Connect Savannah | October 26, 2022

AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY 10/26

DRIVE-THRU FLU VACCINATION

The Chatham County Health Department will hold a drive-through flu vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26th at the Georgia Tech Savannah campus located at 210 Technology Circle on Savannah’s westside. No appointment is necessary. The health department will file most insurance. Medicare and Medicaid will also be accepted. Residents without insurance are asked by pay a nominal administrative fee.

WED. BLUES SERIES FEAT. WILLIE JACKSON AND THE TYBEE BLUES BAND

Plant Riverside District will host a Wednesday Blues Series at the Pavilion Stage along the Savannah River, featuring free performances by top regional blues artists. Willie Jackson and the Tybee Blues Band will be the featured artist on October 26, offering soulful blues by seven-time Indie Music Channel Award winner Willie Jackson. 6-9 p.m.Plant Riverside District - Pavilion Stage FREE

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.

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

OCT/26-NOV/1

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK

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.

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.

THURSDAY 10/27

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.

REVEALING THE VOICES AND MYSTERY OF OSSABAW ISLAND

Robin Gunn, project coordinator for the Ossabaw Island Foundation, will share insights on Ossabaw Island’s past, present and future.  Ossabaw Island is Georgia’s third-largest barrier island, located in Chatham County. The 26,000-acre island is owned by the State of Georgia and is the state’s oldest and largest Heritage Preserve, protected from development and populated only by wildlife. The island’s rich history goes back over 5,000 years. Noon. More info at ascensionsavannah.org

FRIDAY 10/28

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

SATURDAY 10/29

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET

Local and regional produce, honey, meat, dairy, pasta, baked goods and other delights. Rain or shine. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

SAT/29 GEORGIA-FLORIDA GAME WATCHING PARTY

Put on your spirited red and black and head to Starland Yard for the Savannah chapter of the Univ. of Georgia Alumni Association’s official game watching party for the GA/Fla. Game. Swag, prizes, giveaways and the best food and drink in Savannah. 2411 De Soto Ave. Visit starlandyard. com to see specials and food truck availability for the day. Things get rolling at 3:30 PM.

Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Free to attend. forsythfarmersmarket.com

OKTOBERFEST

It’s the last day of Oktoberfest at Plant Riverside District. The event showcases a blend of old and new German traditions..

All family-friendly festivities are free and open to the public and will take place at Plant Riverside District. Specialty beers as well as food and beverage options for all ages. 1-4 p.m.

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, Bull St.

SUNDAY 10/30

SUNSET PARTY

SUNDAY

Wrap up the weekend with a Sunday Funday Sunset Party on the roof. Local DJ Doc Ock, an amazing view, Long Drink and Herradura specials, and $3 Rosé all day. 6 - 9 p.m. Top Deck, 125 W. River St

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

MONDAY 10/31

BONAVENTURE

CEMETERY AFTER DARK: HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Thought Halloween on Mondays was boring? Think again! Savannah’s ONLY after dark cemetery tour given exclusively to one group! Leave behind the city mobs for this 18th century riverside plantation turned Victorian cemetery of 200 acres! As gatekeeper, Shannon Scott shares mysteries beyond belief, you’ll be left in awe of shocking tales of bootleggers, root doctors, secret societies like Skull&Bones, 5-8 p.m.. 912-3195600. shannon@shannonscott. com Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd.

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Connect Savannah is a weekly arts, entertainment and news magazine, focused on Savannah and the Coastal Empire life and experience.

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ON THE COVER

Cassidi Hinson and Kaylen Conley photographed at the Savannah Theatre. Gowns provided by Ivory &

ivoryandbeau.com

Photo by Adriana Iris Boatwright

The Third Annual Vampire Ball is Fri., Oct.

at

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INTRODUCTIONS: MEET DANIEL S. PALMER

CURATOR OF IMPACTFUL AND INSPIRING EXHIBITIONS AT SCAD MUSEUM OF ART

Daniel S. Palmer is the chief curator at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Museum of Art (SCAD MOA).

Originally from Connecticut, Palmer spent 15 years in New York City where he worked as a curator with Public Art Fund. Happy to leave behind New York’s frigid temperatures, he relocated to Savannah earlier this year in March after accepting the role at SCAD MOA.

So far, he is loving Savannah’s idyllic beauty and warm hospitality. Palmer first became acquainted with the Hostess City back in 2012 when he presented at a conference.

“I was completely charmed by the city and SCAD, and I was so impressed by the inaugural exhibitions on view at the muse um. I continued to follow the institution’s incredible work over the years and often thought fondly about Savannah. When this incredible role became available, I knew it would be the perfect fit,” said Palmer.

Palmer started with SCAD MOA during the museum’s 2022 deFINE ART festival, which he considered “a wonderful intro duction and a great opportunity to learn so much so quickly.” He cherishes his curato rial position and is motivated and inspired by the work.

“I’m deeply honored to have been entrusted with this opportunity. . . I get to work with an incredible team to oversee the exhibition program and to showcase the most interesting artists from around the world,” he said.

Palmer’s position involves a great deal of research and travel to connect with artists and share their work through compelling, accessible exhibitions and public pro grams. He enjoys connecting with artists

but also relishes interacting with museum visitors and the student docents. Inspiring others is his favorite aspect of the job.

“I enjoy how much I always learn in the process of putting together an exhibition. Then, once it opens, I get to share that beauty and complexity with audiences through tours and conversations in the mu seum’s galleries surrounded by the art. That is always a re ally wonderful moment that I look forward to. It makes me so grateful to have this job,” Palmer explained.

With a Ph.D. and MPhil in art history, Palmer draws upon his expertise and experience “to bring the most interesting and important art in the world to the SCAD Museum of Art, [and] to further solidify our international reputation as a premier contemporary art museum.”

The museum is completely reconfigured twice a year, so the exhibitions are always fresh and current.

Palmer’s vision for the museum is to emphasize the global diversity and the vastly different media and approaches to art making.

“There are so many fascinating voices working all around the planet that I know will inspire local communities and serve as an indispensable resource for SCAD students and alumni too,” Palmer added.

Palmer’s interest in art dates back to his youth. He recalls a large coffee table book that he found on his grandmother’s credenza growing up.

mystified and enthralled by its contents,” he recounted. “The second thing was an AP Art History class that I was lucky enough to take at a moment in high school when I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life. I really found my passion in studying art history,” he continued.

“I process the world around me through art. Artists are such incisive thinkers and really pioneers of the cultural avant-garde, so I look to them for guidance as I navigate life. I also gain so much beauty and mean ing from the art that I’ve learned about, spent time with and have as a part of my life. . . For me, art really is life, and that’s something completely tangible and deeply personal,” he expressed.

Beyond his personal passion, Palmer be lieves that art is important more generally to the world for several reasons.

“Artists have something to say to us all. Most artists are thoroughly engaged with the social issues of their time, whether

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the finished artwork directly articulates that or not. . . Art is a lens through which we can analyze and understand the issues and conditions of our moment or those of generations past. It allows us to connect with profound truths,” he explained.

Outside of work, Palmer enjoys spending time with his wife and traveling the world. His other interests include literature, film and music. His newest hobby is a vintage motorcycle that he recently acquired.

Palmer encourages community members to come out to the SCAD MOA and enjoy what it has to offer.

“I’m always here at the SCAD Museum of Art to share the exhibitions. I hope [people] will come to the museum to experience all of the great public programs, tours, talks and other events we organize.

. I really love the Savannah community’s Southern hospitality and all the smiling faces around town. It just warms my heart. So, if you see me, feel free to say hello,” he said.

To learn more about the museum and the work Palmer does there, visit scadmoa.org

- Chantel Britton

UNITED WAY OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE UNVEILS SPECIAL RECOGNITION WALL HONORING PAST CAMPAIGN CHAIRS

United Way of the Coastal Empire saluted more than 80 years of philanthropic leadership as it unveiled a recognition photo wall during a special ceremony, honoring United Way’s annual fund raising campaign chairs dating back to 1938.

During this event, United Way Board Chairman Mark Bennett recognized each of the campaign chairs in attendance and thanked them for their dedicated service to our community.

“We felt it was a great opportunity for us to formally thank those who have given so much to this organization and in many ways have been the face of United Way to our community,” said Jeff O’Connor, Immediate Past Chair, United Way of the Coastal Empire Board of Directors. “This project has been a labor of gratitude, and we believe its presence here in the United Way building will be a reminder of the legacy of their leadership that is the foundation of the organization and its powerful work.” O’Connor championed the project, which features pictures of nearly every previous cam paign chair dating back to the founding of the organization in 1938.

“We are proud to honor the campaign chairs who helped sustain the organization year after year, decade after decade, said Brynn Grant, President and CEO, United Way of the Coastal Empire. “The re-engagement with past campaign chairs has been fulfilling for everyone involved.”

Learn more about United Way of the Coastal Empire at uwce.org

SAVANNAH AGENDA:

PROPERTY MATTERS

By Eric Curl savannahagenda.com

CITY ATTEMPTING TO ALLEVIATE HEALTH CLINIC’S PARKING WOES, FOLLOWING LAND SWAP WITH DEVELOPER

agreed to provide two decades ago. In a court response, Opus contends the spaces were contingent on the parking garage being built and that the parking agreement also violated state law’s against perpetu ities and was nonbinding, as a subsequent property owner.

the site is being given the boot. Savannah Pedicab was notified in August that they will have to be out by Oct. 24, according to city officials. The building Savannah Pedi cab uses as their headquarters can then be demolished to make way for the health clinic’s parking spaces. In 2022, the almost 30-year old business and its 30 employees will be moving to a new home base after more than 10 years at the city building.

The year is 2001. The city wants to build a parking garage just east of down town Savannah’s Historic District and the income-based health clinic at East Broad and Broughton streets needs parking.

An agreement between the two parties is reached. The health clinic will sell about half an acre to the city at a reduced price.

In turn, the city will build a parking garage on the site and reserve 54 spaces for the health clinic over the next 40 years …

Flash forward to 2019. The city has de cided against building the parking garage at the site, choosing instead to construct it at the new Easter Wharf mixed-use devel opment east of downtown. The city trades the property with a developer, who sells it to another developer, Opus Development.

The downtown property’s current owner is now building an apartment complex geared towards attracting Savannah Col lege of Art and Design students, according to Opus Development officials and court documents.

In turn, the Curtis V. Cooper Prima ry Health Clinic filed a lawsuit against the developer in February claiming it is entitled to the 54 parking spaces the city

Now the city is attempting to help alleviate at least some of the health clinic’s parking problems. The proposed solu tion? A new agreement with the Hospital Authority of Savannah, an entity created to further health improvements in the city that only meets when the occasion calls for it. Under the arrangement, the city will transfer property to the hospital authority. In turn, the hospital authority will lease the property at a rate of $500 a year to the health clinic for use as a 14-space parking lot. The transfer and lease agreement was approved by the Savannah City Council on Sept. 22 to settle a claim with Curtis V. Cooper, according to the meeting minutes.

Curtis V. Cooper served 28,000 patients in 2021, with about 75,000 visits, and is the largest health facility in the city that pro vides affordable services, the clinic’s attor ney, Dana Braun, told the hospital authori ty board prior to their approval of the deal. While the city is restricted to a lease period of 10 years the hospital authority can lease the property for 40 years, Braun said.

“It’s going to cost a few hundred thousands dollars to convert the property to parking and fit in with the rest of the property,” he said. “You can’t justify that if it’s only going to be a 10-year period.”

Meanwhile, a local business that has been operating out of the city building at

As of Friday evening, the business was seeking more time to make the move, but had not heard back from the city regard ing the request, according to the general manager, Elena Dickey. The city was unable to provide any information regarding the status of the move by Connect Savannah’s print deadline on Friday.

The city owned building at 635 East Broughton St. will be demolished to make way for 14 parking spaces for the Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health clinic. Eric Curl/Sept. 28, 2022

The city has voted in a new council and hired two new city managers since the property was traded in 2019. The land swap was touted by the city as a way to serve the city’s newly acquired Highlands populace, an annexed community in northwest Chatham County that neighbors the fast growing city of Pooler.

The city planned to build a city annex and recreational fields on the 33 acres acquired through the trade.

The city still plans to develop the prop erty for recreation purposes, according to

city spokesperson Keturah Green. As of Fri day, limited funding has been appropriated for a walking trail as the development’s first amenity, Green said. Construction of the trail is slated to begin in the first half of 2023, she said.

Meanwhile, the developer, Minneso ta-based development company Opus Group, and the health clinic appear to have come to terms in regards to the lawsuit.

The developer, who declined to comment for this article, has agreed to demolish the city building and pave the parking lot using its workforce and equipment, to reduce the costs of the project for the health clinic, according to the health clinic’s attorney Dana Braun. The apparent congeniality led the judge to postpone a hearing on Aug. 17 due to the parties having reached an agreement.

An apartment complex is being built next to Curtis V. Cooper’s parking lot, on property the city had previously planned to construct a parking garage. Eric Curl/Oct. 11, 2022

Construction site for multifamily complex at Barr and President streetsA student housing apartment complex is being built on he property the city swapped in 2019. Eric Curl/Oct. 11, 2022

Costumes, prizes galore at first Forsyth Park Costume Crawl

Savannah is getting ready to hosta city-wide Halloween costume contest, complete with prizes, candy, music and more. The Forsyth Park Costume Crawl will take place on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 2-6 p.m. at the iconic greenspace.

The Forsyth Park Costume Crawl (sponsored by Ukiyo Savannah) is presented by and will benefit the Coastal Empire Montessori School, which is a free, nonprofit public charter school. The school’s development director Shannon McClure is the mastermind behind the event.

“[Coastal Empire Montessori] has never done much fundraising. They’ve never done a major event. . . So, I had to create something that would attract people,” she explained.

With the support of the school’s President and CEO, Stephanie Babcock-Wright, and their CFO, Bill Kovach, behind her, McClure came up with the idea of the costume crawl and has collaborated with community members to bring it to fruition. It’s expected to be a great time for the Savannah community, attracting Halloween-lovers of all ages.

The costume contest is open to any and everyone including pets. There are seven cat egories with prizes totalling more than $3000. The grand prize is $1000, which will be awarded to the individual or group deemed to have the Best Spirit of Savannah Costume. For this category, judges are looking for the best Savannah-themed costume. Other cat egories include Best Group Costume, Best Adult Costume, Best Couples Costume, Best Little Kid Costume, Best Big Kid Costume, Best Pet Costume and Social Media Banshee.

In order to participate in the costume contest, registration is required. Interested in dividuals can register online. There will also be on-site registration the day of the event. Registration is only required for those wanting to participate in the costume contest. For everyone else who just wants to come out and have fun, the event is free and open to the public

The contest will be judged by a panel of Savannah celebrities like Connect Savannah columnist Bunny Ware, Starlandia Art Supply owner Clinton Edminster, and WJCL news anchor Marvis Herring, among others. The event will be emceed by Creative Approach co-founder and local realtor Travis Sawyer.

In addition to the contest, there will be food trucks, trick-or-treat bags, live music, a photo booth, yard games and more. Attendees can also participate in what aims to be the world’s largest TikTok broom challenge.

“It’s for a good cause, and it’s a good anchor event for the city. . . I think it’s a great way to bring our whole weird and wacky Savannah family together,” said McClure.

Proceeds generated from the event will help support Coastal Empire Montessori School, providing supplies and funding for school programs and the families they serve. For more infor mation, contest rules and registration, visit cemco.org/costume-crawl.html

- Chantel Britton

JEEPERS CREEPERS! WHERE’D YOU GET THOSE EYES?

Are costume contact lenses more Trick than Treat? We ask a local optometrist for tips on the popular accessory

According to Dr. Caroline Freeman of Savannah Family Eye Care, there are three main concerns with using costume contact lenses:

1) THE LENSES THEMSELVES contamination, low oxygen transmissi bility and the possibility of three main pathogens: bacteria, fungus, and acan thamoeba (a micro-organism that can eat through your cornea).

These lenses come in blister packs with solution. The FDA tests and regulates packaging for contamination. But a 2017 study showed that 60% of imported, internet, and non-regulated lenses (like some sold at gas stations and tattoo parlors) tested positive for microbial contamination.

Costume lenses can be made of materials that are unhealthy to the eye. On average, a costume lens lets through 1/10 the oxygen of the average prescrip tion silicon-hydrogel reusable contact lens. The eye cannot survive without oxygen, so restricting the cornea’s oxygen supply can be detrimental to the eye, especially if worn for an expended period of time.

2) POOR LENS FIT one size does not fit all

Contact lenses come in a variety of parameters in order to fit a variety of eye shapes/sizes. Without proper measurements or evaluation, there is no way for a contact lens wearer to ensure a safe, comfortable fit.

A poor fit increases the likelihood of sustaining corneal abrasions and ero sions, both of which are very painful and increase the chance of infection.

3) LENS HYGIENE AND CARE—hand washing, cleaning of lenses, proper storage, not sharing, etc.

Paramount to a safe contact lens evaluation is educating a patient on the proper care and handling of the contact lenses. Patients need to know what solution(s) to use and how to properly clean the lenses as well as appropriate wear schedule (how many hours the lenses can be worn, can they be slept in, and what is the lifespan of the lenses).

Lens hygiene practices like hand washing before any contact with the lens is to be made and absolutely no sharing of lenses under any circumstances.

TAKEAWAYS:

There are many reputable costume contact lens companies that can supply safe, well-made lenses with or without a patient’s prescription. An evaluation and fitting with an optometrist or ophthalmologist will ensure successful wear.

But plan ahead, because most reputable lenses are made to order and need at least two weeks to arrive.

If you find yourself with a red, irritated, or pain ful eye after any type of contact lens wear, contact your eye doctor immedi ately. Most cases can be resolved quickly and with out long-term ramifica tions as long as treatment is sought promptly.

GOTHIC GLITZ AND GLAM: THE ANNUAL VAMPIRE BALL IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

One of the top Halloween traditions Savannahians can’t wait to attend is back! The Vampire Ball returns to Savannah on Oct. 28, 8 p.m.-midnight, for the third time after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19.

This year’s event is hosted by Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum, presented by Connect Savannah, and produced by Markster Con Productions, owned by Mark Baggett.

A nationally-known event producer, Baggett was introduced to Savannah many years ago by a friend, who suggested he host events here and he couldn’t think of a better event for our friendly, haunted city than a Vampire Ball.

“Savannah being Savannah—as kooky, creepy, and wonderful as it is—seemed like it would be a good fit because it is one of, if not one of, the most haunted cities in the country. Savannah again, it’s magical. People travel there because they want to experience something they haven’t expe rienced before. So all the gothic elements of Savannah, all the history of it both good and bad. It just ended up being a really good choice,” said Baggett. “ I do a lot of different themes with my production company, but the Vampire Ball in Savan nah has brought out a lot of fans that were probably waiting for something like that. It’s a great city.”

The event will feature special vam pire-themed drink specials, roaming photographers, the crowning of a vampire king and queen, and a charity canned food drive.

“The venue that it’s going to be hosted at [Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum], has its own little fantasy area, it’s all bricked off from the rest of Savannah. It has beautiful gardens and very new-age architecture, very simplified. I mean, it’s a gorgeous property. It also definitely has the old Savannah, renaissance-gothic vampire feel. We’re excited that we’re in such a beautiful venue. So, it’s gonna be a little different,” said Baggett.

“We’re bringing in a well-known DJ for music for the main entertainment. [DJ Precisa] Vampires live a long time, if you’re lucky, you’re eternal. So they go through a lot of stages of music, things are constantly changing. So we’re going to do a play off of a walk-through time,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of different music going that’s to be divided up. Start ing with older music, and then it’s going to progress through the time periods as the night progresses. So if you’re a vampire, you might be able to dance through all the times. So that’s a little different, as op

posed to just having an event where there is just current music.”

There are specialty drinks that will be made and served by the Ships of the Sea staff throughout the event. Bar staff cre ated all-original drink specials including Nosferatu’s Kiss, Ghost with the Most, Virgin Blood, Immortality, Fright Night, and Candied Crucifix. All unique drinks that promise to coincide with the night’s look and feel.

Baggett believes the event will bring in around 500-600 people. The previous Vampire Balls had around 350, so this one could be almost double the size. Baggett encourages those attending the event to dress up and have fun with their costumes.

“If people are not sure about dressing up, you know, we highly encourage it, getting a fake set of fangs or even getting some cosmetic contacts can make a big difference. If you don’t know what to wear, just wear all black—maybe wear all black with a hint of red with a tie, or some jew elry.”

And since vampires are immortal, attendes could do a play on another time-period. For instance, “dressing up as a vampire from the old West,” said Bag gett.

“It’s great, it’s a fun event, every year we have all different types of people that come out. We have older people, younger people and since the age is now 18 and up, we expect some SCAD students,” said Baggett. “All the events that Markster Con Production does are cosplay costume related. People that usually come to my events tend to be more open-minded, a little bit more creative, they enjoy being around other creative people and after COVID-19, A lot of people are ready to get out and have a good time.”

Baggett plans to keep the decorations for the event very simple with lots of red and lots of candles, playing off of the fea tures of the venue in itself.

He plans to have a darker environment and to make use of the gardens at the venue.

“The venue is gorgeous. We’re looking forward to it,” said Baggett. “I would like to add that you know this venue, it’s both an inside and covered venue type of situation. The main areas are covered in case of any bad weather, but we would highly suggest people watch the weather just in case.”

We can’t help but hope for at least some dark skies for an added touch!

For more information, visit savannahvam pires.com or scan the code at right for tick ets.

- Cassidi Hinson

BOO TO YOU!

HALLOWEEN AND FALL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Compiled by Cassidi Hinson

WEDNESDAY 10/26

BYOP: A PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY!

4-7 p.m. Moon River Brewing Co. Join them in the Beer GaCoastalrden on National Pumpkin Day!!, for a puoastmpkin carving party! They’ve got the pumpkin carving tools, all you have to do is bring the pumpkins. Just in time for Halloween! 21 West Bay St.

THIRD ANNUAL HALLOWEEN COSTUME RUN

Howe2Run, 11 Gateway Blvd. South Suite 54. 6PM-8PM. An annual costumed event around their usual “WEEKLY miles, smiles and MOVING!! Remember ALL ARE WELCOME and we walk, walk/run, run, ruck and cycle. You don’t have to wear a costume to attend!! Also bring the kiddos, our route is stroller friendly and there will be plenty of trick or treat snacks available!!”

THURSDAY 10/27

HEAVEN AND HELL HALLOWEEN AT ELAN

10 p.m. Join them for a horror party and costume contest. It will be a night filled with sins and pleasure. The event is for ages 18+ . Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at eventbrite.com

HALLOWEEN WITH HEROES

1050 Carl Griffin Dr, at the Chatham Co. Sherriff’s Office. Sponsored by the 200 Club of Coastal Empire, Chatham Co. Sherriff’s K-9 unit.

Trunk-or-Treat Drive Boo! Come in costume, collect candy, play games, listen to DJ Alton Peterson Jr. and have fun! 6-8PM

FRIDAY 10/28

FLYING & SCRYING WORKSHOP

5:30-7 p.m. Step into the spooky season with this exceptional Flying & Scrying Workshop. Hosted by local witch Nykos Fox and The Circle Savannah. What will you see when you gaze into the looking glass? Find out in this magical workshop where you will explore different techniques for scrying, learn about the history of witches “flight” and how to make

modern day flying potions, and create a spirit vial for protection and spirit communication. All participants will also take home a custom handcrafted brass scrying compass. Best suited for adults and older teens. Tickets are $80, 125 E Broad Street, Suite A. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thecirclesavannah.com

THIRD ANNUAL SAVANNAH VAMPIRE BALL

Join MarksterCon Productions, Connect Savannah, and your fellow creatures of the night as it is time once again to descend into Georgia’s oldest city for a night like no other. Grab your capes, sharpen your fangs, and come quench your celebratory appetite at Savannah’s third annual VAMPIRE BALL! The biggest Halloween party in Savannah promises drinks, dining and dancing that are TO DIE FOR! There will be custom cocktails, music by the infamous DJ Precisa, food truck bites to sink your fangs into, and the crowning of Savannah’s Vampire King and Queen. (18+ to Enter, 21+ to Drink) 8:00 PM -Midnight. Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum. savannahvampires.com

THE SWAMP SIDE HAUNTED HAYRIDE

7-12 p.m. Each Hayride will be about 30 minutes long and you may select your time slot when you register. All guests must sign a weaver on arrival Warning: This is Halloween themed and designed to be scary. Not recommended for any guests with health conditions that may be affected by the following: fake gore, jump scares, and flashing lights. Not recommended for children under 13. Space is limited! Pre-registration required. Call to register: 912-7272339. Fort McAllister State Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Rd, Richmond Hill.

BONAVENTURE

CEMETERY AFTER DARK

5-8 p.m. The perfect event to kick off your evening or whole Halloween weekend experience! Savannah’s ONLY after dark cemetery tour given exclusively to one group! Leave behind the city mobs for this 18th

century riverside plantation turned Victorian cemetery of 200 acres! As gatekeeper, Shannon Scott shares mysteries beyond belief, you’ll be left in awe of shocking tales of bootleggers, root doctors, secret societies like Skull & Bones, The craft of freemasonry, criss crossed lovers, sacred geometry, grave robbers, connections to Area 51, The DaVinci Code, Harry Potter, Stranger Things! Signed poster art & take home swag for all attendees! Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit shannonscotttours.com

SATURDAY 10/29

ISLANDS HALLOWEEN MARKET

Islands Farmers’ Market. 9AM-Noon, 401 Quarterman Dr. Wake up! Dress up and come kick off Halloween at the Islands Spooktacluar Halloween market! This market will feature regular food and craft vendors along with a few special additions!!!!

Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes. Visit all vendor to collect CANDY! All candy will be individually bagged, and vendors will pass out the candy from their booths.

THE RAIL PUB COSTUME CONTEST

Chance to win $500 cash for 1st prize, $100 gift card for 2nd prize, $50 gift card for 3rd prize. The first 50 people signed up get a free swag bag. Sign up for the contest is from 5-7 p.m. The costume contest is at 8:30 p.m. 405 W Congress St.

HALLOWEEN HAVOC EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE WORMHOLE

6:30 p.m. The event will have six great bands including Kamenar, Kill the Sound, The DOOD, Once Kings, Hassleinone, and Losing Daylight. Plus $300 in cash prizes for the costume contest. 2307 Bull St. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wormholebar.com

ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN BASH AT ELECTRIC MOON

7 p.m.- 1 a.m. Plant Riverside District’s Electric Moon Skytop Lounge will host the Ultimate Halloween Bash on the rooftop of the Power Plant Building overlooking the Savannah River. This spooky, fun-filled event for ages 21+ will feature live music by Ramona + the Riot. DJ Lil G will close out the night with high-energy dance music, plus a photo booth will be available throughout the evening. Guests are encouraged to come

dressed in their best Halloween costume and to participate in the annual Halloween costume contest. The first place winner will be awarded a free one-night stay at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. Additional prizes will be available. $10 cover charge at the door. 400 W. River St.

A NIGHTMARE ON CONGRESS STREET IX

a Halloween Themed Bar Crawl is Savannah’s creepiest and scariest bar crawl along Savannah’s eeriest strip. Bar Crawl tickets include entry to a $2,000 costume contest, spooky drink specials and free cover at all locations on Congress Street! This event involves 12 participating bars, free cover at each, plus, drink specials and t-shirts and swag. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nightmareoncongress. com

TRICK OR TREES COMMUNITY TREE GIVEAWAY

9 a.m.-12 p.m. CELEBRATE THE SPOOKY SEASON WITH FREE TREES! Pick up a free tree for your yard and learn all about the benefits of trees! They will have 14 species of native and fruit trees, kid-friendly activities and treats for the whole family. Costumes encouraged! The trees are sponsored by State Farm through the Arbor Day Foundation T.R.E.E. program. Georgia State Railroad Museum, 655 Louisville Road, Savannah. FREE!!!

TRUNK OR TREAT

3-5 p.m. Imagine a parade of kids and parents in costumes driving as a host of decorative community partner vendors’ wave and pass treats along with great resources! The excitement and smiles of the kids, parents, volunteers, and vendors are Priceless! This familyfriendly event is free and open to the community. Parents randomly win prizes such as gas cards, gift baskets, gift certificates and more. The kids have a chance to vote and select the Best Decorative Community Vendor!

Tons of fun and free! Garden City Recreation Center, 1608 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Garden City

SUNDAY 10/30

THE BONAVENTURE SWINGIN’ COSTUME PARTY FEATURING THE EQUINOX ORCHESTRA 6-9 p.m. Near the haunted gates of Bonaventure Cemetery, the Equinox Orchestra will present an evening of ghastly macabre and unspeakable horrors! There will be music, a

costume contest, prizes, party pics, all at Coach’s Corner. Plus, Kenny Munshaw will be there to open the show! Come dressed in your best Halloween duds, either as an individual or a group theme, and let the tricks and treats commence. The musical theme of the night will be all things related to superstition, thrillers, busting ghosts, being watched, and the after-life. Go to @ equinoxorchestra on Instagram and click the link in the bio to find out more about tickets! 507 E Perry St.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT

Keller’s Flea Market, 11AM-2PM. Get in the spooky Halloween spirit at the Trick or Treat event at Keller’s Flea Market! Trick or Treat throughout the market, fun activities, amusement rides, and FREE candy! Come dressed in your best costume and enjoy a day at the flea!

FORSYTH PARK COSTUME CRAWL

2-6 p.m. You and all of Savannah’s great, weird, fun, and creative people (and pets!) are invited to strut their Halloween stuff at Forsyth Park for the first ever city wide costume contest. Prizes are offered in multiple categories and judged by celebrity judges on stage. Prizes range from $200 up, the grand prize is $1000. There will also be food trucks, live music, trick-or-treat bags, t-shirts, yard games, and more. 2 W Gaston St. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com and search for the event.

MONDAY 10/31

HALLOWEEN!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT TRICK OR TREATING

The Savannah Police Department is recommending trick or treating take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night.

BONAVENTURE CEMETERY AFTER DARK: HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Thought Halloween on Mondays was boring? Think again! Savannah’s ONLY after dark cemetery tour given exclusively to one group! Leave behind the city mobs for this 18th century riverside plantation turned Victorian cemetery of 200 acres! As gatekeeper, Shannon Scott shares mysteries beyond belief, you’ll be left in awe of shocking tales of bootleggers, root doctors, secret societies like Skull&Bones, 5-8 p.m.. shannon@shannonscott.com Bonaventure Cemetery, 330

PETS OF THE WEEK

Each week, we will highlight pets available for adoption from local rescue organizations. This week we are featuring Coastal Pet Rescue.

ADDIE

AGE: 2-3 YO WEIGHT: 10-25LBS

COLORS: BLACK & WHITE

Addie found her way to CPR (along with her litter of four kit tens) back in October after being found by a volunteer. Her kittens have all been adopted, and now Addie is waiting to find her own home. She would definitely ben efit from a quieter home and a kind, patient person who respects her shyness while still giving her the attention and affection she needs. Once she gets to know you well, she can be outgoing and lov ing, but that takes her some time. Like most cats, she appreciates a soft bed and regular meals, and a good scratch behind the ear. She likes to perch and watch the ac tivity around her, and would love a spot by the window where she can do just that while she soaks up some sun.

BUDDY

AGE: 10 MONTHS OLD WEIGHT: 50 - 75 LBS COLORS: BRINDLE

Buddy is a big, beautiful, affectionate puppy (yes; puppy)! He and his brother, Hobbs, were adopted together as babies, but have found their way back to rescue. Buddy already knows a few basic com mands – like “sit.” While he’s good on a walk, he is strong and will need someone who can manage him and work with him on more leash training. He is still a playful puppy and has some anxiety if left alone – particularly if crated. This guy likes to be active, so an active family where he can get lots of exercise would be perfect. Buddy will also need a secure, fenced in yard. Again; he’s already a big boy, and not done growing, so we want to be sure he keeps that puppy energy (and anxiety) in check.

Compiled by Cassidi Hinson

Coastal Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, abused and neglected dogs and cats in Savannah and surrounding areas. Founded in February 2003, Coastal Pet Rescue changes the lives of homeless pets in Chatham, Bryan and Effingham Counties through its foster home program and small capacity shelter, Camp Pawsawhile Retreat.

JAUDON SPORTS:

SHOT CLOCK ERA BEGINS FOR GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

BY TRAVIS JAUDON Sports Columnist @JaudonSports

High school basketball season is right around the corner, and for the first time ever, all Georgia High School Associa tion games will be played with a 35-second shot clock. The 2022-23 season is technically the final year of a three-year implementation cycle for the shot clock in GHSA varsity games.

During the 2020-21 season, the shot clock was optional for tournament and special showcase games and last year, it was optional for non-region contests. This season, the shot clock is mandatory for all.

Georgia is the ninth state to implement a shot clock, joining California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington. Several others are considering a shot clock and states like Texas and Connecticut have already begun the process of phasing it in.

The first day of practices for GHSA teams was on Monday, October 24. When the first games tip off on November 11, it will officially mark the beginning of a new era for high school hoops in this state. What that new era will look like is anyone’s guess. What it will mean and who will bene fit the most from it is yet to be seen, but the impact of a 35-second shot clock cannot be overstated.

Gone are the days of “slowing the pace.” That is no longer an option, and that means lesser-talented teams will be at an even bigger disadvantage when playing favored teams moving forward. Savannah High’s longtime head coach Tim Jordan has been known for using the “four-corners” offense in late game situations in the past. He isn’t the only one.

For a long time now, high school basketball teams have been able to keep possession for as long as they wished, and that (theoretically) has allowed them to stay in games

versus better competition. When a game has fewer pos sessions, the scoring gap is usually narrower. Increasing the number of possessions by forcing a shot nearly twice a minute will radically alter that.

I don’t know if this is a good thing or not. While I do think that a shot clock has its advantages at the high school level, I don’t think it will be an immediate fix-all solution. The most common argument for the shot clock is that it helps prep players for the next level, for college basketball. Makes sense, but what many coaches and players and trainers miss is that most high school hoopers will never play col lege basketball.

The purpose of high school sports is not to prepare athletes for the next level. For many student athletes, the high school level of competition is their pinnacle. It is the climax, not the build up. Valuing college preparedness over the high school product is not, in my opinion, a worthwhile venture. Yet that seems to be the primary goal of the shot clock.

“We’re trying to prepare kids for college, and they use the shot clock in college,” said Bibb County Director of Athlet ics Kevin Grooms in a June interview with Macon’s WMAZ TV.

“The kids that are moving on to play at the next level, they’ll already have experience with playing under it,” said Southwest head coach Monquencio Hardnett.

Miss me with that. If it’s about the kids, then make it about all of the kids, not just the select elite. If the shot clock will improve the game, then I’m all for it. But if its sole purpose is to “prepare” kids for the “next level,” then it is severely misguided. And yet, misguided decisions can still some times lead to positive outcomes.

I think the positives will outweigh the negatives in the long run, but the early days may come with some struggles, logistically or otherwise. One way or another, we’ll find out how the shot clock impacts the prep hoops in this state soon enough.

SPORTS NOTES

The Savannah Ghost Pirates began their inaugural hock ey season in the ECHL over the weekend. Savannah played in South Carolina versus the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday night, winning in overtime to earn the franchise’s first victory. They won again Sunday afternoon. The team starts its 72-game regular season schedule with five con secutive road games before the first ever home game (also against Greenville) on Saturday, November 5. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at a sold-out Enmarket Arena.

It’s Georgia/Florida week in the college football world. UGA and UF will renew their annual rivalry in Jacksonville this Saturday (3:30 p.m. on CBS) at a “neutral site.” Of course, anyone with basic geographic knowledge knows that a game in the state of Florida can’t possibly be con sidered “neutral” when one of the participating teams is IN Florida. I love the game and its history, not to mention how great it is for both fan bases. But if this rivalry was held annually in Atlanta, for instance, I think UF fans would have a hard time accepting it as a neutral site game. Just a thought.

Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.

For the first time ever, all Georgia High School Association games will be played with a 35-second shot clock.

gradS

FOOD & DRINK

EAT IT & LIKE IT

PRESENTED WEEKLY BY SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD: THERE’S SO, SO MUCH!

EAT IT AND LIKE IT

By Jesse Blanco eatitandlikeit.com

Every once in a while we put something out into the universe and no one catches it. Hints, innuendo and tips that allow our readers to get a wider view of the story at hand if they read between the lines. Sometimes it is a little more direct than that and you catch it immediately.

That was the case last week with our piece on the closing of New Realm Brew ing Company’s Savannah distillery.

In that piece I mentioned over a dozen new eateries that are on tap for Savannah in the next 18-20 months—certainly not by name—but I did say they were coming.

That mention triggered a number of you to email and or DM us asking about them. Inquiring minds want to know, if you will, about what is on what eats are on the horizon in Savannah.

At last count, we were pushing 20 new restaurants that are either very close to opening or in build-out phases.

Some have yet to begin a build out, but they are definitely on the way. Some we have reported already, others we have not. Some others still we are not at liberty to speak about yet but they are in the works.

Here’s a small sampling, because trust me, there are MANY more. Including a third location for 520 Wings, which you can read about now at eatitandlikeit.com

DESPOSITO’S SEAFOOD

If you ask the locals, this is probably the most anticipated opening (or re-opening) on the docket. The somewhat legendary Thunderbolt seafood shack has gotten a massive-and we mean massive-makeover. (photo above) So much so, it has put the re-launch over a year behind schedule. I really thought it would be open October 2022 (as in right now) but it is looking more like after the first of the year.

BROCHU’S FAMILY TRADITION

Nick Kindelsperger

THE SNUG IRISH PUB

(ABOVE) This is Wilmington Island’s newest pub and as of this writing is a handful of days away. Located near Molly McGuires off of Johnny Mercer Blvd, The Snug Pub will offer a slimmed down menu. Bar pizzas, wings and salads. That’s about it. Capacity will hover in the 50-60 range.

SHUK SAVANNAH

Also on final approach is Savannah’s newest Mediterranean restaurant, SHUK. Located at the corner of Habersham and Anderson Streets in Savannah’s Victorian District, Shuk will offer coffee, breakfast and lunch and dinner with flavors inspired by the Mediterranean. There will also be a full service bar.

BROCHU’S FAMILY TRADITION

Would it be fair to crown this opening as the best one for 2022 in Savannah? No, it would not be fair, but this does have the potential to be stellar. You can read more about why I am saying that at eatitandlikeit.com. It is also nearing final approach on 40th Street just off of Bull in the Starland District. “We’re currently installing our kitchen equipment, building tables and chairs, and hiring our team. We’re planning to open our doors as soon as possible. Going to be right around Thanksgiving (which is kind of tricky).” It is always tricky with construction, so be patient.

TREYLOR PARK’S PIZZA PARTY

We reported this a couple of weeks ago here, but you can expect a lot of your Treylor Park favorites here in addition to a heavy dose of their flat breads. Non-tradi tional “Treylor Park” style flat breads, but pizzas nonetheless. It is located a block or so over from the previously mentioned Shuk at the corner of Habersham and Duffy Streets in the Victorian District. Work on the space is ongoing. We had originally been told look for early Decem ber, but our guess is it will take a little longer than that. But soon.

TREYLOR PARK - TYBEE ISLAND

Yes, another Treylor Park, this time out at the beach. The build out is ongoing there as well at 1311 Butler Avenue (space formerly occupied by Chamaco’s Tacos and Tybee Island Social Club). We are told this will be a “beach version” of the classic Treylor Park on Bay Street. Just a little more seafood forward menu. I spoke to owner Trey Wilder about this a bit ago and will share his story next week. Look for this to open this Winter as well.

CRISPI

Crispi is a tiny-and I mean tiny- food trailer sitting in front of Two Tides Brewing Company that will be offering smash burgers and other quick grab and go eats in the Starland District. There aren’t too many places in Savannah that properly execute a legit smash burger, but if the photos they’ve been sharing on Instagram (@twotidescrispi) are any indication, this little truck is going to be very popular.

SWEET PATRICIA’S BAKERY

Sweet Patricia’s Bakery is in build out stages at the corner of Habersham and 34th Streets, directly across from Cotton and Rye. It hopes to be everything you’d expect from a neighborhood bakery. As of this writing plans are for a soft open mid-January and a ‘grand opening’ mid dle February 2023.

FOLKLORE RESTAURANT

“The latest endeavor from the owners of Bellwether House. Opening later this year in the historic location at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Congress St., Folklore connects inter national cooking styles with seasonal southern favorites” is how they are describing this latest eatery to go into the corner formerly occupied by The Fat Radish and many others. Look for it to open in December.

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK

THE GHOST PIRATE

ENJOY AT: THE BAMBOO ROOM 116 W Congress St. (above Sorry Charlie’s)

MADE WITH: House Rum Blend #2, Earl GreyInfused Brandy, Lemon Juice, AppleSpiced Syrup, Falernum and Absinthe Spritz

Available through Halloween, guests can enjoy specialty cocktails and a tikiinspired haunted house experience at The Bamboo Room on Ellis Square. Give the Ghost Pirate a try this spooky season. With apple-spiced serum and warm brandy, this creative cocktail is full of fall flavor.

Green in hue, the Ghost Pirate contains absinthe, which has a reputation as one of the strongest alcoholic drinks available. But there’s no need to fear. Thoughtfully combined with the other ingredients, the Ghost Pirate is well-balanced, complex and accessible.

FOOD TRUCK OF THE WEEK

DARK SHARK TACO ATTACK

Dark Shark Taco Attack is a local food truck delivering unique and undeniably tasty tacos to happy customers throughout the Coastal Empire. Pairing delicious tacos with warm hushpuppies, Dark Shark has quickly become a favorite among Savannah foodies. The truck is lovingly named Sharko, and you can catch it swimming around town Thursday through Sunday.

The Dark Shark menu includes inventive tacos with unconventional ingredients that leave a lasting impression. Once you try them, you’ll want to keep coming back for more. A Southern fan favorite is the Fried Chicken & Pimento Cheese taco, which comes with mixed greens and spicy salsa. Other innovative items include the Catfish & Collard Greens, Hot Honey “Simple” Shrimp, and the Adobo Chicken & Chorizo tacos among others.

by Chantel Britton

by Chantel Britton

Photo by Zach Kozdron

LAST MINUTE COSTUMES ARE THE BEST

OPENS IN THEATERS

By Chantel Britton chantel@connectsavannah.com

Savannah is known as one of the most haunted places in the country, yet the Hostess City has never been the main setting for a haunted house film— until now.

“A Savannah Haunting” is a film based on true events that the writer and director, William Mark McCullough, and his family experienced at their home.

Originally from Savannah, McCullough left for California to pursue his acting career. After several years spent living and working in Los Angeles, McCullough found himself back in Savannah to deal with some family issues. He returned to his childhood home and immediately took notice of the abnormal things happening there.

“We’d always known that the house had very dark things going on, but being there as an adult, it had ramped up so much since I was a kid, and it was terrifying,” he explained.

His producing partner Alexis Nelson, the cofounder of their film and TV production company Fort Argyle Films, came to visit McCullough in Savannah to offer moral support for his family situation, and she too had an “utterly terrifying experience” in the house.

“She was staying in the upstairs bed room, and she goes to sleep that night. She wakes up to the sound of whisper ing. And then, she said she woke up and she could sense something standing at the foot of the bed. Then, she feels the covers around her feet and legs pressed down so she couldn’t move. Then the thing moved to the side of her beside the bed and just screamed in her ear. She said for a second she went frozen. And then she jumped out of bed and ran downstairs,” he recounted.

Rather than flee the premises, Nelson encouraged McCullough to write a script to capture the house’s strange history and happenings on film. He took her advice, and they began filming “A Savannah Haunting” around the start of the pandemic.

The result is a slow-burning horror film centered around a California family that relocates to Savannah after the drowning death of their daughter. Hoping for a fresh start, the family is instead met with frightening phenomena that leads the mother to believe that she is being haunted by her dead daughter.

“The entire family starts to experience supernatural phe nomena that’s ripping the family apart. . . It’s this family trying to deal with the guilt of their lost child while also dealing with these terrifying things that are going on in the home they moved into,” said McCullough.

As the writer, director and also an actor in the film, Mc Cullough says the process of filming the movie was both interest ing and challenging.

“We had these really scary things that were happening to our cast and crew while we were filming. Initially, we had two crew members who were staying at the house and both of them left after a week. They said they just couldn’t sleep in the house. We even had crew members threaten to quit,” he recounted.

While filming the movie, McCullough and his team decided to film a documentary about the history of the haunted house as well. They brought in several professionals including supernatu

ral and paranormal experts, historians and mediums to do some investigative work. And some interesting things came up.

“In my script, I had written that there was a plantation there through the Civil War that had been burned down during the war, and my home had been built on the property after the fact. And that was one aspect of why the house was haunted,” he explained.

A historian confirmed that this history that McCullough had imagined for the script had some truth to it.

There were other unexplained events that came about in the course of filming as well. McCullough believes that the house evoked a genuine fear that made the acting all the more convinc ing.

“It was so palpable, so visceral . . . I think we gave the actors so much to work with because they were really scared. It really brought depth and honesty to their performances. . . We were shooting something that was real. They didn’t have to do much imagining to play out the story,” he remarked.

“A Savannah Haunting” has been shown at film festivals around the world winning various awards including Best Feature Film at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival, Silver Award Winner at the Independent-Star Filmfest Munich, and Best Thriller Film at the Thrills and Chills Film Awards among many others. It was also the first film made in Savannah to be featured in the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.

The warm reception means a lot to McCullough.

“We wanted to make a horror film that had a great story and phenomenal actors. . . The other thing we wanted to do was capture what it felt like to actually live in a haunted house. . . It’s almost like the walls are closing in around you every day, like a claustrophobic feeling, this creeping dread. It starts to invade ev ery moment of your life,” he explained. “I wanted to capture that in a really honest, truthful way. . . The awards were nice because it gave a little validation to all of what so many people poured into making the film,” he added.

McCullough encourages locals to come out and see “A Savan nah Haunting” because it truly is a product of the community.

“So many local Savannah individuals and companies and local establishments came together and gave us a huge amount of sup port that allowed us to make the movie. . . For us, the film feels like a love letter to Savannah,” he said.

“A Savannah Haunting” is coming to Pooler’s Royal Cinemas IMAX on Oct. 28. It will also play in select theaters across the country. The film will also be available on all major digital platforms including iTunes, Apple TV and Amazon.

To learn more about the showings here, visit royalcinemaspooler. com

McCullough

BUILDING A CULTURE: SAVANNAH PRIDE FESTIVAL EXPANDING IN SCOPE, AWARENESS, ENTERTAINMENT

By Kareem McMichael Arts & Entertainment Writer

Savannah Pride is back and will take place October 27 at Starland Yard, and 2829 in Ellis Square. This year the organizers will offer top-tier entertainment, games, youth activities, workshops, PRIDE parade, a doggie PAWrade, and more to raise opera tional funds for First City Pride Center.

“These funds will go to supporting critical services in the community. This is our first year to really make more than about advocacy, but also about how we can fund critical direct line services like mental health youth programs, veteran services, addiction counseling, and others through out the LGBT community,” said Dusty Church, chair of the Board of Directors at First City Pride Center.

Church is excited because this year’s Pride will be the first since First CIty Pride Center and Savannah Pride merged at the end of 2019 so the Savannah Pride event would become a fundraiser to fund critical services in the community.

“We try really hard to make sure that we are accommodating in ways that are possible. That includes us having changing areas so folks who are transgender can travel safely and still participate in Pride as they feel comfortable,” said Church.

There is also a low sensory space for those who are neuro diverse and need to be able to step away from the party and crowds.

“These were creative ways that we really tried to make sure that this is a uniquely inclusive event and therefore really taking care of the individuals who are participat ing,” said Church.

The festival in 2019 packed out Ellis Square with members of the community and allies and this year they hope to top that.

On Thursday, Oct. 27 there will be a host of events and entertainment at Starland Yard from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. including the Go-Go Fundraiser which with a $10 dona tion you can be the center of attention and dance on your own GoGo box. Also, there will be a BALL with Jason Rodriguez from the hit show “Pose.”

The other fundraiser that evening will be “Dunk-a-Queen” where attendees can make a bid to dunk the First City Board Chair and director.

There are even more events on Friday, Oct. 28 including the Savannah Pride

Parade at 8 p.m. And Saturday, Oct. 29 has even more events and entertainment for the whole family.

“We were excited to see thousands of people come out in 2019 and we hope to see folks out again. This is a festival and parade that is all intended to be very unique. We don’t want to just be a small version of Atlanta’s pride. We want to be uniquely Savannah,” said Church.

There will be events for the youth including a parade viewing party, vogue classes, a mini-ball, and arts and games.

There will be a benefit rock concert and performances from Savannah Cabaret, Savannah Sweet Tease, Savannah Voice and more.

“I’m really excited about this year. There is a tremendous number of local perform ers who are street performers, who are cabaret performers, who are providing really more than just being on stage. We will have somewhere north of 40 different small performances that are happening all over the festival,” said Church.

The celebration concludes on Sunday, Oct. 30 with a Drag Brunch at Congress Street Social Club at 1 p.m.

In conjunction with all of the fun there will also be a variety of workshops geared toward lifestyle education, mental health, hormone treatments, HIV and more.

2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY 10/27 GO-GO FUNDRAISER

Starland Yard

DJ JOSÉ 6 p.m.

Thursday October 27th, 2022

7-11 p.m. Donate $10 to be the center of attention and dance on our GoGo box!

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS

DJ Amy Alderman (7pm-11pm)

BALL with JASON RODRIGUEZ

STARDUST PIXXIES (7pm)

The Prism Clinic, a partnership between Georgia Southern Univ. and First City Pride Center that provides no cost behavioral health services for individuals will be host ing a couple of these workshops. There will also be a queer art history presentation and a queer horror film presentation.

PARTY TAROT (7pm-9pm)

8:30-10:00 P.m.VIP TENT

INDIVIDUAL TAROT (9:30pm-11pm)

“DUNK-A-QUEEN” FUNDRAISER

STARDUST PIXXIES (10:30pm)

“We want to continue to build a culture around the festival where people are en gaging in more than just the stage, but are titillated throughout,” said Church.

You can get VIP tickets for access to an exclusive tent with an open bar featuring champagne and top shelf spirits, sponsor swag, seating, charging stations, snacks, and performer meet n’ greets with Biqtch Puddin’, Saint, and Jason Rodriquez.

Biqtch Puddin’ was the season 2 winner of “The Boulet Brothers’ DRAGULA.” Saint was the winner of a season on “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Resurrection.”

“Since the festival falls on Halloween weekend each year we want people to feel comfortable celebrating in costume. Cele brate Pride and Halloween,” said Church.

For more information about Savannah Pride including tickets, visit savannahpride. org

GO-GO FUNDRAISER

BIQTCH PUDDIN’ MEET N’ GREET 6-6:30 p.m. VIP TENT OPENING CEREMONY 6:30-7 p.m.

Donate $10 to be the center of attention and dance on our GoGo box! (7pm-11pm)

CLUB ONE CABARET 7-7:45 p.m.

BALL with JASON RODRIGUEZ VIP TENT (8:30pm-10:00pm)

“Dunk-a-Queen” Fundraiser

10:45 p.m. Make bids to dunk the First City Board Chair and Director

DJ AMY ALDERMAN 7-11 p.m

STARDUST PIXXIES 7 p.m.

PARTY TAROT 7-9 p.m.

INDIVIDUAL TAROT 9:30-11 p.m.

STARDUST PIXXIES 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY 10/28

SAVANNAH PRIDE PARADE 8 p.m.

YOUTH PARADE VIEWING PARTY

7-10 p.m. Hyatt Regency Ballroom

STARDUST PIXXIES 10-10:20 p.m.

Make bids to dunk the First City Board Chair and Director (10:45pm)

CLOSING COMMENTS 10:20 p.m.

BIQTCH PUDDIN’ 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 10/29 PAWRADE WITH OLIVIA KNOWLES 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. WORKSHOPS (TBD)

YOUTH VOGUE NEW WAVE CLASS 12-1 p.m. Hyatt Regency Ballroom

YOUTH VOGUE FEMME CLASS 1-2 p.m. Hyatt Regency Ballroom

YOUTH VOGUE RUNWAY CLASS 2-2:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency Ballroom

BENEFIT CONCERT BUGMEAT, HEY! CHROMA, HOTT GOSS 5-7 p.m. Barrelhouse South YOUTH MINI BALL 4-7 p.m. Hyatt Regency Ballroom

DJ DANE PENTREATH 12 p.m. OPENING CEREMONY 12:30 p.m.

SAV VOICE FESTIVAL 1-1:20 p.m.

OLIVIA KNOWLES 1:30-1:40 p.m.

SAVANNAH SWEET TEASE 2-2:30 p.m.

MEET N GREET STARDUST PIXXIES 2-2:45 p.m. VIP TENT

SAVANNAH CABARET 3:10-4:00 p.m.

DJ MAGGIE HAYES 4-5 p.m.

COSTUME CONTESTHOUSE OF GUNT 5-5:50 p.m.

SAW THE WHEEL PUPPET SHOW 5:40- 6 p.m. City Mkt. Popup “Stage”

STARDUST PIXXIES 6-6:20 p.m.

MEET N GREET SAINT VIP TENT 6-6:45 p.m.

DJ MAGGIE HAYES 6:20-7:20 p.m. SAINT 7:15 p.m.

DJ TROY STONER 7:25 p.m.

SAINT 8:15 p.m.

STARDUST PIXXIES 8:30-8:50 p.m.

MEET N GREET JASON RODRIGUEZ VIP TENT 8:30-9:15 p.m.

HAUS OF AZALEAS 9-9:50 p.m.

STARDUST PIXXIES 10-10:20 p.m.

CLOSING CEREMONY 10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY 10/30 DRAG BRUNCH 1-3 p.m. Congress Street Social Club

First City Pride Center

ART PATROL

HASANI SAHLEHE: “STRETCH MY HANDS”

Laney Contemporary Fine Art.

Through Oct. 29.

This exhibition displays the experimental work of an Atlanta based artist who uses visual art to study color and light.

NAMWON CHOI

Laney Contemporary Fine Art

Through Oct. 29.

Visitors will enjoy the work of Savannah based artist who specializes in handcrafted gouache landscapes that focus on nature and are influenced by traditional Korean artwork.

JOHANA MOSCOSO: “ENTRE SISTEMAS INVISIBLES”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Oct. 31.

Experience artist, Johana Moscoso’s, textile work that pulls influence from Latin American culture to create a unique and thoughtful new exhibition.

“THE DOG SHOW”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

A great exhibition for Savannah’s dog lovers! This art collection focuses on the characteristics of our canine friends in a variety of mediums.

MARIA NEPOMUCENO:

“DENTRO E FORA INFINITAMENTE”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

Experience sculpture derived from traditional Brazilian straw weaving techniques combined with other materials including beads, ceramic, and more.

“STUDIES IN FORM”

Seher Shah and Randhir Singh

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

Viewers will take in an exhibit focusing on architecture using cyanotype, “an early photographic process and precursor to the blueprint.”

ANNA PARK: “LAST CALL”

SCAD Museum of Art Sept. 21 - Jan. 2, 2023

Experience Anna Park’s large scale charcoal drawings that exist in a blended style of abstraction and figuration.

“AARON DOUGLAS: SERMONS” SCAD Museum of Art Through Dec. 31.

The exhibition looks at celebrated artist, Aaron Douglas, from the Harlem Renaissance era and displays modern artists’ work alongside his to display his lasting influence.

GISELA COLÓN:

“THE FEMINIST DIVINE” SCAD Museum of Art Through Jan., 2023

A perfect exhibition for 3D art enthusiasts. The work showcases invented design features and construction of sculptures influenced by the natural world.

ROXY PAINE:

“SEDIMENTARY LENS” SCAD Museum of Art Through Jan. 2, 2023

Roxy Paine displays her large scale sculptures that dive into topics such as the natural world and human actions.

ALLISON SCHULNIK: “OMINOUS, CRUDE BEAUTY’’ SCAD Museum of Art Through Jan. 16, 2023

A truly unique claymation based exhibition that will fulfill any macabre art lover’s interests.

DECONSTRUCTED Jepson Center

Through Nov. 27.

Experience an art exhibit focused on the art of the American Southeast from the 20th and 21st century. An amazing opportunity to learn about the culture of the Southeast through visual art.

GOTHIC SOUL: CHARLES MERYON Jepson Center

Through Jan. 8, 2023

Come see the revealing exhibit that focuses on the art and life of Charles Meryon, a French artist who specialized in black and white etchings after finding that he was colorblind. This is an amazing opportunity to step back in time and view a celebrated artist of the 19th century.

ELEGIES: STILL LIFES IN CONTEMPORARY ART

A group exhibition bringing together an international collection of artists who have disrupted or extended the traditional presentation of still lifes. The artists have appropriated the genre in order to create works within a framework of Black diasporic identities, histories, and collective experiences. Jepson Ctr.

JOSÉ RAY IN THE DRIVE THRU ART BOX

The Drive Thru Art Box at Green Truck Pub. 2430 Habersham St ThroughDecember 8 sulfurstudios.org/drivethruart Happy Hour Artist Talk: Thurs. Oct. 13, 6 - 8 PM at Green Truck Pub. José Ray is working on transparent plexi-glass with mixed media and light to create an engaged and fantastical landscape. During the day, the elements will be illuminated from the outside by natural light and passing reflections. At night, the elements will glow from within and dance with the splendor of Fall.

GALLERY ESPRESSO PRESENTS JOHN CROWELL

Through October 31. Gallery Espresso 234 Bull St From the artist: “The art in this exhibit was mostly produced in the last few years in Jacksonville FL. There are also earlier examples. Most notable is fan favorite: ‘Chocko Takes a Hike’ from a vision realized in 1980. Although most of the works here are Giclee prints, there is a serigraph I printed while in Austin, circa 1985, and a couple of photo collages of very recent vintage.”

SOY X SOY

Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Through Dec. 3 | Opening Reception Oct. 28. SOY X SOY (x=como), ‘I Am Who/What I Am,’ is a collective of Latin, Hispanic and Native American creatives working together to curate a variety of experiences through a series of artistic engagements, including but not limited to exhibitions, performance, culinary arts and installations.El Salón

BETH LOGAN’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Come celebrate the terrific work of Sulfur Studios at their 2nd Annual Fundraiser for the nonprofit ARTS Southeast on Friday, No vember 4 from 5-9pm. ART ON BULL (on 39th Street between Bull Street and Desoto Avenue) will fill the evening with performances, cocktails, an oyster roast and low country boil, painting and projec tions, and dishes from Savannah’s favorite restaurants.

ART ON BULL also celebrates the release of Arts Southeast’s in augural issue of IMPACT Magazine, an annual bound publication highlighting the Southeast art scene. Meanwhile, inside the main gallery, the show “Look!” showcases some of Savannah’s finest artists: Stacie Jean Albano, Betsy Cain, David Kaminsky, Tobia Ma kover, Jerome Meadows, Phil Musen, Will Penny, Ben Tollefson, the late Preston Orr, and many more.

Tickets, which include T-shirts and complimentary cocktails, range in price from $50 to the Platinum $200 level and are available at sulfurstudios.or/artonbull. Sulfur Studios Supporters are eligible for discounted tickets.

The JEA Art Gallery, 5111 Abercorn Street, features the work of Vanessa Withun beginning November 5. A contemporary, repre sentational artist originally from the Bronx, New York, and now residing in Jacksonville, FL, Withun combines Classical Realism and Impressionism in her landscapes, still life, and portraits. Join her at her closing reception on Sunday, November 27 from 2-5 pm.

Wilmington’s Island’s Marsh & Co. hosts a Holiday Market on Sat urday, November 5 from 10-3pm at St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road. With food trucks and over 50 makers and artists, this will be a fun way to support local creatives by putting a dent in your holiday shopping.

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

Compiled by Joshua Alexander

Image: “Among the Lemon Trees- Blue Jay with Bees” by Sally Mayer Seidl is featured in Sulfur Studios’ “Look!” show

CELEBRATORY PANIC AT R03 GALLERY

By Beth Logan ART COLUMNIST

I have written before about the little jewel of a gallery with the intriguing name located on the edge of Savannah’s Historic District…

“Rule of Three” refers both to the classical art principle (divide any compo sition into thirds vertically and horizontally, and then place the key elements of the image along these lines, or at their junctions, and the resulting ar rangement will be more aesthetically pleasing) and to the fact that owner and curator Stephanie Forbes (b. 1991) is one of three artists in her family.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2019, she calls herself Savannah College of Art and Design’s first “double legacy” student as both her mother and father graduated from SCAD before her.

Born and raised in Augusta, Forbes opened Rule of Three (RO3) with the intention of earning curatorial experience and of providing a space for artists to build their portfolios and gain exhibition experience.

In one short year, this intelligent, spiritual, and beautiful young woman has curated impressive shows by Nora Harrison, Deborah Oden, her father Rob Forbes (SCAD Summa Cum Ladue, 1986), Maggie Hayes, and Heather Szat mary, whilst also having exhibits of her own work.

In celebration of such a stellar first year, Forbes is presenting a curated group exhibition in her hometown of Augusta in partnership with the Greater Augusta Arts Council.

“A Year at RO3” opened last week and hangs through Nov. 2 in their City Gallery. It features work from Stephanie and Rob Forbes, Oden, Hayes, Szat mary, and Gabrielle Torres.

Simultaneously, Augusta’s Pontone Gallery presents Forbes’ “Divine Armor and the Lowcountry” – her collection of delicately crafted oyster shell sculp tures inspired by third and fourth century Roman armor, oyster paintings, and installations. “Divine Armor and the Lowcountry” was created during Forbes’ second (yes, second) prestigious SCAD Alumna Atelier-ship, and first shown during her month-long artist-in-residency at Charleston’s Emeline hotel this August.

Using oyster shells collected from local beaches, the armor exhibition refer ences St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, outlining his analogy of entering into spiritual battle during his imprisonment by Rome.

But back to Savannah. This young woman does not stop! To further cele brate her Gallery’s first year of operations, Forbes will show a collection of oilon-wood-panel portraits of Widespread Panic band members as a precursor to their performances at Enmarket Arena on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29. A gallery reception will be held prior to the concert from 2-4 p.m. each day.

Of course, as Forbes says in her press release, “Panic at RO3” also celebrates “the vitality of live music and a resilient and vibrant band whose fanbase is as

ABOVE: “John Bellpepper” (36x36 oil on wood panel); Forbes paints a portrait of raspy-voiced, lead singer, John Bell. OPPOSITE: Forbes paints Panic’s iconic symbol, “Note Eater 1” (12x12 acrylic on wood panel)

passionate as the musicians themselves.”

Widespread Panic formed in Athens in 1986 and is often compared to other jam bands like Phish, Perpetual Groove and The Grateful Dead. Though only a Panic fan since meeting her husband, Forbes has always painted to music, often witnessing how music influences her brushstrokes.

In her senior year of high school, she conceptualized a Band Art project where she selected eight to ten artists to perform alongside a chosen band on stage. The artists painted rapidly during two to three songs, the process highlighting how the music influenced their physical body movements and painting gestures.

Forbes ran Band Art for three years, with proceeds from the musically inspired artwork benefitting a summer camp for children and young adults with traumatic brain injuries. In a full circle moment, some proceeds from the “Panic at RO3” show will be donated to the Jolly Foundation, set up by Savannahian Mary Ellen McKee who suffered a traumatic brain injury during a trip to see a Widespread Panic concert in 2002.

Forbes will display oil portraits and prints of the six Panic band members as well as portraits of the original, now deceased, guitarist Michael Houser (the band was named for Houser’s frequent panic attacks) and the original, now deceased, drummer.

“This is a passion project,” she explains. “I love breaking up my heavy conceptual work with these kinds of shows.” Earlier this year, she presented “Lonely Hearts,” a show of portraits of dogs waiting to be adopted which benefited the Humane Society of Greater Savannah.

After October Forbes plans to take a well-deserved month’s hiatus and present a Christmas show. Long-term, she hopes to continue her path both as an artist and gallerist. It is a heavy financial burden for this young creative, but she so relishes being a conduit for others’ “life movements” as she calls them.

“The whole idea of generational impact has been the ‘red thread’ in all of my shows,” Forbes says. Perhaps the supreme example of this was when she showed her father Rob’s work (see my April 20 column “Rob Forbes: Out of the Darkness”). A boy given up to the Depart ment of Family and Children’s Services, who subsequently grew up in an abusive foster care home where he was denied toys, and who never quite understood his adult compulsion to collect Hot Wheels, the show “Childish Things” was an incredibly cathartic and healing time for him…

…I was so moved to see the black and white photographs Forbes took of her biological grandfather when he came to that show. She wrote on Instagram: “A humbling moment to have captured that will live in a sacred pocket forever. If you know my dad’s work, you know the story…There’s just something about the fact that we all deeply crave a father’s love and will reconcile in any time and space for even just one sweet moment of it. And it’s never too late to show up for the people you love. And this is how art moves in us, through us, with us, for us.”

“It’s been such a wild year,” Forbes tells me. “I’ve never worked so hard in my life.” Come support her latest show and her journey. She deserves it.

Sponsored by Anthony Debreceny of Southern Cross, receptions for “Panic at RO3” are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29 between 2 and 4 p.m. at Rule of Three Gallery, 915B Montgomery St. Forbes worked for Debreceny for eight years and he has generously helped cover costs of materials and gallery needs for the openings. (The events are not in collaboration with Enmarket Arena or with the band.) Find out more at ro3gallery.com or @ro3_gallery on Instagram.

BOOKS

BOOKS

WHAT ARE WE READING?

WHAT ARE WE READING?

PRESENTED AND CURATED WEEKLY BY E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER

PRESENTED AND CURATED WEEKLY BY E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER

DINOSAURS

BY LYDIA MILLET

LUCY BY THE SEA BY ELIZABETH STROUT

The story of a man named Gil who walks from New York to Arizona to recover from a failed love. After he arrives, new neighbors move into the glass-walled house next door and his life begins to mesh with theirs. In this warmly textured, drily funny, and philosophical account of Gil’s unexpected devotion to the family, Millet explores the uncanny territory where the self ends and community begins―what one person can do in a world beset by emergencies.

As a panicked world goes into lockdown, Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. For the next several months, it’s just Lucy, William, and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the moody, swirling sea.

A novel that asks: In the shadow of existential threat, where does hope live?

Rich with empathy and emotion, Lucy by the Sea vividly captures the fear and struggles that come with isolation, as well as the hope, peace, and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire. At the heart of this story are the deep human con nections that unite us even when we’re apart—the pain of a beloved daughter’s suffering, the empti ness that comes from the death of a loved one, the promise of a new friendship, and the comfort of an old, enduring love.

MOTHERTHING

DEAD MAN’S HAND

BY AINSLIE HOGARTH

BY JAMES J. BUTCHER

On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Un orthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is…not one of those witches.

After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as “not De partment material,” Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can’t help hoping he’ll somehow, some way, get another chance to prove his skill. That op portunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered, and Grimsby becomes the number one suspect.

When Ralph and Abby Lamb move in with Ralph’s mother, Laura, Abby hopes it’s just what she and her mother-in-law need to finally connect. After a traumatic childhood, Abby is desperate for a mother figure, especially now that she and Ralph are trying to become parents themselves. Abby just has so much love to give— to Ralph, to Laura, and to Mrs. Bondy, her favorite resident at the long-term care home where she works. But Laura isn’t interested in bonding with her daughter-in-law. She’s venomous and cruel, especially to Abby, and life with her is hellish.

When Laura takes her own life, her ghost haunts Abby and Ralph in very different ways: Ralph is plunged into depression, and Abby is terrorized by a force intent on destroying everything she loves. To make matters worse, Mrs. Bondy’s daughter is threatening to move Mrs. Bondy from the home, leaving Abby totally alone.

LORD OF THE FLY FEST BY GOLDY MOLDAVSKY

Rafi Francisco needs a splashy case to put her true-crime podcast on the map. Her plan? Land an interview with Fly Fest headliner River Stone, who rocketed to stardom after his girlfriend’s mysterious disappearance―and expose him as the killer she’s sure he is.

MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM BY GRADY HENDRIX

But when Rafi―and the hordes of influenc ers―arrive at Fly Fest, the dreamy Caribbean getaway they were promised turns out to be a nightmare. Soon, Rafi is fighting for her life against power-hungry beauty gurus and spotty WiFi. And, as she gets closer to River, she discovers that his secrets might have even bigger consequences than she suspected.

The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby. Ab by’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries—and by the time their story reach es its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?

THE STAGE

LEGENDS OF SOUL @ THE SAVANNAH THEATRE

Presented by the Performing Arts Collective of Savannah, Legends of Soul is a high-energy revue celebrating decades of legends like Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Jackie Wilson, Nina Simone and more. Got two ears and a heart? Go!

FRI OCT 28 | 8 PM

AMELIA LUX

@ THE WORMHOLE

The local comic started doing stand-up routines outside of bars in 2015 when she was too young to enter. Fast forward to now, and like Billy Batts fatefully said to Tommy DeSimone, she’s “all grown up and doing the town.” She’s also leaving it soon, so this might be your last chance to check out her hilarious stories and be part of the show.

THUR OCT 27 | 8 PM

By Frank Ricci

RAMONA + THE RIOT @ ELECTRIC MOON

How confident is St. Augustine’s top cover band? Enough to take on famous songs by Gladys Knight, who most should know is undeniably Aretha-level. No small task. The seven-piece band bring a big sound to match Mona’s big voice. This E-Moon Thursday night jam benefits Telfair Mammography Fund at St. Joe’s/Candler, so have one more than you want. THUR DEC 9 | 7 PM

THE ‘ROCKY’ ROAD TO COMEDY STARDOM

Social media funny guy Rocky Dale Davis hits District Live for weekend series

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW LIVE @ BAY STREET THEATER

The local theater troupe delivers a very live version of the midnight movie classic for the twelfth time. Executive director Travis Coles has it down pat, with a mix of old and new performers and a surprise twist. Props are not allowed, but do dress up for the show.

OCT 28 & 30 @ 7:30 | OCT 29 @ 5:30 | OCT 31 @ 8PM & MIDNIGHT

Talking to comedian Rocky Dale Davis is like catching up with a friend from high school, but funnier.

With over 500 million views on social media, Davis has set himself apart as ap proachable, enthusiastic and down to earth.

On his current tour, he has already been to 35 states with ten more cities to go, and Savannah is next.

He will be performing at District Live in Plant Riverside District Oct. 27-29 with five featured shows as part of the Big Comedy Network series.

When asked about his rise to fame on social media, Davis said “It was the slowest grind humanly possible and so wild the way it happened. I was about to quit comedy two days after Thanksgiving in 2020 during the pandemic, but got real productive on social media. Everyone said to read a book during COVID, so I started reading kids’ books and started with [one called] ‘I Need a New Butt’ and got pulled off Tik Tok and my account got banned. After I moved from Vegas, my nephew said ‘let’s make a dancing video’ and my account started getting likes. I posted a Tik Tok the next day and got 11 million views. Then The Rock followed me, and he reposted my video thanking him, and it blew up.”

Inspired by comedians Kevin Hart, Katt Williams and Ron White, Davis decided to give comedy a shot eight years ago after seeing a friend doing comedy.

He works on his sets while driving to shows, and said he has three hours of materi al from this process.

“I don’t write anything down. I like to drive, so I just think about it while I’m driving. A lot of it is telling stories so I don’t have to remember some lie. That’s the reason I’ve really started working on listening to myself the same way.” Davis said.

His ability to interact with the crowd is what makes his shows unique, which makes the audience a part of the experience.

When asked how he chooses who to interact with, Davis said “Usually if they are talking, I try to avoid them because they want your attention, but I try to be as nice as I can. Crowd work is trying to find something interesting about everyone.”

Davis said he is excited to visit Savannah.

“I’ve heard it’s gorgeous and I have always wanted to visit,” he added.

To be a part of the crowd at one of Davis’ shows across his three-day stint, visit plant riverside.com for tickets and information.

- Beth Stewart

SOUNDBOARD

WEDNESDAY 10/26

LIVE MUSIC

Cohen’s Retreat

Midtown Pickers, 6 p.m.

Driftaway Cafe Chuck Courtenay, 6 p.Qm.

Jazz’d Tapas BarQ

Freespirits

McDonough’s Blues with Eric Culberson, 9 p.m. Mint to Be Mojitos

LAX the Dynamic Acoustic Duo Plays Your Requests, 6-11 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

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.

KARAOKE Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

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

THURSDAY 10/27

LIVE MUSIC

Cohen’s Retreat Munchies & Music, 5-9 p.m. Electric Moon Skytop Lounge and The Moon Deck, Plant Riverside District - Power Plant Building rooftop Moon Deck LIVE at Electric Moon featuring Ramona + the Riot, 8-11 p.m.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar

Lyn Avenue

TRIVIA & GAMES

Bar Food Trivia Night, 8 p.m.

McDonough’s Family Feud, 7 p.m.

The Wormhole Trivia, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE Bay Street Blues

Karaoke Club One

Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY District Live at Plant Riverside District

Big Comedy Network at District Live feat. Rocky Dale Davis, 7:309 p.m.

Totally Awesome 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.

SUN/30

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

FRIDAY 10/28

LIVE MUSIC

Coffee Bluff Marina LAX, 6 p.m. Congress Street Social Club

Bonnie Blue Jazz’d Tapas Bar Liquid Ginger Moss + Oak Savannah Eatery Live Music on the Moss + Oak Patio

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant

JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Savannah Theatre

LEGENDS OF SOUL, 8-10 p.m. Service Brewing Company Bluegrass By The Pint with Swamptooth, 6 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. Tybee Post Theater

Damon Fowler & Alex Lopez, 8 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

PS Tavern Beer Pong Tournament, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE Bay Street Blues 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 Network at District Live feat. Rocky Dale Davis, 7-11 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.

SATURDAY 10/29

LIVE MUSIC Coffee Bluff Marina Gary Strickland, 6 p.m. Congress Street Social Club Bloodkin, 3 p.m. BloodKin, 4 p.m.;

Adam and the Testifiers, 7 p.m. Electric Moon Skytop Lounge and The Moon Deck, Plant Riverside District Ultimate Halloween Bash at Electric Moon, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar Bottles and Cans Moss + Oak Savannah Eatery Live Music on the Moss + Oak Patio

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES Blueberry Hill Pool Tournament, 2 p.m. KARAOKE Bar Food 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.

COMEDY District Live at Plant Riverside Big Comedy Network at District

Live feat. Rocky Dale Davis, 7-11 p.m.

Front Porch Improv Adult Drop-in IMPROV Class, 10 a.m.

DJ

Congress Street Social Club DJ Flip, 10 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. Over Yonder Honky Tonk Saturdays

SUNDAY 10/30

LIVE MUSIC

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

Congress Street Social Club Voodoo Soup, 10 p.m. Jazz’d Tapas Bar Jonathan Santana & Christopher Jenkins Myrtle & Rose, Rooftop Garden Plant Riverside Live Jazz Sunday Brunch Featuring the Howard Paul Jazz Trio, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m. Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m. Tubby’s Tank House (Thunderbolt) Bucky and Barry, 1 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah A Musical Journey with the Elaris Duo, 3-4:15 p.m.

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

KARAOKE

Bay Street Blues Karaoke Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

MONDAY 10/31

LIVE MUSIC Nickie’s 1971 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 p.m. KARAOKE Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS

Fia Rua Irish Pub Family Movie Night, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY 11/ 1

LIVE MUSIC

McDonough’s Open Mic/Jam, 9 p.m. Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m. Over Yonder

First Tuesdays Bluegrass with Swamptooth, first Tuesday of every month

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.

KARAOKE Blueberry Hill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m. Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m. COMEDY Stafford’s Public House Stafford’s Tuesday Comedy Open Mic, 8:30-11:45 p.m.

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR @CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST | 5

THE DOG APOLLO + FRIENDS @ THE WORMHOLE

Get your Halloween weekend going with four bands that rock. The headliners play a strange mix of post-punk, shoegaze and roots. BAS Music uses two drummers to reach new psychedelic heights. The Maxines are grungy hard rock bordering on punk, and Xuluprohpet jam funk, reggae and rock. Like a pillowcase full of candy from strangers, there’s something for everyone.

FRI OCT 28 | 8 PM

HALLOWEEN HAVOC @ THE WORMHOLE

Lots of bands, so note the decidedly un-spooky daylight start time. Hard rockers Kamenar (pictured) headline with support from Kill the Sound, The Dood, Once Kings, Hassleinone, and Losing Daylight. That’s six!…six!!…six!!! live bands to rock that ass on a Halloween weekend night. $300 in cash prizes for best costumes, so get creative and go home with the munny.

SAT OCT 29 | 6:30 PM

THE BAND PAGE

By Frank Ricci

156/SILENCE @ LODGE OF SORROWS

The Pittsburgh-based metalcore act headlines the loudest Halloween party in Savannah. Bang your head bloody with these yinzers and fellow metalcore madmen Circle Back (Charleston) and If Only (Augusta). Local beatdown specialists Omenkiller get the carnage splattering early. Finish your trick-ortreating, eat a razor blade apple, and mosh into the void.

MON OCT 31 | 7:30 PM

NORDISTA FREEZE @ EL ROCKO LOUNGE

The hardest working man in indie pop returns to Savannah for the fourth time in the last 12 months. As cliché as it sounds, the shows keep getting better. If you’ve seen the relentless Freeze and his band in action, you already know this. If you’ve managed to miss the last three, prepare for Friday Night Rectification. A guaranteed monster show.

FRI OCT 28 | 9 PM

SAVANNAH WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER’S THIRD ANNUAL ‘WILD NIGHT OUT’

BUNNY IN THE CITY

By Bunny Ware

When the pied piper of wounded animals called and said it was time for Savannah Wildlife Rescue’s Wild Night Out on October 20, I rearranged my plans to show up at Ships of the Sea to support animal whisperer Jeanne Paddison!

On the lookout for the petite blonde, I find her with event committee volunteers Emily Dover, Courtney West, Catherine Lovett and Neilie Dunn. A long time fan of all of these ladies, I gravitate to Neilie because I know she will have all the details for tonight’s fundraiser.

“We have the talented Chef Kirk Blaine catering, entertainment by Jackson and Maggie Evans with Ricardo Ochoa, and silent auction items that are related to nature. From a swing bed, dog ramp, artwork from local artists and multiple retreats to high end locations across the Southeast, this has to be one of the best auctions I have seen,” shares the event chair.

Saving wounded or orphaned foxes, fawn, vultures and raccoons is a costly venture, and I’m always stunned with the amount of support Jeanne gets from generous people like Canada native Bob Faircloth. The professional volunteer takes a seat to give me a little background on life after retirement.

“I am involved with eight charities. From cancer research to anything related to music, I have been involved with the Savannah Children’s Choir and the Jepson Center where I held the role of the oldest museum director,” shares the former Chief Operating Officer. Never one to shy away from asking an age, I ask when he took over the Jepson gig. “During COVID, I was 84,” is his surprising answer.

Emily Dover, Courtney West, Jeanne Paddison, Neilie Dunn, Catherine Lovett

Linda Beam and Richard Papy

Kim Bockius-Suwyn and Christiana Turner

Bob Faircloth, Kat and Shaun Feingold

After a pic of Bob with his neighbors Kat and Shawn Feingold, I trot over to talk with the vivacious Kim Bockius Suwyn and the tall, glorious Christiana Turner. While chatting about Christiana’s recent tumble at a social event, wPaul Mazo overhears us and tells us his mom’s experience and encourages us to be careful on platform stages.

Not the conversation I thought I would have, but so glad that Christiana only has bruises to show, I leave the ladies to track down Lowell Kronowitz because his ravishing wife Hilary is on his arm. With a quick hug and chat, I hear my name being called by the fabulous Lisa Wilkes who is attending with pediatric radiologist Dr. Deb Conway.

Lisa is looking stylish in a leopard print and is amped to tell me about her newest adventure. “With the kids out of the house, I am re-inventing myself and am now a real estate appraiser.” Congratulating my longtime friend on her new adventure, I head over to give Trip Tollison a little grief.

The Savannah Economic Development Authority president has such a dry sense of humor delivered with deadpan calmness that it sometimes sneaks by you. What does not sneak by me is seeing how happy he and Oliver Maner attorney Paul Threlkeld are to pose for my photographer Kaitlin Sells!

Teasing him because I know how much he hates photos, I see another person who dislikes photos walking up. Hey Matt West! Proclaiming the famous “Sam McCachern rule” of only allowing one photo, Matt agrees to take a pic with Paul and Trip then chats with me about the importance of the upcoming AGC - Associated General Contractors Skills Challenge in Statesboro next week.

Next up is a flurry of Savannah’s Who’s Who, like social butterfly Gaye Reese, golf event queen Cheyenne Overby and Jamie and Kendall McCurry, who I somehow like even more because of my love of their patriarch Cliff McCurry.

Smiling when real estate mogul Staci Donnegan calls out to her husband Chris to come over for what turns out to be a perfect pic, I head back into the crowd of over 200 and see world traveler Cari Clark Phelps chatting with music aficionado Jamie Smith Arkin. After years of knowing Jamie, I am proud to say that she is as outspoken as ever!

With a final lap around to say goodbye to Jeanne, I recall something Neilie said earlier. “Jeanne is a voice for the animals that are quite often unseen or heard.” Indeed. Dedicated to rehabilitating wildlife and educating us about the important balance between humans and animals, I can’t think of anyone more passionate about saving the life of our wildlife than Jeanne Paddison. We see you, we support you and we love you Jeanne!

Matt West, Paul Threlkeld, Tripp Tollison

Cindy and Roddie Robinett, Laura and Carlos Celaya

Jeanne Paddison, Former Mayor Edna Jackson, David Paddison

Hilary and Lowell Kronowitz

Staci and Chris Donegan

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