The Pulse 12.09 » February 26, 2015

The Pulse

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

february 26, 2015

Make way, McMansions …here come the Tiny Homes

thinking tiny

Living Big arts

MUSIC

screen

sheshe dances

buffalo princess

radical daniel

big mama eclectic

big horns

Contents

The Pulse CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Contributing Editor Janis Hashe

February 26, 2015 Volume 12, Issue 9

Contributors David Traver Adolphus • Christopher Armstrong Rob Brezsny • John DeVore • Hayley Graham Matt Jones • Marc T. Michael • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib • Alex Teach Michael Thomas • Robin Ford Wallace Cartoonists & Illustrators Rick Baldwin • Max Cannon Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow Editorial Interns Eugene Campbell • Gavin Gaither Kristina Kelly

Features

Cover Photo Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.

4 BEGINNINGS: Learn the ancient and cool art of grafting with Prof. Apple.

Founded 2003 by Zachary Cooper & Michael Kull

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales Mike Baskin

8 AIRBAG: How to get the car bargain of a lifetime.

Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Julie Brown Angela Lanham • Rick Leavell Mike McJunkin • Chester Sharp • Stacey Tyler

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Fax 423.266.2335 Website chattanoogapulse.com Email info@chattanoogapulse.com BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue.

The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

Contents Copyright © 2015 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

Thinking Tiny and Living Big

6

Somewhere in Chattanooga, not too far from where you live, there’s a neighborhood. In one of the houses lives a farmer, and in his backyard a 50-x-40-foot garden grows okra, kale, lettuce, spinach, and collards.

10

Miss Fireball, Meet Miss Fireball

Her voice is as big as her personality—and it’s a personality that can fill a football stadium. She’s larger than life, boisterous, nononsense and wildly talented. She is Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, though the same description could easily apply to local powerhouse Azusa “SheShe” Dance.

14

Love Them or Hate Them

The uncompromising, unclassifiable Chattanooga quartet Buffalo Princess has no interest in appealing to the lowest common denominator. In fact, if you don’t absolutely love them, then they prefer that you hate them, rather than have a tepid reaction.

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12 ARTS CALENDAR 16 MUSIC CALENDAR 18 REVIEWS: Shabti jams out, Webb Barringer stakes a new claim.

19 DINING OUT: Sticky Fingers Smokehouse is the BBQ-lover’s delight.

20 SCREEN: “Horns” is an overlooked film perfect for post-Oscar viewing.

21 JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

22 on the beat: All is not always as it seems, crime-wise.

23 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY 23 CONSIDER THIS

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2 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

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BEGINNINGS

updates » CHATTANOOGApulse.com facebook/chattanoogapulse EMAIL LOVE LETTERS, ADVICE & TRASH TALK TO INFO@CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

The Good Kind of Graft Learn the ancient and cool art of grafting with Prof. Apple

“

Every orchard of any size at all should be able to make its own apple trees.

That is what is happening now.”

Virginia’s Tom “Professor Apple” Burford, author, horticulture historian and cider maker extraordinaire, will be at Chattanooga’s Crabtree Farms on Saturday, Mar. 7, to teach a workshop on grafting apple trees.

As he explained in a recent telephone interview, Burford is not really a Ph.D., but a hands-on, seventh-generation orchardist.

“The first Burford came to Virginia in 1713 and brought a bag of apple seeds with him,” he says. Burford obtained the academic nickname after he was hired 38 years ago to help restore the apple orchard at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s plantation and agricultural experimentation center.

“Jefferson left such detailed records, we

were able to work with the archaeologists and find the tree stains, and then I made an overlay map so we knew exactly where every tree that Jefferson had in the orchard was planted,” says Burford.

The varieties planted by the gardener-president were mostly still available (but not necessarily easy to find) 200 years later, and Burford, who is the author of “Apples of North America,” and whose family business had nurRobin ford tured hundreds Wallace of heirloom varieties for decades, was engaged to track them down.

But if he has established himself as the goto guy for apple history, Burford is coming to Chattanooga more in the interest of apple future. Grafting—basically, starting new trees from pieces of mature ones—was once routinely used by individual growers to propagate varieties. Fruit trees grown from seed, Burford explains, don’t bear true to the parent plant.

“With the genetic diversity of the apple seed, every seed in every apple is a different variety,” he says.

So fruit producers figured out how to graft 3,000 years ago, but Burford worries it is almost a lost art today. “It was a great agricultural skill, and it suddenly disappeared,” he says.

And that, says Prof. Apple, is because after World War II, people left their farms in droves to work in cities. Commercial nurseries took over the making-little-ones-from-big-ones

News

4 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

business, and growers began ordering trees from catalogs.

This resulted not just in the loss of can-do among individual growers, but in a drastic reduction in apple varieties, from about 17,000 in America in 1850, says Burford, to the few dozen you can find in plant catalogs—much less grocery stores—today. “The big mega-nurseries, they’re not going to complicate their business by having hundreds,” he says.

Now, with the push toward local, sustainable agriculture, there is a new feeling among growers, says Burford: “Rather than them coming from some distant point, every orchard of any size at all should be able to make its own apple trees,” he says. “That is what is happening now. That’s one of the revolutionary parts of the new American agricultural movement.”

Prof. Apple’s workshop is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mar. 7 and costs $50, which includes a grafting knife, resource book and two grafted apple trees. A locally grown lunch is available for an additional $10.

Participants must preregister at crabtreefarms.org/events, or by calling Crabtree at (423) 4939155, extension 10.

EdiToon

by Rick Baldwin

Vienna Boys Choir Friday, March 13 7:30 p.m, The Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St | Chattanooga Presented by The Chattanooga Chapter of the American Guild of Organists

Walking With The Guns Of Chattanooga Time to catch up on your history.

You’ll get your chance this Saturday when the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park gives a guided walking tour of Civil War artillery on Moccasin Bend from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Centering on artillery the Union army used during battles fought in

Chattanooga in 1863, stationed on Stringer’s Ridge’s south end, this tour will be led

by Jim Ogden, a historian at the park. It will cover a mile and a half, as Ogden discusses how the Union’s artillery here caused a man from the Confederate Army to call their guns “a vicious little battery.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Christopher Armstrong Our cover story this week on the growing tiny house movement in Chattanooga is by Christopher Armstrong. Christopher was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on a brisk morning in November when the stars aligned and Jupiter was visible with the naked eye.

He enjoys the changing of seasons, vinyl records, books with lots of pages and beer that is too expensive for him to ever buy. He works too much and one of these days he will eventually graduate from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with an English degree. He says that after college, he is looking forward to paying back student loans for the remainder of his life. We know your pain, Christopher, all too well.

The tour will commence from a parking area close to 201 Moccasin Bend Rd., north of the entrance to the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Organizers suggest watching for the signs that say “Special Program” which will start on Manufacturers Road, west of US 27. The trail is described as “moderately difficult” and it is recommended people bring appropriate clothing and footwear for any weather and water conditions.

For more information, go to the park’s website at nps.gov/chch/index.htm.

— Gavin Gaither

David Traver Adolphus David Traver Adolphus is our resident car geek, covering all things automotive for us on a monthly basis. David is a freelance automotive researcher who recently quit his full-time job writing about old cars to pursue his lifelong dream of writing about old AND

new cars. David occasionally contributes to Road & Track magazine and often to roadandtrack.com and elsewhere.

He is also the founder of The Road Home, a nonprofit benefitting post-9/11 veterans. Learn more about it on Facebook @theroadhomeusa.

As far as his automotive writing, he welcomes the inevitable and probably richly deserved kvetching about Airbag and anything else on Twitter as @proscriptus.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Call (423) 642-TIXS

www.ChattanoogaOnStage.com

Whatever your goals, we can help you get there Planning for your future is one of the most important steps you can take in your life. We are here to help you build your retirement plan.

Join us Saturday mornings on Hippie Radio 106.9 from 9am - 10am for planning advice for your golden years.

chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 5

COVER STORY

Thinking Tiny and Living Big Make way, McMansions…here come the Tiny Homes

By Christopher Armstrong · Photos by Rachael Poe Cover photo courtesy Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.

S

omewhere in Chattanooga, not too far from where you live, there’s a neighborhood. In one of the houses lives a farmer, and in his backyard a 50-x40-foot garden grows okra, kale, lettuce, spinach, and collards. On the far side of the garden, the farmer’s property continues, and if you follow the rock steps, planted firmly in the ground, you will arrive at a 180-square-foot Airstream.

“Say something about this being my clubhouse,” Spencer Connell laughs and then takes a sip from a glass of red wine. “I like to reference The Lost Boys and this is my Ultimate Clubhouse.”

Connell, who has lived inside the Airstream for one year, is sitting between two bookshelves with a white-and-brown puppy resting comfortably on his lap. The books range from classics like Orwell’s “1984,” to works of fiction produced by local authors such as Sybil Baker and Thomas Balazs.

And the puppy? Well, it arrived last week.

“He just showed up, and I think I’m going to keep him,” Connell says as he gently pets his new housemate. “He decided that this place has a magnetic attraction.”

Born in Nashville, Spencer moved to the Scenic City after being accepted into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Now a senior, he plans to graduate in April with a degree in English: Creative Writing. He writes poetry

on a daily basis, and for a source of income, sells spoons that he whittles himself and plays the banjo at contra and square dances.

But what could make someone want to shun the traditionalsized house and, instead, strive

think that played an influential role in my moving into a really small and manageable space…so as to have a physical footprint that is smaller and to maintain the quality of life that I enjoyed.”

Up until a year ago, Connell’s rent cost him $475 for a shotgun house on Dodds Avenue. Ready to make the transition to tiny living, he wrote a formal proposition to his father, who paid his rent while Connell paid for his education, and asked for a yearand-a-half advance. After a series of negotiations, his father consented, and Connell bought an Airstream, freshly delivered from Maine, on Craiglist. Within days, he moved in and never looked back.

“The Tiny House craze has developed into a movement. People all over the world have decided to live tiny so they can spend less on rent and utilities and more on what truly makes them happy.” for something smaller? For Spencer, the idea began growing in his childhood. “When I was younger, my parents separated, and left a house in the middle of construction. The house was very large, 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, and it was always messy,” Connell says as Pete Seeger’s “American Ballads,” rotates on the record player. “I do

6 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

“I saw [the move] as conducive to be able to pursue my craft while also pursuing a frugal lifestyle that focuses more on joy than finance,” he says.

That move has turned out to be a financial and joyful success. He agreed to an arrangement with the farmer in which he would pay a $100 a month for the opportunity to park his home on the farmer’s property.

Connell runs all his electrical energy into one 200-foot extension cord, and pays the farmer the difference for the bill, which averages out at $15 per month.

Although Connell seems perfectly content with his living situation, he acknowledges that if he finds a significant other sometime soon, changes will need to be made.

“If I were living with a partner, then I would build something bigger,” Connell says and looks around his home and nods his head, as if to reassure himself of his decision. “I would build a formal tiny house.”

And he wouldn’t have to look far, because the Tiny House craze has developed into a movement, and people all over the world have decided to live tiny so they can spend less on rent and utilities and more on what truly makes them happy.

As most things tend to do, the idea for the Tiny House movement started with a book. In 1997, Tiny House pioneer Sarah Susanka published “The Not So Big House.” In the book, Susanka preached her idea that “quality should always come before quantity,” and showed how Tiny Houses can promote comfort, beauty and detail even in a small size. The book dominated the bestseller charts for the Home & Garden category, and after spreading her beliefs on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” and NPR, she found herself at the forefront of a worldwide movement.

From reality television shows

(“Tiny House Nation” on FYI, “Tiny House Builders” on HGTV),to documentaries (“Tiny: A Story About Living Small”), and even a lengthy profile by The New Yorker, the Tiny House movement has gained momentum in recent years.

The New Yorker profile, titled “Let’s Get Small,”written by Alec Wilkinson in July of 2011, introduced the world to Jay Shafer. Shafer shifted the idea of Tiny Houses when he decided to build his 96-squarefoot home on wheels. The add-on quickly became essential for most members of the Tiny House community, and Shafer took the idea and founded Tumbleweed Tiny House Company and Four Lights Tiny House Company. The businesses, which provide the materials needed for building your own Tiny House while also selling premade houses built by Shafer himself, found success, and Shafer has become a key figure in the Tiny House movement.

On a more local level, Chattanooga contributes to the tiny party with Wind River Custom Homes. The business, founded

by Travis Pyke and Jeremy Weaver, designs, builds, and delivers Tiny Homes all over the country.

Tiny House-Chattanooga, started by Hannah Shadrick and Mary Ann Twitty, focuses on building a community of Tiny Homes in the Scenic City. Their dream: five to 10 Tiny Home owners that would live as a community. This means lending a hand with the garden while also sharing storage space for cars and bicycles. Hannah Shadrick believes the need for a Tiny House community in Chattanooga is high.

“Our first event, we had 50 people show up,” says Shadrick. “Then our next event, over 80 people showed up.”

However, there are a few obstacles facing the project.“We need land to make this happen,” Shadrick says.

Before the community can really begin to establish itself, it needs a place to park its roots, and the founders are searching for someone who can help with this cause.

Shadrick encourages anyone interested in the project to contact her immediately.

Money, of course, also presents itself as an obstacle most Tiny Home dream-

ers must hurdle before achieving their aspirations. Unfortunately, most banks won’t finance one’s plans to build, or buy a Tiny Home, but the Tiny-House Chattanooga website encourages prospectors to ask their local creditors about obtaining a RV loan. Another problem facing a potential influx of Tiny Houses in Chattanooga: issues with legality. Tiny Homes don’t meet the square-foot minimum to be considered a house in Chattanooga, and they can’t even be classified as an RV. Shadrick believes that she has the resources needed to change the law, and she plans to challenge the zoning regulations sometime in the near future.

As for right now, Spencer Connell lives on the lam. He’s a man who keeps his watch out for the authorities, and although, he consents to the use of his full name, plans to keep the location of his home a secret.

When asked if he’s living “the American Dream,” Connell thinks for a moment before responding.

“There is no ‘the’ American Dream, there’s just ‘an’ American Dream,” says Connell. “Without debt, I can move my life toward my fundamental happiness: spending a lot of time with my community and in my garden. Spending time playing music with my friends, and baking biscuits every day.”

Connell can’t speak for the rest of his life, but he knows that he will keep on doing whatever makes him feel content.“I’ll continue to live in a small, intimate house for as long it makes me happy,” says Connell. “I not only believe in the Tiny House movement, but I also identify with it.”

Asked to give a quote which summarizes his lifestyle choice, Connell, the poet, pauses for only a few sec-

onds and quickly responds, “Helen Keller once said that ‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.’” He cracks a smile. “It’s between that, or, I can’t remember his name, but a baseball player from the ’50s said, ‘If there’s a fork in the road, take it.’”

The quote belongs to Yogi Berra.

Last year, he put his 4,502-squarefoot home on the market. Who knows…maybe he plans to move into a Tiny House.

How to Learn More If you wish to learn more about the possibilities of a Tiny House community in Chattanooga, visit tinyhousechatt.com Also, check out tinyhouselistings.com for a complete and updated list of Tiny Homes all across America.

chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 7

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fashion with compassion Don’t miss the hottest runway show in town. Please make plans to join us for Marketplace shopping, lunch and our high-energy runway show

Benefitting children with special needs and their families

Thursday, April 30 Chattanooga Convention Center 10 am: Marketplace opens 11:30 am: Luncheon & Fashion show

siskin.org/styleworks • 423-648-1707 8 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

Preview Party

Wednesday. April 29 Shopping & Cocktails, 5-8 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center

®

Tips For Thrifty New Car Buyers Our resident car guy explains how to get the car bargain of a lifetime

“

For bargain hunting you don’t want to be fixated on a particular model or even make. Admittedly, you should probably avoid anything from the Consumer Reports “10 Worst List.”

David Traver Adolphus is a freelance automotive researcher who recently quit his full time job writing about old cars to pursue his lifelong dream of writing about old AND new cars. He welcomes the inevitable and probably richly deserved kvetching about Airbag and anything else on Twitter as @proscriptus.

When I bought a new a family, you’re probably car last fall, I went in with thinking minivan or SUV. But we’re saving money a plan. And while there are here, so look at a microsome details to my plan, it can be summed up in one mini like a Mini Cooper sentence: Buy an unpopuCountryman; a wagon like a Hyundai lar car at the Elantra GT; right time. or best, someIf you go out thing way off thinking, “I the beaten want to this DAVID TRAVER path.

I’m talkparticular car, ADOLPHUS ing (my) Maznow,” you’re da5, Scion xB, Ford C-Max, going to get hosed, because Fiat 500L (America’s least a salesperson will pick up reliable vehicle!) or even a on that vibe faster than a Toyota Prius V. very fast thing. If you want • Buy last year’s car. to get a great price, you may It’s 2015, but there are need to broaden your mind. still plenty of 2014s on Here are some ways you can lots. They can’t be priced get the right car for you and against a 2015 model, howa screaming deal, too. ever, because that looks • Do everything online.

There are many reasons bad. Plus, the dealership is the internet is your friend, losing money every day it but one of the biggest is the sits on the lot, getting older Internet Sales Manager. Evevery day. A little Googleery dealership has one, and fu will reveal exactly how that is the person who’s golong they’ve had it in invening to be able to get you the tory—90 days is OK; three best deal. But the Internet months is better but what Sales Manager can do more you want is the dog that’s than deal—he (misogynisbeen there for six months. tic, but demographically acYou’ll find most of them becurate) can give you extras tween August and now-ish. to seal the deal, and trans• Get the obscure variport cars from other dealerant. ships. Work multiple dealDid you even know erships against each other there’s a Volvo V60 Cross until you can’t get the price Country? There is: They any lower. Print out that sold 28 of them nationwide email and take it with you. in January and they’re al• Look for an alternative ready deeply discounted. body style.

The Hyundai Elantra GT can be had with a 6-speed If you need to transport

Air Bag

2014 Elantra GT

and manual 2014s sell under $14,000 NEW. The automatic is $2,000 more. If you don’t drive a standard, it worth $2,000 to take a weekend to learn?

• Find something that’s radically different this year.

Another reason the Elantra GT is going cheap is the 2016 looks completely different. Dealers know this, and as the summer goes on, they’re going to want those outdated ’15s off the lot. What you want to do is take your list of possibilities and look at the difference between 2014 and 2015. If there’s a new version or a major refreshing, that old one is for you.

• Go where your relatives go.

If the dealership is any good, then customer loyalty will be very important.

They would much rather sell two cars than one and it’s good to have “my mom bought her car here” in your quiver if negotiations stall. This can be really iffy, though. You have to have the same salesperson your mom did; and they have to

care. Ideally, you and your relatives go in together each time for the “treat her right and I might buy a car here” vibe.

• Don’t have tunnel vision.

As I suggested earlier, for bargain hunting you don’t want to be fixated on a particular model or even make.

Admittedly, you should probably avoid anything from the Consumer Reports “10 Worst List” (four of which are from Fiat-Chrysler!), which does kind of rule out the 219-percentbelow-average Fiat 500L. • Think about what you need first, what you want second.

Make a list of your top priorities, not more than five. Then make a list of the vehicles that meet those needs. Then strike off the ones that don’t meet most of the criteria above. Do you need a $30,000 Ford F150, or will a $17,000 Nissan Frontier actually get the job done? If you do all this right, you’ll be amazed at what you can end up with.

And how cheaply.

chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 9

ARTS SCENE

Miss Fireball, Meet Another Miss Fireball

SheShe Dance takes stage as legendary Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton

Time To Get Sheepish CDM celebrates Chinese New Year—with dragons!

It’s time to wish everyone a Happy New Year yet again. 2015 may have started back in January for us, but at the Creative Discovery Museum, the new year is just now beginning with its annual Chinese New Year Celebration.

This Saturday, Feb. 28, the Creative Discovery Museum will give children and adults alike a taste of Chinese culture. The event has been described as “a spectacular celebration of color, tradition, and dance that should not be missed.”

Start at lunchtime, when guests can cook fried rice in the Culinary Corner, and later do all sorts of activities, such as making paper lions and lanterns, reading books about the holiday, and from 1 to 4 p.m.,

you’ll be able to watch the Atlanta Chien Hong Lion Dance Troupe perform along with their martial arts group.

If you want your kids to learn more about another culture and expand their culinary horizons, don’t miss this astounding burst of lifechanging fun! The events are free after museum admission fees. For more information about the event, visit them at cdmfun.org — Gavin Gaither Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, noon Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org

Thu2.26

fri2.27

sat2.28

who's bad?

value shopping

lights, camera...

“Dusty and the Big Bad World”

Houston Museum’s 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale

CSO: “Hooray for Hollywood”

True tale of censorship and children's television.

7:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga 5600 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-8640 ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com

The "other" museum in the Bluff View has lots of goodies for sale.

7 p.m.

Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org

All of your movie favorites come to musical life in one of the CSO's most popular annual performances.

7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theater 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050 chattanoogaonstage.com

10 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

H

er voice is as big as her personality—and it’s a personality that can fill a football stadium. She’s larger than life, boisterous, no-nonsense and wildly talented. She is Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, though the same description could easily apply to local powerhouse Azusa “SheShe” Dance, who is set to portray her this month in Jazzanooga’s “The Life and Times of Big Mama Thornton,” running Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28 at The Camp House.

Arts hayley graham

“

Dance, much like Thornton, is larger than life, easily rising to the task of playing such a fierce character.”

“Some people will probably never know the name ‘Big Mama Thornton,’” says Shane Morrow, co-founder of Jazzanooga, “but they should.” It’s this belief that led Morrow to create and develop a one-woman show paying tribute to the woman who originally recorded Leiber and Stoller’s classic “Hound Dog” before Elvis Presley made it famous, and wrote the Janis Joplin hit “Ball ‘n’ Chain.”

According to various sources, during her career, Thornton was nominated for the Blues Music Awards six times. In 1984, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

In addition to “Ball ‘n’ Chain” and “They Call Me Big Mama,” Thornton wrote 20 other blues songs. Her “Ball ‘n’ Chain” is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of the “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.” And yet, her name is not widely known outside the music community, but it will be, if Jazzanooga has anything to say about it.

Born just outside Montgomery, Alabama, Thornton grew up listening to and being influenced by the gospel music of the Baptist church and rhythm and blues artists she admired and emulated. She became a rock-and-roll trailblazer, paving the way for some of the most notable icons in

American music. It is that history, and her Southern roots and feminist trailblazing that intrigued Morrow and inspired his desire to share her story.

“I just felt,” he says, “that she was one of the real pioneers of rock-androll. She originated her sound from the South and not just with blues, but with gospel and jazz. She was a huge admirer of Bessie Smith.”

Morrow says this fact, along with her connection to Elvis, gave the show a local element that also appealed to his desire to tell her story. “She never got the recognition she really deserved,” he says. “It was just an intriguing story to me and I thought someone should be sharing this history about this young lady and that’s why I dove into it.” He decided that the best way to tell the story of the independent, fiery and formidable talent was for it to be a one-woman show and, he explains, “I thought there could be nobody better than SheShe.” Playing the role of Thornton was a long-held goal for Dance, who began talking to Morrow about the project nearly three years ago. “When he explained to me how he wanted to set it up, I thought, ‘Well, that’s going to be really cool!’ It’s going to be something different,” she says. Dance, much like Thornton, is larger than life, easily rising to the task of playing such a fierce character. The show lends itself to her ability to command an audience

by allowing her to hold court not only onstage, but in the style of a cabaret performance, getting up and moving about the house.

“This show is very different compared to what people are normally used to going into the theater,” Dance says. “It’s going to be more cabaretstyle. It won’t be me just on the stage as a one-woman show. I’ll be out and about in the crowd getting them involved, too.”

Morrow and Dance believe that Big Mama Thornton’s story is worthy of attention, and that this show is not to be missed. “It’s just something different,” Dance says. “You can’t walk into anywhere in Chattanooga and get, 1) a one-woman show; 2) that cabaret style; and 3) a history lesson. So, it’s kind of like you’re getting three bangs for your buck on top of the people you may see there and some songs that may be familiar. It’s going to be a good time.” Morrow echoes this sentiment, praising Dance’s portrayal of this complex songstress and says, “You may not have known the name, but you’ll definitely know the spirit.”

“The Life and Times of Big Mama Thornton” 7:30 p.m. February 27-28 The Camp House, 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 thecamphouse.com chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 11

National Geographic, USA 101

ARTS CALENDAR

“One of America’s Top 101 places to visit”

thursday2.26

for more info call 706.820.2531

See RockCity.com

March 7-8, 14-15 Music Food Fun for the whole family!

Be sure to get your Rock City Annual Pass for year-round access to all the fun! sponsored by

in partnership with

Pastel Painting Workshop with Melissa Hefferlin 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 201 W. Main St, Ste. 107 (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Winter at Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery and Landscape Co. 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com “Being Faithful in Chattanooga” 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Winter Workshop Series: How to Poop in the Woods 6:30 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com SpeechCraft Workshop 6:30 p.m.

Standifer Gap Seventh Day Adventist Church 8310 Standifer Gap Rd. (423) 892-4362 sgsda.netadvent.org “Into The Woods” 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St.

12 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

"Into The Woods" (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com “Dusty and the Big Bad World” 7:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga 5600 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-8640 ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Felipe Esparza 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

friday2.27 Houston Museum’s 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale

10 a.m.

Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org “Beauty and The Beast” 7:30 p.m.

Ripple Theater 3264 Brainerd Rd. (423) 600-9242 rippletheater.com Comedy Improv 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre 4501 Amnicola Highway (423) 697-4404 chattanoogastate.edu Felipe Esparza 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

Jazzanooga Presents: “Life and Times of Big Mama Thorton” 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 jazzanooga.org “Into The Woods” 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com “Dusty and the Big Bad World” 7:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga 5600 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-8640 ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com

saturday2.28 Pulse Pick: Felipe Esparza Winner of Season 7's "Last Comic Standing," Felipe is a comedian and actor, best known for his raw, real-life comedy that audiences everywhere can relate to.

Felipe Esparza The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

Civil War Artillery on Moccasin Bend 9:30 a.m.

Moccasin Bend Health Institute 100 Moccasin Bend Rd. (423) 265-2271 nps.gov/chch Houston Museum’s 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale 10 a.m.

Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org 54 Film Festival

11 a.m.

Choo Choo Centennial Theatre 1400 Market St. (800) 872-2529 choochoo.com Mad, Bad & Dangerous 11 a.m.

Girls Preparatory School 205 Island Ave. (423) 634-7600 getyourmbd.com Chinese New Year Celebration Noon Creative Discovery Museum 321 Chestnut St. (423) 756-2738 cdmfun.org Denim & Diamonds: Back to the Future 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1100 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 “Beauty and The Beast” 7:30 p.m.

Ripple Theater 3264 Brainerd Rd. (423) 600-9242 rippletheater.com “Dusty and the Big Bad World” 7:30 p.m.

The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga 5600 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-8640 ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com CSO: “Hooray for Hollywood” 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theater 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050 chattanoogaonstage.com Felipe Esparza 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Jazzanooga Presents: “Life and Times of Big Mama Thorton” 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 jazzanooga.org “Into The Woods” 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com

sunday3.1 Free First Sunday Noon The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Houston Museum’s 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale Noon Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St. (423) 267-7176 thehoustonmuseum.org “Beauty and The Beast”

2:30 p.m.

Ripple Theater 3264 Brainerd Rd. (423) 600-9242 rippletheater.com “Into The Woods” 2:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com “Dusty and the Big Bad World” 2:30 p.m.

Ensemble Theatre 5600 Brainerd Rd. (423) 602-8640 ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com Felipe Esparza 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

monday3.2 Mentorship in Oil Painting with Mia Bergeron 6 p.m.

Townsend Atelier 201 W. Main St., Ste. 107 (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com

tuesday3.3 Introduction into Oil Painting with Mia Bergeron 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier

ARTS CALENDAR

Houston Museum’s 41st Annual Antiques Show and Sale

201 W. Main St., Ste. 107 (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com 10th Annual Impact Luncheon 5:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1100 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Awards 6 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org “Heart Strings for Hope” 8 p.m.

Tivoli Theater 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5050 chattanoogaonstage.com

Named “One of the Ten Most Incredible Cave Waterfalls on Earth”

World Reviewer

423.821.2544 RubyFalls.com

Open Weekends in March!

wednesday3.4 Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m.

325 E. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com So Lit Book Club: “Serena” by Ron Rash 5:30 p.m.

Brix Nouveau 301 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 488-2926 brixnouveau.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

Aerial Adventure.

423.821.2544 RubyFallsZip.com

chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 13

MUSIC SCENE

Love Them or Hate Them— Just Don’t Shrug Buffalo Princess makes music that cannot be corralled or classified

Five Beards, Two Horns and a Lady Alanna Royale puts on a royally rockin’ show Everyone likes looking out for the “next big thing” in music. So boogie down to Rhythm & Brews this Wednesday, Mar. 4, to see Alanna Royale, along with bands Waterfall Wash and Dead Testaments.

Alanna Royale is a band described as “6 members, 5 beards, 2 horns, and 1 lady” that mixes elements from rock, funk, soul and pop. Vocalist Alanna Quinn-Broadus leads the crew of guitarist Jared Colby, bass player Gabriel Golden, drummer Matt Snow, and their two-piece horn section of trumpet player Kirk Donovan and Diego Vasquez on trombone. They’ve already managed to obtain a large fan base and great reputation even without a

single recorded song, due to their amazing live concerts. After the band released its first extended play, “Bless Her Heart,” they started selling out shows all across Nashville and appearing at music events such as Bonnaroo.

Find out what all the funky fuss is about. Ticket prices and other information can be found on Rhythm & Brews’ website, rhythm-brews.com — Gavin Gaither Alanna Royale Wednesday 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

thu2.26

fri2.27

SAT2.28

smooth soul

rock the house

musical dreams

Smooth Dialects

Amber Fults

Buddy Mondlock

Thought by many to be one of the very best bands performing in Chattanooga these days, do yourself a favor and catch them locally while you still can.

9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

The minute you hear her sing, you know you are in the presence of a magical voice. Power, passion and presence all in one complete musical package: that's Amber.

9 p.m.

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

Ever wondered what a dream would sound like if it were made into a song? Find out for yourself when Buddy makes a rare Chattanooga appearance.

8 p.m.

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

14 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

T

he uncompromising, unclassifiable Chattanooga quartet Buffalo Princess has no interest in appealing to the lowest common denominator. In fact, if you don’t absolutely love them, then they prefer that you hate them, rather than have a tepid reaction.

Music ernie paik

“

It would be difficult to find a more eclectic group in Chattanooga or anywhere, with influences as disparate as Fela Kuti, King Crimson, Igor Stravinsky, Metallica and Joni Mitchell.”

“I don’t want there to be indifference,” said guitarist/vocalist Chris Ballew, who, with the other three members, sat down with The Pulse to answer some questions in advance of the group’s Mar. 5 show. “Indifference is the worst thing I think you can give somebody. You either have to come away from it not wanting to ever hear your shit again—‘I hate those guys, they scare me’—or I want it to be like, ‘That was fantastic, I completely got what you were going for.’

“I don’t want, ‘That band was just like the other two bands.’”

It would be difficult to find a more eclectic group in Chattanooga or anywhere, with influences as disparate as Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, prog-rockers King Crimson, composer Igor Stravinsky, Metallica and Joni Mitchell.

Wise and skilled beyond its years—the members are barely out of their teens— Buffalo Princess has a discipline and focus only seen in the most dedicated groups, articulating a unique musical vision that’s been in the works since early adolescence.

Drummer Erik Gehrke, saxophonist Beck McGrath and bassist Dustin Smoote had classical training at the Center for Creative Arts (CCA), while Ballew was homeschooled.

“All of the people from CCA here have had a firm [foundation] in music early on,” said Ballew, who pointed out that they learned the importance of not only understanding what to play but what kinds of “cheesy sounds” to not play.

notes on a page—by going beyond the technical rigor of a performance to transmit something natural and intense.“It’s that moment when musicianship becomes art that’s really important,” said Ballew.

Although Buffalo Princess stands apart from the crowd, it would actually prefer to have more kindred musical spirits around, who have a similarly inventive attitude, so that the bar is raised for everyone.“I think of it like sparring,” said Gehrke. “I took martial arts as a kid, so when I think about somebody being better than me, it’s like I’ve got to learn and work with this person, [with] practice and discipline.”

Since Buffalo Princess doesn’t fall cleanly into an easily definable genre, preferring instead to smash genres rather than blandly ape its heroes, this makes it a challenge for the band to find its place within the acutely fragmented Chattanooga music scene.

“There are a lot of genre-fueled bands in Chattanooga, and it’s a little disappointing,” said Ballew. “People are like, ‘I’m a JEFF the Brotherhood kind of band.’ That’s so recent that it’s crazy you’ve already taken that as a genre.”

With amusement, the group recalled an awkward performance at the ill-suited downtown nightclub Raw.“You can’t grind to our music,” said McGrath.

••• Buffalo Princess with Hypercolor Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. 7:30 p.m., Mar. 5 (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org

EAT. SLEEP. INDULGE. REPEAT. EAT. SLEEP. INDULGE. REPEAT.

© 2014 EWC Prices may vary by region

Ballew cited Gehrke as his main inspiration in his music life, and regarding Ballew’s self-driven, less conventional training, Gehrke said, “Chris comes from a much—I don’t want to say necessarily less restrained [background], but there aren’t ties that have been reinforced for so long.”

Although the quartet draws from numerous sources in rock, jazz and classical, the influences often manifest themselves in unexpected or unusual ways, and like true music fans, the group talked enthusiastically about its favorites.

“The way Fela Kuti solos...he makes the horn sound like it’s laughing,” said McGrath.

“Hard bop,” said Smoote. “We all listen to plenty of jazz, because it’s a real free idea of music. We’re very influenced rhythmically by James Brown.”

“There are a lot of harmonies that stick out to me between Beck and Chris that are like Frank Zappa,” said Gehrke.

“If I could sing like Joni Mitchell as a man, I’d totally do that,” said Ballew.

“But I can’t. But I try to make certain things, like the quivering nature of her voice, with melodic aspects of the guitar.”

While the group sweats over its original compositions, it actually doesn’t want its audiences to think too much when listening to their performances, preferring instead to allow a visceral, ineffable reaction to dominate.“I like to be almost thoughtless when I’m enjoying something, not having to judge it,” said Gehrke.

The band aspires to channel that indescribable quality—transcending mere

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chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 15

7321_Chattanooga_MINT-Mag.indd 1

LIVE MUSIC FEB/MAR

SMOOTH DIALECTS THU 9p 26 with MARBIN

27 THE COMMUNICATORS SAT 9p 28 UPTOWN BIG BAND TUE 8P 3 ALANNA ROYALE WED 9P 4 THU FUND RAISER 9p 5 FRI BIG K.R.I.T. 9p 6 APACHE RELAY

FRI

with ANDREW COMBS & KIP BRADLEY 9:30p

PRESENT: THAT 90'S SHOW

BRING OUT YOUR DANCING SHOES

with WATERFALL WASH FOR GINGER SULLIVAN

MISSISSIPPI HIP-HOP PHENOM

3.7 SOUL MECHANIC with CBDB and MASSEUSE 3.11 ANGIE APARO 3.12 DRIVIN' N CRYIN'

COMING SOON

JESS GOGGANS

18

WED

A POWERFUL, POWERFUL SINGER 9p

GHOST OWL with STOKESWOOD

WED 9:30p

25

ALL SHOWS 21+ UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED • NON-SMOKING VENUE

221 MARKET STREET

HOT MUSIC • FINE BEER • GREAT FOOD BUY TICKETS ONLINE • RHYTHM-BREWS.COM

MUSIC CALENDAR

CHATTANOOGA

thursday2.26 Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m.

Ringgold Nutrition Center 144 Circle Dr. (706) 935-2541 Feel It Thursday Open Mic 7 p.m.

Mocha Restaurant & Music Lounge 511 Broad St. mochajazz.net Bluegrass and Country Jam 7 p.m.

Grace Nazarene Church 6310 Dayton Blvd. chattanoogagrace.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7 p.m.

Mexi Wings VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. (423) 296-1073 Songwriter Shootout 7 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com St. Elmo Trio in Concert 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 697-2424 Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Rims and Keys, New Planet 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia

16 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

Bobby Bare, Jr. 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Smooth Dialects, Marbin 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

friday2.27 Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Chattanooga Acoustic Showcase

Pick: Preston Leatherman Oklahoma-born, Texasraised, Nashville-living multi-instrumentalist who " tickles the ivories, strum la guitarra, bang the drums, slappa da bass, and other things," Preston puts on a show like no other.

Preston Leatherman Saturday, 9 p.m.

World of Beer 412 Market St. worldofbeer.com

7 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Jazzanooga Presents: “Life and Times of Big Mama Thornton” 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com D. Mangione & Friends 7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Paul Smith & The Sky High Band 8 p.m.

Chattanooga Billiards Club East 110 Jordan Dr. cbcburns.com

Logan Murrell 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Bobby Bare, Jr., Bad Scout, General Dollars 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Amber Fults 9 p.m.

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

World of Beer 412 Market St. worldofbeer.com Apache Relay 9:30 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Ragdoll 10 p.m.

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

saturday2.28 Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson

2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Denim & Diamonds: Back to the Future 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1100 Carter Street (423) 756-0001 CSO: “Hooray for Hollywood” 7:30 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. chattanoogasymphony.org Jazzanooga Presents: “Life and Times of Big Mama Thornton” 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com Arlo Gilliam, The Embellishers 7:30 p.m.

Magoo’s 3658 Ringgold Rd. facebook.com/MagoosTN Chatham County Line 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Buddy Mondlock 8 p.m.

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

Logan Murrell 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Preston Leatherman 9 p.m.

World of Beer 412 Market St. worldofbeer.com SOCRO, Kindora, Rock, Lil IFFy 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com That 90’s Show 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com She She Dance 10 p.m.

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

Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budsportsbar.com Sharkweek 10:30 p.m.

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

sunday3.1 Son of Laughter 11 a.m.

The Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St.

flyingsquirrelbar.com Sunday Night Irish Music Jam Session 5 p.m.

Grocery Bar 1501 Long St. grocerybar.com Acoustic Gospel Jam 6 p.m.

Brainerd United Methodist 4315 Brainerd Rd. brainerdumc.org

monday3.2 Open Mic with Jay Cox 6 p.m.

Magoo’s 3658 Ringgold Rd., East Ridge facebook.com/MagoosTN Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com

tuesday3.3 Heart Strings for Hope 7 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. chattanoogaonstage.com Rick’s Blues Jam 7 p.m.

Folk School of Chattanooga 1200 Mountain Creek Rd. chattanoogafolk.com KOZA, Ten Foot Beast, Baphomet 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia

MUSIC CALENDAR

Buddy Mondlock 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Uptown Big Band 8 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com JJ Grey & Mofro 8 p.m.

Track 29 1400 Market St. track29.co

901 Carter St Inside City Cafe (423)634-9191 Thursday, February 26: 9pm Open Mic with Hap Henninger Friday, February 27: 9pm Amber Fults Saturday, February 28: 10pm She She Dance Tuesday, March 3: 7pm Server/Hotel Appreciation Night $5 Pitchers $2 Wells $1.50 Domestics ●

●

All shows are free with dinner or 2 drinks!

Stop by & check out our daily specials!

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri: 4-7pm $1 10oz drafts, $3 32oz drafts, $2 Wells, $1.50 Domestics, Free Appetizers

citycafemenu.com/the-office

wednesday3.4 Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonrestaurant.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Alanna Royale, Waterfall Wash, Dead Testaments 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Penicillin Baby, Tab Spencer, FMC 9 p.m.

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

Thursday • February 26 Rims and Keys · New Planet

Friday • February 27

Bobby Bare Jr · Bad Scout General Dollars

Saturday • February 28

SOCRO · Kindora · Rock · Lil IFFy

Tuesday • March 3

KOZA · Ten Foot Beast · Baphomet

Wednesday • March 4

Penicillian Baby · Tab Spencer FMC

Thursday • March 5

Diahrrea Planet · Music Band Mad Libre

Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event list-JJ’s Bohemia JJ’s Bohemia • 231 E MLK • 231Blvd.

E MLK Blvd. ings at least 10 days in advance to: 423.266.1400 423.266.1400 • • jjsbohemia.com jjsbohemia.com calendar@chattanoogapulse.com chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 17

Record Reviews

marc t. michael

Gambling With Shabti, Barringer Pays His Dues Shabti jams out, Webb Barringer stakes a new claim album, Atom Heart Mother.

Pick up your copy today at Shabti’s bandcamp page—and keep in mind that as marvelous as the recordings are, the live show must be face-melting.

W

Music for Chattanooga’s Coolest Generation Shabti Gamble (Available on Bandcamp) hippieradio1069.com

daily lunch & drink specials!

WHERE CHATTANOOGA’S BEST ARTISTS PERFORM EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

call & book a monday night private party!

410 market • (423) 757-wing

singitorwingit-chattanooga.com

CheCk out the Cat in the hat

H

aden York, Houston Lane, Davvy Glab and Lyle Cammon, collectively known as Shabti, have a new EP available.

Called Gamble, it was recorded live, and it’s five sexy little tunes that sum up the self-described “progressive jam band” nicely.

Rolling in at 4:33, the opening track, “The Gamble,” is a bluesy affair, low and laid-back, almost hypnotic. Glab’s vocals are clear and strong, something akin to Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) minus the whine. Vocals aren’t always given their due in a jam band, often seeming like an afterthought to the instrumentation, but Glab has a voice and he uses it to great effect on this tune.

Track two is a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come.” Here again, there is a bluesy element in this tune not found in the original, which, to my ear, makes it less a cover and more of “reinterpretation.” In listening to both versions of the song (Cliff’s original and Shabti’s cover) I can’t say that one is superior to the other; they are each their own beast and both

18 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

Webb Barringer Untitled (Available through artist) are excellent.

“Long Legged Feline” is the third track on the disc, the shortest (3:07) and my personal favorite. It’s hard not to hear Jimi Hendrix (there are some riffs reminiscent of Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower”) in this tune, but if I was going to offer up a “sounds like” opinion, the song has Dire Straits written all over it. Even the guitar tone is pure Mark Knopfler and it is brilliant.

“Clap Hands” is the fourth track. It is a cover of Tom Waits and on that basis alone is worthy of respect. Waits is not an easy guy to cover, and Shabti manages to stay true to the original while making it their own. One can imagine easily enough that Waits would be pleased with their version.

The disc rounds out with track five, “Another Road,” and at 9:20 it is the longest, jammiest tune of the bunch. Almost psychedelic, it is the perfect “put on the headphones and melt in to the chair for a while” kind of song that would not be out of place on the classic Floyd

ebb Barringer is a name you may not know—yet.

The singer/songwriter has been paying his dues, playing around town, penning some great tunes and opening for folks like Jordan Halquist. He’s ready to make a name for himself now, and with the release of his currently untitled debut EP, Barringer is set to do just that.

A word on Barringer’s voice, before we dive into the CD: At first listen, my impression was, “What a great country singer he would make,” but upon further reflection it becomes clear that he has a universal voice that would be just as suited to country, pop, folk or even ballad rock. That’s a rare quality, and it serves him well.

“Bible Verse Tattoo” is the first track. Its bright and brilliant harmonica intro settles down into a gentle, almost hushed guitar part as Barringer languidly takes an existential look at a young woman making her way through some early hurdles, picking up some dirt and bruises along the way, but ultimately headed towards the life she wants. It’s a sweet little tune that takes an unashamed look at reality and adds a strong measure of hopefulness.

“Party Hardy” is another look at the human condition, this time in the guise of a divorced man who, having faced some serious obstacles in life, man-

ages to keep moving forward, looking to the future in order to keep the past firmly where it belongs. “Getting to Know Me” takes a first-person perspective on the genuine irony we all face, noting that “confusion is a trait of the free.” The tune is basically a reassuring pat on the back that we, as individuals, are all occasionally muddling through and following our noses. We feel like we should have it all nailed down when very few people really do.

“Frank the Quota” is a darker tune, essentially a murder ballad about a local man with a shotgun, some boys on an ATV and national headlines about “what happened in Chattanooga.”

Haunting stuff, and if the rest of the compilation weren’t already fantastic, this tune alone would make it worth owning.

Two more tunes remain, “Suburban Love Song” and “Start to a Spark,” and at some future date we’ll take a closer look at those tunes as well but for now know this: Barringer’s lyrical skills are masterful and his songs frequently delve into the realm of the broken and damaged people of the world (aren’t we all, to some degree?) yet there remains an element of hope. The broken and damaged people of the world can heal, given time and inclination.

That’s just how life is, and at the end of the day, it’s a pretty fine message.

Keep an eye out for this young man. His name is going to be well known soon enough.

For now, the only way to get this CD is to ask him, but he’s happy to oblige.

Meat, Glorious Meat, Smoked And Superb Sticky Fingers Smokehouse is the BBQ-lover’s delight There are few things better at bringing people together than the promise of slow-cooked, smoked meats. In the South, BBQ is practically a religion and Sticky Fingers Smokehouse invites all who seek delicious slowcooked meats to find solace in their loving, smoky arms.

I was recently charged with the task of michael herding my two teenage sons into a car and out to the Hamilton Place area for an appointment with the dentist. Typically, this would be akin to wrestling two cats into a bathtub, but I had a secret weapon up my sleeve: Sticky Fingers Smokehouse.

Once it was clear there would be a sweet, meaty reward at the end of this trip, these cynical young men transformed into pliable doe-eyed boys, ready to cooperate fully and reap their favorite savory treat—BBQ ribs.

For a slow-cooked meat devotee, the hint of hickory smoke that caresses your nostrils as you enter Sticky Fingers Smokehouse is simply sublime. With freshly cleaned teeth and an appetite like a swarm of hungry locusts, my sons scanned the menu for their favorites and for

any new items that might tempt their taste buds. The three of us quickly decided that we would start with the glory that is the mighty chicken wing. Sticky Fingers’wings are massive cuts of hickory-smoked chicken that have b e e n s l o w smoked on the pit, thomas then flash fried to tender, crispy perfection.

We couldn’t decide on one sauce, so we ordered 20 of these monsters, sans sauce, and picked our favorite flavors from the bottles at the table.

My oldest son loves the Southern-style Tennessee Whiskey sauce, while his brother goes for their popular honey-based Carolina Sweet. I was in the mood for a little more spice, so I poured on some Southern Heat (formerly Habañero Hot), which is just spicy enough to let you know it’s there, but not so spicy that it overwhelms the flavor of the chicken.

Just as we were staring each other down over the

Dining Out

Sticky Fingers Smokehouse Sunday-Thursday 2031 Hamilton Place 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Blvd. (near the mall) Friday-Saturday Chattanooga, TN 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

(423) 899-7427 www.stickyfingers.com

“For a slow-cooked meat devotee, the hint of hickory smoke that caresses your nostrils as you enter Sticky Fingers Smokehouse is simply sublime.” last chicken wing, our entrées arrived. The enormous plates of succulent, hickory-scented meats placed on our table made the three of us pause, ever so briefly, to contemplate the bounty that we were about to receive. My sons had not been able to decide on one dish, so they both ordered a Half Slab and Pulled Pork combo; I was focused on one thing from the moment I entered the door: a Flintstone-esque, full slab of fall-off-the-bonetender ribs, which is exactly what was placed before me.

The first thing I noticed was the excellent meatto-bark ratio on my ribs.

“Bark” is the jerky-like crust that forms on the outside of quality prepared ribs and could possibly be the most

delicious bite of food on Earth. I separated the first rib from the rack with a gentle tug, revealing a pink smoke ring that BBQ enthusiasts look for as a first sign of a finely smoked piece of meat.

The meat clung to the bone just enough to retain its integrity, but not enough to resist any attempt to be eaten. Each bite demonstrated the skill and dedication that Sticky Fingers has to the smoked-meat arts.

I was halfway through this parade of pork ribs before I looked up from my plate and realized I had not touched my baked beans or slaw and had possibly not taken a breath since I started eating. My sons had almost finished their feasts and were already discussing whether the housemade

bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream or the banana pudding would be the best finish to the meal. I will always pick Sticky Fingers’ banana pudding because their simple, three-ingredient version is the same as my grandmother’s, using only vanilla pudding, fresh bananas and crunchy vanilla wafers.

I cannot think of a more perfect end to our meaty monster of a meal.

Whenever you feel the need to bathe your taste buds in the glory of BBQ meats, Sticky Fingers Smokehouse will be there for you, whether you are downtown or near Hamilton Place. They will even bring their smoky gospel to you with catering for five or 500 people—wet naps for your own sticky fingers included.

chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 19

SCREEN SCENE

The Devil Made Him Do It...?

“Horns” is an overlooked film perfect for post-Oscar viewing this month or next

The Real Stars of Madagascar “Island of Lemurs” is an eco-journey and a great story Lose yourself in Morgan Freeman’s smooth voice and discover the mesmerizing life of lemurs as the Academy Award-winner narrates the new documentary in IMAX 3D, “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar.”

The film takes viewers on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. This visual adventure tells the incredible true story of how nature’s greatest explorers, lemurs, came to their island kingdom. Freeman narrates as the creatures are seen traveling as castaways and landing on the beautiful island millions of years ago.

The peculiar and lovable lemurs have since evolved into hundreds of diverse

✴✴✴✴

species—but today they are highly endangered.

Director David Douglas and writer/ producer Drew Fellman collaborate to create a journey for the audience to follow, alongside trailblazing scientist Dr. Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help these bizarre yet adorable creatures survive in the modern world.

This 3D IMAX film will have the lemurs jumping off the screen and into your hearts. It is now showing at the Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX 3D theater in downtown Chattanooga. Showtimes are daily at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Additional showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m.

— Kristina Kelly

NEW IN THEATERS

✴✴✴✴

Focus Maps to the Stars In the midst of veteran con man A tour into the heart of a Hollywood Nicky's latest scheme, a woman family chasing celebrity, one anothfrom his past—now an accomplished er and the relentless ghosts of their femme fatale—shows up and throws pasts. his plans for a loop.

Director: David Cronenberg Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Stars: Julianne Moore, Stars: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Rodrigo Santoro, BD Wong Pattinson, John Cusack 20 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

T

he intervening months between Oscar season and summer blockbusters are the best times to catch up on smaller films from the previous years that either never made it to theaters here or, in some cases, never made it to theaters at all.

With the advent of On Demand video, there is a wealth of good, independent movies most people would never get a chance to see otherwise.

Screen JOHN DEVORE

“

‘Horns’ is more a murder mystery and less an excuse to disembowel as many minor characters as possible.”

On Demand is filling the void left by vanishing brick-and-mortar video stores, at times surpassing the former direct-to-video in terms of quality. Films like these can occasionally make enough money to draw bigger names, creating film experiences simply not present in the major market releases. Instead of wasting money on the meager leftovers that Hollywood is contractually obligated to release, February is a great time to look for something special.

One film that fits this category is an overlooked Daniel Radcliffe vehicle based on the Joe Hill novel “Horns.”

Hill is the son of the Stephen King, a name synonymous with horror stories, a writer whose stories are almost always spun into a film adaptation.

Both writers have similar styles and subjects—the weird, frightening, and thrilling tend to round out their wheelhouse.

Yet, while King seems to become more and more long-winded, Hill is still early enough in his career to be plot-focused, telling his stories in a more concise and straightforward way. This isn’t to say the prose is plodding; Hill uses plenty of literary techniques, like flashback, to flesh out his stories. It’s simply that he hasn’t quite fallen in love with the sound of his own voice yet.

Jonesin’ Crossword

In much the same way, director Alexandre Aja directs the film adaptation of “Horns” with quick pacing, much faster than the novel, while maintaining many of the important pieces of the story.

Aja is known for films like “High Tension,” “The Hills Have Eyes,” and “Piranha 3D.” The latter is one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. However, perhaps because of the strength of the source material, “Horns” is more than passable as a quality film.

It tells the story of a young man who awakens after a night of doing terrible things to find he has inexplicably sprouted painful, burning horns from his forehead.

Much of the film is more rooted in fantasy than horror per se, especially the gore-driven sub-genre often found Aja’s previous films. “Horns” is more a murder mystery and less an excuse to disembowel as many minor characters as possible.

Ignatius Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe), the story’s cuspate hero, is haunted by the brutal murder of his girlfriend. He was accused and ultimately eliminated as a suspect, but the townspeople “know,” as they always do, that he was the real murderer. Merrin Williams (Juno Temple) was the town’s beauty and heart, especially for those that knew her, and justice has still not

been served.

After Ig’s night of debauchery and evil, after the horns have revealed themselves, after Ig discovers that their presence causes people to confess their deepest sins and desires to him, he uses his newfound powers to begin a search for the true killers of his lost love. Much of the film is simplistic in the treatment of its themes.

Evil and good are not quite as rooted in gray as they are in the book. Neither does the film play as much with the religious imagery found in Hill’s novel.

If Hill’s novel is fairly straightforward, the film is direct in a way that is nearly detrimental. However, the performance by Radcliffe and the entertaining nature of the story itself saves the film from being easily dismissed.

Joe Hill writes much like his father.

This is not a bad thing, nor is it a criticism. If anything, Hill has a unique take on the similar themes found in King’s works. Hopefully, he will be as prolific. In a world where sequels and reboots are the driving force behind Hollywood creative teams, it’s good to know that there are still artists out there that can tell a unique and original story.

Films like “Horns” need more support so that the rest of the year doesn’t become like February and March.

ACROSS 1 Fashionable resort 4 2001 biopic 7 Mishmash 14 Neighbor of Isr. 15 Part of 31-Across 16 High-flying competition 17 “AOL’s line was ‘You’ve Got Mail’,” for example?

19 Artless one 20 Unloading site 21 Time 23 Irish playwright O’Casey 24 “The Best of the Alternative Press” magazine, familiarly 25 Music show all about the sun?

29 “Crazy” singer Cline 31 It’s north of LAX 32 Pitched 33 Animation collectible 35 “Take on Me” group 37 “Much ___

About Nothing” 38 Money stashed away for big-time sport fishermen?

42 Mr. Ripken 44 Ronnie James band 45 Most common word 46 Accumulate 49 Org. that publishes health studies 51 Cartoon cat 55 Result of losing equipment during Woodland Frisbee?

58 Penalize 59 One of Clair Huxtable’s sons 60 Medical specialty prefix 61 Kinks hit 62 City in the desert 65 Cookie Monster’s attempt at concealing his excessive munching?

67 Half of football or basketball 68 Cremains holder

matt jones

69 Night before 70 Loud fights in public places 71 Stephen of “V for Vendetta” 72 Guitarist ___ Paul DOWN 1 Faux pas 2 Pumpkin seed snack 3 Not there 4 Simile center 5 Shoe strings 6 Song starts 7 Moo goo ___ pan 8 Laundry soap brand of old 9 Silver, on a coat of arms 10 Security lapse 11 Thin promo on a website 12 Prefix for pressure 13 “Whaddaya know!”

18 Grapefruitflavored drink 22 Italian sports car 26 Pacific Coast salmon 27 Herring color

28 Afternoon hour 30 Ouija board reply 34 “Dropped” substance 36 Rearward, at sea 38 Words after “3...2...1...”

39 Late chanteuse Edith 40 “Weird Al” Yankovic movie about TV 41 Turntable need 42 No gentleman 43 Montreal mate 47 Paul of “Fresh Off the Boat” 48 Crayola’s “burnt” color 50 Garfield’s successor 52 Mr. Richie 53 Swooning 54 ESPN event 56 Boisterous 57 Bete ___ (nemesis) 62 Handheld device 63 Mag mogul 64 Simple signatures 66 Tiny strands

Copyright © 2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 0716 chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 21

She Said, He Said…But The Lies, The Lies, The Lies Officer Alex proves the all is not always as it seems, crime-wise

“

He had instantly decided that he didn’t want to shoot them but he also didn’t want to spend hours being questioned by cops to then spend half a year going to court to watch these folks never do any real time.”

When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.

I asked what the weather was like, what the light source in the parking lot was, if they remembered anyone else being on the parking lot, even if it was just lights on a nearby vehicle—boilerplate questions for a robbery report.

The victim answered ALEX as best she could, and began listing things that were taken, as I’d requested. Her vehicle title, $450 cash, not much else. She was shaken and distracted, but that was to be expected. I asked about the gun separately from the suspect’s description, which is also standard, because the impression one makes tends to overshadow the other.

“Big, but not too big.

Black, the plastic kind, like a Glock.” I grunted in response as I wrote, then asked her about the suspect himself. “You’re positive it was a man?”

“Yes ,” she said. “We seen him from a long way off.”

“We?” I asked. She had initially said she was alone.

“Well, yeah, there was some other folks with me but they gone now.” Again I grunted.

“So your friends were with you when he pulled the gun?” I queried. “Yeah,” she said, “but they didn’t have nothing taken, they just wanted to go.” I raised an eyebrow, and became

sad that this now smelled of poop.

“How about your car keys or your purse?” I asked. She looked back with mild confusion. “Keys? I didn’t have no keys or a purse with me.

I just had my coat.”

“Let me get this s t r a i g h t.

TEACH They took cash, but you didn’t have a purse, and they took your car title, but you didn’t have a car. Right?”

She paused and looked down in thought. “No, I just didn’t drive that night and I don’t like to carry my purse, I just use my pockets mostly.” I smiled pleasantly in understanding and nodded my head. Her shoulders lowered slightly.

“Hang on a sec, OK? The detectives are calling.” She acknowledged this and I stepped away.

We’d had report of a vehicle vandalized on the parking lot of the deli she was reporting this occurred in, but the victim didn’t want to make a report when we got there. Management had called it in, as well as this robbery I was now taking the report on. The business didn’t have video, but they did write down the tag of the car when they reported it so we’d be able to find it when we got there. I called dispatch and got both the tag and the victim’s num-

On The Beat

22 • The Pulse • February 26-March 4, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

ber, and called him while my partner sat with my victim. He mentioned he was at home, so I decided to swing by for a quick chat. (Yeah, yeah, this was a detective’s job, but what can I say? I’m impulsive.)

I met Mr. Jonathan Davis less than a mile away with yet another officer and began to chat him up on the porch of his house. His car was there about the same time this occurred, so if it was related or a coincidence I had to know what he knew either way.

Davis was nervous, sweating despite the winter temperatures. I’d intentionally interviewed him on his porch to keep him out of his comfort zone, which is usually where people keep their weapons, if not on their person. (There is a reason there were two of us there, you see.)

In short order, Mr. Davis revealed that he did indeed know something about my victim. She and two men approached him from the far side of the darkened parking lot. She held out a stack of papers that included a car title and some cash, and she said they needed a ride just a few miles away and they would pay. “Here,” she said.

“We’ll pay you,” holding up the money and paperwork to distract him from her friends reaching for their waistbands and pulling out large lockblade knives. (The distraction failed.)

Mr. Davis was a permitholding gun owner and reached under his own coat to reveal a Smith & Wesson

XD9, a mid-sized polymer pistol.

“This isn’t happening,” he said. “Go on.” As he said this, he glanced at his car, which had had the tires slit. “Shit,” he said. “You did that?” The “victim” nodded, mouth agape, she and her friends transfixed on the end of his pistol. “Then you’ll pay for it,” Davis said. “Drop that money.”

For reasons unknown, he had instantly decided that he didn’t want to shoot them but he also didn’t want to spend hours being questioned by cops to then spend half a year going to court to watch these folks never do any real time and never even pay for the damage to his car.

He saw a few hundred-dollar bills and decided they’d pay for the damage and be gone.

She dropped the papers and the money and fled, and here we were now.

In other words? My robbery “victim” was actually a robbery “suspect” who’d vandalized her intended victim’s car to keep him there and ease their getaway, and the whole thing got flipped on her (bless her heart). And while I admired the guy’s call (and his cynicism) on some level, my vandalism suspect was now technically a robbery suspect.

Have I ever mentioned how much I loved my job?

The courts would now have to sort this mess out, but hopefully they loved their jobs too. As for the detective inheriting this…that remained to be seen. (Hey, I’m impulsive.)

Free Will Astrology PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The British rock band the Animals released their gritty, growly song "The House of the Rising Sun" in 1964. It reached the top of the pop music charts in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, and was a hit with critics.

Rolling Stone magazine ultimately ranked it as the 122nd greatest song of all time. And yet it took the Animals just 15 minutes to record. They did it in one take. That's the kind of beginner's luck and spontaneous flow I foresee you having in the coming weeks, Pisces. What's the best way for you to channel all that soulful mojo?.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Lately your life reminds me of the action film Speed, starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. In that story, a criminal has rigged a passenger bus to explode if its speed drops below 50 miles per hour. In your story, you seem to be acting as if you will self-destruct if you stop moving at a frantic pace. I'm here to tell you that nothing bad will happen if you slow down. As you clear your schedule of its excessive things-to-do, as you leisurely explore the wonders of doing nothing in particular, I bet you will experience a soothing flood of healing pleasure.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): One of the most dazzling moves a ballet dancer can do is the fouetté en tournant. The term is French for "whipped turning." As she executes a 360-degree turn, the dancer spins around on the tip of one foot. Meanwhile, her other foot thrusts outward and then bends in, bringing her toes to touch the knee of her supporting leg. It takes extensive practice and requires a high degree of concentration and discipline. Paradoxically, it expresses breathtaking freedom and exuberance.

You may not be a prima ballerina, Taurus, but in your own field there must be an equivalent to the fouetté en tournant. Now is an excellent time for you to take a vow and make plans to master that skill. What will you need to do?.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If you're a martial artist and you want to inject extra energy into an aggressive move, you might utter a percussive shout that sounds like "eee-yah!" or "hyaah!" or "aiyah!" The Japanese term for this sound is kiai.

The sonic boost is most effective if it originates deep in your diaphragm rather than from your throat. Even if you're not a martial artist I suggest that in the coming weeks you have fun trying out this boisterous style of yelling. It may help you summon the extra power and confidence you'll need to successfully wres-

rob brezsny

tle with all the interesting challenges ahead of you.

you'll be wise to avoid perpetrating similar messes yourself.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The prolific and popular French novelist Aurore Dupin was better known by her pseudonym George Sand. Few 19th-century women matched her rowdy behavior. She wore men's clothes, smoked cigars, was a staunch feminist, and frequented social venues where only men were normally allowed. Yet she was also a doting mother to her two children, and loved to garden, make jam, and do needlework.

Among her numerous lovers were the writers Alfred de Musset, Jules Sandeau, and Prosper Mérimée, as well as composer Frederic Chopin and actress Marie Dorval. Her preferred work schedule was midnight to 6 a.m., and she often slept until 3 p.m.

Her astrological sign? The same as you and me. She's feisty proof that not all of us Crabs are conventional fuddy-duddies. In the coming weeks, she's our inspirational role model.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): "Love her but leave her wild," advised a graffiti artist who published his thoughts on a wall next to the mirror in a public restroom I visited. Another guerrilla philosopher had added a comment below: "That's a nice sentiment, but how can anyone retain wildness in a society that puts so many demands on us in exchange for money to live?"

I scrawled a response to the question posed in the second comment: "Be in nature every day. Move your body a lot. Remember and work with your dreams. Be playful. Have good sex. Infuse any little thing you do with a creative twist. Eat with your fingers. Sing regularly." And that's also my message for you, Scorpio, during this phase when it's so crucial for you to nurture your wildness.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It seems you've slipped into a time warp.

Is that bad? I don't think so.

Your adventures there may twist and tweak a warped part of your psyche in such a way that it gets healed. At the very least, I bet your visit to the time warp will reverse the effects of an old folly and correct a problem caused by your past sins. There's only one potential problem that could come out of all this: Some people in your life could misinterpret what's happening. To prevent that, communicate crisply every step of the way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In English and French versions of the word game Scrabble, the letter “Z” is worth ten points. In Italian, it's eight points. But in the Polish variant of Scrabble, you score just one point by using “Z.” That letter is rarely used in the other three languages, but is common in Polish. Keep this general principle in mind as you assess the value of the things you have to offer. You will be able to make more headway and have greater impact in situations where your particular beauty and power and skills are in short supply.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won't have to make them all your yourself."

So said Alfred Sheinwold in his book about the card game known as bridge. I think this is excellent advice for the game of life, as well. And it should be extra pertinent for you in the coming weeks, because people in your vicinity will be making gaffes and wrong turns that are useful for you to study. In the future,

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): "Don't worry, even if things get heavy, we'll all float on." So sings Modest Mouse's vocalist Isaac Brock on the band's song "Float On." I recommend you try that approach yourself, Sagittarius. Things will no doubt get heavy in the coming days. But if you float on, the heaviness will be a good, rich, soulful heaviness.

It'll be a purifying heaviness that purges any glib or shallow influences that are in your vicinity.

It'll be a healing heaviness that gives you just the kind of graceful gravitas you will need.

Consider This with Dr. Rick

by Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

“A pilgrim is a wanderer with purpose.” — Peace Pilgrim Another of my all-time favorite quotes is: “Not all who wander are lost.” I’m a big fan of going away to college. Or taking a year off to backpack through Europe. Or at least saving up your pennies for a trip to another part of the country with an adventurous pal.

None of it has to be expensive, and let’s face it: the riches come back to you a hundred-fold in the reward of experiencing new cultures, languages, food, customs and all that might be available to you “out there.” Even traveling across a few state lines can mean the difference between “Let’s pahk the cah and get a beah in this bah” and “Well, bless her heart.”

I grieve when a friend moves away. It affects the quality of life for those of us left behind. On the other hand, I celebrate, for them and their new adventures…and for me. Now I have someone I can visit in another locale! How about you? Any couch-surfing in your future?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): "What I look for in a friend is someone who's different from me," says science fiction novelist Samuel Delany. "The more different the person is, the more I'll learn from him. The more he'll come up with surprising takes on ideas and things and situations."

What about you, Capricorn?

What are the qualities in a friend that help you thrive? Now is a perfect time to take an inventory. I sense that although there are potential new allies wandering in your vicinity, they will actually become part of your life only if you adjust and update your attitudes about the influences you value most.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): At the turn of the 19th century, Russian laborers constructed thousands of miles of railroad tracks from the western part of the country eastward to Siberia.

The hardest part of the job was blasting tunnels through the mountains that were in the way.

I reckon you're at a comparable point in your work, Aquarius.

It's time to smash gaping holes through obstacles. Don't scrimp or apologize. Clear the way for the future. chattanoogapulse.com • February 26-March 4 • The Pulse • 23

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