Connect Savannah | Aug. 31, 2022 by Connect Savannah

CONNECT SAVANNAH connectsavannah.com AUG. 31 - SEPT. 13, 2022 SAVANNAH’S ONLY SPORTS RADIO STATION WILL SOUND MUCH DIFFERENT STARTING THIS 15WEEKLIVINGINA DELIVERY WORLD: HAVE YOUR TAILGATE TASTES BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO YOUR GAMEDAY PARTY 20 FOOTBALLISBACKSAVANNAHSTATECELEBRATING120YEARSONTHEGRIDIRON

Lizabeth Rossof (American, b. 1973); 5 XI’AN AMERICAN WARRIORS 2019; nylon fabric, electric fans. Sharon Engelstein (Canadian, b. 1965); Seeker, 2012; nylon fabric, electric fan. BLOW UP: Inflatable Contemporary Art was organized by Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA

VISIT TELFAIR.ORGresidents of Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Beaufort, & Jasper Counties

*Includes

FREE JEPSON CENTER & TELFAIR ACADEMY ADMISSION FOR LOCALS* SAT & SUN THROUGH 8.28!

912-786-9857 40 Estill Hammock Rd., Tybee Island, GA, 31328 THANK YOU FOR VOTING US Best Seafood & Best Outdoor Tybee Restaraunt Visit us at our new www.TheCrabShack.comwebsite! SeafoodBestSince1998! FEED THE GATORS! Pet Friendly, Outdoor Deck with ample Covered seating & views of Chimney Creek! Boiled Seafood, BBQ, Ribs, Brisket, 3 Bars, Views of the water & an experience to remember! Often imitated, NEVER duplicated SPONSORED BY

BLUEGRASS BY THE PINT WITH SWAMPTOOTH Join Service Brewing for Bluegrass by the Pint every Friday featuring live bluegrass from local favorites, Swamptooth.6 p.m. Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian St. servicebrewing.com

The four-day event will offer free live music, kids activities, riverfront performances by Cirque Divina, food and drink options for all ages. The Savannah Ghost Pirates will provide free arts and crafts activities for kids. Throughout the holiday weekend, the restaurants at Plant Riverside District will serve a variety of cuisine from around the world and offer a wide range of Labor Day food and drink specials. Friday, September 2 - Monday, September 5. Plant Riverside District. 400 W. River Street MOVIES IN THE PARK: GREASE Watch Grease (PG, 1978) on a giant LED screen.! Grease follows the unexpected high school romance between good girl Sandy Olsson, played by the late Olivia Newton-John, and the T-birds head greaser Danny Zuko, played by John Travolta. This = film features iconic songs like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin,’ ” “You’re the One That I Want” and many more. Lawn chair seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Popcorn, snow cones and beverages will be available for purchase at a concession stand on-site. 7 p.m. Plant Riverside District - MLK, Jr. Park FAMILY FIRST FRIDAYS @ LA SCALA Family First Fridays @ La Scala! with Xulu Jones & Shena Verrett Live Performances by Shena Verrett and Xulu Jones Plus Special Guest, fabulous friends, delicious food and the best wine and cocktails! La Scala Ristorante 119 E. 37th St. 5p-Benefiting Music Muses: 5-8 p.m. La Scala Ristorante

FRIDAY FAREWELL9/2TO

DUCKPIN BOWLING LEAGUE NIGHT 8 p.m.Moodright’s, 2424 Abercorn St. Moodright’s is Savannah’s first duckpin bowling alley (in quite a while) and cocktail lounge, and its location makes it the closest bowling alley to the historic district.

Jess Shaw and Kevin Ryan will guide participants through an evening of trivia and self discovery at Service Brewing. Test your trivia knowledge while also competing in interactive challenge rounds to gain extra points. The first place team receives a $100 cash prize. 6:30 p.m. Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian St.. servicebrewing.com.

The ghost of Savannah’s legendary open mic returns. 8:30-11:45 p.m. Stafford’s Public House, 306 W. Upper Factor’s Walk.

TUESDAY COMEDYSTAFFORD’S9/6TUESDAYOPENMIC

THURSDAY 9/8

OFFICIAL UGA ALUMNI GAME WATCHING PARTY: GEORGIA VS OREGON Never Bark Alone! Starland Yard is the OFFICIAL UGA Savannah Alumni Chapter Game Watching location! Put on your spirited red and black and head to the Savannah chapter’s game watching party to watch the Bulldogs play. These events are free, fun and attended by passionate graduates and fans of the University of Georgia. Parties begin one hour before kick-off. (So 2:30 p.m. this week) 2411 De Soto Ave. Visit starlandyard.com to see specials and food truck availability. 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. FIRST SATURDAY HIKE This moderately-paced, 3-mile hike will include a talk about the different ecosystems of the park. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and insect repellant. Parking pass is $5. Visit website for more info. first Saturday of every month, 10-11 a.m. Fort McAllister Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Rd.

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY 9/7

WEDNESDAY 8/31 WEDNESDAY BLUES SERIES FEAT. WILLIE JACKSON AND THE TYBEE BLUES BAND Plant Riverside District will host a new Wednesday Blues Series at the Pavilion Stage along the Savannah River, featuring free performances by top regional blues artists. Soulful blues by seven-time Indie Music Channel Award winner Willie Jackson. 6-9 p.m. Plant Riverside District - Pavilion Stage 400 W. River St.

SATURDAY 9/3

BINGO! AT ELKS LODGE Join Elks Lodge for Bingo on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30 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.

WEEKSCONNECTSAVANNAH AT A GLANCE

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JESS SHAW Jess Shaw and Kevin Ryan will guide participants through an evening of trivia and self discovery at Service Brewing. Test your trivia knowledge while also competing in interactive challenge rounds to gain extra points. The first place team receives a $100 cash prize. 6:30 p.m. Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian St.. servicebrewing.com.

5 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

BEATS, BREWS + BEERMOSAS Catch those Sunday Vibes every week at Service Brewing with beats, brews and beermosas featuring sets from local DJs, delicious food trucks and 16 beers on tap.

SUNDAY 9/4 SUNSET PARTY SUNDAY Wrap up the weekend with a Sunday Funday Sunset Party on the roof. Local DJ Doc Ock on the 1s and 2s, an amazing view, Long Drink and Herradura specials, and $3 Rosé all day. 6 - 9 p.m. Top Deck, 125 W. River Street’

To have your event considered for inclusion, please send an email to happenings@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.

FREE YOGA ON THE BEACH AT THE DECK Enjoy free yoga on the Tybee sponsored by The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen. Bring a large beach towel, your mat or a tapestry, a hat and sunglasses, water and a friend. 9-10 a.m. The Deck Beachbar and Kitchen, 404 Butler Ave.

FIRST SWAMPTOOTHBLUEGRASSTUESDAYSWITH first Tuesday of every month Over Yonder, 2424 Abercorn St.

AUG/31-SEPT/13

Local and regional produce, honey, meat, dairy, pasta, baked goods and other delights. Rain or shine. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Free to attend. Items for sale. forsythfarmersmarket.com912-484-0279.

FREE MONDAY 9/5 TYBEE FARMERSISLANDMKT Weekly market, right behind the Historic Tybee Lighthouse. 4 p.m., 30 Meddin tybeeislandfarmersmarket.comDr. BINGO Join the guys at Moodright’s every monday night for some classic bingo and the coldest beer in town. 8 p.m. Moodright’s, 2424 Abercorn St.

SUMMER LABOR DAY CELEBRATIONWEEKEND

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET

12:30-5:30 p.m.Service Brewing Company, 574 Indian Street.

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH JESS SHAW

THURSDAY 9/1 BINGO! AT ELKS LODGE Join Elks Lodge for Bingo on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30 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.

SAVANNAH COMEDY REVUE: MARK EVANS An Atlanta native, Mark has spent his entire life in the South. However, he is NOT what you might expect to see when you hear the words “Southern Comic”. Not only is his comedy hilarious, it’s smart, to the point, and cuttingedge clean. In fact, his “Southern, Not Stupid!” show has been taking audiences by storm from coast to coast, on land and at sea. Bay St. savannahcomedyrevue.comTheatre

Catch those Sunday Vibes every week at Service Brewing with beats, brews and beermosas featuring sets from local DJs, delicious food trucks and 16 beers on tap. 12:30-5:30 p.m.Service Brewing Company, 574 Indian Street. FREE

MONDAY 9/12

CHANTEL

21 W. Bay St.

MCKENNAH DRURY GRAPHIC DESIGNER (912) 721-4354

Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. We have space for a limited number of teams so be sure to arrive early. The beer garden is pet friendly. We offer a full bar in addition to our house brews and pub menu. Happy Hour! 4pm-7pm.

SUNSET PARTY SUNDAY

CONTRIBUTORSEDITORIAL

JOSHUA ALEXANDER Editorial Intern

TYBEE FARMERSISLANDMKT Weekly market, right behind the Historic Tybee Lighthouse. 4 p.m., 30 Meddin Dr. tybeeislandfarmersmarket. com

FRIDAY BLUEGRASS9/9BY THE PINT WITH SWAMPTOOTH Join Service Brewing for Bluegrass by the Pint every Friday featuring live bluegrass from local favorites, Swamptooth.6 p.m. Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian servicebrewing.comSt.

KAYLEN CONLEY STRATEGICCONSULTANTMARKETING Kaylen@connectsavannah.com912.721.4365

Wrap up the weekend with a Sunday Funday Sunset Party on the roof. Local DJ Doc Ock on the 1s and 2s, an amazing view, Long Drink and Herradura specials, and $3 Rosé all day.

6 - 9 p.m. Top Deck, 125 W. River Street’

ADVERTISING

INFORMATION: (912) 721-4378 sales@connectsavannah.com

Jesse Blanco, Frank Ricci, Travis Jaudon, Marley Gibson, Beth Logan, Bunny Ware, Angie Miller, Adriana Iris Boatwright,, Alan Sculley, Kathryn Montgomery

BINGO Join the guys at Moodright’s every monday night for some classic bingo and the coldest beer in town. 8 p.m. Moodright’s, 2424 Abercorn St.

DISTRIBUTION WAYNE DISTRIBUTIONFRANKLINMANAGER (912) 721-4376 ON THE COVER 2022 Savannah State University Tigers Shamarcus Poole, Makenly Newbill, and Jamaurion “JT” Hartage photographed by Adriana Iris Boatwright

SATURDAY 9/10 POOLER PATRIOT DAY

LOGAN HINTON DIGITAL SALES MANAGER logan@connectsavannah.com(912)721-4369

The events will kick off at 4 p.m. at the complex, located at 200 Preston Stokes Drive. Food trucks and a marketplace will feature local eateries and businesses, with entertainers providing live music throughout the evening. A first responder showcase of emergency vehicles will also be on display. The event will conclude at 10 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks show.

6 6 OUR VALUES Connect Savannah is a weekly arts, entertainment and news magazine, focused on Savannah and the Coastal Empire life and Weexperience.striveto feature stories that impact our community and the people who live here— to educate, entertain, inform and foster Weconversation.appreciate and encourage readers to share news and information with us, and to share any criticism and questions. We want to be your comprehensive source for what happens in our community and beyond. We are here to serve you. Find us on the following social media platforms or reach out to us news@connectsavannah.comat or 912-721-4378. @ConnectSavannah /connectsavannah/connectsavPROUD SPONSOR OF © 2022, Savannah Media, LLC. 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041 ADMINISTRATIVE ERICAPUBLISHERBASKIN erica@connectsavannah.com(912)721-4378

SUNDAY 9/11 TRIVIA IN THE BEER GARDEN Moon River Brewing presents Trivia in the Beer Garden every Sunday at 6pm!

OFFICIAL UGA ALUMNI GAME WATCHING PARTY: GEORGIA VS SAMFORD Never Bark Alone! Starland Yard is the OFFICIAL UGA Savannah Alumni Chapter Game Watching location! Put on your spirited red and black and head to the Savannah chapter’s game watching party to watch the Bulldogs play. These events are free, fun and attended by passionate graduates and fans of the University of Georgia. Parties begin one hour before kick-off. (So 3 p.m. this week) 2411 De Soto Ave. Visit starlandyard.com to see specials and food truck availability.

TYBEE EQUALITY FEST (ALL WEEKEND) Friday: 8 pm SLAY Drag Show- Hucapoos Saturday: 1 pm “This is ME!” Parade/ Julia Pearce Grand Marshal 4 pm OUT on Tybee- Tybee Post TheatreDJ Barri, Rainbow Vendor Village, Wine, & Friends. JD Music Group 9 pm- 11 pm 7 pm Christy Snow Band & Front Porch Improv Mystery Show, Tybee Post Sunday:Theatre 11 am Drag Brunch- Fannie’s

BEATS, BREWS + BEERMOSAS

COMEDY

WEEK AT A GLANCE (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET

WENDY BUSINESSWICKHAMMANAGER wendy@connectsavannah.com(912)721-4373 @connectsavannah.comchristopher(912)721-4358 MULTIMEDIABRITTONCONTENTMANAGER @connectsavannah.comchantel(912)721-4379

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.

CONTENT CHRISTOPHER SWEAT CREATIVE | DIRECTORCONTENT

TUESDAY STAFFORD’S9/13TUESDAY

BUCKY BRYANT STRATEGICCONSULTANTMARKETING bucky@connectsavannah.com(912)721-4381

OPEN MIC The ghost of Savannah’s legendary open mic returns. 8:30-11:45 p.m. Stafford’s Public House, 306 W. Upper Factor’s Walk.

celebration was in order as he admits “that he stayed up all night too” and failed to fall asleep as the sun rose the next morning. For Georgia fans, this was a party half a lifetime in the making. But that doesn’t mean a party is out of the norm for the eccentric UGA alumnus.

-Joshua Alexander

When asked if he attended that historic game, Corde proudly confirms. That night is a memory which will not fade as the season ticket holder watched his childhood team, in person, finally “climb the mountain” that took decades to accomplish.Anensuing

“I went to school with Kirby (Smart, the UGA head coach), and I, generally, agree with everything he has done with the program.”Duringthat era, the Bulldogs were a decade and a half removed from their 1980 National Title win.

“I pick out my gameday outfit for the first week and wear that until a loss. You don’t want to pick something that only works for the summer because if you get stuck wearing shorts and a T-shirt in Indianapolis in January, it can be pretty chilly.”Heexplains that there is a bit of levity to being a UGA fan these days, as the four decade long wait for a Championship has faded into memory. That doesn’t mean the hunger for more isn’t there, though. I think he speaks for Georgia fans across the state when he says, “Going into this season, I don’t know what to think. We had been chasing that same rabbit for forty years. I don’t know what to expect, but I’m excited about it.”

The drought, at the time, seemed long but, paled in comparison to the 41 years that it ended up being. That being said, those decades of struggle fueled an even more satisfying victory in last year’s National

Georgia Bulldogs fandom “runs thick” in the words of Corde Wilson.

Championship Game for Corde and Bulldog fans around the country.

He explains that while having kids has somewhat lowered his ability to attend games compared to the past, he still plans to attend Florida vs Georgia and a number of others. He finishes off the conversation by hinting at his expectations for the season.

“When I was a kid, before I knew anything else, my parents used to say that, if I got lost, I should just stand on the side of the road and yell ‘Georgia Bulldogs’,” he jokes,“They used it as a party trick!”

He explains that some of his favorite ways are to rent limos and huge party buses.Corde jokes that being a superfan isn’t always the most comfortable.

7 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT INTRODUCTIONS: ONSUPERFANSELFWILSONCORDEMEETDESCRIBEDUGALOOKSBACKHISTORY,FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING SEASON

He attended the University of Georgia in the 1990s and is proud of the full circle relationship he has with the program.

Ultimately for Corde, there was only one college destination that would have fit.

It’s arguable that few surpass him in dedication to the cause, and as college football season edges closer, super fans across the nation prepare for the long and often emotional season. Sometimes the payoff is heartbreaking, but occasionally, as is the case for Corde, a season like last year can be worth decades of Hewaiting.explains that he was raised to cheer for the Bulldogs before he knew much else about the world.

When asked about some of his most memorable tailgating experiences he is not short on stories. He states that he started out following the team in an RV, but saved the biggest party of the year for the annual Georgia vs Florida game in Jacksonville.“Backinthe late 90s and early 2000s there were times when we had over 50 people on a 30 foot RV,” he laughs, “I think, at one point, even a few wheels got off the ground.” After too many people moved to the back, he says it “popped a wheelie.”Hechuckles and explains, “We are past those days now. We still try to find creative ways to attend games, though.”

“Hopefully, we will be out to California in InJanuary.”hiseyes, UGA could bring home another Championship this year.

Volunteers at Renegade Paws Rescue are dedicated to providing the highest level of care for un wanted, abused, or injured dogs in the Coastal Empire. The nonprofit organization is determined to find a forever home for every animal who comes through their doors may look like I have it I want more!” wait is over. The results of our Real Pets of Savannah contest We asked you to submit a photo of your precious pet along with their Real Housewives tagline. Once the nominations ended, you voted for your favorite furball we finally have a to Tilly! The pretty pooch stood out with her posh picture and her memorable tagline. She’s won a $100 gift card to Woof Gang Bakery, which means plenty of new toys treats for Tilly. to everyone who participated in the Real Pets Be on the

From the euthanasia list to rescue, Kay Efsee’s enthusiasm for a second chance at life is infectious. You can’t help but smile while watching this mature adult lady make sense of her lanky, clumsy legs as she is excitedly making her to way to you for endless kisses and snuggles. Her fun, playful, and carefree spirit is what makes her special and stand out in a pack. She would make a great sibling for anoth er playful dog and a big lap dog for her favorite human. At night, Kay sees to it that your bed will never be empty or cold. So immensely grateful for a soft, cozy spot next to you. If you’re ready for the most well behaved, lovable dog that is so uniquely herself, Kay Efsee is your girl.

The

all… but

Thanks

MARVEL 4 BLACKYEARSAND BROWN This50LBSsuper-doggo has been through some battles in her short life, and now she’s ready to retire and live the good life surrounded by comfort and love. Marvel has bullet wounds, filed teeth, and has been through numerus medical treat ments, but now life is all about what she loves. Marvel loves her stuffed animals and bones. She will throw her stuffed animal up in the air sometimes and play catch with herself! Despite only having little stubs for teef, she still chews on bones and loves them. Marvel gets along with all animals in her foster home and is loyal to her humans. She loves car rides, short walks, and boat days. Marvel is one of the sweetest, soulful dogs you’ll ever meet. On top of that she’s potty trained, crate trained, and amazing on a leash. Compiled by Chantel Britton 912.570.5032renegadepawsrescue.org

of Savannah contest.

lookout for more contests in the future! (912) 417-2149 I 1601 BULL ST SAVANNAH, GA WOOFGANGSAVANNAHGA.COM

PETS OF THE WEEK Each week, we will highlight pets available for adoption from local rescue organizations. This issue, we are featuring Renegade Paws Rescue.

winner! Congratulations

and

TILLY “It

are in.

and

8 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

KAY EFSEE 7 YEARS DARK BROWN40LBS

The newly adopted guidelines come after Global Investment Traders (GIT) purchased property at 1417 E. 55th St. from the land bank for $48,300. Land bank officials say the developer was to construct a house on the site that would be sold for no more than $237,000 to a moderate-income buyer (households with annual incomes at or below 120% of area median income), under the agreement approved by the board in August 2021. Instead, the developer sold the home in May for $277,500, as indicated by the sales record.

Naser Jaber said in response in an email on June 13 that they cannot sell the properties for the proposed prices due to increased building costs from supply chain issues and inflation. They received Goldey’s letter after they had already started construction, putting them in an “awkward position,” Jabar said. “If the Land Bank insists that we must sell for those prices, we will have to return the 3 properties to you;

At the board’s direction, Goldey sent a letter on June 1 informing GIT owners Nasar and Daed Jaber that they were expected to comply with the terms of the sales contracts for the properties and that it was of “the utmost importance” to keep the land bank informed of their ability to do so. If the properties are not redeveloped in accordance with the proposed sales prices approved by the board, the property could revert back to the land bank’s ownership as indicated in the agreements, she said.

The authority works in a collaborative effort with local government, neighborhood communities, non-profit and private developers to assist in the revitalization of neighborhoods, supporting the increase of property values, and stabilizing the real estate market through strategic property acquisition, disposition, land use, management, and redevelopment of underutilized properties.

Gregori Anderson Chatham County Director of Building and Regulatory Services

however, we have put significant time and expense into the lots (permit fees, plans, site prep, foundation) that we would need to recover,” he said. “We are hopeful to come to a resolution to move ahead. Had we realized the price in the proposals was binding, we would have studied that figure more closely.”

At their Aug. 9 meeting, Goldey informed the land bank’s board that GIT expects to sell the Staley Avenue property for about $250,000. GIT’s proposed sales price for the property was $170,000 when the land bank approved the $14,000 sale to the developer in “WhatFebruary.their projected sales price versus what their cost to build has dramatically increased compared to what they originally submitted to us,” Goldey told the board.Aninquiry by Savannah Agenda found that GIT has previously sold properties acquired from the land bank for more than what the developer initially proposed to theGITboard.sold 2505 Harden St. for $150,000 in July 2021 after the board had approved the developer’s offer that included a projected sales price of $129,000 in October 2020, according to sales records and meeting minutes. In addition, the developer sold 519 W. 60th St. for $141,000 in June 2021 after the board approved GIT’s proposal, which included a projected sales price of $109,000, as the property record and Oct. 2020 meeting minutes indicate.

The Chatham County-Savannah Land Bank Authority has adopted new guidelines and requirements to better ensure developers meet the terms of affordable housing agreements after learning one of the authority’s former properties was recently sold for a price higher than what the board approved. After being questioned about the sale by the land bank’s director, the same developer indicated three additional properties acquired from the land bank would also be sold for prices above the proposed amounts. In addition, Savannah Agenda has found that the sale was not the first time the developer sold a property for more than what was initially proposed to the board.

Attempts by Savannah Agenda to reach Jaber via email on Aug.10 and Aug.17 were unsuccessful.

LAND BANK BOARD MEMBERS

Gregory Scott Chatham County Risk Manager, Chatham County Occupational Safety

Land bank officials are now attempting to make sure that the developer will meet the terms of similar sales agreements on three additional properties GIT purchased from the landbank at 1204 Seiler Avenue, 915 W. 40th St. and 416 Staley Avenue.

By Eric savannahagenda.comCurl

COMMUNITYSAVANNAHMATTERSPROPERTYAGENDA:

9 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

Source: City of Savannah

CHATHAM-SAVANNAH LAND BANK AUTHORITY UPDATES “AFFORDABLE” HOUSING REQUIREMENTS AMID DEVELOPER DISPUTE

Martin Fretty City of Savannah director of Housing & Neighborhood Services Department

SCAN TO

However, Goldey said via email that those sales did not violate the agreement with the land bank because, unlike the 55th street property, no maximum sales amount was agreed to. In addition, the sales prices fell under the 120% AMI requirements for a moderate income buyer, Goldey said. At the time, the land bank required that all housing developed be affordable to households earning 120% AMI or less, according to Goldey. The new affordability guidelines and requirements adopted by the board on Aug. 9 ensure that most housing developed on land bank acquired property will be affordable to households earning 80% of area median income (AMI) or less, Goldey said. The updated guidelines also include a requirement that developers sell the affordable dwellings at or below the authority’s established sales price at the

Taffanye Young City of Savannah, chief community services officer Tomeca McPherson Weichert Realtors

The Land Bank Authority was created through an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Savannah and Chatham County. Organized and operating under the state laws of Georgia, the Authority is a separate entity created to acquire vacant, abandoned, blighted, tax delinquent properties and assist in the return of the properties to a productive use.

Global Investment Traders built this home at 1417 E. 55th St. after purchasing the property from the land bank for $48,300. GIT sold the home in May for $277,500. | Eric Curl

time the property is approved for sale by the board.

ABOUT THE CHATHAM COUNTY-SAVANNAH LAND BANK AUTHORITY

READ The new affordability guidelines and requirements adopted by the board on Aug. 9

In addition, if a single house is being built then that property has to be affordable. Otherwise, 50 percent of the dwellings, if there is more than one, would have to be affordable. Property closings also have to be through an attorney approved by the land bank.

Some of the major gifts to the University this past year included: The largest philanthropic gift ever committed to Georgia Southern Athletics, when Anthony Tippins and his family committed to the lead gift for the Indoor Practice Facility, which will be named in honor of this monumental gift. The 100,000-square-foot facility will provide an elite and year-round practice and training facility for all 17 intercollegiate athletic teams and give many sports a place to practice during inclement weather.

Sanders said Georgia Southern has a good story to tell now and its future is very bright.

For the second year in a row, Georgia Southern University set a record for private fundraising, according to figures from the last fiscal year.

Total cash, pledges and in-kind gifts to Georgia Southern University amounted to $22,363,915 during Fiscal Year ‘22, which ended on June 30, 2022. That surpasses the total from the previous year, which was also a record at $17.8 million. The previous record was $16.2 million raised in fiscal year 2019, the year that the University’s College of Business was named for Greg Parker.TheGeorgia Southern Athletic Foundation, in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, significantly helped the University’s overall total with its own record-setting fundraising numbers for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation raised a record $10.6 million in new pledges and outright gifts.

Anthony Tippins, originally from Claxton, Georgia, is the current President of Coolsys Professional Solutions.

A $1 million donation to the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing to develop the Advanced Processing Research Network (APRN) from Crider, Inc. of Stillmore, Georgia, a global processor of shelf-stable and fully cooked protein products. As the Criders have seen their business grow through automation technology, the need for talented engineers to program and maintain that technology is growing with it. They believe Georgia Southern holds a local opportunity to find

“This record of private fundraising is a tremendous validation of what we have accomplished over the last few years and of our vision for the future of the University,”

helping us realize that vision, illustrated by the outcomes we have achieved this year,” Marrero said. “We simply cannot accomplish our goals without tireless volunteers like Mike and Leonard.”

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Savannah Convention Center Sponsored by Special thanks to Reserve your seats today! uwce.org/kickoff2022 10 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT Georgia Southern donors help University reach record-breaking fundraising year

Bevill said athletic supporters are feeling a similar momentum, with major building projects underway, a new football coach, and an unwavering commitment to success on and off the field. “The Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center and the Anthony P. Tippins Indoor Practice Facility projects on line to benefit all of the University’s student population

“Georgia Southern is already a force in this state. From Atlanta to Savannah, from Macon to Augusta, and from Rome to Brunswick, we are making an impact,” Sanders said. “As we hear about the new Hyundai plant coming to Bryan County, the continued emergence of the ports, the need for research that impacts the local community, and more, Georgia Southern is in the middle of it all. These fund-raising achievements make us more than ready to meet these demands.”

In the middle of Theodore A. Wright Stadium, the Savannah State University Tigers players finish their afternoon football practice and gather, sweaty and tired, around their new coach, ready for his encouragement, coaching, and, most of all, life Savannahlessons.State

Starting in his first year as the school’s head coach, Aaron Kelton is raring to go. The Boston native has three decades of coaching under his belt and is completely player-focused.“Whatitisfor me being in this kind of a situation is developing young men and helping them to be better people,” said Coach Kelton. “That’s what I love to do and that’s why I chose this profession. I can affect change in the world through these men. Being here at SSU is a special opportunity for me and the Savannah community has been fantastic.”Whilethe Tigers graduated a lot of players last year, the coach is encouraged by the players he has on his team.

University is the first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Georgia and has long been educating and supporting the Savannah area. On top of that, SSU is poised for a brand-new football season full of opportunities to celebrate 120 years of playing the sport, dating back to 1902.

By Marley Gibson Features Writer 2022 Savannah State University Tigers Shamarcus Poole, Makenly Newbill, and Jamaurion “JT” Hartage photographed by Adriana Iris Boatwright

SSU PLAYERS, FANS GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER SEASON CHEERING ON FOOTBALL‘SAVANNAH’STEAM’ years CELEBRATING A SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY MILESTONE

Coach said. “We’re very vibrant and we’re excited about what’s to come. While we don’t have as much experience as we’ve had in past years, they’re quite talented and these guys really love football.”

“I remember when I was in elementary school, Mother took the three of us for lunch right in front of Savannah State. She had a picnic basket and told us we were going to eat amongst the beautiful trees on this beautiful campus because we were going to attend school here one day. Because of that, I always I knew it would be the place I’d attend,” Dr. Stephens said. She met her husband, Jolly Stephens, Jr. during her freshman orientation week. “We dated for four years, graduated in June, and were married in August. We had 47 years together and a beautiful life,” she said.

Jolly Stephens, Jr. was an all-conference defensive guard for the Tigers in 1956-57. To honor her husband, Dr. Stephens established a $100,000 football scholarship endowment to help carry on her husband’s memory. And, because of her contributions to her alma mater, Dr. Stephens has earned her own parking space for home games at Wright Stadium.

Dr. Stephens continued, “The last two years, we’ve had a successful football team, but unfortunately the years where we went without a win, a group of us still traveled everywhere with the team. I’ve always been supportive of the team…win or lose.”

“We are expecting great things,” said Mrs. McGhee. “Our expectations are always right there at the top. If you put the work in, then you’ll have good things to show for it. I’m saying ‘football, football, football…we are ready!’”

Fellow alumni, Lemuel Campbell, class of 1974, had two stints at SSU when he began school in 1960, but was then drafted into the U.S. Army before returning to school and graduating. The significance of this season isn’t lost on him.“This is a huge anniversary for the school and the football program,” Mr. Campbell said. “Activities on campus have changed over the years. When I was in school, the highlight of my day or week was an athletic competition. We were all in tune with anything like that going on. If there was a game on campus, you can bet we’d be there. We didn’t have the distractions students have today.”“Football has been going on at SSU as long as I can remember. When I was in high school, that’s how I got introduced to Savannah State,” Campbell shared. “We would practice on SSU’s track because the public schools didn’t have them. Our coach would take us to SSU because he was an alum and worked it out where we could practice there. I fell in love with it.,” he said.

In the program’s storied 120 seasons, Dr. Stephens said she has witnessed some excellent football and suspects the best is soon to come.

The boosters and alumni aren’t the only ones excited for the season to start. The current roster of players leaves the

“You know about that? Well, that came about when I first established the endowed scholarship in my husband’s name. They know how much I love football and the team.”

Throughout its storied program, SSU has seen some successful seasons and even helped launch many careers, the most well-known being Shannon Sharpe, SSU player and graduate who went on to win two Super Bowl rings in the NFL (photo, below left).

Dr. Jacquelyn Stephens, a 1960 graduate, is from a long line of SSU graduates. She and her two siblings attended SSU, as well as a nephew, cousin, another cousin, and so on, she shared.

12 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

“I’ve got a young bunch,”

Barbara McGhee, originally from Waycross, is a 1966 graduate of SSU and president of the community booster club. “When I was in school, I was a cheerleader and an assistant statistician, so I kept up a little bit about what was going on in athletics. I found myself always wanting to get to football games earlier than my friends. They’d come along around halftime, but I needed to be there for kickoff. It’s always been a love of mine,” she said proudly.Mrs. McGhee adores football, but she’s also supportive of all athletics at her alma mater. “We get to support the best student-athletes. Of course, that includes our football team. We try to be there to support them. They support us by doing their job, which is to put the best team on the field while making sure their grades are as good as they can be. In return, our job is supporting them in any way we possibly can.”

“I am looking forward to winning,” she said. “Two years ago, we won our conference, but because we had just transitioned into a new [division], we weren’t eligible for the playoffs. Last year, we came in second. So, this year, I expect us to be victorious with a stellar football program. We have a new coach and more players from the Savannah area this year than we’ve had in a long time.”

And because the school is achieving such a pinnacle in its football program, alumni and boosters like Mrs. McGhee and Dr. Stephens want to encourage the whole city to support the team and get into the spirit of the season.

On his FOX show, “Undisputed”, in June 2020, Sharpe said, “After my sophomore season, I was an All-American. I was player of the year, conference player of the year, and offensive player of the year. I was going to transfer to the University of Miami. Coach (Bill) Davis sat me down and said, ‘why do you want to transfer?’ I said, ‘Coach, I want to play in front of 75,000. Plus, I want to go to the NFL. Ain’t nobody going to see me here at Savannah State.’ He looked me dead in the eyes and said, ‘Son, you good enough, they’ll find you.’ I walked out of his office and never looked back. No regrets. One of the greatest decisions I ever made because I got with people who taught me history, who taught me my history. And [they] helped me have a better understanding of what my history was, of what blacks had done in America.”

She laughed heartily over the parking space.

But, for Coach Kelton, much like his many predecessors, SSU football has always strived–for over a century–to train men for life off the field, stressing academics and life lessons.“These guys are loving their academics, too,” Coach Kelton said. “That’s a huge piece. It’s what it’s all about… the biggest part of being a true student-athlete. It’s my job to put them in a position where they can make plays and haveIt’sfun.”notjust the players who have fun during the SSU football season. Many alumni, boosters, and fans are getting their gear and colors together for the SSU kickoff against Southeastern University out of Lakeland, Florida, on Sat., Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. Rest assured, when the stadium gates open, there will be some of the most dedicated boosters there to cheer on their team.

“I’m looking forward to more community participation and media attention,” said Dr. Stephens. “We have the name Savannah and I would love for the city to embrace SSU more. I’d love to see us get the recognition we deserve because we have improved so much. We are on a winning streak. I’m looking forward to it continuing.”

“When people are here to watch and support us, we see it and feel it,” the junior said. “I look for my mom every game, as well. I’ll also check back when I’m on the sidelines. I always know where they are in the crowd.”

“I transferred from Valdosta State, coming home to Savannah when COVID hit to take care of my mother,” he said. “She’s doing really well now and is here for every game. I have to find her in the stands before I can concentrate on the game. We wave, make eye contact, and she knows we can hear and it makes us feel good.”

Newbill has obviously been influenced by the positive work ethic of his new coach.

Lemuel Campbell stressed the importance of Savannah State University, not just as entertainment for sports in the community, but for the opportunities.

Having such support from family members, alumni, and other students is paramount, but the SSU coaching staff, team, and boosters hope the Savannah community will rally around the football season.

Dr. Stephens echoes the sentiment, as well.

field with intensity in their eyes and a bounce in their step. This is more than a mere team game. It’s a brotherhood and a shared experience that will lead them all into

“I hope we’ll have a lot of alums and folks in Savannah come out to participate and enjoy the games,” said Mr. Campbell. “We need folks in the stands, especially alums and locals. Come get your tickets and let’s have a great time. Our young people need to get a great education, so any support helps fund the schools and our future. We want to support the young people coming in because we were in that same position once.”

“We are Savannah’s football team,” Coach Kelton said. “We’re really excited. We’re going to get our coaches and players into the community more to events and stores and different places, so we can be seen. We are Savannah’s football team. We need to make sure we get that message out.”“We’re getting better every day. I’m excited about what’s to come and what Savannah State has to offer. Also, knowing there’s community support like we have is fantastic. All of that coupled together will lead to us having a greatBarbaraprogram.”McGhee encourages everyone to come out to the games and see some incredible, local, college football. “We are it! This stadium should be packed every Saturday there’s a home game in Savannah, Georgia. Not only are we the first public HBCU in the state, but we’re also the first four-year college here in Savannah and we continue to offer a product we certainly hope the city is proud of. The best way to support the team is just that…be there. There’s nothing that makes our young women and men in athletics work harder than seeing an array of school colors cheering them on. They feel pride in representing.”

“Our biggest fan right now is Coach Kelton,” Newbill said. “We’re building chemistry on the team every day. There aren’t a lot of big egos. Coach is a genuine person.”

“We would love to see the city embrace SSU totally, not only with the football team and athletic program but the university as a whole. We will continue to have an important impact, but we could do even more if we had the citizens of Savannah embrace our campus. It is a gem and a treasure. We’re the university by the sea and we appreciate the support from the community and local businesses.”

TJ Hartage asks fans to “Be ready for Saturday, y’all. Bring your best energy because your energy boosts us. When people are here to watch and support us, we see it and feel it and it shows in our performance.” Most of all, Hartage is grateful for what he has here at SSU. “Being a part of the HBCU community is an amazing feeling for me. I’m playing with people who can relate to me and I can relate to them. The 120th season… well, I want it to be one of the most talked about seasons ever. That would be pretty cool.”

“I’msaid.learning

university.“Iknow

The Savannah State University Tigers football schedule and tickets can be found online at ssuathletics.com

manhood.

Hartage, too, realizes the significance of the opportunity he“Wehas.were learning a whole different offense in the spring, so when we came here in the fall, we didn’t expect to learn a new offense. But, we’re learning more and more every day and getting comfortable with it. We’re slowly, but surely, coming together. We just have to believe in each other and everyone does what they do best, which is to play football.”

“If it wasn’t for SSU being here in the city of Savannah, many of us wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go to college. Many of us were able to work and go to college simultaneously. At the time, it was the only four-year college in the area.”

“It feels good when you’re winning,” Hartage said. “You get more from the fans and the community. It’s a great feeling to know our fans want us to win outside the game

years

13 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

Newbill isn’t the only one paying homage and tribute to his family. Apparently, it’s a great ritual for team members to seek out their family members in the stands. Quarterback JT Hartage from Forsyt agreed.

Newbill admits before every game, he always searches out his number one fan.

Junior Makenly Newbill, defensive end, finds himself learning how to step into a leadership role. The Savannah native says it’s a “surreal feeling” playing for his hometown there are people who don’t have the same opportunity to play at this level, so I just enjoy every second of it because I know in a second, it could be gone,” he how to step into my leadership role. I’m not here to just perform; I have to lead a group of men,” he said proudly. “It’s helping me to mature and to understand people, where they’re coming from, and making sure I learn a lot of things about being a good person. There are 50 other men who make it easy on me because they listen.”

FUN RIDES FOR ALL CRIBBSCUSTOMSMOTOSPORTS.COMAGES!PowersportsForTheWholeFamily! Multi day rates Helmet included in rental Hotel pickup available Must be 21 years of age DANCE $25 Per PerSON I $35 Per NON-member Money Made Goes to Charity Make ReseRvations now @ 912-656-2223 savannah elks auxiliaRy 183 wilshiRe Blvd savannah satuday, sePt. 10 6-10:30PM diNNer & daNciNg, muSic by SaVaNNaH STeVe Patriot’s Dance! Cheers! O A K I S B A C K !

11am-1pm: Midday Sports Zone with Russ Brown & Daniel Shirley

“We still have the desire to work together,” he said. “Obviously that’ll probably be in digital form. But we are trying to decide what that will be.”

3-6pm: The Bill Shanks Show

‘Three and Out,’ hosted by (L-R) BJ Bennett, Ben Troupe and Kevin Thomas on ESPN Savannah has been Savannah’s local sports-talk show since 2013.

SAVANNAH’S ONLY SPORTS STARTINGMUCHSTATIONRADIOWILLSOUNDDIFFERENTTHISWEEKJAUDONSPORTS:BYTRAVISJAUDON Sports @JaudonSportsColumnist COMMUNITY SPORTS

“Our radio station that we work for is in the process of being sold,” said Thomas while on-air with co-hosts BJ Bennett and Ben Troupe. “That being said, come the end of this month, there will be no more Three And Out.”

“We’re going to flood the airwaves with talk about sports in the state of Georgia,” said Shanks, who moved to Macon in 1996 and was born in Waycross. “I know what people talk about in Waycross, and I’m pretty sure in Savannah too. They want to talk about the Bulldogs and about the Braves.

On his show, Shanks talks about the same kind of things that Thomas, Bennett and Troupe do. It’s about the Braves, the Bulldogs and the Falcons. Everything else comes second. The difference will come in all of the other programming. Instead of national shows like “Keyshawn, JWill and Max” or “Bart and Hahn” or “Greeny,” 104.3 FM listeners will now here southeastern centric shows like The Bill King Show (from Nashville), Midday Sports Zone (Macon), Chuck Oliver Show (Atlanta) and The Bill Shanks Show (Macon).

For the last nine years, Savannah’s sports radio scene has revolved around one show. “Three & Out” has been on the ESPN Radio Savannah airwaves each weekday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. since 2013, but last Wednesday (Aug. 24), Kevin Thomas, the longtime host of the show, announced that WSEG 104.3 FM/1400 AM had been sold to new owners, meaning his show will air for the final time on Wednesday, August 31.

9-11am: The Dan Patrick Show

A lot of the 104.3 FM local shows (like Three & Out, Second Down with Christian Goeckel & PJ Zucco and The Back Nine Boys with Rich Styles) were done from the Brunswick studios, so they technically weren’t strictly Savannah sports radio shows. But a lot of them were done here too. The topics discussed and covered were coming from a Savannah angle. And for a sports fan living in Savannah, it felt good to have a daily show with that point of view.

Moving forward, the trio still wants to work together and create content using Bennett’s popular college football website SouthernPigskin.com as the catalyst. What that will be, and what it will look like, is still being worked out, says Thomas.

Owned by Southern Media Interactive LLC, the 104.3 FM frequency was bought by Shanks Broadcasting, spearheaded by Macon sports radio personality Bill Shanks. Beginning in early September, Shanks will be bringing a different kind of product to Savannah’s only 24/7 sports radio station. It’ll go from being called ESPN Savannah (or ESPN Coastal in surrounding areas like Brunswick, Waycross, Blackshear) to simply “Sports Radio 104.3.”

MONDAY-FRIDAY LINEUP ON SPORTS RADIO 104.3

FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com. Listen to him on Hot Grits Podcast, Savannah’s No. 1 sports podcast. New episodes are released each Tuesday.

Thomas, a 44-year-old who has been doing radio for 21 years. “I don’t think we were doing anything wrong or that it wasn’t working or it was bad or anything like that. We got bought and sold and the guy who is buying the station has a show on at the same time as us. That’s just simple Thomasmath.”andBennett started Three & Out with Matt Osborne in January 2013. When Osborne left a few years later, the show needed a third wheel. That came in the form of former University of Florida and NFL tight end Ben Troupe. Troupe joined in September of 2017 and the trio had been doing their thing ever since.

Both Shanks and Thomas spoke with me over the phone last week about the upcoming change. My takeaway from those calls was that, for better or worse, there is an undeniable shift in focus coming with the transition of ownership.

15 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

1-3pm: The Chuck Oliver Show

“I think what we did, and what we were doing, it was working because we were able to last and stick,” said

So compared to national content (which is currently a majority of the content on 104.3 FM outside of Three & Out), I think that kind of talk will go over well in any city in the state of Georgia.”

7-9am: The Bill King Show

Shanks confirmed that the new dial will continue to have game calls from the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, University of Georgia football and basketball, as well as the Friday night fall football calls of the Benedictine Cadet football games. So, that’ll remain the same. No shift in that department. The significant change here is that Savannah will no longer have a local sports radio show as of 6:01 p.m. Wednesday evening when Three & Out signs off for the last time.

“Our biggest competition, we’ve always believed, is satellite radio. But satellite radio cannot deliver hyper-content about the state of Georgia like we can.

Arriving to find the dapper Jamey Espina waiting for me at the Soho South entrance, the Hospice Savannah VP gives me a warm welcome before posing with Toby Hollenberg. Are you following me around Toby? This is my third sighting of her in ten days! The recent co-chair of the Savannah VOICE Festival is minus one tonight. Her “main squeeze” Michael Bonder is taking the night off from tonight’s shindig!

Inside the 1945-built automotive service center, I find volunteers Faye Allen, Rainer Fischer and Carmen R. Briggs checking in guests with Hospice’s Annual Giving Specialist Ophelia Rodriguez. While posing the friends, I glance over to the bar and see one of Savannah’s most loved culinary guys, Brian C. Torres. With a huge smile and bigger hug, Brian shares, “You know I retired out of Fork & Dagger and am now the Operations Manager for catering–imagine the high-end type of catering. You know I started out with Jamie Durrence and Chris Mason 18 years ago at Sapphire Grill and I am happy to say that I have made a full culinary circle.” I don’t care where this Puerto Rican treasure is as long as he stays in Savannah, but knowing he is in the Daniel Reed family makes my heart happy! After snapping a pic of Brian with some exceptionally attractive bartenders, I cruise over to snap pics of Sue Ann Hearn and Jone Bremer, meet fellow empath Julie Shirley then pause to chat with Silverpixel hotel, resort and architectural photographer John McKinnon. Chatting with the natural redhead about our love of the Pacific coastline, it doesn’t dawn on me who I am talking to until I see Laura Lane McKinnon snuggle up to him! Always a fan of Hospice’s beautiful director of development and marketing for asking me to attend their diverse events, I thank Laura Lane for tonight’s

BUNNY IN THE CITY By Bunny Ware

Whew! That is one big sentence to explain that this is one sophisticated silent auction. Featuring some of Savannah’s finest artists and their paintings, photography and jewelry, hor’dourves and DJ Jose Ray, the goal tonight is to raise critically needed funds for the only pediatric hospice program in the region.

Carmen R. Briggs, Ophelia Rodriguez, Rainer Fischer, Faye Allen

ATFUNDRAISERSHINESAVANNAH’SHOSPICESOHOSOUTH

Hospice Savannah presented SHINE, a fundraiser for their pediatric hospice program, at their annual Summer Nights Board sponsored party at Soho South on Thurs., August 25.

John McKinnon

John Stern, Brian C. Torres, Amy Bodek

Sue Ann Hearn, Jone Bremer

COMMUNITY 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT 16

Arriving with her is videographer extraordinaire Jeff Walker, I hug my “recently recovered from some serious sepsis” friend and try to chat but Hospice’s retired marketing maven Beth Logan isn’t having any of that. I turn the table on my favorite Irish lass and interview her about her upcoming trip to Scotland, writing her art column for Connect Savannah and about the art she is making.

Stephanie Andrews, Roger Duke

Rhonda Glover, Anne Tyree Jamey Espina, Toby Hollenberg

Walking by is a six foot tall blonde queen! Meet Stephanie Andrews, the proud owner of Halo Modeling Agency who just happens to be celebrating her 20th anniversary next month. With her tonight is her equally attractive uncle, Roger Duke. Reluctant to chat about himself, Roger does agree to pose for a perfect pic with Stephanie before I get called over for a photo request.

After Rose Marie Woulfe poses with Louis Schiavone, Rose Marie tells me, “I have two pieces–one is “AS ABOVE, SO BELOW’ , a 9 x 12 oil on wood painting that is a reference to the thin veil between the spiritual realm and our earthly existence.” Admiring her floral apron dress, I tell the fashionista how much I admire her style, her always classy designs, and her venture into the art world!

17 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

invite, then hit warp speed because wicked cool artists like Shelley Smith have entered the building!

Louis Schiavone, Rose Marie Woulfe

Jeff Walker, Shelley Smith

Looking fierce in all black, Beth grabs my hand and insists on a photo with Shelley and her “favorite Hospice volunteer” Jimmy Hendrick. After 30 years at St. Joseph/Candler as an ER nurse, Jimmy tells me, “I started volunteering with Hospice four years ago, love yoga, biking and swimming along with collecting old baseball cards.”

Sporting dark pink hair, a dress from Greece and jewelry from Sante Fe, the eccentric artist tells me of a new adventure she never expected to take. “I’m ready to ‘carpe diem’ real estate in Savannah for people like me. (Artistic, bold and fierce.) And I am contributing money from EVERY sale to Renegade Paws Rescue because I have to give back or the world will go to crap!”

Next up is Sulfur Studios co-creator Alexis Javier “AJ” Perez. Sporting a chill vibe, the artist tells me that he has a piece here tonight and invites me to check out Soy x Soy, a new artist collective featuring Latin/ Hispanic indigenous artists. What a cool dude! With a final lap over to ask Chef Ryan Connors what on earth is his Mediterranean Meatballs; it’s beef, oregano, cilantro, shallots, garlic and parsley, I commend the chef and cruise over to thank Jamey and Laura Lane for an invite to one of the best parties of the summer. I hope lots of money was raised tonight that will allow Hospice to buy specialized pediatric equipment for the Hospice In Patient Unit (HIPU) and continued and special training for the clinical staff. With plans for multiple events in October, check out the ways you can support the people that help our loved ones during their most difficult days. We love you Hospice Savannah!

FOOD & DRINK By Jesse eatitandlikeit.comBlanco IT &

LIKE IT PRESENTED WEEKLY BY SAVANNAH TECHNICAL INSAVANNAHCOLLEGESCENETHESPOTLIGHT

EAT IT AND LIKE IT

OurSavannahTech.edu/HiredGradSGeTHired

You had to have been under a rock to not know that Savannah got a visit from Hollywood royalty a few days ago. I say that knowing full well that a lot of you are firmly planted under said rock. And that’s OK. Sometimes it’s much more quiet there. Certainly more peaceful, I know. If you don’t know, or didn’t see the flash alerts from People Magazine, Entertainment Tonight and the rest, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez spent a little bit of time with their families strolling downtown Savannah a couple of Thursdays ago. They were here for the weekend wedding at Mr. Affleck’s Hampton Island Preserve home about 40 miles South of downtown’s Gallery Espresso, where the newlyweds were spotted grabbing a coffee during their stroll. I know J-Lo wasn’t there for Gallery’s fantastic chocolate cake. She had a wedding dress to fit into. I guess they also missed the memo on weddings in the South during peak heat and humidity. But what do I know, between them, they have roughly five times more wedding experience than I do. We tease because we love, no? You can see photos from their wedding day and details of the guests all over the internet by now. I heard a few things about the food down there this week. Not much I can share. I can say that when I asked Savannah’s Ice Cream Man, Stratton Leopold, if they had delivered some of their goods to the event, he chuckled and said “I cannot speak to Wethat.”know, sir. We know. What we also know is that Lopez and Affleck are just the latest high-octane Hollywood types to pop in on Savannah. They don’t all get chased down by the tabloids and helicopters, but they are here on the Namesregular.likeRalph Fiennes (Schindler’s List, The English Patient), Anya TaylorJoy (Queen’s Gambit), Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween, True Lies) and Comedian Patton

EAT

202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT 18 An equal opportunity institution.

COCKTAIL WEEK

A quick aside on Mr. DeNiro’s stay in Savannah. While they were here filming on Tybee Island, he broke away to attend one of those major boxing matches in Las Vegas on a Saturday night in May.

OF THE

Oswalt have all been seen here and there aroundOswalttown.shared to social his love for Abe’s on Lincoln downtown and their soon to be world famous Abraham Lincoln doodles.

Of course that’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Arguably the one that started it all around here. So, while Mr. and Mrs. Affleck give Savannah another 15 minutes on the national scene, we can be assured that it will happen again. Savannah’s star continues to rise. “A,B, and C-listers” are here all the Sometimestime.they are working, other times they are simply walking among us, taking in what so many of us already know about this place we get to call home. How cool is that?

FOOD TRUCK OF THE WEEK

On his flight back to Savannah from Las Vegas (yes, in the middle of the night) they called ahead and asked their hotel to arrange for a poolside party for some of the cast and crew they were working with on the film. Talk about a mad scramble from the hotel staff to make sure they delivered. I was told at the time it was a fantastic afternoon with Zach Efron in attendance as well. Everyone was more than gracious with the regular hotel guests who were lucky enough to have decided to hang at the pool on that Sunday afternoon.

MADE WITH: 1 oz Ghost Coast Vodka, 0.75 oz St. George NOLA, 0.75 oz Coffee Fox Cold Brew, 0.5 oz Vanilla Demerara Syrup, 3 Drops of Chocolate Bitters

19 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

Mr. Fiennes was spotted a couple of times at Savoy Society on Liberty Street. The trend is really nothing new. A few years ago, Robert DeNiro dined at Cha Bella while in town shooting Dirty Grandpa and more than once wandered up to the bar of his hotel at closing time in a t-shirt and shorts very nicely asking if he could get a filet and a bottle of wine delivered to his room.The short answer was always “of course.”

ENJOY AT: PEACOCK LOUNGE 37 Whitaker St. (Inside Flock to the Wok)

ABE’S ON LINCOLN BETTY BOMBERS GALLERY ESPRESSO

SOMETHING TO TACO BOUT by Chantel Britton

E+C ESPRESSOSIGNATUREMARTINI

Brought to the Historic District by Savannah restaurateurs Ele and the Chef, Peacock Lounge is a chic bar serving up inventive, sophisticated cocktails and delectable bites. One of their specialty drinks is the E+C Signature Espresso FeaturingMartini. locally-sourced ingredients like Ghost Coast Vodka and Coffee Fox Cold Brew, this martini screams Savannah. Its warm, sweet notes make it the perfect dessert cocktail to enjoy after dinner. If you like to end your day with a rich, robust nightcap, the E+C Espresso Martini is for you. Swing by Peacock Lounge soon

Johnny Depp sneaking in to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse on Bay Street for dinner? Yeah, that happened too. I happened to be there that night in 2014. He was here because his girlfriend, Amber Heard, was in Savannah filming Magic Mike II. Perhaps you’ve heard of that couple. Actor Matthew McConaughey was here for a minute a few years ago for a wedding at The Mansion on Forsyth Park. He was a groomsman. He officially gave Betty Bombers a thumbs up for having one of the best burgers he’d ever had. (He speaks truth) It goes way back too. Once upon a time, it wasn’t uncommon to see Kevin Spacey sitting outside Gallery Espresso reading the paper (remember those?) in the morning while he was here shooting the movie version of “The Book.”

Family-owned local food truck, Something to Taco Bout operates from Richmond Hill, bringing delicious tacos and other tex-mex bites to hungry customers throughout the region.They offer a variety of tacos, quesadillas and tasty extras like their Fried Street Corn and Bavarian Cream Churro Tots. The tacos are served two per order, and there are six variations including Mojo, Tradicional, California, Korean, Taco De Elote and the Austino. For a sweet and spicy bite, try the Taco De Elote. Served with your choice of meat, it features sweet street corn salsa, crunchy fried jalapenos and subtle cotija cheese. Follow Something to Taco Bout on Facebook @SomethingToTacoBoutTruck and on Instagram @the_taco_truck, to stay up to date on the truck’s whereabouts.

Football season is finally here, which means it’s tailgating time. Whether you’re watching local teams on the field from the bleachers or gathering around the TV with family and friends, no football festivity is complete without finger-lickin’ food. With the rise of online food services like Uber Eats and DoorDash, most restaurants have adopted delivery into their business model.That means you can have your football feast conveniently delivered to you just in time for the game. If you want to know where to get good eats for game day, here’s a round-up of local fan faves that will deliver straight to you.

520 WINGS

IYKYK. Am I right?

TEQUILA’S TOWN Nothing says game day like a hot plate of nachos. Featuring crisp tortilla chips topped with an assortment of tasty ingredients, nachos are very popular, especially during football season. Authentic Mexican restaurant Tequila’s Town offers great nachos that you can scarf down as you enjoy the game. You can build your own with your choice of toppings or opt for their Supreme Nachos, topped with your choice of meat along with beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole. Order yours from Uber Eats.

KAY’S PIZZA Pizza is a classic that brings people together no matter the occasion. For a tried-and-true option that everyone will love, you can’t go wrong with pizza. Kay’s Pizza has a variety of personal and familysized pizzas ready to feed you and yours. They also have wings and sweets available for delivery as well. Place your order on GrubHub.

When you think of game day grub, you think of wings. Flats and drums are fried or grilled, tossed in sauce and served with ranch or bleu cheese. Wings are a sportsviewing staple, perfect for enjoying with a group during the game. A great place to get yours is from 520 Wings. They offer 15 different sauce options and come either bone-in or boneless. They offer quantities between 5 and 100 pieces, so whether you’re eating solo or with your crew, 520 Wings has you covered. You can place your order on DoorDash.

OAK 36 Appetizers and finger-foods are essentials for watching football with friends. A good place to get yours is Oak 36. This midtown gastropub is known for their modern take on American classics. Their apps are innovative, flavorful and comforting. Go for an order of their Pickle Chips with jalapeno-ranch sauce. And the Mac + Cheese bites with bourbon honey mustard BBQ sauce (photo at right) are great to munch on during the game. Order Oak 36 from SavTakeOut.

PS TAVERN A sports bar is naturally one of the best places to get your game-day eats. With a little bit of everything, PS Tavern has something for everyone. They’ve got great apps including chips and salsa, pretzel bites, cheese curds, loaded tots and more. Whether you’re craving a quesadilla, a burger (right) or a chili cheese dog, you’ll find what you’re looking for at PS Tavern. You can look them up on Postmates to order.

FOOD & DRINK GAME DAY DELIVERY TAILGATE DELIVEREDTASTE RELAX AND HAVE YOUR FAVORITE GAME DAY BITES BROUGHT TO YOU! 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT 20

BALDINO’S Savannah locals love Baldino’s Giant Jersey-style sub sandwiches. They’re pur foot-long happiness! (Available on Uber Eats). The famous Italian Battalion comes with Extra Pressed Ham, Cooked Ham, Hard Salami, Cappacola, Pepperoni & Provolone Cheese. They also feature hot subs like cheesesteaks, meatballs and Italian sausage. But it’s the famous Baldino’s bread that’s the star player here.

The tax incentives Gordan mentioned have been a driving force for the growing industry. The Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act (GEIIA) grants an income tax credit of 20% to qualified productions, including feature films, television movies or series, documentaries, commercials, and music video projects.

While Craig Gordon’s plans for a studio were rejected, he has moved forward with producing projects and staying heavily active in the industry. At the Savannah Film Alliance meeting, he announced completing his feature film “The Boo Hag.” He also talked about the Georgia Entertainment Caucus and some of the things they are focusing on.

The Savannah Regional Film Commission reported that in 2021 the entertainment production industry had a direct economic impact of nearly $114 million. 88 professional productions were shot in the Savannah region in 2021 including “Devotion,” “The Girl from Plainville,” “Last Seen Alive (Chase),” and Tyler Perry’s “Jazzman’s Blues.”

“When the pandemic struck, we worked hard in Georgia to communicate with our partners in the Georgia film, TV, and streaming industries,” said Governor Kemp. “Together, we forged a safe and appropriate path to allow the film industry to return to operations and deliver Georgia Made productions to eager consumers all around the world.”

The film’s impact was evident at various summer socials including the Savannah Regional Film Office Crew mixer and the Savannah Film Alliance meeting. Both events were attended by students of the industry and industry professionals networking about the thriving film community.“Forming this organization is one of the things I’m most proud of in my career,” said Savannah Film Alliance founder, Charles “Bo” Bowen. “While the industry has certainly recovered and is still in the process of recovering, the ability for us all to continue to work together to ensure that we take it to even better heights than it’s ever reached before is extremely exciting to me.”

The Savannah Regional Film Commission also offers several free training opportunities throughout the year such as a production assistant training course.

“We have a very robust crew and vendor list on our Film Savannah website. We encourage all local crews and businesses to create a free listing. When a production is considering Savannah, they can search this database from anywhere in the world and see the crew and vendors we have available locally,” said Nelson.

“The entertainment production industry has proven very beneficial to the Savannah region, and we want to be sure everyone is aware of the opportunities available,” said Beth Nelson, Executive Director of the Savannah Regional Film Commission.TheSavannah Regional Film Commission, an AFCIcertified film commission, is the central point of contact for entertainment production in our region. The commission promotes the Savannah region as a premier film destination for motion picture, television, and commercial productions.

Gordan serves on the Caucus which is an Atlanta-based organization that focuses on bridging the gap between the Georgia political sector and the entertainment industry.

“Working on films has changed me because it opened my mind to doing things I never thought I’d do though I dreamed about it, now I am in the industry doing it. I am glad and we are lucky that we get to work on these great projects in Georgia. I am happy and I cannot see myself doing anything else. It opens the world for a lot of creative people to grow,” said Patrick Tennerson, who is happy that film opportunities are being provided in Georgia.

The Savannah Regional Film Commission site filmsavannah.org keeps everyone up to date on what is to come as the industry is showing no signs of slowing down in our area.

SCAD, Georgia Film Academy, Savannah Technical College –Savannah Film Academy, Savannah State Univ., and Georgia Southern Univ. are schools with film and media programs that helps equips students with different skills needed to work in the industry.

By Kareem McMichael Arts & Entertainment Writer

“To qualify for the film and tax credit in Georgia, I think the threshold is $500,000. There have been a couple of other states that have lowered theirs considerably to make it more attractive to independent filmmakers. So, one of the key agenda items for the caucus is to put forth a bill that would bring Georgia’s minimum threshold down,” said Gordan.

Governor Brian Kemp announced in August that film and television industry productions spent $4.4 billion in Georgia during the fiscal year 2022.

Despite the controversy surrounding certain bills passed in Georgia, the film industry is not showing signs of slowing down. However, in August, California governor, Gavin Newsom, tweeted, “CA will be extending our tax credits for productions that leave discriminatory red states. Time to come back to the entertainment capital of the world.”

Georgia Soars to $4.4 Billion in spending from film and TV industry, with major local contributions

The Georgia Film Office, a strategic office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), reported that the State of Georgia hosted 412 productions, represented by 32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 television and episodic productions, 42 commercials, and 33 music videos between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

SAVANNAH FILM ALLIANCE SEES GROWTH LOCALLY CULTURE FILM INDUSTRY

The Savannah Regional Film Commission works a year or more in advance marketing and engaging with productions to bring their films or shows to Savannah. Since the office works under the umbrella of the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), they also help productions navigate local and state-run incentive programs.

The crew base has grown significantly locally, as well.

By lowering the threshold, the Caucus hopes to retain and encourage growth in content creators living here in Georgia.

Representatives from KAT-5 Studios gave an update on the status of their studio set to open in Spring 2023. The studio will be America’s first purpose-built sustainable film studio complex and will serve a need that has been missing in Savannah: sound stages. This is not the first attempt at this for the city. In 2013, Moon River Studios was announced to be built in Effingham County, but that never took off. Later, the Securities and Exchange Commission blamed the company for falsifying documents to try to get investments and the firm was ordered to pay a $1.8 million judgment.Afewyears after that, the Savannah City Council rejected a plan by Georgia state representative Craig Gordon who gathered investors for another studio project. He planned to buy 15 acres of city-owned land on a former fairground site and renovate hangars on the property to convert to studio space.The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) operates three sound stages and recently announced plans to expand the facility. KAT-5 wants to be a part of keeping jobs and productions in Savannah while their studio would also provide economic development in Savannah with a studio here.“Our goal is to provide a resource for the industry, community, and our environment,” said David Paterson, one of the founders of KAT-5 Studios. The studio name KAT-5 refers to the building’s distinctive design elements; the complex will be built to take a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane.“Itis30 acres on the other side of I-95 out 204, which is important because it is an open evacuation zone so productions wouldn’t have to pick up and go. However, we are also working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) to work as a staging zone for pre- and postdisaster,” said Paterson.

It was another record-setting year for revenue generated by Georgia-made film and television productions.

“We are singing the praises of everything that we have here and that includes our amazing crew, support services, and our businesses. We are a one-stop shop from conception to completion for productions to use while they are here,” said Katie Schuck, location specialist for the Savannah Regional Film Commission when speaking at the recent Savannah Film Alliance meeting.

filmmakers, crew members, government officials, producers, actors, service providers, and many other entertainment industry supporters.

Only time will tell if Georgia HB481, the “heartbeat bill” will have an impact on whether productions come to or stay in Georgia now that the path was cleared for the law to go into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.

The Savannah Film Alliance was founded in 2015 as a grassroots organization dedicated to the support and growth of the film and television industry in the Coastal Empire. Since that time, its membership has grown to over 500

Tennerson is a graduate of the Georgia Film Academy and has worked in several different departments on various sets including the live-action “Lady and the Tramp,” the upcoming “The Color Purple” musical (December 2023), “Black Panther,” and more.

Audiences can see films created in our area on screen soon. Tyler Perry’s “A Jazzman’s Blues” debuted a sneak peek at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and is scheduled to be released on Netflix in Sept., 2033. Devotion will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and is scheduled for release on Nov. 23. “Halloween Ends” will be released on Oct.14. These are just a few of the many projects filming in the area recently slated for release within the next year or so.

BLOW UP: CONTEMPORARYINFLATABLEART

DECONSTRUCTED In dialogue with ‘CONVERGENCE’ in the adjoining art912 gallery, ‘DECONSTRUCT ED’ features over a dozen works created in the Southeast in the 20th and 21st centu ries. Beyond a regional guiding thread, these objects from Telfair Museums’ permanent collection speak to the theme of deconstruction, either formally or conceptually. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. 19127908800. info@telfair.org. telfair.org/exhibitions/ deconstructed/. telfair.org/jepson/. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St.

BETH LOGAN’S ART RECOMMENDATIONSPATROL

“WILD REFLECTIONS” EXHIBIT BY RAILEY COOLEY Plant Riverside District’s Grand Bohemian Gallery will feature paintings by artist Railey Cooley from August 26 - Septem ber 30. A talented artist specializing in realistic animal portraiture, Railey Cooley will take guests on an African safari through detailed paintings celebrating the majesty of wildlife. All proceeds from exhibition sales will be used to fund Railey’s trip to the Maasai Mara, a national reserve in Kenya, where she will volunteer with nonprofit African Impact. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is closed on Mondays. FREE 10 a.m.-7 p.m.. 912-373-9055.

LOVETHIRTEEN BY HEATHER WELLS TRUNK SHOW Plant Riverside District’s Grand Bohemian Gallery will feature designer Heather Wells’ LOVEthirteen crystal jewelry collection at a special trunk show. Each sparkling piece is thoughtfully designed to empower wearers by connecting them to their inner strength and beauty and inspiring them to live their best, authentic lives. Defined by “spiritual glamour,” Heather’s jewelry is crafted from hand-selected precious gems, semi-precious gems, stones and crystals with various energetic properties. At this special trunk show, Heather will assist guests as they shop her latest jewelry collection as well as an extensive selection of crystals. FREE 12-6 p.m.. love-thirteen.com/. Plant Riverside District - Lobby, 400 W. River Street.

BLOW UP: Inflatable Contemporary Art explores the imaginative ways that artists use air as a tool for creating larger-than-life sculptures. Featuring nine cutting-edge installation projects, this exhibition shakes up traditional associations of inflatables with balloons, beach toys, and blimps. As a group, these demonstrate the wealth of visual possibilities for inflatable art, from playfully familiar subjects to colorful abstractions and thought-provoking conceptual work. The exhibition includes an international roster of artists and art collectives who are well known in contem porary art circles: Nicole Banowetz, Sharon Engelstein, FriendsWithYou, Joshua Harker, Susan Lee-Chun, Matt Ritchie, Lizabeth Rossof, Max Streicher, and Jen Stark. telfair.org

The designer will be present to assist guests as they shop her collection in the lobby (near the boutique kiosks).

2022 Trading Spaces Events are as follows: • August 1 - September 30, 2022 • October 1 - November 30, 2022

Don’t miss the project finale by Sulfur Studio’s ON::View

Bohemianan-gallery/.riverside.com/venues/grand-bohemiplantPlantRiversideDistrict-GrandGallery,400WestRiverStreet.

The JEA Art Gallery, 5111 Abercorn Street, displays functional porcelain pieces by Phyllis Aaron from September 1 through the end of the month. Join the ceramicist for her reception on Sunday, September 11 from 2-4 pm.

TRADING SPACES

TOBY JAVABONES @ GALLERY ESPRESSO Toby JavaBones a graphic artist from Waco, Texas studied journalism and is passionate about photography, painting, writing and filmmaking. Inspired by artist Robert Rauschenberg, Toby is currently a senior at SCAD focusing on filmmaking expressing the happenings of the world from a personal perspective. This body of work takes the audience on a journey, a shared reflection through Toby’s eyes of life. The recent challenges of the world have been documented in many ways. These pieces are an expression from the heart and mind of Toby. On display now at Gallery Espresso, 234 Bull St. galleryespres so.com

To submit an ART PATROL listing, please submit an event at connectsavannah.com

artist-in-residence Gabrielle Torres on Friday, September 2 from 5-9pm in conjunction with First Friday in Starland. Torres, who recently earned her MFA in Painting from SCAD, has been weaving a painting made from donated materials on a giant handmade loom, whilst creating portraits of Savannah locals.

Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River Street, hosts a trunk show by California jewelry designer Heather Wells on Saturday, September 3 and Saturday, September 4 from noon to 6pm. Wells’ LOVEthirteen collection is crafted from hand-selected gems, stones and crystals and is defined as “spiritual glamour.”

February 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022 Kobo Gallery artists Morgan Adler, Suzanne Carmack, Antoine de Villiers, Joy Dunigan, Marta McWhorter, David Kaminsky and Daniel E. Smith rotate the gallery, prompting a host of new work arrivals and a fresh take on existing works.

202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

ART PATROL CONNECT SAVANNAH

GOTHIC SOUL: CHARLES MERYON Gothic Soul will focus on the tumultuous life and work of Charles Meryon (1821-1868), a French artist who devoted himself to etching after discovering he was color blind. The illegitimate son of a dancer in the Paris Opéra and an English physician, Meryon pursued a career in the French Navy, where he learned to draw. This exhibition will present a sweeping view of his oeuvre, from etchings of the South Pacific, inspired by his travels as a naval officer, to now-iconic depictions of Paris during the Gothic Revival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. 912-790-8800. info@telfair.org. Arts,telfair.org/jepson/.exhibitions/gothic-soul-charles-meryon/.telfair.org/JepsonCenterforthe207WestYorkSt.

The show runs September 2-4. Friday and Saturday’s performances are for those aged 21 or older but on Sunday the shows are for 18 and older. For showtimes, tickets and more visit

23 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|AVANNAHSCONNECT CULTURE PERFORMING ARTS

JOURNEY OUT WEST IN ‘QUILTERS’TheCollectiveFaceTheatre Ensemble

ROCKABYE New horror-comedy, makes debut at Bay Street Theatre

McMichael THE COLLECTIVE FACE THEATRE ENSEMBLE TAKES

clubone-online.com/events.-KareemMcMichael

“Rockabye” a new and original musical production written and composed by Sushi Soucy and directed by JinHi Soucy Rand will debut at the Bay Street Theatre from September 2-4. ‘Rockabye’ is a BIPOC and queer led horrorcomedy musical about an up-and-coming teenage rock band of misfits that gets hired to sing an eldridge horror to sleep.“I've always been a Lovecraft fan, and the show is about Lovecrafty and lore, and I just thought that the premise would be funny,” said Sushi Soucy. In the show a teenage band gets hired to write a lullaby for the eldritch horror, Azathoth. In this particular eldritch horror, Azathoth, is that if it wakes up, reality as we know it will cease to exist. Soucy started writing the script in the beginning of the summer and finished it in a few months.

‘Quilters’ was inspired by the real-life diaries and letters of pioneer women in the American West. Stitched together in various patches or “blocks,” this colorful musical depicts women on the“Women’sfrontier.

“I'm actually not sure when I'm releasing the actual soundtrack but I am going to be releasing snippets of it on my TikTok and my Instagram so that you guys can get a taste before the actual show comes out,” said Soucy. The character development for this show was more of an improvised process for Soucy. Starting out blind as they created the characters but developed them more as the script edit process went along. Diversity was also an important factor that went into this show.

“As someone who is both part Korean and queer, I find that I am not exactly represented in a lot of media that I see and the media that I watched and loved growing up. So I decided that I'm going to make my own. I'm going to make my own representation for myself and my friends,” said Soucy.

“I'm really excited, but I'm also very stressed and nervous, and it's a very nerve wracking process, but it's also, like, a lot of fun. I've got mixed feeling,” said Soucy.

‘Quilters’ is a musical by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, with music and lyrics by Barbara Damashek. The musical is based on the book ‘The Quilters: Women and Domestic Art’ by Patricia Cooper Baker and Norma Bradley Allen.

Soucy has been composing music for over seven years but this is their first show that is being produced, and the emotions are flowing.

“Every song and story within the show is a quilt block. The main catalyst is this woman named Sarah McKenzie Bottom, and she’s making her legacy quote. Every block in the quilt are stories that she’s sharing on the stage of her daughters, her sisters, her aunts, any woman that’s been part

“They brought their own experiences. They bring their own life experiences within it. The actors brought all this wonderful stuff to the table and with their cultural backgrounds, which is varying because, as I said, I was trying to go for diversity within this show,” said Poole.

The cast is diverse but so are the stories in the musical which touch a variety of topics that are still relevant in the present day. “I wanted to talk about the immigrant experience and women’s topics that are still relatable today. They’re talking about childbirth. They’re talking about miscarriages. They’re talking about having a zillion children on the prairie, the weather elements, having no money and so much more. It’s about tragedy as well as joy and love,” said Poole. The production, which kicks off the Collective Face 12th season, opens on Sept. 2, and performs at the Savannah Children’s Theatre. ‘Quilters’ will run Sept. 2-4 and Sept. 9-11. For more information, visit collectiveface.org or call (912) 232-0018.-Kareem AUDIENCES ON A

issues haven’t changed. They haven’t changed from the pioneer days. We set the play kind of in the 1860s, so it’s post Civil War. This play is so beautiful and such an amazing journey, but most theater buffs do not know about this play,” said David I.L. Poole the director of the show and founder of Collective Face. This is Poole’s second time directing this play. He did it once back in 2001 and the play has not been performed in the Savannah area in nearly 20 years. For Poole, the chance to produce this show again was something he lept at.

of her life, even her friends,” said Poole. In this show Poole pushes the immigrant experience more. He has also created a diverse cast for a show that is traditionally done primarily with seven white women that are musically inclined.“Iwas trying to go for diversity within this package. It’s diverse in age because the youngest member ais, I believe, 16 to the eldest, which is a senior citizen. Then all these different ethnic types or ethnic groups are represented,” said Poole.Headlining the cast of ‘Quilters’ is Andrea Verdis as Sarah, a pioneer woman and her “daughters” played by Cecilia Tran Arango, Courtney Grimes, Kim Limehouse, Eowyn Miller, Crystal Nichols and Taylor Rigsbee. Diane Houseman is the Musical Director and the show is choreographed by MiKeshia McPhaul. Ty Palmer is the Stage Manager.

“I said, if I ever do it again, if I ever got the chance to do it again, I would jump at it in a heartbeat. I absolutely love the show. It is right up my alley. It’s visually spectacular and it’s storytelling at its core,” said Poole. ‘Quilters’ is Collective Face’s first production in its 2022-23 season, which is centered around the premier ensemble’s season theme of “finding your home.” Through the main character and her six daughters, the audience is taken on a journey back in time to the great frontier. Intricately woven are the stories of these women and how they face frontier life head on presenting the challenging, beautiful and devastating aspects of womanhood.

“I didn't write the lyrics first. I wrote the script before I wrote most of the songs. I actually came up with the synopsis for the show first, then I came up with a script, and then I came up with the songs and the lyrics,” said Soucy. The cast of 10 consist of Soucy who will be playing one of the main cast members in addition to their other roles on the production. Snippets of some of the music Soucy composed in the show will be shared online ahead of the show.

MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON BY ELIZABETH DTROUT

Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Often hired by families as a last resort, he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—and is soon led to a place many believed to be only a legend. Called Pastoral, this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all ac counts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it…he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James.Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot— into Pastoral.

24 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT 326 Bull Street Behind the Desoto Historic Downtown Savannah eshaverbooks.com912.234.7257 Savannah’s Independent Bookstore since 1975 offering a selection of fiction, nonfiction, regional, and children’s books WHAT ARE WE READING?

BY SHEA ERNSHAW

A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES

Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her.

Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to re connect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters.

Knitting this powerful narrative together is the brilliant storytelling voice of Lucy herself: keenly observant, deeply human, and truly unforgettable.

CARRIE SOTO IS BACK BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Grand Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father, Javier, as her coach. A former champion himself, Javier has trained her since the age of two. But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan. At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record.

PRESENTED AND CURATED WEEKLY BY E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER

BOOKS

25 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECTOPENKITCHENLATE WE EARLIEST:OPENDAILYAT10AM! 21 E MCDONOUGH ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31401 M–SAT 10AM TO 3AM | SUN 10AM TO WWW.MCDONOUGHSLOUNGE.COM2AM HALF PRICED APPS, $3 WELLS $4 GEORGIA & DOMESTIC DRAFTS $5 JAMESON & FIREBALL HAPPY LIVEERICWEDNESDAYKARAOKE!POKERMONDAYTHURSDAY-MONDAYKARAOKEERIC@9PMTRIVIATUESDAYMONDAY-FRIDAYHOUR2PM-6PM@7PMOPENJAMHOSTEDBYCULBERSON@9PM@7PM@9PMCULBERSONBLUES@9PMCULTURE VISUAL ART 244 Bull Street | (912)-236-4053 Mon-Sat 10:30-5:30pm, Sun ShopRedClover.com12-4pm New Arrivals Daily!

Union Mission announced a new collaboration with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) that aims to amplify and beautify Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling Center and the new Parker’s House: A Home for Women space. SCAD alumnus Robin Maaya (B.F.A., photography, 2021) recently photographed several Union Mission clients to beautify the walls. The collection of 28 black and white images titled “Mission of Mercy’’ are about conveying a message of hope and authenticity. They portray the stories and lives of Savannahians and others served by Union Mission and SCAD SERVE, a university initiative devoted to inventing meaningful solutions in the areas of food, shelter, clothing, and the environment.

“The amazing decorating of the hallway is a burst of fresh air,” said Ricardo Villalobos, Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling Program Manager. “It helps the hallway feel less institutional and adds a warm human flair. For the staff, it reminds us of why we work here and for our clients it is life affirming.”

The photographs are located at Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling wing and the new Learning Center at Parker’s House.

SCAD creates a space to bring hope to Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling Center

Upon seeing the hallway for the first time, a Union Mission client loudly said, “Oh my gosh, look at that, some of those pictures are of us. I recognize one of the women. It’s nice to have a reminder that we are works of art too.”

“Working with Union Mission through SCAD SERVE was an incredible opportunity for me not only as an artist but now as a permanent resident of Savannah,” said Maaya. “I knew I loved Savannah and SCAD from the moment I arrived on campus five years ago, and now I have an even deeper love for both. Working with Union Mission and, more importantly, the clients, was an unforgettable experience. Each person’s willingness to share personal stories and allow me to photograph them at their most vulnerable is a testament to the strength and resilience of the people within our community. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to capture these stories and share them through photographs. This experience has made me a better photographer and a better artist.”

Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling Program addresses the community’s need for low-cost access to mental health care for three primary populations: the homeless/at risk of homelessness, those returning to the community from incarceration, and uninsured/underinsured members from the community.

This outcome is just one of many directly attributable to the influence of Watson’s ecology-focused art…

By Beth Logan ART

“When we moved into this house,” she goes on, “I inherited azaleas, gardenias,

Walking with the City’s Director of Municipal Archives, Luciana Spracher, Watson told her, “It’s really hard for me to walk in these squares. Besides the live oaks, we could be in Asia! As much as this is an historical town, are we telling the history of the ports – that we can bring in all these exotic species - or do we want to tell what was here, and what we should bring back?”

Lisa D. Watson’s little bungalow on DeRenne Avenue is filled to overflowing with three cats, her late mother’s Shih Tzu, and various elements needed for her upcoming series of shows. Speakers, boxes crafted by husband Donny to conceal said speakers, church pews, seed packets, educational pamphlets, and artwork fill her living room, while in her office, boxes of wrapped art are ready for transport.

Originally from Ohio, she graduated with a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 1991, spent many years as a muralist for film sets, and now is an acclaimed ecological artist who uses almost 100% repurposed materials to create and express her environmental concerns. Media include salvaged wood, papers, produce netting, thrift store finds, and reclaimed paints from Starlandia Art Supply.

“In 2020, there were only about 100 left in the Keys, but since then, the Key West Garden Club has put in soo many native plants and a few Semaphore cacti.”

Watsoninstalled.saysher

The goal of the upcoming Avant Gardener show, Watson explains, “is to inform and show people the native plants that we don’t normally see surrounding us. It’s also to talk about loss of habitat – which comes down to herbicide spraying, development, urban sprawl, exotic plant species, and hurricane damage.”

Watson returned to the Studios of Key West to study and educate others about the decline of the Semaphore cactus.

These goals, of course, tie back to her career (and primary source of income) as a consultant on native plants and drought-resistant garden design. Her company, Plan It Green, LLC, currently has a waiting list of eight clients who want native gardens landscaping and her artwork were separate for many years, “but I realize they are one and the same now.” Her 2017 solo exhibition at the Jepson highlighted concerns about loss of natural habitat when bridges, interstates and overpasses are constructed, and her 2020 Deer Humans show at The Studios of Key West focused on the Key deer’s fragile natural habitat and on Georgia and Florida’s endangered plants. After collaborating with the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge on Deer Humans, she realized that working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation groups would be the most effective way to amplify her advocacy efforts.

“I started my company in 2008 and in reading Doug Tallamy’s books I realized so many landscaping species are not doing anything for our insects,” Watson continues. Old enough to notice declines in both bird and butterfly populations, she says, “If you have a Chinese tallow tree, for example, there are no caterpillars working on it, but if you have a live oak, you have 500 different caterpillars, which are the primary food source for birds.”

26 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT CULTURE

Avant Gardener: A Creative Exploration of Imperiled Species hangs Sept. 2 - Oct. 22 at Savannah’s Sulfur Studios before moving on to the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head in November, and to the Averitt Center For The Arts in Statesboro nextTheMarch.multi-sensory show is two years in the making, and Watson has worked hard to ensure a longer-than-usual stay at Sulfur and to arrange other venues.

MISSIONONWATSON:LISACOLUMNISTA

Recently hired by the City of Savannah to help implement native landscaping, she has provided them with a native plant list, an invasive plant list, “and a list of rare plants that we need to start thinking about incorporating.”

“As soon as I heard that, I knew what my altar was going to be!” Watson says. Befitting an altar, she is installing church pews and speakers in the gallery because, “I want people to know that they can relax, be contemplative, and think about gardening while they absorb the sound art piece.”

OPPOSITE: “Semaphore, Still Stand ing” created during Watson’s residen cy at the Studios of Key West (photo credit, Siobhan Egan).

“I didn’t make this show to sell art,” Watson says, though naturally she hopes there will be sales. “I enjoy making the art more than gardening. But the gardening is more important than the art. There are organizations out in the field doing great work. But they need me, as an artist, to help educate the public. I’ve kind of found my mission now.”

Locally, Watson says Victory Gardens does care, and, because of her advocacy, Hester & Zipperer carries more natives, and no longer sells nandina. Preparing for this show, Watson participated in research trips with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, although she will not reveal the exact locations because of endangered plant poachers (yes, that is a thing). A trip with the Longleaf Pine Alliance inspired a 36-foot-long art piece called “Field of Vision”, while a monarch caterpillar survey with Darien naturalist Christa Hayes ultimately became the inspiration for the central ‘altarpiece’ of the show, “Kingdom of a Roadside Ditch.”

27 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT Quality Eats + Drinks LUNCH DINNER FULL BAR MON-SAT 11AM-1AM SUN 11:30AM-5 PM soup sides pickles FRESH HOUSE MADE dine in take out 912.200.4940 Weekly Specials 1215 barnard street savannah, ga 31401 www.blackrabbitsav.com C lassic Sandwiches on Locally Baked Bread oleanders, crape myrtle. They are not hurting other species, but if we must replace one, I’m going to go native. Nandina is my nemesis. The berries kill birds, but big nurseries will sell it if people keep buying it. So, it hit me that I need to educate the consumer. Because most nurseries don’t care.”

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: “Sprawl Has Consequences” was inspired by the religious messag ing billboards in South Carolina (photo credit, Siobhan Egan). “Hibiscus Gran diflorus,” native to Georgia and the host plant for multiple butterflies and moths, is on the rare list for Chatham County (photo credit, Siobhan Egan). Watson stands before the ‘altar’ titled “Kingdom of a Roadside Ditch” tem porarily installed in her home.

Hayes, an advocate for ending roadside herbicide spraying in McIntosh County, showed Watson a ditch that was supporting 11 native plants, four of which are endangered. And, of course, the plants are hosts for many kinds of butterflies and other pollinators.

Other elements of Avant Gardener include packets of native seed to attract pollinators, pamphlets with native plant recommendations for our coastal region and lists of invasive plants. Invasive plants, their seeds, and spores, are plants that are not native to our ecosystem and whose introduction causes environmental harm.

“I still can’t quite believe it!” Watson says, “I listened to some of his music while I was working and asked him, ‘So how does someone like me ask someone like you to compose a piece for this show?’ and he said, ‘Well, I think you just did.’”

Finally, Sulfur Studios’ talented Emily Earl has compiled a beautiful catalog, which includes a QR code to access the sound art, made possible through investment by the City of Savannah and partnership with Coastal Discovery Museum. (Interestingly, the latter institution recently removed Chinese tallow trees from its property because of Watson’s advocacy.)

Lisa Watson’s (American, b. 1967) “Avant Gardener” opens this Friday, September 2 at Sulfur Studios, 2301 Bull Street, and hangs through October 22. There will be a Yaupon tea tasting and lecture on coastal habitats on Saturday, September 17 at 2 pm and a native plant sale in conjunction with October 7’s First Friday Sulfur Street Fair. Watson will give an artist’s talk on Saturday, October 15 at 2 pm. Full details at sulfurstudios.org. Find Watson at art-ldw.com or on Instagram @art.ldw

The sound art refers to music especially composed by Eric Chasalow, Graduate Dean at Brandeis University and Director of the Brandeis Electro-Acoustic Music Studio. The two met as artists-in-residence at The Studios of Key West.

28 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT THE STAGE PAGE BASIK LEEHIPPRESENTSHOPNITE @ VICTORY NORTH Legendary Hip Hop Nite returns to Savannah hosted by veteran emcee Basik Lee. Expect Beat Battles, Track Battles, Emcee Battles, and DJs from local talent. Come for the beats, stay for community.the TUE SEPT 6 | 7 PM VOODOO SOUP @ CONGRESS STREET SOCIAL CLUB Local soul, funk, and rock band featuring legendary bassist Eric Moore is taking over Congress Street. If you can sit still through one set, you ain’t breathing! It’s Labor Day Weekend - keep the party going. SUN SEPT 4 | 10 PM MIKE JONES & GROOVE CENTRIC @ GOOD TIMES JAZZ BAR Groove Centric combines jazz, R&B, and neo-soul to create something extremely unique. The band, led by saxophonist Mike Jones, boasts an impressive collective resume –having played with such names as Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild, India. Arie, and Monica. FRI SEPT 2 | 8 PM DARK WAVE DANCE PARTY @ LODGE OF SORROWS Summer is insufferable and that’s what makes it GOTH. Hosted by local witchy woman Dame Darcy with live music by THE MCE 5 (a division of Rich Animals) and DJ sets running all night. Plus, a Tropical Goth themed costume contest. WED AUG 31 | 7 PM FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1938 Savannah’s Oldest URBAN FARM & PET SUPPLY STORE Specializing in ORGANICS Located downtown at 307 Carolan 912.233.9862St Just west of Bay St. Viaduct ALL TYPES OF FEED & SEED HAY • FENCING • TRAPS • PEST CONTROL • POTTERY & STATUARY • PROPANE REFILL & EXCHANGE • LAWN & GARDEN • SEASONAL VEGETABLE PLANTS • PET & FARM SUPPLIES • MORE! 5320912.354.8745WatersAve. HAVING A SPECIAL EVENT? Reservebarnesrestaurant.comourBanquetRoom! Seats up to 80 people Call for more information 3016 E. VICTORY DR. 912.352.2933 COACHS.NET DOWNLOAD OUR APP! TICKETS ON BRAMBLETTEVENTBRITERANDALLA TRIBUTE T0 FOREIGNER FRI JUNE 17TH SAT JUNE 11TH SAT JUNE 18TH 3016 E. VICTORY DR. 912.352.2933 COACHS.NET DOWNLOAD OUR APP! SOUNDGARDEN EVENTS TICKETS ON EVENTBRITE FRI JUNE 4TH EVENINGAN SAT JUNE 5THDONTMISSTHIS!SAT JUNE 12TH FRI JUNE 11TH FRI JUNE 17TH SAT JUNE 18TH SAT SEPT 10TH SAT SEPT 17TH Slippery When Wet-The Ultimate Bon Jovi Experience FRI SEPT 30TH Cowboy - The Ultimate Kid Rock Tribute SAT OCT 15TH Guardians of the Jukebox A Tribute to the 80’s MTV Era

By Alan Sculley Fans who get tickets to see J.J. Grey & Mofro on Sept. 8 at Johnny Mercer Theater are likely to see a version of the band that’s a bit less unpredictable with their show than in years past.

Glory” has been out for about seven years now – a long gap for an artist who previously released albums in quick succession. So it’s no surprise that he has been working on his next release.

“I just think of the mood of the song and what’s going on at that time in the show (dictates the set list),” he said. “But for the most part, there are songs from all the different records in the show.”

The live show isn’t the only thing that has Grey feeling upbeat these days. His career has also been on a notably posi tive track, as years of steady touring have built a following that now allows him to play theaters and the largest of clubs on a regular basis. “To just continue to go do it is part of it, the tenacity of it,” Grey said. “And playing with great people, obviously, but that’s been going on since day one.”

Where earlier outings generally found Grey mixing up the set list from show to show, the group has settled into more of a consistent selection of songs to play on tour.“We’d have a group of songs we’d rotate in and out, but we kept a core of it (the set list) together, which we’d never done,” Grey said in a phone interview. “And something happened with the show that in the set, it just took it to a whole new level. I really liked that. So now, I want to put together three or four different set ideas, to get them hammered in, instead of just like kind of willy nilly putting (set lists) together every night, although that can be fun, too…but just get them honed down to where, it’s just like anything, if you get a song to where nobody’s think ing about what they’re doing, they’re just playing, we all know it goes somewhere awesome. Well, if you get a whole show going like that, it gets really crazy.”

Grey said. “I’ve got it easy, easy because I’ve got a wonderful family. There are several songs on ‘Ol’ Glory,’ I’ve had songs on several albums that were about my daughter. But it just was a huge thing. It just changed everything. That’s another thing that made me appreciate (life) and realize the greatest gift I can give her is my attention. And part of reclaiming my own intention was to reclaim it from the part of myself that wants to complain about everything and find something wrong with everything. So stage one was reclaiming that and I’m in control of my intention instead of something else. That’s a huge part.”

Southern soul rocker JJ Grey talks gratitude, touring ahead of Mofro show at Johnny Mercer Theater

29 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

“A million different little things hap pened, and I couldn’t tell you exactly which of those it was. I may have had a couple of epiphany type moments. I can’t pinpoint one exactly,” he said. “But it was just like suddenly this deep appreciation for just being here, it just kind of hap pened and it needed to happen because I was making myself sick all the time by not appreciating what I had and having appre ciation for all the wonderful opportunities I had. Irregardless about music, music’s great, too, but I’m just talking about everything. Instead of constantly finding flaws and faults with everything, whatever it is, to ignore that 90 percent of the time that things are going right for everybody, and then to only focus on the 5 percent of the times when s*** goes wrong, it’s like, that’s life. You ain’t getting out of it with out painful and wrong. That’s the way that it is, and enjoy it. Enjoy it when things go wrong and figure out a way to fix it and get back right.”

He does say, though, that one major life event certainly contributed to his feeling better about life – having his daughter. “It had everything to do with it. It made me appreciate things instead of, here again, what we were just talking about,”

Another big factor in his growing success, Grey said, is a change in attitude from when he first came on the scene in 2001. Back then, as he released his first two albums (2001’s “Blackwater” and 2004’s “Lochloosa”), he was prone to frus tration when things didn’t go his way. Over the years, as he has continued to put out a steady stream of albums – the Jacksonville, Florida-based singer/guitar ist released five well-received albums in six years while signed to Alligator Records from 2007 through 2013 – his outlook has brightened.“Ijustlearned how to be grateful for what I have—that changed everything —and enjoy it instead of trying to find something wrong with everything,” Grey said. “I think that changed everything.” Grey said he can’t point to any specific moment that changed his outlook.

J.J. Grey & Mofro play the Johnny Mercer Theater at the Savannah Civic Center, Thursday, Sept. 8, 8:00 p.m. For more infor mation, visit savannahcivic.com

“I’m working on a new album now,” Grey said. “I guess, if you want to call it that, (I’ve been) piecing together stuff and lis tening to it and thinking about it, sussing it all out,” he said. For now, there’s also a run of shows this summer. With “Ol’ Glory” well in the rearview mirror, Grey’s set is now focused on his full catalog of songs.

MUSIC & CLUBS LIVE MUSIC

The brighter mood has translated to Grey’s more recent music, particularly on the excellent “Ol’ Glory.” The album continues to combine three main ingre dients that have always been present in Grey’s music – rock, rough-hewn Southern country, funk and soul – but this time out the soul element is more pronounced and there is a brighter disposition to most of theThematerial.soulelement is especially apparent on songs like the luminous “Everything is a Song,” the rousing title track and the ballad “Light a Candle,” which sound like they could have been spun out alongside the music of Otis Redding or William Bell from the Stax Records studio in Memphis during the 1960s. Funk gets into the mix on the snappy “Brave Lil’ Fighter and the gritty rocker “Turn Loose.” Meanwhile, the swampy acoustic-based “The Island” lets Grey’s country-blues roots shine. The country and soul roots also figure strongly on “Every Minute,” a song that especially illustrates Grey’s improved disposition (“This mirrored light that sends back/ev erything that you send out/The grace you give, given back/Loving every minute you live”).“Ol’

COMEDY District Live at Plant Riverside District Big Comedy at District Live feat. Steve Byrne, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY 9/ 5

KARAOKEClubOne Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

TUESDAY 9/13

BlueberryKARAOKEHill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. Stafford’sCOMEDYPublicHouse Stafford’s Tuesday Comedy Open Mic, 8:30-11:45 p.m.

LIVE McDonough’sMUSIC 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 with Chris Grimmett, 6:30 p.m.; Trivia Night With Chris Grimmett, 6:308:30 p.m.

LIVE Coach’sMUSICCorner

LIVE MUSIC Collins Quarter at Forsyth Ember City, 2 p.m. Congress Street Social Club Voodoo Soup, 10 p.m. District Live at Plant Riverside District Zach Deputy with Khaliko, Live in Concert, 8-10 p.m. Myrtle & Rose, GardenRooftop

Stafford’sCOMEDYPublicHouse

Tybee Post Theater KanStyx: Tribute to the Music of Kansas & Styx, 8 p.m. TRIVIA & BlueberryGAMESHill Pool Tournament, 2 p.m. KARAOKEBarFood

Midtown Pickers, 6 p.m. Driftaway Cafe Chuck Courtenay, 6 p.m. McDonough’s Blues with Eric 9 p.m.Culberson, Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m. TRIVIA & GAMES El-Rocko Lounge Trivia with Jules and Chris Grimmett, 9-11:30 p.m. Moodright’s Duckpin Bowling League Night, 8 p.m. Service Brewing Company Trivia Night with Jess Shaw, 6:30 p.m. The Wormhole Bingo, 10 p.m. KARAOKEClubOne Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. Bar Savannah Underground,Comedy9 p.m. 9/ 1

BayKARAOKEStreetBlues

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

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

TRIVIA & GAMES Moon River Brewing Co. Trivia, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY 9/ 8

TotallyCOMEDYAwesome Bar Savannah Underground,Comedy9 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. Tubby’s Tank (Thunderbolt)House Bucky and Barry, 1 p.m.

LIVE McDonough’sMUSIC Open Mic/Jam, 9 p.m. Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m. Over Yonder First Tuesdays Bluegrass with Swamptooth

Karaoke 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. The Hive Repertory Theatre LLC Adult Night Out - Karaoke!, 8 p.m. Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m. TybeeCOMEDYPostTheater

MONDAY 9/12

Duckpin Bowling League Night, 8 p.m. Service Brewing Company Trivia Night with Jess Shaw, 6:30 p.m. The Wormhole Bingo, 10 p.m.

COMEDYClubOne

LIVE MUSIC Coffee Bluff Marina LAX, 6 p.m. Congress Street Social Club Miss Paradise, 10 p.m.

BayKARAOKEStreetBlues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY 9/ 4

LIVENickie’sMUSIC1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m. The Wormhole Open Mic, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. TRIVIA & GAMES Club One Super Gay Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Moodright’s BINGO, 8 p.m. Starland Yard Music Bingo, 7-9 p.m. KARAOKEClubOne 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 9/ 6

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.

CONNECTSOUNDBOARDSAVANNAHMUSIC WHO IS PLAYING WHERE THIS WEEK ENTER YOUR EVENT ONLINE AT CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM

LIVE MUSIC Coffee Bluff Marina Gary Strickland, 6 p.m. Congress Street Social Club Mock & Byrd, 7 p.m. Rancho Alegre RestaurantCuban JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. Tybee Pier Pavilion On the Border (Eagles Cover Band), 7:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC Coffee Bluff Marina LAX, 6 p.m. Congress Street Social Club DJ Flip, 10 p.m. Foxy Loxy Print Gallery and Café Aaron Zimmer, 6 p.m. Rancho Alegre RestaurantCuban JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

LIVE Cohen’sMUSICRetreat

WEDNESDAY 8/31

Adult Drop-in IMPROV Class, 10 a.m. BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. Over Yonder Honky Tonk Saturdays

SATURDAY 9/10

Comedy Revue, second Saturday of every month, 8 p.m. District Live at Plant Riverside District Big Comedy at District Live feat. Steve Byrne, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Front Porch Improv Adult Drop-in IMPROV Class, 10 a.m. BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. Over Yonder Honky Tonk Saturdays TelfairOTHERSquare Moon River Opera Presents Improv Opera IV, 6-8 p.m. Tybee Post Theater Death at the Disco 70s Murder Mystery8 p.m.Experience, SUNDAY 9/11

BayKARAOKEStreetBlues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

DJ Club 51 Degrees DJ B-Rad, 9 p.m. Top Deck Sunset Deck Party, 6 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC Collins Quarter at Forsyth Ember City, 2 p.m. Congress Street Social Club Voodoo Soup, 10 p.m. Myrtle & Rose, Rooftop Garden Live Jazz Sunday Brunch Featuring the Howard Paul Jazz Trio, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m.

TotallyCOMEDYAwesome

Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. Bar Open Mic Comedy, 8:30 p.m. DJ Club 51 Degrees DJ B-Rad, 9 p.m. Top Deck Sunset Deck Party, 6 p.m.

Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith Tribute), 7 p.m. Coffee Bluff Marina Gary Strickland, 6 p.m. Rancho Alegre RestaurantCuban JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. The Lodge of Sorrows Windhand, 4 p.m. The Wormhole Jay Van Raalte and the Spectrum, 9:30 p.m. Tybee Post Theater Christy Snow Band, 7 p.m. TRIVIA & BlueberryGAMESHill Pool Tournament, 2 p.m. KARAOKEBarFood Karaoke Night, 10 p.m. Bay Street Blues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. Rock House Karaoke, 9 p.m. Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

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. Tubby’s Tank (Thunderbolt)House Bucky and Barry, 1 p.m. TRIVIA & GAMES Moon River Brewing Co. Trivia, 6 p.m. BayKARAOKEStreetBlues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

PS Tavern Beer Pong Tournament, 10 p.m. BayKARAOKEStreetBlues Karaoke 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. The Hive Repertory Theatre LLC Adult Night Out - Karaoke!, 8 p.m. Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m. COMEDY District Live at Plant Riverside District Big Comedy at District Live feat. Steve Byrne, 7 & 9:30 p.m. DJ Club 51 Degrees DJ Fer, DJ Emalo, DJ Lil G, DJ BRad, 9 p.m. BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. Rock House Music & Dance, 10 p.m.

LIVE Cohen’sMUSICRetreat

Munchies & Music, 5-9 p.m. Tandem Coffee and Spirits Tune In....@ Tandem, 6-8 p.m. TRIVIA & GAMES Bar Food Trivia Night, 8 p.m. McDonough’s Family Feud, 7 p.m. The Wormhole Trivia, 10 p.m.

FrontCOMEDYPorchImprov

THURSDAY

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Service Brewing Company Service Brewing Run Club, 6:30 p.m.

VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar Latin Night with DL Cesar, first Thursday of every month, 9 p.m.

Collin’s Barefoot Comedy Club w/ Brandon Vestal, 8 p.m. DJ Club 51 Degrees DJ Fer, DJ Emalo, DJ Lil G, DJ BRad, 9 p.m. BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. Rock House Music & Dance, 10 p.m.

TotallyCOMEDYAwesome

First Presbyterian Church First Friday for Folk MusicDeidre McCalla, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Foxy Loxy Print Gallery and Café Susanna Kennedy, 6 p.m. The Rail Pub Outlaw Gypsy, 6 p.m. Rancho Alegre RestaurantCuban

30 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Karaoke Night, 10 p.m. Bay Street Blues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. Rock House Karaoke, 9 p.m. Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

LIVE Cohen’sMUSICRetreat

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 with Chris Grimmett, 6:30 p.m.; Trivia Night With Chris Grimmett, 6:30-8:30 p.m. BlueberryKARAOKEHill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

SATURDAY 9/ 3

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Service Brewing Company Service Brewing Run Club, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY 9/ 9

AUG/31-SEPT/13

FRIDAY 9/ 2

WEDNESDAY 9/ 7

Randy Wood’s Pickin’ Parlor The Amanda Cook Band!, 8-10 p.m. Service Brewing Company Bluegrass By The Pint with Swamptooth, 6 p.m. Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. The Wormhole Summer Heat With F.I.L.T.H, 8:30 p.m. TRIVIA & GAMES

LIVE MUSIC Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Songs of Soul 7-9:30 p.m.Cabaret, Cohen’s Retreat Munchies & Music, 5-9 p.m. TRIVIA & GAMES Bar Food Trivia Night, 8 p.m. McDonough’s Family Feud, 7 p.m. The Wormhole Trivia, 10 p.m. BayKARAOKEStreetBlues

SAT SEPT 3| 7 PM By Kathryn Montgomery MCCALLA, FIRST FRIDAY FOLK MUSIC

THU SEPT 1 | 7 PM

31 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT THE BAND PAGE SOUNDBOARD IS A FREE SERVICE - TO BE INCLUDED, PLEASE ENTER YOUR LIVE MUSIC INFORMATION WEEKLY ON CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM AND CHOOSE “SOUNDBOARD.”. DEADLINE IS NOON MONDAY, TO APPEAR IN WEDNESDAY’S EDITION. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR CUT LISTINGS DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS.

JACUZZI

DEIDRE

FRI SEPT 2 | 7:30 PM

ZACH DEPUTY W/ KHALIKO @ PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT LIVE He’s a deputy all right - sworn to protect soul. Multi-instrumentalist Zach Deputy is a lowcountry local who fuses hip-hop, funk, and folky pop with the rhythms of soca and calypso for a sunny new sound. Catch all the good vibes, one night only at Plant Riverside.

SUN SEPT 4 | 8 PM BOYS @ LODGE OF SORROWS Sorrowful Summer continues with another bangin’ night of music at the Lodge of Sorrows. The Jacuzzi Boys are here to give you a pastel Miami Vice fever dream. A little indie, a little pop, a lot of fun.

SONGS OF SOUL CABARET @ BILLY’S PLACE Two Savannah superstars in one soul-filled night. Roger Moss and Angel Gabriel belt out the blues and riff. Featuring Kim Steiner on the Steinway (that’s a grand piano, for you uncultured beatniks).

@ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Savannah Folk Music Society production. Hailing from NYC, legend Deidre McCalla has been a front runner in defining “how Black folk do folk.” A much beloved performer in both folk and women’s music circles, McCalla has shared the stage with a long list of notables: Suzanne Vega, Odetta, and Tracy Chapman, to name a few.

32 ACROSS 1. Quicker way to “count by” 5. LBJ’s veep 8. Most proficient 14. “Are you kidding?” 15. “All applicants welcome” 16.letters“___ King” (Burger King spoof in a 2000 “Flintstones” movie) 17. *Current Maori-language name for New Zealand 19. *North African curvy-horned wild sheep that was released in Texas in the 1950s 20. Cul-de-___ 21. Egyptian Christians 23. Ghana’s neighbor 24. Alternative to a business meeting, so to speak 26. Storefront coverings 29. *Series of heart structures that lead to the neck and head 32.arteriesFawns’ mothers 33. Iron Maiden song that’s also an instruction for some card 37.gamesStrand in a lab 38. *New York Times film critic whose Twitter name is still “32 across” six years after his name appeared in the crossword 41. “There’s ___ in ‘team”’ 42. Grueling workplace 44. “Konvicted” hip-hop artist 45. *Tagline that distinguishes a concert or convention from a full-weekend affair 49. Hargitay of “Law & Order: 52.SVU”“Like a Rock” singer Bob 53. Hebrew phrase meaning “to the skies” 54. Musician/producer Ty ___ 56.$ignIndie singer DiFranco 59. *Honshu city deemed one of the world’s snowiest major cities (averaging 26 feet per 62.year)*Items containing free trial software, dubbed “history’s greatest junk mail” by a Vox 64.articleActress Charlize who guested on “The Orville” 65. 37-Across counterpart 66. Unkind 67. “MMMBop” band of 1997 68. Pvt.’s boss 69. “Animal House” group, for short DOWN 1. “___ the night before Christmas ...” 2. “Easy there!” 3. Quaker boxful, maybe 4. Sault ___ Marie, Ontario 5. Valiant 6. Overblown publicity 7. Use a microwave on 8. “Defending liberty, pursuing justice” org. 9. ___-country (Florida Georgia Line genre) 10. Ill-mannered 11. ___ a good note 12. Amos Alonzo ___, coach in the College Football Hall of 18.13.FameHullabaloosBerrythatmakes a purple 22.smoothieAnarchist defendant with 25.VanzettiChain members (abbr.) 27. Perk up, as an appetite 28. Home in the sticks? 29. Throws in 30. “Game of Thrones” actress 31.ChaplinCompeted with chariots 34. Back end of some pens 35. “Keep talking” 36. Vaguely suggest 38. “To Venus and Back” singer 39.Tori“Old MacDonald” noise 40. Sam with 82 PGA Tour wins 43. Clothes experts 44. 1600 Pennsylvania ___ (D.C. 46.address)Covering the same distance 47. Chew out 48. Edwardian expletive 49. County north of Dublin 50. Word on Hawaiian license 51.platesSoup that may include chashu or ajitama 55. Rowboat rowers 57. March Madness org. 58. Ceases to be 60. 63.61.marsupial“Winnie-the-Pooh”QuaintmotelGlobalcurrencyorg. “’Eh-Oh!”--two letters not just for the Teletubbies. by Matt Jones JONESIN’ CROSSWORD JonesMatt©2022 202213,SEPT.-31AUG.|SAVANNAHCONNECT CROSSWORD ANSWERS FOR CONNECTSAVANNAH.COMLISTINGS,NEWSUP-TO-DATEANDCALENDARVISIT WEEKLY SUDOKU SUDOKU SOLUTION

125 West River Street On top of the cotton sail hotel OPEN DAILY 11AM TO 11 PM* www.topdeckbar.com *CLOSING HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE Margarita Monday $4 teremana margs thursdays & Sunday Live MUSIC | 6-9 pm Drink specials Wine wednesday Half o Boles tree-fifty tuesday $3.50 beer, titos, RBV, jameson

Scan the code to have all of Friday night’s Coastal Empire prep football scores, SHOP & DINE UNITED Learn more and register today:uwce.org/shopdine2022CallingallBusinesses!JoinShop&DineUnited on September 10-11! Shop & Dine United is an opportunity for local businesses to provide meaningful support to our community through United Way of the Coastal Empire. Businesses can donate a percentage of sales or decide what kind of deal works best for them! Show your customers you are a part of Team UNITED! Register today to be a participating business, and we will start promoting you! Special thanks to: