The Pulse 13.22 » June 2, 2016

MAY 12, 2016

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

CHATTANOOGA STAYCATION HOW TO HAVE A GREAT VACATION WITHOUT LEAVING HOME Daniel Jackson experiences much of what our city has to offer through the eyes of a tourist

MUSIC

ART

GET POLITICAL

LIGHT AND COLOR

THE ISCARIOTS MERRILL LOVE

SCREEN

X-MEH

NOT-SO-SUPER

2 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Contents

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Editorial Assistant Brooke Dorn

June 2, 2016 Volume 13, Issue 22

Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Rob Brezsny • Daniel Jackson Matt Jones • Mike McJunkin Tony Mraz • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib Editorial Intern Hillary Eames

Features

Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

4 BEGINNINGS: One traffic accident shows the true heart of the city.

Cover Photo Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales Mike Baskin Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Linda Hisey Rick Leavell • John Rodriguez Stacey Tyler • Logan Vandergriff

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Website chattanoogapulse.com Email info@chattanoogapulse.com BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II 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 © 2016 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

8

7 SHRINK RAP: The Good Doctor tells a tale of an emotional re-awakening.

A Chattanooga Staycation

My wife and I had been to the First Tennessee Pavilion before when we walked up to the Chattanooga Market spilling out onto the street a few weeks ago. It seemed like as good a place as any to start taking in the energy of the city.

14

Getting Fractal With Merrill Love

If you stay up late at Cherokee Farms, you might find yourself wandering through the woods. You might see a shimmering light off in the distance and think that you’re hallucinating— but it wouldn’t be a psychedelic vision.

22

The Iscariots Get Political

Ah, the Iscariots. If I had a nickel for every word I ever wrote about the Iscariots…wait, I do. Well, time for more nickels I suppose as one of Chattanooga’s more prolific recording acts has an all new album ready for human consumption. Backwards Country is the name of the album and it just may be their most important recording to date.

12 SCREEN: The other superhero movie franchise continues to mildly disappoint.

16 ARTS CALENDAR 19 BUSINESS: The Dwell Hotel evokes memories of a classic age.

20 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY 24 MUSIC CALENDAR 26 REVIEWS: Harry Arthur Taussig keeps on finger picking, while Ghali & Akrouni team up in West Africa.

28 DIVERSIONS 29 JONESIN’ CROSSWORD 30 SUSHI & BISCUITS: How the humble egg can recharge your cuisine.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS

NEWS • VIEWS • RANTS • RAVES

UPDATES » CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM FACEBOOK/CHATTANOOGAPULSE EMAIL LOVE LETTERS, ADVICE & TRASH TALK TO INFO@CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

The Not-So-Hidden Good Of The City One traffic accident shows the true heart of the city we call home Heading into work one recent morning, I came over the slight rise on Belvoir Avenue at the intersection of South Terrace and saw the immediate aftermath of what appeared to be a fairly serious accident.

A pick-up truck was GARY in the middle of the intersection, it's entire right side crumbled and crushed. A small sedan, its front end also crumbled and crushed, lay facing the wrong way in the front yard of the corner

house, wisps of smoke wafting from the open doors.

Realizing the accident had just happened, I turned on my hazard lights, crossed over the road to park along the sidewalk, and went to see if anyone was hurt.

POOLE Both the driver and the passenger of the car, still stunned from both the accident and the sudden deployment of their respective airbags, appeared at first glance to be somewhat okay,

CITY LIFE

4 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

if understandably shaken.

However, it quickly became apparent that the passenger was going to need medical help. Unfortunately, the car was starting to smoke rather heavily. Not knowing if it was smoke from the airbag deployment or something else, I and another passerby helped the two ladies out of the car and gently got them to sit in the grass a safe distance from the car.

And that was when I noticed something to made me proud of the city we call home: I was far from being the only person who stopped the help. There were nearly a dozen people who had done the same thing: pulled off to the side and gone to see if anyone needed help. At least four people had called 911, and everyone was doing what they could to make sure the people in both the sedan and the truck were either okay or safely away from the damaged vehicles.

Police, firefighters, rescue and ambulance personnel quickly arrived and did what they do quite professionally.

The passenger was calmly strapped to a back board (with a cervical collar to keep her neck supported) just like you see in countless medical TV shows, but also with great respect for the patient.

Everything was explained to her calmly so that she was reassured that she was in good hands and with the obvious goal of keeping her calm. It's one thing to see it on television, it's another matter to see it in person.

With the passenger safely loaded into the ambulance, I looked around to see what else was going on. Firefighters were sweeping up the piles of debris that were the detritus of the accident. Officers from both Chattanooga and East Ridge Police were writing reports,

talking to witnesses, and helping to direct traffic around the accident scene. The people who had stopped to help stayed to make sure everything was okay before we all finally left to continue on our way.

And as I was continuing my way on to the office, I started thinking about all the people who had stopped. Not just the witnesses, but those like me who came upon the scene and offered their assistance without a second thought.

That's when I realized that this was the true Chattanooga.

This was what made this community a place to not only call home, but to be proud.

Forget about all the political scandals, the crime stories on the news, any of that. The true Chattanooga was represented, at least to me, by a group of total strangers stopping to help another group of strangers without even a second thought.

I know in some circles, it's become fashionable to focus on all the problems the city has. But for me, I like to see the not-so-hidden good of the city. And for all of our issues and problems, I am proud to be part of community that is willing to help others without hesitation. It's something for all of us to be proud of.

“The true Chattanooga was represented, at least to me, by a group of total strangers stopping to help another group of strangers without even a second thought.”

EdiToon

by Rob Rogers

Creative Crafting Featured at Chattabrewga This year, Chattabrewga is doing something different. The festival is focusing on limited release and hard-to-find artisan craft beers, beers that showcase the creativity, and mastery of the brewers and the craft beer community as a whole.

Chattabrewga sponsor and Heaven&Ale owner Joe Winland says, “Craft brewers demonstrate unparalleled creativity, and they’re able to incorporate aspects of spirit-making and winemaking into their craft beers.”

Meaning, in short, some available craft

beers will be inspired by or infused with other spirits, something you won’t find in other alcohols.

The festival will feature diverse selections from local, regional, and national craft breweries, offering participants the opportunity to sample the best “white whales”—unique and rare craft beers that, outside of the festival, would be nigh impossible to find.

The festival will feature some of Chattanooga’s best food trucks and restaurants, including pizza from Lupi’s and Rolling J’s Mobile

IN THIS ISSUE

Daniel Jackson Daniel Jackson is an independent journalist working in the Chattanooga area. Prior to relocating to the city in 2014, he reported at a string of weekly papers covering a group of towns in central Connecticut. The Connecticut Chapter of the Society of

Bistro, and live music from local band Tab Spencer.

Matt Leff, owner of Rhizome Products and founder of Chattabrewga, is especially excited for this year, because it provides the opportunity to achieve the original goals of the festival: “To create a small, intimate festival where guests can sample craft beers they may never find again.”

Leff is confident that “Chattabrewga will prove to be the best beer festival and tasting Chattanooga has ever seen.”

Chattabrewga will take place on June 4, from Noon to 5 p.m., at the First Tennessee Pavilion. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale at chattanoogacraftbeerfest.com. — Hillar y Eames

Mike McJunkin Professional Journalists gave a first place award in business writing for his 2013 story about firearms manufacturer O.F. Mossberg & Sons that was published in The North Haven Citizen. He studied Communications at Bryan College and covered national events with an internship at the Washington Times.

When he's not reporting, he enjoys coffee, films and reading. You can reach him on Twitter with @jcksndnl.

Longtime Pulse food columnist and professional chef Mike McJunkin is a native Chattanoogan who has gained considerable experience with food through his obsessive habit of eating several times each and every day. Along the way he has trained chefs, owned

and operated restaurants, and singlehandedly increased Chattanooga’s meat consumption statistics for three consecutive years. He currently lives abroad, exploring native cuisines throughout Southeast Asia. He can tell you what balut tastes like, what it’s like to eat pork blood boat noodles on the streets of Thailand and how to cure bacon in a loft apartment. He is also quite active on Facebook at facebook.com/SushiAndBiscuits CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 5

6 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

COLUMN SHRINK RAP

Getting To Know Yourself The Good Doctor tells a tale of an emotional re-awakening

“

DR. RICK

It was a process, and processes take time, but rewards came as revelations about how good a friend she could be to herself (and others).”

Dr. 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

With the kick-off of summer comes opportunity for lots of fun. Outdoor art exhibits, athletic events, races on the water, theatre in the park, free concerts, Riverbend, gay pride festivals, food and drink festivals, and much more. Something for everyone.

Romance is in the air, too. As we emerge from hibernation and vacations are planned, and stress is lowered (hopefully), we put the metaphoric top down and enjoy freeing ourselves to enjoy the summer highway of good friends and good times.

This got me thinking. About romance, intimacy, summer flings versus serious commitments. About the different kinds of intimate relationships, and how we go about making choices that are healthy, and attracting people who are good for us. In the spirit of awakening ourselves to healthy romance (in any season), I want to share with you the story of my friend, Grace.

When Grace was single for the first time in her adult life, she was extremely lonely and thought she’d never survive the hollow, depressed feelings that plagued her during those first few months. It was very difficult for her, never having been without a boyfriend. She didn’t know how to do it. Always having a companion created for her a kind of emotional safety net where her own personal issues were mostly disre-

garded. She was “blissfully” distracted by her involvement in her romances.

But now Grace was experiencing something quite alien to her. After those early months of purposely filling her time with myriad distractions, some healthier than others, Grace finally took a breath and took stock of her situation: she was a single woman in her late 30’s.

While she wasn’t happy about this, she realized that she hadn’t spent time being much of a friend to herself, since she had been living a life where she didn’t create any opportunities to find out who she was on her own. Now devoting most of her time to staying busy, she still was not putting any energy toward caring for her internal needs…so she couldn’t honor those needs…in fact she could barely identify them.

At some point this became a source of great discomfort and conflict for her, and Grace realized she felt like a hamster on a wheel, avoiding grief from the past…and joy of the present.

This wasn’t the life she wanted.

With some gentle nudging and guidance from her therapist, a discovery, an unfolding, eventually came into Grace’s awareness as she explored her own landscape of emotions and thoughts like she’d never done before. She began to get in

touch with past traumas, which were fueling her never-ending series of distractions.

(The urgency with which she avoided knowing herself illuminated how painful those past hurts really were.) But as she carefully navigated those memories, she began to experience a relief, a lightening of burdens.

It was a process, and processes take time, but rewards came as revelations about how good a friend she could be to herself (and others), and how she deserved every moment of feeling whole, on her own, without a sig other to fulfill her every need. As a result of this expansion and awareness of her true self, Grace started liking herself again.

“It was a little like Christmas,” she’d say. “Without someone to run off to and find out first and foremost how they felt about something, I was left to find out how I felt. That was new. I never took the time to pay attention before. It was a kind of emotional laziness I think. How do you feel about…whatever? OK. I’ll go along with that.”

It’s no accident that about a year later she met a man who turned out to be the person she would marry. Being more of a whole person in her own right—and knowing that person better than she ever had—allowed Grace to have much more to offer, and to attract someone who complimented who she was, as opposed to someone who was tasked with filling all her missing parts, or overshadowing her own sense of self. Learning to know—and love—herself, was the best gift she’d ever received.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

A Chattanooga Staycation How to have a great summer vacation without leaving home Story and photos by Daniel Jackson, Pulse contributor

M

y wife and I had been to the First Tennessee Pavilion before when we walked up to the Chattanooga Market spilling out onto the street a few weeks ago. It seemed like as good a place as any to start taking in the energy of the city.

We entered the crowd that was wearing Chaco sandals, sundresses and rolled up sleeves. The market is always a tactile experience, filled with lavender-smelling soaps and the riot of colors from artists finding yet another interpretation of the Walnut Street Bridge.

And while the large-bladed fans turned, pushing air to fight heat, the whole of the Chattanooga Market on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is best enjoyed with something near frozen in your hand. Thank goodness for iced strawberry lemonade.

My editor here at The Pulse had asked my Hannah, my wife, and I to play tourist in the city. Take a staycation, see what we could find.

Chattanoogans with vacation on the mind most often leave this place, to head south for some beach time along the Gulf Coast or head for the mountains.

You know where to go to show the out-of-town friends a good time. But to stay here to find rest, entertain8 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

ment and thrills?

The word “staycation” didn’t burst into popularity until the summer of 2008, that summer when the Great Recession hit. That’s according to Google Trends. The number of Americans typing “staycation” into their search bars peaks around July, and their numbers are slowly growing every year. For comparison sake, “vacation” reaches its popularity in June.

This suggests two things. First, staycations were born out of necessity, people cutting back leisure expenditures. Second, staycations are also used by people who see the end of summer weeks away and want

to do something special without leaving town.

This area has a lot to offer, according to Bob Doak, president and CEO of Chattanooga’s Visitor Bureau. Over the last few years, Chattanooga’s food scene took off and there’s a plethora of “true, locally owned, non-franchised restaurants” that provide an authentic experience. Chatty’s music scene is also growing, Doak said. Live music is performed in locations across the city and the area around the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is becoming “a gateway into the entertainment district.”

An estimated $1 billion is spent in Chattanooga every year on tourism. “We’ve seen steady growth year after year after year,” Doak said.

But as for the percentage of that $1 billion spent on staycations, there’s no way to estimate how much of that is spent by people staying in the area, according to Doak, although the percentage would be fairly small.

Explore Chattanooga and you’ll find everything from the Hunter Museum, Rock City to Chattanooga Market and zip lines at Ruby Falls.

“We have that very rare blend of God-given and man-made resources,” Doak said. As one friend pointed out on Facebook, this city offers both scuba and sky diving.

When we were driving out for our first tourist excursion, Hannah and I agreed: This staycation would be a success if we experienced something we had not experienced before, had a relaxing time, and understood the city in a new way.

And as a nod to a staycation’s frugal elements, we budgeted about $50 per our three outings.

After leaving Chattanooga Market, we checked out what Doak called “the new kid on the block”, the High Point Climbing Gym in the downtown.

We bought two day passes for $15 each to

climb at the facility that overhangs Broad Street. Together, equipment rental cost us an additional $10.

After filling out a waiver, my wife and I received a harness each and climbing shoes. Then we were set loose to climb along the multi-dimensional walls peppered with a rainbow of handholds.

To get the most out of the visit, we should have come in the morning, climbed until we were hungry, ate lunch and returned to climb into the evening.

We could go anywhere there was an automatic belay—the Kid Zone, up and outside where you could hang over the downtown.

Our forearms stiffened and our hands grew sore. Still we climbed, the balance of the joy of climbing tempered with— darn it—both our...er...healthy respect for heights.

Along MLK The next weekend, we wanted to dig deeper. Hannah and I decided to visit the Bessie Smith Cultural Center along Martin Luther King Boulevard to learn

more about the history of this city. By chance, we walked through the doors just when the center was holding one of its free days, so no $7 admission fee.

The cultural center sits on the old site of the Martin Hotel, a former hub for the city’s black music scene. And while the center has a performance hall, the sound of the air conditioner was the only noise that Saturday we studied the faces in the photos of Chattanooga residents past.

“The purpose is to highlight African Americans in our community and show how they impacted the world,” said Dionne Jennings, cultural center president.

As patrons of pop culture, we knew musician Usher Raymond and actor Samuel Jackson both hailed from the Scenic City. But did you know Martin Luther King Jr. applied and didn’t get a job at First Baptist Church? At the time, they thought he was too young.

The goal of cultural center is to bring all cultures together, Jennings said.

For example, it is hosting “Rock The Block”, a free concert series the first

Friday of every month this summer right before (and just up the road) from the popular (and also free) Nightfall concert series at Miller Plaza.

Hearing that we were going to eat afterwards, Jennings suggested we travel less than a half-mile down Martin Luther King Boulevard to eat at Uncle Larry’s Restaurant, an establishment serving fried fish in the building on which is painted the Martin Luther King mural. “It’s amazing,” she said.

Jennings suggested we top the sandwich off the way locals do: mustard, hot sauce and cole slaw.

A TripAdvisor certificate of excellence hung on the wall at Uncle Larry’s, as did oversized fishing lures for decoration and sayings like, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

When the fish came out, the cornmeal-breaded fillet dwarfed the sliced bread on which it sat. The creaminess of the slaw mixed with the bite of the hot sauce.

With only seven tables in the place, Uncle Larry’s seemed to cater to the community, serving up fried fish in CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 9

such a way that even TripAdvisor took notice.

Sometimes, it’s enough to explore It seems strange that the Medal of Honor Museum exists in Chattanooga, especially because another, larger one exists in Charleston, South Carolina.

“Our claim to fame is our heritage.

We have the hallowed ground,” Jim Wade, executive director for the Chattanooga museum, told us when we visited the museum the next weekend.

The first Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers fighting around Chattanooga. The first few were given to members of Andrews’ Raiders, who stole a train and started the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862. Today, some of those men are interred in Chattanooga National Cemetery.

It’s not the easiest location to find.

The museum in the Northgate Mall is wedged between one of the entrances, a records store and the bathrooms. Not only does the museum tell a story of Chattanooga and military history, it’s also free.

Weapons on display ranged from a Ka-Bar knife carried by U.S. Marines to a Maxim machine gun used by Germany during World War I. But the focus of the museum, according to Wade, is on 10 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

the individual valor of the recipients.

The walls were lined with their photos and citations.

And there, sitting in shadow boxes were real Medals of Honor, such as the one borne by Desmond Doss, the only conscientious objector in World War II to win the award.

Pulling out of Northgate Mall, Hannah and I decided to finally try Champy’s, as we’ve been told the place serves up Chattanooga’s best fried chicken.

We had driven by the week before and the license-plate studded structure looked like an experience. Going with the honky-tonk theme, $1 bills were stapled and taped to the walls, windows and doorframes. The radio pumped out the blues and an ad for Logan’s steakhouse came on.

The food came, and we tore into the greasy goodness stacked on Styrofoam plates. The roll of paper towels sitting on the table came in handy.

“Geoff was right,” Hannah said.

“This is probably the best fried chicken I’ve ever had.” The thick breading had a crunch, and what was in the back of the flavor palate? A nip of heat?

As Champy’s sits along of Martin Luther King Boulevard, it seems like the place out-of-towners go to get an authentic southern experience. After

all, there are five Champy’s locations across the South, and licensing opportunities exist.

Afterwards, we drove to the base of Lookout Mountain to hike Guild Trail, the old rail bed for a train that took a roundabout climb up Chattanooga’s most prominent landmark. The path was wide, great for bikes.

We walked in part way, taking time to scramble up one boulder on the side of the path (rock climbing weeks before helped) and paused to look upon the trees draped with Kudzu.

As we turned back, it was still early.

We asked each other, what else did we want to do? We could go to Clumpies to get some ice cream. There was a location in St. Elmo—parking could be rough—or there was the location on Lookout Mountain in the neighborhood of Point Park. We could head downtown to some Ben and Jerry’s, because downtown. We eventually decided against all of those.

We pointed our car east, and we ended up in Ringgold at Legendairy

Ice Cream & Coffee. When we visited, it offered three variations of coffee ice cream, a carrot cake flavor and Mayfly coffee, roasted on Signal Mountain.

But a 30-minute drive for ice cream?

We had heard about the shop. When would be another time to try it? We were on vacation. You don’t need to travel far to find experiences that delight, inform and entertain. You must only look for them.

Bottom line: we barely scratched the surface of the vacation options in and around Chattanooga. Everything from the expected: The Tennessee Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum, and the mountain combination of Rock City and Ruby Falls, to the “off the beaten path” places like the International Towing & Recovery Museum, Chattanooga Skydiving, the Tennessee Valley Railroad, and downtown Chattanooga Ghost Tours, just to name a few.

No matter where you go, though, it’s obvious why so many visitors come to town: it’s a great place to visit. We’re just blessed to call Chattanooga home.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 11

SCREEN SCENE

The Apocalypse Is Upon The X-Men The other superhero movie franchise continues to mildly disappoint

You Know Who Ya Gonna Call The original Ghostbusters returns to the big screen It was the catchphrase of 1984: "Who ya gonna call?" And with the upcoming release of the new Ghosbusters movie, Columbia Pictures is celebrating the original film with a special two-day event on Wednesday, June 8 and Sunday, June 12.

This ‘80s comedy classic tells the story of university parapsychologists Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stanz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) turned paranormal investigators.

What they discover is that all Manhattan is being besieged by ghosts, and even worse demons, through a

✴✴✴✴

portal in their client Dana Barrett’s (Sigourney Weaver) Central Park West apartment building. On their mission to save New York City, the Ghostbusters encounter many more other-worldly spirits.

Watch these icons of comedy become jumpsuit-wearing, proton pack-carrying action heroes on the big screen once again on the big screen at Carmike's East Ridge Theaters on South Terrace.

This event will also feature special sneak peek footage from director Paul Feig’s all-female reboot of Ghostbusters.

NEW IN THEATERS

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat. Fans of the original series will continue to question why the reboot happened, but here it is.

Director: Dave Green Stars: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry, Laura Linney

✴✴✴✴

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping When it becomes clear that his solo album is a failure, a former boy band member does everything in his power to maintain his celebrity status.

Directors: Akiva Schaffer & Jorma Taccone Stars: Andy Samberg, Imogen Poots

12 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

T

HERE HAVE BEEN SIXTEEN YEARS OF X-MEN MOVIES and, save X-Men: First Class and X:Men: Days of Future Past, they’ve all be been fair to middling. 2000’s X-Men and X2 were both successful in terms of ticket sales, and can be credited with starting the modern superhero genre that currently dominates the summer landscape, but where Marvel Studios has perfected the team of titans fighting evil trope, X-Men has mostly been plagued with forced writing and movie star delivery.

Screen JOHN DEVORE

“

Our heroes, the X-Men, then bumble their way into to the story and have assorted CGI fights with other characters before having a final CGI fight at the end.”

While there were some good performances in the films from the likes of Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, there were also many laughable ones from Halle Berry and Rebecca Romijn. The poorly received X3 at first seemed to be the end of the franchise, but as with all Hollywood properties, nothing is ever truly dead. Fox reinvigorated the series with First Class by changing the setting and casting young talent.

James McAvoy and a pre-Hunger Games Jennifer Lawrence helped breathe new life the non-Marvel Studios Marvel property and Days of Future Past kept the momentum going. X-Men: Apocalypse gives up this momentum for boring conversations with characters that don’t matter and CGI spectacles that have very little consequence. For whatever reason, Marvel Studios continues to have a monopoly on relatable superhero characterizations.

X-Men: Apocalypse attempts to raise the stakes for the mutants in the film by introducing a villain that has long been a fan favorite for comic book readers. Apocalypse (Oscar Issac) is an ancient mutant with a god complex with an inconsistent a consistent set of powers. His mutations are manifold and endless. Essentially, the character can do anything the writer wants it to, so long as he tears up a team

of good guys.

All powerful, he has been buried underneath an Egyptian pyramid for thousands of years, waiting to be awoken by followers of the ancient religion he created. Once awoken, he immediately sets to reestablishing himself has the ruler of the world by cleansing it of nuclear weapons, sort of like in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace but angrier and more purple.

The small details of his plans, which has something to do with recruiting four powerful mutants to his cause, are left to the imagination. The audience mostly sees the character preparing for something nebulously evil. Our heroes, the X-Men, then bumble their way into to the story and have assorted CGI fights with other characters before having a final CGI fight at the end.

The story is dull no matter what is happening on screen. But they did manage to shoe-horn Wolverine into the story so that Hugh Jackman could get his paycheck.

The biggest problem with the film is the lack of serious consequences.

While this is a film about mutants, they are meant to be the minority in a world that fears them. Why wouldn’t they be feared when they are capable of such destruction, much of it accidental? But this aspect of the story, which has always been the crux of the X-Men narrative, is ignored for tired clichés about family.

Even the often condemned Bat-

man Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice attempted to address the issues surrounding dangerous super-powered individuals blowing up cities willy-nilly during their squabbles.

Humanity in X-Men: Apocalypse is treated as more of a minor inconvenience. They don’t really pose much of a threat when mountains can be moved at the wave of a hand. However, the film still features quality performances by the actors—Oscar Issac is enjoyable, if mostly unrecognizable behind the makeup. But the story is simply too overstuffed and underwritten. Director Bryan Singer, who notoriously banned all X-Men comics from the set of his earlier X-Men movies, does nothing here to help the audience connect to his characters. They are a collection of superpowers, weapons not people.

It’s interesting to note that the original X-Men film set the genre down the road of the extraordinary being grounded in the ordinary. Flashy colorful costumes were not included, cheesy Joel Shumaker dialogue was toned down, and small details of the real world were placed in the background. Gritty realism has dominated many of these films since. Perhaps that’s why the best comic book film this year has been Deadpool.

Comic books might be better served by using a few more jokes and little less darkness. The next person to helm the X-Men franchise would do well to remember that.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS SCENE

Getting Fractal With Merrill Love Experimental video artist combines light, math, and imagination

Step Inside the Color Spectrum Prism Pop Up Gallery benefits the Hart Gallery Many moons ago, when I was in elementary school, my mother taught me about the color spectrum by holding a glass prism up to our kitchen window to let the sunlight shine through, pointing out the rainbow reflected on the opposite wall.

That day I learned about the way light passes through particles to create what our eyes perceive as colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, respectively.

Visitors of the Prism Pop Up Gallery may not get the same home school experience I was granted, but they will have the opportunity to walk through the color spectrum as some of Chattanooga’s best artists present their work at the Granfalloon.

Prism Pop Up gallery is a one-day event this coming Tuesday that is dedicated to displaying and cele-

brating the varieties of color in art.

The exhibit is set up to create an immersive experience for visitors, categorizing artwork based on piece’s prominent colors and organizing them to mirror the color spectrum.

Walking through the exhibit’s expansive collection will evoke the same experience as taking a stroll through a rainbow.

The gallery features nothing but local artists, including Ron Johnson, representing green; Mary Hamby, representing yellow; Julian Walther, representing blue; and Antony Squizzato, representing red. At 7 and 8 p.m., live painting will be done

by Susan Creswell and Tony Mraz.

In addition, ten percent of ticket sales will be donated to the Hart Gallery, and all sales proceeds will go straight to the artists. The event begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $5.

— Hillary Eames

THU6.2

FRI6.3

SAT6.4

MUSEUM TIME

ART + OPENING

INDIE FILM FUN

Throwback Thursday

Swine: Grand Opening Reception

Cine-Rama: Grand Opening

Come enjoy their permanent collection free of charge 4 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org

Come welcome the newest Southside art gallery.

5 p.m.

Swine Gallery 100 W. Main St. facebook.com/swinegallery

14 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Our new indie film home.

5 p.m.

Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org

I

F YOU STAY UP LATE AT CHEROKEE FARMS, YOU MIGHT find yourself wandering through the woods. You might see a shimmering light off in the distance and think that you’re hallucinating—but it wouldn’t be a psychedelic vision. Though the experimental video installations that Merrill Val Love is orchestrating might resemble a trip, they are more akin to new life forms emerging from primordial slime.

Arts TONY MRAZ

“

It’s more complex than just the golden mean or the Fibonacci sequence. With fractals, you have to use computers to generate the images.”

In recent months he has been making a name for himself by creating complex works of art that involve multiple projectors, a unique computer system, and lots of experimentation. This scientific investigation of light and space has yielded some surprising and exciting results.

We sat down with Love to learn more about his art, his vision, and his process.

The Pulse: Who are some of your influences?

Merrill Love: My dad was a major influence. He wasn’t the kind of dad who pushed me into accounting or medical school. I’ve always liked art, and he was very supportive of that. My cousin, Jeff Crawford, worked with John Henry for a while, and he is a big influence. He has always stayed dedicated to art. Back in my painting days I was into Picasso.

TP: How did you get your start?

ML: Back in high school I couldn’t sleep, so I would stay up all night doing painting and drawing. Then I got out into the real world and had to pay bills. I changed my painting into being a chef, because I could create food, make some money, and still be artistic. I learned a lot really fast, and it was lots of fun. I got out of the restaurant business in 2009 when my cousin got me hired over at John Henry’s. I started painting for him and working on sculptures. Everything I have done has been with an artistic vision.

About a year ago I started getting in-

volved with production companies and working on events. The fractal animation project came about as kind of a freak accident. I was projecting fractals on a sheet at Roots Fest, and it was blinding people as they walked by, so I looked for a different screen to use.

There were trees around, so I tried projecting on them, and it just clicked.

When the mathematical hit the organic, they seemed to be together. The math was all there, and you could see it better with the fractals.

TP: What is the nature of the relationship between fractals and the structure of the trees?

ML: Fractals are just a mathematical representation of form, line, and light.

That same math is in everything we look at. Everything out in nature has a mathematical pattern. As the fractal animations grow and move, they line up with anything they are projected upon—not just trees—shrubbery, buildings, cars, everything is based on math.

TP: What do you use to create your fractals?

ML: It’s more complex than just the golden mean or the Fibonacci sequence. With fractals, you have to use computers to generate the images.

There’s no way that a human could process that amount of data. The fractal generation software I use is programmed with various formulas, and

the fractals are made by changing parameters like scale, vector, and angle.

The fractal generators are the only thing out there that can be used to make these animations. There has been a bit of a learning curve, but I’m catching on to how it all works.

TP: How do you set up an installation?

ML: I started out with a single projector, but I had a vision of using more of them. I designed and built a system to do this efficiently. Now I am running four projectors at a time with multiple computers. For the Magic Forest Lounge installation, we designed a room in the middle of the woods.

We wrapped all of the trees in the area with white cloth, and hung more pieces of cloth between the trees to create the space. Then we did overlay with the projectors.

I added in fog at my last show, thinking it would give the installation another layer, and ended up making holograms. It was wild. It looked like they were popping right out of the clouds, you could walk right up to them and swipe through them. I was absolutely amazed; it really worked out well. I’m definitely going to pursue more holography in the future.

Love’s next production will take place at the Moonshine Music & Arts Festival on July 1-3 (get details at moonshinemusicfest.com) CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 15

ARTS CALENDAR

Area 61 Birthday Celebration

THURSDAY6.2 Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. ooltewahnursery.com Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket.com St. Elmo Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Incline Railway 3917 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com Throwback Thursday 4 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Ambi Artists 6 p.m.

Heritage House 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 chattanooga.gov Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad 7:30 p.m.

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

FRIDAY6.3 Leslie J. Dulin Abstract

16 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Painting Reception 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26A Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com Swine: Grand Opening Reception 5 p.m.

Swine Gallery 100 W. Main St. facebook.com/swinegallery Area 61 First Friday Birthday Celebration 5:30 p.m.

Area 61 Gallery 61 E. Main St. (423) 648-9367 Open Studio Night 5:30 p.m.

Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com

PULSE PICK: GARY CONRAD Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad will have you thoroughly amazed.

Volunteer to be part of the show, Gary will put you to sleep and you will become part of a hypnotic adventure.

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

ShapeShifter Gallery 6 p.m.

Rev Center for Optimal Living 417 Frasier Ave. (423) 713-7390 chattanoogachamber.com River Gallery : Mia Kaplan Reception 6:30 p.m.

River Gallery 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033 river-gallery.com Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad 7:30, 10 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com The Importance of Being Earnest (in the Face of a Zombie Apocalypse) 8 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater

117 N. Chattanooga St. (423) 356-7437 backalleyproductions.org The Floor is YOURS 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Ladie’s Night at Cine-Rama 9:30 p.m.

Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org

SATURDAY6.4 Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 facebook.com/ BrainerdFarmersMarket Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m.

Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (423) 265-0695 chattanoogarivermarket.com Northside Farmers Market 10 am.

Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-7497 St. Alban’s Hixson Market 10 a.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 facebook.com/ StAlbansFarmersMarket

ARTS CALENDAR

Cine-Rama Grand Opening 29th Annual Spring Garden Tour 10 a.m.

Master Gardener Butterfly/ Hummingbird Garden 301 Riverfront Pkwy. mghc.org General William S. Rosencrans at Chickamauga 10 a.m.

Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park 3370 Lafayette Rd. (706) 866-9241 Make Play Read Learn South Chattanooga Kickoff 1 p.m.

South Chattanooga Library 925 W. 39th St. (423) 825-7237 chattlibrary.org Eat, Sip, Walk: Southside Tasting Tour 3 p.m.

Southside Chattanooga 217 E. Main St. (423) 708-5328 eatsipwalk.com Cine-Rama: Grand Opening 5 p.m.

Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org Chattanooga Latin Nights Summer Bash 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 thecamphouse.com Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad 7:30, 10 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Massari-Woods Dance Spring Recital 7:30 p.m UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu/fine-arts-center The Importance of Being Earnest (in the Face of a Zombie Apocalypse) 8 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. (423) 356-7437 backalleyproductions.org

SUNDAY6.5 Chattanooga Market 11 a.m.

Chattanooga Market 1829 Carter St. (423) 402-9957 chattanoogamarket.com A Painter’s Hand: The Works of Adolph Gottlieb Noon.

Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org 29th Annual Spring Garden Tour 1 p.m.

Master Gardener Butterfly/ Hummingbird Garden 301 Riverfront Pkwy. mghc.org

The Importance of Being Earnest (in the Face of a Zombie Apocalypse) 2:30 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. (423) 356-7437 backalleyproductions.org Massari-Woods Dance Spring Recital 2:30 p.m UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 utc.edu/fine-arts-center Master Hypnotist Gary Conrad 5, 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Free Community Movie: “War Room” 6 p.m.

Heritage Pointe Baptist Church 60 Dyer Bridge Pl. (706) 858-0976 heritagepointebaptist.com “High-Rise” Encore Screening 8:30 p.m.

Cine-Rama 100 W. Main St. (423) 521-1716 thecinerama.org

MONDAY6.6 Red Bank Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Red Bank United Methodist Church 3800 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com

TUESDAY6.7 East Brainerd Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Audubon Acres 900 N. Sanctuary Rd. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com

WEDNESDAY6.8 Art Boot Camp for Adults 9:30 a.m.

Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Middle Eastern Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Main Street Market 4 p.m.

325 E. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Wednesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 17

18 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

The Dwell Hotel Channels 1950's Elegance Fully restored hotel evokes memories of the classic age of accomodations As we move further into the future, times continue to change.

Our cell phones and televisions become thinner, our relationships become more distant, and we find ourselves lost in the BROOKE technology age with nothing but our screens, followers, and ‘likes’ to keep us company.

When people think of ‘simpler times’, they think back with fond memories, which is precisely why owner Seija Ojanpera has brought Stone Fort Inn back to simpler times with its renovation into The Dwell Hotel.

“It’s a mid-century vibe,” says Ojanpera. “In the ‘50s, The Colonial Hotel thrived, so we restored it to that era, but with modern functionality.” Ojanpera tells us she preferred the eclectic, ‘50s style by incorporating original ‘50s art, lamps, and chairs in guest’s rooms as well as the various seating areas around the hotel. “Some people think we’ve destroyed this piece of history, but what we’ve actually done is brought it back to its heyday.”

While some are quick to judge Ojanpera for her extensive re-

model, those same few should ask themselves if they’d really be willing to stay in a hotel with leaky, wallmounted AC units or without other such modDORN ern amenities we’ve all grown so accustomed to.

The bones and soul of the old Stone Fort Inn are still alive and well, and although the hotel has had one serious facelift, there’s no denying the antique charm is still thriving as well. The original brick shows through in many rooms, sometimes the standard red brick, sometimes glossed over with stark white paint for a modern pallor against the bright hues of the ‘50s.

For those of you who have visited The Dwell Hotel in its various states and under various names, one very important thing has endured throughout the hotel’s many transitions: the 100-year-old staircase. Standing strong in the center of the hotel, this dated beauty keeps the hotel’s history alive, a relic

Business

The Dwell Hotel Relax in cozy elegance at the historic, 16 room Dwell Hotel—one of few boutique luxury hotels located in the heart of downtown Chattanooga.

120 East 10th Street • (423) 267-7866 www.thedwellhotel.com

“ The bones and soul of the old Stone Fort Inn are still alive and well, and although the hotel has had one serious facelift, there’s no denying the antique charm is still thriving as well.” amongst ever-shifting times.

Take a trip back in time as you scale the delightfully creaky wooden stairs to retro euphoria.

Ojanpera’s true feat with The Dwell Hotel has been combining its old charm with a freshness of future past. Pops of pinks, blues, yellows, and mod prints and patterns complete the retro look in the lobby, palm leaf wallpaper covering the wall behind a peachy-hued couch, all of it somehow tying in perfectly with the warm wooden staircase.

It all drips with a certain posh elegance that would not have been possible

without the revamp. The bright couches, throw pillows, and eye-catching wallpapers extend up into the guest rooms, where each room is uniquely decorated.

Dazzling wallpapers with multicolored shapes, bumblebees, massive palm leaves, and more, cover accent walls in every room, giving each one a ‘wow’ factor unlike any other hotel in the city.

Expect to wake refreshed after a sweet slumber wrapped in luxury linens. Stay curled up in your sheets or pull on a nice, fluffy robe and get ready for room service like you’ve never experienced

it before.

Enjoy the finest foods from Terra Mae in the lobby below, from homemade cream puffs to mouth-watering omelets, and find your brunch bliss.

Perhaps you’d like to dine in your bathroom’s massive tub, be it a gorgeous pedestal tub or a beautiful modern soaker. Take in the natural light that filters in through the hotel’s massive windows as you drift off for an afternoon nap.

Regardless of why you’re visiting, The Dwell Hotel is sure to surprise, please, and bring guests coming back for more of an escape to the past.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 19

DIVERSIONS FREE WILL ASTROLOGY GEMINI (May 21June 20): I foresee fertile chaos in your immediate future, Gemini. I predict lucky accidents and smoldering lucidity and disciplined spontaneity. Do you catch the spirit of what I’m ROB BREZSNY suggesting? Your experiences will not be describable by tidy theories. Your intentions will not fit into neat categories. You will be a vivid embodiment of sweet paradoxes and crazy wisdom and confusing clarity. Simple souls may try to tone you down, but I hope you will evade their pressure as you explore the elegant contradictions you encounter. Love your life exactly as it is! Methodical improvisations will be your specialty. Giving gifts that are both selfish and unselfish will be one of your best tricks. “Healing extremes” will be your code phrase of power.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): According to many sources on the Internet, “werifesteria” is an obscure word from Old English. But my research suggests it was in fact dreamed up within the last few years by a playful hoaxster. Regardless of its origins, I think it’s an apt prescription to fix what’s bugging you. Here’s the definition: “to wander longingly through the forest in search of mystery and adventure.” If you are not currently seeking out at least a metaphorical version of that state, I think you should be. Now is an excellent time to reap the catalytic benefits of being willingly lost in a wild, idyllic, relaxing setting.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I’m debating about which of your astrological houses will be your featured hotspot in the coming days. I’m guessing it will come down to two options: your House of Valid Greed and your House of Obligatory Sharing. The House of Valid Greed has a good chance to predominate, with its lush feasts and its expansive moods. But the House of Obligatory Sharing has an austere beauty that makes it a strong possibility, as well. Now here’s the trick ending, Leo: I’d like to see if you can emphasize both houses equally; I hope you’ll try to inhabit them both at the same time. Together they will grant you a power that

neither could bestow alone.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Between now and July 25, there’s a chance you will reach the peak of a seemingly unclimbable mountain. You could win a privilege that neither you nor anyone else ever dreamed was within your reach. It’s possible you’ll achieve a milestone you’ve been secretly preparing for since childhood. Think I’m exaggerating, Virgo? I’m not. You could break a record for the biggest or best or fastest, or you might finally sneak past an obstacle that has cast a shadow over your self-image for years. And even if none of these exact events comes to pass, the odds are excellent that you will accomplish another unlikely or monumental feat. Congratulations in advance!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “My mother gave birth to me once, yeah yeah yeah,” writes author Sara Levine. “But I’ve redone myself a million times.” I’m sure she is not demeaning her mom’s hard work, but rather celebrating her own. When’s the last time you gave birth to a fresh version of yourself?

From where I stand, it looks like the next 12 to 15 months will be one of those fertile phases of reinvention. And right now is an excellent time to get a lightning-flash glimpse of what the New You might look like.

Homework: Psychologists say that a good way to eliminate a bad habit is to replace it with a good one.

How will you do that?

Freewillastrology.com mood of welcoming one-of-a-kind people, things, and events. Be so empty you have ample room to accommodate an influx of new dispensations. As James Guida concludes: “Not to count or think of chickens.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author Rebecca Solnit offers some tough advice that I think you could use. “Pain serves a purpose,” she says. “Without it you are in danger. What you cannot feel you cannot take care of.” With that in mind, Scorpio, I urge you to take full advantage of the suffering you’re experiencing. Treat it as a gift that will motivate you to transform the situation that’s causing you to hurt. Honor it as a blessing you can use to rise above the mediocre or abusive circumstances you have been tolerating.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “No gift is ever exactly right for me,” mourns Capricorn poet James Richardson. Don’t you dare be like him in the coming days. Do whatever you must to ensure that you receive at least one gift that’s exactly right for you. Two gifts would be better; three sublime.

Here’s another thought from Richardson: “Success repeats itself until it is a failure.” Don’t you dare illustrate that theory. Either instigate changes in the way you’ve been achieving success, or else initiate an entirely new way. Here’s one more tip from Richardson: “Those who demand consideration for their sacrifices were making investments, not sacrifices.” Don’t you dare be guilty of that sin. Make sacrifices, not investments. If you do, your sacrifices will ultimately turn out to be good investments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Aphorist James Guida contemplates the good results that can come from not imposing expectations on the raw reality that’s on its way. “Not to count chickens before they’re hatched,” he muses, “or eggs before they’re laid, chickens who might possibly lay eggs, birds who from afar might be confused with chickens.” I recommend this strategy for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. Experiment with the pleasure of being wide open to surprises. Cultivate a

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Life will invite you to explore the archetype of the Ethical Interloper in the coming days. The archetype of the Helpful Transgressor may tempt you, as well, and even the Congenial Meddler or the Compassionate Trickster might look appealing. I urge you to consider experimenting with all of these. It will probably be both fun and productive to break taboos in friendly ways. You could reconnoiter forbidden areas without freaking anyone out or causing a

20 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

troublesome ruckus. If you’re sufficiently polite and kind in expressing your subversive intentions, you might leave a trail of good deeds in your wake.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your theme comes from the title of a poem by Fortesa Latifi: “I Am Still Learning How to Do the Easy Things.” During the next phase of your astrological cycle, I invite you to specialize in this study. You may imagine that you are already a master of the simple, obvious arts of life, but here’s the news: Few of us are. And the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to refine your practice. Here’s a good place to start: Eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired, and give love when you’re lonely.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The voices in our heads are our constant companions. They fill our inner sanctuary with streams of manic commentary.

Often we’re not fully cognizant of the bedlam, since the outer world dominates our focus. But as soon as we close our eyes and turn our attention inward, we’re immersed in the jabbering babble.

That’s the bad news, Aries. Now here’s the good news. In the coming weeks you will have far more power than usual to ignore, dodge, or even tamp down the jabbering babble. As a result, you may get a chance to spend unprecedented amounts of quality time with the still, small voice at your core—the wise guide that is often drowned out by all the noise.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): We are inclined to believe that the best way to see the whole picture or the complete story is from above. The eagle that soars overhead can survey a vast terrain in one long gaze. The mountaintop perspective affords a sweeping look at a vast landscape. But sometimes this perspective isn’t perfectly useful. What we most need to see may be right next to us, or nearby, and it’s only visible if our vision is narrowly focused. Here’s how poet Charles Bernstein expresses it: “What’s missing from the bird’s eye view is plain to see on the ground.” Use this clue in the coming weeks.

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

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 21

MUSIC SCENE

The Iscariots Get Political With New Backwards Country

Salsa, Swing and Latin Fun Celebrate viversity at the Latin Nights Summer Bash Last year, Chattanooga Latin Nights Summer Bash enjoyed an incredibly successful, incredibly popular inaugural event with more than 300 participants. This year they’re coming back for more, offering Chattanooga a night of Latin music, food, dancing, and fun.

Doors will open this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at The Camp House, with a complimentary salsa lesson from Jesse Ramos from G2G Salsa at 8 p.m.

The night will be alive with varieties of Latin music from Chattanooga’s own salsa band favorite, Carlos Colon & The Tropical Swing. Later into the night DJ Flux 308 will keep participants dancing to the hottest Latin beats.

As well as live music and a night of dancing, local restaurant Ovalle’s will be serving a variety of Latin-infused dishes to hungry participants, while

The Camp House will also serve specialty drinks throughout the night.

Xavier O. Cotto explained that, after moving to Chattanooga from Puerto Rico, he wanted to provide Latino-based entertainment and provide a welcome-to-all environment.

He was met with overwhelming support from sponsors, vendors, and attendees alike.

“Chattanooga Latin Nights is the beautiful outcome of one person noticing a need for this type of event in town,” Otto says, “and then a whole group of people jumping on board and supporting it in different ways to make it happen.” The night provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the town’s diversity and culture.

Otto adds, “We’re doing this to advance the Latino arts/music scene in town. We hope new talent emerges.”

— Hillary Eames

THU6.2

FRI6.3

SAT6.4

BLACK CODE JAZZ

PUPPET PARADE

TRUE BLUES

Legends of Jazz

Nick Lutsko & The Gimmix

Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers

A tribute to Wynton Marsalis’s “Black Codes (From The Underground)” with some jazz greats.

7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org

Nick will lead a puppet parade from Nightfall to the Choo Choo.

10 p.m.

Revelry Room 1400 Market St. revelryroom.co

22 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

If you've never caught Rick live, you are missing out on a true blues experience.

8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com

One of Chattanooga’s best bands returns with a fantastic new album

A

H, THE ISCARIOTS. IF I HAD A NICKEL FOR EVERY word I ever wrote about the Iscariots…wait, I do. Well, time for more nickels I suppose as one of Chattanooga’s more prolific recording acts has an all new album ready for human consumption. Backwards Country is the name of the album and it just may be their most important recording to date.

Music MARC T. MICHAEL

“

Beginning to end, the album is a trove of interesting, thoughtprovoking and highly enjoyable music from a band that has a reputation for all three qualities.”

In the first place, if you haven’t heard the Iscariots, know that they self-describe as both ska and reggae. This is an important distinction, particularly since all too many folks have a stunted, frat-boy idea of reggae music, “It’s that music with the weird beat that Bob Marley invented and it’s all about smoking pot!”

In truth, reggae has almost always been political music at its heart and this is the most political album I’ve heard from this group. In fact, the timeliness and relevance of the politically driven material on the album makes this one of the most authentically reggae projects I’ve heard in years.

It isn’t all politics though, and that’s where the ska comes in to play. I have to plead ignorance when it comes to original, first wave ska, but 2-Tone and third wave are readily accessible and the Iscariots excel in their representation of the genre. Ska, generally speaking, is “fun” or at least less-concerned with burning issues of the day and herein lies the genius of the album.

Although I can rightfully call it their most political album to date, the boys in the band have been careful not to club

the listener over the head with it, choosing instead to make the collection an even-handed balance between ska and reggae, a mix of light-hearted and serious. I should note that there is at least a minor appearance of a third style I suspect is entirely the invention of the Iscariots that we’ll call “Caribbean Psychedelic.” The tracks “Murder Dub” and “Officer” come to mind.

“Backwards Country,” “Slave Race,” and “Election Night” are three outstanding examples of the Iscariots’ socially relevant commentary on this disc. Although it is my habit to dissect a new album tune by tune, I don’t want to spoil the experience of hearing these for the first time.

What I will say is that in an election year, in what is proving to be one of the most passionate and, frankly, bizarre election years of my life, here are three songs that speak directly not only to youth culture, but to the dispossessed and disenfranchised of all ages.

There are bold statements here and I admire them for the courage of their conviction. Not everyone likes political themes in their music, but then I don’t think the Iscariots are the kind of group that makes trying to please everyone a particularly high priority.

Musically, it’s excellent, and thematically, it’s going to resonate with far more people than not.

On the other side of the fence, “Sucking So Bad” is significantly lighter-hearted, though still poignant,

fare. If you’ve ever found yourself in a one-sided relationship that you were loath to quit, the theme (and undoubtedly some of the phrasing) of “Sucking So Bad” is going to be very familiar. I don’t know if we’ve all been there, but I certainly have (don’t worry, life got infinitely better) and I had to laugh out loud when the chorus came around for the first time.

Beginning to end, the album is a trove of interesting, thought-provoking and highly enjoyable music from a band that has a reputation for all three qualities. The album exudes a greater depth and maturity than earlier works which speaks to the growth and longevity of the band. Backwards Country also features a larger assortment of guest artists than any previous Iscariots work.

Besides the Iscariots themselves (Jesse Jungkurth on vocals, guitar, harmonica and keys, Adrian Lajas on bass, vocals, keys and percussion, Ivan Garcia on drums, vocals and keys, Oneal Dover on guitars and keys and Brett Nolan on keys) the album includes the talents of Swayyvo on sax, Jonathan Susman on drums, Adam Brown on drums and engineering, Jon Wimpee on guitar and vocals, Allison “Lowell” Waller on trombone and vocals and John Boulware on mandolin.

Provided I can make it to the studio before the final mastering, I have offered my own prodigious cowbell talents as well.

The album’s release party will be held at Dumpy’s on June 18th.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 23

MUSIC CALENDAR

Sister Hazel

THURSDAY6.2 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John's Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Rick Rushing Blues Jazz N’ Friends 6 p.m.

Bluewater Grille 224 Broad St. bluewaterchattanooga.com Live Bluegrass 6:30 p.m.

Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Legends of Jazz: A Tribute to Wynton Marsalis’s “Black Codes (From The Underground)” 7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Bluegrass Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Feed Co. Table & Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.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 The Delta Saints, Roots of Rebellion

24 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

9 p.m.

Revelry Room 1400 Market St. revelryroom.co Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com

FRIDAY6.3 Old Time Travelers, Ben Durham 10 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Rock The Block: DJ Fred Watson, 6th Street Band 5 p.m.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd.

PULSE PICK: LON ELDRIDGE Lon Eldridge is often said to have talent and style well beyond his years. His warm and infectious musicality is sure keep you tuned in throughout the day or night.

Lon Eldridge Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com

bessiesmithcc.org Martin Hickey Band 5 p.m.

The Leapin' Leprechaun 101 Market St. (423) 777-9097 Jimmy Davis 5:30 p.m.

Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. chattanoogamarket.com Nick Lutsko, High Meadows Communion 7 p.m.

Nightfall Concert Series Miller Plaza 800 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com The Bad Tattoo Band 7:30 p.m.

Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. cambridgesquaretn.com Fire Fighters Benefit

featuring Sister Hazel 8 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium 399 McCallie Ave. chattanoogaonstage.com The Floor is YOURS 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Live Music 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Megan Saunders and The Driftless 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/chattanooga American Watermelon 10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Nick Lutsko & The Gimmix 10 p.m.

Revelry Room 1400 Market St. revelryroom.co Aunt Betty 10 p.m.

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

MUSIC CALENDAR

Buckethead

SATURDAY6.4 Old Time Travelers, AM Radio 10 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Jacob Johnson, Michael Jacobs 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Leaky Sockets 5 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Eddie Pontiac 6 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com The Wrong Way: Tribute to Sublime 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 1400 Market St. revelryroom.co Arlo Gilliam, Heidi Raye and Kenny Berry 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/chattanooga Sulllivan Band

10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Kara-Ory-Oke 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Live Music 10 p.m.

Raw Bar & Grill 409 Market St. rawbarandgrillchatt.com Aunt Betty 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY6.5 Old Time Travelers, Highbeams 10 a.m.

Rock City 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Cole Thannish, James Hatem & The Transfers 11 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Lon Eldridge 12:30 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Jacob Johnson 2 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St.

chattanoogamarket.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775

MONDAY6.6 Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

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

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com Open Mic Night 6 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Buckethead 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 1400 Market St. revelryroom.co

TUESDAY6.7 Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com

Scroll Downers 9 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY6.8 Noon Tunes with Amber Fults 12 p.m.

Miller Plaza 850 Market St. rivercitycompany.com Dana Rogers 4:30 p.m.

Collegedale Commons 4950 Swinyar Dr. collegedalemarket.com The Other Guys 6 p.m.

SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy.

(423) 834-9300 Open Jam 8 p.m.

Raw Dance Club 409 Market St. rawbarandgrillchatt.com Wednesday Night Jazz 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Wednesday Blues Jam 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Café 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 25

RECORD REVIEWS ERNIE PAIK

A Finger-Picking Master Returns, West Africa Continues to Delight

Harry Taussig gets on picking, Ghali & Akrouni team up in Tuareg

Harry Arthur Taussig Too Late to Die Young (Tompkins Square)

H

arry Arthur Taussig is an American polymath—a physicist with a PhD, collage artist, photographer, film expert and fingerstyle guitarist—who recorded his first album, Fate Is Only Once, in 1965 and was featured on the compilation Contemporary Guitar: Spring ‘67 on American Primitive guitarist John Fahey’s Takoma label alongside notables including Bukka White and Robbie Basho.

Well over four decades elapsed

Fatou Seidi Ghali & Alamnou Akrouni Les Filles de Illighadad (Sahelsounds)

until his follow-up solo album, Fate Is Only Twice, was released in 2012, marking a welcome return; since the comeback, Taussig has been on a roll, releasing The Diamond of Lost Alphabets in 2014 and the new full-length, Too Late to Die Young.

Taussig’s early work was very much in the realm of American Primitive Guitar—the mid-century genre that grew out of traditional folk and country blues, popularized primarily by Leo

26 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Kottke and Fahey—with a few clear influences such as the legendary Elizabeth Cotten.

Fifty years later, Taussig now wants to gingerly push listeners, saying that “Invention is again possible without obvious references to the past,” with an optimism that an artist can still go beyond postmodern plundering, in a world where seemingly everything that can be done has already been done.

How does Taussig accomplish this on Too Late to Die Young?

It’s not through radical structures, although he weaves in and out of atypical time signatures for fingerstyle guitar, and a familiar thumbed two-bass-note backbone is ever-present here. What Taussig brings to the table is a subtly distinctive style that is a contrast from the effortlessly rolling work of, say, Kottke or Fahey.

His plucking can be forceful but not metronomic, with a sort of tentative feeling to the proceedings, even when in a more casual, sauntering mood. This injects tiny bits of tension into each

note—the listener waits for a misstep that never happens.

Too Late to Die Young is in an unusual zone, between a calculated approach and a more organic, tempo-shifting looseness—it’s not exactly what most people would consider invention, although he forges a fascinating, identifiable musical personality.

T

he nonchalant manner the music starts on the west African album Les Filles de Illighadad from the duo of Fatou Seidi Ghali and Alamnou Akrouni catches the listener off-guard, with Ghali on guitar tuning up and playing warm-up notes that swiftly morph organically into impressively dexterous fingerpicking with an abundance of ornamental grace-note flutters.

In the background, ambient nature sounds are heard, and between songs which feature the gentle, unadorned singing of Akrouni, the listener can hear the sound of her clearing her throat, plus soft, incidental chatter not officially part of the show.

All of these elements set the mood with the informality of a campfire singalong, painting a picture of a rural, desert performance in the town of Illighadad in the Saharan nation of Niger with sonic blossoms sprouting in a setting that turns out to be anything but lifeless and barren.

There is so much great Tuareg guitar music coming from west Africa that it’s hard to keep up with it all, with proponents such as Bombino and the group Tinariwen leading the way, and the entrancing Les Filles de Illighadad is a worthy entry that casts a compelling spell upon the listener.

Two different approaches are taken on the album, with a side devoted to each. The first half features stunningly nimble acoustic guitar work balanced with naturally gorgeous vocals, with Ghali’s adept low-note bass pulse underneath her rapid, gazelle-like treble notes like on tracks such as “Telilit.”

The album’s second half features a single 18-minute tende performance with the duo leading a women’s vocal troupe, accompanied only by a hand-struck drum and handclaps to create a hypnotic beauty that makes time melt away, blissfully.

Kudos to the label Sahelsounds for, yet again, spotlighting obscure yet worthy-of-attention Tuareg music that can simultaneously nourish, rouse and lull.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 27

Diversions

Consider This with Dr. Rick

by Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. “If you don’t love yourself, you’ll always be chasing after people who don’t love you either.” —Mandy Hale And conversely, if you do love yourself, you’ll connect with others who love you, too. They will have that love themselves, and they’ll recognize it in you. If they don’t, they’ll soon slip away as you zig and they zag.

I have a friend who opens doors for his 12-year-old daughter. Think about that. This is a young girl whose dad is teaching her, through this small gesture, to seek others who will treat her with respect and consideration. Anything less will not feel right, and will ultimately not be a good fit for her. Her future friends and romantic partners will be people who meet her at that level, or they just won’t cut it.

Wouldn’t it be great if all young people would be given lessons about self-respect, self-love, and who they surround themselves with? Of course, it’s never too late to learn this lesson, no matter your age.

28 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Jonesin’ Crossword

MATT JONES

“Willard’s Theme”—featuring a few minor characters.

ACROSS 1 “... why ___ thou forsaken me?”

5 Agitated state 11 “Cool” amount of money 14 Largest of seven 15 Pacify 16 “UHF” actress Sue ___ Langdon 17 Cardio boxing animal?

19 ___ juste 20 Colgate rival, once 21 Two-tone cookie 22 Exhale after a long run 23 Lewis and Helmsley, for two 25 Servicemember with the motto “We build. We fight” 27 Nightfall, in an ode 28 2012 Republican National Convention city 32 How some people learn music 33 Chemical analysis kit used on the banks of a waterway?

35 One of its letters

stands for “Supported” 37 Family surname in a 2016 ABC sitcom 38 Portraits and such 39 Shopping center featuring earth-toned floor coverings?

42 “All Quiet on the Western Front” star Lew 43 Black, as a chimney 44 Krivoy ___, Ukraine 47 Old Navy’s sister store 49 Belgian ___ 51 Bit of anguish 52 Got 103% on (including extra credit) 56 Peace advocates 57 The ___ Glove (“As Seen on TV” mitt) 58 Neighborhood a long way from the nearest pie?

60 “Funky Cold Medina” rapper Tone ___ 61 “Amazing,” to ‘80s dudes 62 Great Lakes port 63 Nickname of 2004 Cooperstown

inductee Dennis 64 Cannabis variety 65 What you might say when you get the theme answers (or if you can’t figure them out) DOWN 1 Dicker over the price 2 Snowden in Moscow, e.g.

3 San ___ (Hearst Castle site) 4 “What I do have are a very particular set of skills” movie 5 25-Across’s gp.

6 Launch cancellation 7 Serengeti sound 8 Raison d’___ 9 Chases away 10 Auto racer ___ Fabi 11 Her bed was too soft 12 Sans intermission 13 11th in a series 18 Classic violin maker 22 2002 eBay acquisition 24 Delight in 26 Go out, like the tide 29 Meal handouts

30 Newman’s Own competitor 31 Battleground of 1836 33 Power shake ingredient, maybe 34 Get ___ start 35 “Julius Caesar” phrase before “and let slip the dogs of war” 36 Minor symptom of whiplash 39 One way to enter a hidden cave?

40 Gp. concerned with hacking 41 “Hollywood Squares” veteran Paul 44 Talk show host Geraldo 45 No longer upset 46 Beaux ___ (gracious acts) 48 Word after war or oil 50 Medicine dispenser 53 Drug ___ 54 Pound of poetry 55 “Burning Giraffes in Yellow” painter 58 Some movie ratings 59 Prefix meaning “power”

Copyright © 2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 0782 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 29

COLUMN SUSHI & BISCUITS

The Incredible, Edible Egg Yolk How the humble cured egg can recharge your cuisine

MIKE MCJUNKIN

“

Salt curing is one of the oldest food preservation techniques known to man and is easily adaptable to egg yolks.”

Longtime food writer and professional chef Mike McJunkin is a native Chattanoogan currently living abroad who has trained chefs, owned and operated restaurants. Join him on Facebook at facebook.com/SushiAndBiscuits

As the sun positions itself higher and higher in the sky, an age old ritual plays out in backyards, cul-de-sacs, and sun cracked decks across the city. Backyard cooks emerge from their winter slumber and perform the ceremonial unveiling of the grill.

This custom is usually followed by an elaborate arrangement of utensils and accoutrements that form a personalized shrine dedicated to the seasonal foods soon to be kissed by the holy open flame.

As with many long held sacraments, it’s easy to begin to just “go through the motions.” You’ve memorized the catechism— “Peace Love and Barbeque”, the operators at Lafrieda Meats know you by name, and you’ve opened both your heart and your grill to all manner of fish, poultry and even vegetables, but deep in your heart you know there’s more. You know there is a taste, a flavor, an ingredient that has continued to elude your yearning taste buds.

And you would be right.

There is an ingredient so simple, so ubiquitous, but yet so powerful in its ability to add depth and breadth to almost any dish it almost borders on sorcery. But yet it sits in our refrigerators, unpretentiously awaiting its moment to shine.

I’m talking about that glorious staple of everyone’s pantry, the rock star of the cold chest, the one, the only—egg.

I know that seems a bit anticlimactic.

But for all the beauty a fried egg adds to a

30 • THE PULSE • JUNE 2, 2016 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

hamburger or a sublime poached egg adds to a perfectly cooked steak, these have become a part of the standard quiver of ingredients used by all great burger and meat cuisiniers. Nothing new to see there.

I, however, am proposing a process that transforms the already magnificent egg yolk into something even more powerful, an act of transubstantiation that makes the yolk a potent tool in the fight against the evils of culinary monotony. I call upon all devotees of the grill to explore the wonder that is the salt cured egg yolk.

Salt curing is one of the oldest food preservation techniques known to man and is easily adaptable to egg yolks. Covering the yolks in a curing mixture of salt and sugar extracts moisture and transform them into a soft, jelly-like disk with highly concentrated yolk flavor. Variations on the technique and time cured can produce a gratable, but pliable, texture similar to Parmesan cheese with a flavor that’s sweet, rich and deeply eggy with just a hint of salt.

The quality that makes salt cured egg yolks particularly suited for grilled items is the near magical metamorphosis that occurs when tiny bits of shaved or grated yolk melt in your mouth or dissolve on a cooked dish to form a sauce that coats every delicious morsel you’re eating.

Aside from obvious uses, such as sliced atop a freshly grilled burger or shaved across a juicy steak like magic sauce disks,

they can be used as an umami blasting flavor booster, adding dimension and a memorable richness to almost any grilled dish.

Crumble over grilled veggies like bok choy or asparagus; shave thin slices across shrimp or fish just as it comes off the grill; use a still runny, short-cured yolk atop grilled brioche with white beans and smoky sausage; grate a generous dose over pulled pork or chicken sandwiches just before topping them. I would certainly never tell you how to live your life, but if I were you, I would grate these all over everything.

Cured Egg Yolks Combine one cup of sugar and one cup of kosher salt in a mixing bowl and evenly spread half of the mixture into a glass baking dish. (pro tip: add flavorings such as herbs or spices to the curing mixture for an added flavor kick) Make five small indentations in the mixture and slide five yolks into them, being careful they don’t touch each other. Cover the yolks completely with the remaining curing mixture, wrap the dish in plastic and place it in the refrigerator.

For runny, poached egg-like results, remove the yolks after 75 minutes, carefully rinse off the curing mixture and use immediately. For a firm, gratable result leave them in the fridge for 4 days.

After four days, the yolks will be firm, translucent and look kind of like dried apricots. Remove them from the cure, carefully rinse with water and gently dry with a paper towel.

Then wrap the yolks in plastic and refrigerate until you’re ready to use them— they can last up to three months!

Help us build the new Children’s Hospital.

Our Children’s Hospital has become one of the nation’s elite academic pediatric medical centers over the last 40 years.

It’s also become one of the nation’s oldest.

Help us raise our facilities to the same level of excellence as our world-class care.

Donate at WeBelieve.build

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 2, 2016 • THE PULSE • 31