Connect Savannah - July 21, 2021

CONNECT SAVANNAH

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ADRIAN PETERSON TO SPEAK ATMONTHLY BUY LOCAL LUNCHEON

BLIPPI THE MUSICAL COMES TO SAVANNAH WITH NEW ENERGY

CONNECT SAVANNAH | MONTH 00, 2021

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connectsavannah.com

HISTORIC HOTEL GETS ‘JULU’ED JULY 21-27, 2021

Above Ground Diamonds:

Twice the Diamond for half the price.

7300 Abercorn Suite A | 912-650-9757 | harkleroaddiamonds.com

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An immersive, 3-day leadership experience.

September 12-14 The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum is a three-day event that brings together more than 400 leaders representing neighborhoods, non-profits, civic groups, government, businesses and the up and comers.

Organized by Morris Multimedia Inc., with the generous support of Georgia Southern University, the Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, the first ever forum is taking place on September 12-14, 2021 at Trustees’ Garden in Savannah, Georgia. To help our communities succeed in an ever changing and fast paced society, the forum is focused on discovering our collective potential to be greater by committing to new ideas, supporting the growth of our emerging and established leaders, and by being purposeful in building collaboration from all segments of our diverse communities.

Working together we can make our communities stronger and better.

visit www.southeastGAleadershipforum.com for more information!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Y O U R H O M E T O W N E V E N T S PA C E A H I G H E N D V E N U E F O R W E D D I N G A N D C O R P O R AT E E V E N T S

INFO@TRUSTEESGARDEN.COM | 912-233-8938 | TRUSTEESGARDEN.COM

WEEK CONNECT SAVANNAH

AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY 7/21 Legends on Live Enjoy a cast of Broadway and Las Vegas singers, dancers, live band and aerial artistry perform a 2-hour tribute to pop music legends in a dazzling Vegas-style show.

8 p.m.

The Historic Savannah Theatre 222 Bull St. $39 adults, $19.50 ages 16 and under savannahtheatre.com

Open Mic at Mint to Be Mojito Bar Join host Larry Broussard for Savannah’s Best Open Mic every Wednesday.

Watch LIVE ON TIKTOK! (Cajuncookin). Larry plays your favorite hits and requests between sets.

5-11 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s 12 W State St.

THURSDAY 7/22

Buy Local Savannah Luncheon

Join the Buy Local crew for their monthly luncheon at Cohen’s Retreat as Adrian Peterson, Georgia Southern Alumni and former NFL running back for the Chicago Bears and College Hall of Famer, shares an inspirational message of family and community work.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cohen’s Retreat 5715 Skidaway Rd. $25-40

Open Fire Cooking at

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July/

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK TO HAVE YOUR EVENT CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN WEEK AT A GLANCE, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO WAG@CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM. INCLUDE THE EVENT NAME, DATE, TIME, LOCATION WITH ADDRESS, COST, WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, AND A CONTACT NUMBER. THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 5PM EACH FRIDAY BEFORE THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY’S EDITION.

Wormsloe

The cooks at Wormsloe Historic Site cook over an open fire using recipes and techniques popular in the 18th-century.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wormsloe Historic Site 7601 Skidaway Rd. $2-10

Salsa Thursdays at Mint to Be Mojitos

Join Salsa Savannah on Thursdays at Mint to Be Mojitos for free beginner dance lessons. Enjoy Salsa, bachata music, and dancing.

7:30-10:30 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s 12 W State St.

FRIDAY 7/23

BIPOC Nonprofit Leadership Symposium

The United Way of the Coastal Empire Community Investments introduces its new Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Nonprofit Leadership Symposium which will offer free training on capacity-building topics such as sustainability strategies, marketing, and public relations, board and staff relationships engagement, and more.

9 a.m.

United Way of Coastal Empire 428 Bull St.

SATURDAY 7/24 Books, Bikes, and Badges Head to Westlake

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MON/

TAYLOR BROWN IN CONVERSATION @ E. SHAVER

Community Park for a fun-filled Back-to-School Block Party. Enjoy complimentary hot dogs and drinks, music, and community engagement. Book bags, school supplies, and a bicycle with a helmet will be raffled.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Westlake Community Park, 1955 Westlake Ave.

Fire & Wine

Enjoy half off bottles of wine and fire pits in the courtyard. Purchase one of our s’mores kits (marshmallows included) for the ultimate fall experience.

6-9 p.m.

Foxy Loxy Cafe 1919 Bull St.

Lemonade Day at Ghost Coast

Join Ghost Coast Distillery in raising funds

for Savannah’s newest non-profit, Lowcountry Lemonade Day. Enjoy food from Naked Pig Tacos starting at 1 p.m., and music by Savannah’s own Draucker from 4-7 p.m.

Ghost Coast will donate $1 from every drink sold to Lowcountry Lemonade Day. 12-8 p.m.

Ghost Coast Distillery 641 Indian St.

Perry Lane Tequila Dinner

Join Perry Lane Hotel for a 6-course dinner in their private dining room after sipping bubbles as Tequila Ocho’s distilling expert, Jesse Estes, speaks about tequila and its history.

6-9 p.m.

Perry Lane Hotel 256 E. Perry St.

SUNDAY 7/25 Bingo! at Elks Lodge

Join Elks Lodge for Bingo on Thursdays from 7:309:30 p.m. and Sundays from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy great family fun, good food at the snack bar and many chances to win cash.

Elks Lodge 183 Wilshire Blvd.

Metropolitan Bridal Expo

Head to the Metropolitan Bridal Show Expo and meet a selection of professionals ready to help you find the perfect wedding gowns, gifts, ties, jewelry, party venues, and much more. They’ve got one simple goal to help you turn your dream wedding into a reality.

1-5 p.m.

1 International Dr.

WEEK

AT A GLANCE

ADMINISTRATIVE ERICA BASKIN PUBLISHER erica@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4378 WENDY WICKHAM BUSINESS MANAGER wendy@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4373 HUNTER McCUMBER SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR hmccumber@morrisnews.com (912) 231-0250

EDITORIAL NOELLE WIEHE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF noelle@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4356

OUR VALUES

Connect Savannah at its core is focused on arts and entertainment and the happenings in our community. We are also a news organization with professional journalists who write about community news and the about the people who live here.

Connect Savannah is dedicated to keeping readers informed and aware of all that goes on in the community.

The presentation of both news and opinion is designed to educate, entertain, inform and foster conversation.

We appreciate and encourage readers to share news tips with us, and to share any criticism and questions.

We are your comprehensive source for the arts, entertainment, music, and community events. We are here to serve you.

We are blessed to be part of the greatest country in the world and the freedom it bestows on its citizens and its press.

Find us on these platforms or reach out to our newsroom at news@connectsavannah.com or 912-721-4378.

BRANDY SIMPKINS COMMUNITY/EVENTS JOURNALIST brandy@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4358

CONNECT SAVANNAH

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ADVERTISING INFORMATION: (912) 721-4378 sales@connectsavannah.com BUCKY BRYANT STRATEGIC MARKETING CONSULTANT bucky@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4381

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 14-20, 2021

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JAMIE BURTON MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST jamie@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-9854 MANDY YOUNCE REGIONAL DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR mandy@connectsavannah.com (912) 503-0874

WAYNE FRANKLIN DISTRIBUTION MANAGER (912) 721-4376

HISTORIC HOTEL GETS ‘JULU’ED

8

ADRIAN PETERSON TO SPEAK ATMONTHLY BUY LOCAL LUNCHEON

BLIPPI THE MUSICAL COMES TO SAVANNAH WITH NEW ENERGY

CONNECT SAVANNAH | MONTH 00, 2021

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JULY 21-27, 2021

Above Ground Diamonds:

Twice the Diamond for half the price.

7300 Abercorn Suite A | 912-650-9757 | harkleroaddiamonds.com

ON THE COVER A mural painted by Savannah artist Juliana Lupacchino adorns the property of the historic King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.

Photo courtesy of King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

/connectsav

DISTRIBUTION

TUESDAY 7/27

A.J. Gnuse and Taylor Brown In Conversation

Alexander Hamilton at the Davenport House

Head to E. Shaver for an in store conversation between Taylor Browm and A.J. Gnuse. The event is free, but please RSVP in eventbrite.com 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

E. Shaver Booksellers 326 Bull St.

The Davenport House Museum hosts a series of lectures about American patriot Alexander Hamilton on Tuesdays in July and August.

Accompanying each lecture will be a performance about Rachel

COLUMN

BY LAUREN WOLVERTON lauren@connectsavannah.com

Frank Ricci, Lauren Wolverton, Michael Strong, Jamie Burton, DJ Hellerman, Beth Stewart, Bunny Ware, Melissa Hayes, Jesse Blanco, Angela Miller and Mary Kathryn Griffin

LOGAN HINTON STRATEGIC MARKETING CONSULTANT logan@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4354

MONDAY 7/26

@ConnectSavannah

Faucette, Hamilton’s mother.

6:30 p.m.

Davenport House, 324 East State St.

Toddler Tuesday

Explore the wonders of nature with all kinds of wild fun for your wee ones. This week’s theme is “A Butterfly Fluttered By” day.

10 & 11 a.m.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dating around…for a rental

PROUD SPONSOR OF

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

LAUREN WOLVERTON STRATEGIC MARKETING CONSULTANT lauren@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4380

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

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© 2021, Savannah Media, LLC. 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041

WHEN TRYING TO DECIDE what to write my column on this week, I went back and forth between complaining about my horrendous hunt for a new rental in Savannah and sharing some exciting news about a dating series we’ve got coming out next month. Decisions, decisions.

I’ve settled on both in the hopes that my editor let’s this fly. Fingers crossed!

As I said before, I’m searching for a new rental here in our city and I’m learning a lot more than I expected to along the way. I’ve learned that having a bathtub is a non-negotiable for me, I’ve learned that lots of rental property owners are really not into pets, and I’ve learned that finding a place to live in Savannah right now is nearly impossible.

I’m not sure if our city is looking extra beautiful lately and attracting more permanent tourists, or if it’s just the backto-school season. Either way, it’s like the Hunger Games out here looking for a place to live.

It’s not all bad, though. Here’s my transition from real estate to that dating series I mentioned earlier. Just go with it.

Every night, when I’ve had my fill of Facebook Marketplace and Zillow, I look

forward to tuning into some terrible, but oh so good, reality TV. My personal favorite shows are any of “The Real Housewives” franchises, “Below Deck,” “The Circle,” “Love is Blind,” “Summer House,” “Love Island,” etc. I could go on and on.

Given my nightly routine, it’s no surprise that when the idea of doing an anonymous dating series in Connect Savannah came up, I jumped on it right away. It’s like a real life, print version of all my favorite shows.

Essentially, we’ll have two anonymous candidates who are looking for love - I borrowed that line straight from “The Bachelor” franchise - in Savannah. I won’t give away too much of what we have planned, but I’ll be following along as they prepare and go on a date or two throughout the month of August. I’ll share what they’re feeling, the highs and the lows in hopes of shining some light on what it’s like to date in our city.

The candidates will be of different ages, different genders, and at different stages in their lives. I’m really hoping this series is relatable, helpful and entertaining to all of our readers. Let’s hope this goes smoother than my hunt for a rental!

Have a question about our upcoming dating series? Have a rental unit I could call home?

Send me an email at lauren@connectsavannah.com.

NEWS

COMMUNITY

BY BRANDY SIMPKINS brandy@connectsavannah.com

WORLD TRADE CENTER SAVANNAH is calling for nominations to give out it’s 10th World Trade Center Savannah International Business Award.

Given annually, the award recognizes companies that excel in international trade and acknowledges the importance of trade to the region’s economy. It is now open for submission nominations until Aug. 13.

World Trade Center Savannah is a proactive international business and trade development organization that exists to create jobs and attract investment by helping to facilitate foreign direct investment opportunities for the region and by helping regional businesses do business internationally. Once a year, they recognize businesses that are showing an exemplary standard in trade.

“It’s digital and it’s a simple question about the company and their international goals and accomplishments and what makes them worthy of winning this award,” said Leigh Ryan, vice president of the WTC Savannah and WTC Zone 104.

This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and

other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region.

The nomination is open to companies of all sizes located in Appling, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Chatham, Charlton, Effingham, Glynn, Jenkins, Liberty, Lowndes, McIntosh, Screven, Burke and Wayne counties engaging in international business.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Aug. 13.

Kristen Harkleroad “Really, we’re accepts the World Trade Center Savanlooking for their nah’s International story for the year,” Business Award Ryan said. “Have given in 2020 for her company, Savannah they entered into Bee Company. PHOa new market?

TO COURTESY OF WTC Have they begun exporting a product to a different country or region; have they begun importing a product to help them in their business that they have not imported in the past? Or, are they brand new to importing or exporting?”

Past winners include JCB, SNF, Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions, D.J. Powers, Savannah Bee Company, Brodie

International, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Koyo Bearings North America and Gulfstream Aerospace.

The award will be presented at the annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon, presented by WTC Savannah, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, 1 Resort Dr. “World Trade Center Savannah is a regional organization,” Ryan said. “We serve many counties in the southeastern part of the state of Georgia, and our role in working with the counties and the businesses in the community is to help them with their international strategy. That could be making connections overseas through the World Trade Centers Association; WTC is a part of a global organization of over 330 WTC in nearly 100 countries so we have contacts throughout the globe.”

Host business programs educate business communities on opportunities internationally. They can be like doing business in South America or the United Nations or specific programs about compliance.

“We hope to have a lot of nominations for the award this year,” Ryan concluded.

Nominations can be submitted online at wtcsavannah.org/nomination2021or for more information contact Antwone Smoak at asmoak@wtcsavannah.org.

Students invited to get pampered

BY BETH STEWART

don’t have to worry about some of the essential items for school their kids may need.”

LOCAL K-12 STUDENTS have the opportunity to participate in A Fresh Start event hosted by Saint Leo University on July 31 from 9 a.m. to noon. Families can visit the 325 W. Montgomery Crossroad location to receive free haircuts, massages, manicures and school supply giveaways to kick off the start of the new school year.

“This event is more important than ever this year because of the crazy year we’ve all had,” said Brian Bailey, assistant director of Admissions for the Savannah Center at Saint Leo University. “This will also help take some of the pressures off of parents so they

Held for the first time in 2019, the event drew over 200 attendees and they are expecting a similar turnout this year with several businesses throughout the area helping to make it a success.

Bailey said the following are involved in the event: Amerigroup; Cumulus Savannah; 100 Black Men of Savannah; the Coastal Health District; Center Parc; Domino’s - Team Cowabunga; FedEx Savannah; Future Minds; Image is Everything Nail Bar; S2S Facts; Inc.; Park Place; Savannah Harley Davidson; Socks for Courtney; SSP Cutz; “A Stone-Cold Look” Salon; Tr1be

Quality Eats + Drinks

LUNCH DINNER FULL BAR MON-SAT 11AM-1AM SUN 11:30AM-5 PM

C lassic Sandwiches on Locally Baked Bread FRESH HOUSE MADE

soup

sides

pickles

dine in 912.200.4940 take out

Weekly Specials 1215 barnard street savannah, ga 31401 www. black rabbits av. co m

SAFELY DINE INSIDE, CURBSIDE OR TO-GO. WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE, WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

Naturals Wellness and Waffle House - Team Savannah.

Due to COVID restrictions from the university, food will not be available, but music will be provided.

“Saint Leo University is the main sponsor, but all of our partners are definitely co-sponsors of the event. It’s not through any department of the school, but it’s a Savannah Center event,” Bailey said.

In addition to A Fresh Start, they also host job fairs, open houses and various events around the holidays.

Visit saintleo.edu.

SKIDAWAY • WATERS • ABERCORN • HWY. 80 • HWY. 21 • POOLER

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Nomintation period now open for International Business Award

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NEWS HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY 2PM-6PM

HALF PRICED APPS, $3 WELLS, $4 SELECT CRAFT BEER & DOMESTIC DRAFTS, $5 JAMESON & FIREBALL

MONDAY POKER @7PM

TRIVIA @7PM OPEN JAM SESSION @9PM

WEDNESDAY LIVE BLUES WITH ERIC CULBERSON @9PM

THURSDAY TRIVIA @7PM KARAOKE @9PM

SAVANNAH’S BEST KARAOKE THURSAY-SUNDAY @9PM

KITCHEN OPEN LATE CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Community organization encourages patronization of home businesses

BY BRANDY SIMPKINS brandy@connectsavannah.com

TUESDAY

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Buy Local says ‘buy local’

WE OPEN EARLIEST: DAILY AT 10AM! 21 E MCDONOUGH ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31401 M–SAT 10AM TO 3AM | SUN 10AM TO 2AM

WWW.MCDONOUGHSLOUNGE.COM

business $68 will be reinvested into the community, while when spending $100 in THERE IS LIKELY no entity in Savannah a ‘big box’ store only $48 is invested back.” that is more adamant about you buying Buy Local encourages community local goods and services than Buy Local. engagement in their efforts through netEstablished in 1999, the organization is working and community building opportucomprised of over 150 business that call nities provided through monthly luncheons, Chatham County home. Community advoquarterly socials, members marketplaces cacy, access to support, selection, price and and holiday parties. They also acknowledge convenience are all values that make up the businesses yearly through their Advocate, Buy Local philosophy.

Business of the Year and Media Awards.

The Buy Local mission They also make it easier for is to support independent, locals to patronize our homelocally owned and operated grown businesses by probusinesses in the greater viding a member directory Chatham County area, said on their website. Also, ‘Buy Courtney Rawlins, president Local Bingo’ is introduced of Buy Local. Their intend at each monthly luncheon. is to maintain the unique The Bingo usually consists of community character, prosmall requirements like “do vide continuing opportunia business review” “like this ties for entrepreneurs, build business’ Facebook page,” or the community economic “take a picture in front of this Courtney Rawlins, Buy strength and prevent the new shop.”

Local president, spreads displacement of commu“That could be a game the word about small business throughout Sa- changer for someone,” Rawnity-based businesses by vannah. PHOTO COURTESY national and global entities. lins said.

According to the U.S. Labor OF BUY LOCAL She mentioned that Bureau approximately 50% now Buy Local has found of small businesses fail within the first five a new way to economically support the years. One way that Buy Local aims to mincommunity. imize this number for Chatham County “We just adopted a new bylaw that business owners is by allowing newer entrestates once a month there will be a donapreneurs to connect with seasoned business tion to a nonprofit, community-centered owners who have “been there, done that.” organization where we can invest mem“We understand that we all need one bership dollars into them so they can another to be successful so we span the make a bigger impact back into the comgamut,” Rawlins said. “We have people munity,” Rawlins said. that have businesses that have been in She said it feels like a privilege to give business for six months and we have back to the local communities. businesses that have been running for “It’s way better to give than it is to generations and generations.” receive,” she said. “To say that it feels ‘good’ Another way to increase the viability of to do that would be an understatement.” businesses is for their community to prioriRawlins said she encourages locals tize patronizing them as opposed to larger, who want to get more involved to join nonlocal organizations. the Buy Local team and one of their “When we talk about what buying seven committees. locally does, versus buying from a ‘big box’ “Help us make Buy Local the biggest store, you can take $68 and put it in your and the best that it can be,” Rawlins local economy, or you can take $48 and said. “This is a group of people who put it in your local economy,” Rawlins said. genuinely want to see local businesses “When spending $100 at an independent be successful.”

Adrian Peterson to speak at the Buy Local’s July Luncheon. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUY LOCAL SAVANNAH

Anthony Lanier II visits with fans during a NFL game to sign some gear.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTHONY LANIER II.

Anthony Lanier is spotted while traveling. The pro athlete said Savannah will always be his city.

Hometown celebrity continuously gives back to Savannah community

BY MICHAEL STRONG

SAVANNAH NATIVE Anthony Lanier II consistently defies expectation.

For the unaware, Lanier is the city’s latest example of a person who physically left town, but emotionally is always present. Lanier is a 6-foot, 6-inch, 285-pound defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He spent five years in the National Football League before moving north of the border.

Lanier’s not only working hard to stop opposing offenses, but also to ensure the success of young men in Savannah.

In a time where many chide millennials for being unfocused, lazy or egocentric, 28-year-old Lanier is clearly anything but.

The commitment to the betterment of the people and the place he calls home is crystalized in what he describes as “my number one goal” once he made it to the NFL: start a foundation.

“I care so much about my community,” he said. “This is why I had to make the foundation, because this is my community.

This is my city, my people.”

After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, despite outstanding results during his time at Alabama A&M, he signed a rookie free agent contract with the Washington Redskins. He made the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie — a monumental task that doesn’t happen often — and then formed Undefeated Warrior: The Anthony Lanier II Foundation.

The foundation aims to support community-based organizations to promote education and good health as a means to foster the development of the character, social skills and values in young people across the city — values imparted to him by his family.

While raised by his mother, Yolanda, in a single-parent home, Lanier didn’t lack for strong male influences. In addition to his mother, several uncles, like Sonny Powell, Elijah Powell and his late uncle Terry Powell, helped instill a strong work ethic and a determination to aid his community.

“We worked with the City and the church,” he said. “They had me going around picking up trash on senior citizens’ lawns, helping out with food banks and

stuff. They molded me.”

Those values show in many of the things the foundation does today. Perhaps more importantly, Lanier isn’t shy about his desire to have a significant impact around town. In fact, he declares it on the foundation’s website, listing its goals for all to see, such as: • Model and exemplify hard work and determination, • Reiterate the importance of education and staying in school, • Encourage youth to set both shortterm and long-term goals and work hard to achieve them, • Host football camps in the Savannah-Chatham County, Georgia area to encourage teamwork and develop character and everyday life skills and • Establish mentorship programs for high school student-athletes in the Savannah-Chatham County, Georgia area to assist in preparing student-athletes for post-secondary options.

It doesn’t take long to see that Lanier views his involvement in the football camps he puts on as a quick way to reach out to kids across the city and have a big

impact. He doesn’t just run through drills, but with help from many coaches and former players, the kids are taught the importance of technique, teamwork and being good sports.

In addition, the participants also learn about nutrition, exercise and more. In fact, Lanier said they held a career fair recently, giving the kids a chance to see how their personal interests could lead them to a job that will ultimately shape their lives.

Savannah sports fans will recognize the importance of the first part of the foundation’s name, as Lanier is a proud alumnus of Jenkins High School.

“Warrior nation,” he’s quick to proclaim during a conversation.

The fact that he’s a Warrior at all is a bit surprising. Like so many talented athletes, Lanier grew up playing a variety of sports at the recreation center in his Carver Heights neighborhood. Drawn more to basketball, coaches from Jenkins - impressed with his athleticism - came to his home and spoke to him and his mother about playing football and basketball there.

“I didn’t know too much about football,” he laughed, but by the end of the meeting, he was set to go to Jenkins.

However, even after agreeing to play both sports, he favored basketball, but the coaches clearly knew better telling him if he didn’t play football, he couldn’t play basketball as a high school junior.

That was only confirmed when he was pulled out of class to talk with coaches from colleges recruiting him to play football. Lanier quickly realized focusing on football would pay his way through college and, as he pointed out, coming from a single-parent home, helping his mom out by getting a scholarship eased a massive burden.

It also cemented his appreciation for education, which is a critical component of the foundation. In addition to the football camps, the foundation also helps with donations for food banks, and it hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for community groups around the city.

Learn about Undefeated Warrior: The Anthony Lanier II Foundation, by visiting undefeatedwarrioraml2f.org. To keep tabs on Lanier and his career, go to anthonylanier.com.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

COMMUNITY

9

NEWS

Delaney Rose Erks, owner and creative curator behind Delaney Rose Boutique opens her brick-and-mortar location July 1 on Bull St. in the Starland District. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DELANEY ROSE BOUTIQUE

Fashion for every body

Delaney Rose Boutique aims to empower women to feel beautiful

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY MELISSA HAYES

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DELANEY ROSE ERKS firmly believes that everyone deserves access to clothes that make them feel good. So, when she noticed a gap in size-inclusive offerings in Savannah, the seed of an idea took root in her mind.

“This city really needed a boutique with extended sizes,” she said. “I saw that a lot of boutiques in this area didn’t offer that.”

Erks is now the owner and creative curator behind Delaney Rose Boutique, the only size-inclusive boutique in the area offering sizes small to 3X. Erks came to Savannah two years ago to study illustration at the Savannah College

of Art and Design. When she was forced to leave school due to COVID-19, she decided to switch gears and get to work.

“I’m definitely the kind of person to go with the flow, and if a new opportunity arises, then I’m ready to follow it where it goes and see where it takes me,” she said.

“Studying illustration was awesome, but I don’t think it was really what I was meant to do. I wanted to do something bigger than that and help people.”

She withdrew from SCAD, developed a business plan, secured investors and began selling size-inclusive clothing.

The 20-year-old business owner taught herself everything she could by watching YouTube videos made by other boutique

A style is displayed inside of the new Delaney Rose Boutique on Bull St.

A style is displayed on a mannequin inside of the new Delaney Rose Boutique on Bull St.

owners, following fashion entrepreneurs on Instagram and reading books.

“I just started learning from others and asking a lot of questions,” Erks said. “I’m still learning a lot. I started my actual boutique online in January. I wasn’t expecting to open a shop until a year or two later.”

But when she saw a dream location up for sale at the corner of Bull and Brady streets in Starland, she decided to speed her plans up.

Delaney Rose Boutique officially opened its doors as a brick-and-mortar location July 1.

“My main goal in opening the boutique is to help women feel comfortable shopping,” Erks said. “I want to create a space where women of any size can shop and feel welcome and confident. So far, the feedback has been great.”

Offering plus-size clothing does not necessarily equate to size inclusivity.

Inclusion requires reducing the sense of otherness that curvy women feel when shopping for clothes. The majority of retailers cater to thin bodies. Women in need of sizes 12 and up have been limited to stores that exclusively carry plus-size clothing or forced to browse separate plussize sections offering a meager selection by comparison. The fashion industry is moving toward increased visibility for plus-sizes with many major brands now showcasing diverse, realistic body types, but there’s still work to be done.

Erks has done her part to ensure no one who enters her store feels othered. One of the most thoughtful details of Delaney Rose Boutique is the hanger system Erks has devised.

“I do this fun thing with the hangers where the natural wood hangers are small

to large and then the white hangers are 1X to 3X,” she explained. “I was really struggling with how to distinguish what was plus-size and what wasn’t. I didn’t want to have a separate section. All the hangers are mixed in throughout the store, so if you come in with your friends, everyone is shopping together instead of splitting up.”

Though inclusivity was priority for Erks, she also wanted to keep her selection fresh and affordable, too. Most items range between $20-$70, and once they’re sold, they’re replaced with new styles. The store’s aesthetic is “feminine, floral, summery, and girly,” she said. “I carry clothes that girls can feel good in, that they can wear out or just relax in. It’s definitely modern, boho fashion.”

The boutique also carries a line of bath products like shower steamers, body lotions and bath salts. A jewelry line is forthcoming.

Erks said she couldn’t imagine having her store anywhere else. Though she’s originally from Akron, Ohio, Savannah has her heart. What made her fall in love with the city? “The trees. It’s just gorgeous here,” she said. “It’s such a happy environment, and there are so many creative people around here.”

The fact that Savannah is dogfriendly is a perk, too. Pop into the store, and you’ll likely meet her golden retriever named Honey. “Yeah, people love her,” laughed Erks. “She seems to be the main attraction.”

Visit Erks and Honey at Delaney Rose Boutique at 1813 Bull St. in Savannah and see what they have to offer online at delaneyroseboutique.com or on her social media @shopdelaneyrose.

COMMUNITY

An introduction to Connect’s fashion columnist

Danietté A. Thomas joins with arts, entertainment, news magazine to present fashion perspective I, DANIETTÉ A.THOMAS, am the founder, lead designer, stylist, and creative director of DANIETTÉ, a company working to elevate the image, brand, and value of professionals all over the U.S. When I entered middle school at age 11, it was the first time I went to school without the textile composite of a school uniform. I could never find the apparel I imagined shopping for once I started to shop for school clothes. So, I began to sketch. After finishing my school work, I was happiest with printer paper and a sharp #2 pencil.

The sketching was simply a way to keep a record of my ideas, but one day my professor asked if I planned to make my designs. I laughed and claimed such a thing was impossible.

I was amazed to learn from that same professor that I could get fabric and a sewing machine from a local fabric store and learn how patterns were created for the different shapes needed for clothing.

I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer by the end of that school day.

By age 12, I sought after the Savannah College of Art and Design. For years I was self-taught, but then paid a SCAD master’s student to give me lessons while in high school. My experience at SCAD was one of the greatest of my life thus far.

I was selected amongst my senior

classmates to showcase my senior collection in the annual SCAD Fashion Show. Still, my collection was recognized at the private after-party by Andre Leon Talley, as the best in show.

In the Fall of 2015, I was commissioned for my first custom couture piece, and immediately filed the necessary paperwork to start my own business, and have been creating couture ever since.

My accomplishments include two seasons at New York Fashion Week, and the opportunity to showcase my designs at the Oscars in 2020.

More recently, I was inspired to create new content for marketing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of consistently sharing photos and sketches of my wedding and prom garments from previous seasons, I did a #quarantined photoshoot with designer masks to compliment my designs. I got a reaction online that was like no other for my business.

I celebrated five years in business in September of 2020.

Tenaciously surviving a pandemic and its consequences, I now am fulltime into my business as opposed to balancing my passion with a 9-to-5 job. As of fall of 2020, I work my couture brand while offering styling and creative director services for a prominent list of small businesses all over the country.

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY DANIETTÉ THOMAS

11

FOOD & DRINK Last year’s photo contest first place winner was Cecilia Morris with the placement of this still from the 1962 film “Cape Fear” on the front steps of the Armstrong Mansion on Bull St., at the north end of Forsyth Park.

The photographer’s inspiration was her love of Savannah, film history and historic preservation as a means to educate, enrich and benefit the community’s culture. PHOTO COURTESY OF HISTORIC SAVANNAH FOUNDATION

EAT IT AND LIKE IT

Eating good in the Savannah neighborhood Recommendations around town from Connect’s food writer

hunches are correct, it’s going to be very good.

We shall see.

• A few success stories: I have now spoken SO MANY PEOPLE are out of office, out of to 20-25 who have dined at the new Common town or otherwise out of pocket during July, Thread and not a single one has said anything but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of nug- other than “it is absolutely fantastic.” It absogets to share on our food scene. Plenty. In fact, lutely is. If you haven’t made it over there yet, this is an abbreviated list, but trust me, the you are missing out. Great food, great staff; a most important stuff is here. We just want to home run all the way around. make sure you come back next week.

• Natasha Gaskill is Pastry Chef at Ardsley • The Haunt is a highly anticipated plantStation. Sometimes she makes doughnuts. based restaurant coming to 606 Abercorn St. Back on July 11, she held a doughnut pop-up at in downtown Savannah. Owner Clay Ehmke PERC Coffee on Broad St. She sold 500 donuts said he is planning to roll out a takeout pro- all she had - in 40 minutes. Do you think they gram for a couple of weeks leading up to their are good? The answer is yes. opening around early August. Their hearing • Fork and Dagger is nearing dinner service. for liquor license will be Aug. 12.

Menus have been printed; staffing is being • Fans of GB addressed. But Lobster Rolls on Brian Torres and MLK should know Sky Hoyt are very that those sandexcited about what wiches might be they will have to hard to come by offer in a month or after the beginso. Something to ning of September. keep an eye on. They Anthony is planwill also be particning to move to a ipating in Savannew location - can’t nah’s Restaurant share where, yet Week next month.

- with a tweaked • Yes, if you concept. More on missed it, Restauthat later. rant Week is back • Brian FiasAug. 20-29. Nine Brian Fiasconaro takes charge of the food program at Hop Atomica. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSE BLANCO conaro is the new days of great value man in charge of the at great restaurants. food program at Hop Atomica. He comes to Commits to this point include The Fat Radish, St. Hop Atomica from Husk and has been tasked Neo Brasserie, Oak 36, Ardsley Station and more. with ‘fancying’ the food a little bit. No, I’m not Check out the full list at eatitandlikeit.com. expecting wholesale changes, but then again…

• Finally, Anthony Bourdain fans would Pizza has always been good at Hop. I’m looking want to know that a new documentary has forward to what Brian shares with us. been released about him, his life and his leg• Speaking of new eats, Oak 36 in the 12 acy. It’s called “Roadrunner: A Film about Oaks Shopping Plaza in midtown Savannah Anthony Bourdain.” The Wall Street Journal also has a new chef. They just dropped a new said, “It leaves us with a vivid, thoroughly satmenu. I haven’t tried anything on it yet, but isfying sense of the man Bourdain was as well will let you know when I do. as the one he seemed to be.” I’m looking for• There are plans for a new tenant to go ward to watching that. into the space previously occupied by 787 by Chazito’s Latin Cuisine on Bull St. We don’t Got some tea to spill? Holla at cha’ boy. know what the concept will be yet, but if my tips@eatitandlikeit.com.

BY JESSE BLANCO

Community invited to compete in historic photo contest

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY BETH STEWART

12

The Historic Savannah Foundation will host an online photo contest where participants are invited to share photos of their favorite historic building or place via Instagram, describing why they chose it and using the hashtag #SavFave.

Shared images will be automatically entered into the contest which runs through July 31.

“We want people to be creative with their photography, to look at old buildings in a new way, and to present the places we see every day, but may take for granted,” said Historic Savannah Foundation’s Director of Preservation and Historic Properties Ryan Arvay.

Participants can enter as many times as they want with the only conditions being the images must be original and related to the theme of a favorite historic building, place, or site in Savannah and surrounding Chatham County. They must also have been taken within the last 12 months.

The first-place prize includes a collection of HSF books - including “Savannah: Square by Square,” the honor of having the winning photo displayed publicly and inclusion of the photo in HSF’s Annual Report. The second-place winner will receive “Savannah: Square by Square” in addition to having their winning photo publicly displayed and included in HSF’s Annual Report. The third-place winner and fan favorite will also have their photo publicly displayed and published in HSF’s Annual Report.

“Winners are judged and selected by HSF staff during the first week of August, after the contest closes, with emphasis placed on composition, lighting, and handling of the subject,” Arvay said. “We encourage people to be creative with their photography, to look at old buildings in a new way, and to present the places we see every day, but may take for granted.”

HSF saves buildings, places, and stories that define Savannah’s past, present and future. Following its formation in 1955, the nonprofit organization started a Revolving Fund to save endangered historic properties, now totaling nearly 410 buildings that have been saved and protected throughout several of Savannah’s historic districts.

They are committed to continuing to build capacity within HSF’s operations, secure new financial resources, improve HSF’s image and visibility and increase public policy efforts to protect Savannah’s historic districts.

Winners of the summer photo competition will be announced Aug. 17, with prizes awarded later in the month.

For information about HSF and the photo contest, visit myHSF.org.

COMMUNITY

A chef creates dough for pizzas at Pizzeria Vittoria in Starland Yard. The restaurant turned twoyears old this month. PHOTO COURTESY OF PIZZERIA VITTORIA

The oven in the pizza restaurant in Starland yard is prepped for cooking. PHOTO COURTE-

Patrons dine at the two-year old Pizzeria Vittoria in Starland Yard. PHOTO COURTESY

A Pizza Vittoria chef kneads dough for use in the two-year-old restaurant’s pizzas.

SY OF PIZZERIA VITTORIA

OF PIZZERIA VITTORIA

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIZZERIA VITTORIA

Starland pizzeria celebrates turning two

BY DJ HELLERMAN

SAVANNAH’S PIZZERIA Vittoria is turning two-years old and there is plenty to celebrate for the young Neapolitan pizzeria.

Even though this pandemic year was full of pivots and making adjustments for new ways of doing business, the anchor tenant at Starland Yard is thriving.

For Kyle Jacovino, chef and owner of Pizzeria Vittoria, it has been an exciting two years.

“Our first year was awesome; everything I hoped for,” Jacovino said. “We came out guns blazing and everything was well received.

People were naturally excited about the pizza

and the environment. It was a homerun.”

As the pandemic set in, so did the anxiety about keeping the year-old pizzeria open.

“COVID was scary at first: the money, the investment and the crew,” Jacovino said.

“Our employees are my responsibility. Business was slow at first; we pivoted and Starland Yard was a great venue to transition to only take out. We were fortunate to have that on our side. I kept my entire staff. We made it through and now we are crazy busy. Spring has been bananas.”

To celebrate the second anniversary of Pizzeria Vittoria, Jacovino has organized a month-long fundraiser supporting the James

Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign which helps independent restaurants survive the COVID-19 crisis, rebuild better and thrive for the long term. Jacovino feels the James Beard Foundation’s campaign is the perfect way to give back, especially right now.

“We were fortunate enough to make it through [the pandemic],” he said. “As time goes on, I don’t want to forget that people are still recovering from an incredibly difficult year. Open for Good is a great campaign because it keeps people aware of what we need as an industry.”

Throughout the month, Pizzeria Vittoria

will be offering specialty pies with ingredients sourced from Gustiamo, a Bronx-based Italian food importer dedicated to sourcing high quality ingredients from Italian farmers and food makers. The relationship is new for Jacovino.

“It is a perfect connection for this [Open for Good] campaign,” he said. “What Gustiamo’s does and what they represent is awesome. Sustainability, quality ingredients, support independent small farmers in Italy. Anything they import is awesome and done the right way.”

In addition to specialty pizzas, Vittoria is introducing anniversary shirts and tote bags designed by local artist Raphael Wolf and an anniversary beer created by Two Tides Brewing Company, one of Jacovino’s favorite beers in Savannah. Jacovino said he likes partnering with Two Tides.

“They are our neighbors and we have a great relationship with James and Liz Massey,” he said. “They are great people and great brewers.”

To support Pizzeria Vittoria’s Open for Good campaign and celebrate their second anniversary, stop by, order a beer and/or get some merch. Also, be sure to try the new Gustiamo Marinara Pizza that features three types of organic tomatoes, garlic, Caciocavallo, and wood barrel-aged anchovy drizzle. Jacovino knows pizza and promises, “Gustiamo’s tomatoes are incredible and the pie is so good.” You won’t want to miss it.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

The new Gustiamo Marinara Pizza at Pizzeria Vittoria features organic tomatoes, garlic, Caciocavallo and an anchovy drizzle. PHOTO BY MIKE SCHALK

13

NEWS

Blippi and his friends make their way across the stage during a past performance of the musical. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLIPPI THE MUSICAL

“Blippi The Musical” cast member dances on stage during a performance.

Back onstage: Blippi the Musical comes to Savannah bringing live entertainment for families Blippi the Musical comes to Savannah with new energy

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY JAMIE BURTON jamie@connectsavannah.com

14

GRAB THE KIDS and get ready for a show.

“Blippi The Musical” is coming to the Savannah Civic Center on July 27. The cast and crew are ready to bring their show back in front of a live audience.

“We’re excited that we’re kind of the first people out there,” said Director and Choreographer Jaimie Selke. “It’s been exciting, but also nerve-racking all at the same time.”

What was once an online platform for kids has been transferred to the stage,

bringing the character Blippi to life. The show is a highly interactive educational journey, with lots of singing and dancing.

Families have the opportunity to experience “Blippi the Musical” live for free, as Connect Savannah will be giving away two family four packs of tickets on their Instagram page.

“From the time the kids walk in, they’re encouraged to respond as Blippi asks them questions and that continues throughout the entire show,” Selke said. “There are many points of verbal and physical interaction: they stand up in their seats and they do the ‘Blippi’ which is a new song

that we have come up with.”

Selke said it’s fun to see not only the kids but also parents dressed up as Blippi. All of the hard work pays off when she sees a smile come to the children’s faces.

“If I can guide a kid’s path of life to theater or just to enjoy the arts a little bit more, that is what makes me happy,” Selke said. “I do it for the kids; I do it because it brings so much joy.”

The focus of having a good time with no judgment from the kids is what she loves about family entertainment.

“I love that they don’t clap after every song they scream and shout through the

whole show,” Selke said. “It’s a very different audience it’s a very different feeling.”

Like many other touring shows, “Blippi the Musical” was shut down right as they were headed back on the road in March of 2020.

Now, a year and a half later, Blippi and his crew are back and better than ever.

The show will play roughly 75 markets throughout the U.S. through September.

Their first stop was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in early July.

“Like anything, people can get into the monotony of doing their job; it becomes muscle memory, it becomes

COMMUNITY

Blippi sings a song and dances for the audience at a past performance. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLIPPI THE MUSICAL

the day-to-day situation,” Selke said. “I think people have a new perspective on what their career means to them. So as far as these actors go, even for me, walking in and being able to direct again and teach - it was a whole new sense of energy and excitement that will only get better with time.”

Over an hour of fun is ready to be had; many of their shows are already sold out.

For all of those involved in the show, this is special. Selke said she almost forgot the feeling of watching and performing in a live show, but now it’s back with new energy and a new perspective.

“The cast, too, when we were rehearsing, at the end of the day, everybody was super emotional,” Selke said. “I think we all cried together because it had been so long; an amazing day and a hard day. We just thought ‘wow, here we are a year and a half later.’”

The cast and crew of “Blippi the Musical” are ready for the people of Savannah to experience the magic once again. For tickets visit blippithemusical.com and follow Connect Savannah on Instagram @connectsavannah to find out how you can win a free family four pack.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Blippi and friends entertain the families in the audience at a past performance of “Blippi the Musical.”

15

CULTURE

COMMUNITY

Powerhouse Couple Stacey Orrico and Isaiah Johnson Bring Their Soulful Voices to Savannah PHOTOS COURTESY OF VICTORY NORTH

J. Parker, Ltd Hosts Sharp Dressed Men, and A Lady at Victory North Savannah

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY MARY KATHRYN GRIFFIN

16

IF YOU HAVE BEEN Looking for a reason to hit the town in your finest threads, Victory North Savannah is the place to peacock.

On Thursday, July 22, J. Parker, Ltd presents Sharp Dressed Men, and a Lady. Prepare for a night of sipping and swooning over the silky voices of Isaiah Johnson, Stacey Orrico, Roger Moss, and Trae Gurley. This powerhouse cabaret performance, with musical direction by Kim Steiner, welcomes everyone aged 13 and beyond.

The show starts at 7:00 p.m. and features songs from the most stylish singers like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Bill Withers, Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, and Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer.

J. Parker, Ltd has dressed Savannah to the nines for over 40 years. The specialty shop, known for its luxurious and quality garments and accessories, has recently opened its third location at Plant Riverside District on River Street. Now offering women’s fine apparel in addition to its repertoire, the store has exactly

what you need to outfit Thursday’s classy affair.

Isaiah Johnson is no stranger to the stage.

The talented actor has performed on Broadway as George Washington in National Tour of Hamilton alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mister in the Color Purple on Broadway produced by Oprah. He has appeared in numerous television series including David Makes Man, Nancy Drew, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Homegirls. Johnson’s high energy and professional stamina is sure to dazzle guests throughout the evening.

Grammy-nominated Stacey Orrico has been entertaining her entire life. She grew up admiring the voices of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, and Lauryn Hill.

Orrico’s musical influences inspired her soulful voice which would be recognized after winning a talent competition at 13. She released her first album Genuine in 2000. The Gold Certified album featured her hit single “Don’t Look At Me”, which remained at the top of Christian charts for ten weeks. She then toured with Destiny’s Child for their Survivor tour. The internationally recognized artist

has toured the world for her loyal audiences.

Johnson and Orrico married in 2016 and have made Savannah their home.

Roger Moss is an unforgettable performance in the Savannah scene. He has won “Best Singer” award for Connect Savannah.

Moss’ voice grabs your attention and does not let go. Trained by the cabaret legend Andrea Marcovicci, Moss has graced the stages of the American Traditions Competition, Savannah Symphony, Beaufort and Hilton Head Symphony Orchestras, and the Memphis Opera.

He is a staunch community supporter and Co-Founded the Savannah Children’s Choir, where the Hometown Hero served as executive director for 13 years.

Kim Steiner, Music Director for Sharp Dressed Men and A Lady, is the Musical Director and Producer of the SCAD Honeybees ensemble. He brings his cosmopolitan vision to the stage after performing as a pianist around the world. He has worked with Roger Moss has his musical director and pianist for countless cabaret performances.

Together, Steiner and Moss’ musical chemistry will send sparks flying.

Trae Gurley will take you back to the height of Hollywood jazz with his smooth voice and suave appearance. The Frank Sinatra-inspired musician is a staple in Savannah, singing at the Annual Birthday Tribute to Johnny Mercer, alongside The Equinox Jazz Orchestra, and at private events across the country for hosts including Hotel Del Coronado, Rolls Royce, and the Museum of Modern Art. Gurley was inspired to pursue music after singing hymns in church with his grandmother. He is heavily influenced by the blues, soul, and country music. He pays homage to the classic standards with a passion and reverence that will light your soul on fire.

Victory North Savannah provides the ideal backdrop for a night on the town. The venue opened in May 2019 and has hosted countless performances from award-winning artists to homegrown stars. Mingle, dance, and enjoy the evening as you are serenaded by a Savannah All-Star act.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to victorynorthsavannah.com/concerts. Victory North Savannah, 2603 Whitaker St, Savannah, GA 31401

THIS IS HOW I STAY CONNECTED

WE’RE REACHING THE LANDINGS. Connect Savannah recently started mailing every home at the Landings – all 4,600 of them!

It’s our way of introducing the exciting new format and contents of Connect, Savannah’s premier News, Arts and Entertainment publication.

We want to make it easy for everyone to read Connect! We’ve added new locations all over town – especially out in the fast-growing Westside and Pooler locations!

912.231.0250 | ConnectSavannah.com | 611 East Bay Street | Savannah, Georgia 31401

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

“Captivating and creative, Connect Savannah keeps up with the local events and happenings in the area every week.

With a local perspective, Connect offers an inside guide to all things arts, entertainment and popular news. This is how I stay connected in Savannah.” - Lauren

17

CULTURE

PERFORMING ARTS

Bill Whyte, left, Linda Davis and Lang Scott entertain audiences with song and stories.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARS THEATRE

Gil Grand takes the stage with his ensemble for “The Grand Tour: A Night of Classic Country Music.”

Live performances return to Springfield theatre

Visit Springfield’s Mars Theatre for country music performances

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY MARY KATHRYN GRIFFIN

18

DUST OFF YOUR BOOTS and get back to your roots with three upcoming shows that will have you line dancing in the aisles at Mars Theater in Springfield. These are the first three live performances at the storied showplace since 2020, and all of them offer a night of classic comforts that send your mind to easier times.

The Grand Tour: A Night of Classic Country Music kicks things off Saturday, Aug. 7. A remedy to country pop that lacks emotion, Grand and his bandmates bring award-winning talent to the stage. They’ll make you sing at the top of your lungs, cry on your neighbor’s shoulder, and bootscoot-n-boogie with a stable of hits from the Golden Age of country music. Hear the best cuts from Conway Twitty, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and others. Dress up in your boots, fringe and rhinestones as the band performs a period-piece complete with flashy outfits.

The Canadian-born Grand boasts awards from the Canadian Country Music

Association, including “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Record Producer of the Year.”

He has produced a No. 1 single along with several Top 10 hits. He has also worked with Reba McIntire and Chris Young, securing awards for “God and My Girlfriends” and “Tomorrow,” respectively.

All country roads point to Mars Theater on Saturday, Sept. 11 for Jim Curry’s Tribute to the Music of John Denver. Curry’s voice was featured in the CBS-TV movie “Take Me Home: The John Denver Story.” His uncanny appearance to the late folk singer is just a coincidence and not an attempt at a cheesy impersonation. Often performing with Denver’s former bandmates, Curry has earned the praise of John Denver fans all over the world. He was inspired at a young age by Denver’s messages of love and humanity and carries that with him in his heartfelt tribute.

His highly-anticipated shows often sell out, so get your tickets early for this one.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, Linda Davis, Lang Scott, and Bill Whyte will perform “An Evening in the Round.” This talented trio sing songs, tell stories, and share secrets behind making hits records with Reba McIntire, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, JoDee Messina

and others. The Grammy Award-winning Linda Davis began her singing career early in life and her voice got the attention of McIntire, who chose Davis to join her on tour as a backing vocalist. Lang Scott is a singer/ songwriter, and Davis’ husband.

He performs acoustic guitar and sings on the tour. Together, along with daughter Hillary Scott of Lady A, they released “Love Remains” in 2016, a family album with chart- topping hits.

Bill Whyte is an award-winning radio personality with a love for country music and laughs. He has performed alongside topnotch comedians including Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Dunham, as well as non-comedy acts Little Big Town and Crystal Gayle.

His songwriting skills got the attention of Joe Nichols, Linda Davis, and a personal favorite, Cletus T. Judd, the “Weird Al Yankovic” of country music.

The historic Mars Theater opened in 1945 and still maintains its up-close and personal charm. A concerted effort was made on behalf of Springfield citizens and art enthusiasts to provide high-quality entertainment with an updated sound system, nostalgic lighting, and room to dance.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. Get your tickets for all three shows online at marstheatre.com, in-person at Mars Theater or at Springfield City Hall during regular business hours. Concessions are available at all live shows, including beer and wine, but remember, if you drink, don’t drive ... do the watermelon crawl.

Jim Curry serenades with his acoustic guitar in “Take Me Home: The John Denver Story.”

CULTURE

COMMUNITY

Historic hotel gets ‘JULU’ed

Savannah artist paints mural at Georgia’s the King and Prince resort

The mural by Juliana Lupacchino at King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island is displayed. PHOTO COURTESY OF KING AND PRINCE RESORT

A patron holds an ice cream cone from the Cottage Custard + Coffee in front of the mural at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort PHOTO COURTESY OF KING AND PRINCE

BY LAUREN WOLVERTON lauren@connectsavannah.com

IF YOU’VE EXPLORED Savannah even a little bit, you’ve probably seen one of Juliana Lupacchino’s works of art. The Savannah native is better known as

JULU, and has left her mark all across town on walls, steps and canvases. Now, Lupacchino has “JULU”’ed one of Georgia’s most historic hotels.

Lupacchino was recently hired by the historic King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island to paint a

mural on the property. The property features classic, Mediterranean architecture and tons of palm trees, creating the perfect spot for Lupacchino’s work to shine.

Lupacchino’s mural is composed of pops of blues, yellows, pinks, oranges and reds that all come together to create a bright, abstract design. It also features shapes that resemble leaves and spaces of checkerboard pattern.

“When we decided to launch the mural project, we knew we wanted to commission a local artist,” said Bart Johnson, general manager of the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. “Juliana’s work speaks for itself! We love her flair for color and patterns and knew her style would be the perfect accompaniment to our beach-front resort.”

Across the street from The Cottage Custard + Coffee, Lupacchino’s art is a joyful morning coffee view or the perfect backdrop for an Instagram story of an ice cream cone.

Lupacchino graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she studied both pattern development and material exploration. She said she and her family actually grew up going to St. Simons Island and staying at

the King and Prince.

“I have so many cherished childhood memories from those grounds,” Lupacchino said. “Many kids stopped by with their parents to check out what I was doing, and I couldn’t help but think how it felt like just yesterday that I was that kid frolicking around.”

The King and Prince is one of only nine Georgia hotels that are members of the Historic Hotels of America. The resort has been around since 1935 and is the winner of 10 consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards.

Lupacchino said the resort staff was extremely welcoming and made her feel right at home.

“I mean I wish I could go back and paint more,” Lupacchino said. “Truly, so special. It says a lot when a historical property trusts you with adding a mural, and I hope the hotel and everyone there enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.”

Visit the mural in person at the King and Prince, located at 201 Arnold Rd. on St. Simons Island. Follow @kingandprince on Instagram and check out more of Lupocchino’s art at @ju._lu on Instagram.

FRI JULY 23

THUR JULY 22 SAT JULY 24

THUR JULY 29

THE FRACTIONS UR GET YO TS ON TICKE !

BRITE T N E V E

FRI JULY 30

THE ULTIMATE AEROSMITH TRIBUTE

the STAGE PAGE SCAD SUMMER TEEN NIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP @ SCAD MUSEUM OF ART Focus your creative vision using the perfect tool to hone your photography skills: your cellphone. SCAD alum Nicki Klepper teaches you to stage, frame, and snap the perfect shot, all using your cellphone camera. Develop an understanding of tips, tricks and techniques used by professional photographers. Admission to the workshop is $10, to-go meal included.

THURSDAY, JULY 22 | 4 PM

GEORGIA BOY CHOIR @ ST. JOHN’S CHURCH KING OF POP - A TRIBUTE TO THE GENIUS OF MICHAEL JACKSON

UPCOMING SHOWS AUG. 7 Grand Paradise - A Tribute to STYX AUG 13 Monkey Man-A Tribute to the Rolling Stones AUG 14 Interstellar Echoes - A Tribute to Pink Floyd AUG 20 The Bitteroots AUG 27 The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show AUG 28 The Stratton James Trio SEPT 3 Tribute -A Celebration of the Allman Bros. Band SEPT 4 Slippery When Wet - A Tribute to Bon Jovi NOV 6 On The Border- The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Show

BREAKFAST IS BACK!

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

7-10:30 • TUESDAY - FRIDAY 8-11:30 • SATURDAY

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Ease off the big riffs, autotune mumblings, and squiggly electronica for a spell and enjoy the soothing sounds of the 33 members of the Georgia Boy Choir. This concert will showcase works from their recentlyreleased album, “Solace,” a timely meditation on grief and consolation.

Admission is free, but a reservation is required, and donations are appreciated. Reserve your seat by visiting StJohnsSav.org/GBC. THURSDAY, JULY 22 | 4 PM

DOWNTOWN DELILAHS @ MATA HARI’S SPEAKEASY Officially known as the Downtown Delilahs Modern Burlesque Cabaret, that will be all for the formalities. DDMBC has fun with burlesque, adding more comedy and audience participation than usual. It’s neo, but rests on a solid foundation of flirtatious dancing and striptease from a talented troupe of entertainers who respectfully expand the art form.

FRIDAY, JULY 23 | 9:30 PM

LANDON LEVARIUS @ THE WORMHOLE

3016 E. VICTORY DR. 912.352.2933 COACHS.NET

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The Starland district’s Wormhole continues to stake its claim as the stand-up comedy epicenter of Savannah. The high-energy, hilarious Landon Levarius of Atlanta takes the stage Saturday night to riff on black ratchet porn, cops wearing do-rags, and the existential threat of man’s greatest enemy, racoons.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 | 8 PM

MUSIC

FEATURE

The members of the band Little Bird prepare for an upcoming show in downtown Savannah. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAND

BY FRANK RICCI

OVER THE LAST couple of decades, the idea of indie rock has evolved. People a certain age might immediately think of REM’s “Radio Free Europe” as their initial reference point. In hindsight, the release of that single was seismic, broadcasting to the world that rock wasn’t dead, and its future wasn’t necessarily going to be dictated top-to-bottom by major labels and the non-musicians calling the shots. Fast forward to today and the term encompasses far more that its jangly guitar roots.

Now, anything can be indie, and it certainly doesn’t have to be rock. One look at the countless rappers and electronica artists on SoundCloud confirms that.

Edging their way into the world of indie music is Little Bird, who self-describe as a “heady mix of ambient soul, R&B and trippy jazz.” A review of their work reveals it’s an honest assessment. The band cites the eclectic and eccentric Eryka Badu as a kindred spirit. That aims high, given her

immense talent and ability to surprise, but there’s nothing wrong with aspiration one artist gains from another.

Guitarist Jay Hurtt felt that at a young age, before he knew he was artist. “Growing up in southern Maryland, I was raised on that ‘90s country, like The Chicks and Tim McGraw,” Hurtt says. “But the first band that I heard and went ‘Woah, what the heck is this?’ when I was 8-years old was G Love and Special Sauce.” It was his “ah-ha!” moment.

Friends he made exploring what wasn’t his parent’s music include James Rubush, the current Little Bird guitarist. Hurtt also delved deeper into music, with The Killers being an early favorite. Advancing to artists like D’Angelo inspired Hurtt even more. His love of music made the decision to switch his undergrad major from visual arts to sound design an easy one. The friends he was recording as a student suggested he make his own music.

Heavily influenced by the sound of Australian psychedelic jazz-funk band

Hiatus Kaiyote and Brooklyn’s alternative R&B crooner Nick Hakim, a band began to form. It was loose at first, but the lineup coalesced with Hurtt and Rubush on guitar, Noah Jones on keyboards, Ben Mossman on bass, and Oleg Terentiev on drums.

A distinct sound also formed. On the mellower end of Little Bird’s catalog is “SWIPE,” offering equal parts chillout vibes and relaxing soul. It’s sparse but deep, and the video has a minimalist, lo-tech DIY vibe that matches the hazy, hooky groove. It’s in no way hip-hop, but has elements of early hippie rappers PM Dawn and Digable Planets. The band’s fuller sound is heard on “Made in the Shade (Fool),” lush with big, pretty guitars that nonchalantly swell and elevate the melody.

The more pop-oriented “Mega Hot Super Babe” is comparatively conventional, but stays in the Little Bird lane.

What’s unusual, and speaks to the personality of the band, is the video. It is a

must-see. A grindhouse theatre visual context has the titular character making her way through the band. Each Little Bird member gets disemboweled, sliced and diced with a chef’s knife, or curbstomped on train tracks. It’s more amusing than gory, despite intentionally low-budget blood and guts. But talk about unique. Would anyone ever suspect a music video that comes off like a remake of cult gore classic “I Spit on Your Grave” from an ambient psychedelic soul band exists?

They’re plainly unafraid of taking risks and are having fun with the visual side of things. The music, however, is taken seriously and they continue to expand on what Little Bird is. A desire to get out and play is part of the plan.

“We love making music, we want to make something truly remarkable,” Hurtt adds.

Find out if they hit the mark this Saturday night, July 24, 7 p.m. at Congress Street Social Club, 411 W Congress St.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Little Bird lands on the Congress Street Social Club stage Saturday Night

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SOUNDBOARD

July/

WHO IS PLAYING WHERE THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY 7/21 LIVE MUSIC

Driftaway Cafe Chuck Courtenay, 6 p.m.

McDonough’s Blues with Eric Culberson, 9 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s Open Mic at Mint to Be Mojito Bar, 5-11 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

El-Rocko Lounge Trivia with Jules and Chris Grimmett, 9-11:30 p.m.

Service Brewing Company Trivia Night with Jess Shaw, 6:30 p.m.

The Wormhole Bingo, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s Open Mic/Live Karaoke, 5-11 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

Totally Awesome Bar Savannah Comedy Underground, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY 7/22 LIVE MUSIC

Cohen’s Retreat Munchies & Music, 5-9 p.m.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar Jon Lee Murphy Duo, 7:30 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES Bar Food Trivia Night, 8 p.m.

McDonough’s Family Feud, 7 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Karaoke Night, 8 p.m.

COMEDY

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Totally Awesome Bar Open Mic Comedy, 8:30 p.m.

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DJ

Club 51 Degrees DJ B-Rad, 9 p.m.

Top Deck Sunset Deck Party, 6 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS

Service Brewing Company Service Brewing Run Club, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 7/23 LIVE MUSIC

Coach’s Corner Draucker, 7 p.m.

Congress Street Social Club Square One, 7 p.m.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar The Mandrakes, 7:30 p.m.

25

SUN// SUN

LIVE JAZZ SUNDAY BRUNCH FEATURING THE HOWARD PAUL JAZZ TRIO @ MYRTLE & ROSE ROOFTOP GARDEN, 11 A.M.

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Service Brewing Company Bluegrass By The Pint with Swamptooth, 6 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

PS Tavern Beer Pong Tournament, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE

Bay Street Blues Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Blueberry Hill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Karaoke Night, 9 p.m.

Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

DJ

Club 51 Degrees DJ Fer, DJ Emalo, DJ Lil G, DJ BRad, 9 p.m.

VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar DJ Primal, 9 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS

Congress Street Social Club Little Bird, 7 p.m.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar Jacob Evans, 7:30 p.m.

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

Myrtle & Rose, Rooftop Garden Plant Riverside Live Jazz Sunday Brunch Featuring the Howard Paul Jazz Trio, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

Blueberry Hill Pool Tournament, 2 p.m.

Moon River Brewing Co. Trivia, 6 p.m.

Bar Food Karaoke Night, 10 p.m.

Bay Street Blues Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES KARAOKE

DJ

Club 51 Degrees Dance Party

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m.

Club One Drag Show 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m.

SUNDAY 7/25

SATURDAY 7/24

Collins Quarter at Forsyth Ember City, 2 p.m.

Congress Street Social Club Voodoo Soup 10 p.m

LIVE MUSIC

Coach’s Corner Chicago Authority, 7 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC

TRIVIA & GAMES KARAOKE

MONDAY 7/26 LIVE MUSIC

Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m.

The Wormhole Open Mic/Jam, 6-10 & 10 p.m.2 a.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Club One Super Gay Bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Starland Yard Music Bingo, 7-9 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Fia Rua Irish Pub Family Movie Night, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY 7/27 LIVE MUSIC

McDonough’s Open Mic/Jam, 9 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Basil’s Pizza and Deli Trivia, 7 p.m.

Fia Rua Irish Pub Trivia, 7 p.m.

McDonough’s Trivia Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Oak 36 Bar + Kitchen Trivia Tuesday, 9 p.m.

Savannah Taphouse Trivia, 7 p.m.

Starland Yard Trivia Night With Chris Grimmett, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Trivia with Chris Grimmett, 6:30 p.m.

The Wormhole Trivia, 9:30 p.m.

KARAOKE

Blueberry Hill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

Stafford’s Public House Stafford’s Tuesday Comedy Open Mic, 8:30-11:45 p.m.

SOUNDBOARD IS A FREE SERVICE - TO BE INCLUDED, PLEASE SEND YOUR LIVE MUSIC INFORMATION WEEKLY TO SOUNDBOARD@CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM. DEADLINE IS NOON MONDAY, TO APPEAR IN WEDNESDAY’S EDITION. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR CUT LISTINGS DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS.

THE BAND PAGE

61 GHOSTS @ THE WORMHOLE

CHICAGO AUTHORITY @ COACH’S CORNER

Jimi Hendrix knew he was among the best, but the story goes he only made mention of two better players than him. One was Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, the other is original Chicago guitar player Terry Kath. With that prowess, a monster horn section, and four singer songwriters in the band, it’s no wonder Chicago sold an astonishing 100 million records. Chicago Authority play their best with passion and respect.

SATURDAY JULY 24 | 7 PM

DRAUCKER @ GHOST COAST DISTILLERY

You’re back from the beach early, you probably had a Sea Wolf hot dog, and the day couldn’t be going any better. Keep it up with some late afternoon guitar-driven rock from Draucker. Led by the three Draucker siblings, they’ve been rocking Savannah while working out their rivalries to appreciative audiences for several years now. See why they keep getting invited back.

SATURDAY JULY 24 | 4 PM

VOODOO SOUP @ CONGRESS STREET SOCIAL CLUB

Sunday is only the miserable end of the weekend if you want it to be the miserable end of the weekend. Believe me, it doesn’t have to be. Not with Savannah thunder-broom institution Eric “Big E” Moore leading his veteran band for yet another Sunday night of soul, funk, jazz, R&B and classic rock.

It’ll feel like a Friday or Saturday night, so have another cocktail and to hell with Monday morning.

SUNDAY JULY 25 | 10 PM

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

If you miss the White Stripes, 61 Ghosts are ready to fill the void. The two-piece consists of Joe Mazzari, who toured with Johnny Thunders of the NY Dolls and is a living link to the CBGBs scene that spawned glam and punk. Drummer Dixie Deadwood saw a film on Mississippi hill country blues and taught herself to play drums. Together they drop twisted Americana, original rock and alt blues. Rollicking and soulful, there won’t be anything else like it in town this night.

THURSDAY JULY 22 | 8:30 PM

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CULTURE

COMMUNITY

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

BY ANGIE MILLER

24

Community-driven effort out to shatter shackles of past

Telfair Museum and Deep Center Present “Black Prisms: Color Bending”

SPEAK UP, rise up, and come together for a good cause July 24 with Telfair Museum and the Deep Center’s Slam Team for “Black Prisms: Color Bending,” an interactive spoken word and audio experience.

As part of Telfair Museums’ ongoing “Legacy of Slavery in Savannah” initiative, Deep Center and Telfair have partnered together to host “Black Prisms: Color Bending” Saturday, July 24 at the Jepson Center for the Arts Museum. The event that will feature local youth artists exploring generational stories and shattering the shackles of the past using the power of light, movement, culture and voice.

With similar missions at their core, Telfair Museum and Deep Center both work to develop awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the arts and serve as dynamic cultural connectors, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds.

In September 2019, Telfair Museums launched the “Legacy of Slavery in Savannah” Initiative. The initiative, a multifaceted project seeking to engage local Savannahians, artists, scholars, and activists, considers how the legacies of slavery still manifest in our city and what we can do to work toward justice.

Their interdisciplinary effort examines the historical roots of present-day conditions of racial inequality and uncovers dimensions of the black freedom struggle that remains underexplored: how the region’s black residents’ political, economic, social, cultural and educational pursuits have been shaped by persistent racial discrimination whose roots stretch back to slavery.

Telfair’s initiative has included community partnerships, in-person and virtual events, and exhibitions running now through its culmination with a national symposium in October 2022.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford, the Telfair curator overseeing the “Legacy of Slavery in Savannah” initiative, believes in order to understand our present, we must confront our country’s troubled past. By joining forces,

Telfair Museum and Deep Center will highlight their missions and spread awareness throughout the community.

“While slavery technically ended more than 150 years ago, its legacy continued through Jim Crow to inequalities we see today,” Williams-Alford said. “This unique, community-driven effort is a collaboration with other organizations like the Deep Center to engage Savannahians, artists and scholars to confront our troubled past as we seek to understand our present.”

Founded in Savannah in 2008, Deep Center is a nonprofit organization with one mission in mind - empowering Savannah’s young people to thrive as learners, community leaders and agents of change. With two leadership teams as pathways The Slam Team and Action Research Team - Deep’s youth collaborate with adult artist-allies to learn how to tell their stories powerfully, celebrate their neighborhoods, elevate Savannah’s forgotten narratives and find their place in history and current events.

“This year, our ATAs and youth artists were given the task of designing a show inspired by the LOS initiative,” said Marquice Williams, Deep Center’s program manager. “Calling themselves Black Prisms and taking the legacy of our shared trauma to refract a rainbow of resilience, lived experiences, and cultural knowledge; I believe that each piece they have produced for the showcase resonates with this wisdom.”

Since their founding, Deep Center has supported more than 3,800 young people with fully funded scholarships to their creative-writing, arts, and leadership programs. They published more than 100 anthologies of youth work, trained more than 270 local writing mentors, hosted live readings reaching diverse audiences of 10,000 and shared Savannah’s stories around the nation.

“Black Prisms” will run from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

Preregistration is required and seating is limited. For information and to register, visit telfair.org/los.

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

HUEY’S

25

CONNECT SAVANNAH

21-27

ART PATROL CONTINUING EXHIBITS

‘Out of the Mouths of Madness’ by Maxx Feist

Beginning July 21, Sulfur Art Services presents Out of the Mouths of Madness by Maxx Feist. This solo exhibition on display at The Sentient Bean is made up of mixed media pieces and prints on metal of monsters swimming in a smorgasbord of geometric shapes and colors with pink being a necessity.

Feist says, “The colors are fun; the monsters are mine” as she uses the work to display art that evolved from a place of crippling social anxiety, mental anguish, great fear, great beauty, love, and an overload of caffeine. sulfurstudios.org/maxxfeist-sentient-bean. sentientbean.com.

The Sentient Bean 13 E. Park Ave.

‘Live Your Vision: An Online Exhibition’

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Live Your Vision brings together a wide range of Kiah’s figurative works, from casual self-portraits to regal military portrayals to life drawings. Using an array of media — oil, watercolor, and graphite on supports including canvas, Masonite, and paper — Kiah captured the essence of family, friends, celebrities, and strangers alike. Individually, these portraits are acts of attention, focus, and dignity. Taken as a whole, the exhibition reflects Kiah’s deep belief in humanity and the vital role of inspi26 ration and creativity

in re-envisioning our future.

Online scadmoa.org

‘Southbound’

Southbound is an art exhibit visually interpreting Georgia’s vibrant and diverse musical heritage. Fifteen songs have been selected to form the 2021 Arts on the Coast Annual Exhibit Playlist, a list that includes only music performed, arranged, written, composed, produced, and/ or created by a music artist from Georgia.

The selection features a wide variety of genre: rock, jazz, pop, and R&B, to soul, country and folk. Artists shall create an original work of art that depicts a song/ artist and/or its various aspects, to visually interpret the obvious to the abstract, from the down and dirty, to the sublime.

9123985776. deepsouthphotopoint. com/southbound-virtual.

Deep South Photopoint Gallery 30 Cherokee St.

‘Rejewled’ by Monica Cioppettini In ReJeweled, Monica Cioppettini (M.F.A., painting, 2020) uses reclaimed jewelry from flea markets and thrift stores to create maximalist collage works.

Reworking the jewelry through an intuitive process of breaking, combining, and rebuilding, Cioppettini revalues objects that have been deemed worthless and unwanted, reveling in their his-

tories and significance as sites of memory.

Rimed with rust, grime, cracks, and imperfections, the works reveal their relationship with time and encourage moments of nostalgia. $0-10 scadmoa.org/ exhibitions/rejeweled. scadmoa.org/.

SCAD Museum of Art 601 Turner Blvd.

‘Re-Cor-Dare’ by Sauda Mitchell

Re-Cor-Dare is a solo #art912 exhibition of Savannah-based artist Sauda Mitchell (American, b. 1981). Mitchell’s prints, paintings, and artist books serve as compelling visual responses to her sustained engagement with archival collection materials. In researching personal papers, photographs, artifacts, and curated digital collections, her work explores thematic topics of study relating to the Black experience.

Utilizing QR codes, selected works link to digitized collection materials focusing on their ability as teaching tools recalling stories embedded within the African American collective memory. Every 7 days. telfair.org/exhibitions/re-cor-dare-sauda-mitchell/. telfair.org/ jepson/. Jepson Center for the Arts 207 West York St.

‘A Message from Venus’ by Christto & Andrew

In A Message from Venus, the duo’s first U.S. museum exhibition, the artists present recent photographs that speak to our globalized

July/ culture at a time when our relationships to and experiences of image-making technology are dissimilar. The artists’ photographs proffer objects loaded with symbolism and figures that paradoxically seem to inhabit a place neither past nor future that could exist within various cultural systems... more on Scadmoa.org $10 scadmoa.org/exhibitions/a-message-from-venus. scadmoa.org/.

SCAD Museum of Art 601 Turner Blvd.

‘Vehicles of Change’ by Anne-Solene Bayan

This exhibition will consider the pivotal role the automobile played in advancing societal and political revolutions in the United States in the 20th century.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, buses and cars were used to combat systematic racism and segregation enforced by Jim Crow.

This was exemplified most famously in the Montgomery bus boycott and in the Freedom Riders’ journeys to the South... more on telfair.org. 5-20 Every 7 days. 3288.blackbaudhosting.com/3288/tickets?. telfair.org/jepson/.

Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St.

‘Before Midnight: Bonaventure and the Bird Girl’

Telfair Museums presents Sylvia Shaw Judson’s iconic sculp-

ture Bird Girl within the context of the history and art of Bonaventure Cemetery. Made famous by Jack Leigh‘s photograph for the cover of John Berendt’s bestselling novel of Savannah, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Judson’s sculpture was removed from the cemetery to Telfair Museums where it has been enjoyed by visitors for decades... more on telfair.org $520 telfair.org/jepson/.

Jepson Center for the Arts 207 West York St.

Continuing Classes Date Night: Fully Inspired Elephant & Giraffe

Painting with a Twist offers a guided couple paint night. Paint a Fully Inspired Elephants and Giraffe with a special other on Saturday evening. Choose between a traditional canvas or wooden plank to create your art. $37-47 paintingwithatwist. com. Painting with a Twist, 513 E. Oglethorpe Ave.

Intermediate to Advanced Jewelry Making

Perfect for the student who has experience with basic tools and techniques and is ready to keep building their skillset. Focused on design execution and process, you will learn to successfully combine techniques into pieces that require multiple soldering operations, forethought, and planning. This class will cover bezel and flush stone

setting techniques.

Projects are in copper and brass. Students can purchase silver as desired. $200 9:30 a.m.-noon. 912289-8337 christina@dreamcatstudio.com dreamcatstudio.com/ classes Dreamcat Studio Hover Creek RD.

Alexander Hamilton at the Davenport House

The Davenport House Museum will host a series of lectures about American patriot Alexander Hamilton on Tuesdays in July and August. Accompanying each lecture will be a one-woman performance about Rachel Faucette, Hamilton’s mother. Lectures begin in the house’s garden at 6:30 p.m. and performances begin at 7:15. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the museum, which is located at 324 E. State St. in Savannah. The audience will be limited to 15 attendees.

6:30 p.m.. davenporthousemuseum.org.

Davenport House 324 East State St.

Little Cameras at Henny Penny

Head to Henny Penny to engage in an environment for adults and kids to relax, create and connect. This week art class focus will be “Little Cameras.” $8 Henny Penny Art Space & Cafe 1514 Bull St.

CULTURE

COMMUNITY

Mental Health and Monsters

BY BRANDY SIMPKINS brandy@connectsavannah.com

CAN A MONSTER still be scary if it’s pink?

What about pink monsters that evolved from a place of crippling social anxiety, mental anguish, great fear, great beauty, love and an overload of caffeine?

Sulfur Art Services, a project of Sulfur Studios that connects local artists with local businesses in Savannah to place art in public spaces, presents “Out of the Mouths of Madness” by Maxx Feist — a solo exhibition on display at The Sentient Bean, 13 E Park Ave., from July 21 through Sept. 14.

The exhibition reception will be held on Aug. 6 from 5-7 p.m.

“Out of the Mouths of Madness” is made up of mixed media pieces and prints on metal of monsters swimming in a smorgasbord of geometric shapes and colors with pink being a necessity.

Feist said they created the works presented in “Out of the Mouths of Madness” to bring something lighter and brighter to the world that does not deny the reality of the mental anguish that many people face due to disparities — like the pandemic —over the last couple of years.

“The colors are fun; the monsters are mine,” Feist said. “I use an incredibly bright pallet. I use a lot of colors that, up until

recently, I have not resonated with. Personally, I’m one who has generally dressed in mostly black with this whole punk-rock theme for most of my life, but I needed a really bright palette for the last two years.

“It was all too depressing. I felt like I couldn’t deal with it, and the world wasn’t dealing very well with it, so I started painting a lot brighter and painting my own monsters that I felt like represented my mental anguish and what the world was going through,” the artist said.

Through their color choices Fesist hopes to bring some play and hope to the audience of their works. They said the work certainly helped them.

“I can’t remove myself from that. I need to be getting what I need out of it as much as I’m hoping to give back to other people,” Feist said. “I used to paint a lot of reapers and skulls and stuff that looked like it went more with a heavy metal album. I just realized that I needed to bring myself out of this depressed state that I was in, so I painted against the depression that I was facing hoping that it was enough to make other people feel better, too.”

Feist said their title piece, “Out of the Mouths of Madness,” is likely their favorite piece in the entire show. They painted it right at the beginning of COVID-19 and had been waiting to show it since.

“It’s very highly influenced by Hieronymus Bosch’s ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights,’” Feist said.“This is my pandemic plague piece and I painted it so it shows a lot of demons and devils and monsters and it’s super bright and very fun. After I painted it, that moved me into the much brighter eyeball monster pieces and those moved me completely away from the skulls” An Artist Talk will also be held in

conjunction with the exhibition with more details to follow.

“Out of the Mouths of Madness” will be on display in the Sentient Bean from July 21 - Sept. 14 and can be viewed during the Bean’s regular hours, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.

Works from this exhibition will be available for purchase at: www.sulfurstudios.org/ maxx-feist-sentient-bean

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Solo exhibition debuts at The Sentient Bean

27

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5320 Waters Ave.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

barnesrestaurant.com

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FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1938

@palmettokettlecorn @palmettokettlecorn www.palmettokettlecorn.com

ACROSS 1 11th graders’ exam (abbr.)

5 “Now, ___ from our sponsor” 10 Hill’s high point 14 “It’s ___ Quiet” (Bjork remake) 15 Doritos flavor 16 Any of the three “Survivor” motto words 17 Place to make a vinyl purchase 19 He’ll give you a ride, on “The Simpsons” 20 Muse for Keats 21 Norse pantheon chief 23 Oedipus ___ 24 “Scarface” director Brian 27 Mushroom with white buds 29 Second side in a game, perhaps 31 Cherry ___ (Ben & Jerry’s offering) 34 “Can’t Fight This Feeling” band ___ Speedwagon 37 A little above the pitch 39 Drum kit cymbal stand 40 Stumbles 42 “... the bombs bursting ___” 44 ___ speak (as it were) 45 Start a meal 47 Shoelace tip 49 “Shiny Happy People” group 50 Casino worker 52 Camera that gets strapped on 54 Name, in Latin 56 Vacationing traveler 60 Ray gun sound

62 Came up short 64 “___ just not, please?”

65 “___ please the court ...”

67 Protester’s forum 70 Wine valley 71 Spanish footballer Sergio 72 Miners’ quarries 73 Acceptability, for short 74 Painter Gustav who often used gold leaf 75 Rodeo item that I can’t seem to properly get around the theme answers DOWN 1 Read carefully (over) 2 “The Jungle Book” tiger ___ Khan 3 Music licensing org.

4 Greet with a honk 5 “What next?”

6 Existed 7 Eight, in El Salvador 8 Half a state name 9 Olympic athlete’s violation 10 Guac ingredient, casually 11 Scent after the first rain in a while 12 Mononymic Art Deco designer 13 Microsoft system launched in 2001 18 Acting jobs 22 “The Daily Show” host Trevor 25 Half a Hawaiian fish?

26 Kitchen appliance manufacturer 28 Khloe’s mom 30 “Thatcherites” singer Billy 32 “... can’t believe ___ the whole thing!”

33 Tiniest speck 34 “SNL” cast member Chris 35 Lake on four states and a province 36 Component of some church instruments 38 First show 41 Grain storage tower 43 Govt. auction auto, perhaps 46 “Finding Dory” fish 48 It may be called 51 Edit considerably 53 One who talks the talk 55 Tibet’s neighbor 57 Opening notes 58 Win all the games 59 Brief 60 Most of a penny’s makeup 61 From a long way 63 Singer Lovato who announced their new pronouns in 2021 66 Lincoln’s son 68 Chow down, slangily 69 Amphibious WWII vessel

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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PHOTOS FROM LOCAL EVENTS

Photos by Bunny Ware

View more photos online at connectsavannah.com/connected

Stacy Tab, Sharon and Gary Chichester celebrate on the sidelines at the two-year anniversary party of River Drive Crossfit in Thunderbolt.

Lea Josey, Charleton Claxton, Madi Mullen, Lucy Copeland, Danielle Williams, Brady Williams and Billy Sutton celebrate the two-year anniversary of River Drive Crossfit.

Joe Roberts, Sara Fountain and Tatum Tatreau cool off after a crossfit session on the two-year anniversary of the gym.

Anastasia Henderson serves Kona Ice to attendees of the twoyear anniversary workout and party for River Drive Crossfit.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

CROSSFIT ATHLETES CELEBRATE TWO YEARS

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Athletes of River Drive Crossfit celebrate the two-year anniversary of the gym with a workout and party July 10 at their location at 3101 River St. in Savannah. The athletes enjoyed time with family and community members as they chowed down on celebratory cake and cooled off with f rozen treats f rom the Kona Ice truck that was onsite for the celebration.

Adam Copeland and Moose celebrate the two-year anniversary of River Drive Crossfit with a workout and party July 10 at their location in Thunderbolt.

Stacy Tab celebrates River Drive Crossfit’s two-year anniversary on site at the gym.

Lea Josey and Madi Mullen cool off after a workout at River Drive Crossfit for the gym’s two-year anniversary party.

Arlo Atencio and Catherine and Alex Cawley celebrate the two-year anniversary of River Drive Crossfit July 10.

PHOTOS FROM LOCAL EVENTS

Photos by Bunny Ware

View more photos online at connectsavannah.com/connected

Park Place Outreach’s Julie Wade and Adriana Tatum-Howard greet the night’s hosts, the Mansion’s Ricky Armstrong and Park Place Outreach’s Tawana Garnett July 15 at the Mansion.

Mansion staff Latronda McKinney, Amy Jacobs, Josh Ophus, Celeste Crowley and Japera Stewart ready for the Martinis at the Mansion crowd July 15 at the Mansion on Forsyth Park.

Skyway Pictures, LLC’s Jim Walker and Julio Saldarriaga meet Victory North’s Brian Goldman at the monthly networking event, Martinis at the Mansion.

Dress Up’s Rachel Dorsey and Bethany Lonce show off their West Broughton fashions July 15 at Martinis at the Mansion on Forsyth Park to benefit Park Place Outreach.

LOCAL FUNDRAISING NIGHT OUT TO BENEFIT SAVANNAH AT-RISK YOUTH Savannah entrepreneurs and young professionals network July 15 at the Mansion on Forsyth Park while supporting a local fundraising effort to benefit Park Place Outreach, a local youth emergency shelter that provides safety, guidance and other services to at-risk youth and their families. The monthly event included a special martini menu, live music by Jacob Evans and Wayne Wilson, pop-up vendor Salacia Salts and a raffle, from which 100% of the proceeds benefited Park Place Outreach.

Katie Davis and Dru Usry prep, July 15, for one of the biggest monthly networking events, Martinis at the Mansion.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | JULY 21-27, 2021

Jake Menendez and Jacob Evans entertain as many as hundreds of Park Place Outreach supporters July 15 .during Martinis at the Mansion.

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WE’RE GOING FORWARD TO SCHOOL! JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL EXPO! JULY 24 at SAVANNAH MALL • 9 AM - 2 PM School Nutrition Information School Registration Information

(For new families or those who have moved)

School Supply Lists & Open House Information School Booths and Community Partners on site Athletics Information

www.sccpss.com

Student Organizations

SCHOOL STARTS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4!

IN PERSON 5 DAYS A WEEK COVID ATION N I C C A V CLINIC

LDER E 12 & OH E N O Y N A TT CAN G EVACCIN E! 19 Covide must b minors by a pare nt d panie accom rdian or gua