The Pulse 16.10 » March 7, 2019

VOL. 16, ISSUE 10 • MARCH 7, 2019

The (Dance) Beat Of Our Lives The EDM scene in Chattanooga is poised to thrive

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

2 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

FROM THE EDITOR VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10 • MARCH 7, 2019

BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher James Brewer, Sr. FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Gary Poole gary@chattanoogapulse.com Assistant Editor Jenn Webster City Editor Alex Curry Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Adam Beckett • Rob Brezsny Matt Jones • Cara McGowan Tony Mraz • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib Michael Thomas • Brandon Watson Editorial Intern Jason Dale Cover Illustration Robert Proksa Cartoonists Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

ADVERTISING Director of Sales Mike Baskin mike@brewermediagroup.com Account Executives Rick Leavell • Cindee McBride Libby Phillips • John Rodriguez Danielle Swindell

CONTACT Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse 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 © 2019 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

6 4 14

The (Dance) Beat Of Our Lives Chattanooga’s booming local music scene consistently draws positive national attention and acclaim. Some of the more dominating genres that come with a widespread following include bluegrass, country, various versions of rock, hip-hop, spoken word poetry, and a wide variety of other sounds.

CRANK UP YOUR PIE GAME

10

DELIVERING THE GOODS

20

Cherry pie was my absolute favorite when I was a kid. There was nothing better than the anticipation of going to Grandma’s and knowing what was waiting for me on the window.

It’s been four years since I first took a sonic trip through the mind of GA Brown, the man who broke Wahoo’s leg. I can’t exactly name the places he’s travelled in the interim, though.

THROWING OUTSIDE

An interesting selection of ceramic work is emerging from the Windy Hill Pottery studio. Master ceramicist Laurie Graham is “throwing outside the box”, creating a diverse collection of pots.

ARMBAR BILDUNGSROMAN

Unlike most sports, where the athletes are competing against each other in a game of skill, and the person with the best performance comes out on top, professional wrestling is more of a dance.

5 EDITOONS

16 MUSIC CALENDAR

19 JONESIN' CROSSWORD

9 SHRINK RAP

18 MUSIC REVIEWS

21 NEW IN THEATERS

19 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

22 GAME ON!

12 ARTS CALENDAR

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 3

CITY LIFE · BETWEEN THE BRIDGES

Cons ider This w ith Dr. Rick

Crank Up Your Pie Game Chef Nguyen throws down the pastry gauntlet

By Alex Curry Pulse City Editor

“The more I drank the more I was blinded to who I really was and to my dire situation. I couldn’t walk forward with courage into a better life. I re-lived my past glories while shivering cowardly, bottle in hand, when I viewed the future. I had to drink to think.” — Chris We all have baggage. I’d say it starts accumulating upon leaving the womb.

The real question is not so much about how much baggage you have, although when it comes to addictions, let’s be honest: As a friend of mine says, it’s likely more than can fit in the overhead compartment.

What’s important is to know and see, with clarity and abject honesty, just what you’re up against and how it got started. Ahh, therapy.

Then the question to ask is, “Now what am I going to do with it?”

And thus begins the all-important process of knowing thyself. We all want to have fewer burdens, fewer limitations, so we can know the freedom to move forward.

“

The fact alone that our city is developing the ability to support specialty shops like this and others (Bleu Fox, for instance) makes me a happy eater.”

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

4 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

C

HERRY PIE WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE WHEN I was a kid. There was nothing better than the anticipation of going to Grandma’s and knowing what was waiting for me on the window (after a proper Southern dinner, of course).

She knew it was my favorite, as is the tradition of grandmothers.

She never left me hanging. It’s a memory that I will never forget, just as much nostalgia as it is an appreciation for the beautiful dishes so inherent to our culinary heritage.

When I learned that a new pie monger was on the scene in Chattanooga, I instantly had flashbacks to this young memory. The fact alone that our city is developing the ability to support specialty shops like this and others (Bleu Fox, for instance) makes me a happy eater. It hints at a path of progress and greatness for Chattanooga’s future.

Christine Nguyen grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC.

“I grew up loving food and watching every cooking show on PBS that I could find, but I never really imagined going into the food industry myself,” reminisces Chef Nguyen.

Nevertheless, she ended up in culinary school in DC. That was over a decade ago, and she still calls the kitchen her home.

She arrived in Chattanooga in 2015 and decided to take time away from work to raise her young daughter. The seed of an idea, opening a pie business, existed in the back of her mind for a while, but Christine began to ponder it more seriously. The dream grew until it was a budding reality.

“I became very interested in making pies and refining that craft,” she recalls. And it very much is a craft

EDITOONS

of delicacy and methodical precision.

Making a pie, rolling out the crust, selecting the flavors: to do it well, the process is the work of a master.

“In March of 2016, I started Mama Crunk’s Pies,” Nguyen says. “The name was taken from my old college nickname ‘Crunk’.” She laughs and doesn’t explain the name, making me miss my own college days.

Kitchen life is no cake walk. The process is difficult, demanding, and hard on the body. The general culture, though transforming for the better in recent years, can be belittling and lacking in inclusivity.

“I wanted to be able to create a kitchen removed from the toxic culture that’s been ingrained in the industry for a long time. I also wanted to build a place to work with people with a diversity of experiences and perspectives,” says Nguyen. “Working in the food industry, especially as a woman, has been very grueling and difficult and it’s an industry that I’ve contemplated leaving time

and again. The only thing that has kept me here has honestly been my intense love of food and my desire to communicate and share different perspectives, whether they be cultural or culinary ones, through food.”

Visit them at mamacrunkspies.com or swing by Common General in St. Elmo. We’ll be back to visit Common General, home of Mama Crunk’s, to explore all of the exciting things coming to our doorstep in the soon-to-be co-op culinary general store. Think Vietnamese and Korean fare, some of my favorite cuisines on earth.

Rum Chess, Apple, Pear Cheddar, Quiche Florentine, Pecan, Pumpkin…is your mouth watering yet? Pies ship to the surrounding region, so if you’re looking for a gift for out-oftown family, this is a perfect way beat out everyone else and show them that you’re the best gift giver around.

You can keep your cake. It’s all about that delicate, buttery, flaky crust and those lusciously delicious fillings for me.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 5

COVER STORY

The (Dance) Beat Of Our Lives The EDM scene here in Chattanooga is poised to thrive

By Adam Beckett

“

Pulse contributor

The main question that looms about the slow-rising local EDM scene is whether is it going to stay on its journey and grow, or whether it will hit a wall.”

C

HATTANOOGA’S BOOMING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE consistently draws positive national attention and acclaim.

Some of the more dominating genres that come with a widespread following include bluegrass, country, various versions of rock, hip-hop, spoken word poetry, and a wide variety of other sounds.

And while all of these genres would be considered the most popular by local artists and nightlife enthusiasts, one particular genre has been flying under the radar while increasing in popularity locally. Outside of the spotlight and intermixed with the community is the local electronic dance music scene.

While it falls short of being considered a booming entity, it unquestionably is becoming relevant. It has been snowballing over the last few years, and it seems to be sluggishly gaining some mass. The main question that

6 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

looms about the slow-rising local EDM scene is whether is it going to stay on its journey and grow, or whether it will hit a wall and disintegrate into nothing.

EDM, unfortunately, has an inaccurate public stigma that often plagues its existence. People who are not actively involved in the scene tend to misconstrue the dance music culture in general. Speaking about the scene to people who truly have no idea what the culture is about is like talking to a wall, because they already have it in their minds that EDM is about bizarre

clothing and behavior and rampant drug use.

Arguably, those things are a part of it, but they are just a small percentage of what the rave culture represents; the other roughly ninety-five percent of it gets overlooked because of the preconceived notions that surround it. In any genre with a live music or nightlife aspect, there are going to be people using mind-altering substances. Not to insinuate that everybody that goes to live music events drinks alcohol or does drugs, but some people definitely do. It is the same for rave culture.

For the unaware, many ever-growing and evolving subgenres fall under the EDM category. The majority of local people seem to think EDM is either dubstep, house music, or techno music. Those things do help make up EDM; however, it also can be thoughtprovoking, low-tempo music, tribal music that will get in a person’s bones and help them to get lost in dance, trance ballads with powerful lyrics that have the power to drop a person to their knees, and roughly twenty other styles of “dance music”.

EDM is music that will make people dance, but it is also music that will make people think. It is music that is helping to power the conscious advancement of movement that is upon us in space and time. It is music that inspires people. It lights fires in souls.

It helps people break through emotional and mental stress. It is music that most of the world is collectively listening to; however, it also has another mighty aspect that goes beyond the music—an unmatched radiant culture like none other.

When the rave culture first started, it began because people knew that there was an answer to the overtaking mundane existence that was plaguing the world. Dancing machines began to unite and operate on an unwavering standpoint of peace, love, unity, respect, freedom, individuality, acceptance, positivity, connection, friendship, love, dancing, music, being better people and treating others better.

It was not like a commune or anything like that; it was a gathering place that held no bounds. No roof could contain it; there was no sky that was big enough to outreach its span.

Gatherings started very small, but the movement spread globally pretty quickly. The scene started out in places like underground warehouses and has grown into a festival season that spans the majority of the calendar year.

Frequent global events are rapidly gaining popularity, while further touching lives and expanding EDM’s reach to blanket the world. Now there are events such as Tomorrowland in Belgium, which hosts 400,000 attendees each weekend that it operates. Millions of listeners in nearly every country around the globe tune in to Tomorrowland’s live media and radio coverage.

Relativity locally speaking, Bonnaroo has recently tapped into the dance music culture over the last couple of years. It looked like the Bonnaroo run was about to come to a screeching halt before it decided to add an EDM lineup to the mix and dedicate a stage to the dance party people in 2017. Once the success of the decision opened their eyes, the next year was followed by another EDM dominating presence at Bonnaroo.

People can go to it and not rave at all if that is what they choose to do.

Bonnarave is big enough for people that are not into it, yet those who want to experience dance music culture in full stride can get their fill at the event.

This year should not be missed by any

“

There are times when the people do show up and pack a dance floor and dance the night away; it is just not as frequent as one would like to think.”

dance party enthusiast. The line-up is next level and Odesza in going to blow some minds and drop jaws. Theirs is beautiful, moving music that will open the hearts of everyone who encounters it.

As far as the actual local Chattanooga scene is concerned, some top producers come through town, normally on a weekday between major cities. Some enthusiasts often endure empty dance floors in hopes that one day, people will decide to come out to see what it is all about. There are times when the people do show up and pack a dance floor and dance the night away; it is just not as frequent as one would like to think.

This year at MainX24, we kind of stumbled on the fact that at a certain point and time it becomes different dance parties and turns into mini

raves that bounce from place to place.

A trippy art show with some excellent music and good vibes early in the night at the Granfalloon turned into dancing the night away until the sun came up at a dance studio on the south side.

It was hoped that the scene was rising, but it went away as abruptly as it arrived. That needs to be a monthly thing. It was people from all walks of life just dancing and having fun. Kudos to the minds behind the event. Awesome job, guys! We’re definitely looking forward to next year.

A strong catalyst for the local dance music community is The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. The glorious and progressive art grounds are constantly doing cultural events to help strengthen the community in numerous ways. It does a wonderful job of blending humans from different back-

grounds in an attempt to open minds.

At the Sculptures in the Sky event last November, they had a DJ playing dance music through the loudspeakers throughout the duration of the event, while simultaneously having a silent disco company playing three different types of dance music through their headphones that users could toggle between. It gave the opportunity for people who might not typically listen to the music a chance to understand the fact that dance music is multifaceted, and will make people of all ages tap into the tiny dancer that has been trapped inside of them and has been dying to break out.

We look forward to continued events from the Sculpture Fields. If anyone can turn the scene around in Chattanooga, it is them.

Another force that deserves recognition as fierce representatives of the Chattanooga dance music culture is Stratton Tingle and company with their organization Flavorless. Amongst other things, Flavorless hosts monthly dance parties in a warehouse space that holds true to dance music tradition. Also coinciding with original format, Flavorless aims to go against the grain and play music that is not necessarily popular, but is incredible.

Their stellar sound system and setup have been moving bodies since 2017.

They are at the frontlines of the local movement, and the local dance music culture is depending on them to break the scene through to the other side, if possible.

Stone Cup has also been on the rise as a music venue. They have been doing their part to expose the diverse talent that is hidden through Chattanooga, not caring one bit about a genre, and hosting nights filled with different types of music, dance music included.

Over the last year, there have been some sick dance parties at the venue.

They are consistently looking for ways to throw the next jamming dance par-

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

ty, for no reason other than to have jamming dance parties. Rumor has it that they may be expanding to take over the Subway next door, and if that happens, look out for Stone Cup to evolve in the premiere nightlife spot in Chattanooga. They are on the rise, that is for certain. If the EDM scene is going to thrive here, Stone Cup is going to help carry it on its back.

The scene has the potential to grow so big that it will never fade away.

For this to happen, the aficionados behind the movement must continue doing events for the right reasons, and hopefully, eventually, normalizing it in the community. They all must keep working toward the goal, despite the empty dancefloors, despite the feeling that they are just wasting their time. If they continue on, then perhaps the scene will one day hit full stride. No one group or team is going to carry the whole load; just like the rave scene, it is a collective effort that will not work any other way.

The rave scene is a blessing to the community. There is not a more positive energy-based scene on the planet. The EDM culture and rave scene exhibit forward thinking and operate with a collective goal of making the world a better place, one kind ges8 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

ture at a time. Those who cannot break the chains of misconception and think outside of the box need to get out there and lose themselves to dance more than anyone.

While the rest of the world basks in the glory of the dance music scene that is lifting humanity higher as a whole, are we in Chattanooga going to tap into its golden benefits, or are we going to let it fade away because everybody is too afraid to let people see them let loose and dance?

Even now, spectators can sporadically watch people who are dancing down crowded streets and moonwalking through grocery stores.

These dancers are the indicators that, regardless of whether there is a scene here or not, we are sprinkled through the community, blessing it with good deeds and positivity every single day.

Join us; help us thrive. Come dance, Chattanooga.

Adam Beckett is a professional writer that has a tremendous passion for life, love, dancing, and adventures. Love is his intention for everything that he does, especially writing. He uses writing as a platform to spread positivity.

COLUMN · SHRINK RAP

A Grandmother’s Wisdom A torch of kindness passed down through the generations

S Dr. Rick

Pulse columnist

“

My grandmother was consistent in her act of kindness. She wasn’t doing it because of who the neighbor was. She was doing it because of who she was.”

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

HE WAS A PRODUCT OF THE Great Depression, my grandmother was. For my generation and later, not having experienced the tremendous societal challenges, especially the financial woes, first-hand, we can’t really appreciate the particular hardships of those years. Unless fortunate enough to still have relatives who remember, we can only hear the stories as they are passed down, and empathize best we can.

That said, current generations have certainly known our own tragedies of mass proportions (e.g., 9/11), and most adults can understand hardship and struggle from personal experience.

Following the Depression, it was during WW II when my grandmother was raising her three children, mostly by herself, while her husband was serving in the navy. Education was a value she held highly for them, but unfortunately, she herself had to leave school with only a fourth-grade education in order to help care for her six (six!) brothers.

And yet, she was the wisest person I’ve ever known.

After the war, and now with four schoolage children, she taught her brood to make a game out of anything tedious— chores or homework for example—that they didn’t like doing. And she followed her own advice: after waxing the floors, she’d invite the kids to run around, slipping and sliding in their socks. Without knowing it, their sock-skating was giving her floors a final polish, all while they giggled and had a ball.

She figured out how to wrap presents without tape (which was too costly during the war), re-finish recycled furniture, paint like a seasoned artist, and educated herself to improve her writing skills in

order to be the secretary for the PTA. Years later, when painting the basement walls, she let her grandson go ahead of her, painting murals and wild, childlike swirls. When a neighbor asked if he wasn’t wasting the paint by doing that, she replied, “No, he’s giving those areas a second coat!”

This woman was my grandmother, and I that grandchild.

And along with those stories and memories swirling in my head, I perhaps best remember the story of her baking pies from scratch during those earlier times of financial strife, but only keeping half of each pie for her family. The other half went to a family down the street that was even poorer.

I was told that the mother of that household wasn’t even nice to my grandmother, never offering a kind word or expression of gratitude. But that didn’t matter. My grandmother was consistent in her act of kindness. She wasn’t doing it because of who the neighbor was. She was doing it because of who she was.

Although her kids grumbled about the half-pies, she nevertheless made a lasting impression on them. She didn’t just give lip service. She followed her beliefs with action. After all, if you believe in something you do it. And personal values are only of value when we put them to the test. So, as a result, I’ve never known my mother, an education professional, not to be volunteering.

In my native New England, she voluntarily (and bravely) faced snowstorms

and inner-city crime to help those students who were counting on her. And I witnessed it. Which is why I myself have rarely had a year in my adulthood when I wasn’t volunteering for one healthcare organization or another.

I had a conversation with a physician friend of mine recently about volunteerism. He said, “When we volunteer, we approach it thinking that we’ll be helping others. In fact, we help ourselves so much more. We interact with people we otherwise wouldn’t. We learn from them and develop our empathy. We’re the ones who benefit.”

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t help 1,000 people, just help one.” Former President Jimmy Carter said, “Volunteerism will save this country.” And Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Spring’s here. The weather will be warming up. Let’s take to heart their wisdom, and my grandmother’s, and put our wishes for humanity into action.

And let’s imprint that spirit onto future generations. We may save others. We’ll certainly save ourselves.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Throwing Outside The Box Master ceramicist marries form, function, and some very funny faces

Shotz Un/Folds At The Hunter The next time you walk into the Hunter Museum of American Art, make time just to stay in the lobby.

For that is where sculptor Alyson Shotz has created “Un/Folding”, which features more than 25 works of varying scale in clay, copper, bronze, aluminum, paper, and thread that evoke aspects of the natural world and offer a broad view of her work over the last five years.

Treading a line between order and chaos, planned uniformity and unplanned disarray, Shotz employs natural phenomena—such as mass, force, gravity, and light—to create her works. Informed by concepts in physics and math, her sculptures take many forms, each particular to the concept she is investigating.

Shotz works in series: many of the exhibited works document the idea of change through time, as forms progress and shift. Like a scientist, Shotz poses questions and places parameters within which she experiments. Her pieces do not mimic scientific principles, but rather, metaphorically represent abstract notions of space.

Although the sculptures may appear deceptively simple, they are created through a complex mix of technology and hand work.

Working across disciplines and using chance as a collaborator, Shotz straddles the worlds of innovation and traditional craft.

The exhibit will run through May 27. To get more information, visit huntermuseum.org — Cara McGowan

By Tony Mraz Pulse contributor

“

She was inspired by the work of George Ohr, the ‘Salvador Dali of Ceramics’, and has been drawn to textures found in the natural world.”

10 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

A

N INTERESTING SELECTION OF CERAMIC work is emerging from the Windy Hill Pottery studio. Master ceramicist Laurie Graham is “throwing outside the box”, creating a diverse collection of pots that are aesthetically pleasing as they are functional.

A career ceramicist, Graham has been working independently for nearly 30 years. She was an interior design major at Tennessee Tech until she took a clay class as an elective.

Feeling a connection to the medium, she immediately changed her major to ceramics. After Tennessee Tech, she graduated from the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Cookeville, worked for several production potters, and then eventually started her own practice.

Graham’s passion is throwing on

the wheel and embracing the function of the pottery. In school, and for a while after, she excelled at the craft because she chose to focus on function rather than form.

She was inspired by the work of George Ohr, the “Salvador Dali of Ceramics”, and has been drawn to textures found in the natural world— trees, leaves, vines, and seashells, to name a few.

While being sculptural, her work retains all of the necessary function of pottery.

“I still do a lot of production work,” she tells us, “but at In-Town Gallery I get to exhibit more of my fine art pottery.”

In addition to being a member artist at In-Town, she exhibits at the Chattanooga Market and has booths at Vintrest Antiques, in Hixson and on the South Side.

She does mostly electric wheelthrown work, altering and supplementing it. The process of combining various processes with wheel-thrown forms creates textures that she allows to come through.

She alters the pieces by adding molded pieces, cutting away, carving, hand building or stamping—creating textures on the surfaces of the pots by pressing objects into the clay—organic objects like rocks, tree bark, and leaves, as well as a variety of manmade objects such as toys and kitchen utensils. This approach adds another dimension to the tactile interaction with an object that is designed to be handled.

Graham compares the process of mixing glazes to cooking, telling us, “I still use the recipes for several glazes that I learned how to make in school.”

Over the years, she has utilized more commercial glazes, which are already pre-mixed. These are gloss and matte glazes that she uses in different combinations, depending upon the desired effect. She uses the combi-

“

I have to be in the right state of mind to make the funny faces because I’m not looking at anybody—it’s more just what comes out of my head when I’m in a silly mood.” nations of glazes to enhance textures, create patterns and drips, or simply to color the pots.

A fan of people watching, Graham enjoys making pots with faces on them, delighting in funny expressions.

“I have to be in the right state of mind to make the funny faces,” she explains, “because I’m not looking at anybody—I’m not working from a particular person’s face—it’s more just what comes out of my head when I’m in a silly mood.”

Sometimes she stains the pots to describe the texture, adding minimal glaze, saying, “I like the feel of the raw clay, too.” In the past she has experimented with wood firing and raku, but currently she has settled upon firing with an electric kiln.

Right now she is working on new pieces for In-Town Gallery’s first Friday showcase in July, where she will be paired with painter Julie Turner—the gallery features the work of different member artists each month, except for in May and November when they have

their all-members shows.

Much of Turner’s work involves landscapes and flowers, so the two artists are creating bodies of work with the theme of “things that grow”.

Graham’s new works for this show will include large vases and round pots, some of them with shapes and bright colorful glazes inspired by flowers.

Graham will be exhibiting at the Sip Tennessee Wine Festival on March 23, and at the Chattanooga Market when it opens again in May. She is also available for commissions, and will make anything that a person wants, from dinner sets, sculptures, and lawn decorations to household furnishings.

Over the years, she has even made several thrown sinks—these large ceramic vessels are mounted to a base and can be installed in a kitchen or bathroom. She makes outdoor pieces as well: flower pots, hanging planters, bird feeders, and bird houses. She always enjoys a challenge, and is open to new ideas.

THU3.7

FRI3.8

SAT3.9

West Side Story

“Fences”

Comedy Island

The classic musical retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with great music and lots of dance.

7 p.m.

Chattanooga Christian School 3354 Charger Dr. ccsk12.com

Your last weekend to see this stirring take of the lifes, loves, and sacrifices of an African-American family in the 1950's.

8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. theatrecentre.com

A comedy competition based around the reality TV show Survivor, where six comics try to outlast each other for laughs.

6 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR stonecupcafe.com Ruby Falls Lantern Tours 8:30 p.m.

Ruby Falls 1720 S. Scenic Hwy. (423) 821-2544 rubyfalls.com Good, Old-Fashioned Improv Show 10 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com

THURSDAY3.7 Red Wolf Revival Film Screening Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Urban Farmers Market and Marketplace 3 p.m.

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

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Naughty Knights Chess Meetup 5 p.m.

Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. 431 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 760-3600 huttonandsmithbrewing.com Rocks, Drops, and Hops 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. chattabrew.com West Side Story 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Christian School 3354 Charger Dr. (423) 265-6411 ccsk12.com The Moth Ball 7 p.m.

The Signal 1810 Chestnut St. thesignaltn.com “Fences” 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Cee-Jay Jones 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Friends! The Musical Parody 7:30 p.m.

Walker Theatre 399 McCallie Ave. (423) 757-5580

12 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

SATURDAY3.9

Friends! The Musical Parody tivolichattanooga.com Alcoholics Not Anonymous Comedy Open Mic 8 p.m.

Barley Taproom 235 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 682-8200 chattanoogabarley.com Country Line Dancing Class 8 p.m.

Westbound Bar 24 Station St. (423) 498-3069 westboundbar.com

FRIDAY3.8 Red Wolf Revival Film Screening Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Grindsploitation Film Fest 5 p.m.

The Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Boots and Bowties 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Whiskey Event Hall 890 Riverfront Pkwy.

(423) 760-4333 chattwhiskeyeventhall.com Fiesta! Pura Vida!

6:30 p.m.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-8658 bessiesmithcc.org West Side Story 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Christian School 3354 Charger Dr. (423) 265-6411 ccsk12.com Cee-Jay Jones 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com St. Patrick’s Sockhop 7:30 p.m.

Brainerd United Methodist 4315 Brainerd Rd. (423) 698-6951 brainerdumc.org “Fences” 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Hunter Underground POP Art Edition 8 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Video Game Night 8 p.m.

Stone Cup Cafe 208 Frazier Ave. (423) 521-3977

Rump Run for Colon Cancer Awareness 7:30 a.m.

Enterprise South Nature Park 190 Still Hollow Loop (423) 893-3500 rumprun.com Shamrock City 9 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. Lookout Mountain, GA (706) 820-2531 seerockcity.com One Delicious Bite: Mindful Ways with Food 10:30 a.m.

Crabtree Farms 1000 E. 30th St. (423) 493-9155 crabtreefarms.org Red Wolf Revival Film Screening Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Grindsploitation Film Fest 5 p.m.

The Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Gabriel Iglesias 6, 9:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Comedy Island 6 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave.

(423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Journey 2019: A Night at the Great Pyramids 6:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 hospiceofchattanooga.org Fork and Gavel 6:30 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org West Side Story 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Christian School 3354 Charger Dr. (423) 265-6411 ccsk12.com Cee-Jay Jones 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Girls! Girls! Girls! Art Show Opening 7:30 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. (423) 269-7979 wanderlinger.com Your Stories 8 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com “Fences” 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com “Love, Loss & What I Wore” 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Drafts & Laughs 9 p.m.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. chattabrew.com Whose Line Chattanooga 10 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave.

Drafts & Laughs (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com

SUNDAY3.10 Shamrock City 9 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. Lookout Mountain, GA (706) 820-2531 seerockcity.com “Fences” 2:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Cee-Jay Jones 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

MONDAY3.11 Winter Belly Dance Session 5:45 p.m.

Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd.

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

Chattanooga Brewing Co. 1804 Chestnut St. chattabrew.com

The Brewery Comedy Tour 7:30 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Company 1208 King St. (423) 269-7979 wanderlinger.com

TUESDAY3.12 Wake Up & Run 6 a.m.

Fleet Feet Sports 307 Manufacturers Rd. (423) 771-7996 fleetfeetchattanooga.com Red Wolf Revival Film Screening Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Chess K-night 5 p.m.

Mad Priest Coffee Roasters 1900 Broad St. (423) 393-3834 madpriestcoffee.com Author C H Hooks in Conversation with Adam Latham 6 p.m.

Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Paths to Pints along the Riverwalk 6:30 p.m.

The Tap House 3800 St. Elmo Ave. taphousechatt.com Student Improv Showcase 8 p.m.

Improv Chattanooga 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Comedy Night with Dave Waite 9 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY3.13 Red Wolf Revival Film Screening Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Main Street Market 4 p.m.

522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Understanding Dog Behavior 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Workspace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com Bobby Stone Film Series: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” 7 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com Naughty Knights Chess Meetup 7:30 p.m.

The Bitter Alibi 825 Houston St. (423) 362-5070 thebitteralibi.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 13

THE MUSIC SCENE

Delivering The Goods A storied master in his psychobilly prime

The Sensible John Cowan A touring member of The Doobie Brothers—a band which has seemingly never stopped touring since their inception—John Cowan rarely has a chance to shine on his own. This is a shame, since Cowan’s vocal ability and talent as a bass guitarist have landed him considerable acclaim even amidst the prolific bands he plays amongst.

This Saturday night, though, fans can hear the man esteemed as “the voice of new grass” and his ensemble of Darin and Brooke Alridge on the Barking Legs stage.

Formerly the bassist of the New Grass Revival, Cowan is responsible for shifting bluegrass to a new progressive sound incorporating features of jazz, world music, rock, and folk. The resulting genre from this amalgamation, new grass, would influence modern country legends Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, and Darius Rucker.

Evidently, Cowan’s musical impact isn’t isolated to one genre, as listeners hear shades of “newgrass” even in today’s quite varied country sound.

If Cowan’s vocal ability is resonant enough to influence today’s country icons and be proclaimed “the voice of newgrass”, it would be a pity to miss a rare opportunity of the bluegrass veteran’s incomparable solo performance.

John Cowan will be performing at the Barking Legs Theater this Saturday at 8 p.m.

For more information and tickets, visit barkinglegs.org or call (423) 624-5347.

— Jason Dale

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

“

He’s a master who is good friends with plenty of other masterful folk who are more than happy to guest on some tracks.”

14 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

M

AN, OH MAN…IT’S BEEN FOUR YEARS since I first took a sonic trip through the mind of GA Brown, the man who broke Wahoo’s leg.

I can’t exactly name the places he’s travelled in the interim, but judging by this latest release, he’s had a hell of a trip and he’s brought back a truckload of experiences and observations to pack into this twentytwo song album with nary a dud to be found.

A small anecdote before we delve in to the heart of the music. I don’t, or didn’t, know what Brown looks like. Maybe I did once, but I had forgotten, and as I was listening to the recording for the first time, his voice spawned an image in my head.

I could see a guy, average height, not skinny, but wiry in that way that hard work makes a country boy deceptively strong, with bib overalls, an old fashioned baseball cap with

some oil stains on it, and a semimaniacal grin that is friendly, yet unnerving. It was the image of the sort of fellow who might be stopping to help you change a flat, or he might be contemplating whether it’s worth hunting you for sport.

It occurred to me then that if I was to include this interlude in the piece, it might behoove me to, you know, go and see what the cat actually looks like. I’ve yet to find a pic in bib overalls, but otherwise…well…let’s just say that you can tell an awful lot about ol’ GA just from the sound of his voice.

Getting to the music, instrumentally, GA is a master of guitar. I’ve been listening to some old Merle Travis records lately and there is some

of that legend, and many others to boot, at the heart of Brown’s playing. Moreover, he’s a master who is good friends with plenty of other masterful folk who are more than happy to guest on some tracks.

Official album credits list Jeffro HMF Leigh on banjo and Uncle Dodds on sticks. I’m not going to pick the playing apart; at this point in his career it’s just a given that GA has the chops and the connections to make a brilliantsounding album every time.

Accepting that the psychobilly/ old country/punk/swamp boogie/alt folk/bean snappin’/corn huskin’/copperhead killing musical style is as potent as ever (it is), it’s the lyrics that elevate the album in to a league of its own.

It’s no secret I’m a “words” guy. I can appreciate any kind of music, instrumental or otherwise, but it’s the words that make the hair stand up on my neck. A wellturned phrase, wordplay, wry observation, subtle innuendo, notsubtle-at-all innuendo, poetry… these things can make a monkey banging on a tin pot into art, as far as I’m concerned—and for a man whose skills are formidable from any point of reference—it is here that Brown soars.

There’s plenty of humor. If you

“

A well-turned phrase, wordplay, wry observation, subtle innuendo, not-subtle-at-all innuendo, poetry… these things can make a monkey banging on a tin pot into art.”

can hear “Between the Ditches” or “Bi-Polar Disorder” (co-written with C. Keith) and not crack a smile, well, it’s probably time to put on your black clothes and go back to being forlorn in the basement. It isn’t just a “funny” album, though. There is real heart here, too, and sincerity.

“Rights of the Father” is a stirring tune and “My Eyes Closed” is as poignant a message and potent a philosophy as any I’ve heard. Fact of the matter, a good lyricist can write a “funny” album, or a “sad” one, or a “serious” one, but it takes a touch of genius to combine all of that and more into a cohesive, unforced, “real” package the way Brown has done here.

The album includes a few covers, such as the always-welcome John Prine tune and a version of “Fairies Wear Boots” that, Ozzy be damned, belongs to GA Brown now. It’s a long album;

The Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention Returns This Saturday marks the tenth anniversary of Matt Downer’s revival of the Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention, taking place at 901 Lindsay St. right next to the Bessie Smith Hall in the heart of the MLK district.

The annual event, now as indelibly linked to springtime in the Scenic City as the blooming of the Bradford pear (and significantly less allergy inducing), will once again feature cash prizes for competition in fiddle, banjo, dance, song, and string band.

As always, no electric instruments or amplification will be permitted, dancers who wear metal on their shoes must bring a board to dance on, and singers must limit their songs to pre-1930.

The event opens at noon, lasts ‘til nine(ish), and food and drink will be available. Children six and under are admitted free.

If you need more information, please contact the Chattanooga Old Fiddlers’ Association via their Facebook page, by visiting oldchattanooga.com, or by emailing oldsandmtn@hotmail.com.

Based on the largest competition of its kind in the pre-war years of the 20th century, Downer’s wildly successful revival stands poised to reclaim Chattanooga’s place as a jewel in the crown of Old Time music.

A family friendly favorite for a decade, the Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention is one of the areas cultural treasures and not to be missed. — MTM

the note that accompanied it read, “I hope you don’t hate me if you have to listen to the whole thing at once.”

No, I don’t, it as a pleasure and honestly, his easy style, his high-concept work cleverly disguised as “folksy,” and even his paean to his punk roots, “I Don’t Play Punk No Mo” are collectively like a marvelous summer evening picking on the back porch with a cooler of beer and a jug of hooch.

The album is 22 More Songs, and it is one of the friendliest, smartest albums I’ve heard without beating you over the head about how damn smart it is. You can sample it today at Bandcamp or just go ahead and buy it, as it’ll be money well spent.

But keep in mind that if GA Brown ever stops to help you change a flat, you MIGHT want to have a good pair of running shoes handy.

THU3.7

FRI3.8

SAT3.9

Mendelssohn & Brahms

Airshow

Road to Nightfall Finals

Two great musical tastes that taste great together.

A beautiful night of music with our own symphony.

7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com

A self-described "acoustic rock bluegrass jamband" makes the run down from Nashville for a fun Friday night.

9 p.m.

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

Come on out and help pick out the best of the best of Chattanooga's local bands.

9 p.m.

Songbirds South 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 15

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR THURSDAY3.7 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Danimal & Friends 6 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Company 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Nick Edward Williams 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Matt Downer 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Toby Hewitt 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Mendelssohn & Brahms 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Unheard-of // Ensemble 7:30 p.m.

Cadek Recital Hall 752 Vine St. utc.edu Jesse James & Tim Neal 7:30 p.m.

Mexi-Wing VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. (423) 296-1073 Bluegrass Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

The Feed Co. Table & Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com The Afternooners with Veaux, Planet & Better Thieves 8 p.m.

Songbirds South 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m.

The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee

16 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

The Groove Orient

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

SATURDAY3.9

9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Sleazy Sleazy, PONCÉ, Ark Sakura 9 p.m.

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

FRIDAY3.8 Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 John Carroll 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Lon Eldridge 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Doug Stone 7 p.m.

Songbirds North 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com The Reese & Rosser Band

7 p.m.

Oddstory Brewing Company 336 E. MLK Blvd. oddstorybrewing.co West King Street Band ft.

Nick Williams 8 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Wrong Way: A Tribute to Sublime with Stoned Cold Fox 9 p.m.

Songbirds South 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks McKinley James 9 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Randall Adams 9 p.m.

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

HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com The Groove Orient, Challenger Deep 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Throttle 21 10 p.m.

Shamrock City 9 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Melanie Willetts Jazz Quartet 6 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Preston Ruffing 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Courtney Holder 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Over The Rhine 7 p.m.

Songbirds North 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks Sherry Cothran 7 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Forever Bluegrass 7 p.m.

Westbound Bar 24 Station St. westboundbar.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Blue Good Hollow Ensemble 7:30 p.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 N. Terrace Rd. jewishchattanooga.com Roy Zimmerman 7:30 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church 3224 Navajo Dr. uucc.org

John Cowan 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Marc Broussard 8 p.m.

Walker Theatre 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Krista Cherivtch 8:30 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Road to Nightfall Finals 9 p.m.

Songbirds South 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks Traves & Heather Kilgore 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Sexy Beast 9 p.m.

HiFi Clyde’s 122 W. Main St. hificlydeschattanooga.com Behold the Brave, The Minks 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Throttle 21 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY3.10 Shamrock City 9 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com The Bird And The Bear 11 a.m.

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

Westin Chattanooga 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Von Wamps 1:30 p.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar

Krista Cherivtch

55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com The Other Brothers 2 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Co. 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 Winter Jam 2019 6 p.m.

McKenzie Arena 720 E. 4th St. premierproductions.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 The Hip Abduction ft. Of Good Nature 9 p.m.

Songbirds South 35 Station St. events.songbirds.rocks Balms, Van Goose, I Can Japan, Dirty Blonde 9 p.m.

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

MONDAY3.11 Open Air with Jessica Nunn 6 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Pete Boubel 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com

TUESDAY3.12 Yoga/Sound with Maggie, Danimal & Frenchy 6 p.m.

WanderLinger Brewing Company 1208 King St. wanderlinger.com Dustin Concannon 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Danimal 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com

Space Jam Open Mic with Xll Olympians 7 p.m.

Barley Taproom 235 E. MLK Blvd. chattanoogabarley.com Experience Hendrix 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Live Jam Session with Freddy Mc & Friends 8 p.m.

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

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com

WEDNESDAY3.13 Mark Andrew 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Randall Adams 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m.

Las Margaritas 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Heavy Temple 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Dave Anthony and The Groove Machine 9 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 17

ERNIE PAIK’S RECORD REVIEWS

Japp Blonk, Greenberger & Prime Lens

Jaap Blonk Joyous Junctures (Eh?)

M

any years ago, this writer and certain friends had a form of micro-humor, involving attempts to crack each other up by uttering just a single carefully selected word, such as “oval” or “trousers”. It wasn’t the word’s meaning that mattered—it was the sound of the word and the delivery.

This came to mind while considering the work of Dutch vocalist Jaap Blonk, who was profoundly influenced by early 20th century sound poetry from the Dada art movement.

In particular, Blonk had a fascination with Kurt Schwitters’ ever-evolving “Ursonate” (excerpt: “Lanke trr gll / Pe pe pe pe pe / Ooka ooka ooka ooka”), which Blonk recorded in 1986 and performed when opening for the Stranglers, receiving a less-thanwarm reception of taunts and thrown beer containers.

Blonk’s new hour-long, 27-track album Joyous Junctures, released on cassette and digitally, hits the listener

from a dizzying array of angles. Occasionally accompanying Blonk’s daredevil, nonsensical vocals (singing both real and invented words) are strange synthesized tones and noises, seemingly attempting to match the oddball nature of Blonk’s vocals, and peculiar duets form, including “Agreeable Argument” which features Blonk’s vocals mirroring a weird synth onslaught—or is it the synth mimicking his vocals?

“Debate Rising” sounds like a mounting conversation between R2-D2 and a man panting and desperately gasping for breath, and “Hidden Skirmishes” is confrontational and abrasive, with Blonk providing an insane assortment of feral mouth sounds along with sharp, piercing tones.

When staying in a hotel room, sometimes the muffled conversations from next-door inhabitants can be heard, and from the tone and manner of the voices, it’s often possible to understand what is being communicated even if the words themselves aren’t discernible.

This type of implied communication comes through on several tracks on Joyous Junctures, from the guttural growls of “Morning Ghosts” that seem to be part of a sinister invocation, to others that drift by in a meditative reverie.

Blonk’s pieces are bewildering and wildly uncon-

18 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

ventional, but like Dada art, there can be a comical joy in being lost in the depths of absurdity and confusion.

David Greenberger and Prime Lens It Happened to Me (PelPel)

H

aving been acquainted with the work of David Greenberger and his longrunning project The Duplex Planet—manifested in zines, comics, albums featuring monologues and music, and more—since the ‘90s, this writer had a revelatory moment just last year when understanding how it all works together.

For more than four decades, Greenberger has been collecting conversations with elderly people, with varying topics and emotions, going from the deeply moving to the colorfully amusing with everything in between.

Among the most affecting pieces are the ones dealing with aging itself—health concerns, and how one might be limited in certain ways, such as not being able to drive.

The thing to understand

and accept is that people do different things at different stages of their lives, and there should be a dignity to this, without intrinsic pity toward the end. In an issue of The Duplex Planet, Penn Jillette recalls a conversation he had with Greenberger about Jillette’s aging parents, where Greenberger explained that “you need to love them for who they are now and not mourn the loss of who they were.”

As represented on Greenberger’s massive new 140-minute album It Happened to Me, created with the ensemble Prime Lens, the words from elderly people in Santa Ana, Calif.—all recited

by Greenberger in his own voice—are not simply oral histories or stories; they’re recent conversations, documenting current reflections or lenses through which the past is observed.

With cover art by Ed Ruscha, the sprawling album fills two CDs, and a vinyl edition is also available with a subset of tracks plus a download card for the entire 60-track album.

This is not an objective, critical review—the list of conflicts of interest here is vast—but instead, consider this an observational piece from your humble narrator.

Musically, It Happened to Me could serve as a sort of eclectic yet selective survey of 20th Century popular music, with primary composer

and keyboardist Tyson Rogers, percussionist Bob Stagner and bassist Evan Lipson effortlessly shifting between genres, conveying a jaunty, pert spirit or a pensive mood as required by each monologue.

As with other Greenberger albums, the issues of time and health concerns loom, but Greenberger always manages to spotlight fresh perspectives. On “Start Over”, an immigrant explains how death is feared and respected more in Thailand and discusses assimilation and identity, and “Back to Kentucky” concerns the overlooked logistics of dealing with someone with Alzheimer’s.

A mother embraces her age on “Suddenly: Bam!” when discussing her daughter moving out, but she acknowledges the never-ending surprises of parenthood and constant doubt of trying to be a good parent. One of the most insightful moments is on “How Long”, where an African immigrant explains, in the context of racism, “Sometimes in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, you still hold onto one thing” and that people can be pushed to their limits over a lifetime.

However, the album begins on a cheery, optimistic note with Francine Harris’ declaration that “I’m getting better.

I’m getting there. I’m claiming everything as a ‘yes’,” as a prime example of living in the moment.

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Who was the model for Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting Mona Lisa?

Many scholars think it was Italian noblewoman Lisa del Giocondo.

Leonardo wanted her to feel comfortable during the long hours she sat for him, so he hired musicians to play for her and people with mellifluous voices to read her stories. He built a musical fountain for her to gaze upon and a white Persian cat to cuddle. If it were within my power, I would arrange something similar for you in the coming weeks. Why? Because I’d love to see you be calmed and soothed for a concentrated period of time; to feel perfectly at ease, at home in the world, surrounded by beautiful influences you love. In my opinion, you need and deserve such a break from the everyday frenzy.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Genius inventor Thomas Edison rebelled against sleep, which he regarded as wasteful. He tried to limit his time in bed to four hours per night so he would have more time to work during his waking hours.

Genius scientist Albert Einstein had a different approach. He preferred ten hours of sleep per night, and liked to steal naps during the day, too. In my astrological opinion, Aries, you’re in a phase when it makes more sense to imitate Einstein than Edison. Important learning and transformation are happening in your dreams. Give your nightly adventures maximum opportunity to work their magic on your behalf.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Danish flag has a red background emblazoned with an asymmetrical white cross. It was a national symbol of power as early as the fourteenth century, and may have first emerged during a critical military struggle that established the Danish empire in 1219. No other country in the world has a flag with such an ancient origin. But if Denmark’s Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who’s a Taurus, came to me and asked me for advice, I would urge him to break with custom and design a new flag—maybe something with a spiral rainbow or a psychedelic tree. I’ll suggest an even more expansive idea to you, Taurus: create fresh traditions in every area of your life!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): On June 7, 1988, Gemini musician Bob Dylan launched what has come to be known as the Never Ending Tour. It’s still going. In the past 30+ years, he has performed almost 3,000 shows on every continent except Antarctica. In 2018 alone, at the age of 77, he did 84 gigs.

He’s living proof that not every Gemini is flaky and averse to commitment. Even if you yourself have flirted with flightiness in the past, I doubt you will do so in the next five weeks. On the contrary. I ex-

pect you’ll be a paragon of persistence, doggedness, and stamina.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The otters at a marine park in Miura City, Japan are friendly to human visitors. There are holes in the glass walls of their enclosures through which they reach out to shake people’s hands with their webbed paws. I think you need experiences akin to that in the coming weeks. Your mental and spiritual health will thrive to the degree that you seek closer contact with animals. It’s a favorable time to nurture your instinctual intelligence and absorb influences from the natural world. For extra credit, tune in to and celebrate your own animal qualities.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Between 1977 and 1992, civil war raged in Mozambique. Combatants planted thousands of land mines that have remained dangerous long after the conflict ended. In recent years, a new ally has emerged in the quest to address the problem: rats that are trained to find the hidden explosives so that human colleagues can defuse them. The expert sniffers don’t weigh enough to detonate the mines, so they’re ideal to play the role of saviors. I foresee a metaphorically comparable development in your future, Leo. You’ll get help and support from a surprising or seemingly unlikely source.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Imagine a stairway that leads nowhere; as you ascend, you realize that at the top is not a door or a hallway, but a wall. I suspect that lately you may have been dealing with a metaphorical version of an anomaly like this. But I also predict that in the coming weeks some magic will transpire that will change everything. It’s like you’ll find a button on the wall that when pushed opens a previously imperceptible door. Somehow, you’ll gain entrance through an apparent obstruction.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Not all of the classic works of great literature are entertaining. According to one survey of editors, writers, and librarians, Goethe’s Faust, Melville’s Moby Dick, and Cervantes’ Don Quixote are among the most boring masterpieces ever written. But most experts agree that they’re still valuable to read. In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to commune with other dull but meaningful things. Seek out low-key but rich offerings. Be aware that unexciting people and situations may offer clues and catalysts that you need.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many of you Scorpios regard secrecy as a skill worth cultivating. It serves your urge to gather and manage power. You’re aware that information is a valuable commodity, so

you guard it carefully and share it sparingly. This predilection sometimes makes you seem understated, even shy. Your hesitancy to express too much of your knowledge and feelings may influence people to underestimate the intensity that seethes within you. Having said all that, I’ll now predict that you’ll show the world who you are with more dazzle and flamboyance in the coming weeks. It’ll be interesting to see how you do that as you also try to heed your rule that information is power.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian actress and producer Deborra-Lee Furness has been married to megastar actor Hugh Jackman for 23 years. Their wedding rings are inscribed with a motto that blends Sanskrit and English, “Om paramar to the mainamar.” Hugh and DeborahLee say it means “we dedicate our union to a greater source.” In resonance with current astrological omens, I invite you to engage in a similar gesture with an important person in your life. Now is a marvelous time to deepen and sanctify your relationship by pledging yourselves to a higher purpose or beautiful collaboration or sublime mutual quest.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1997, a supercomputer named Deep Blue won six chess matches against Chess Grand Master Gary Kasparov. In 2016, an Artificial Intelligence called AlphaGo squared off against human champion Lee Sodol in a best-of-five series of the Chinese board game Go. AlphaGo crushed Sodol, four games to one. But there is at least one cerebral game in which human intelligence still reigns supreme: the card game known as bridge. No AI has as yet beat the best bridge players. I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I am sure that in the coming weeks, no AI could out-think and out-strategize you as you navigate your way through life’s tests and challenges.

You’ll be smarter than ever. P.S.: I’m guessing your acumen will be extra soulful, as well.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): At regular intervals, a hot stream of boiling water shoots up out of the earth and into the sky in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. It’s a geyser called Old Faithful. The steamy surge can reach a height of 185 feet and last for five minutes. When white settlers first discovered this natural phenomenon in the nineteenth century, some of them used it as a laundry. Between blasts, they’d place their dirty clothes in Old Faithful’s aperture. When the scalding flare erupted, it provided all the necessary cleansing. I’d love to see you attempt a metaphorically similar feat, Aquarius: harness a natural force for a practical purpose, or a primal power for an earthy task.

“In the Neighborhood”—along with the owl and the pussycat.

ACROSS 1 Biblical fratricide victim 5 Ragged peak 9 Passing lines 13 “3 Feet High and Rising” group ___ Soul 14 Pick up 16 Controversial director Riefenstahl 17 Current U.S. Secretary of Transportation 19 Cheap bar 20 Calico pony 21 Vaccination 23 Patch of grass 24 Holiday in Hanoi 25 Suffix for novel 28 In a genial manner 30 1992 song by The Cure that goes through the week 33 Airline from Stockholm 34 Likely 35 Fanning of “Maleficent” 36 Magazine for teens since 1965 40 “___ Is Us” 42 Charged-

up particle 43 Settings for med. dramas 46 Thought experiment featured in an episode of “The Good Place” 50 Meat dish with a filling 51 Mop & ___ (floor cleaner brand) 52 French possessive meaning “your” 54 Contribute 55 Thailand, formerly 57 “Inconceivable!”

59 “Cool, man” 61 TV host with a “Neighborhood of Make-Believe” (where the starts of the theme answers were found) 64 Letterman rival, once 65 Meditation teachers 66 “Language” of “haxored” and “pwn’d” 67 Agitated state 68 Word before or after break

69 Airport data, for short DOWN 1 Not so klutzy 2 Philosophy 3 2019 Hyundai model 4 Café au ___ 5 A.L. Central team, on a scoreboard 6 Tape deck button 7 Oohs’ followers 8 S’mores flavor component 9 Antiquarian 10 Diamond game, in Santo Domingo 11 Make use of 12 Create a colorful T-shirt 15 Swedish actress Rapace of the “Millennium” series 18 Domino’s ad character, once 22 ___ pedis (athlete’s foot) 26 ___ paneer (Indian spinach dish) 27 Do some keyboarding 29 2008 Verizon acquisition that once

had naming rights to Jacksonville’s stadium 31 “And ___ don’t know what’s going on!”

32 “Let ___!” (“Go ahead”) 37 Cuba y Puerto Rico, por ejemplo 38 “Star Trek” collective 39 Compound with a double bond 40 Walked on 41 Harry who died on Halloween 44 Amplify a certain message 45 Spoke ill of 46 Hiker’s routes 47 Inform 48 ___ the Pig (2019) 49 “With or Without You” singer 53 Complex orgs.

56 Prefix with byte or hertz 58 Stare at in a gross manner 60 “I ___ You Babe” 62 Talk smack about 63 Q-U filler

Copyright © 2019 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. 926 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 19

FILM & TELEVISION

Armbar Bildungsroman Exploring the life of a pro wrestling family

A Celebration Of Grindhouse Looking to break away from mundane theatrical releases this weekend? Then you should head to the Grindsploitation Film Festival hosted by The Palace Theater. Festival leader Chad Farmer and crew have handpicked some of the most wacked out and creative independent films never before screened within the city limits.

Farmer has spent years in the industry working on films with Nicholas Cage and veteran filmmakers across the country. He always wanted to bring the thrills of showcasing indie grindhouse and exploitation films to Chattanooga and by partnering up with The Palace Theater the dream has become a reality.

“This festival is all about taking care of the filmmakers and to display their talents to the world,” Farmer explains.

There will be five features and twenty short films during the two-day event. Film fans hungry for movies that offer more outlandish and cerebral experiences will have much to feast upon. Local filmmakers Christian Eaves and Chandler Gibson will have their works screened alongside filmmakers from around the world.

This flagship event will run March 8th–9th and promises to blow the mind and shock the senses. Get tickets at the door or online at chattpalace.myshopify.com. Search for “noogagrind” for showtimes and trailers.

— Brandon Watson

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

“

Night after night, people around the world suspend their disbelief and watch giants throw each other into the ropes, cursing the heels and praising the babyfaces.”

20 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

P

ROFESSIONAL WRESTLING IS A STRANGE SPORT, to say the least. Unlike most sports, where the athletes are competing against each other in a game of skill, and the person with the best performance comes out on top, professional wrestling is more of a dance for strong, capable athletes with a penchant for violence.

Everyone is more than aware that the action in the ring is scripted, the moves telegraphed, and the kicks and punches pulled. And yet, night after night, people around the world suspend their disbelief and watch giants throw each other into the ropes, cursing the heels and praising the babyfaces.

They become invested in the storylines, in the trajectory of their favorites, propelling the performers to stardom and success sometimes overnight. Wrestling stars are ninety percent charisma, which is why actors like John Cena and Dwayne Johnson are household names and crossover stars into the film industry, despite

mostly playing louder versions of themselves.

It’s the type of sport that doesn’t really lend itself to the traditional narrative found is the sports genre.

Most sports films show the unlikely beginnings, the rise, the montage, the culminating championship win, etc. But how can there be a satisfying conclusion when the winner of the championship is preordained?

Wrestling fans know. They just ignore the parts that don’t make sense. It’s as Hollywood as it gets if you really think about it.

Fighting With My Family is a film about the rise of pro wrestling star Saraya-Jade Bevis (Florence Pugh),

known in the wrestling world as Paige. Paige is from Norwich, England, the daughter of a pro wrestling couple with their own league known as the World Association of Wrestling.

It’s a league not unlike Chattanooga’s own Total Wrestling Entertainment out of Red Bank, something I didn’t even know existed until I discovered one of my students regularly worked the door at their matches. These leagues are mirrors of the WWE, just stripped down and homegrown, with their own characters and storylines.

Every wrestler there hopes to find their way into the lights of RAW and WrestleMania.

Saraya’s was a family of wrestlers, started by Ricky Knight (Nick Frost), the patriarch who started wrestling after he got out of prison and decided to go straight, and Sweet Saraya Knight (Lena Headly), the matriarch who named her own daughter after her stage personality.

Paige began wrestling at 13 with her brother Zak (known as Zak Zodiac) and they quickly gained popularity among the local wrestling fans.

Eventually, Paige and Zak are invited to audition for WWE, where Paige wins a spot and Zak doesn’t. The film follows Paige as

“

We know where it’s going, wrestling fans especially, and as a result the effect when we get there is somewhat underwhelming.” she moves to Florida to pursue her dream, as well as Zak as he stays in Norwich and tries to maintain his life after losing his.

As far as sports movies are concerned, Fighting With My Family is relatively textbook. Written and directed by Stephen Merchant, audiences might have expected the film to be funnier, less straightforward. I certainly did. But Merchant follows a formula with his story that matched nearly every sports film you’ve ever seen. This doesn’t make the film boring, necessarily, but it doesn’t exactly make it essential either.

We know where it’s going, wrestling fans especially, and as a result the effect when we get there is somewhat underwhelming. There are cameos of famous wrestlers, a few witty one liners, and lots of “believe in yourself and work hard” motifs bleeding out of every scene.

Truth be told, Zak’s story is the more interesting one, as he has to overcome the loss of his entire

personality. Paige just has to learn to interact with Americans and lift a few tires. The directing is simple and effective enough, but there are no risks in the film, likely because the WWE wasn’t interested in showing any.

That’s because the film is largely a commercial for the WWE and pro wrestling in general. If we were to take the film at face value, the WWE exists to make dreams come true. There’s some cursory mention of the way wrestlers will abuse their bodies for the sake of stardom, but none of that appears to be encouraged by the organization itself, even though almost anyone could make a case for the exploitive nature of the WWE. If you’re interested in this side of it, in seeing wrestling through the eyes of the wrestlers and the nature of the industry, at least during the beginnings of the sport being televised, I’d recommend the show GLOW on Netflix. Fighting With My Family is too bland to provide any real insight.

✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴

Captain Marvel Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Directors: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck Stars: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law

The Sex Trip After a shallow womanizer refuses a mysterious homeless woman's request for a kiss, he wakes up the next morning to discover he's been changed into a woman.

Director: Anthony G. Cohen Stars: Jade Ramsey, Louis Mandylor, Marc Crumpton, Charlotte Ellen Price

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 21

COLUMN · GAME ON!

Moscow Train To Scary Town Russian train simulator absolutely nails survival action horror

J Brandon Watson Pulse columnist

“

Metro: Exodus may not appeal to the fast twitch shooter, but those with a taste for a deliberate and scary quest through a postapocalyptic hellscape will find much to love with this game.”

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

OURNEYS AND ADVENTURES that are too fantastical or plausible can be had in the climate-controlled comfort of the living room or fun cave.

Whether it be a quiet game of solitaire, a smoky night of 7-Stud with buds, or vaporizing aliens with your kids, there is no denying that games can become a trip away from the mundane.

There are games that can appeal to almost anyone. Gaming is in and of itself one of the most inclusive activities we can do as a species. Ukrainian developer 4A Games’ latest release Metro: Exodus may not be for every gamer but it’s definitely worth the trip, especially if you fancy yourself a connoisseur of the survival horror genre.

Metro: Exodus is the third game based on the book series “Metro 2033” from Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky. The books, as well as the game franchise, focus on the survivors of Moscow after the entire world has gone through a nuclear war.

The survivors create independent states deep within the metro subway system and are constantly at odds with bloodthirsty mutations and bloodthirsty political parties. It’s a dark and brutal existence in the “Metroverse”, where scavenging is a lucrative skill and bullets the most precious commodity next to clean air.

At the heart of the books and games is a young man named Artyom. In game he is the silent protagonist who may have the biggest pair of brass balls in all video game history. You play the story through his eyes and guide him through dark corridors and postwar wreckage, and sometimes into the claws of ferocious monsters.

The combination of Crazy Ivan meets post-apocalyptic horror fiction go together like peanut butter and jelly. Add some trains, realistic weather effects, and newspaper rolled cigarettes, and you’re on the rails for a truly cinematic adventure.

22 • THE PULSE • MARCH 7, 2019 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

What Metro: Exodus absolutely nails here is the atmosphere and nuance that carry over from the previous two games.

The true star of Metro: Exodus is the setting. It’s a brilliantly crafted world that ramps up the wonder and terror of survival in a fictional post-nuked world.

You will slog through swamps, sneak through bandit camps, crawl in wrecked hidey holes for precious materials and supplies. You will run for your life, be ambushed by chameleon ghouls, and stalked by bug-eyed horrors both aquatic and aerial. Once you witness a Watchman climb up a rusted car to sniff the air and then turn in your direction to call in his hunting pack your mind will shatter into pieces.

Metro: Exodus is to be slowly approached and explored; runners and gunners need not apply. You will be swarmed on all sides and you will often times be totally overwhelmed. Adaptation and improvisation are critical; you will need to out think and out maneuver in order to survive.

Caring for your weapons and equipment is essential for survival. I discovered that if I didn’t clean my beloved sniper rifle the shots would be off by several tics.

In a game where precision and timing could mean life or death it forced me to pay better attention to my gear. I appreciate this and the lack of any navigation

HUD or fast travel option. This cranks the immersion factor to 11; there is no hand holding in Metro: Exodus and I love it.

The graphics are great and fitting with the content. Rain beads up on your gas mask, frost devilishly encroaches on your vision, and darkness looms ominously before you. You can see breath condense on the gas mask and can literally count the stitching of Artyom’s gloves. Though I did encounter some clipping issues and one instance where an attacking monster fused to Artyom’s body, the bugs are very minimal and not game breaking.

The musical score during tense moments in the game fires on all cylinders and intensifies moments to induce teethchattering anxiety. The ambient sounds like rain dropping, wind blowing, and water lapping all help breathe life to the fictional world. Audio cues warn you of environmental hazards and will have you jumping from your skin frequently.

There are even instances when you hear the pant of mutants stalking through tall grass; it’s clear and utter horror!

Metro: Exodus may not appeal to the fast twitch shooter, but those with a taste for a deliberate and scary quest through a post-apocalyptic hellscape will find much to love with this game. Just be sure to have the cute kitty videos on standby for when you inevitably need to calm down.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 7, 2019 • THE PULSE • 23