire’s latest album, In Pieces, pushes these ideas forward as a composite new form blending dance, punk, and protest music with Persian and other worldly inflections.

From the tropical salvo of “My Sins” to the caustic funk and noise of “We Declare”, the group lays its cards on the

Kassa Overall I Think I’m Good (Brownswood Recordings)

table.

Late ‘80s punk funk à la Big Boys, Gang of Four’s lacerating guitar, and Mdou Moctar’s electric psychedelia collide in songs such as “Didn’t See It Coming”, “Norms”, and the album’s anthemic peak, “Poor Is Poor”.

Under the guidance of producer Brendan Canty (Fugazi, the Messthetics), each song moves forward with bright and energetic layers of rhythm.

Singer Kamyar Arsani’s blend of Iranian classical training with punk fortitude takes some getting used to.

His unrestrained vibrato and bellow sometimes evoke the voice of an exhausted Jello Biafra, and he occasionally rolls his r’s like PiL leader

John Lydon.

But in the context of D.C., post-hardcore Arsani is a disruptive force making room for all sorts of new possibilities. Matthew Perrone and Jeff Barsky’s interlocking guitars and Kai Filipczak’s bass coalesce in “Red” and “Impossible Nights”, featuring Turkish dream pop singer Christina Marie of Yeni Nostalji.

Drummer Jim Thomson was a founding member of GWAR, and later played in the saxophone and flute-driven improv outfit Alter-Natives.

By nature, these songs challenge the status quo of their hometown’s music scene; a chore that’s not to be taken lightly. Each number creates a balanced momentum that’s tailor-made for Arsani’s songs of protest, skewering everything from gun violence to Pizzagate.

The album’s subtleties work in its favor in the long run, but these qualities can get lost in the blur of big, ecstatic melody and punk-fueled energy.

As such, In Pieces reveals layers of depth with each listen.

S

eattle-born, Brooklyn resident Kassa Overall strikes back with his second album,

I Think I’m Good. The title is a statement of being of sorts.

If there were questions lingering about the potency of his blend of jazz and hip-hop after his 2019 debut, Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz, I Think I’m Good puts them to bed.

On the surface, songs such as “Please Don’t Kill Me”, “I Know You See Me”, and “Sleeping On the Train” take shape like notebook doodles brought to life. They are the meandering ruminations of a sensitive, creative mind brought to life with a streamof-consciousness flow.

And while these missives are countered by fully formed songs such as “Show Me A Prison” and “Darkness In Mind”, it’s the brittle balance between these elements that keep the album bound by an invisible but ever-present dark matter.

I Think I’m Good exists in a dream state—unrestrained thoughts play out amid layers of both hi-fi and backpack production creating a more mysterious version of Kassa Overall than anything else he’s revealed so far. Clearly, improvisation plays a role in finding song structures.

The pace is languid—sometimes lazy—and he occasionally slips into a baby-voiced mumble that’s too cute for its own good. But he never lingers in any of his fugue-like moments for too long.

Creating a musical space that allows the mind and the ears to roam around connecting the dots between these jump cuts is a true asset to his style of on-the-fly arrangements and production.

And he isn’t alone. I Think I’m Good is rife with heavyhitter cameos: Joel Ross lays down sublime vibes on “Please Don’t Kill Me”. J. Hoard and Melanie Charles add rich vocal textures to “I Know You See Me”. And Julius Rodriguez adds heartswelling piano lines to “Find Me”.

In the closing number, amid fits of staccato percussion and thick atmosphere, Vijay Iyer’s Rhodes brings a full-bodied psychedelic flourish to “Was She Happy (for Geri Allen)”.

While support from so many bright young contemporaries providing top-notch contributions throughout, it is unquestionably Overall whose active interaction brings the album to a fine point.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY a grade for those “classes,” as well as any others that have been important.

Then—again, just for fun—draw up a homemade diploma for yourself to commemorate and honor your work.

ROB BREZSNY PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1637, renowned English poet John Milton wrote “Lycidas,” a poetic elegy in honor of a friend. Reading it today, almost four centuries later, we are struck by how archaic and obscure the language is, with phrases like “O ye laurels” and “Ah! who hath reft my dearest pledge?” A famous 20th-century Piscean poet named Robert Lowell was well-educated enough to understand Milton’s meaning, but also decided to “translate” all of “Lycidas” into plainspoken modern English. I’d love to see you engage in comparable activities during the coming weeks, Pisces: updating the past; reshaping and reinterpreting your old stories; revising the ways you talk about and think about key memories.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Progress rarely unfolds in a glorious, ever-rising upward arc. The more usual pattern is gradual and uneven. Each modest ascent is followed by a phase of retrenchment and integration. In the best-case scenario, the most recent ascent reaches a higher level than the previous ascent. By my estimate, you’re in one of those periods of retrenchment and integration right now, Aries. It’s understandable if you feel a bit unenthusiastic about it. But I’m here to tell you that it’s crucial to your next ascent. Let it work its subtle magic.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are most likely to be in sweet alignment with cosmic rhythms if you regard the next three weeks as a time of graduation. I encourage you to take inventory of the lessons you’ve been studying since your birthday in 2019. How have you done in your efforts to foster interesting, synergistic intimacy? Are you more passionately devoted to what you love? Have you responded brightly as life has pushed you to upgrade the vigor and rigor of your commitments? Just for fun, give yourself

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Are you ready to seize a more proactive role in shaping what happens in the environments you share with cohorts?

Do you have any interest in exerting leadership to enhance the well-being of the groups that are important to you? Now is an excellent time to take brave actions that will raise the spirits and boost the fortunes of allies whose fates are intermingled with yours.

I hope you’ll be a role model for the art of pleasing oneself while being of service others.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Lionel Trilling (1905–1975) was an influential intellectual and literary critic. One of his heroes was another influential intellectual and literary critic, Edmund Wilson. On one occasion, Trilling was using a urinal in a men’s room at the New School for Social Research in New York. Imagine how excited he was when Wilson, whom he had never met, arrived to use the urinal right next to his. Now imagine his further buoyancy when Wilson not only spoke to Trilling but also expressed familiarity with his work.

I foresee similar luck or serendipity coming your way soon: seemingly unlikely encounters with interesting resources and happy accidents that inspire your self-confidence.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Conee Berdera delivered a poignant message to her most valuable possession: the flesh and blood vehicle that serves as sanctuary for all her yearnings, powers, and actions. “My beloved body,” she writes, “I am so sorry I did not love you enough.” Near the poem’s end she vows “to love and cherish” her body. I wish she would have been even more forceful, saying something like, “From now on, dear body, I promise to always know exactly what you need and give it to you with all my ingenuity and panache.”

Would you consider making such a vow to your own most valuable possession, Leo? It’s a favorable time to do so.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Luckily, the turning point you have arrived at doesn’t present you with 20 different possible futures. You don’t have to choose from among a welter of paths headed in disparate directions. There are only a few viable options to study

Homework: Don’t tolerate bullying from critical voices in your head or from supposedly “nice” people who are trying to guilt-trip you.

FreeWillAstrology.com and think about. Still, I’d like to see you further narrow down the alternatives. I hope you’ll use the process of elimination as you get even clearer about what you don’t want. Let your fine mind gather a wealth of detailed information and objective evidence, then hand over the final decision to your intuition.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Certain artists are beyond my full comprehension. Maybe I’m not smart enough to understand their creations or I’m not deep enough to fathom why their work is considered important. For example, I don’t enjoy or admire the operas of Wagner or the art of Mark Rothko. Same with the music of Drake or the novels of Raymond Carter or the art of Andy Warhol. The problem is with me, not them. I don’t try to claim they’re overrated or mediocre. Now I urge you to do what I just did, Libra, only on a broader scale. Acknowledge that some of the people and ideas and art and situations you can’t appreciate are not necessarily faulty or wrong or inadequate. Their value may simply be impossible for you to recognize. It’s a perfect time for you to undertake this humble work. I suspect it will be liberating.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpioborn Ralph Bakshi has made animated films and TV shows for over 60 years. His work has been influential.

“I’m the biggest ripped-off cartoonist in the history of the world,” he says.

Milder versions of his experience are not uncommon for many Scorpios.

People are prone to copying you and borrowing from you and even stealing from you. They don’t always consciously know they’re doing it, and they may not offer you proper appreciation. I’m guessing that something like this phenomenon may be happening for you right now. My advice?

First, be pleased about how much clout you’re wielding. Second, if anyone is borrowing from you without making the proper acknowledgment,

speak up about it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Vainly I sought nourishment in shadows and errors,” wrote author Jorge Luis Borges. We have all been guilty of miscalculations like those. Each of us has sometimes put our faith in people and ideas that weren’t worthy of us.

None of us is so wise that we always choose influences that provide the healthiest fuel. That’s the bad news, Sagittarius. The good news is that you now have excellent instincts about where to find the best long-term nourishment.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Poet Adrienne Rich wrote, “When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.” I believe this same assertion is true about people of all genders. I also suspect that right now you are in a particularly pivotal position to be a candid revealer: to enhance and refine everyone’s truth-telling by being a paragon of honesty yourself. To achieve the best results, I encourage you to think creatively about what exactly it means for you to tell the deep and entire truth.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Through some odd Aquarian-like quirk, astrologers have come to harbor the apparently paradoxical view that your sign is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus.

At first glance, that’s crazy! Saturn is the planet of discipline, responsibility, conservatism, diligence, and order.

Uranus is the planet of awakening, surprise, rebellion, barrier-breaking, and liberation. How can you Aquarians incorporate the energies of both?

Well, that would require a lengthy explanation beyond the scope of this horoscope. But I will tell you this: During the rest of the year 2020, you will have more potential to successfully coordinate your inner Saturn and your inner Uranus than you have had in years. Homework: Meditate on how you will do just that.

The List The Madness That Is March The month of March isn’t just about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the start of spring, or a rather popular college basketball tournament.

• Under the old Julian calendar, March was the first month of the year.

• March was named for the Latin Martius—aka Mars, the Roman God of war.

• Interestingly enough, almost all major US-NATO led military operations since the invasion of Vietnam have begun in the month of March.

• Because of the NCAA basketball tournament, office productivity is at its lowest this month.

• According to doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, the number of vasectomies surges by 50 percent during the first week of March Madness.

• Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, the other fun holiday is this Friday, March 6th: The Day of The Dude, which encourages participants to honor The Big Lebowski by “takin’er easy all day, man.”

Now get your brackets ready.

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FILM & TELEVISION

Rocketman’s Idea Abruptly Stunted An attempt at space travel ends in death Not Your Regular Godfathers Tokyo Godfathers, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), returns to theaters in a brand new restoration.

In modern day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents.

Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together.

Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, Tokyo Godfathers is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Tokyo Godfathers received an Excellence Prize at the 2003 Japan Media Arts Festival as well as winning Best Animation Film at the 58th Mainichi Film Awards.

Come see it this Monday at 7 p.m. with English subtitles, or next Wednesday at 7 p.m. dubbed in English at the AMC Chattanooga 18 theaters on South Terrace.

— Michael Thomas

A

S FAR AS I KNOW, I’VE GOTTEN EXACTLY ONE piece of snail mail at The Pulse in the ten years I’ve been writing for the paper. After my review of the Coen Brothers film Hail, Caesar!, I had a man from Rossville write me about how the Earth is flat.

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

In my article, I had said something to the effect of “the world will continue spinning” and the gentleman, in a very friendly way, explained that the Earth will not continue spinning because, in fact, it never has.

He told me NASA was fake,

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movies make people perceive a false reality, and that NASA were masters of movie making. The letter ended with a P.S., where he told me he genuinely enjoyed the Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou?, and in this, I wholeheartedly agree with him. As for the rest, I suppose you could say I’m in the pocket of “big globe”.

The rejection of science is a

major issue across the world right now. Just a few days ago, the man currently occupying the presidency called COVID-19 a Democratic hoax, despite hosting two press conferences about the dangers of the virus.

Where does this come from?

The documentary Rocketman: Mad Mike’s Mission to Prove the Earth Flat doesn’t provide answers, but it does give a face to some of the stranger ideas in the world.

Daredevil Mike Hughes was known for setting the world record in limo jumping in 2002. At some point in the following years, Mike became interested in rocket

science. This term can be used loosely, of course. In the film, Mike states he doesn’t believe in math, or gravity, or making ontime payments for his impounded limousine. What Mike believes in, however, is himself and his cats.

Hughes lived alone on a rental property in Apple Valley, California. He built his rocket from scrap metal he collected and a rudimentary knowledge of metalworking. He also managed to enlist a collection of like-minded individuals, each with an interest in rocket science and varying levels of expertise.

His landlord, Waldo Stakes, is likely the most knowledgeable on the subject. He didn’t consider Mike a friend—but his interest in rocketry and his desire not to watch Mike blow himself up led him to assist in the creation of the rockets.

Mike’s ultimate goal was to reach the stars, so he could take a picture of the Earth and prove it was flat. He had a GoFundMe started to help him raise the $2 million it would cost to reach that goal. At the time of the filming, he had raised $65.

What really sticks out about

“

During another launch near Barstow, Mike’s parachute deployed too early, was shredded, and his rocket crashed to the ground, killing him.” the film is how many people it takes to enable someone like Mike Hughes. He had a team of a dozen or so enthusiasts, each with their own interesting personalities.

His friend Pat, for instance, believes that aborted fetuses are used as artificial sweeteners in food. A fellow Flat Earther, Pat quotes the Bible a lot and explains that the usage of the world “firmament” in Hebrews is proof of his theory.

This isn’t to say what this group accomplishes isn’t impressive. A steam powered rocket isn’t anything to laugh at—it’s a dangerous creation that requires a lot of skill and work to create.

Despite Mike’s insistence that he doesn’t believe in science or math, he follows the scientific method to create his rocket.

Ideology and reality don’t al-

ways mix and most people will choose the side of reality when their lives are on the line.

But a lot of Mike’s success was rooted in luck. His luck ran out about a week ago. During another launch near Barstow, Mike’s parachute deployed too early, was shredded, and his rocket crashed to the ground, killing him. The amusing nature of the documentary is completely undone by this inevitability.

The truth is ignorance is dangerous. The men in the documentary have no business shooting manned rockets into the sky. Experts exist for a reason. We need them running NASA. The CDC. State and local governments.

Without them, people can be hurt or killed.

As tempting as it is to laugh at the silliness of naiveté, the consequences are far less entertaining.

✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴

Onward Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on a quest to discover if there is still magic out there.

Director: Dan Scanlon Stars: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia LouisDreyfus, John Ratzenberger

The Way Back A former HS basketball phenom, struggling with alcoholism, is offered a coaching job at his alma mater. As the team starts to win, he may have a reason to confront his old demons. But will it be enough to set him on the road to redemption?

Director: Gavin O'Connor Stars: Ben Affleck, Janina Gavankar

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COLUMN · GAME ON!

Aliens, Spirits, And Butt Kicking Three anticipated games that will draw you back into their worlds

I Brandon Watsson Pulse columnist

“

I’ve had these Monster March releases smoldering on my calendar for quite some time and it looks like they are prime to set all my dollars ablaze.

These are three of my ‘must-get’ videogames.”

When not vaporizing zombies or leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, Brandon Watson is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists.

’VE SAID IT ONCE BEFORE THAT 2020 would be a big year for videogames. As we round the seasonal corner of shedding off the chaos that is Chattanooga Winters and suit up for the chaos that is Chattanooga Spring, we look forward to a few epic releases dropping on our hands for this month.

I’ve had these Monster March releases smoldering on my calendar for quite some time and it looks like they are prime to set all my dollars ablaze.

These are three of my “must-get” videogames for March. And be mindful, they’re coming in hot!

HALF-LIFE:ALYX Valve Software has a way of playing with gamer’s emotions. Their games have a cultural relevance that seems to transcend time and space. Not to say that everything they produce is gamer gold but it sure comes close most of the time. Their latest foray into the mysterious Half-Life universe will be a prequel to Half-Life 2 which was released sixteen years ago. Half-Life redefined the FPS genre in almost every way.

Physics based puzzle mechanics, unique storytelling, and a unique fictional setting. It brought a lot to the table in terms of gaming longevity. Even spawning instant classics like Portal and Portal 2 which, yet again, redefined how videogames could push the boundaries of storytelling and playability.

Although the main story has been in stasis, Valve is looking to bring us back into the Half-Life world and right into the eyes of titular character Alyx Vance.

In Half-life 2, she is the leader of the resistance against the occupying aliens known as The Combine. This will be a VR only port that brings players into a story before the events of Half-life 2.

It’s dubious if this app will be Valve’s new chapter of defining what VR-based games can do for the industry but given

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their track record, it’s possible. For gamers who bought into VR early this may be the next stage in your gaming investment for those on the fence this may be the one to lure you in.

From what I’ve seen it looks to be all the best things from Half-Life universe in a fully interactive game.

It’s definitely a glorious reason to take the fight back to the alien oppressors with a more hands-on approach.

ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS A cult favorite is finally gracing us with a much-anticipated sequel soon to awaken March 11th. Ori is the ultracute forest spirit that relied on players’ quick reflexes and introspective wonder to guide it through horrific dangers and platforming puzzles.

Moon Studios created a wonderful metroidvania that oozes with whimsical art and subtle lore that pulsates with immense heart and soul. Will of the Wisps will expand on the unique world of Ori and bring in a whole new cast of characters to love and protect.

This sequel will have more locations to visit and more expansive wonders to visually and audibly feast upon. If there is any one game that promises to deliver challenging gameplay with a potent ethereal beauty, it’s definitely Ori. This time the adventure appears to be bigger and bolder, so look for this glowing wonder on Xbox Marketplace and PC. DOOM ETERNAL Arguably the triple-A behemoth sure to melt memory cards and console controllers is the sequel to the 2016 version

of metal rocking, demon stomping, gib fest extraordinaire.

The Doom franchise has seen some crazy reboots and updates since its birth twenty-seven years ago. Some were hitor-miss but Doom has maintained relevant throughout its near three-decade existence.

The killer app of first-person shooters has been brought to life with Bethesda and was greeted with open arms by the Doom fanbase. The fast-paced demon shooter plays up what it’s good at: total demonic annihilation with extreme hate and prejudice. Doom: Eternal will bring in skill-based platforming and add greater momentum options for more epic gun battles.

Better yet, the entire franchise has a discounted bundle called Doom Slayer Edition for sale across multiple gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch.

It’s just in time to get us pumped and primed for a new chapter of intense violent mayhem. It’s one of the most metal videogame franchises that brought FPS games front-and-center to the gaming world.

Who knows if it will redefine the shooter genre, probably not, but with the forces of evil begging for the curb stomp of righteous rage who could really care? So, dust off that BFG and get ready to slay demon ass March 20th.

with

Gary, Beth & Eric

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