The Pulse 14.33 » August 17, 2017 by Brewer Media Group

VOL. 14, NO. 32 • AUGUST 17, 2017

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

MUSIC · FILM · THEATER · PUBLIC ART · GALLERIES · DANCE · MUSEUMS · PERFORMANCE ART

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VOL. 14, NO. 33 • AUGUST 17, 2017

CHATTANOOGA'S RENAISSANCE

The Pulse has been around for going on fifteen years, and over the time we’ve had a front row seat to the emerging renaissance of arts, music, film, dance and culture in this city.

FINDING ART WELL OFF THE BEATEN PATH

The Liquidambar Gallery at the Sequatchie Valley Institute just opened its doors under the direction of Carol Kimmons, whose family has lived on the land since 1971.

THE UNSATISFIED: AGELESS PUNK ROYALTY

It isn’t every day I get to write about punk royalty, but today is a good day and The Unsatisfied have released a new EP.

SPEAKING CLIMATE TRUTH TO POWER

It’s been eleven years since Al Gore released An Inconvenient Truth, an Oscar winning documentary that laid the foundation for climate change awareness, offering daunting statistics, terrifying possibilities, and pathways towards a hopeful future.

ALSO INSIDE

State of the Arts in Chattanooga Chattanooga is a vibrant city, filled with music, arts, and entertainment. In this special issue of The Pulse, we take a look at where we stand as a city, culturally speaking. From music, film, theater, and dance to our many art galleries, museums, public art projects, and non-traditional performance artists.

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

CONSIDER THIS

MIXOLOGY

JUST A THEORY

NEW IN THEATERS

ARTS CALENDAR

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

ART OF BUSINESS

THE COMIX

MUSIC CALENDAR

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

MUSIC REVIEWS

SUSHI & BISCUITS

Stephanie Smith is a Renaissance woman who has written stories, educated children, acted characters, sung songs, danced swing, cooked original culinary creations, and made people laugh with her ability to put her foot in her mouth.

Album reviewer and music writer Ernie Paik has written about music and film for various publications for over 20 years. As a recording artist, he has created original music for film, radio, television and theater.

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BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE

Chattanooga's Renaissance We've come a long way culturally over the past two decades By Gary Poole

Pulse Managing Editor

BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II 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 Steven W. Disbrow • Kevin Hale Matt Jones • Louis Lee Mike McJunkin • Tony Mraz Ernie Paik • Rick Pimental-Habib Stephanie Smith • Jenn Webster Editorial Intern Lauren Waegele Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

ADVERTISING Director of Sales Mike Baskin

Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Brittany Dreon Rick Leavell • Libby Phillips Danielle Swindell • Logan Vandergriff

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St., Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Contents Copyright © 2017 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

HE PULSE HAS BEEN AROUND for going on fifteen years, and over the time we’ve had a front row seat to the emerging renaissance of arts, music, film, dance and culture in this city. Our very first issue took a look at the ongoing plans to revitalize the Southside, which turned out to be quite prophetic. But it’s more than just one part of the city that has grown and become so vibrant. The entire city, led by the people who call this area home, has undergone a true transformation. I remember going downtown to grab a bite to eat on a Friday night some twenty years ago and being struck by how quiet it was. I even noticed a group of UTC students riding their skateboards down 4th Street across Market and Broad without any worries about cross traffic. My, how times have changed. These days, those skateboarders would be made into not-so-attractive hood ornaments all too quickly, and it takes almost as long to decide upon which of the dozens of great restaurants to have dinner at as it does to find a parking space. And what to do before and after dinner has become even more difficult. Do you want to go to a live concert? Feel like taking in a live play or catching an offthe-beaten path movie? Maybe you’d like to see some dance, browse through an art gallery, or visit an interesting museum. Or maybe you just want to walk around and check out all the public art or stroll through a sculpture garden. No matter what, your choices are seemingly endless. We have moved far beyond the days of, “There’s nothing to do in this town.” In this issue, our annual “State of the Arts” look at the city, we asked our local ex-

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“A city is defined by its people. A living city is filled with art, with dance, with song. It is more than walls and streets and roads; a city comes alive with its culture.” perts to find out where we are and where we are going. The answers are both enlightening and encouraging...and show just how alive this city truly is. But what it all comes down to is our people. Not specifically our people here at The Pulse (though I do greatly appreciate all of our very talented writers and contributors), but the people who have made this city so exciting. From the creative types who paint, sculpt, dance, make great music, act for the love of acting, the entrepreneurs who have opened up galleries and theaters and performance venues and, most importantly, to people like you who get up off the couch and go explore and embrace with Chattanooga has to offer. We, the people are Chattanooga.

A bit of insight: people often ask me who reads The Pulse. It’s an easy question to answer: people who go out and experience life. And there is just so much to experience. Hopefully, when reading through this special issue, you’ll discover something new or be reminded of something you haven’t seen or done in a while. For while our city is going through a cultural renaissance, we can’t maintain our momentum without support for you. A city is defined by its people. A living city is filled with art, with dance, with song. It is more than walls and streets and roads; a city comes alive with its culture. And Chattanooga today is as alive and vibrant as I have seen in my time here. I can’t wait to see what will happen next.

Consider This with Dr. Rick

EdiToon by Rob Rogers

Dare To Drag: It’s Good For Your Kidneys The Kidney Foundation of Chattanooga has impressed me with its especially creative fundraising tactics. Not only does it host a run like most foundations do, it also hosts events like Dare to Dance, which is a Chattanooga versions of Dancing With The Stars, and Taste, a food event that provides free samples local cuisine and drinks from local establishments with the purchase of a drink ticket. One of the most interesting and creative events that the Kidney Foundation is hosting is happening this Saturday. Dare to Drag is an awesome oppor-

tunity for local guys who dare to be drag-nificent for a night to put on their runway heels and fundraise for those suffering from kidney disease.

The Kidney Foundation is so important to Chattanooga locals who are suffering from kidney disease and to the families of those who are suffering. Because the foundation is not a part of the National Kidney Foundation, all of its funding comes from fundraisers in the greater Chattanooga area. What better way to raise money for such an important cause than to push yourself out of your comfort zone and have some drag-tastic fun? Come to the Revelry Room this Saturday to support runway queens and kidneys. — Lauren Waegele

“I don’t know what people are scared of. Maybe they think their children will be influenced, but I’ve got to tell you, I was raised by two heterosexuals. Everywhere I looked—heterosexuals. And they did not influence me. It’s time we love people for who they are and let them love who they want.” — Ellen DeGeneres On one hand I’m glad we have these kinds of consciousness-raising conversations. But honestly, I’m also saddened and appalled that we still have to. I suppose that because the “Oppressed We” were on the road to such hard-won progress with the last administration, progress that is being grossly dismantled by the current one, it makes sense that we rally and resist and rise above the machine—i.e., the closed-minded and ignorant. Whether your neighbor is of a different race, your in-laws a different religion, or your dog has gone vegan, we must consider this: when the divisive dust settles, which side of history will you be on? — Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

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COLUMN ∙ JUST A THEORY

The End Of The World Is Nigh How—and where—to (safely) view Monday's near total solar eclipse

Steven W. Disbrow Pulse columnist

INALLY! AFTER BEING FORETOLD for years, the mother of all Teachable Moments is finally here! On Monday, August 21st, 2017, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., there will be a Solar Eclipse visible from Chattanooga and the area to the north of the city. What Is A Solar Eclipse? Well, obviously, a Solar Eclipse is a sign of the end times, heralding the return of Gozer the Gozarian! Kidding! It’s actually a natural thing that happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, temporarily blocking the Sun’s rays from reaching the Earth. It’s actually a very common occurrence, with at least a partial Solar Eclipse happening somewhere on Earth every 18 months or so. What’s less common is for an eclipse to happen in one particular place; it can be centuries between occurrences. The last time a total Solar Eclipse was visible in this area was 1900, and the next one won’t be for another hundred years (at least). So, this is literally a once in a lifetime event for the #CHA. Where Can I Experience It? Here in Chattanooga, we’ll actually be experiencing a partial eclipse. Only about 99.9 percent of the sun’s light will be blocked. If you want to experience totality (100 percent of the sun’s rays being

blocked), you need to travel north just a bit. Driving about five minutes north of Soddy Daisy should be far enough. If you have friends in Dayton, maybe offer to buy them a late lunch in exchange for a place to hang out during the eclipse. If you don’t know anyone in Dayton, or would just like somewhere else to experience totality from, just climb on the Intertubes and search for “Xavier M Jubier interactive eclipse map full”. The first result there should be an interactive map of the path of the eclipse. Zoom in on the Chattanooga area and click anywhere in or around the path of totality (the dark, snake-looking path) to see how much of the sun will be eclipsed, as well as starting and end times. (2:30 p.m.-ish is the time of the maximum coverage for our area.) You can also mouse over the pop-up to see an animation of the different phases of the eclipse at that location. Don’t Look At It! Now, despite what the Gozarian Priests will tell you, it’s just a coincidence that the moon is the right size, and the right distance between Earth and Sun, to totally block the Sun’s rays occasionally. It’s what Scientists call a “happy coincidence.” And, when the moon gets in there, and is blocking those rays, it will get dark. Like, full on, middle of the night dark. You’ll be able to see stars, planets and all the other

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things that you normally have to stay up late, or get up early, to see. For bonus points, spot a meteor from the Kappa Cygnids shower (which peaks on the 21st) during the eclipse. However, even in this strange darkness, you should not look at the Sun. Even if you are in an area of totality, that 100 precent blockage will only last a few minutes. And if even a tiny part of the Sun’s rays are peeking out around the moon, you could damage your eyes severely. And, yes, you can go blind. The only way to be 100 percent safe is to use a pair of certified safe eclipse glasses. As you can imagine, these glasses, which meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and reduce the Sun’s brightness to about the same level as a full moon, have become scarce in the run up to the eclipse. And, because humans are awful, the market has been flooded with

glasses that purport to be safe, and even have the ISO stamp on them, but are not safe for actually looking at the sun. So, beware of glasses that become available at the last minute, and instead reach out to your science-minded friends that have been prepping for this for a while now. Even a once in a lifetime event like this isn’t worth giving up a lifetime of eyesight. Realistically though, this is Chattanooga, so it’s likely to be overcast the entire time the eclipse is happening. (Gozer’s work, to be sure.) So, get some glasses if you can, but just plan to gather the family ‘round, sit back and enjoy the eerie darkness together. Steven W. Disbrow is a programmer who specializes in e-commerce and mobile systems development, an entrepreneur, comic-book nerd, writer, improviser, actor, sometime television personality and parent of two human children.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

On Our Toes in Chattanooga Dance in Chattanooga is evolving, cross-pollenating, thriving By Jenn Webster

cross the city, dancers are creating new choreography and reviving old favorites; presenting work in media including video, theater performance and pop-up venues; and working across genres, companies and even disciplines to create new ways of moving together. Revival without Nostalgia Ballet has a long history in Chattanooga, long enough that companies can revive a favorite choreographer’s work and entice an audience that first saw it decades ago. Massari-Wood Dance Center, Chattanooga Ballet and Ballet Tennessee all stage beloved Nutcrackers, of course. And Ballet Tennessee is re-staging many of Barry VanCura’s works, such as A Christmas Carol and Dream Awake.

“One of the many gifts Barry VanCura brought to the dance world is his choreography,” says Anna Baker-VanCura, executive/artistic director of Ballet Tennessee. That work is now inspiring choreographers who danced in his productions as young people, such as Jenison Owens of BTN and WEAVE: A Conceptual Dance Company. Secondgeneration choreography signals a mature dance community, in which influences travel from generation to generation. Collaboration: More Than the Sum of Our Parts Some collaborations take place behind the scenes. Light and sound artists rarely get recognition, yet numerous performances dazzle due to David Wood’s improvised wizardry continued on page 10

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with light. Material arts make a difference, too. “Chattanooga Dance Theatre produced an Alice in Wonderland this spring,” says Christine Mashburn-Paul of CDT. “The use of props helped Alice grow and shrink. The river of tears was also really unique, with huge sheets of fabric stretching across the stage.” Other times, collaborations mingle genres (ballet and hip hop; jazz and bellydance) into new fused forms. Shows have combined companies, or brought together performers from across the community. Most interesting, Chattanooga artists have been stepping across boundaries to marry dance with visual arts, spoken word, culinary arts— as well as the more traditional pairings of dance with drama and music—to make innovative works. Yet, audiences may still think of dance as siloed or precious. Some dancers and studio owners long for additional collaboration. “The Chattanooga dance

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community is very segregated,” says Stacey Nolan, bellydance director and co-owner at Movement Arts Collective. “It seems each of the dance styles keep to themselves, and there’s little cross-over between the classic forms, the cultural forms and the more circus-based art forms.” “I believe we limit the way we experience the arts, which ultimately limits the way we engage and think about them,” is how Ann Law, founder and co-artistic director of Barking Legs Theater and director of Full Circle TAP (Teaching Artists Program), the educational outreach arm of Barking Legs Theater, describes the problem. “To create art that fosters collaborations, and inspires thought and eventually change, has always been one of my goals as a dance artist.” Instructional programs at Barking Legs have led to many fertile collaborations, and Barking Legs is still a hotbed of genre dalliance. This year, the theater has hosted collaborative shows including

The Road, a dance-centered showcase exploring themes of recovery, and Asylum, a listening party in which dancers and movement artists illustrate the spoken word and the music. Elsewhere in the city, companies like WEAVE mingle genres freely, creating fusions between such diverse forms as hip hop and ballet. And The Pop-up Project brings together jazz-era music, modern and bellydance with locations around town, marrying dance with history and architecture. Dances That Mean Something In Chattanooga, when we dance, we often do it to manifest an inner truth. Dancers perform their feelings about social causes or use the form to battle personal demons. For instance, the belly dance troupe Mirabai Belly Dance from Movement Arts Collective will be performing for Tennessee Valley Pridefest this fall, Stacey says. Chattanooga Dance Lab is a new program designed to support nonprofits, writes

“Yet, audiences may still think of dance as siloed or precious. Some dancers and studio owners long for additional collaboration.” Alexis McGann, a troupe member. “[We are a] volunteerbased group of adult dancers who support the nonprofit community with themes performances for their fundraisers,” she says. Dance Lab also supports the arts through producing music videos to support local talent, such as singer/songwriter Kindora. “The marriage of local music and local dance is perfect and when a great videographer or photographer captures it all: wow!” says Alexis. Where to Find Dance in Chattanooga As Chattanooga’s dance scene grows, it faces challenges. Promotion is a big one. Big touring events that come to the Tivoli or Memorial Auditorium arrive on the wake of advertising dollars; local performances must selfpromote. So, come see Chattanooga dance. If you don’t know where to start, try hip hop. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch Commix Dance Crew a few times this year, and I love everything they do,” says Jules Downum, co-director of The Pop-up Project. “They are

great dancers and performers and bring so much energy to everything they do.” You can even have dancers come to you. “Greek Night at Portofino’s offers belly dancing along with live music by Grecian Echoes,” says Jillanna Babb, professional belly dancer and owner of Moon Haven Studio. “My dance troupes are always looking for events.” If you see enough dance, you may want to start moving, too. Chattanooga’s dancers will welcome you. “Most of the studios, groups and individuals have been friendly, supportive and enthusiastic,” Jilliana says. “Audiences have been welcoming and inspiring. I think we [as a dance community] need to stay the same, but just keep growing!” “The dance community in Chattanooga is vibrant,” Anna says. “It upholds the history of ballet, modern and jazz dance through high quality choreographers and performers. Yet it embraces new and innovative ideas in how to use dance to express.” Express what? Anything. Everything.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Public Art In Chattanooga So much great art is right around the corner By Adam Beckett

ometimes it is nice to deflect life for a few minutes to take a moment to look around, to stop and smell the roses if you will. Chattanooga is an incredible city that is flowing with multifarious beauty. Even with the endless views, and the diversity of the landscape that surrounds Chattanooga as a whole, another aspect that nests inside of the scenic city produces an inestimable boon; the public art features that sporadically covers its entirety, coagulates with the city’s natural beauty to make it perhaps one of the most aesthetic places in the world. The public artwork ranges from guerrilla art, produced by the local hidden talent, to artwork that is produced by world renowned artists, and everything in between. A person could spend days scouring the city to locate all of the public artwork, and still fall short of discovering it all. One of the most fascinating places in Chattanooga for public art is the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, which is a 33-acre International sculpture park that is free to the public dai-

ly from dusk to dawn. The Sculpture Fields offer much to the public and host a multitude of events and happenings that focus on expanding the local art community. With celebrity local sculptor John Henry as a board member and activist for the Sculpture Fields, the grounds continue to be a cultural tourism attraction. While the enormous exhibit does host work by local artists, what separates it from the other local sculpture garden is the above mid-range sizes of the sculptures, and the international aspect. Other notable sculpture fields are the River Gallery Sculpture Garden by landscape architect Joe Baasch. The fixture is a two-acre outdoor exhibit located in the bluff view, and is one of the most imposing private collections of contemporary American sculpture, and is included in the Smithsonian Archives of American Garden; as well as the First Street Sculpture Garden at First and Market Streets downtown. The staggering mural on the AT&T Building on MLK is a landmark that continued on page 14

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“There are not many places in existence that have this much public art available, so much that people can spend multiple weekends chasing and still not see it all. ” towers over the downtown area and is a masterpiece. The roughly 42,000 square foot example of public art that took a group of eleven artists six months to paint, with Meg Saligman as the lead artist. The message of community and unity blares from the mural, and many people from the MLK Community are featured on the mural. While on the topic, murals are sporadically everywhere around the city, the rogue artwork demonstrates some of the talents that reside in Chattanooga. Where it is nearly impossible to list even a percentage of them, the Facebook group chastreetart is a fantastic guide to locate many of them. It is recommended for the unaware to check out all of Rondell Crier, Shaun LaRose, and the Artist Seven’s mural work. Impressive is an understatement. Other notable murals are

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the Glass Street mural and the murals associated with the McCallie Ave Walls Project. Learn more at facebook.com/McCallieWalls. Another prime example of Chattanooga public art is the Passageways. It is a community outreach project of the 2016 AIA Tennessee State Convention. It is a public architecture exhibit focusing on the urban fabric that exists in the space between our city’s buildings. The intent of the exhibit is to exemplify the potential of these spaces and the benefits they have in creating a healthy urban environment throughout Chattanooga. All five winning installations can be found on the 700 blocks of Broad, Market and Cherry Streets in Downtown Chattanooga.” Ypu can learn more at passagewayschattanooga. com. The Hunter Museum of American Art is responsible

for acquiring and publicly demonstrating a wide variety of works all over the city, including three permanent installations at Renaissance Park on the river, and Chattanooga is blessed to have such a quality provider of public art on its team. For the complete listing visit huntermuseum.org/ outdoor-sculptures. The city’s art program is doing an excellent job of providing public art for this glorious city. For a list of all of their collections, projects, and exhibits, please visit chattanooga.gov/Public-Art. It is a spectacular time to live in Chattanooga with the bustling, and diverse arts scene, amongst everything else that the city

has to offer. For those that feel like life is just too hectic and busy to appreciate the public art that engulfs Chattanooga should make it a point to hit the pause button on life, and take the time to appreciate all of the stunning public art available. Take a weekend or two and explore, fill your hearts with art, spark the fire inside that surely once held great admiration for the beauty that is art. There are not many places in existence that have this much public art available, so much that people can spend multiple weekends chasing and still not see it all. Take advantage Chattanooga, unlock the beauty beyond the scenic views.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

So Much Music, So Little Time Keeping up with the local music scene is a full-time job By Marc T. Michael

h, the local music scene. Opinions will vary on its health and longevity and I understand why. It’s a matter of perspective and while there are enough variables at play to draft a pretty impressive thesis, it really comes down to one of two approaches. You can judge a scene by how far it has come, or how far you think it has to go. In truth, a fair assessment of the state of things requires BOTH points of view. One necessarily informs the other. Unfortunately, and all too often, people tend to fall in one camp or the other, only considering half the question. So where are we, as a music scene? First, let’s look at how far we’ve come. I came to Chattanooga in the early nineties, and at the time the music scene was…well, in as much as there was one, it was pretty tepid. There was a handful of venues that supported live music and of those, the bulk seemed very fond of cover bands. There’s nothing wrong with cover bands really, but it doesn’t make for a “scene.” There was a tenacious and devoted underground punk scene, but punk scenes are largely self-supporting and have a way of sur-

viving in places where little else does. A couple of bars were supporting local musicians; I still have an open air recording of the highly talented Dave Brown playing at the Brass Register. Then those venues closed their doors and for a long time there was nothing equivalent to take their place. Little homegrown venues would pop up (the Lizard Lounge and Something Different come to mind) and they were fiercely devoted to local music, but they also had very short shelf lives. The Attic was one of the few venues from that era that was downtown, did good business, and hired locals to play, but it was an exception, not the rule. Contrast that to now, when there are more venues hiring local musicians than at any time in the last twenty-five years and you have to acknowledge, things have gotten better, exponentially better. There are the tried and true venues like JJ’s Bohemia, The Office and Ziggy’s. There are new venues like the absolutely phenomenal Revelry Room, The Feed, and Camphouse. Even Brewhaus has their Danimal Pinson night. continued on page 18

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“As far as talent goes, this community is bursting at the seams with talent from all walks of life representing all genres of music” Finally, old school venues that were once known for their music, then got out of the business, are getting back in to it again. Mayo’s is a prime example. Dumpy’s up on the Ocoee has stepped up its music game most impressively in the last year. My point is that there are plenty of places to play and more are on the way. More venues on the way is, on the face of it, a good thing. It’s a tricky business, though, discerning where the equilibrium is between the number of venues and audiences who are willing to come out on a regular basis. Growth is good, but too much too fast inevitable leads to a crash that can damage the scene for a while. As far as talent goes, this community is bursting at the seams with talent from all walks of life representing all genres of music. I’ve been writing about it for years now and I am still surprised by the endless 18 • THE PULSE • STATE OF THE ARTS • AUGUST 17, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

stream of artists and bands that seem to come out of the woodwork with music that ought to be making them famous. There is no shortage of talent, and the innovation and creativity from some of these kids is simply amazing. If I started naming names the rest of this piece would be nothing but a who’s who in Chattanooga music so I’ll just say that this next generation of performers aren’t relegating themselves to three chords and the truth, they’re crafting entire stage shows, creating experiences. It’s worth mentioning that the renaissance isn’t just at the front of the stage either. There are more phenomenal recording studios and highly skilled engineers in the area than a town three times this size would have had ten years ago. The same can be said for sound engineers, lighting guys, even videographers. Soundcorp has stepped in and provided resources

for local musicians that have revitalized live performance downtown and elsewhere. Bob Payne over at Riverbend is investing more in local talent than ever. There are folks like Richard Winham and Josh Pickard whose devotion to supporting the scene is well-known. Chattanooga Girls Rock just had its second highly successful camp which wouldn’t even be possible if there weren’t a scene providing volunteers and resources to make it happen. In short, the scene is alive and well. It’s better than it has been and is well on its way to being better than it is, and all this despite the contingency of whiners and haters who are aggrieved

that the corner bar that seats 50 and charges five bucks a head isn’t paying a thousand dollars a night to a band no one has heard of outside of immediate friends and family. As to the future, we’re clearly on the right track. We have venues, we have talent, and we have support staff. The final ingredient is, as always, the audience. A scene thrives or dies depending on who bothers to show up and the trend for now seems to be that more and more people are interested in coming out and hearing stageto-table music. As long as that trend continues, the sky is the limit. In the meantime, it’s a great time to be a musician in Chattanooga.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Local Theater Comes Alive Local theater directors share their insights on the scene By Stephanie Smith

"Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" at the Ensemble Theatre

hat is the state of the theatre scene in Chattanooga? The Pulse sat down with four local directors to find out what they think. The Pulse: What do you think is the state of theatre in Chattanooga right now? JC Smith, Executive Director of Closed Door Entertainment: I think the state of the arts in Chattanooga is constantly changing. Right now, there are a number of theatres popping up. Overall the city is inundated with theatre options. In fact, what we’re finding is a shortage of actors and patrons. Jerry Draper, Managing Director of Oak Street Playhouse: I know

there’s a lot of offerings out there right now. It seems that anyone who wants to do theater should have ample opportunities to find a place to act. The Pulse: What is your theatre group’s niche market? Todd Olsen, Executive Director at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre: I am learning so I speak with all of the authority of three months on the job. I think a theater our size that does a dozen shows a year, I think during times of financial stress our core audience wants family-friendly fun musicals. But the Festival of New Plays showed there were people who were interested in continued on page 22

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"Peter & The Starcatcher" at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre

more contemporary voices. We try to differentiate a little bit between. We’re trying to get a younger more diverse audience. If you did a Venn diagram between more family and more challenging work, there would be a crossover. I think we’re going to do two-thirds family-friendly so people never have to worry about seeing adult themes or hearing language, but then four other plays are going to be challenging, hot off the press, new works that have just won a Pulitzer or a Tony. We’re already surveying culturally diverse young professional groups to support these risks. The good news is, we do so many shows, I feel like we can

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have it all. Jerry Draper: We have in the past year talked about where Oak Street falls and have discovered that our niche is Southern comedies. Our audience likes those and they’re well attended. We probably won’t deviate much from that. Think like Steel Magnolias—those type of characters are always really popular. I don’t say that to discourage males; in our Christmas story the two main characters are male. We’re not going to aspire to do any type of heavy drama or Shakespeare— musicals, there’s a small interest, but there’s so many other places doing that. We don’t have to try to be everything to everyone.

Garry Posey, Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga: With us we’re trying a different approach to stay competitive and marketable, trying to marry commercialism with more dramatic, individualistic-type pieces. We strive to be unique. Whether it’s musical theatre or modern comedies, we’ve been able to sneak in more commercial authors which we haven’t in the past because we didn’t need to. We’re still filling a void that didn’t exist before. JC Smith: So many people get pigeonholed into niches—we’ve always tried to do a little bit of everything. We do things people have heard of all over the world and then smaller

“Right now, there are a number of theatres popping up. Overall the city is inundated with theatre options. In fact, what we’re finding is a shortage of actors and patrons.” shows. We’ve tried to do shows of every type so that anyone could find something in our season to enjoy. The Pulse: How can theatres work together and what does the future of theatre look like? Todd Olsen: I have sensed a competitive nature and I would want to do the complete opposite. We want to have a complete open-door policy. We want to welcome artists back. We want more collaborators in house, more theatre artists from Chattanooga. They should be here. Jerry Draper: There’s no reason for other theatre groups to feel like we’re in competition with each other. I think we should all work together and encourage our actors to look at other venues. When we work together, we’re going to have stronger actors. JC Smith: I think in theory land there are a lot of op-

portunities for theatre companies to work together and it would make perfect sense but they don’t want to confuse their patrons. Having so few patrons, theatre companies are reticent to work together. The thing about theatre in Chattanooga is, if one of us succeeds we all succeed. Garry Posey: I think there’s a middle ground somewhere between utopia and where we are now. Whatever road bump the theatre scene is experiencing right now is a temporary thing. I feel like we’re moving in a better direction. There’s a lot of hope. ···· For more information on auditions and shows, visit these companies’ websites at theatrecentre.com, ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com, firstcentenary.com (Oak Street Playhouse), and cdoorent.com.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Chattanooga And The Big Screen Independent and off-beat films have found a home By John DeVore

here is no doubt that the Chattanooga film scene has grown enormously from where it used to be. I’ve been covering film in Chattanooga for seven years now and I remember what it was like when I first started—the film scene was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. But starting with Mise En Scenesters, suddenly there was light. Steadily, through a variety of venues and setbacks, the Chattanooga Film Festival was born. It was good. It’s been good for the past four years, offering fans a variety of films, guests, panels,

and eccentricities not usually found in a city this size. For this year’s State of the Arts, I caught up with the creator and Executive Director of the CFF Chris Dortch to discuss the future of the festival as well as his newest project, The Palace Picture House, Chattanooga’s own art house theater. “The Palace continues to be a dream come true,” Dortch says, “I’m not sure many folks know this but we were able to successfully spin The Palace off of the Chattanooga Film Festival and make it self-sustainable. We’ve even been able to hire some of our

long time volunteers to help us run the place. “The film lovers and filmmakers of any vibrant city need at least one screen somewhere that is being programmed not just booked,” he continues. “A place where every movie that plays is a carefully curated selection rather than just what happened to be getting a wide release that week. We hope that more and more folks will find out about The Palace and help us do more than just keep our dream alive but allow it to thrive and hopefully eventually become as integral to our town’s arts and entertainment culture continued on page 26

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“I feel like the scene is getting stronger all the time. Every week it seems like I meet a new student or newcomer to our city with a passion for film.” as a venue like JJ’s Bohemia.” For example, in a single month they will be hosting all five films of the truly amazing Japanese girl gang Stray Cat Rocks! series, a one night only special event screening of Judd Apatow’s new Avett Brothers doc, a triple feature of David Lynch movies, and the start of their new partnership with the good folks at PBS. “That’s really just us getting warmed up and settled in to our new space at the Tomorrow Building,” Dortch explains. “We are already starting to get to do some of my personal film geek bucket list things—for example we have a secret screening of a bizarre classic every Tuesday night at 10 p.m.” Given the recent AMC takeover of Chattanooga’s theaters, creating a uniform space for all things Hollywood, The Palace plays an important role for anyone that wants to see something outside the ordinary film going experience.

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But as always, there’s more than just the weekly screenings to look out for. October in particular offers year seven of the Frightening Ass Film Festival, as well as a new series entitled Shingdig. Of the FAFF, Dortch says that the festival is “our very first under the roof of our new home at the Palace. We’ve opened it up to film submissions from filmmakers all over for the first time, have a top secret plan with Mr. Nick Lutsko, and even some shenanigans cooked up with the Chattanooga Snack Attack folks.” This is truly FAFF living up to its weird potential: horror movies, live music, comedy, food, and art. The festival runs at The Palace Oct. 27 and 28, but earlier in the month, Oct. 6 and 7, The Palace is hosting year one of Shindig, Chattanooga’s first ever LGBTQ+ film event. “The world of film is growing in Chattanooga and with it the audience is growing,” Dortch says. “Just like we do with FAFF, CFF are now work-

ing with other filmmakers and industry professionals to create single day mini festivals. Themed celebrations of different types of film that will occur throughout the year. Filmmaker Billy Ray Brewton has come on board to help us make [Shindig], something we think folks will really love.” The big event, of course, is the Chattanooga Film Festival in the spring and of it Dortch continues looking forward. “Every year we ask how we can produce a better and more entertaining event than the year before,” he says. “CFF 2018 will be year five for us and even though this damn thing almost kills us every year somehow we still love it more than ever.”

He continues, “Year five has us taking what I think will be a huge step for the future of the festival by involving more of our cities historic landmarks and venues in the fun and also some special programming and guests that we think will blow people’s minds. Also, look for another edition of our live script read which was so bananas last year it’s destined to become CFF tradition.” Ultimately, Dortch sums up the state of film in Chattanooga as follows: “I feel like the scene is getting stronger all the time. Every week it seems like I meet a new student or newcomer to our city with a passion for film.” Let’s keep it alive. Support local film.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Shopping For Local Artwork Chattanooga is home to a myriad of eclectic galleries By Tony Mraz

In-Town Gallery

o far this year, the state of Chattanooga’s Art Galleries has been like a train rolling down the tracks. Steady, smooth, and predictable, with the occasional stop for a cow. There haven’t been very many new galleries opening, and there haven’t been any significant closures—it has been business as usual, though definitely not boring. Most of the galleries in Chattanooga are boutique galleries, exhibiting collections of works by multiple artists, with new work being added, but mostly the same art all of the time. This is great for tourists who have never seen any local art, as each gal-

lery is like a museum with a permanent collection of indigenous masterpieces. In-Town Gallery is the city’s longest standing artist co-op, and over the years they have established themselves as being one of the best galleries in the area. This September, they will be featuring the work of Miki Boni, whose surreal figurative paintings have recently been published in book form. The original paintings will be on display, and the artist will be signing copies of the book, Figments: Visual Magic & Tiny Tales. The opening reception/ book signing will be held on Friday, Sep. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 26A, Frazier continued on page 30

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Chattanooga Workspace

Avenue on Chattanooga’s North Shore. Next door, it is a challenging time for the Association for Visual Artists. AVA has postponed their annual Gallery Hop, an event which has become a celebration of our art galleries, and a major boost to the local art economy. That said, they are hard at work planning for the next Fresh: Emerging Artists show featuring first time artists, kicking off Sep. 9th. Across the river, located in the heart of downtown, the Chattanooga Workspace has one of the best galleries in the city, with a different show on the first Friday of every month to coincide with their Open Studio Nights. On Sep. 1st

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they will be opening their “Makers of 6th Street” exhibition, featuring guest artists who used to reside in the Workspace, at 302 W. 6th Street. A few blocks away, one of Chattanooga’s newest galleries, ErrSpace, offers a unique gallery space in the lobby of The Palace Theater. The space is mostly host to solo shows, with the occasional group show, like this month’s Cardboard Coverall Dreams, an exhibition of work by artists who helped with Wayne White’s local endeavors. On Aug. 25, they will be hosting an artist talk from 6 to 7:30 p.n., and their next opening is on Sep. 1. Over at the Bluff View Art District, the most excit-

ing gallery show in town is happening inside the Hunter Museum, where Wayne White is presenting a remarkable exhibition of monumental to miniscule never-before-seen art. The exhibition will be at The Hunter through October. Situated next to the Hunter Museum, the River Gallery is another one of Chattanooga’s most notable fine art establishments. They also curate and maintain the Bluff View Sculpture Garden. This month they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. Main Street has been a bit of an arts district for years now, hosting several noteworthy artist studios and galleries. For over a decade, Gal-

“There haven’t been very many new galleries opening, and there haven’t been any significant closures—it has been business as usual, though definitely not boring.” lery 1401 has been one of Chattanooga’s most prestigious galleries, and they have always been on the cutting edge of new trends on the arts. Recently, they have started to host openings on a weekly basis instead of monthly. 1401’s Emerging Artist Series features a new emerging artist every Friday. On Aug. 18 they will be showing the work of Kelsey Hamilton, and on Aug. 25, the work of Yulia Zaru. A few blocks away is Area 61, another one of the city’s most prestigious galleries. They host the work of over 30 professional local artists and craftsmen, featuring fine art, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, furniture, and more. Their next event is on Friday, Sep. 1, at 5:30 p.m. Across the street from Area 61 is the Hart Gallery, a charity that offers homeless and other non-traditional artists an opportunity

to create and sell their artwork. They have a studio/ gallery, and they provide art supplies and classes to other non-profit community organizations. JumpstART is still curating exhibitions around town. The artist representation service is currently supplying art to the INCubator, Chambliss, Bahner, & Stophel, Elliott Davis Decosimo, the Historic James Building, Leitner, Williams, Dooley, & Napolitan, the Mountain City Club, the McCallie School, and Russ A. Blakely & Associates. Their next event is an opening of new works at the INCubator on Sep. 1. And the Arts Building on 11th St is home to two learning institutions that also have galleries—the Townsend Atelier and Scenic City Clay Arts. As you can tell, while it may be “business as usual” for local art galleries, business is very good. So go out, explore, and enjoy!

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Living History and Hands On Fun Chattanooga is home to an eclectic mix of museums By Louis Lee

Songbirds Guitar Museum

ne museum’s failure was another museum’s success recently as it was announced that the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Museum would occupy 19,000 square feet of space next door to the Tennessee Aquarium. The space was going to house the Chattanooga History Center, but that concept never came to fruition. The opening of the Medal of Honor Museum is scheduled for February, 2020. In the meantime, there are many other museums in Chattanooga. Here are a few of our favorites. One of the best is one of the newest. Songbirds Guitar Museum at the Chattanooga Choo Choo opened to much fanfair, aided by celebrity ambassador Vince Gill. The museum is home to a collection of guitars from the 1920s to the 1970s on permanent display and rotating exhibits of specialized guitars to keep the museum’s collection fresh. While some think museums are stuffy places that just concentrate on history, Songbirds is anything but…with frequent events and concerts that keep their corner of the old Union Station hopping. Upcoming concerts by Edwin

McCain, David Wilcox, and Paul Thorn will keep August as hot as a summer in the city should be. The Hunter Museum of American Art in the Bluff View Art District boasts an astounding collection of works by artists from all over the country. The buildings housing the art are as varied and eclectic as the collection. From a grand southern mansion to an ultra-modern wing with sweeping lines and breathtaking vistas, a visit to the Hunter is a treat not to be missed. Shortly after the automobile was invented was the first crash. Historically, Chattanooga is credited as the place where the tow truck—or, rather, a towing and recovery vehicle—was invented by Ernest Holmes, Sr. The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum started out more than 20 years ago as an old tow truck hauled around to industry trade shows across the country. Now, it exists in a spacious building on South Broad Street with a collection of old, new, unique and historic recovery vehicles and maintains the Hall of Fame continued on page 36

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“Chattanooga’s history as a southern city that saw its share of action in the Civil War means that AfricanAmericans have a very unique story to tell of their lives here.” of notable professionals and a Wall of the Fallen to honor those who have lost their lives in pursuit of their profession. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is so much more than static displays of historic steam and diesel engines, Pullman cars and coal tenders. History comes alive with frequent excursions all year long, allowing riders to experience the unique feeling of riding the rails behind a powerful locomotive. From short runs like the daily Missionary Ridge Local to longer dinner trips like the seasonal Summerville Steam Special, there are ample opportunities to experience transportation with style. Children learn best with their hands. This is the guiding principle of the Creative Discovery Museum. This hands-on, fun, learning museum gives kids of every age an op-

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portunity to learn without realizing they’re learning. For the youngest visitors, the PlayGym provides multi-sensory stimulation for developing motor, cognitive and social skills. For older children, science comes to life in the Science Theater where children first witness spectacular demonstrations of physical and chemical phenomena, then get to put that new knowledge to use. Chattanooga’s history as a southern city that saw its share of action in the Civil War means that AfricanAmericans have a very unique story to tell of their lives here. But the Chattanooga African-American Museum goes back much farther into history than that…and looks at how the culture fared before, during and following that conflict. It looks at the many businesses that were minority-owned, even in the late 1800s.

Wayne-O-Rama

And visitors learn about communities surrounding Chattanooga that were founded and run by African-Americans. The museum is located in the Bessie Smith Hall, so be sure to learn all about the Empress of Soul, who was born and raised in Chattanooga while there. Probably the most outrageous museum in the Scenic City is Wayne-O-Rama. Named for Wayne White, a Chattanooga native who made his mark on the art world in a big way. If you’re of a certain age, you have seen White’s work on TV. He was the mind behind the bizarre world occupied by Pee-Wee Herman on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. White designed the set and created the pup-

pets used in the production, arguably one of the most innovative shows on television. White calls Wayne-O-Rama a history funhouse and includes artwork and sculpture depicting Civil War generals to other Chattanooga natives such as Samuel L. Jackson, Cherokee leader Sequoyah and New York Times (and Chattanooga Times) founder Adolph Ochs. There are plenty more great museums to visit in Chattanooga as well. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, the 6th Cavalry Museum in nearby Lafayette, are but a few of the many museums, large and small, that bring history, culture and art to life every day.

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STATE OF THE ARTS 2017 A CULTURAL RENAISSANCE

Non-Traditonal Performance Art Talent can be found almost everywhere you look By Ernie Paik

Aaron Cowan at Barking Legs Theater

ovelist and poet Stephen Crane wrote, “Tradition, thou art for suckling children, Thou art the enlivening milk for babes; But no meat for men is in thee.” Tradition has its purpose, sure, but to grow, we must break from tradition. While any week in Chattanooga offers a variety of music, theater and dance performances, the broad category named “non-traditional performance” just for the sake of this article includes the overlooked and often misunderstood and/or maligned realms of performance art and improvisational theater, which can bear genuinely unique and unexpected experiences.

Multidisciplinary artist Eleanor Epstein broadcast the second of two different performance pieces at Swine Gallery (relocated this year to errSpace at the Palace Picture House) last year from a remote location, with Epstein sitting and reading at a Parisian-style table in a grove. “I started ripping my dress up and hanging it on the fence behind me,” said Epstein via email. “In the end, it looked like an abstract painting.” “My work exists mainly in the experiential field,” said Epstein. “I studied small-scale sculpture and metalsmithing at RISD so that I could make objects continued on page 40

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Improv Chattanooga performance

that could then be interacted with while filmed, or in a gallery, or on the street.” “My goal is to give the viewer a glimpse into my surreal, dreamlike mind and see another reality,” said Epstein, who is currently working with partner Elliot Worth on a film, described as “Southern mysticism mixed with David Lynch.” Swine Gallery and errSpace curator Aaron Cowan works in both sculpture and performance art, and one of his most memorable and visually arresting performances was at Barking Legs Theater. Cowan took long pieces of wood, poked them through his clothing and attached them using power tools, entangling himself in a human-sized sculpture

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from which he had to escape. “It’s a relatively young medium when compared with painting or sculpture, but it has a rich history and a lot of freedom,” said Cowan via email, about performance art. “My medium of choice is hair, both human and artificial,” said Chloe George via email, who started experimenting with performance art while in UTC’s Painting and Drawing program. “I am fascinated by how the human reaction to hair shifts from attraction to repulsion when the hair is cast off of the body, and I explore this reaction within my work.” In one of George’s performances, she wore a floor-length wig and braided it to the sound of hair-

product commercials. “I wanted the audience to recognize the value that we place on hair as a symbol of beauty by having them focus on me carefully braiding it, but then making all of that effort pointless by cutting it off,” said George. Taking inspiration from the Dada and Fluxus movements, the monthly Fluxuswalk defies the typical artist/audience setup and fixed location of a performance. “The Fluxuswalk is just a way of noticing things you might not otherwise notice, and wandering for the sake of exploring, in a way that doesn’t have any particular point or destination,” said the Fluxuswalk organizers via email, using the pseudonyms “Rrose Selavy” and

““We have a lot of fun up here, but there’s a method to the madness. It’s not just getting up here and telling jokes. There’s a lot of trust involved.” “R. Mutt” as a nod to Marcel Duchamp. Participants have found themselves singing, getting stuck in construction areas, using a deck of cards to determine destinations and poking around warehouses. “You don’t need to have a plan,” said the organizers. “We figure it out as we go.” On that note, this article about “non-traditional performance” moves into the area of improvisational comedy, represented by Improv Chattanooga and its new home, First Draft Theater. “We literally went from four shows a month to four shows a week,” said Steven Disbrow, who formed Improv Chattanooga with Kevin Bartolomucci. “It’s not just ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’” said Sean Phipps, one of the twenty current cast members of Improv Chattanooga. “It really is an art form.”

“We have a lot of fun up here, but there’s a method to the madness,” said Phipps. “It’s not just getting up here and telling jokes. There’s a lot of trust involved.” While in stand-up comedy, the emphasis is on jokes and punchlines, with improv comedy, “It’s mostly just relationships; people interacting with each other,” said Bartolomucci. In addition to short form and long form improv showcases, Improv Chattanooga began “Nooga! The Improvised Soap Opera” on August 5, which unfolds over a total of 16 consecutive Saturdays. “We have certain things we’d like to get to, certain tropes, and if we get there, cool, we’re ready for it,” said Bartolomucci. “But if we don’t get there and something else is created—and that’s the beauty of improv—nine times out of ten, the unknown is way better than the known.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Finding Art Well Off The Beaten Path Liquidambar Gallery at the Sequatchie Valley Institute

“Make Room” For Worship Through Art Oftentimes, when considering the arts, individuals tend to forget about the role that worship, particularly worship to God, has played in their creation, expression, and continuation. We don’t realize it, but worshipfulness has influenced many a painting, poem, or sculpture. From Da Vinci’s “The Lord’s Supper”, to Countee Cullens “Yet Do I Marvel” (my personal favorite), or Rio de Janeiro’s famous “Cristo Redentor”, artists ancient and modern have modeled their works in a way that express worship towards God. Chattanooga is also embracing the idea of worship through art. Make Room, hosted by the Chattanooga House of Prayer (ChattHOP), is a weekly gathering of artists that explore the intersection of creativity and faith. Echoing ChattHOP’s mission: “To participate in the city-wide transformation of Chattanooga by modelling, resourcing, and equipping the Body of Christ for sustained and unified prayer, worship and outreach”, Make Room is necessary for a more complete vision of what it means to enjoy the arts. Whether or not you embrace worship to God as a common practice in your life, be open to experience art in a new way with talented artists at Make Room. — Lauren Waegele Make Room: Where Faith And Art Collide Sunday, 6 p.m. Chattanooga House of Prayer 3912 Dayton Blvd. (423) 468-4480 www.chatthop.org

By Kevin Hale

Pulse contributor

HATTANOOGA AND THE TENNESSEE Valley are known for their natural beauty. Likewise, if you follow the Tennessee River around the base of Signal Mountain, through the winding turns of Suck Creek Road and the Prentice Cooper State Forest, you will find Highway 28 to Cartwright Loop, where off the beaten path you will discover a case in environmentally-conscious living and a newly opened art gallery which draws inspiration from its breathtaking surroundings. Liquidambar Gallery at the Sequatchie Valley Institute just opened its doors under the direction of Carol Kimmons, whose family has lived on the land since 1971. “When we moved here, the 350 acres we now own were completely untouched,” says Kimmons. The family soon cleared enough shrubbery and brush to build a rough, temporary house while they built their dream house halfway up the moun-

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tain. Once the family moved into the new house, the old house was lost to fire. They decided to rebuild and add an extension onto their dream house to make room for their extended family, essentially constructing two houses. Both Kimmons’ mother and her husband Johnny’s mother passed away, which left the houses available for an SVI office, art studios, and the new Liquidambar gallery. “A visual feast of art is made here in our studios featuring ceramics, flame worked glass, metal ornaments, sculptures, kaleidoscopes, and paintings,” says Kimmons. “I take native leaves, flowers and plants and include them in the pottery I make.” Kimmons, her son Patrick Ironwood, along with her daughter-in-law Michelle, are some of the main artists featured in the gallery. Visitors can also find special exhibits from local artists and workshops detailing technique and artistic skill development.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

““Everything they teach is practical. Even down to the wine and beer making, they have a real back-to-nature approach.” It’s hard to talk about Liquidambar Gallery without talking about the Sequatchie Valley Institute. The Institute gained its non-profit status in 1997. It started as a family homestead—sustainably and scientifically designed— then gradually became a learning center for both children and adults in permaculture gardening and greenhouses, natural hand-crafted construction, solar power, forest ecology, food and nutrition, and sustainable forestry. Marked nature trails for hiking and picnicking and an Arboretum Trail with 100 identified native and domestic trees and shrubs populate the mixed mesophytic forest, from Hick’s Creek up to the sandstone bluffs of the Cumberland Plateau. All of the land is protected forever by the Land Trust for Tennessee. “Liquidambar Gallery is a natural extension of the work of SVI,” says Kimmons. “Our hand-crafted passive solar structures, built of wood from trees killed by the southern pine beetle, are part of our sustainable forestry program. “ Kimmons was taught sustainable

building and farming by her parents, who she calls Tennessee hillbillies. The whole institute is a model for sustainable living. Both Simmons and her husband teach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Both teach biology, while she also teaches environmental science. “Everything they teach is practical,” says former board member J. Barry Wilde. “Even down to the wine and beer making, they have a real backto-nature approach.” Ironwood collects glass from around the world and understands the chemical processes to generate color for his kaleidoscopes. He exhibits at both Liquidambar Gallery and his own Nature of Reaction space. “His sculptures and jewelry are made through a process called electroforming,” says Simmons. You can also get a glimpse of his work on Instagram and Facebook under Nature of Reaction. Even, Kimmons’ daughter-in-law Michelle, owes a little something to

Liquidambar and SVI, depicting root systems and other natural objects in her watercolors and sculptures. The gallery, surrounded by nature trails, and an arboretum are open mainly on weekends and during SVI activities and events. So it’s natural to ask, “What does Liquidambar mean?” Young sweetgum trees initially populated much of the property. They named their first house “Sweetgum” and also several subsequent structures “Sweetgum 2” and “Sweetgum 3”. The earliest mention of Liquidambar is by Spanish naturalist Francisco Hernández in 1651, where he describes the species as a large tree producing a fragrant gum resembling

liquid amber, hence the name Liquidambar. This name was established as the genus name of the tree by Linnaeus in 1753, again referring to the sweet gum that oozes from the bark, now used as chewing gum by kids. Sweetgum grows rapidly and is one of the first trees to re-colonize areas that have been cleared or burned. The gum has been used as medicine for sore throats, coughs, diarrhea, and wounds. The autumn leaves develop a variety of flaming brilliant colors, sometimes described as a conflagration. “Truly this is a magnificent tree to represent the unique art of our gallery,” exclaims Kimmons.

THU8.17

FRI8.18

SAT8.19

An Evening of Poetry with Kristin Robertson

Chattanooga Red Tent

Raqs Top 40 Bellydance Show

Chattanooga native will be reading from her new book of poetry, Surgical Wings. 6 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St . (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com

Inspired by The Red Tent book by Anita Diamont, the Red Tent means something a little different to everyone. 6 p.m. Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd. (423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com

An exciting Middle Eastern dance show hosted by local bellydancer Alexandria. 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Cocktails In Color: Thrill After Thrill

THURSDAY8.17 3rd Annual Melon Fest! 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 Stray Cat Rocks: Sex Hunter 6 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Fermdamentals Book Release Party 6 p.m. Chattanooga Workspace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com Boulevard 4 Brown Fundraiser 6 p.m. The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com Cocktails In Color: Thrill After Thrill 6 p.m. Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org An Evening of Poetry with Kristin Robertson

6 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St . (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com Marlene Dietrich & Gary Cooper in “Morocco” 7 p.m. Chattanooga Heritage House 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 chattanooga.gov Photographers Tom & Pat Cory 7 p.m. St. John’s United Methodist 3921 Murray Hills Dr. (423) 892-2257 beta.sceniccity.org Etta May 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233

thecomedycatch.com Summer Sike Movie Series 7:30 p.m. The Crash Pad 29 Johnson St. (423) 648-8393 crashpadchattanooga.com Stray Cat Rocks: Machine Animal 8 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com RiffTrax Live: “Doctor Who–The Five Doctors” 8 p.m. East Ridge 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 rifftrax.com Stray Cat Rocks: Beat ‘71 10 p.m. Palace Picture House

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT What’s the best way to describe Etta May? “Minnie Pearl with a migraine.” She is the reigning Queen of Southern Sass and a longtime Chattanooga favorite. Etta May The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

44 • THE PULSE • STATE OF THE ARTS • AUGUST 17, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

FRIDAY8.18 Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m. Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com Leadership Study: Thrive by Arianna Huffington 11:30 a.m. Chattanooga Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattlibrary.org Gallery and Studio Open House 4 p.m. Reflections Gallery 6922 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-3072 reflectionsgallerytn.com Cambridge Square Night Market 5 p.m. Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. (423) 531-7754 cambridgesqauretn.com Chattanooga Red Tent 6 p.m. Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd. (423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com 68 Kill 6 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Lost In Yonkers (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Latin Nights 6 p.m. Dance Tonight Chattanooga 46 E Main St. (423) 400-9829 dancetonightchattanooga.com Etta May 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Improv Showdown! 8 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com Lost in Yonkers 8 p.m. Mars Theatre District 17 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA (706) 483-6541 bapshows.com Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 8 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com The Long Game 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com

SATURDAY8.19 Scenic City Mud Run 7 a.m.

Greenway Farms 5051 Gann Store Rd. (719) 291-2098 sceniccitymultisportllc.com 6th Annual Run for One 5k 9 a.m. Tennessee RiverPark 4301 Amnicola Hwy. runforone5k.org Chickamauga Battlefield Bike Ride 9:30 a.m. Chickamauga Battlefield 3370 Lafayette Rd. Fort Oglethorpe, GA (423) 752-5213 nps.gov/chch St. Alban’s Hixson Market 9:30 a.m. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 Northside Farmers Market 10 a.m. Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-7497 Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogarivermarket.com Chattanooga Crafts & Drafts 10 a.m. Station St. craftychatt.com Brainerd Farmers Market 11 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 Farmer’s Market 11 a.m.

Nutrition World 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 892-4085 nutritionw.com Classical Embroidery & Crazy Quilting 1 p.m. Houston Museum of Decorative Arts 201 High St. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org Artful Yoga: Freeform Fun 1:30 p.m. The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Examinations Tour: Seeing the Hunter through Artists’ Eyes 2 p.m. Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org One Track Mind: Rollerderby Double Header 4 p.m. Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 chattanoogarollergirls.com Lion King Dance Spectacular Auditions 5 p.m. Silver Slippers Dance Academy 3234 Wilcox Blvd. (423) 551.4519 silverslippersdanceacademy.com 68 Kill

7 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Syzygy: Pre-Eclipse Party 7 p.m. Archway On Glass 2523 Glass St. (423) 664-2954 archwayonglass.com Raqs Top 40 Bellydance Show 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Etta May 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Nooga! The Improvised Soap Opera 8 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com Lost in Yonkers 8 p.m. Mars Theatre District 17 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA (706) 483-6541 bapshows.com Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 9 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Dare to Drag

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • AUGUST 17, 2017 • STATE OF THE ARTS • THE PULSE • 45

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Solar Eclipse (pick your party) 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Good Old-Fashioned Improv Show 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. improvchattanooga.com

SUNDAY8.20 Chattanooga Market 11 a.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m. Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 68 Kill 5 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 7 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com G.R Goodwin and Friends 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

MONDAY8.21 Sounds of Darkness 10 a.m. Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Eclipse Viewing Noon Reflection Riding Nature Center 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Rock The Eclipse Noon Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. (706) 820-2531 seerockcity.com Solar Eclipse Viewing Party 1 p.m. The Crash Pad 29 Johnson St. (423) 648-8393 crashpadchattanooga.com Chattanooga Zoo Solar Eclipse Viewing Party 1:30 p.m. Chattanooga Zoo 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. (423) 697-1322 chattzoo.org Red Bank Farmers Market 3 p.m. Red Bank United Methodist 3800 Dayton Blvd. (423) 838-9804 Beach Drinks: Saying Goodbye to Summer 6 p.m. Chattanooga Workspace 302 W. 6th St.

(423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com Orson Welles’ “The Trial” 6 p.m. Chattanooga Heritage House 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 chattanooga.gov Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Mississippi Braves 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com Girls Night Out, The Show 8 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net

TUESDAY8.22 Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute Tour 4 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium 1 Broad St. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 5 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m. Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com

46 • THE PULSE • STATE OF THE ARTS • AUGUST 17, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

August Book Club: What We Lose 6:30 p.m. Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629 starlinebooks.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Mississippi Braves 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com 68 Kill 8 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Top Secret Tuesday 10 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

WEDNESDAY8.23 Middle East Dance 10:30 a.m. Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Chattanooga Market at Erlanger East 10:30 a.m. Erlanger East Hospital 1751 Gunbarrel Rd. chattanoogamarket.com Main Street Market 4 p.m. 522 W. Main St.

mainstfarmersmarket.com Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk 6 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Stress Management Series: Dealing with Stress 6 p.m. Chattanooga Workspace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Mississippi Braves 7:15 p.m. AT&T Field 201 Power Alley (423) 267-2208 lookouts.com Mimi Pond Book Signing 7:30 p.m. Wayne-O-Rama 1800 Rossville Ave. wayneorama.com Comedy Open Mic 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com 68 Kill 9 p.m. Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

COLUMN ∙ THE ART OF BUSINESS

Framewrights Custom Framing Three decades of providing quality custom framing for art lovers By Brooke Brown

Pulse Assistant Editor

AMILY PORTRAITS, CERTIFICATES of achievement, cherished memorabilia. What’s the best way to save the memories of your baby’s christening or display that university diploma on the wall? Having it framed, of course. Whether you need something framed or shadowboxed, the only place to visit is Framewrights. Located in the Southern Saddlery building off Broad Street as of 2010, Framewrights has been offering customers the chance to properly display memories, diplomas, photos, art, and so much more since 1984. The pride and passion of Framewrights’ employees consistently produce marvelously framed works that are brightening homes and businesses all over the Scenic City. With a frame to match every style and color preference, you’ll be hard pressed on making a decision with so many beautiful framing options hung on the walls throughout the shop. Colors range from creamy neutral hues and shimmery silvers to brightly colored frames or classic gold, there’s something to delight every customer’s palette. And then comes the choice of style. Do you want something modern and eclectic to suit your downtown pad? Or are you more traditional, interested in hand-carved, ornate framing? No matter your style, owner Frank Shepard will help you choose your

Framewrights Open Tues-Fri, 10am-6pm 3069 Broad Street (423) 634-0677 facebook.com/framewrights

perfect match. “An important part of being a local, custom framing shop is building relationships with our customers,” says Shepard, who has spent half his life working at Framewrights, starting when he was just sixteen years old. “You get a better level of service and quality from a locally-owned, small business.” To start your process, bring your piece you’d like framed in for a quote. Frank or an associate can help you choose from the assortment of frames. If you know what style or color you’d like, they will take your recommendation along with their knowledge of the wide variety of options and select a handful of samples from which to start. If the first samples don’t work, there are plenty more to select from until you find exactly what you’re looking for. Along with their astounding selection of frames comes the beauty of a wide price range. Whether you’re on a budget or going all out on a prized piece of art, Framewrights can find a framing option to suit any budget. Compared to craft store framing jobs, framed works leaving Framewrights have an extended lifespan due to the materials used and personal touch. Framing with Framewrights means you’re getting more out of the job as well as supporting a local business who genuinely cares that your memories are properly presented.

The things that are important to you should be displayed and admired, not left in the spare bedroom with the thought, “I’ll get that framed someday.” “Our goal is for every job that leaves to be perfect, but we’re human,” says Shepard. “If there are any issues, we’ll make it right as quickly as possible. We want our customers to be happy with our work.” So whether it’s a university diploma, cherished photographs you’ve collaged, or even something as offbeat as shadowboxing a set of golf clubs, Framewrights is the place. Not sure of what to do with your sweet baby’s christening gown? Shadowbox it and hang it in their room, or better yet, hang it in yours to be reminded of the beautiful day. Perhaps you have an artist in

the family who bestows beautiful paintings on you every year at Christmastime; frame it and hang it in the house (or at least hang it up whenever said “artist” is stopping by. At least you’ll know the frame is a work of art.) The things that are important to you should be displayed and admired, not left in the spare bedroom with the thought, “I’ll get that framed someday.” Be proud of your memories, accomplishments, artwork and have it framed by the careful, conscientious hands at Framewrights. And don’t forget to give a little pet to the sweet Framewrights mascot, Luna the kitty.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • AUGUST 17, 2017 • STATE OF THE ARTS • THE PULSE • 47

MUSIC

The Unsatisfied: Ageless Punk Royalty Legendary Chattanooga punkers release blistering new EP

Music That Is Truly Out Of This World Tennessee has produced a lot of famous musicians. I mean, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, and the list goes on. Even today, this list is ever growing. One of the newest members to this list of famous musicians is a…cosmic addition. Moon Taxi, though the members were born in Birmingham, Alabama, is an American indie-progressive rock band based in Nashville whose sounds will take you out of the world, kind of a like a moon taxi would. From their origins in jamming in freshman dorm rooms in Nashville, the band has developed into a well-known music festival staple. Not only have they performed at Coachella, Hangout, Firefly, and Bonnaroo, but they have also played on The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, and Late Night with Seth Myers. Needless to say, the band is steadily working its way up to fame like all of those other Tennessee musicians. Their 2017 single “Two High” according to Trevor Terndrup of Moon Taxi is a “song about hope.” So come by the Tivoli this weekend to hear Moon Taxi play some interstellar jams. — Lauren Waegele Moon Taxi Friday, 9 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 www.tivolichattanooga.com

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

T ISN’T EVERY DAY I GET TO WRITE ABOUT punk royalty, but today is a good day and The Unsatisfied have released a new EP. Street Shaman weighs in with four songs; two new, two re-recorded favorites from the nineties, and it is a sonic testament to the fact that one of the longest-running, most respected, most instantly recognizable acts from the region hasn’t lost their edge. To the contrary, the boys are sharper than ever. While the band may be synonymous with the punk scene, their sound is more complex than that, running the gamut from punk to glam to prog

48 • THE PULSE • STATE OF THE ARTS • AUGUST 17, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

rock to, in their words, “weird.” I suppose that punk and glam aren’t that far removed from each other, but the prog angle is something else altogether. That combination of elements gives them plenty of room to move creatively and they use it to full effect. I will admit that for a moment the opening bars of the first track, “Slug,” gave me a bit of a flashback to the first time I ever heard The Damned (on an episode of The Young Ones, of all places.) That cool bass lick and Scealf’s vocals are pure, uncut '70s vintage. A bit of hi-hat and muted guitar lurk in the background and then...BAM!... the tune explodes and all at once you know what makes this band sound like this band and no other. See, the one descriptor in the band’s bio I didn’t

MUSIC

“Last time I wrote about the band, I joked about the ageless quality of his voice. I’m not joking now. Why in the hell doesn’t this guy get older like the rest of us?” mention up front is a single word: Southern. To begin with I couldn’t figure out what exactly that was supposed to mean, musically speaking. Even now I can’t effectively describe it, but I know it when I hear it and when “Slug” hits the 18 second mark, it’s like a Jack Daniels bottle to the head. Sure, on paper it, like the prog rock component, seems almost counter-intuitive, but it’s the secret recipe that makes the band who they are; a group that has been consistently popular longer than this region's current wave of hot acts have been alive. “Terrorist FM” is the second track, another new one, and the repeating and compounding melodic lines along with a non-standard but compelling chord progression reveal some of the deeper musicality of the band. Wherever the music takes the song, the vocals bring it all back home again as Eric does what he’s best at, and he’s the best at what he does. Last time I wrote about the band, I joked about the ageless quality of his voice. I’m not joking now. Why in the hell doesn’t this

A “Spinning Conversation”

guy get older like the rest of us? The final two songs, “Angelic Wall” and “White,” are newly recorded versions of Unsatisfied classics. The first two minutes of “Angelic Wall” are achingly gorgeous, reminiscent of the soundtrack from “Until the End of the World,” one of the greatest soundtracks of the nineties. Just as you’re on the verge of getting carried too far away by the dreamlike quality of the intro, the band kicks in to full ass-kicking mode and releases a torrent of sound and fury that built their reputation in the first place. The dichotomy is brilliant. The final track is pure industrial and, given its original recording date versus when Nine Inch Nails first achieved any real success, one suspects that Trent Reznor has some Unsatisfied bootlegs hidden in a safe-deposit box somewhere. You don’t achieve the kind of notoriety, longevity or devoted fans The Unsatisfied has without being a seriously talented bunch of bastards and this EP manages to encapsulate more in four songs than a lesser band could do in a double album. It’s seriously high-proof stuff and you can sample it now through CD Baby.

Local artist and entertainer Trey Forbes has released a new collection of original tunes called Spinning Conversations, and the twelve track CD is chock full of some exceptionally well done and heartfelt music. Along with guitarists Bob Chuckrow and Tom Cramer, Forbes has created an album that is part singer/songwriter and part straight forward rock and roll. Trey is a spiritual man, embracing the truth found in all of the world’s philosophy and he brings that sensibility to the very sweet and touching lyrics he has written. That being said, this isn’t written as a “spiritual” album inasmuch as the songs aren’t specifically touting one belief or another. Rather, this is music composed by a man whose kind and gentle philosophy informs his observations and the result is kind and gentle music that celebrates all that is good in humanity. It is positive, uplifting, and utterly without dogma. In fact, though I have described him as a spiritual man,

I defy anyone to label his philosophy as presented in the music beyond terms like light, love and goodness. It’s a refreshing change to the often cynical fare artists are wont to produce and personally, if you’re having a rotten day, this is precisely the sort of thing to turn it around. Trey’s music can be heard at treyforbes.com and the new album is available through most streaming and download music services. Moreover, you can catch Trey picking down on Walnut Street Bridge and pick up a copy personally for a donation of a few dollars. It’s worth every cent and meeting the man in person is worth considerably more so stop by and give a listen. — Marc T. Michael

THU8.17

FRI8.18

SAT8.19

Edwin McCain Acoustic Trio

Mitch Rossell

Pinkie Doodle Poodle

Edwin McCain has built an enviable career by balancing his massive pop success with the year-round touring. 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com

Originally from the hills of East Tennessee, Mitch is blazing a trail through the world of country music with his unique artistry. 8 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co

A high energy rock band from Japan, what more do you need to know than they have the most awesome band name ever. 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

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LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

CBDB

THURSDAY8.17 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m. St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Rick Rushing 6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Forever Bluegrass 6 p.m. Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m. Motley’s 320 Emberson Dr. (706) 260-8404 An Evening with Edwin McCain Acoustic Trio 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Singer Songwriter Series 7 p.m. Fiamma Pizza Company 405 N. Market St. fiammapizzacompany.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com

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 Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com New Challenger, The Otheloo Syndrome, Sickness In The System

9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net CBDB, Shabti 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Octanes, Get Hot or Go Home 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Outlaw 45 9 p.m. Fireside Grille 3018 Cummings Hwy. firesidechattanooga.com Ray William Johnson 10 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775

PULSE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Charlsey Etheridge soulfully delivers an exquisite combination of largely acoustic tunes that blend gospel, folk, bluegrass, and a touch of swing and jazz. Charlsey Etheridge Friday, 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com

50 • THE PULSE • STATE OF THE ARTS • AUGUST 17, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

FRIDAY8.18 Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m. Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Drakeford 6 p.m. Cambridge Square Night Market 9453 Bradmore Ln. chattanoogamarket.com Eddie Pontiac 6 p.m. El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Binji Varsossa 6 p.m. Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Mulligan Brothers, Mountain Cove 7 p.m. Miller Plaza 850 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com Justin Long 7 p.m. Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson 7720 Lee Hwy. thundercreekharley.com Northbound 7 p.m. Cloud Springs Deli 4097 Cloud Springs Rd. cloudspringsdeli.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m. El Meson 248 Northgate Park

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Donald Fagen and The Nightflyers elmesonchattanooga.com Paper House, Househoey, PPR Panda, Paradiso, Spocean, Swimwear 8 p.m. Spot Athletic Arts Venue 3210 Brainerd Rd. spotvenue.co Gino Fanelli 8 p.m. The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Mitch Rossell 8 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Priscilla and Lil’ Rickee 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Eric Rhodes 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Charlsey Etheridge 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Decryer 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Moon Taxi 9 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com Gaslight Street &

Kelly Swindell 10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Sullivan Band 10 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SATURDAY8.19 Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m. Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com John Lathim with Michelle Young Noon The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com Rockabilly Rock Out & Cruise In Noon Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson 7720 Lee Hwy. thundercreekharley.com The Do Rights 12:30 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Eddie Pontiac 6 p.m. El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Binji Varsossa 6 p.m. Cancun Mexican Restaurant

1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Tinsley Ellis, Stone Cold Fox 7 p.m. Chattanooga Riverfront 201 Riverfront Pkwy. riverfrontnights.com An Evening with David Wilcox 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m. El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Donald Fagen and The Nightflyers 8 p.m. Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. tivolichattanooga.com David Greenberger and Prime Lens CD Release Show 8 p.m. Wayne-O-Rama 1800 Rossville Ave. wayneorama.com IronChief, 7 Mile Mushroom 8 p.m. Mayo’s Bar and Grill 3820 Brainerd Rd. mayosbarandgrill.com Mark Stuart 8 p.m. Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org

The Countrymen Band 8 p.m. Eagles Club 6130 Airways Blvd. (423) 894-9940 Taylor & Company 8 p.m. VFW Post 4848 2402 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 624-6687 Priscilla and Lil’ Rickee 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Scarlet Revolt, Daze of Broken Fate 9 p.m. Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Pinkie Doodle Poodle 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Harp T and the GilPickle 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Gaslight Street & Travelin’ Kine 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 Sullivan Band 10 p.m.

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LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

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

SUNDAY8.20 Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m. Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Nabil Ince 11 a.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Dana Rogers 12:30 p.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Travis Bowlin 12:30 p.m. Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com The Goodbye Girls (Amber Fults & Hayley Graham) 1:30 p.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Americalypso 2 p.m. First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m. Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Open Mic with Jeff Daniels

6 p.m. Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 Paul Thorn 6 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Maria and Josh Sable 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Mathis & Martin 7 p.m. The BackStage Bar 29 Station St. (423) 629-2233

MONDAY8.21 Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m. The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com 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

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TUESDAY8.22 Danimal 6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m. Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Courtney Holder 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Open Mic Jam Session 7 p.m. Crust Pizza 3211 Broad St. crustpizza.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com

WEDNESDAY8.23 Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m. El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonrestaurant.com Bike Night with Tyson Leamon 6 p.m. Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com Toby Hewitt

6 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com No Big Deal 6 p.m. SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Show 6:30 p.m. Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Amber Carrington 7 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com Joel Clyde 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 Jazz in the Lounge 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org 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

RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ERNIE PAIK

Meinschaft and The Simple Pleasures

Meinschaft To the Victim Belong the Spoils (Tymbal Tapes)

hrouded in mystery with hidden identities, the local concern Meinschaft (German for “community”) could lay claim to the title of “Most Provocative Band” in the area, having confronted live audiences with confusing and potentially offensive Raelian symbols, oppressive post-post-industrial music, a whirlwind manic slideshow with random photos paired with groan-inducing buzzwords and aerosol cheese sprayed directly into the mouths of willing participants. In the band’s words, it seeks to “generate a perpetual vortex of ritual energy and concentrated spectacle, hurtling human-

The Simple Pleasure VHS Mixxxes (Leather Daddy)

ity closer and closer towards the crushing singularity of PROGRESS.” Is it serious, or is it satire? Is it possible to be both, being serious about a vision yet also taking a piss on, well, anything? Meinschaft’s debut album, To the Victim Belong the Spoils, released on Tymbal Tapes in the U.S. and slated for release on Skrot Up in Europe, opts for confusion over clarity in its dark worldview, matched with disquieting music that evokes sampleheavy early ‘90s industrial music or sinister strains of ‘80s new wave. “Invocation” begins the album in an appropriately ominous manner, with blatantly artificial drum-machine snare drum beats

providing a militaristic air with the sound of knives being sharpened and processed vocals. These vocals assume the tone of a lounge singer in the next track, “Reload Rebrand,” incongruous with the stuttering synth notes and confrontational samples from the film Falling Down. The album only gets more perplexing as it proceeds, with “The Conversation” being a jumble of jarring, unsettling sounds (screams, explosions) plus Vincent Price’s laughter, a doleful saxophone solo, babies crying, imitation pig snorts and a perky, chimpy tune to end things. Meinschaft is like a clown leading a circus of pain, shoveling toxic detritus into piles then slithering away and laughing from the sidelines at a game it refuses to play.

e shouldn’t be surprised to realize that music pioneer Brian Eno was so prescient in many ways, including his take on recording media. In Eno’s 1996 book A Year with Swollen Appendices, he wrote, “Whatever you now find weird, ugly, uncomfortable and nasty about a new medium will surely become its signature...the excite-

ment of grainy film, of bleachedout black and white, is the excitement of witnessing events too momentous for the medium assigned to record them.” This at least partially explains many things, from nostalgic Instagram photo filters to the current vinyl revival to certain flavors of tape-hiss-imbued ‘90s lo-fi indie rock to the VHSobsessed ‘80s-influenced visual aesthetic epitomized by some Adult Swim shows on the Cartoon Network. On this topic, the VHS aesthetic is no longer limited to the visual arts, as demonstrated by the Philadelphia band The Simple Pleasure; its latest release, VHS Mixxxes, was made by remixing and processing tracks through a VHS VCR to degrade the sound, in stark contrast with the numerous new-and-improved remastered editions that have appeared for pretty much every “classic” album ever released. This six-song EP was released digitally earlier this year and more recently on cassette, a format that adds even more degradation to the sound quality. But let’s go back to Eno’s quote, concerning the excitement of events “too momentous” for

their media. It’s true that while The Simple Pleasure’s live performances are perhaps too outrageous and high-energy to be properly captured on tape (video or audio), their studio recordings are no slouch, showcasing their pert, tight driving pop numbers that are hard to dislike. The songs—originally released on 2016’s The Glamour of It All—are remixed with slight differences, like more prominent new-wave keyboards on “I Can’t Talk.” The more outwardly comedic numbers, like the satirical “MilfShake” with a soccer/yogamom fetish and “Sorry Dad (I’m Straight),” may get the initial attention, but other gems are equally worthy, such as “Universal Appeal,” which flaunts an irresistible electro-glam-rock vibe, featuring band founder Rad Chaines delivering the perfect rock-star lead vocals with popinflected backing vocals from partner Admiral Grey. One could think of VHS Mixxxes as a killer mix your uncle/aunt or older sibling dubbed onto tape three decades ago in an alternate reality, having endured one hundred listens and ready for one hundred more.

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FOOD & DRINK ∙ MIXOLOGY

The Adult Slushy Lover’s Dream Taking a popular child's drink and making it an adult-style treat By Lauren Waegele Pulse contributor

OU SEE THEM IN THE MALL, in gas stations, at amusement parks, and at a variety of fast food restaurants. You know exactly what I’m talking about: slushies. As a child, I remember longing after the Slurpee in the gas station: huge plastic vats of frozen, corn syrup-filled goodness churning before my eyes and making my juvenile tongue water. Now, if I were to walk in to any gas station and get a cup full of Slurpee, I’d probably feel kind of like a child. If you’ve ever felt this way—embarrassed to pursue your slushy craving because of the social construct that slushies are for kids—the world of wine has a solution for you. Frosé is, you guessed it, frozen Rosé, and is becoming the staple drink of the summer. In many ways, Frosé is the perfect summer drink. It’s pretty much your favorite light, sweet, summer wine, mixed with more sweetness (all hail the sweet tooth), and blended together with ice to create an adult slushy capable of making even the hottest of summer days bearable. Frosé isn’t the first alcoholic drink to embrace the slushy ideal. We’ve had Piña Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris forever, but there is something so classy and refreshing about the light pink slushiness of a Frosé that the other drinks can’t touch. Unfortunately, not all wine drinkers feel this way. Many sommeliers see the Frosé as a defilement of the art of wine drinking, and many people in general have considered Rosé, in itself, to be an inferior wine because of its mild and sweet flavor. But the hate towards Frosé goes beyond just personal taste. Apparently, there is a

lot of science as to why making a Frosé is an impractical option. According to Laura Burgess, certified sommelier from the West Coast, wine is extremely delicate, and any extreme change in temperature will separate the wine’s components, such as its flavor and aroma, which pretty much means that, when you make a Frosé, you’re robbing wine of its most important components.

Also, winemakers spend years designing their wines to taste the best between 55 and 65 degrees, so apparently, we are also making waste of skilled winemaker’s perspectives. While science doesn’t lie, feeling refreshed doesn’t either. At the end of the day, if your palate is refined and you personally feel like a Frosé is an abomination, then maybe it

Strawberry Frosé

(courtesy realsimple.com) • 1 (750 mL) bottle of dry Rosé • 10 ounces fresh strawberries (about 2 cups sliced), plus more for garnish • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar • ¼ cup vodka • 2 tablespoons grenadine

would be best if you avoided. On the other hand, if you want an adult slushy that refreshes you and satisfies your sweet tooth, Frosé may become your favorite drink. Either way, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Hit up Chattanooga wineries like Riverside Wine, The Vine, or Imbibe to get a great Rosé and make a great Frosé. Happy slushying everybody! Pour Rosé into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Combine the strawberries and the sugar in a blender and let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, until the berries begin to release their juices. Add vodka, grenadine, and rosé cubes. Blend the mixture on high until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with strawberries. Enjoy!

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FILM & TELEVISION

Speaking Climate Truth To Power

Al Gore returns with a more nuanced look at the world

The Doctor Is In The House! Who? Exactly! Moviegoers should get ready to “exterminate” their boredom as the men of RiffTrax (Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett, of MST3K fame) take on one of the most thrilling Doctor Who adventures ever, The Five Doctors. Originally released in celebration of the British television series’ 20th anniversary in 1983, this special featurelength episode is set to get the full riff treatment live in cinemas nationwide with RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who—The Five Doctors, coming to East Ridge 18 this Thursday. “We couldn't be more excited to finally be meeting the Doctor on the big screen,” Michael J. Nelson of RiffTrax said. “Well, not just one but five Doctors, making this event five times more fun.” Someone is taking the Doctor's past selves out of time and space, placing them in a vast wilderness—a battle arena with a sinister tower at its center. As the various incarnations of the Doctor join forces, they learn they are in the Death Zone on their home world of Gallifrey, fighting Daleks, Cybermen, Yeti—and a devious Time Lord Traitor who is using the Doctor and his companions to discover the ancient secrets of Rassilon, the first and most powerful ruler of Gallifrey. “It’s great to be combining two fan-favorite programs, Doctor Who and RiffTrax, for the ultimate event experience,” Fathom Events VP of Programming Kymberli Frueh said. “Cinema audiences and fans of both Doctor Who and RiffTrax are in for a real treat with this mashup of a British science fiction favorite.” RiffTrax Live: Doctor Who—The Five Doctors Thursday, 8 p.m. East Ridge 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 www.fathomevents.com

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

T’S BEEN ELEVEN YEARS SINCE AL GORE released An Inconvenient Truth, an Oscar winning documentary that laid the foundation for climate change awareness, offering daunting statistics, terrifying possibilities, and pathways towards a hopeful future. In that time, climate change has become a hot button political issue, with deniers claiming that the world is actually experiencing a global cooling, that sometimes it’s cold outside, or that wind farms use up the wind and actually exacerbate global warming, while those that accept the consensus of the scientific community rub their temples, breathe deeply, and count to ten. While most of us can’t claim to have done personal research into climate change, we can and should take the word of those that have to heart. Anyone living near the ocean, particularly Miami,

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has cause for concern. The rise in sea levels there is not arguable. But even those of us who live in Tennessee should be able to attest to the reality of a changing climate—the mountains didn’t catch fire last year for no reason. These are all signs of a dangerous future. Climate change is a depressing subject, especially considering the dire implications and the blindness of many of the world’s elected officials. Al Gore, however, wants us to be cautiously optimistic. In his sequel to his seminal treatise, he points out there have been positive steps made towards addressing the problem. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power hopes to remind us what’s at stake if we fail to act. The film is much like its predecessor, with long sections of Gore’s PowerPoint presentation showing the effects of climate change worldwide. But there are new slides, slides that show how Chile has increased their solar capacity enormously in response to climate change, slides that show

FILM & TELEVISION

“But even those of us who live in Tennessee should be able to attest to the reality of a changing climate—the mountains didn’t catch fire last year for no reason.” the viability of renewable energy and how the costs have dropped dramatically over the last few years. He’s desperately making the argument that we can change and the world will be all the better for it. But the film also covers a sinister side—when asked how the U.S. can solve the problem of climate change, Gore responds that we have to fix our democracy problem first. Fossil fuels are enormously profitable. There is less money for ExxonMobile in renewable energy than in oil production. In the United States, powerful special interest groups have the ear (and the votes) in Congress and a massive disinformation campaign has been unrolled for years, downplaying the existence of climate change and fooling Americans into believing all kinds of things.

Haunting Gore in the background of his scenes are the words of the current President, an adamant climate change denier, who believes that climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese. Much of the film is leading to the monumental Paris accords, where all the countries in the world agreed to cut carbon emissions to zero over the course of several years. India is the lone holdout, insisting that they have the right to use coal in developing their country, the same way the U.S. used coal to develop theirs. During one visit with Indian officials, Gore asks when the sun will come out, a reference to the dense smog covering the landscape. Through a series of incentives with American companies, Gore brokers a deal and India agrees. The accords are signed to thunderous ap-

plause and tears of joys. You can tell that the film initially meant for this to be the end, a culmination of a decade of dedication from Gore that resulted in the first global climate initiative and a timeline for stopping climate change in its tracks. However, like the rest of the world, no one anticipated Nov. 8, 2016. Donald Trump was elected and removed the U.S. from the accords, not because he understood it, but because he wanted to stick it to his predecessor. Such are the ways of the new body politic. There is still hope, however. During the film, Gore visits a small Texas town, as red as every Texas town, that has made a commitment to renewable energy. The town is full of Republicans that understand that climate change should be the most conservative issue in the world. The very nature of conservatism is to keep the status quo, to stand in the way of the world changing too rapidly. Climate is changing too rapidly. This is not a left or right issue. This is a human issue. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power patiently explains why.

✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴

The Hitman's Bodyguard The world's top bodyguard gets a new client, a hit man who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time. Director: Patrick Hughes Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Elodie Yung

Logan Lucky Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina. Director: Steven Soderbergh Stars: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Farrah Mackenzie

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • AUGUST 17, 2017 • STATE OF THE ARTS • THE PULSE • 57

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

The List

tions that others have wrongly projected onto you and that you have carried around as a burden even though they are not accurate or fair. Expunge them.

The Most Wordy Bard ROB BREZSNY

In honor of our State of the Arts issue, we decided it would be fun to figure out which Shakespearean role had the most lines. So with a little bit (okay, a lot) of help from our friends at the Statistic Brain Research Institute, here are the numbers. • Hamlet, 1,422 lines, Hamlet • Falstaff, 1,178 lines, Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 • Richard III, 1,124 lines, Richard III • Iago lines, 1,097 lines, Othello • Henry V, 1,025 lines, Henry V • Othello. 860 lines, Othello • Vincentio, 820 lines, Measure for Measure • Coriolanus, 809 lines, Coriolanus • Timon, 795 lines, Timon of Athens • Antony, 766 lines, Antony and Cleopatra • Richard II, 753 lines, Richard II • Brutus, 701 lines, Julius Caesar • Lear, 697 lines, King Lear • Titus, 687 lines, Titus Andronicus So, if you've ever had a hankering to be a part of one of the Bard's plays, we hope you have an excellent memory. Source: statisticbrain.com/shakespearstatistics/

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “If you love someone, set them free,” said New Age author Richard Bach. “If they come back, they’re yours; if they don’t, they never were.” By using my well-educated intellect to transmute this hippy-dippy thought into practical advice, I came up with a wise strategy for you to consider as you re-evaluate your relationships with allies. Try this: Temporarily suspend any compulsion you might have to change or fix these people; do your best to like them and even love them exactly as they are. Ironically, granting them this freedom to be themselves may motivate them to modify, or at least tone down, the very behavior in themselves that you’re semi-allergic to. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In 1892, workers began building the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. But as of August 2017, it is still under construction. Renovation has been and continues to be extensive. At one point in its history, designers even changed its architectural style from Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque to Gothic Revival. I hope this serves as a pep talk in the coming weeks, which will be an excellent time to evaluate your own progress, Virgo. As you keep toiling away in behalf of your dreams, there’s no rush. In fact, my sense is that you’re proceeding at precisely the right rate. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In accordance with the astrological omens, I hereby declare the next two weeks to be your own personal Amnesty Holiday. To celebrate, ask for and dole out forgiveness. Purge and flush away any non-essential guilt and remorse that are festering inside you. If there truly are hurtful sins that you still haven’t atoned for, make a grand effort to atone for them—with gifts and heart-felt messages if necessary. At the same time, I urge you to identify accusa-

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How many countries has the United States bombed since the end of World War II? Twenty-five, to be exact. But if America’s intention has been to prod these nations into forming more free and egalitarian governments, the efforts have been mostly fruitless. Few of the attacked nations have become substantially more democratic. I suggest you regard this as a valuable lesson to apply to your own life in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Metaphorical bombing campaigns wouldn’t accomplish even 10 percent of your goals, and would also be expensive in more ways than one. So I recommend using the “killing with kindness” approach. Be wily and generous. Cloak your coaxing in compassion. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You know about the Ten Commandments, a code of ethics and behavior that’s central to Christianity and Judaism. You may not be familiar with my Ten Suggestions, which begin with “Thou Shall Not Bore God” and “Thou Shall Not Bore Thyself.” Then there are the Ten Indian Commandments proposed by the Bird Clan of East Central Alabama. They include “Give assistance and kindness whenever needed” and “Look after the well-being of your mind and body.” I bring these to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is an excellent time to formally formulate and declare your own covenant with life. What are the essential principles that guide you to the highest good? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Here’s a definition of “fantasizing” as articulated by writer Jon Carroll. It’s “a sort of ‘in-brain’ television, where individuals create their own ‘shows’—imaginary narratives that may or may not include real people.” As you Capricorns enter the High Fantasy Season, you might enjoy this amusing way of describing the activity that you should cultivate and intensify. Would you consider cutting back on your consumption of movies and TV shows? That might inspire you to devote more time and energy to watching the stories you can generate in your mind’s eye. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 43 cartoon stories, the coyote named Wile E. Coyote has tried to kill and

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Homework: What thing do you yearn for that would also benefit other people? Testify at Truthrooster@gmail.com devour the swift-running flightless bird known as the Road Runner. Every single time, Wile E. has failed to achieve his goal. It’s apparent to astute observers that his lack of success is partly due to the fact that he doesn’t rely on his natural predatory instincts. Instead, he concocts elaborate, overly-complicated schemes. In one episode, he camouflages himself as a cactus, buys artificial lightning bolts, and tries to shoot himself from a bow as if he were an arrow. All these plans end badly. The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: To reach your next goal, trust your instincts. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You temporarily have cosmic permission to loiter and goof off and shirk your duties. To be a lazy bum and meander aimlessly and avoid tough decisions. To sing off-key and draw stick figures and write bad poems. To run slowly and flirt awkwardly and dress like a slob. Take advantage of this opportunity, because it’s only available for a limited time. It’s equivalent to pushing the reset button. It’s meant to re-establish your default settings. But don’t worry about that now. Simply enjoy the break in the action. ARIES (March 21-April 19): “To disobey in order to take action is the byword of all creative spirits,” said philosopher Gaston Bachelard. This mischievous advice is perfect for your use right now, Aries. I believe you’ll thrive through the practice of ingenious rebellion—never in service to your pride, but always to feed your soul’s lust for deeper, wilder life. Here’s more from Bachelard: “Autonomy comes through many small disobediences, at once clever, well thought-out, and patiently pursued, so subtle at times as to avoid punishment entirely.” TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Congratulations! I expect that during the next three weeks, you will be immune to what psychoanalyst Joan Chodorow calls “the void of sadness, the abyss of fear, the chaos of anger, and the alienation of contempt and shame.” I realize that what I just said might sound like an

exaggeration. Aren’t all of us subject to regular encounters with those states? How could you possibly go so long without brushing up against them? I stand by my prediction, and push even further. For at least the next three weeks, I suspect you will also be available for an inordinate amount of what Chodorow calls “the light of focused insight” and “the playful, blissful, all-embracing experience of joy.” GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The coming days would an excellent time to celebrate (even brag about) the amusing idiosyncrasies and endearing quirks that make you lovable. To get you inspired, read this testimony from my triple Gemini friend Alyssa: “I have beauty marks that form the constellation Pegasus on my belly. I own my own ant farm. I’m a champion laugher. I teach sign language to squirrels. Late at night when I’m horny and overtired I may channel the spirit of a lion goddess named Sekhmet. I can whistle the national anthems of eight different countries. I collect spoons from the future. I can play the piano with my nose and my toes. I have forever banished the green-eyed monster to my closet.” CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your education may take unusual forms during the coming weeks. For example, you could receive crunchy lessons from velvety sources, or tender instructions from exacting challenges. Your curiosity might expand to enormous proportions in the face of a noble and elegant tease. And chances are good that you’ll find a new teacher in an unlikely setting, or be prodded and tricked into asking crucial questions you’ve been neglecting to ask. Even if you haven’t been particularly street smart up until now, Cancerian, I bet your ability to learn from uncategorizable experiences will blossom. 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.

OPINIONS & DIVERSIONS

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JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES “A Little Bit Country” —but only the very last bit. ACROSS 1 Porkpie, e.g. 4 Joined (up) 10 Margarine containers 14 Gentle ___ lamb 15 Make really mad 16 Sector 17 Country kitchen implement? 19 Had a hunch 20 1800, in movie credits that didn’t exist back then 21 Really anxious 23 One who lessens the tension 24 Fidget spinners, for one 25 Like some fanbases 29 The Sklar Brothers, e.g. 31 Imperil 32 Blues guitarist ___ Mahal 35 Country actress with famous acting siblings? 39 Mathematician Lovelace et al. 41 Birthstone for Gemini 42 Caged (up) 43 Country baseball squad? 46 Part of UNLV 47 Show of respect 48 ___ it up (laugh) 50 Public display 51 “Middle of Nowhere” director DuVernay 54 Actress Garbo 58 Chinese New Year symbol 60 Driving force 61 “Your Song” singer Ora 64 Country action star? 66 Wall mirror shape 67 Arthurian paradise 68 Literary tribute 69 Easter egg solutions 70 Give in 71 Ant. antonym Down 1 “[X] ___ like ...” (picture-based meme) 2 Carne ___ nachos

3 Bath powders 4 Politician who might be the Zodiac Killer, per a 2016 mock conspiracy theory 5 Head doc 6 Have ___ over one’s head 7 Divine sustenance 8 Incited, with “on” 9 Spent, like a battery 10 Nod off 11 Coffee dispenser 12 “Full Frontal” host Samantha 13 Toothy tool 18 Breezed through 22 Actor Kinnear 26 Biblical tower site 27 “I Love It” band ___ Pop 28 Fender mishaps 30 “August: ___ County” 31 Tobias’s daughter on “Arrested Development” 32 Dials next to speedometers, for short 33 Kind of committee 34 Pressly of “My Name Is Earl” 36 Gone by, as time 37 Actor Efron of the “Baywatch” movie 38 “The Simpsons” disco guy 40 Tabloid topics 44 Antiquing material 45 Enhance 49 Burger chain magnate Ray 51 Century plant 52 Outspoken 53 Bracelet location, perhaps 55 Fundamental character 56 Fawning sycophant 57 “As You Like It” forest setting 59 Hardly open 61 Serling of “The Twilight Zone” 62 Poison ___ (Batman villain) 63 ___ kwon do 65 K+ or Na+, e.g.

Copyright © 2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per3minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 845.

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FOOD & DRINK ∙ SUSHI & BISCUITS

Your Guide To The Noodle Our resident chef enlightens you on the tasty varities of Asian noodles

Mike McJunkin Pulse columnist

ALKING THROUGH THE NOOdle section of your local Asian market can be overwhelming. The shelves are stacked high with a confusing array of fresh, dry, soft and hard noodles, often labeled with unfamiliar names and taking on a seemingly endless variety of shapes, textures, and lengths. To further confuse the noodle neophyte, there is no standardized nomenclature or system of classification to help you know your chow fun from your mi xian. A person could spend a lifetime diving deep into the varieties and nuances of Asian noodles, but most of us just want a little help picking the right noodle for the right dish or a few tips on what we’re looking at when we browse the noodle aisle. With that in mind, here’s the low down on some of the most common types of Asian noodles you’ll encounter. Wheat-based noodles are broadly referred to as “mien” in Chinese cuisine and the wheat-based noodle most Westerners are familiar with is “lo mein.” These soft, fat noodles have a doughy texture that works well with recipes that call for heavier sauces and chunky ingredients like beef and vegetables. Sometimes labeled as lao miàn, lo mein noodles are sold fresh or dried and are generally yellow due to an alkaline salt that’s added to the dough. Pro tip: chow mein are the crispy, slightly thinner version (“chow” = frying, “lo” = boiling). Another noodle that’s popular in the west

is the nearly ubiquitous wonton noodle. Usually sold fresh, you’ll find two varieties of these tender and springy noodles in the refrigerated section: round like thin spaghetti and flat like linguini. Each shape will be about a foot long, but either makes a nice wonton soup or Singaporean hokkien mee. One of the thickest noodles you’ll encounter is the wonderfully dense and chewy Japanese udon noodle. Udon are often used in hot soups or as a base for meat and vegetable toppings. They come in a variety of sizes and can be bought dry, fresh, or even frozen, but lack the bold flavor of another Japanese favorite—soba noodles. Soba are usually sold dry, are light brown in color with a distinctly nutty flavor and meaty texture that holds its bite even after cooking. The most popular way to eat soba noodles is in a cold broth, or my personal favorite—neat alongside one or two dipping sauces. No discussion of Asian noodles would be complete without mentioning ramen. While fresh noodles sometime appear in Asian markets, you can almost always find packages of pre-cooked and fried instant noodles. These classic Japanese noodles are made with wheat flour, salt, and an alkaline agent that gives them their signature springy texture that holds firm in hot broths. A less familiar and sometimes more confusing category of Asian noodles is rice noodles. These fast cooking noodles are usually made

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from just rice flour and water, so they have a fairly bland taste with either a thin and delicate or thick and soft texture. Rice vermicelli is a very thin, snow-white noodle with a wispy appearance and texture. Usually sold dry, it takes on a soft, slippery, and slightly chewy texture when cooked. An extremely versatile noodle, it can be cooked into soup, served cold in salads and spring rolls, or tossed into stir fries. Vietnamese pork with vermicelli noodles and fried Singapore noodles are popular dishes featuring these delicate noodles. Kway teow is a thicker version of rice vermicelli that’s extremely popular in Malaysia and Singapore. About as wide as fettuccini, kway teow clings onto and then absorbs thick, hearty sauces, making for a flavorful, silky dish of noodles. Chow fun noodles are an extrawide, steamed rice noodle that comes rolled up like a little Swiss roll. These scroll-like rolls are easy to spot in the cooler and are

typically eaten “chee cheong fun style”—rolled-up with layers of shrimp, beef, or pork and covered in soy sauce. Along with rice and wheat, vegetable starches like sweet potato and mung bean are also used to make Asian noodles. These cook extremely fast—seconds in some cases—and tend to be clear with a chewy and slippery texture. Clear, glass-like mung bean threads (or cellophane noodles) made from mung bean starch are delicious in Thai or Vietnamese stir-fries and soups. For the calorie conscious, Japanese yam starch noodles known as shirataki have virtually no calories and work well in Japanese soups, sukiyaki, and stir fries since they soak up flavors like a little yam starch sponge. Don’t fear the noodle aisle. Go forth and eat! 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

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