The Pulse 15.13 » March 29, 2018

MARCH 29, 2018

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 15, ISSUE 13 • MARCH 29, 2018

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

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Gary Poole Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Adam Beckett Rob Brezsny Matt Jones Cindy McCashin Tony Mraz Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib Ward Raymond Brandon Watson Addie Whitlow Editorial Interns Adrienne Kaufmann Austin M. Hooks Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

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ADVERTISING Director of Sales Mike Baskin Account Executives Rick Leavell • Libby Phillips Danielle Swindell • Logan Vandergriff

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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 © 2018 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

The popularity surrounding the use, consumption, cultivation, and processing of hemp is spreading like wildfire across Tennessee and the rest of the country. The continuous expansion of its uses is magnificently beneficial for humanity, as well as mother Earth.

SUPPORTING LOCAL ART AND ARTISTS

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ARTHUR ALEXANDER HAS ONE VERY GOOD BAR LEFT

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On any given day, visitors to Reflections Gallery on Lee Highway are treated to an ever-changing array of work by local artists and craftspersons.

CONTACT Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse

The Past, Present & Future Of Hemp

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Rock and roll is a genre rife with stories of excess, debauchery, groupies, drugs, destruction and indulgence, all of which can make for an interesting weekend, but it’s good to know there are still some powerful and uplifting stories too.

A PEARL OF GREAT BEAUTY

For almost two decades, there has been an initiative in Chattanooga to create an environment that is hospitable to artists. The push to make Chattanooga an “Arts City” is finally paying off.

ROCK ’EM, SOCK ‘EM ROBOTIC BOREDOM

Life was better when I was eight. As I watch my own eight-year-old, I often get to see him enjoy a variety of things that an adult can’t always derive pleasure from.

5 CONSIDER THIS

14 ARTS CALENDAR

23 JONESIN' CROSSWORD

9 DAY TRIPPIN'

17 ART OF BUSINESS

25 NEW IN THEATERS

10 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

20 MUSIC CALENDAR

25 GAME ON!

11 DINING OUT

22 MUSIC REVIEWS CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS · CITY LIFE

Supporting Local Artists Lee Highway's Reflections Gallery is a must-visit

By Cindy McCashin Pulse contributor

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All of our artists are based in Chattanooga or the immediate surrounding areas. We feature a constant rotation of up to fifteen artists at any given time.”

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N ANY GIVEN DAY, VISITORS TO REFLECTIONS GALlery on Lee Highway are treated to an ever-changing array of work by local artists and craftspersons.

For more than 30 years, Reflections Gallery has supported the Chattanooga area artist community. “All of our artists are based in Chattanooga or the immediate surrounding areas,” says artist liaison Lora Miller. “We feature a constant rotation of up to fifteen artists at any given time.”

From appealing landscapes and lifelike portraits, to stunning abstract pieces and mixed media creations, the work featured is always varied in both medium and style. Many of the artists also offer custom commissioned work…just ask the staff. The ability to choose your own size, style and colors make commissioning an original artwork one of the easiest ways to find the perfect fit.

Currently, among a dozen or so local artists exhibiting work at Reflections

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Gallery are Cindy McCashin, Margaret Park, and Helen Brooks. These three distinctive local artists work in a variety of art mediums and unique styles.

Cindy’s work includes pieces in both acrylics and watercolors. She is fascinated by architecture, and many of her paintings depict local landmarks. Also among her favorite subjects are charming but often dilapidated houses and barns, as well as serene seascapes and landscapes.

Margaret’s evocative watercolors are a study in light, shadows and reflections. Through her brushes, she brings her florals and landscapes to life. She has explored many mediums during her art career, working in oils and pastels, but says watercolors are her current favorite.

Helen is best known for combining acrylics and textures to create intriguing collage pieces. She calls them her “accidental” creations because once the focal point is established, the patterns, textures, shapes and “rhythms” continually change until her artist’s eye tells her a work is finished.

Art lovers will also find gifts ranging from pottery and decorative gourds to one-of-a-kind wood creations. The gift selection also includes jewelry handcrafted from silver and other metals as well as magnificent beadwork.

Nearly everyone on the staff at Reflections Gallery is an artist in his or her own right, each possessing an “eye” for how to best present each featured artist’s work. The “bread and butter” of Reflections Gallery since its inception though, is their custom framing studio, with its seemingly endless selection of framing materials.

Reflections Gallery is also home to a building and teaching Stained Glass Studio, offering classes for all skill levels. Classes are led by Studio Director Summer Harrison. Summer also accepts commissions, and does masterful restorations and repairs. Always experimenting with new ideas, she creates everything from small sun catchers to full doors and windows, each designed by hand.

Adding to the charm of this wonderful 3,000 sq. ft. gallery space are its two resident felines, Pip and Coal, whose only job is to act as occasional tour guides, and do their best to look adorable in the hope of receiving even more attention from visitors than the already considerable amount of love and attention regularly given them by gallery staff.

Art pairs well with belly rubs, it seems.

Several times throughout the year, the gallery hosts free open houses and individual receptions to highlight one or more artists’ work. Reflections Gallery is located at 6922 Lee Highway near the intersection of Lee Hwy. and Shallowford Rd. near Champy’s.

Cons ider This w ith Dr. Rick

“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and dance and live only as you can.” —author unknown

The Great Adult Egg Hunt An artistic Easter egg hunt for the kid in all of us This Saturday is the Great Adult Egg Hunt event hosted by The Chattery. Yes, an egg hunt for us grownups. As a nonprofit, The Chattery is committed to bettering our community through educational workshops and events, and the Adult Egg Hunt is an attempt to bring local artists together with community members.

The canvas of choice is an evergreen wooden egg expertly crafted with Easter in mind. Each participant will be responsible for hunting down each of these egg-shaped gems scattered across Sculpture Fields at Montague Park located.

Everyone will be asked to take ownership of a single egg as a memento and keepsake. So, if you find more than one, get ready to share with everyone else.

Furthermore, given that the event is intended to educate the community about local venues, businesses, and artists, the Adult Egg Hunt will spread on to main street for Hoppy Hour. As you hop from business to business, you will continue adding awareness to our community that thrives on its mutual relationship with the populace.

In addition, local restaurants

and businesses will be supplying their goods as you traipse across the abstract sculptures that give the area its name. Enjoy Clumpie’s ice cream, beer from the Bitter Alibi, food and coffee provided by MOUTHGREMLIN, and tunes by DJ MC PRO. The event starts Saturday at 2 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to wear their Sunday best for a more authentic Easter experience.

For more information, call (404) 290-2840 or visit thechattery.org.

Sculpture Fields is located at 1800 Polk St. — Austin M. Hooks

As the philosopher Osho puts it, “The moment you accept yourself, you become beautiful.” When you accept your past, your past gets its voice.

When you accept your hardships and struggles…your story comes alive.

If you accept your dreams and realize that no matter how others may laugh and deride, you are already farther along than they are.

It doesn’t matter your age, faith, country of origin, sexual orientation or anything else you may be used to seeing as an obstacle.

Stop waiting. Stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for enough money, for someone to fall in love with you. All you have is the glorious, present moment. And it’s all yours.

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

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COLUMN · DAY TRIPPIN'

Birmingham: Remembering The Struggle Come experience Civil Rights history and so much more in nearby Alabama

T Ward Raymond Pulse contributor

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The relevance to today is unmistakable in the display of Bull Connor’s actual ‘tank’, perhaps the first militarized vehicle used by police against peaceful protestors.”

Ward Raymond has been writing for The Pulse for several years now, covering everything from southern literature to classical music to traveling all around the Southeast and beyond.

HE OLDER WHITE WOMAN on the video has a whimsical, remorseful tone as she asks: Why don’t the Negroes sing and whistle cheerfully as they pass down the streets of Birmingham, like they used to? She is nicely dressed, well put together, ensconced in a bower of affluence, obviously.

The Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham continuously plays that brief video as a strong reminder that white people’s clueless complacency—added onto virulent, violent racism—was a thousandton weight of inertia on black people’s political and social progress.

The Institute draws you in with facts: an informative booklet of civil rights court cases; photographs of fire hoses and police dogs being used on peaceful juvenile protestors in the 1963 Birmingham “Children’s Crusade”; news headlines of protests and reprisals, both famous and lesser-known events.

And also artifacts: the front of a bus, symbolic of the Freedom Riders and bus boycotters who defied segregation on public transit; the shameful white and “colored” water fountains; actual authentic KKK robes, which provoked in me an unexpectedly visceral revulsion.

The fourth of four galleries at the institute, the Human Rights Gallery, expands its vision to the worldwide struggle for freedom and dignity in many modern times and places, adding an important follow-on to the earlier exhibits focused on the southern United States.

The relevance to today is unmistakable in the display of Bull Connor’s actual “tank,” perhaps the first militarized vehicle used by police against peaceful protestors. But not the last.

Outside the institute, history surrounds

you in the streets of Birmingham. The CRI is located directly across the street from the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four little girls were killed in a 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing as they prepared for Sunday School.

A poignant sculpture of the girls at play stands in a park on the adjacent corner. The institute definitely merits an afternoon in Birmingham in its own right, to remind the old and instruct the young how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go.

When you leave, you’ll be hungry for food as well as righteousness. A great place to eat some soul food is just two blocks down 16th Street North at “Mrs. B’s on Fourth,” unpretentious and filling—fried chicken and fish with the kind of sides and vegetables that Southerners like, warm and mushy, and that visitors from elsewhere can learn to appreciate.

Continuing to 16th Street South, the visitor is rewarded with another venue for remembrance of the not-forgotten, nor-lamented days of segregation: the Birmingham Negro Southern League

Museum.

You’ve gotta love a place that immortalizes guys nicknamed Candy Jim, Heavy, Cannonball, and “The Ghost.”

Naturally, it has bats, uniforms, photographs, original contracts, memorabilia, and even sets of grandstand seats from Southern League stadiums, where the black teams sometimes played on “off” days from the white teams’ schedule— including old Engel Stadium from Chattanooga!

For a finishing touch on a day trip to Birmingham, visit the Peanut Place at 2016 Morris Avenue, a storefront shop where several delicious flavors of nuts can be sampled and purchased, all prepared using original, antique roasting vessels and methods.

This historic street is paved with oldtimey cobblestones, and when I visited, the store windows had been redecorated for a movie set depicting a Canadian city from a century ago.

History, in all its many guises, lies always just below the surface of the present in Birmingham.

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COVER STORY

The Past, Present & Future Of Hemp Once considered a public health menace, hemp is being seen in a new light

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HE POPULARITY SURROUNDING THE USE, CONSUMPtion, cultivation, and processing of hemp is spreading like wildfire across Tennessee and the rest of the country. The continuous expansion of its uses is magnificently beneficial for humanity, as well as mother Earth.

The hemp plant is a versatile, powerhouse plant that has multiple benefits and uses. The ancient domesticated crop has been used for thousands of years, and with nearly as much purpose.

It is used as a renewable source for raw materials that can be used to make countless products. This magical plant is used in its entirety for various things, the seeds and stalks are separately utilized for their specific traits.

The seed nut is used in making breads, granola/cereal, milk and dairy products, and protein powder. The seed oil is used in fuel, lubricants, ink, varnish, and paint. The hemp hurd is used for animal bedding, mulch, chemical absorbent, fiberboard, insulation, and concrete. The bast fiber is used as cordage/rope, netting, canvas, carpet, bio composites, clothes, shoes, and bags.

The stalk is used as biofuel/ethanol, paper products, cardboard, and fibers.

Hemp is used as organic human and pet food, durable clothing, biodegradable plastic, economical paper that saves trees and protects wildlife and forests, construction materials like hempcrete that is cement made by using the core fibers and minerals from the plant, fuel, body oils and lotions, and oilbased products.

The incredibly short ninety-day growth production cycle makes it a sensible and effective crop. With its multi purposeful might, hemp can singlehandedly help conserve the planet’s resources, espe-

cially the trees.

Though people that are close-minded to it are right about the fact that it technically is a part of the cannabis family, it has a totally different chemical makeup, and cultivation process; think of it as marijuana’s distant cousin. They look alike, but they are opposite entities.

Where marijuana produces the psychoactive chemical THC, the hemp plant lacks the ingredient, it does not have the capability to alter peoples state of mind; it does however produce the ever so medically beneficial Cannabidiol/CBD. CBD is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid compound that possesses tremendous healing capabilities. It is a non-toxic, non-euphoric substance that is used to combat a multitude of ailments in humans and pets alike. The compound can be taken in a variety of ways, where the oil can be converted into a smokable and vapeable product like that of traditional cannabinoids, it can also be fused into pain salves, tinctures, lotions, bath bombs, soaps, beauty products, dog treats, gummies, chocolates, and various edibles. CBD is most popular for its pain and inflammation battling powers, however, it is much more valuable that merely a pain reliever.

Outside of its pain and inflammation reliving powers, it has been proven to have positive results in treating seizures and disorders that are linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuro-

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nal injury, and psychiatric diseases.

Where all the medicinal benefits are unclear and require further research to unlock its full potential, it has been revealed that it can be effective in fighting cancer, curbing anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorders, attention deficit disorder, sleep deprivation, hormone imbalance, psychotic behavior, nausea relief, lowering incidence of diabetes, depression, and promoting cardiovascular health.

Beyond the countless personal testimonies that come out of millions of people from all over the world that suffer from various ailments, and that have completely stopped taking prescription medication due to the introduction of CBD in their life, multiple global clinical studies, and peer reviewed research provides evidence that CBD is a potent and effective medicine.

With the state of the opioid epidemic continuously spiraling out of

control, it is safe to say that alternate methods of medically treating people that suffer from pain are in order.

CBD could very well be the answer to both easing peoples pain, and for positively impacting the opioid crisis, locally, and abroad.

State statistics on opiate related overdoses and deaths have been rising at alarming rates over the past decade and continue to rise day after day. According to https://www.tn.gov, Tennessee is ranked in the top fifteen states for drug overdoses and deaths.

Each year, more opioid prescriptions are written than there are people that live in Tennessee, with more than one million prescriptions left over. Lives are lost, and families are torn apart by it. The epidemic does not discriminate, people from all walks of life are susceptible to fall victim of its controlling grasp.

The State is implementing measures that involve prevention, treatment, and law enforcement to help

fight the growing crisis. Breakthrough research that surrounds CBD indicates that the cannabis sativa L. plant, which was adopted by Tennessee as a legal crop for industrial purposes, could very well be the thing that saves its people in the long run. As research continues to solidify, perhaps making CBD readily available, and more affordable for the people facing medical ailments should be something for the State to consider as an option to combat opioid use.

Tennessee is blessed to be one of the States in the Union that have legalized hemp for industrial purposes. In 2014, HB 2032 passed, and allows for the licensed cultivation of industrial hemp when “grown by an institution of higher education in this state that offers a baccalaureate or post graduate level program in agricultural sciences.” The law also establishes a process for licensure to persons who wish to process or distribute industrial hemp.

Even though the cultivation and production of hemp products is permitted in Tennessee, it does not mean that people can just grow hemp at will. There is a license and inspection program for the production of industrial hemp in Tennessee. According to Tennessee’s State website, www.tn.gov, The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is accepting applications from farmers and producers in Tennessee that are interested in growing hemp. A Memorandum of Understanding about all of the legal logistics coincide with the application, and can be downloaded at tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/industrialhemp.shtml.

The website instructs applicants to “sign the application and MOU, and include the particular cultivar they wish to use, and the quantity requested. If the application is approved, the department will assist in obtaining the seed in compliance with the requirements of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Individuals are not permitted to import their own seed.” The completed

application and MOU can be emailed to industrial.hemp@tn.gov, or mailed to Industrial Hemp Program, Consumer and Industry Services Division, TN Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 40627, Nashville, Tennessee, 37204.

The application for the 2018 growing season ends on April 1st, so where it may be too late to apply as a hemp producer for this season, it gives inspired minds the opportunity to prepare for next season, and jump into the hemp industry in the near future. The crop being legal in Tennessee blows the doors off of opportunity for people to get involved while the boom is in its early phase of development.

Hemp is not legal in every state, so not every American is gifted this golden opportunity to become a part of something that is so effective, adaptable, and groundbreaking. We collectively have still yet to learn the endless benefits of hemp, medicinal or otherwise, imagine what tomorrow could reveal about it, imagine the potential and endless opportunity associated with it.

Local hemp enthusiast, and owner of the local Chattanooga business Hemp House, Dwayne Madden, is do-

ing some fantastic things for hemp and CBD in Chattanooga. His efforts will help to be the catalyst that will fully integrate it in the community. It is refreshing to see people doing things for the right reason.

All the products that he uses are sourced from Tennessee hemp farms, which he visits frequently to ensure top quality. He believes wholeheartedly in the multifaceted power of hemp as much as he does in strengthening the community. When somebody truly believes in something, they light up when discussing the topic.

Watching Madden shine while discussing hemp is a truly beautiful thing.

Listening to him talk about its benefits, and about his many clients that have been able to shake prescription medicine because of the products that he supplies is inspirational.

Madden is constantly involved with events that are aimed to educate the community about hemp, as well as taking part in hemp projects that demonstrate the capacity of the dynamic crop.

He works diligently to help spread the word about hemp, and about other local businesses that produce and deal

in hemp products.

He works closely with local hemp operations such as Alleviate Pharms, the Blue Ridge Hemp Company, Kat’s Naturals, Rush Hemp Farms, Veteran Grown Hemp CBD Oil, and Tennessee Homegrown. The hemp industry, as well as Chattanooga, is lucky to have him as an advocate. He will certainly help to tie this marvelous crop in with the community.

Closed-minded thinking could lead the way for people to completely dismiss the mighty plant, and its sundry benefits and uses since it is a member of the cannabis family, but forward thinking and open mindedness will pave the way for hemp to continue making an impact.

The positive impact that this expansive crop can unleash on the world is endless. For those that cannot get past the fact that it is marijuana and are not open to its benefits should attend a few of the local happenings that are centered around hemp. Maybe the firsthand experience, as well as communicating with experts about the plant could help them open their minds and hearts about it.

Tennessee residents should embrace this multi-layered crop. It is the promise of a brighter future, and a greener environment. It can provide jobs, strengthen and build communities, change lives, provide healing medicine, impact the opioid epidemic, and change the world. Tennessee can change the game with hemp, and hemp can change the game for Tennessee. Get involved, make a difference.

Adam Beckett has been writing professionally for over a decade throughout the Southeast and has produced many articles that have been featured on major news networks, online sites, magazines and newspapers.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): A few years ago, a New Zealander named Bruce Simpson announced plans to build a cruise missile at his home using parts he bought legally from eBay and other online stores. In accordance with current astrological omens, I suggest you initiate a comparable project. For example, you could arrange a do-ityourself space flight by tying a thousand helium balloons to your lawn chair. APRIL FOOL! I lied. Please don’t try lunatic schemes like the helium balloon space flight. Here’s the truth: Now is a favorable time to initiate big, bold projects, but not foolish, big, bold projects. The point is to be both visionary and practical.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Finnish word kalsarikännit means getting drunk at home alone in your underwear and bingeing on guilty pleasures. It’s a perfect time for you to do just that. The Fates are whispering, “Chill out. Vegetate. Be ambitionless.”

APRIL FOOL! I told a half-truth. In fact, now is a perfect time to excuse yourself from trying too hard and doing too much. You can accomplish wonders and marvels by staying home and bingeing on guilty pleasures in your underwear. But there’s no need to get drunk.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Actor Gary Busey is very sure there are no mirrors in heaven. He has other specific ideas about the place, as well. This became a problem when he was filming the movie Quigley, in which his character Archie visits heaven. Busey was so enraged at the director’s mistaken rendering of paradise that he got into a fist fight with another actor. I hope you will show an equally feisty fussiness in the coming weeks, Gemini. APRIL FOOL! I lied, sort of. On the one hand, I do hope you’ll be forceful as you insist on expressing your high standards.

Don’t back down! But on the other hand, refrain from pummeling anyone who asks you to compromise.

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CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the Scots language still spoken in parts of Scotland, eedle-doddles are people who can’t summon initiative when it’s crunch time. They are so consumed in trivial or irrelevant concerns that they lose all instinct for being in the right place at the right time. I regret to inform you that you are now at risk of being an eedle-doddle. APRIL FOOL! I lied. In fact, the truth is just the opposite. I have rarely seen you so wellprimed to respond vigorously and bravely to Big Magic Moments. For the foreseeable future, you are King or Queen of Carpe Diem.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Paul McCartney likes to periodically act like a regular person who’s not a famous musician. He goes grocery shopping without bodyguards. He rides on public transportation and strikes up conversations with random strangers. I think you may need to engage in similar behavior yourself, Leo. You’ve become a bit too enamored with your own beauty and magnificence.

You really do need to come down to earth and hang out more with us little people. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, now is prime time to hone your power and glory; to indulge your urge to shine and dazzle; to be as conspicuously marvelous as you dare to be.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The coming days will be an excellent time to concoct an alchemical potion that will heal your oldest wounds. For best results, mix and sip a gallon of potion using the following magic ingredients: absinthe, chocolate syrup, cough medicine, dandelion tea, cobra venom, and worm’s blood. APRIL FOOL! I mixed a lie in with a truth. It is a fact that now is a fine time to seek remedies for your ancient wounds.

But the potion I recommended is bogus. Go on a quest for the real cure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I expect you will soon receive a wealth of exotic and expensive gifts. For example, a benefactor may finance your vacation to a gorgeous sacred site or give you the deed to an enchanted waterfall. I won’t be surprised if you’re blessed with a solid gold bathtub or a year’s supply of luxury cupcakes. It’s even possible that a sugar daddy or sugar momma will fork over $500,000 to rent an auditorium for a party in your honor.

APRIL FOOL! I distorted the truth. I do suspect you’ll get more goodies than usual in the coming weeks, but they’re likely to come in the form of

Homework: What quality or behavior in you would most benefit from healthy self-mocking? Write Freewillastrology.com love and appreciation, not flashy material goods. (For best results, don’t just wait around for the goodies to stream in; ask for them!)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s a narrow waterway between Asia and Europe. In the fifth century B.C., Persian King Xerxes had two bridges built across it so he could invade Greece with his army. But a great storm swept through and smashed his handiwork. Xerxes was royally peeved. He ordered his men to whip the uncooperative sea and brand it with hot irons, all the while shouting curses at it, like “You are a turbid and briny river.” I recommend that you do something similar, Scorpio. Has Nature done anything to inconvenience you? Show it who’s the Supreme Boss! APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is, now is an excellent time for you to become more attuned and in love with a Higher Power, however you define that. What’s greater than you and bigger than your life and wilder than you can imagine? Refine your practice of the art of surrender.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Fifteenth-century Italian painter Filippo Lippi was such a lustful womanizer that he sometimes found it tough to focus on making art. At one point, his wealthy and politically powerful patron Cosimo de’ Medici, frustrated by his extracurricular activities, imprisoned him in his studio to ensure he wouldn’t get diverted. Judging from your current astrological omens, Sagittarius, I suspect you need similar constraints. APRIL FOOL! I fibbed a little. I am indeed worried you’ll get so caught up in the pursuit of pleasure that you’ll neglect your duties.

But I won’t go so far as to suggest you should be locked up for your own good.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Now is a favorable time to slap a lawsuit on your mom in an effort to make her pay for the mistakes she made while raising you. You could also post an exposé on social media in which you reveal her shortcomings, or organize

a protest rally outside her house with your friends holding signs demanding she apologize for how she messed you up. APRIL FOOL! Everything I just said was ridiculous and false. The truth is, now is a perfect moment to meditate on the gifts and blessings your mother gave you. If she is still alive, express your gratitude to her.

If she has passed on, do a ritual to honor and celebrate her.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Alice Walker won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel The Color Purple. She has also published 33 other books and built a large audience. But some of her ideas are not exactly mainstream. For example, she says that one of her favorite authors is David Icke, who asserts that intelligent extraterrestrial reptiles have disguised themselves as humans and taken control of our planet’s governments. I bring this to your attention, because I think it’s time that you, too, reveal the full extent of how crazy you really are. APRIL FOOL! I half-lied.

While it’s true that now is a favorable time to show more of your unconventional and eccentric sides, I don’t advise you to go full-on whacko.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Warning!

Danger! You are at risk of contracting a virulent case of cherophobia! And what exactly is cherophobia? It’s a fear of happiness. It’s an inclination to dodge and shun joyful experiences because of the suspicion that they will disappoint you or cause bad luck.

Please do something to stop this insidious development. APRIL FOOL! I lied. The truth is that you are currently more receptive to positive emotions and delightful events than you’ve been in a log time. There’s less than a one-percent chance you will fall victim to cherophobia.

Rob Brezsny is an aspiring master of curiosity, perpetrator of sacred uproar, and founder of the Beauty and Truth Lab. He brings a literate, myth-savvy perspective to his work. It’s all in the stars.

FOOD & DRINK

Dining Out: Moe's Southwest Grill Fresh Southwestern fare, aptly named after your favorite pop culture icons Brooke Brown

Pulse Assistant Editor

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Moe’s has carved out its own place in the hearts and stomachs of Chattanoogans, and continuously goes head to head with some tough competition.”

The Scoop Moe's Southwest Grill 1820 Gunbarrel Rd. Chattanooga, TN (423) 553-6930 5510-A Highway 153 Hixson, TN (423) 875-8757 73 Parkway Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA (706) 419-8511 www.moes.com

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NLY ONE RESTAURANT can make you smile by shouting at you the moment you walk in the door. “Welcome to Moe’s!” is the signature greeting of one of Chattanooga’s most delicious southwest-style eateries.

Moe’s Southwest Grill boats two Chattanooga locations, on Gunbarrel and Highway 153, as well as a location inside UTC’s university center and a Fort Oglethorpe store for all your quesotopped needs.

Well established in the Chattanooga market, Moe’s has carved out its own place in the hearts and stomachs of Chattanoogans, and continuously goes head to head with some tough competition.

Their menu offers everything from burritos, nachos, and burrito bowls (sans burrito) to quesadillas, tacos, salads, and their signature stacks, which is the collaboration of a burrito and taco in one. All the crunch of a taco and all the softness of a flour tortilla burrito, the stack is a personal favorite and can be customized to your perfect preference, like all of Moe’s menu options.

If you’ve ever been to Moe’s, you’ve probably wondered why all the menu options had…odd names.

“Most of the items are pop culture references,” says owner Trey Koontz. “Our salad, the Close Talker, comes directly from Seinfeld where Judge Reinhold plays a character that everyone said was a little bit of a close talker.”

And budding from the pop culture references, a quesadilla isn’t a quesadilla, it’s a John Coctosan, an alias of Chevy Chase in the movie Fletch. Or if you want a chicken club quesadilla order a First Rule of Chicken Club, an obvious

nod to Fight Club. In this case, I think it is okay to tell people how delicious the quesadilla was despite the first rule...

Whether you’re a meat-eater or a vegetarian, Moe’s can whip up whatever you like. If you want protein, choose from grass-fed steak, all-natural adobo chicken, pork carnitas, 100 percent ground beef, or organic tofu. The toppings are almost too many to list, but the staples include seasoned rice, black or pinto beans, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and so many more, all perfectly doused in creamy, white-gold queso (if you’re into that kind of cheesy goodness.)

For those of you seasoned Moe’s patrons, you’ve probably noticed the interesting, food-filled artwork on their walls. What you may not know is that one-hundred percent of the food featured in the photos is used in-store at Moe’s, and with their Rockin’ Rewards app you can experience the photos in augmented reality.

Download the app next time you head to Moe’s and not only will you access the photos’ secrets, but you’ll get a free order of queso just for signing up with the app, and who doesn’t want free queso?

Beyond their greeting setting them apart from the competition, every Moe’s entree comes with free chips and access to the salsa bar, which features five to six signature salsas, with two being seasonal and periodically rotating.

Right now they’re featuring Ghostujang salsa, an extra spicy, but slightly sweet ghost pepper salsa, and Ahhhhhvocado, a mild salsa made with tomatillos, peppers, guac, and lime juice.

Staple salsas like tomatillo, kaiser, and el guano can always be found on the bar, made fresh every morning.

Moe’s can be ordered online, whether it’s just one meal or a catering spread for any wedding event, get together, or work lunch. Their catering is reasonably priced and takes one more stress out of event planning with their delivery and set up.

Moe’s is the place to go for a quick bite at lunch or for a dinner with the whole family, meaning no clean-up and dish-washing for you. Moe Mondays offer burritos at just $5.99 and Tuesdays kid’s meals are only 99 cents with the purchase of an adult entree.

Family-friendly and an all-around fun place to hang out, Moe’s is always ready to welcome you.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating Everything Art SPOT Venue presents “Celebrations: A Community Collaboration” this Friday. Experience over 30 artists committed to sharing all the major art groups: music, dance, acting, and painting. Sponsored by ArtsBuild and Chattanooga Brewing Co., the event begins with a series of choreographed dance routines and actor-driven improv.

Expect the genres to range from classical, to jazz, to anything contemporary. As the improvisations begin, be ready to join actors on stage as everyone is invited to participate. Meanwhile, a musical performance will be provided by Jade Alger, a Chattanooga based musician self-described as one with “lilting melodies mixed with meandering guitar acoustics.”

Visual artists will join the show as well. Attendees will see the works of at least ten artists who’ve come to present their achievements. You can even take your favorite piece home if you meet their asking price.

And if the multitude of crafty events begins to overwhelm you, take a break and enjoy delicious, complimentary refreshments and a refreshing beer provided you are 21 or over.

Event producer, Jerigray Eduave, regards the event as an “opportunity for all types of artists in the area and a chance to widen the demographic of people who attend art events.”

It all starts this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the SPOT venue located at 3210 Brainerd Rd. For more information, call (423) 602-1418 or visit facebook.com/communitycollab.

— Austin M. Hooks

A Pearl Of Great Beauty Welcoming a talented newcomer to the arts scene

By Tony Mraz Pulse contributor

“

As a newcomer to the city, I saw public art everywhere. It is a young vibrant city that seems to embrace the arts, one of the reasons I chose to be here.”

12 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

F

OR ALMOST TWO DECADES, THERE HAS BEEN AN initiative in Chattanooga to create an environment that is hospitable to artists. From grants, incentives, and residencies to huge pieces of public art, the push to make Chattanooga an “Arts City” is finally paying off.

Nestled in the foothills of Lookout Mountain, one of our newest artists and her husband have built their home. Ruth Pearl is a welcome addition to the local arts community, creating a variety of gorgeous, soulful, and provocative drawings and paintings.

She explains why she chose Chattanooga, saying, “As a newcomer to the city, I saw public art everywhere. It is a young vibrant city that seems to embrace the arts, one of the reasons I chose to be here.

Chattanooga lends itself to hosting a Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School which I would love to help bring to

the city.”

Ruth has been making art for her entire life. She took a two year Foundation Course at Barnet College, Hertfordshire and followed that with a degree course at Portsmouth Polytechnic in Hampshire.

Her main area of study was printmaking, the process of which is still influential to how she approaches painting, layering one color on another.

“We all gravitate to what we can do well, and I enjoyed drawing from an early age,” she explains.

“The idea of becoming an artist was sealed in Kindergarten. My brother,

four years my senior, saw my picture and pointed out that sky was everywhere, and that trees had branches and leaves rather than resembling lollipops. I incorporated these concepts into my next painting and arrived at a pivotal point when my teacher held it aloft with praise.”

After school, she and her husband lived in Kenya and South Africa for ten years, where she was an art teacher in schools and a theatre set painter. Creatively, she was influenced by the stark clarity, color and brilliance of the African landscapes and skies.

“When visiting art museums, I gravitate to the mid-nineteenth century onwards,” she says of her influences. “I love Degas and Lautrec for their depictions of people; Klimt for his ornate patterns and the pop artists for their boldness. Rothko’s have me in awe. Brian Rutenberg’s large landscapes inspire me with his delicious use of color.

“I also follow lesser-known artists on Instagram where it is motivating to see what other artists are doing. Instagram is a supportive community—a platform to both show your work and see what others are doing. There is a lot of talent and

you can come across art that you wouldn’t usually encounter even going to galleries and museums. There are some artists whose work I’ve loved and thought ‘that shouldn’t work, but it does.’ This has given me the motivation to experiment— which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t.”

Pearl paints directly on the canvas without a pre-drawing, usually beginning with large shapes of color which she works into, and line work comes in later.

“Both my drawing and painting methods are largely intuitive. I have sufficient knowledge from training and experience that continues in the background as I learn more and add to that knowledge each time I work,” she says about her process.

“I mostly mix my colors first trying to keep to a limited palette, although sometimes I will use paint on my brush directly from the tube. I see the colors that I use, but may exaggerate them. The interplay of colors together can take on their own life!”

Her work can be divided into three categories—the first is her figurative work. After 12 years

in Africa, she moved to Augusta where she attended open studio sessions for several years.

She was delighted to find an equally good weekly opportunity at Townsend Atelier when she moved to the area last year.

Four of her figurative pieces were accepted in the recent LIT Gallery Body Show. From that, one piece was included and sold at the elite Hunter Underground art auction.

The second category of her work is sunrises or sunsets, especially when they are over water. She creates abstracted acrylic seascapes from photos she takes of these dazzling moments. These exciting color explorations can be found at The Frame Shoppe and the Gallery on the Row Reunion Show in Augusta, GA. The third category is painting or sketching musicians while they are performing. She delights in live concert painting especially when she enjoys the music being played—in Augusta it was mostly blues, and in Chattanooga it is bluegrass.

Pearl can be commissioned for individual pieces of art based on these three categories of artwork. Learn more about her work at marulatoo.com

THU3.29 Chattanooga State Film Festival

A weekend's worth of great films, workshops, and panel discussions.

8 a.m.

Chattanooga State 4501 Amnicola Hwy. chattanoogastate.edu

FRI3.30 Hug-a-Bunny Day

Get ready for Easter with the cutest critters around at the best small zoo in the United States.

9 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. chattzoo.org

SAT3.31 Taco & Tequila Festival

Two great tastes that taste great together: tacos and tequila. What more could ask for to kick off Spring?

1 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1826 Carter St. facebook.com/acklenpark

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

“Kiki’s Delivery Service”

THURSDAY3.29 Chattanooga State Film Festival 8 a.m.

Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-4400 chattanoogastate.edu Food Rx: Using Food as Medicine 11:30 a.m.

Downtown YMCA 301 W. 6th St. (423) 266-3766 ymcachattanooga.org Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket.com ChaTech Women Social 4:30 p.m.

UTC University Center 642 E. 5th St. utc.edu Soap Making 5 p.m.

Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga 1000 E. 30th St.

14 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

(423) 493-9155 crabtreefarms.org Monthly Lululemon and Odd Story Pub Run 5:30 p.m.

Lululemon Athletica 1110 Market St (423) 752-4313 lululemon.com Spring Bellydance Session 5:45 p.m.

Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com Faculty Dialogue: Photos and Poetry 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art

10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Reading & Book Signing with Victoria Price 6 p.m.

Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com “Kiki’s Delivery Service” screening and discussion 7 p.m.

Lee University 345 Church St. facebook.com/leeufilmsociety Center for Creative Arts String Orchestras 7 p.m.

Center for Creative Arts

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT Working throughout the country, Josh is loved everywhere he performs, especialy here in Chattanooga, not far from his hometown of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

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

1301 Dallas Rd. (423) 209-5929 centerforcreativearts.net “Maundy Thursday” 7:30 p.m.

Back Alley Productions 117 N. Chattanooga St. (706) 996-8350 backalleyproductions.org Josh Phillips 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Country Line Dancing Class 8 p.m.

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

FRIDAY3.30 Chattanooga State Film Festival 8 a.m.

Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-4400 chattanoogastate.edu Hug-a-Bunny Day 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org Form & Color with Nicolas

Form & Color with Nicolas Uribe Uribe 10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m.

Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com The Ukrainian Egg Program 1 p.m.

Audubon Acres 900 N. Sanctuary Rd. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org A Night with Filmmaker & Screenwriter Dylan Kussman 6 p.m.

Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-4400 chattanoogastate.edu Paddling by Moonlight 7 p.m.

Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Shadow Puppet Show: Lupita’s Revenge 7 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org

“A Year with Frog & Toad” 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Celebrations: A Community Collaboration 7 p.m.

SPOT Venue 3210 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-1418 facebook.com/communitycollab Josh Phillips 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com “Maundy Thursday” 7:30 p.m.

Back Alley @ The Mars Theater 117 N Chattanooga St. (706) 996-8350 backalleyproductions.org Nooga! Visit Rock Village 8 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com “Best F(r)iends” 8 p.m.

Hamilton Place 8 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd.

(844) 462-7342 fathomevents.com Improv Showdown 10 p.m.

First Draft Theater

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

SATURDAY3.31 Chattanooga State Film Festival 8 a.m.

Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-4400 chattanoogastate.edu SonRise Resurrection Pageant 8:30 p.m.

Southern Adventist University 4881 Taylor Cir. (423) 236-2000 southern.edu Hug-a-Bunny Day 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org St. Albans Hixson Market 9:30 a.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496 publicmarkets.us Form & Color with Nicolas Uribe

10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 Artillery Demonstrations 10:30 a.m.

Point Park 110 Point Park Rd. (706) 866-9241 nps.gov Farmer’s Market 11 a.m.

Nutrition World 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 892-4085 nutritionw.com Surfin’: Riding the Wave of Fender Sparkling Guitars 11 a.m.

Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. (423) 531-2473 songbirdsguitars.com Frequency Art Festival Noon Frequency Arts 1804 E. Main St. facebook.com/frequencyarts Red Wolf Feeding and Talk Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR The Met: Live in HD “Così fan tutte” 12:55 p.m.

East Ridge 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 fathomevents.com Chattanooga Taco & Tequila Festival 1 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1826 Carter St. facebook.com/acklenpark Great Adult Egg Hunt and Hoppy Hour 2 p.m.

Sculpture Fields at Montague Park 1800 Polk St. (404) 290-2840 thechattery.org “Maundy Thursday” 2:30 p.m.

Back Alley @ The Mars Theater 117 N Chattanooga St. (706) 996-8350 backalleyproductions.org “A Year with Frog & Toad” 2:30, 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com Spring in West Village 6 p.m.

West Village 802 Pine St. westvillagechattanooga.com Dread Hollow “Scream Break” 7 p.m.

Ruby Falls 1720 S. Scenic Hwy. (423) 821-2544 hauntedcavern.com Josh Phillips 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Week in Review 8 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Once a Month Comedy Showcase 8 p.m.

Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. palacebazar.com

The Met: Live in HD “Così fan tutte” Bowtie & Heels Affair 10 p.m.

Pin Strikes Chattanooga 6241 Perimeter Dr. (423) 710-3530 pinstrikes1.com Improv vs. Standup 10 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com

SUNDAY4.1 Form & Color with Nicolas Uribe 10 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 PBS at the Palace Screening: “Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like” 6 p.m.

Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. palacebazar.com Bi-monthly Queer Youth Night 6 p.m.

Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center 1918 Union Ave. (423) 521-0642

16 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

mercyjunction.org

MONDAY4.2 New Year Belly Dance Session 5:45 p.m.

Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com First Monday Improv Comedy 7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org “Best F(r)iends” 8 p.m.

Hamilton Place 8 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd.

(844) 462-7342 fathomevents.com

TUESDAY4.3 Wake Up & Run 6 a.m.

Fleet Feet Sports 307 Manufacturers Rd. (423) 771-7996 fleetfeetchattanooga.com Chattanooga Self-Improvement Meetup 8 a.m.

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

Northside Farmers’ Market 3 p.m.

Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-1766 Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute Tour 4 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute 175 Baylor School Rd. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org A Night at the Museum with George Singleton 5:15 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com “Madame” 9 p.m.

Palace Theater 818 Georgia Ave. palacebazar.com

WEDNESDAY4.4 1 Million Cups Meetup 9 a.m.

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

theedney.com Lookout Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Memorial Hospital 2525 Desales Ave. lookoutfarmersmarket.com Middle Eastern Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Understanding the Great Barrier Reef Noon green|spaces Chattanooga 63 E. Main St. (423) 648-0963 greenspaceschattanooga.org Main Street Market 4 p.m.

522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Writers@Work gets SoLit 5 p.m.

Arts Build 301 E. 11th St. chattanoogastate.digication.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

THE ART OF BUSINESS

Honey Bunny Authentic Brazilian Wax Come and visit the home of the smoothest wax deal in Chattanooga Addie Whitlow

Pulse contributor

“

When I’m waxing someone over here, they get the authentic service; the same service we do in Brazil, we do here.”

The Scoop Honey Bunny Brazilian Wax Chattanooga’s Brazilian waxing salon North Shore (423) 314-0403 Hamilton Place (423) 305-8380 Hixson (423) 314-9150 Signal Mountain (423) 314-2787 honeybunnywax.com

W

HEN IT COMES TO BRAZIlian waxes in Chattanooga, you would think that you probably wouldn’t be able to get an experience that is truly authentic to the country of Brazil. However, that’s where you’re wrong.

Honey Bunny Brazilian Wax is owned by a woman who has been dubbed the “Queen of Wax” in Chattanooga, and once you receive a wax from “Alex” (Alessandra), or one of her “Bunnies” (associates), then you’ll truly understand the magic behind a Brazilian wax.

Honey Bunny Brazilian Wax, which opened four years ago in Northshore and has expanded to Hixson, Hamilton Place, and Signal Mountain, boasts the best prices and the best services in Chattanooga.

The owner, Alex, was born and raised in Brazil; she began the study and practice of Brazilian waxes when she was 17 years old with her mother, Marilina, and she’s devoted much of her life to providing her clients with the best of the best when it comes to waxes. She personally trains each of her associates to ensure they are educated on the highest standards of waxing.

“The technique and my products are all from my country, so when I’m waxing someone over here, they get the authentic service; the same service we do in Brazil, we do here. We have been in this business for a long time, and we’ve been doing this for 20 plus years,” Alex explained.

“I really like to work with the clients, and we always try to educate them to get the best results. Because it’s not just about taking out the hair from your body; it’s how you can get the best results, how you can have less and less

hair.”

In regards to the best results, Alex explained that many people (incorrectly) alternate between shaving and waxing.

However, in order for the hair to grow back less and for the skin to be smoother and healthier, she noted it’s important not to shave and to wax every four weeks.

One of the main distinguishing aspects of Honey Bunny is the fact that they specialize only in waxes, unlike other places, where you can get an eyebrow wax and your nails done at the same time.

Alex explained that they provide a head-to-toe waxing service, and they strive to be the best at what they do, which is waxing. However, Alex also noted that, being from Brazil, there is a distinction regarding Brazilian waxes which many people may not know.

“In Brazil, we call the Brazilian wax a type of wax, not a service. So if you go to Brazil and say you want to get a Brazilian wax, they’re going to ask you how many cans of wax you wanted,” Alex said. “But when you come here, people start calling the bikini area the Brazilian

wax, and that’s why now, when I put the name of our store, I put ‘Honey Bunny Authentic Brazilian Wax.’ I want people to understand that it’s authentic from Brazil.”

A full-body special at Honey Bunny starts at $75, which includes full legs, Brazilian front and back, underarms, and upper lip. Honey Bunny also runs a variety of promotions on their website with weekly and monthly deals, such as $30 Brazilian waxes on Tuesdays instead of the normal $35.

You can also get a Brazilian wax for $25 each if you bring a friend who has never waxed with Honey Bunny before.

In addition to waxes, Honey Bunny also offers an organic, natural coffee and honey scrub, which aims to eliminate ingrown hairs and to clear acne breakouts.

Summer is right around the corner, and there’s hardly a better time for anyone and everyone (Honey Bunny offers male waxing services, too) to get the best wax in Chattanooga. Stop in to one of Honey Bunny’s four different locations and let the Queen of Wax and her Bunnies show you how it’s done.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 17

THE MUSIC SCENE

Rock Out With Your Yacht Out It’s hard to put a label on the musical stylings and performances of Yacht Rock Revue. You might, at first, be tempted to just call them a tribute band, and that’s at least partially true, as the band covers ‘70s light rock classics from the likes of Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, and Steely Dan. But the unique experience of a Yacht Rock Revue show goes far beyond a typical cover band.

As the band says themselves, “By blurring the lines between a tribute, an original act, and a comedic troupe, the Yacht Rock Revue has forged a unique niche market and a special bond with their fans. The band attacks each song as if it were their own, and the energy exchanged between the band and the crowd has more in common with a stadium U2 show than that of a typical bar band.”

Also, the band’s musical chops and impressive experience are sure to impress.

Members have played alongside musical heavyweights Billy Joel, John Mayer, Zac Brown Band, Nine Inch Nails, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, just to name a few.

This Saturday, Yacht Rock Revue will bring their one-of-a-kind show to The Signal on Chestnut St. (next to the Southside Social).

The show starts at 8:30 p.m., and tickets are online at thesignaltn.com.

— Adrienne Kaufmann

Arthur Alexander Has One Very Good Bar Left From the Communist East to the rock-n-roll West

By Ernie Paik Pulse contributor

“

The young Warsaw native saw nothing less than opportunity and the shape of things to come.”

18 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

R

OCK AND ROLL IS A GENRE RIFE WITH STORIES of excess, debauchery, groupies, drugs, destruction and indulgence, all of which can make for an interesting weekend, but it’s good to know there are still some powerful and uplifting stories too.

Take Arthur Alexander, for example; a young man in a Communist bloc country when rock first rolled over the world.

While folks in the West insisted it was just a passing fad and folks in the East dubbed it another example of western decadence, the young Warsaw native saw nothing less than opportunity and the shape of things to come.

One guitar and a whole lot of

rebellious attitude later, he found himself deported from his native land and on his way to New York City just in time for the advent of punk rock. That’s where he helped found The Poppees, a CBGB mainstay and one of the hottest bands of its era.

Arthur eventually left The Poppees to form Sorrows, a power-pop ensemble that soon had a record deal with CBS and a hit debut album

“

called Teenage Heartbreak.

After enjoying some success with Sorrows, Arthur left for Los Angeles where he’s worked steadily as a producer, racking up album after album for a small army of up-and-comers.

If the old adage “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach” has any merit at all, then Arthur is firmly a doer, because for all of his immersion in helping others make their music, he never stopped writing until finally, he had what he considered a solid album’s worth of tunes and that brings up to the present with the upcoming release of his debut solo album, One Bar Left.

The culmination of a lifetime spent making rock and roll music, One Bar Leftis a masterpiece evincing elements of Mersey Beat, rockabilly, proto-punk and, so help me, Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.”

It is a musical tour from the time that rock music was a fledgling art form up through the moment when the music of rebellion rebelled against itself, answering the profusion of ungainly, overproduced albums with a return to the basics of speed, power and simplicity.

It simply isn’t possible to pigeonhole this collection of 17 tracks; it is a beautiful crosssection of an era, with elements of Beatles, Stones, Byrds, Bowie, Costello, and much, much more. The vocals are melodic, the drums are straightforward and no-nonsense,

He never stopped writing until finally, he had what he considered a solid album’s worth of tunes and that brings up to the present with the upcoming release of his debut solo album, One Bar Left. and the guitar work is simply pure, golden rock and roll.

There are a handful of young bands today (including some much-loved locals) who have managed to accurately rediscover the feel of this music, but Arthur’s credibility runs much deeper than that. He isn’t “rediscovering” anything; he was there when this was new and never completely abandoned it.

In a word, Arthur Alexander ought to be a living legend, and in some circles perhaps he already is, but it’s time for a new generation to experience first-hand the brilliant music that spanned the mid-sixties right up to the early eighties and One Bar Left is one of the single best ways to do that.

A must for the aficionado, music historian, classic rock enthusiast or just the casual listener who wants some tunes they can sink their teeth in to, the album is set for release on May 4th and is being presented on vinyl, CD and the usual digital and streaming formats courtesy of Dead Beat Records.

Not Your Granny's Music In a relatively short time Lon Eldridge has made quite a name for himself. The beloved purveyor of old-time music is one of Chattanooga’s favorite artists and with good reason.

Besides his musical virtuosity, Lon is a stand-up fellow, likable from the get go, and utterly sincere in everything he does.

What you may not know about Lon is that his passion for old-time music extends to the realm of technology in as much as collects and restores antique phonographs, gramophones, and the like and while the cool kids are out bragging about “their old vinyl,” Lon quietly enjoys his collection of wax.

Now everyone can enjoy the fruits of Lon’s efforts as he takes on the role of “DJ Passé at American Draft down at 34 Choo Choo Avenue.

Every Wednesday night from seven to nine p.m. Lon wheels out some beautiful old hand cranked machines and his awe inspiring collection of material and treats his audience to the sound of blues, jazz and other genres from earliest days of the 20th century.

It ain’t your granny’s music, it’s your great-great granny’s music and it’s simply soul-stirring. An evening of great old tunes played on fascinating machinery and hosted by a local icon, with beer, what more could you ask for? — MTM

THU3.29

FRI3.30

SAT3.31

The Fridge

Joe Finkle & the 7/10 Splits

Adrian + Meredith

Come out and be part of a live concert recording, featuring Chattanooga's own electro psychedelic indie house pop band.

9 p.m.

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

Born in Tennessee and raised on rockabilly, Joe is literally rocking his life away, keeping the rockabilly spirit alive.

10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com

Always been ones to march to their own drum, Adrian + Meredith make a different sort of roots racket.

8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 19

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR THURSDAY3.29 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Ryan Oyer 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Amber Fults 6:30 p.m.

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

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7:30 p.m.

Mexi-Wing VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. mexi-wingchattanooga.com Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m.

The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com KlusterfunK Open Jam 8 p.m.

Trip’s Tavern 4762 Hwy. 58 (423) 803-5686 Indigo Girls 8:30 p.m.

Walker Theater 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Subkonscious, The Fridge 9 p.m.

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

FRIDAY3.30 Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St.

Indigo Girls

(423) 266-1461 John Carroll 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Gino Fanelli 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com JEET, Rowena of the Glen, The Unsatisfied, James Bruneau 7 p.m.

The Spot 1800 E. Main St. spotvenue.co Captain and the Kid 7 p.m.

OddStory Brewing Company

336 E. MLK Blvd. oddstorybrewing.co Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Rick Rushing and The Blues Strangers 7:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Pickin Crows 8 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Mother Legacy 8 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT After honoring Chuck Berry and BB King, Paul will present his usual high energy performance in highlighting one of the great guitarists of our time, the legendary Eric Clapton.

Paul Childers Honors Eric Clapton Saturday, 7 p.m.

Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com

20 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Doc Holidays 745 Ashland Terrace docholidaysbarandgrill.com Town Mountain 9 p.m.

Songbirds Stages 41 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

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

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Porch Boy Rebels 9 p.m.

SkyZoo Chattanooga 5709 Lee Hwy. (423) 521-2966 Joe Finkle & the 7/10 Splits 10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Tyson Leamon 10 p.m.

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

SATURDAY3.31 Bluegrass Brunch Noon The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy.

thehonestpint.com TSLC 5:30 p.m.

The Spot 1800 E. Main St. spotvenue.co Binji Varsossa 6 p.m.

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

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Jesse James Jungkurth 6:30 p.m.

Westin Dorato Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Paul Childers Honors Eric Clapton 7 p.m.

Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers 7 p.m.

OddStory Brewing Company 336 E. MLK Blvd. oddstorybrewing.co Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Danimal 7:30 p.m.

The Foundry

Adrian + Meredith

1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com

WEDNESDAY4.4

1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Shovels and Rope 8 p.m.

Walker Theater 399 McCallie Ave. tivolichattanooga.com Campbell Station 8 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com The Pickup Lions 8 p.m.

The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Adrian + Meredith 8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Yacht Rock Revue 8:30 p.m.

The Signal 1810 Chestnut St. thesignaltn.com Joe Finkle & the 7/10 Splits 9 p.m.

Mayo’s Bar & Grill 3820 Brainerd Rd. mayosbarandgrill.com Tom The Bomb 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com C2 and the Brothers Reed 9 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St.

clydesonmain.com Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience 9 p.m.

Songbirds Stages 41 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Pinecone, Maness Brothers, Corncob, High Heat, Chillhowie Royal 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com CD7, Cinematic, Kemo, Yo Miestro, Slade Dynasty, Kid Cuebas 9 p.m.

Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Tyson Leamon 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY4.1 Spinster 11 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Jimmy Dormire 11 a.m.

STIR 1444 Market St. stirchattanooga.com Nabil Ince

1:30 p.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 Erik Kirkendall 6:30 p.m.

Westin Alchemy Bar 801 Pine St. westinchattanooga.com Mathis & Martin 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Maria Sable 8 p.m.

Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com

MONDAY4.2 Megan Howard 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 Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m.

The Granfalloon

400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com

TUESDAY4.3 Courtney Holder 6 p.m.

Mexi-Wing IX 6925 Shallowford Rd. (423) 468-3366 Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m.

Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Zach Bridges 6:30 p.m.

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

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Gyan Riley 7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern

No Big Deal 6 p.m.

SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Court of Songs 6 p.m.

Mad Knight Brewing Company 4015 Tennessee Ave. madknightbrewing.com Mother Legacy 6:30 p.m.

Fireside Grille 3018 Cummings Hwy. firesidechattanooga.com Dustin Concannon 6:30 p.m.

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

American Draft 1400 Market St. americandraft.beer Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Jazz In The Lounge 7 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Live Music 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 Prime Cut Trio 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 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 21

ERNIE PAIK'S RECORD REVIEWS

Hailu Mergia, U.S. Girls

Hailu Mergia Lala Belu (Awesome Tapes from Africa)

U.S. Girls In a Poem Unlimited (4AD)

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keyboard in his car to compose and record melodies on his phone while waiting for customers—what’s even more noteworthy is just how good his new material is.

The 10-minute jazzy opener “Tizita” finds Mergia laying down accordion passages over keyboard chords, and his style is immediately recognizable, but not overly showy; it’s perhaps like recognizing a friend simply from their gait, as Mergia nimbly flutters up and down, with natural fade-outs for each sequence.

Four minutes in, the tempo picks up with piano soloing, a double bass backbone from Mike Majkowski and a hi-hat heavy drumming style from Tony Buck, the Australian percussionist best known as a member of the trio The Necks; another song transition shows the rhythm section going into locomotive mode with a more driving approach, as Mergia keeps the momentum going with spirited, soulful electric piano runs.

On “Addis Nat,” Buck lays down a funk-inflected beat as Mergia switches to the melodica for his top-line melodies, atop a two-chord

eyboardist Hailu Mergia was a member of one of Ethiopia’s greatest bands in the ‘70s—the Walias Band—which featured players including the Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke and pianist Girma Beyene; as the hotel band at the Addis Ababa Hilton, Walias Band often started an evening with dinner music for a broad appeal, before moving toward soul and jazz numbers for those who wanted to dance.

In the early ‘80s, the band visited the U.S. for a tour and residency in Washington, D.C., and not wanting to return to Ethiopia’s oppressive Derg government, Mergia made Washington, D.C. his new home, gradually devoting less time to music until taking a break in 1991.

The rejuvenating new album Lala Belu is Mergia’s first in around 30 years, as Mergia is currently enjoying new interest in his work after several reissues on the label Awesome Tapes from Africa and a return to performing in 2013.

While the story of his resurgence alone is remarkable—and many would mention Mergia’s current job as a taxi driver who carries a

22 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

organ bed, and “Gum Gum” has a slithering, spry vibe with—perhaps unexpectedly—a bossa nova rhythm on rim clicks.

The downright cheery title track even include wordless vocals and outbursts of “hey!” and the album concludes with the elegant piano solo “Yefikir Engurguro” with a reflective tone, for a distinctive artist who has decades to reflect upon and plenty of vigor to keep creating more.

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his writer has been following with fascination the career of Meg Remy— the singer/musician behind U.S. Girls—over the last decade, noting her dramatic transformation with the understanding that an artist’s work has its own terms and expectations.

U.S. Girls began with shadowy, mysterious pieces that were often rough, distorted and messy, in the vein of underground D.I.Y. oneperson noisy bands, sometimes using loops; however, there was also an obsession with the ‘60s girl-group sound, and Remy often conspicuously sang as if she were trying to channel Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes.

After releases on Siltbreeze and FatCat, U.S. Girls signed with 4AD for 2015’s Half Free, and musically, the new album In a Poem Unlimited continues where the last track of Half Free, “Woman’s Work,” leaves off, with its cleanly recorded electrodisco style.

For those only familiar with the first half of Remy’s career, In a Poem Unlimited will sound practically unrec-

ognizable with its meticulously produced style, and it’s an album with themes of power, sex, religion and violence underneath the glossy, purposeful superficiality of its new/nostalgic set of sonic aesthetics among the bleak and angry narratives.

The soul-funk opener, “Velvet 4 Sale,” starts with the sounds of a few seductive breaths, but an examination of the lyrics reveals a dark story of a woman showing another woman living in fear (of both one specific man and “any man”) how to use a gun and balance the power dynamic in its own potentially explosive way.

Perhaps resembling something by the band Quarterflash (down to the saxophone intro), “Rage of Plastics” is a cover of a Fiver song, about a woman working in refinery whose faith is shaken after chemical exposure apparently makes her infertile; “M.A.H.” is a slick and tight disco number that is perhaps the only disco song ever about President Obama’s controversial drone strikes (with the title standing for “mad as hell”).

The silky soul number “Pearly Gates” sports a monster earworm vibe, with a hard-to-shake riff with backing singers supplying a gospel element; in the song’s power-abuse scenario, the protagonist’s “gates” (in the carnal sense) need to open for the woman to be allowed

by St. Peter to enter heaven.

On a musical level, In a Poem Unlimited is the most accessible U.S. Girls album, but on a lyrical level, it is the most outwardly angry and intriguing one.

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

“Go to Sleep!”—beware of snoring.

ACROSS 1 Apple variety 4 Researcher’s room 7 Pea’s place 10 December drink 13 Bob Hope’s WWII gp.

14 Gran finale?

15 Map-providing org.

16 Dye containing a nitrogen compound 17 Can, to a Londoner 18 Motel room perk, as promoted years ago 20 Novelist DeLillo 21 ___ Mahal (Indian beer brand) 22 Be familiar with a Danube-based Austrian town?

24 Bend’s state 26 Cookie crumbled in a froyo toppings bar 27 “This is prophetic,” from the opera “Nixon in China,” e.g.

29 Existent 32 Make barbs about trip data?

40 Blocks in

the freezer 41 Would rather not 42 ___ Lingus (Irish airline) 43 Chores for Superman’s general nemesis?

46 Paris-area airport 47 Theatrical sigh 48 Milky gemstone 51 Some Oscar Wilde works 55 Recorded by jazz saxophonist Stan?

59 Happy hour order 62 Christmas tree type 63 Curl of hair 64 Smoked salmon on a bagel 65 CPR specialist, maybe 66 Change two fives into a ten?

67 The night before 68 Kimono sash 69 “The Crying Game” star Stephen 70 “That’s right” 71 “Hang on just a ___!”

72 Pay stub amount

DOWN 1 Mixed-breed dog 2 About 30% of the world’s land mass 3 Stuck together 4 17th-century philosopher John 5 “Git ___, little dogie” 6 “The Jungle Book” bear 7 Leave 8 Swearing-in formality 9 Author Eggers 10 Lowest point 11 Triatomic oxygen molecule 12 “The Muppet Show” daredevil 19 Have a title to 23 1970 hit for the Kinks 25 Makeshift windshield cleaner 27 “Master of None” star Ansari 28 Puerto ___ 29 Board game of world conquest 30 90 degrees from norte 31 Stub ___ 33 Chris Hemsworth

superhero role 34 Schlep 35 DIY crafter’s site 36 Dennis’s sister, on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” 37 Place for filing and polishing 38 Wrestler John with an “unexpected” internet meme 39 Rowing machines, casually 44 “Chariots of Fire” actor Sir Ian 45 Take care of the bill 48 Auction bid 49 Like 2 or 3, but not 1 or 4 50 The body’s largest artery 51 Poacher’s need?

52 Tennis star Monica 53 Main character of Minecraft 54 Coyolxauhqui worshiper 56 Serving platter 57 Keep from view 58 Loaf heels, really 60 Brain segment 61 Way out

Copyright © 2018 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. 877 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 23

FILM & TELEVISION

Are They Friends Or Enemies?

Finally, the dynamic duo that is Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero has reunited for a dream project that will send fans of The Room and The Disaster Artist into paroxyms of unabated joy once more, and send new fans into a journey of unprecedented comedic madness.

Volume One: When a drifter (Sestero) is taken in by a peculiar mortician (Wiseau), the two hatch an underground enterprise off the back of the mortician's old habits. But greed, hatred, and jealousy soon come in turn, and their efforts unravel, causing the drifter to run off with the spoils and leaving the mortician adrift.

Volume Two: As Sestero’s drifter makes a run for it, he finds himself on an expedition across the Southwest, where he encounters wild and crazy characters through a series of twisted and dark foibles. While his misadventure teaches him a valuable lesson about friendship and loyalty, Wiseau’s mortician carries the story home with more than a few surprises.

Nothing can accurately describe basking in the unholy glow that is the Best F(r)iends saga—a dark, strange journey that reminds you why we all fell in love with this amazing duo in the first place.

See if for yourself this Friday or Monday at 8 p.m. at the Hamilton Place 8 theaters on Hamilton Place Blvd.

Rock ’Em, Sock ‘Em Robotic Boredom Pacific Rim: Uprising fails to connect on any level

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

“

The film is childish and obvious, a leading example of dumb, unnecessary sequels, full of loud explosions and boring dialogue.”

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IFE WAS BETTER WHEN I WAS EIGHT. AS I WATCH my own eight-year-old, I often get to see him enjoy a variety of things that an adult can’t always derive pleasure from.

Eating macaroni and cheese for every meal three days in a row. Unabashedly wearing stained clothing. Falling asleep five minutes after going to bed and waking up at 6 a.m. rested and ready to face the day. Enjoying simplicity in all forms of entertainment.

For whatever reason, these things fall away as we get older, replaced by their annoying opposites—some due to health concerns, some due to the judgement of others, some due to the ever-expanding world that we eventually come to occupy.

So, while watching Pacific Rim: Uprising, I felt a certain wistful sad-

ness. Here was a movie my eightyear-old would enjoy immensely, full of giant robot on giant monster violence, and all I could do was glance down at my watch every few minutes.

The film is childish and obvious, a leading example of dumb, unnecessary sequels, full of loud explosions and boring dialogue. I found no moments to cheer for, no characters to care about, and no suspense to create thrills. Pacific Rim: Uprising is boring as hell, which is the worst sin a film can commit.

The film is a sequel to Pacific Rim, a 2013 fantasy directed by Guiller-

mo del Toro. While I love most of del Toro’s films, Pacific Rim never caught my imagination the way his others did. Again, this may be because I have simply outgrown giant robots as a plot device.

The series is certainly better than Transformers, as it’s based on a real idea rather than a toy line, but it was a little too silly for my tastes.

The premise of both Pacific Rim and Pacific Rim: Uprising is pretty dumb at heart. Sometime in the near future, humanity is under constant attack from Kaiju, giant sea monsters that come from the Pacific Ocean to attack coastal cities.

In response, humanity create giant robotic mechs called Jaegars that must be piloted by at least two people through a neural network with a technique known as drifting.

In the first film, we learn that these Kaiju are bioweapons created by extradimensional antagonists bent on destroying humanity.

The come from a “breach” deep in the ocean, which was subsequently closed at the end of the original film. Pacific Rim: Uprising takes place after the war against the Kaiju was won and humanity has begun rebuilding.

While I could spend a few words

“

The world building was the best part of Pacific Rim, and while the premise is silly, the sequel missed out on the opportunity to expand on this mythos.” summarizing the plot of this film, there’s not really any reason to do so. Everything in Pacific Rim: Uprising is generic action movie. The film is a little over ninety minutes, and most of what happens in that time is filler.

There are long tedious scenes of dialogue between characters, whose names I don’t know, for reasons I can’t fathom. There are some returning characters, but they don’t matter either.

The only interesting parts of the film are the action sequences, though even they aren’t especially thrilling. I found myself tense during these, but I couldn’t really figure out why. It might have been because the film was loud and busy. I’d be tense while watching a car crash or listening to cats fight in an alley. That doesn’t mean I’m engaged.

Pacific Rim: Uprising was an opportunity to explore the world established in the original film.

The world building was the best part of Pacific Rim, and while the premise is silly, the sequel missed out on the opportunity to expand on this mythos.

The first few minutes of Pacific Rim: Uprising is more interesting than anything found in most of the film. It begins by showing life as it is after the war, with characters living on the fringes of society in collapsed cities alongside destroyed Jaegars and decayed Kaiju.

A film that focused on this, with the greater conflicts in the background, might have been worth seeing.

There might be real stories to be mined in the brightly lit streets of a coastal city decimated by war.

Instead, the film created bigger monsters and bigger robots and cardboard characters.

A child might not care, but a rational adult should find something else to do.

✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴

Ready Player One When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune.

Director: Steven Spielberg Stars: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Lena Waithe

Tyler Perry's Acrimony A faithful wife tired of standing by her devious husband is enraged when it becomes clear she has been betrayed.

Director: Tyler Perry Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Lyriq Bent

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 25

COLUMN · GAME ON!

Shooty, Shooty, Blah, Blah, Blah Our gaming guru finds alternatives to the violent video game snooze fest

A

Brand Watson

Pulse columnist

“

Sometimes I long for more games that would allow me to not only solve problems without a blaster or a sword but with my wits and clever mechanics.”

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

S I POUR OVER THE LATEST gaming news during the fleeting hours of the night, it appears the video game world is politically strained.

As I’ve aged as a gamer, I’ve foolishly considered that I’ve refined my tastes when it comes to being a thoughtful gaming connoisseur.

Over the years I’ve completely shied away from most Rockstar Games, not because they don’t make fine games but the gratuitous nature of just about everything they produce burns out the senses.

Yet for many games when you strip away the graphics, storylines, and marketing gimmicks you could be left with a mere run around and kill things experience. Truthfully it’s almost unavoidable no matter how hard you try. MMO’s are notorious for repetitive click-a-kill-grabloot-repeat mechanics and even my beloved Mass Effect can be considered a mediocre shooter on rails albeit a sexy one.

Sometimes I long for more games that would allow me to not only solve problems without a blaster or a sword but with my wits and clever mechanics, or just interact with a new story that doesn’t rattle my brain with simulated bullet hell or body count. And because I believe everyone including pacifists deserve a great game too I’ve conjured up a small list of games that are non-violent and are also really fun to play.

I know, what a concept, right?

The Witness is a beautiful homage to the classic Myst series where little to nothing is explained at first and the player has to navigate a serene landscape and solve ingenious puzzles to unfold a hidden mystery. Developer Thekla, Inc. created a dreamscape of digital eye candy that will suck you in a time dila-

26 • THE PULSE • MARCH 29, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

tion vortex as you figure out each puzzle’s trick.

The Witness doesn’t have the same artistic flare of say Riven or Myst but the overall spirit of the atmospheric puzzler is a joy to just sit and absorb the sights and sounds. It’s not for everyone but if you’re all about the puzzle and chill variety of games then this one will soothe you into a warm bath of gamer bliss.

Journey from That Game Company is the epitome of the saying that the brightest candle burns twice as fast. It’s true this game is short but for what it lacks in play time it makes up for in visuals and unique gameplay. Cast as an unnamed faceless adventurer you will explore a vast open sea of desert to uncover the mysteries hidden within. It is beautifully rendered and the emotional instrumental soundtrack connects with you in haunting ways.

There is no spoken dialogue just tonal peeps as your hooded avatar sand surfs its way through what I can best describe as a weirdly spiritual experience. There is even a multiplayer aspect which can sweeten the journey by having another hooded character to chirp to and reach hidden areas and develop a weird exploratory bond with.

Journey is something rare to experience and a great title to enjoy a new and artistic way a video game can hook you in and compel you to stay awhile.

Firewatch from publisher Panic.Inc is a rare treat as far as walking simulators go. Programmed with some folks behind some behemoth game titles such as Bioshock II and Call of Duty Advanced War-

fare, Firewatch pits the player with the most terrifying enemy ever, the outside.

Although it is not a survival game in any sense it’s more like a hiking simulator with meaningful dialogue and psychological depth.

Firewatch’s story is told through the eyes of Henry, a lonely park ranger in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. His only companions through this adventure is a map, a compass, and a handheld radio with direct link to Delilah who is there to offer guidance, moral support, and sometimes brevity. The game is also short but leaves a sweet memorable taste with the voice acting and brilliant writing.

The mature subject matter that is explored won’t appease many but those looking for some thought behind traipsing in an imaginary wilderness and being slightly spooked in the process will find a gem that is totally worth the time.

Thankfully there are more than just these three games out there. So for those who are completely desensitized to tears with the usual fare or are looking to expand your own gaming awareness with thought provoking content and innovative storytelling keep an eye on the indie market you’d be surprised at what gently and non-aggressively wants to be your new friend.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • MARCH 29, 2018 • THE PULSE • 27