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NOVEMBER 22, 2023 · VOL. 37 · NO. 46 · FREE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE p. 21–23

Let’s Go Dancing Musicians Celebrate Kevn Kinney p. 20

Vodka. Seltzer. Real Juice.

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

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this week’s issue

contents

Classes, Camp, or Private Lessons Winter Session Classes Start January 3 for all ages & abilities

are the perfect gift for the Holidays

Winter Camp 12/18 - 12/22 12/26 - 12/29 01/02 - 01/05 K-8th Gift Certiﬁcates and Scholarships available

160 Tracy Street, Athens, GA · 706-549-8501 info@canopystudio.org · canopystudio.org

Businesses and organizations around the Athens community are offering free Thanksgiving meals and various resources during the holiday week. For more information, see “Free Thanksgiving Meals and Resources” online at flagpole.com.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Improving Athens Transit

School Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Flag Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ARTS & CULTURE: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Colson Whitehead’s Visit

Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ARTS & CULTURE: Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Lyndon House Exhibitions

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

SPECIAL SECTION: Holiday Gift Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Head Start on Local Shopping

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles

Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

PUBLISHER Pete McCommons PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner

Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ADVERTISING SALES Fabienne Mack, Jessica Pritchard Mangum CITY EDITOR Blake Aued

Grub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene

Kevn Kinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

CLASSIFIEDS Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson Ross Williams CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Gerald Burris, Charles Greenleaf EDITORIAL INTERNS Analiese Herrin, Xinge Lei PHOTOGRAPHERS Mason Pearson, Jake Zerkel

GREGORY FREDERICK

CONTRIBUTORS Cy Brown, Hillary Brown, Gordon Lamb, Michelle McQuien,

Bog Bod

COVER PAINTINGS by Anna Jensen (see story on p. 20) STREET ADDRESS: 220 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: 706-549-9523 · ADVERTISING: 706-549-0301 CLASSIFIED ADS: class@flagpole.com ADVERTISING: ads@flagpole.com CALENDAR: calendar@flagpole.com EDITORIAL: editorial@flagpole.com

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Flagpole, Inc. publishes Flagpole Magazine weekly and distributes 8,500 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $100 a year, $55 for six months. © 2023 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 37 ISSUE NUMBER 46

PLEASE VAX UP SO WE DON’T NEED TO

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The Flagpole House will be closed on Thursday, 11/23 & Friday, 11/24 Happy Turkey Day!

online exclusive With Gregory Frederick behind the camera, Athens GA Live Music documents artists gracing stages across the Classic City. Don’t miss footage from the recent performances by The Howdies, Hunlo, AFTM, Rat Babies, Unus Mundus and more. See “Athens GA Live Music Recap” at flagpole.com.

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Presented by the UGA Office of the President, Winter WonderLights transforms the State Botanical Garden of Georgia into a wonderland of twinkling lights and dazzling displays complete with s’more roasting stations and a hot chocolate bar.

Voted best local event in Athens, GA

news

city dope

Improving Athens Transit PLUS, A ROCK QUARRY RESERVOIR AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com Athens Transit is working on an update of its 10-year plan that could result in revamped or expanded bus routes, reinstating fares and extending service into surrounding counties. Those are some of the topics transit officials and Athens-Clarke County commissioners discussed during a Nov. 14 work session. But the five-year update of the long-range plan won’t be completed until next spring. Like other transit agencies nationwide, Athens Transit is facing a number of challenges, including a shortage of drivers and a decline in ridership during peak hours as many people continue to work from home or in hybrid jobs. Ridership just recently returned to its pre-COVID level with 1.4 million total riders in fiscal 2023, interim Transit Director Victor Pope told commissioners. Commissioner Mike Hamby asked how the 2020 decision to go fare-free affected ridership, but transit officials said the decline was mostly due to the pandemic. Transit officials have also said they need to reinstate fares or find a new source of revenue if the commission wants to expand service. In a survey of more than 400 transit users, about a quarter said they would only take the bus if it was free, but stakeholders also said they want faster, more frequent service and for riders to contribute something to the cost. Transit officials reached out to the UGA students, immigrant communities and carless households that are Athens Transit’s most frequent riders, hosting town hall meetings at UGA’s Memorial Hall, the multimodal center downtown and the Pinewoods mobile home park, receiving feedback from more than 400 people. Commissioner Dexter Fisher suggested reaching out to employers as well, and Commissioner Melissa Link wanted

the department to consult with the United Campus Workers of Georgia union, which is seeking free parking for UGA staff. Another challenge transit officials noted was “non-destination riders”—homeless individuals who hang around bus stops or ride the bus all day. Commissioner Jesse Houle questioned them about banning such people, especially those who are in recovery for substance abuse problems. “We do need to have a conversation about what behaviors are permitted within the transit system,” Pope said. Some banned riders were reinstated because their offenses were minor, but some incidents that led to riders being banned involved threatening or harming others, he said. As for potentially running buses into other counties, Mayor Kelly Girtz said no such conversations have taken place, but the idea makes sense. He noted that a lot of transit agencies serve multiple cities and counties. “People who are getting a bag of groceries or socks don’t think, ‘What jurisdiction am I in?’” he said. As Athens is on the cusp of entering its fourth drought in less than 20 years, Public Utilities Director Hollis Terry spoke to commissioners about a new plan to provide water for the growing population through 2065. In 2020 ACC bought the Rock Hill Quarry near Ben Epps Airport for $23 million with the intention of allowing mining to continue until 2030, then turning the quarry into a reservoir. But Terry presented a new plan to allow mining until 2045. In 2030, ACC would start to fill the quarry with water, but only to a depth of 510 feet, while mining continued for another 15 years at higher elevations. Then the quarry would be filled to a depth of 720 feet. The plan would allow ACC to draw down some water if a drought hits between 2030–2045, but also

have a larger water supply beyond 2045. In addition, the quarry provides all the stone for construction in Athens, Terry said, so allowing mining to continue would reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions from trucking stone into Athens. “Public Utilities thinks it’s the best option for sustainability, but also making the hole bigger,” he said. ACC is permitted to draw 25 million gallons of water per day from the North Oconee River, but when river levels fall during a drought, ACC must turn to Bear Creek Reservoir in Jackson County, which it also shares with Barrow and Oconee County. ACC has the right to take 12 mgd from Bear Creek, which is not enough to sustain the current population, let alone 200,000 people decades from now. The new reservoir could provide 22 mgd in 2020 and 31 mgd in 2045. The lower depth will allow ongoing mining at the upper levels of the quarry without hurting water quality, Terry said. “At the [Georgia Association of Water Professionals

conference in Athens] today, there were so many people who were excited to see what we’re doing. We’re doing something historical,” he said. “And PUD is very mindful of the water quality. We brag about the UGA football team—we told them the water is why.” In addition, commissioners and Transportation and Public Works officials discussed a proposed new crosswalk policy that will make it easier to install them. The current criteria of 10 crossings per hour to warrant a crosswalk “risks the most vulnerable members of Athens,” traffic engineer Tim Griffeth said. Instead, under the new policy engineers would have more leeway to consider other factors, such as nearby “pedestrian generators” like schools and libraries where many people walk. The proposed policy also lays out what types of roads need marked crosswalks, flashing beacons or signalized intersections. It will save staff time because engineers would not have to do a study where they already know a crosswalk should be, Griffeth said. f

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NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

news

comment

The Benefits of Short-Term Rentals THEY HELP HOMEOWNERS AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY

By Michelle McQuien news@flagpole.com I was born and raised in Athens, spending most of my child- neighborhoods. Not only would this be unfair to homeownhood here, until my father’s job took our family to another ers, who have a right to use their hard-earned property as city. After a decade away, I was drawn back to Athens for they wish, but it would also be a loss for the greater Athens graduate school, a decision that ultimately led me to my community. It’s vital that these future laws be shaped by a husband and a life deeply rooted in this community. balanced perspective that honors the voices of residents, As young homeowners, still establishing our careers—I soon to be a self-employed language specialist and my husband a dedicated member of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department—we knew that the financial feasibility of purchasing our current home hinged upon our ability to host. The only reason we were able to buy a house in Athens was the fact that we could supplement our income by using some of our home to list a short-term rental. Within a month of moving into our home, we began welcoming guests from all corners of the globe into our basement suite and have now been hosting for more than four years. Operating a short-term rental has not only given us the extra money we needed to pay our mortgage and keep up with daily living expenses, but has enriched our lives immeasurably. It has allowed me to work McQuien’s family makes extra money renting out a small space in their home. from home and raise our children, all while getting to meet incredible people from around the world and foster new ensuring that responsible homeowners like us can continue friendships. to contribute to our neighborhoods. A few months ago, Athens-Clarke County enacted a Contrary to what some of the negative news stories temporary moratorium on all new short-term rentals in would have you believe, the overwhelming majority of single-family zoning districts—even for people looking guests in Athens are not rambunctious partiers, but parto share their primary residence like we do. The county is ents visiting their children at the University of Georgia or now considering longer-term regulations that may prevent families visiting relatives in the area. During our four years Athens families from sharing their homes in residential of hosting, we haven’t had even a single noise complaint. In

fact, many of our guests are regulars whom we often invite into our home for dinner. Every year, we host a grandmother from Italy who comes to see her son who lives in the neighborhood next to ours. We’ve welcomed a young man from Hawaii who was finishing a physical therapy residency, a doctoral student from Romania, and a couple from Canada who come regularly to visit family. No matter where they’re coming from, we do our best to give each of our guests a piece of home. Our guests have always respected our community and strengthened Athens’ neighborhoods. They help people like my husband and me continue to afford to live in Athens, while bringing valuable revenue to the county. Our guests spend money at local coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores that are within a mile of our home, supporting our local economy and ensuring that small businesses can thrive throughout the county. I am fully supportive of the county cracking down on the few and far between bad apples who give all short-term rentals in Athens a bad name, and I encourage the county to work closely with law enforcement to report parties and to take action against the owners accordingly. However, undue restrictions on short-term rentals in residential areas are not the solution, and pose a significant threat to the financial stability of local families. I believe, and hope, that AthensClarke County will recognize the value of what hosts like me bring to the table—not just economically, but also in terms of cultural richness and community that are just as vital. If Athens-Clarke County were to pass legislation preventing residents from earning critical income by sharing their home, families like mine would be forced to move out of the county altogether. Guests also would have to find accommodations farther away, sending their spending and tax dollars to neighboring counties instead of to Athens. The Classic City already has a reputation for welcoming people from all over the world; let’s not lose that. May we continue to show warm hospitality to those visiting our town, bolster our local economy, and encourage culturally vibrant neighborhoods. f

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

news

feature

More State Funding for Schools?

MONEY FOR PAY RAISES, BUSES, HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS ON WISH LIST

By Ross Williams news@flagpole.com

Raises for Teachers Woods is proposing a $3,000 pay raise for teachers, which, if approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, would represent a total salary increase of $10,000 since Kemp took office in 2019. Kemp’s office has not commented publicly on the proposals. “In the longer term, we also advocate for expanding step increases on the teacher salary scale,” Woods wrote in an op-ed with 2024 Georgia teacher of the year Christy Todd. “As it currently stands, teachers

stop receiving salary increases based on experience after 21 years in the classroom—meaning they are not recognized for continued longevity and expertise for nearly a third of their careers.” Woods and Todd also call for establishing a study committee on pay rates for other education workers, including school nurses, bus drivers and nutrition workers.

Improving Literacy

Funding Changes Since 1985, Georgia has been funding public schools using a formula called Quality Basic Education, or QBE, which determines how much of the state budget should go to each student depending on factors like what grade he or she is in and whether he or she receives special education. Lawmakers have been working to update the formula in recent years, and modernizing the way the state pays to get kids to and from classes could be a big

Woods’ proposals also include spending on support for teachers and students, such as putting a paraprofessional in every K-2 classroom. Currently, the state only pays for parapros in kindergarten classes. The plan also calls for new dollars to support literacy efforts statewide, including by expanding options for retired teachers with reading or dyslexia endorsements to return to the classroom and adding funding for “science of reading-based coaching and professional learning.” Science of reading refers to a State School Superintendent Richard Woods field of research into how children learn to opportunity, said Stephen Owens, educaread. Beth Haynes, legislative chair for tion director for the Georgia Budget and advocacy group Decoding Dyslexia Georgia, Policy Institute. said science of reading and an approach In the 1990s, the state covered more called structured literacy can help kids with than half of all the transportation costs or without dyslexia more easily develop for districts, Owens said, but today, it’s reading skills and she’s pleased to see the closer to 20% or below. “The dollar amount state prioritizing them. This year, Kemp has stayed the same since about fiscal year signed House Bill 538, requiring teachers 2000, while we’ve gained hundreds of thouof kindergarteners through third graders to sands of students, while the price of diesel, be instructed in the science of reading and buses, labor have all gone up,” he said. “And structured literacy. the end result is hundreds of millions of “Literacy coaches had been a part of dollars to push down the individual disone of the original drafts of HB 538, the tricts to cover the cost of something that’s Georgia Early Literacy Act, but they took it ROSS WILLIAMS / GEORGIA RECORDER

ublic schools make up the biggest portion of Georgia’s state budget, so when lawmakers head to Atlanta each January to fund the government and pass new laws, education always has a prominent role. January could see delivery on efforts to make students living in poverty a priority in the state’s funding formula, new pay raises and literacy training for teachers, the state taking over some of the ballooning costs of transporting students, and more slots in the state’s Pre-K program, according to a list of Georgia Department of Education priorities for the coming regular session. “The best way to invest in Georgia’s future is investing in our students, families and educators,” said Superintendent Richard Woods in a statement. “Our legislative priorities are guided by that underlying belief. I look forward to working with the Governor’s Office and members of the General Assembly to strengthen instruction and student opportunities, fully fund public education, elevate the teaching profession, support Georgia families and keep our students safe.” The DOE is working on a bill backed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones that would require social media companies to verify the age of users and remove features that could be addictive to children, as well as requiring parental consent and notification for school health services. The department is working on specifics with potential sponsors, including costs, said spokeswoman Meghan Frick.

out,” Haynes said. “And there’s been a lot of discussion since then about how critical literacy coaches are to a successful implementation of science of reading and structured literacy. That’s been the case in state after state who have already done it. They all sort of report the same thing. So yes, funding is huge. And the fact that they’re talking about coaching, especially as it pertains to literacy coaches, is great to see.”

required by state law, that you have to provide for your traditional school district, you have to provide transportation.” Woods is calling on legislators to dedicate more state money to transportation costs, which could free up districts to hire more staff or make other investments. Another change could help level the playing field for Georgia children living in poverty. Georgia is one of only six states that does not dedicate extra state money to educating children below the poverty line. Woods is asking lawmakers to “recognize poverty as part of a larger effort to modernize the K-12 funding formula.” Schools across rural and urban Georgia that teach kids from low income families could make good use of extra state funds, Owens said. “When I traveled around the state asking how folks would spend this money, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs showed up prominently,” he said. “We had kids in Mountain Education Charter District School that needed their clothes washed, needed transportation to and from the school. Went to a metro district, they wanted to have it used on transportation, so that kids could use it for dual enrollment. Making sure to pay for school meals for those kids who fall in the gap between the free meals and the reduced price meals is how other districts might spend that money.” Owens said lawmakers will need to balance flexibility for districts to spend the money with reporting requirements to make sure it’s reaching the kids who need it. If it gets done right, it could lead to the kind of education improvements Georgia hasn’t seen in decades, he said. “This would be kind of legacy stuff, recognizing the need to fund the largest challenge we have in the schools that we have in our state, which is poverty,” he said. “You have one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation. We know that affects and see that affects student outcomes. This would be a way, if done meaningfully, to change our funding in line with the state’s needs in a way that we haven’t seen since the ’90s.” f This article originally appeared at georgiarecorder.com

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Colson Whitehead THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR VISITS UGA

By Xinge Lei news@flagpole.com

estselling author Colson Whitehead Another student inquired about finding spoke to students at the University balance between making art and financially of Georgia and other community supporting oneself, to which the author members last week about censorship, the stressed the importance of gig work. “No writing process and how to support yourself matter what level you’re at, you’re balancing as an artist. the time and money equation, and if you The Chapel held a full house for Whitedon’t figure it out, you’re not getting your head’s lecture on Nov. 16, with a predomart done,” Whitehead said. inantly middle-aged audience. Laughter After the morning session, Whitehead filled the entire hour and a half as Whitemade an appearance at Cedar Shoals High head showcased his whimsical personality School to speak to aspiring writers there as through his stories. well. Being a writer for almost three decades Whitehead’s lecture and visitations were now, he shared the inspiration behind some a part of UGA’s signature lecture series— of his most iconic characters, his anxiety of which features “speakers noted nationally conveying the right messages and tidbits or internationally for their broad, multiof his own creative process. As a lifetime disciplinary appeal and compelling bodies enthusiast of everything sci-fi, he admitted of work”—and the Phinizy lecture series. that at one point he wanted to write “the Endowed by the late professor Ferdinand Black Shining” and “the Black Salem’s Lot” —referencing two Stephen King novels—before stumbling upon high realism and modernist works. Nine publications later, it’s safe to say he has found his niche. Following a Q&A, the session ended with Whitehead asking the crowd, with a count of hands, which theme he should use for his next book—the Russian Revolution or Star Wars? The author’s visit to Athens didn’t end there. At 9 a.m. the next day, Whitehead met with a group of about 20 students and faculty at UGA’s Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. These students belong to the school’s African American studies program, creative writing club, and art Colson Whitehead speaks at the UGA Chapel on Nov. 16. and history departments. Many are in their graduate years, with some already in the workforce. Phinizy Calhoun as a memorial to his Nevertheless, they all share a bond for cregrandfather, this lectureship has attracted ative writing, be it poetry, short stories or distinguished writers and thought leaders nonfiction. from all around the country, such as econoWhen asked about his writing routine, mist John Kenneth Galbraith and novelist Whitehead said that he emphasizes outlinWalker Percy. ing and setting small goals. For him, “eight It was also a part of UGA’s 12th Spotpages a week is a good accumulation.” He light on the Arts Festival, an annual celerecalled his experiences as a journalist for bration of literary, visual and performing the Village Voice alternative newspaper in arts on campus, held every November. New York City before it was shut down. Besides lecture and panel events, the fesThere, he learned to collaborate with editors tival highlights new exhibitions, pop-up and take responsibility for his own work markets, concerts, art workshops and film schedule, a lesson that applies to this day. screenings. A full schedule can be found on One student from the college of eduthe UGA art council website at arts.uga.edu. cation asked the writer if he has ever Whitehead, 54, debuted in 1999 with The experienced censorship of his own work. Intuitionist, which critics compared to clasWhile none of his books have been banned, sics like Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man, Whitehead acknowledged that literary cenToni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Joseph sorship is an ongoing issue. “There’s always Heller’s Catch-22. He won a Pulitzer and the these moments where we’re vacillated National Book Award for The Underground between conservatism and racism. And Railroad, an alternative history novel that we’re definitely at a time now when there’s depicts the network for helping enslaved a reaction under force,” he said. “But for me, people escape the South as a literal subway I see that people are just sort of terrible, system. His latest, Crook Manifesto, is a and they do terrible things.” sequel to the crime novel Harlem Shuffle. f

JAKE ZERKEL

A Celtic Family Christmas with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy

feature

arts & culture

flag football

On the Brink of Perfection

Dog Spa

GEORGIA IS POISED FOR ANOTHER UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON

By Cy Brown news@flagpole.com A full year: That’s how long I was worried about this Tennessee game. The Vols gave us our biggest regular season game last year. We had to travel to Neyland, in front of 100,000 orange-clad cretins, maybe with the SEC East and a trip to Atlanta on the line. Besides, where else could you see a slipup on this schedule? Nah. Despite a full year with this Tennessee game circled on my calendar—figuratively, people don’t have calendars anymore—the Dawgs won 38-10 and swept them aside as easily as any opponent this season. Scratch that. Easier.

sive coordinator Glenn] Schumann before the game and said, ‘We’re gonna let ’em score. Let’s just get it over with.’” The defense clamped down after that with two consecutive three-and-outs that allowed the offense to take a lead it would never relinquish. Those 75 yards gained in the first 11 seconds of the game accounted for 27% of Tennessee’s total yardage on the night. While the defense did its part, much of that was thanks to how the offense controlled the game. The Georgia offense held the ball for close to 41 minutes of game time. Carson Beck was in complete control

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Dillon Bell had a breakout game against Tennessee.

While this Tennessee game has been on my brain for a year, in the last few months it’s become part of a larger challenge for Georgia. This game was the end of a stretch of games against Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee, which emerged as the toughest run of the season way back in September. These three games were a test of whether we have what it takes to win a third consecutive national title, which looked very much in doubt in the midst of early season struggles. Consider that test passed with flying colors. This may have been Georgia’s toughest stretch, but they responded by playing their best football of the season. The Dawgs locked down a third consecutive 8-0 season in the SEC. With a win over Georgia Tech next week, it will be three straight 12-0 regular seasons, which is just wild. We’re reaching the pointy end of the season, but we seem to be peaking at exactly the right moment. Which isn’t to say this team is perfect, or even as good as the ’21 or ’22 teams. But they have figured themselves out, and they know how to win. After all, they have a hell of a lot of experience in the last few years. One problem that we do encounter over and over is allowing early scores, which happened again when Jaylen Wright took the opening touch 75 yards for a touchdown. The opposition has scored first in six games this season. Kirby Smart even joked about just letting it happen so they could get it over with and move on. “I talked to [defen-

of the offense, going 24-for-30 for 298 yards and three touchdowns. It was the best game of his career, which is something I find myself saying every few weeks. Against the Vols, he wasn’t just accurate and poised, placing balls right in receivers’ bread baskets, he threw with conviction and his passes had more zip on them. Beck has benefited from having a number of interchangeable weapons around him in the skill positions. Brock Bowers was brilliant as always. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint has become a reliable target, and one of the best blockers on the team to boot. But the standout in Knoxville was Dillon Bell, who was doing a bit of everything from wideout and tailback. Bell snagged five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. The outstanding play of the day was a bit of trickeration that saw Bell take a pitch and throw to wideopen Rosemy-Jacksaint in the first quarter to take a 10-7 lead. There’s a real opportunity for Beck in these final games. He’s still a game manager, not a game winner, but he is managing to perfection. If he has strong showings against Georgia Tech and, most importantly, against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, there’s a possibility he’ll go to New York for the Heisman ceremony. He won’t win, but he will establish himself as an early favorite for next year, as well as a potential high draft pick. But let’s worry about that later. For now, it’s Tech Hate Week, so let’s go nerd bashin’. f

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arts & culture

calendar picks

MUSIC | FRI, NOV. 24

Kut Klose

40 Watt Club • 9 p.m. • $25

After its rise to fame in the R&B genre nearly three decades ago, the Atlanta trio Kut Klose is currently making the rounds by performing its classic hits at shows around the state. Forming in 1993, Athena Cage, Lavonn Battle and Tabitha Duncan began creating their soon-to-be hits and were discovered by musician Keith Sweat. After Sweat began working with the women, they released their debut album, Surrender, in 1995, which was also produced by Sweat. The album was a hit, and they churned out three singles, “Surrender,” “Lovely Thang” and “I Like,” which rose to acclaim. Of all the music they released, “I Like” peaked at No. 6 on the American Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. They went on to collaborate on Sweat’s song “Twisted” in 1996. Now, they have made their way to Athens to showcase the length of their music career. Tonight’s performance is for ages 25 and up, and guests are encouraged to dress to impress. The evening also includes guest performers IAMTIKICA, C White, Jalen Eberhardt and AD. [Analiese Herrin]

of the 7-foot-tall Krule as well as Suge D as he battles Duncan Mitchell Avecilla. Monsoon will keep everyone pumped with live music. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the matches will begin at 8 p.m. [AH]

Athens Uncovered

Nuçi’s Space • 12–10 p.m. • $15 Suggested Donation

Nuçi’s Space will host its annual event Athens Uncovered, an all-day music festival to commemorate the extensive and exciting Athens music scene past and present. This event is a fundraising event for Nuçi’s Space and will include everything attendees may need from food trucks to photo ops in the famed St. Mary’s Steeple. The event will also include a kids area for parents to enjoy the festivities and music. This year’s lineup will feature Heffner, David Barbe + (featuring Brad Morgan of Drive-By Truckers, McKendrick Bearden, Ben Hackett and Graham Powers), Wim Tapley and the Cannons, Rose Hotel, Jim White,

Hannah Jones Art Reception

Community • 5–7 p.m. • FREE!

EVENT | SAT, NOV. 25

Classic City Wrestling: Thanksgiving Classic

40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors) • $10–25

Classic City Wrestling is back with pro wrestling, and some may even say “the best pro wrestling in Georgia.” What’s different? A Thanksgiving Classic, which marks the first Thanksgiving-themed event that Classic City Wrestling has held since its founding. It now hopes to make this an annual event to celebrate the holiday in the best way it knows how. The match is centered around celebrating some of the greatest wrestling moments in history, which all happen to fall around this national holiday. For the main event, Dom Stuckey of the No Good Bastards challenges Owen Knight for the Classic City Wrestling Heavyweight Title. The event will also feature the debut

threats & promises

The Visual Artists of Elephant 6 PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

MUSIC | SUN, NOV. 26

ART | SAT, NOV. 25

Hannah Jones has been creating her funky, bright and fun abstract paintings for years. The artist attended the University of Georgia’s Kut Klose Lamar Dodd School of Art, where she earned her BFA in painting and stuck around Athens gaining a reputation for her geometric designs as a painter, ceramicist and musician. Her recent oil paintings, which she describes as “colorful micro worlds resembling electronic and biological interactions,” are currently displayed at Community, an alterations and sustainable fashion boutique located in downtown Athens. The reception for the event will be from 5–7 p.m. with live music by Burly Ivy at 6 p.m. Jones’ paintings will remain on view through December. [AH]

music

Current Rage, Five Eight, Nuclear Tourism, Honeypuppy, Cardynal, Liz Farrell, Rebecca Sunshine Band and a band comprised of students from a recent session of Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped program. Nuçi’s is also hosting an online auction through Dec. 1 with vintage music memorabilia, gift baskets from local businesses, signed posters and more. [AH] EVENT | TUES, NOV. 28

Rabbit Box: Stand Up

Athens VFW Post 2872 • 6 p.m. (doors) • $10

Rabbit Box Storytelling will bring both the figurative and literal meaning of “Stand Up” to the stage on Nov. 28. We have all been “stood up” by someone in our life, whether that be a friend, partner or family member. Rabbit Box is approaching this universal experience along with other interpretations of “Stand Up”—such as standing up for yourself or what you believe in, or being a stand-up friend or citizen—through the true stories of community members. Hosted by Ashley Garrett, the night’s lineup includes Kat Farlowe, Chuck Toney, Noel Holston, Patrick Howard, Christian Dyer, Kelly McGlaun-Fields and Lisa Rodgers. In addition, there will be a surprise storyteller selected from the audience to add even more fun to the event. Attendees can look forward to a night of relatable stories as well as food and a cash-only bar at the VFW Post 2872 near Bishop Park. [AH] f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Hey Y’all, Seeing as this is the week of giving thanks, I wanted to say thank you for always showing up and reading this column every week. We won’t always, or even often, agree on everything. But, the Athens music scene is a total gift to us and, specific criticisms aside, should be celebrated. So, thank you and here’s to your week being a great one. Now, let’s get into it…

played on the now-demolished altar, but we’ll let that pass. Importantly, though, there is an online auction already running for this event, and it includes loads of neat stuff. Find that at 32auctions.com/au2023. Also of note, this event is free to attend, but there is a recommended donation of $15 upon entry. I mean, for real, potential attendees, how ya gonna raise funds without some actual funds? Please RSVP over at nuci.org/athens-uncovered.

CHECK PLEASE: The Asymptomatics have DISTANT EARLY WARNING: Because I wrote it been up to quite a bit lately, including in my calendar incorrectly, I was unable to releasing a new single, “Two Possibilities,” alert you to a fantastic bill put together by which was mastered by Jason Nesmith Monty Greene for the November instance at Chase Park Transduction. The band reports this is one of the first songs written of ATHICA’s Sonic Space. So, this is an early alert for the December edition, which together as a group. This is a very mellow, below-mid-tempo pop tune that kind of drags along without going anywhere or even really trying to. It’s definitely not befitting of the group’s self-applied descriptor of “sweaty, disco sleazecore dance party.” But, to be fair, the band hasn’t released many songs that even sort of come close to that. The band’s strong debut EP, Modern Ooze, from last year seemed to predict this sort of direction for the band, but that appears to have fallen Elephant 6 artists Beth Sale, Hannah Jones, Jill Carnes, Laura by the wayside. Your Glenn, Dottie Alexander and W. Cullen Hart mileage may vary, of course, so feel free to check out the new tune on Spotify as well as is to feature Marcel Sletten, Aaron Dylan the group’s previous releases either there or Kearnes and Organically Programmed. This happens Friday, Dec. 15 from 8–10 p.m., at asymptomatics.bandcamp.com. and donations to the artists are appreciBUY ME SOME PEANUTS & CRACKER JACK: ated. ATHICA is located at 675 Pulaski St. Musicians resource center Nuçi’s Space (aka The Leathers Building) in Suite 1200. will host the day-long fundraiser Athens HAPPENING NOW: While the official openUncovered Sunday, Nov. 26 from 12–10 ing artists reception won’t happen until p.m. Structured to represent the last Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m., ATHICA is hostfour decades of Athens music, 14 bands ing its show “The Elephant 6 Recording will appear across two stages. Boy, they Co.: The Visual Artists” at Ciné as we really are planning for you to tuck in for speak until Dec. 25. As you can gather from the whole day with this stacked lineup. its title, this show features the visual artists Featured acts are Heffner, David Barbe + of the popular musicians collective who (which, in this case, means Brad Morgan of gave the whole thing its look and feel. These Drive-By Truckers, McKendrick Bearden, include W. Cullen Hart, Jill Carnes, Beth Ben Hackett and Graham Powers), Wim Sale, Lucy Calhoun, Hannah Jones and Tapley and the Cannons, Rose Hotel, Andy Gonzales, as well as second generJim White, Current Rage, Five Eight, ation E-6er Jeremy Kiran Fernandes. Nuclear Tourism, Honeypuppy, Cardynal, Liz Farrell, Rebecca Sunshine This show was coordinated and organized by longtime Athens musician and friend Band and a band composed of recent Dottie Alexander (ex-of Montreal) along Camp Amped attendees. Just so you’re with some curatorial assistance from Beth properly annoyed at intermittent points in Sale. Word on the street, and on the web, is the day, there’ll also be a “kids area” with that the notable installation-based perforface painting and a photo booth located, mance art troupe Dixie Blood Mustache according to a press release, “inside the famed St. Mary’s Steeple, on the spot where may make an appearance at the opening. For more information, please see athica. R.E.M. played their first show more than org/updates/e6. f 40 years ago.” Impossible, considering they

EXPERIENCE MUSIC

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Big City Bread Cafe

5 Points Acupuncture

393 N. Finley St.

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Ted’s Most Best

R. Wood Studio

www.tedsmostbest.com Artisan pizzas, salads, paninis, daily specials, cheesecakes and beer make Ted’s a good place to refuel while doing your holiday shopping. While you are here, pick up a t-shirt or cozy hoodie, and a gift card for anyone on

www.rwoodstudio.com One-of-a-kind pottery, handmade in Athens, makes the perfect gift. Each dish is entirely made and painted by hand in the studio.

Closed Christmas day but open Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.

Studio is open daily.

254 W. Washington St.

your list.

450 Georgia Dr.

Shiraz

Perry’s Convenience & Liquors

675 Pulaski St., Suite 400

265 North Ave., 4388 Lexington Rd.

shirazathens.com Shiraz has everything you need for the holidays: Christmas gifts including soaps and candles, sauces for entertaining and lots of decor!

www.perrysstores.com Give them what they really want this year: Liquor Gift Sets from Perry’s! They have a variety of gift sets and glassware to please every person on your Holiday Shopping List!

Gift certificates available. Complimentary gift wrapping. Closed Dec. 24-26. Open at 11a.m. Dec. 27.

All locations are open seven days a week.

The Rook and Pawn

294 W. Washington St., Suite 300

therookandpawn.com Perfect gifts for the game lovers on your list: Codenames - Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their CODENAMES. Avalon - pits the of forces of Good and Evil in a battle to control the future civilization. T-shirts for kids and adults!

Urban Sanctuary 810 N. Chase St.

www.urbansanctuaryspa.com Gift Certificates to Urban Sanctuary bring comfort and joy! Massages, facials, nails, spa time and more. Spa memberships starting at $68. Man-Friendly, Eco-Friendly, Organic, Natural. Shop online or call 706-613-3947.

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

bulletin board Deadline for getting listed in Bulletin Board is every THURSDAY at 5 p.m. for the print issue that comes out the following Wednesday. Online listings are updated daily. Email calendar@flagpole.com.

Art ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons. Visual artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creatives are encouraged to create a free listing. athenscreatives@gmail.com, www. athenscreatives.directory CALL FOR ARTISTS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Applications are now open to fine arts and craft vendors who would like to participate in the Lyndon House Art Mart. Applications are free, but the vendor fee is $60 if accepted. Deadline Jan. 15. Market held May 11. www.lyndon houseartsfoundation.com JOKERJOKERTV CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKERJOKERtv is actively accepting proposals for collaboration from visual, musical and video artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can also submit music videos, short films, skits and ideas to share with a weekly livestream audience. www. jokerjokertv.com/submit OPEN STUDIOS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Studio members have access to spaces for painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and woodworking. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $65/month. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-Studio- Membership

Classes ART CLASSES (K.A. Artist Shop) A variety of classes are taught in painting, digital editing, photographing artwork and more. “Let-

tering with Glass Pens” will be held Dec. 2 ,1–3 p.m. $65. “Original Art on Silk” with René Shoemaker will be held Dec. 3, 12–4 p.m. $95. “Abstract Art in Acrylic” will be held Dec. 6, 6–8 p.m. $35. “Pointed Dip Pen Calligraphy” will be held Dec. 9, 1–3 p.m. $55. “Brush Lettering Calligraphy” will be held Dec. 9, 4–6 p.m. $45. “The Business of Art” with René Shoemaker will be held Dec. 10, 12–4 p.m. $75. “Holiday Postcards in Watercolor” will be held Dec. 12 or Dec. 13, 6–8 p.m. $25. Visit the website for dates and to register. www.kaartist shop.com BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “Forge Christmas Ornaments” (Nov. 25 or Dec. 9), “Forge a Firepoker” (Dec. 2 or Dec. 16), “Blacksmith Boot Camp: Santa’s Workshop” (Dec. 19-22), “First Time at the Forge” (Jan. 6 or Feb. 17), “Railroad Spike Knife” (Jan. 13) and “Basic Tong Making” (Jan. 20). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www.greenhowhandmade.com/ blacksmith-classes COLLAGE (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) This four-week course explores tips and tricks for making collages. Mondays, Nov. 27–Dec. 18, 12:30–3 p.m. edriscoll60@ gmail.com NIA TECHNIQUE CLASSES (RxGym) Nia combines dance, martial arts and mindfulness with uplifting music to create a holistic fitness experience. Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. $15-20/class. athens pt.com/rx-gym/athens QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s hosts free monthly QPR (Question,

art around town 1055 BARBER (1055 Barber St.) Stephen Humphreys presents “Ukraine: Photos from the Front Line,” a collection of wartime photographs taken during the last year. Through December. ACC LIBRARY (2025 Baxter St.) Tatiana Veneruso’s exhibition “Yalla: Memories of Maroc” is a series of small mixed-media works inspired by travels in Morocco. Through Dec. 3. ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1500) San Diego-based photographer J. Grant Brittain presents “80s Skate Photography,” a collection of iconic images. Through December by appointment. ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) An exhibition spotlighting visual artists of the Elephant 6 Recording Co. includes works by Beth Sale, W. Cullen Hart, Lucy Calhoun, Andy Gonzales, Hannah Jones, Jill Carnes and Jeremy Kiran Fernandes. Through Dec. 25. AURUM STUDIOS (125 E. Clayton St.) Greg Benson presents “Next Places,” a collection of oil paintings. Through January. CLASSIC CENTER (300 N. Thomas St.) In Classic Gallery I, “Wild Thing” features animals, plants and people intermingling through the works of Margo Rosenbaum, Shelby Little, Carolyn Suzanne Schew and Amanda Burk. • In Classic Gallery II, “LOVE.CRAFT Athens” features works by Melanie Jackson, Hannah Jo, Norman Austin Junior and Brittany Wortham. EARTH FARE (1689 S. Lumpkin St.) Recent abstract paintings by Tom Hancock. Through November. FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Artwork by Andersen Rodriguez. Through November. GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Southern/Modern” explores themes of social issues, urbanization, religion, the environment and artists’ colonies through the artwork of Southern artists working between 1913–1955. Through Dec. 10. • “In Dialogue: Power Couple: Pierre and Louise Daura in Paris” features paintings by Louise, engravings by Pierre

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention sessions for anyone interested, not just mental health professionals. Nuçi’s also offers free training for businesses and organizations. qpr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org/qpr SPANISH CLASSES (Multiple Locations) Casa de Amistad offers beginning and intermediate GED and ESL classes in-person and online. An eight-week course to learn Spanish meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. $60. www.athensamistad.com TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES (Live Oak Martial Arts) Traditional and modern-style Taekwondo, self-defense, grappling and weapons classes are offered for all ages. Classes in Jodo, the art of the Japanese staff and sword, are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit the website for a full schedule. liveoakmartial arts@gmail.com, www.liveoak martialarts.com YOGA AND MORE (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) Revolution is a multipurpose mind-body wellness studio offering yoga and therapy with an emphasis on trauma-informed practices. Check website for upcoming classes and programs. www.revolutiontherapy andyoga.com YOGA CLASSES (Let It Be Yoga Studio, Watkinsville) Classes are offered in Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, beginner, gentle and other styles. Check online calendar for weekly offerings. www.letitbeyoga.org

locations are decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. People are encouraged to take an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the location with the ornament attached. Through Dec. 1.

several times a week for ages 5–10. Subjects include watercolors (Tuesdays, 4 p.m.), “Just Add Paper” (Thursdays, 4 p.m.), and yarn and thread (Fridays, 4 p.m.). $20/drop-in. “Preschool Art: Mess- Free Mondays” for ages 1–5 is held every Monday, 10 a.m. “Preschool Art: Read Make Play” for ages 2–6 is held every Thursday, 9:15 a.m. $50/drop-in. Programs run through Dec. 15. www.brellastudio.com CCCF SCHOLARSHIPS (Athens, GA) The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for performing arts and visual

days, 3–5 p.m. www.reblossom athens.com LIBRARY STORYTIMES (ACC Library) Storytime for preschool aged children and their caregivers is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. www.athens library.org TREEHOUSE ACTIVITIES (Treehouse Kid & Craft) A variety of crafting and playtime activities are offered for various age groups. Popular activities include Crafterday Saturdays, Storytime with Mr. Doodles and Craft Inc. Kid Business. Visit the website for details and to

“Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” is currently on view at the Georgia Museum of Art through May 19. Visit the website for locations. www. beasantatoasenior.com SEEKING MENTORS (Athens, GA) The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement’s End School to Prison Pipeline Program seeks community members to support and mentor students who are experiencing bullying, have been suspended/ expelled, or need to complete court-ordered service hours. www. aadmovement.org

Help Out

Kidstuff

BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR (Athens, GA) Special trees at 16 different

ART CLASSES (Brella Studio) After school art classes are offered

and several objects that appear in their images. Through Feb. 11. • “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” is a mid-career survey demonstrating the artist’s progression from drawing into digital works of art in augmented reality. Through May 19. • “Decade of Tradition: Highlights from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection.” Through July 3, 2024. GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Zane Cochran presents “Aurora,” a sculptural interpretation of the aurora borealis using 3D geometric figures and lights. JUST PHO… AND MORE (1063 Baxter St.) Jack Burk presents a collection of works using pastels, colored pencil and collage. Through November. LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) Collections from our Community presents Peggy Curran’s collection of Madame Alexander Dolls. Through Jan. 13. • Ato Ribiero presents “Growing Together,” a solo exhibition of wooden assemblages referencing both Ghanian strip-woven kente cloth and Black quilting traditions of the American South. Artist talk Dec. 14, 6 pm. Through Jan. 13. • Curated by Keith Wilson, “The Image Moves: New Film and Video Work by Athens Artists” includes Drew Gebhardt, Katz Tepper, Jamie Bull, Selia Hooten, Vivian Liddell, CC Calloway, Shawn Campbell and AJ Aremu. Through Jan. 13. • “The 8th Collegiate Paper Art Triennial” includes works by 36 students from 11 different schools. Through Jan. 13. • Abraham Tesser presents “Maquettes,” a collection of smallscale works in wood used as drafts for larger pieces. Artist talk Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Through Mar. 1. • “Memory Worker: Kelly Taylor Mitchell” explores ancestra seeking through hand-sewn stitches and handmade paper. Through Mar. 12. • “Tell Me A Story: Jasmine Best” presents narrative works combining fabric, yarn and digital sewing to reflect on memories and Black female identity. Through Mar. 12. MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 S. Main St., Madison) Teresa Bramlette Reeves presents “she didn’t really follow a rabbit down the hole, but she thought it was a good story.” Through Dec. 2. • “The John Lewis Series: Paintings by Benny Andrews” is a collection of 17 works chronicling the early life of John Lewis before he became Congressman. • “The Andrews Family Legacy: Rooted in the Agriculture and Arts of Morgan

arts scholarships. Applications are open to 9th–12th grade high school students living in Northeast Georgia. Deadline Mar. 1. www. classiccenter.com/scholarships GROUPS AT REBLOSSOM (ReBlossom) All Ages Play Group is for children 1–5 years old and their caregivers to play inside and outdoors. Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. New Parents, Infants and Crawlers Play Group is for babies ages 0-12 months and their caregivers to discuss parenthood. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Afternoon Play Group is for children 1–4 years old and their caregivers to meet each other and build relationships. Wednes-

Support Groups ACA ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS AND DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) This support group meets weekly. Tuesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. annetteanelson@gmail.com AL-ANON 12 STEP (Multiple Locations) Recovery for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Free meetings at lunchtime and evenings throughout the week in Athens and Watkinsville. www.ga-al-anon.org

County” is a new permanent exhibition honoring the artistic and literary contributions of members of the Andrews family. MAGALLERY (125 W. Jefferson St., Madison) Athens quilter and watercolorist Elizabeth Barton shares watercolors and quilts. Through Nov. 25. SPACEBALL BAZAAR (130 N. Church St., Bogart) “Planes, Trains & Cryogenics: Modes of Transport” is a group exhibition of local artists. Opening reception Nov. 24. STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Something to Declare/Algo para Declarar” represents nine Latin American countries through the works of Jorge Arcos, Yehimi Cambron, Marisa Cerban, Franklin Delgado, Pedro Fuertes, Catalina Gomez-Beuth, Dora Lopez, Morgan Lugo, Paula Reynaldi, Maria Sarmiento, Carlos Solis and Melvin Toledo. Through Jan. 6. UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “House Party” explores Athens’ house show history through photos and artifacts from The Green House on Milledge across from Taco Stand, The Landfill, Spillage, The Lounge, Saint Mary’s Church, The Ultramod Compound and others. Through December. • “Exploring St. Catherines Island” lays out centuries of American history found in artifacts dating back to the 16th century, tracing the island’s history from the establishment of indigenous towns through Spanish and English colonialism. Through December. • “HBO at 50: The Rise of Prestige Television” highlights some of the groundbreaking programming created by and aired on HBO with items selected from the Peabody Awards Archive. Through May 2024. • “Legacy: Vince Dooley, 1932-2022” celebrates the life and career of the late UGA football head coach and athletic director through photographs and artifacts. Tours held before home games on Fridays at 3 p.m. Through spring 2024. • “Paving the Road to Progress: Georgia Interstate Highways” traverses the rocky path of the interstate system’s development through maps, reports, correspondence and legislation. Through Apr. 24. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS (780 Timothy Rd.) Watkinsville artist Leslie Guo presents “Joyful Encounters,” a solo exhibition of watercolor paintings. Through Jan. 2.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call the AA hotline or visit the website for a schedule of meetings in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee Counties. 706-389-4164, www. athensaa.org ATHENS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (Athens, GA) Open to people of all ages with vision impairments, their families and friends. Topics include adaptive equipment, recreational and social opportunities, and advocacy. 706-424-2794, dlwahlers@ gmail.com LGBTQIA+ VIRTUAL ALPHABET FAMILY GATHERING (Online) This is a safe space for anyone on the LGBTQIA+/TGQNB spectrum. Fourth Sunday of every month, 7–9 p.m. uuathensga.org/justice/ welcoming-congregation MENTAL HEALTH PEER RECOVERY GROUP (Nuçi’s Space) Participants support each other through life’s challenges by sharing from their skills, experiences and proven coping mechanisms. Newcomers welcome. First Tuesday of the month, 4–6 p.m. pr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP (Oconee Presbyterian Church) Peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Second Monday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. FREE! joannehnamihallga@gmail.com NEW PARENTS AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP (BYL Family Resource Center) Come as you are for community, snacks and feeding advice from professionals. Babies and children of all ages are welcome. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.byyourleave.org OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (24th Street Clubhouse) Learn to stop eating compulsively or curb other unwanted food-related behaviors. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. Text: 678-736- 3697 PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP (First Baptist Church) This group is to encourage, support and share information with fellow sojourners who manage the challenges of Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders. Second Friday of the month, 1 p.m. gpnoblet@ bellsouth.net PROJECT SAFE (Family Protection Center) Project Safe hosts a support group for survivors of domestic violence. Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m. www. project-safe.org RECREATE JOY (Sunny Days Therapeutics) Nuçi’s Space hosts a recreational therapy support group. Improve coping skills and self esteem while reducing depression and anxiety through adaptive yoga, games and leisure education. Six- week sessions. Wednesdays, 5–6 p.m. tinyurl.com/rnvuhesa RECOVERY DHARMA (Athens Addiction Recovery Center) This peer-led support group offers a Buddhist-inspired path to recovery from any addiction. Visit the website for details. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.athensrecoverydharma.org SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) Athens Downtown SAA offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from a compulsive sexual behavior. Contact for location. athensdowntownsaa@gmail.com SUPPORT GROUPS (Integrity Counseling & Personal Development) ICPD offers several support groups. “LGBTQIA+ Young Adults Group” is offered for ages 18–30. “Survivors of Suicide Loss Group” is offered the first Wednesday of every month, 7–8 p.m. “Veterans, Dependents & Caregivers Benefits

Resource & Claim Assistance Group” is offered the first Saturday of every month, 9–10 a.m. www. integrityofjefferson.com

Word on the Street ATHENS MLK JR. DAY PARADE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL (Hot Corner) Now accepting registration for vendors, parade participants and performers. Event held Jan. 15. knowalogic@gmail.com, www. aadmovement.org ATHENS ON ICE (Classic Center, 440 Foundry Pavillion) Public ice skating is available Nov. 25–Feb. 19. Check website for schedule of skating sessions. $15. www.classic center.com BIKE REPAIR STATIONS (Multiple Locations) Over 15 free bike repair stations are located across Athens with tools, an air pump and a QR code for quick guides on basic bike repairs. Visit the website for participating locations. www.accgov. com/10584/Bike-Repair-Stations CLIMATE RESILIENCE STUDY (Athens, GA) The Athens-Clarke County Climate Resilience Study is seeking participants through November for a project aimed to increase preparedness and resilience to natural disasters. Must be a year-round ACC resident and at least 18 years old. Participants can take two online surveys ($10 each) and do an in-person disaster exercise ($20). Fill out the online eligibility survey. accgov.com/7501/Surveys MEN’S GROUP (Healing Path Farm) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts a weekly group meeting. Tuesdays, 6 p.m. www. seventhgenerationnativeamerican church.org RABBIT HOLE EVENTS (Rabbit Hole Studios) Weekly events include Open Mic (Tuesdays, 7–11 p.m.), Acoustic Song Circle (Thursdays, 7–11 p.m.), Seventh Generation Native American Church services and community potlucks (Sundays, 11 a.m.), and Drumming and Song Circle (Sundays, 3–5 p.m.). Wednesday Yoga (5 p.m.) is followed by Meditation and Integration (6 p.m.). Events are free or donation based. www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar TAD OPEN HOUSE SESSIONS AND SURVEY (Multiple Locations) ACCGov Economic Development Department and the Newton Bridge Allocation District (TAD) are offering an online survey through Dec. 1. www.accgov.com/tads VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA) Brad Staples (of the Athens GA Live Music crew) is seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC or DVDs to digitize and archive on his YouTube channel, vhsordie (@vhsordie3030). Original recordings will be returned, and credits and dates will be included in the online video description. Digitization services are free. Contact for details and to coordinate shipping. bradley.staples88@ gmail.com WINTER ACTIVITIES (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services will offer a variety of arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events this winter for all ages. Now registering. www.accgov.com/ myrec WINTER WONDERLIGHTS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) A half- mile fully accessible trail through the garden is currently decorated with twinkling lights and illuminated displays for the holidays. Select nights through Dec. 30. Disco Nights will be held Jan. 4–7. $15. botgarden.uga.edu f

arts & culture

art notes

Wood Works, Moving Images and More SEVEN NEW SHOWS AT THE LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER

By Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com GROWING TOGETHER: The Lyndon House Arts Center has a total of seven recently unveiled exhibitions to carry art enthusiasts into the new year. Ato Ribeiro’s solo show, “Growing Together,” consists of mesmerizing wall-mounted wooden assemblages with dizzying interlocking patterns. Additional three-dimensional sculptures reveal the complex process behind building these beautiful geometric patterns from small pieces of repurposed wood. Born in Philadelphia, Ribeiro spent his childhood and adolescence in Accra, Ghana, and much of his work centers near the intersection of his West African heritage and African American identity. His intricate wooden assemblages reference both Ghanaian kente cloth and Black quilting traditions of the American South, further exploring how symbolism can be communicated through textiles. THE IMAGE MOVES: Spotlighting artists who incorporate time-based media into their creative practice, “The Image Moves: New Film and Video Work by Athens Artists” is an unusual exhibition that illuminates the gallery space with nine works playing simultaneously on loop. Artists include AJ Aremu, Jamie Bull, CC Calloway, Shawn Campbell, Drew Gebhardt, Selia Hooten, Vivian Liddell and Katz Tepper. The exhibit was guest-curated by Keith Wilson, an Athens-based artist and filmmaker who works as an assistant professor in the Entertainment & Media Ato Ribeiro Studies Department at UGA. Though ranging in subject matter and style, the films share a non-narrative and experimental approach. Liddell’s stop-motion animation, “Panty Raid,” is about “two figures [who] steal lingerie and make a flagpole of their treasure for all to see,” while Bull’s digital video, “Stump Hole,” is described as “interspecies collaborations between the artist and a family of eroded tree stumps on the Florida Panhandle.” PAPER ART TRIENNIAL: Organized by the North American Handpaper Makers, the “8th Collegiate Paper Art Triennial” celebrates the creativity of early career undergraduate and graduate students in academic paper making programs across the U.S. After a year of traveling to galleries in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio, the exhibition has reached its final stop at the LHAC. Jurors Mina Takahashi, Karen Kunc and Erin Zona selected 40 artworks by 36 student artists representing 11 different educational institutions from a pool of submissions that totaled 138 works by 83 students from 17 schools. Altogether, the exhibition demonstrates how artists push the medium’s boundaries into innovative new forms. COLLECTIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY: Presenting everything from ballet shoes and typewriters to miniature dioramas and tarot cards, Collections From Our Community is an ongoing series that shares the surprising things people collect. The newest display, collected by Peggy Curran, features dozens of 8-inch tall Madame Alexander dolls with an international theme. MAQUETTES: Following a full career as a research psychologist at UGA, Abraham Tesser turned to woodworking and building furniture in his home studio. Before beginning each new piece, Tesser’s design process includes a two-dimensional sketching followed by a three-dimensional sketching, or a maquette. His exhibition, “Maquettes,” is a collection of these miniature scale models in wood used as preliminary drafts for his larger pieces. Often incorporating unusual veneers and intricate details, Tessler balances

functionality with exquisite design to create pieces that feel like distinct works of art. “At the workbench, I find it hard to beat the feeling produced by guiding the transformation of a piece of rough lumber into an elegant, smooth part,” says Tesser in his exhibition statement. “When things go well, when a hand plane produces the perfect shaving, when a beautiful shape emerges on the lathe, when a piece of wood that has just been surfaced shows a figure or character that is better than expected, it is indeed thrilling.”

TELL ME A STORY: Last March, Flagpole selected “Woman is Smarter than the Devil Himself,” an eye-catching narrative textile work by Jasmine Best, from over 150 works to represent the Lyndon House Arts Center’s 48th annual Juried Exhibition on its cover. Best was also recognized by the center itself with a Choice Award that offers the opportunity to return and present a solo show. That exhibition, “Tell Me A Story,” includes new wallbound figurative works that combine traditional mediums like fabric and yarn with digital painting and sewing techniques that add a contemporary charm. Best, a current MFA candidate at UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, is a Southern artist who investigates folk story traditions of the Black South, narratives passed down by her Carolinian family and her own personal childhood memories to find artistic inspiration. Her work reexamines what constitutes Southern art and contemplates Black femme identity. MEMORY WORKER: Shifting between printmaking, paper making, performance, book arts and textiles, Kelly Taylor Mitchell’s multidisciplinary practice centers oral history and ancestral memory—both real and imagined—as it relates to the African Diaspora. Her exhibition, “Memory Worker,” bridges the past and present through labor-intensive, handmade processes and thoughtful symbolism. Mitchell is an assistant professor of art and visual culture at Spelman College in Atlanta, where she is also currently a Midtown Alliance Artist-in-Residence and a 2024 Arts & Social Justice Fellow at Emory University. She is the recipient of the Lyndon House Arts Foundation’s BIPOC Fellowship, a program committed to increasing the visibility and contribution of BIPOC artists. “Growing Together,” “The Image Moves,” “8th Collegiate Paper Art Triennial” and “Collections from Our Community” will remain on view through Jan. 13, while “Maquettes” will remain until Feb. 8. “Tell Me A Story” and “Memory Worker,” which both opened this past weekend, will be displayed until Mar. 12. Artist talks will be held with Ribeiro on Dec. 14, Wilson and the artists of “The Image Moves” on Jan. 11, and Tesser on Feb. 8, all at 6 p.m. f

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Tuesday 21

event calendar

CLASSES: Adult Personal Growth (Statham Public Library) This class will help you discover valuable strategies and tools to enhance your self-awareness, boost confidence and more. 5:30–6:30 p.m. FREE! www.prlib.org/statham EVENTS: Thanksgiving Dinner (El Paso Tacos & Tequila) A hot meal from the restaurant’s Thanksgiving dinner table. 3–6 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/elpasoathenss EVENTS: West Broad Farmers Market and Garden (Athentic Brewing Co.) Vendors will be on site with fresh produce, local fare, rare plants, artisan goods and more. Tuesdays, 5–8 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com FILM: The Wizard of Oz (Bogart Library) An all-ages, interactive screening of the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939). 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart FILM: Club Ned Anime Society (ACC Library) Join club members to watch and discuss episodes of “Future Boy Conan,” “Crossing Time” and more. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.animefandom.org FILM: Attaboy Tapes Double Feature (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1971 film The Point (7 p.m.) and the 1973 film Fantastic Planet (9 p.m.). FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo KIDSTUFF: Toddler Tuesday: Giving Thanks (Georgia Museum of Art) Enjoy art and storytime in the galleries, then complete an art activity. Ages 18 months to 3 years. RSVP by email. 10 a.m. FREE! gmoa-tours@uga.edu KIDSTUFF: Chapter Chat (Bogart Library) This month’s chat will feature L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of OZ with quizzes, trivia, snacks and more. Ages 8–12. 4:30p.m. FREE! www.bogartlibrary.org MEETINGS: Help I Yarned (Bogart Library) Learn new patterns and techniques for knitting and crochet. 1–2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 22 EVENTS: Thanksgiving Feed the Hungry (The Sparrow’s Nest) A buffet-style lunch and hygiene products will be served for those in need. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. sheatssocial services.org EVENTS: AFM Harvest Market (Buvez) Athens Farmers Market will be offering produce, bread, meats, treats, eggs, drinks and more. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.org FILM: Silent Films and Cocktails (Hendershot’s) Settle in with a drink for a night of silent film showings.

7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens KIDSTUFF: Open Play (Bogart Library) Join the fun with open play and toys. 10 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials. All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

Thursday 23 CLASSES: Thanksgiving Day Yoga (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) A yoga class on Thanksgiving morning taught by Raquel Durden. 9–10 a.m. FREE! www.revolutiontherapy andyoga.com EVENTS: Give Thanks 8K (Bottleworks) Start your day with a race around the downtown Athens area with a kids fun run and refreshments afterwards, in benefit of ACCA. Registration required. 8:30 a.m. $45. www.givethanks8k.com EVENTS: Annual Thanksgiving Feast (Chuck’s Fish) A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served. All are welcome. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/Chucks FishAthens EVENTS: Feed the Hungry Dinner (Weaver D’s) A gospel celebration followed by a hot meal. 12 p.m. (gospel), 2 p.m. (dinner). FREE! www.facebook.com/WeaverDs

Friday 24 ART: Opening Reception (Spaceball Bazaar) The group show “Planes, Trains, & Cryogenics: Modes of Transport” will be on view. 12–6 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ spaceball.bazaar CLASSES: Community Yoga (Fuel Hot Yoga) Enjoy two after-Thanksgiving yoga classes open to the community. 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.fuelhotyoga.com EVENTS: Beloved Apothecary’s Sacred Space (Rabbit Hole Studios) This week’s gathering serving alcohol alternative beverages will highlight a Friendsgiving and acoustic jam. Fridays, 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation. www.instagram.com/beloved_apothecary EVENTS: Beechwood’s Holiday Market (Beechwood Shopping Center) Celebrate the Beechwood Center’s tree lighting with hayrides, face painting, food trucks, smore’s, photos with Santa and more. 6–9 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ beechwoodathens KIDSTUFF: Meet & Play (Bogart Library) Drop in for facilitated open play with age-appropriate toys. Best for ages 6 & under. Every Friday, 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/bogart MEETINGS: Celebrate Recovery Free Dinner (Living Hope Church) Christ-centered 12-step program to help anyone with heart hurt, hang-

up or habit. Free childcare, and bus route accessible. FREE! 5:30 p.m. (dinner), 6:30 p.m. (large group). 706-207-2396

Saturday 25

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: One Enchanted Evening (Oconee Youth Theater) Cameron Loyal will discuss his NYC theater experiences and sing Broadway songs in benefit of Oconee Youth Playhouse. 7 p.m. $25. www. oconeeyouthplayhouse.com

KIDSTUFF: Teen Book Club (Oconee County Library) Discuss this month’s book. Bring your own copy or check one out at the front desk. Grades 6–12. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (Athentic Brewing Co.) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com MEETINGS: Meditation Monday (Sisters of the Moon) Join others for a collective tarot reading followed by a guided meditation, breath work, journal prompts and more. All ages. 7–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.shopsotm.com

ART: Artist Reception (Community) On view are oil paintings by Hannah Jones with live music by art rock band Burly Ivy. 5–7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/community athens EVENTS: Holiday Artist Market (Bishop Park) Athens Farmers Market hosts a selection of diverse, handmade, unique and sustainable goods from local vendors. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.athensfarmersmarket.net EVENTS: Small Business Saturday FILM: Three Star Cinema (Flicker (Lexington Courthouse Square) ART: Video Art Showcase (ATHICA) Theatre & Bar) Screening of the Local businesses and crafters The exhibition “Vibration/Telepathy” 1989 Japanese Zatoichi-based host a variety of sales, giveaways, popups and more. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ oglethorpecounty chamber EVENTS: West Broad Farmers Market (West Broad Farmers Market) The market offers fresh produce, locally raised meat and eggs, baked goods, flowers, artisan goods and more. Online ordering is available Sundays–Thursdays for drive-thru pick up. Saturdays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.wbfm.locallygrown.net GAMES: Board Games (Bogart Library) Enjoy a variety of board games and card games with friends. 2 –5 p.m. FREE! www. athens library.org/ bogart KIDSTUFF: Family Saturdays: Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) A drop-in family-oriented series of art projects that are inspired by current exhibitions. This week The Beechwood Holiday Markets kick off with a tree lighting and festivities on Nov. 24 is bookmaking with from 6–9 p.m. handmade paper. 12 –2 p.m. FREE! www. will feature 16 single-channel works. American film Blind Fury. 7 p.m. accgov.com 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athica.org FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar. PERFORMANCE: Thanksgiving EVENTS: West Broad Farmers com Classic (40 Watt Club) Classic Market and Garden (Athentic FILM: Bad Movie Night (Ciné) A City Wrestling presents a night Brewing Co.) Vendors will be on kickboxing vigilante priest with psyof high flying, power slamming site with produce, artisan goods and chic powers joins a skid row church independent wrestling, with a side more. Tuesdays, 5–8 p.m. FREE! and hunts down evildoers in the of rock and roll by Monsoon. 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com devout disaster The Divine Enforcer. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10–25. GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici 8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ www.40watt.com Athens) Test your trivia knowledge BadMovieNight with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. GAMES: Monday Trivia with Erin www.facebook.com/baddogathens (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akatrivia knowledge with host Erin. 7–9 EVENTS: Pet Pictures with Santa demia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. (Graduate Athens) Your furry family knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. com members (and human ones) can 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Dooltake photos with Santa, proceeds ClassicCityTriviaCo ey’s Bar and Grill) Test your trivia benefitting the Athens Area Humane LECTURES & LIT: Mystery Book knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. Society. Registration required. Club (Bogart Library) Join Dr. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ 12–3:30 p.m. $20. www.athens Penny Mills to discuss Wilkie ClassicCityTriviaCo humanesociety.org Collins’s detective novel The MoonKIDSTUFF: Monday Funday (Bogart EVENTS: Smaller Business Sunday stone. 5:30–6:30 p.m. FREE! www. Library) Join Ms. Donna for songs, Craft Market (Athentic Brewing athenslibrary.org/bogart fingerplays, storytelling and STEAM Co.) Market with local goods, artists, PERFORMANCE: Rabbit Box Stoactivities. Ages 3–7 years. Regisfood vendors and more. 1-7 p.m. rytelling: Stand Up (VFW Post tration suggested. 10 a.m. FREE! FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com 2872) This month’s storytelling www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

Monday 27

Sunday 26

Tuesday 28

theme is “Stand Up,” covering a range of topics from standing up for yourself to being a stand up person. 7–9 p.m. $10. www.rabbitbox.org SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 29 ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (Starland Lounge & Lanes) Join SALSAthens for Cuban salsa lessons that meet a variety of dance abilities, including beginners. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/ intermediate). $10. SALSAthens Dancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Every Wednesday, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com EVENTS: Whiskies of the Levant (J’s Bottle Shop) Learn about the unique whiskies of Lebanon and Israel by sampling. 7–9 p.m. $25. www.eventbrite.com/cc/whiskies- of-the-world-2578279 FILM: Ghastly Horror Society (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 2023 ’90s-style SOV horror film A Corpse for Christmas. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar. com GAMES: Music Bingo (Athentic Brewing Co.) Win prizes at this music bingo night with host Mari. 7–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials. All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Film Athens (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Meet and network with others in the filmmaking community (actors, directors, etc.) during happy hour. 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com OUTDOORS: ‘Normal’ Run (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join the Athens Road Runners for a 1–3 mile run that starts and ends at Athentic Brewing. Every other Wednesday, 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

Down the Line 11/30 Comedy In The Taproom (Athentic Brewing Co.) 11/30 Evergreen Wreath Workshop (Georgia Museum of Art) f

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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REAL ESTATE HOUSES FOR RENT House, 3BR/2BA in Normaltown. Central heat/air. Apartment, 2BR/1BA. Furnished. Washer/dryer. Wi-Fi. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505 Newly renovated 2BR/1BA house avail. January 1st. Normaltown/Boulevard n’hood. Great for couples, Grad Student or professionals. Fully furnished! $2000/month. Please visit www.133LenoirAvenue.com for more details. Get Flagpole delivered straight to your mailbox! Weekly delivery straight from the source. Makes a great gift! Only $55 for six months or $100 for one year. Purchase online at www.flagpole.big cartel.com, call 706-5490301 or email frontdesk@ flagpole.com.

Sell or rent your property in the Flagpole Classifieds! Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS Business Water Solutions offers the cleanest drinking water available through innovative bottle-less water coolers and ice machines. Call 706-248-6761 or visit www.businesswatersolutions.com to set up a consultation.

YARD SALES Crafter's Indoor Yard Sale. 2145 Winterville Rd. Every Fri-Sat, 10-4. Oct. 27-Dec. 23. Home decor, jewelry, crocheted items, handmade cards and more. Zelle/ venmo only. Sell your unwanted stuff in the Flagpole Classifieds!

flagpole classifieds REACH OVER 30,000 READERS EVERY WEEK! Business Services Real Estate Music For Sale

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MUSIC INSTRUCTION Athens School of Music. Now offering in-person and online instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings, banjo, mandolin and more. From beginner to expert, all styles. Visit www.athens schoolofmusic.com.706543-5800

SERVICES CLASSES Adult/teen Acrylic/Watercolor/Drawing lessons with professional artist in Eastside studio. Individual or small groups. All levels. Students provide their own supplies. Get your holiday orders in now for acrylic or oil people & pet portrait commissions! Contact for pricing. www.LaurenAdams Artist.com 404-913-3597

JOBS FULL-TIME Advertise job openings in the Flagpole Classifieds!

El Paso Tacos & Tequila Now Hiring for Servers and Bartenders. We offer flexible hours and scheduling for students. No experience is required as training is provided! Stop by in person to fill out an application! 255 W. Washington St.

PART-TIME Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 16–40 hours, Mon–Fri. NEVER be called in for a shift you didn’t sign up for. Must type 65+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction. Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes. com

NOTICES MESSAGES FLAGPOLE HAS NEW MERCH. Choose between a groovy rainbow design & a classic cassette design. Both are available as stickers! Stop by and get yours today or order online www. flagpole.bigcartel.com.

Have your business included in ,, FLAGPOLE FLAGPOLE SS HOLIDAY HOLIDAY GIFT GIFT GUIDE GUIDE

THE 2ND EDITION WILL BE PUBLISHED ON DEC. 6TH RATES AS LOW AS $125 PER ISSUE. THE NEXT DEADLINE TO BE INCLUDED IS NOV. 28TH.

IN FULL COLOR! Holiday Gift Guide

Big City Bread Cafe

5 Points Acupuncture

393 N. Finley St.

2027 S. Milledge Ave.

Ted’s Most Best

R. Wood Studio

www.tedsmostbest.com

www.rwoodstudio.com One-of-a-kind pottery, handmade in Athens, makes the perfect gift. Each dish is entirely made and painted by hand in the studio.

254 W. Washington St.

Artisan pizzas, salads, paninis, daily specials, cheesecakes and beer make Ted’s a good place to refuel while doing your holiday shopping. While you are here, pick up a t-shirt or cozy hoodie, and a gift card for anyone on

your list.

Closed Christmas day but open Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.

450 Georgia Dr.

Studio is open daily.

Shiraz

Perry’s Convenience & Liquors

675 Pulaski St., Suite 400

265 North Ave., 4388 Lexington Rd.

shirazathens.com Shiraz has everything you need for the holidays: Christmas gifts including soaps and candles, sauces for entertaining and lots of decor!

www.perrysstores.com Give them what they really want this year: Liquor Gift Sets from Perry’s! They have a variety of gift sets and glassware to please every person on your Holiday Shopping List!

Gift certificates available. Complimentary gift wrapping. Closed Dec. 24-26. Open at 11a.m. Dec. 27.

All locations are open seven days a week.

The Rook and Pawn

294 W. Washington St., Suite 300

therookandpawn.com Perfect gifts for the game lovers on your list: Codenames - Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their CODENAMES. Avalon - pits the future of forces of Good and Evil in a battle to control the civilization. T-shirts for kids and adults!

Urban Sanctuary 810 N. Chase St.

Contact Flagpole at ads@flagpole.com or 706-549-0301 to reserve your spot

ADOPT ME!

Visit www.accgov.com/257/Available-Pets to view all the cats and dogs available at the shelter

$10 per week $14 per week $16 per week $40 per 12 weeks $5 per week

*Ad enhancement prices are viewable at flagpole.com **Run-‘Til-Sold rates are for MERCHANDISE ONLY ***Available for individual rate categories only

PLACE AN AD • Call our Classifieds Dept. 706-549-0301 • Email us at class@flagpole.com

• Deadline to place ads is 11:00 a.m. every Monday for the following Wednesday issue • All ads must be prepaid

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

Pecan (54196176)

Is there anything cuter than a sleepy kitten? Pecan is just snuggled up at the shelter waiting for someone to bring him home. Maybe that someone is you?

Parmesan (54754804)

Why is this amazing boy still looking for his forever home? He’s 1 year old, quiet, gentle and sweet. If you can’t adopt why not foster? Parmesan is ready to travel!

Patricia (53741651)

Yet another adorable tabby available for adoption or foster. Meet Patricia! She’s 3, has a calm demeanor and enjoys gentle scritches. Let’s find her a home today.

These pets and many others are available for adoption at:

Athens-Clarke County Animal Services 125 Buddy Christian Way · 706-613-3540 Call for appointment

flagpole

grub notes

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

food & drink

Cafe Racer is Worth the Wait

Difficulty: Easy

8 7 1 4 PLUS, DOWNTOWN TACOS THAT DON’T EQUATE By Hillary Brown food@flagpole.com 5 9

7 6 2

8 3 8 7 3 8 2 5 1 6 5 9 7 4

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each setofof11/20/23 3 by 3 boxes must contain Week - 11/26/23 the numbers 1 to 9.

The Weekly Crossword 1

23 24 Solution to Sudoku: 27

25 28

4 9 7 2 6 1 5 8 3 33 5 6 2 9 834 3 7 1 435 37 38 1 8 3 7 4 539 6 9 2 41 9 3 5 4 1 242 8 6 7 45 6 7 4 8 346 9 2 547 1 49 7 6 4 50 3 951 2 1 8 5 7 534 546 3 9 8 1 255 5 52 3 2 1 6 5 4 960 7 8 59 8 5 9 1 2 7 363 4 6 62

29 36 40 43

44 48

56 61

ACROSS 1 Bomb, as a midterm 5 Lengthy narrative 9 Rustling sound 14 Latvian capital 15 Babe with a bat 16 "'Deed I Do" singer Lena 17 Haughtiness 19 Love, in Lyon 20 Indian condiment 21 "Survivor" event 23 Entice 25 Trash bag closers 26 What bellbottoms do 29 Camera stand 33 Abbr. in some military titles 34 Fast too long 36 Potted "pet" 37 Elevator pioneer 39 Cowpoke's charge 40 Potter's oven 41 Basketball defense 42 Donkey sound 44 Grant permission 45 Mesh, as gears 47 Save for later 49 Growing business?

19 21

by Margie E. Burke

64 67

51 Gets soupy, as ice cream 52 Yellow-flowered plant 56 Classical language 59 Watchful 60 Huge victory 62 Late newsman Morley 63 Parasitic insects 64 Had the answer 65 Contest submission 66 Multitude 67 Adriatic, et. al. DOWN 1 Peck film, "Cape ____" 2 Surrounding glow 3 Irksome 4 Riot opportunist 5 Memorable time 6 Use a comma 7 Monroe's "The Seven Year ___" 8 Swindle 9 Ship like Ahab's 10 Pining while away 11 Pressing need? 12 Tight

13 Roll-call response 18 Midway attractions 22 Able to read and write 24 Earthenware fragment 26 Stopped in one's tracks 27 Acknowledge 28 Arborist's concern 30 Goliath, e.g. 31 Drunk as a skunk 32 "Divine Comedy" author 35 Intensity 38 Ocean voyager 43 Room dividers 46 Sinclair Lewis' Elmer 48 Celery servings 50 "Pollyanna" actress Hayley 52 Bulk buy 53 Verve 54 Word before field or wing 55 Finger part 57 Brainchild 58 It's breaking, at times 61 Morning drops

Puzzle answers are available at www.flagpole.com/puzzles

TACO MAMA (265 N. Lumpkin St., 762-728-4675, tacomamaonline.com): Usually when people complain about the fact that this town has a lot of Mexican restaurants, I ignore their griping. Who could possibly be annoyed about our wealth of delicious food from one of the world’s great food cultures, especially given that it’s quite varied? We have excellent taquerias, chef-crafted barbecue and tacos (if you think Taqueria del Sol isn’t Mexican, I have news for you), hearty soups, an array of sandwiches, marisquerias, ceviches and aguachiles, and more. We have restaurants that people think are Mexican that aren’t or aren’t primarily, like Cali ’n Tito’s (Peruvian), Punta Cana (Dominican), Sabor Latino (Uruguayan) and Cantaritos Cafe (stuff from Colombia, El Salvador and Peru). But did we need Taco Mama, a chain out of Auburn, AL, that moved into the location vacated by Fuzzy’s Tacos, on the ground floor of the West Washington Deck downtown? The name has less innuendo than Fuzzy’s, and the atmosphere is more family friendly and less “undergrads who know IDs aren’t being checked very carefully,” but when it comes to what’s on the plate, they aren’t that different: Mexican food for people who associate it primarily with margaritas and consider pico de gallo spicy. Tex-Mex is fine. Cali-Mex is fine. I eat at Taco Stand on a regular basis, and I appreciate it for what it is. But Taco Mama is a special kind of aggressively mid in its product, down to its underthought motto: “Be Happy. Stay Local.” (Do you mean eat elsewhere rather than at a chain based in a different state?) It wouldn’t even matter if the food were inexpensive, but $15 for two shrimp tacos, a small side and a big serving of thin, undersalted chips with salsa is not what I’d consider a good deal. Try to track down prices on the restaurant’s website, and you’ll find it fruitless. Likewise for the huge, nearly unreadable chalked menu above the ordering counter, which has descriptions but no dollar figures. Maybe it’s to preserve flexibility on the restaurant’s part in a time of ingredient price instability, but it leaves the customer spending a Cafe Racer lot more than she had intended. Your best bet for taste and value are the quesadillas. Fill one with cilantro-lime-marinated tofu, cheese and a huge array of add-ins that are included in the price (e.g., avocado, jalapeños, beans, rice, ancho chile slaw, onions, tomatoes, lettuce), and you’ll find yourself well fed, perhaps carrying leftovers home in the pizza boxshaped containers Taco Mama offers up. The chips are still weaksauce, and the salsa unremarkable at best, but the central item is pretty OK. The fish tacos sound like they might have some flavor (flounder grilled or fried with ancho chile slaw, avocado, tomatoes, roasted poblano tartar sauce), but the result is boring. The sauces and salad dressings are thick and sweet rather than savory. The street corn is the same. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic, there’s a nice patio outside, and a kids menu could be welcome, but it feels like there are abundant better options. Taco Mama is open for lunch and dinner every day and has a full bar.

CAFE RACER (2343 W. Broad St., caferacer78.com): Does the long-awaited Athens location of the teeny charmer out in a field in Arnoldsville recapture the magic? Kinda. Like the above, it is sometimes a little more than one wants to remove from one’s wallet, but the food is mostly consistent and quite good. The skinny building set up on a hill of its own making in a weird, steep parking lot doesn’t have the same vibe as the original, but the drive-through runs smoothly, even with burgers and tacos that get made to order. You can walk up and order at the window should you choose, but the area is car-centric. Mostly, Cafe Racer is still a breakfast place, open 6 a.m.–2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, although dinner now operates at 5 p.m. Friday nights. You might think $3.50 is expensive for a donut, but it’s a nice one, not laden with oversweet frosting or topped VIA FACEBOOK

with ridiculousness. My children still prefer Dunkin’, but you should take that as a vote for Cafe Racer. Both the tacos and the burritos are maximalist, and I’d go so far as to call the $12 burrito a pretty good value, hefty and packed with stuff as it is. You could eat half for breakfast and half for lunch. A word of warning: The This Lil’ Piggy includes a fried plantain that comes off a lot more banana-y than expected, a shock of sweet in the middle of the savory. Dinner is fun, too, with burgers notable for their messy array of strongly flavored, drippy toppings: pepper jack, jalapeño cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, habanero hot sauce. You might should get a bib or at least some wet wipes with your order. For a topping-reliant burger, it’s among the best around. The chicken sandwich is good but not at the same level by its nature. The fries remain stellar. It’s worth the wait. f

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

live music calendar Tuesday 21

Ciné 8 p.m. FREE! www.athenscine.com KARAOKE WITH THE KING Show off your pipes to the world. Every first, third and fifth Tuesday. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu AFRICAN AMERICAN CHORAL ENSEMBLE The fall concert features spirituals, hymn tunes and gospel music by African American composers.

Wednesday 22 Athentic Brewing Co. 7–10 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHT Choose from a catalog of over 51,000 songs ranging from pop, rock, musical theater and more. Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Porterhouse Grill 6–8:30 p.m. www.porterhousegrill athens.com JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens captained by drummer Mason Davis and featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits.

Friday 24 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. (doors). $30–40. www.40watt. com KUT KLOSE Atlanta trio who formed in the 1990s and have brought critical acclaim to the R&B genre with hits such as “Surrender.” Tonight’s show is for ages 25 & up and will also feature guest

performers IAMTIKICA, C White, Jalen Eberhardt and AD. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com TAXICAB VERSES Local group fronted by Jim Wilson and inspired by the traditional sounds of Ghana. JACOB MORRIS Mellow NC-based folk multi-instrumentalist who has played with Vic Chesnutt, Ham1 and Madeline Adams. The Foundry 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15. bit.ly/AbbeyRoadLiveNov24 ABBEY ROAD LIVE! Beloved local tribute band who has the crowd rocking all night to their extensive Beatles cover sets. RADIO FREE ATHENS Members of Abbey Road LIVE! bring life to the music that catapulted R.E.M. to the top of nearly every college radio chart in America. VFW Post 2872 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfw2872 CHRIS HAMPTON BAND Athens- based band performing a variety of country, western and rock dance music.

Buvez 7–10 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ darkentriesathens DARK ENTRIES KARAOKE Sing from a curated catalog of goth, post-punk, punk and industrial. Community Hannah Jones Art Reception. 5–7 p.m. www.shopcommunityathens.com BURLY IVY Local primitive art rock band. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com

Sunday 26

Nuçi’s Space 12–10 p.m. $15 suggested donation. www.nuci.org ATHENS UNCOVERED In addition to food trucks and photo ops, Nuçi’s annual fundraiser includes performances by Heffner, David Barbe+, Wim Tapley & The Cannons, Rose Hotel, Jim White, Current Rage, Five Eight, Nuclear Tourism, Honeypuppy, Cardynal,

premiere of a new composition by local artist Nicole Chamberlain.

Monday 27 Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT! pac.uga.edu JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS Led by acclaimed composer and musician Winton Marsalis, this versatile group performs big

Saturday 25 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (bell time). $10–25. www.40watt.com MONSOON Melodic indie rock duo from Athens weaving together unorthodox styles to create music that dips between the conscious and unconscious. Athentic Brewing Co. 5–7 p.m. FREE! www.atheticbrewing. com JIM AND JACK Jack Miller and Jim Green will be strumming and singing some classics along with originals. Boutier Winery & Inn 8 p.m. $10. www.boutierwinery.com DWIGHT WILSON AND CLASSIC CITY SOUL BAND A mix of classic Motown, soul and funk.

Watchhouse will perform at the Georgia Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 29. MADE UP Atlanta-based alternative rock with lighthearted undertones and a garage rock aura. LOWTOWN Alt-country that balances roots music and garage punk. SAG No info available. Hendershot’s 8 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com JAZZ Live jazz music. The Root 9 p.m. www.therootathens.com SILENT DISCO Grab a pair of headphones, choose a music channel and dance the night away.

Liz Farrell, Rebecca Sunshine Band and the Camp Amped Band. Morton Theatre 4 p.m. $5–10 suggested donation. www.mortontheatre.com SHINE! CELBRATING OUR YOUTH THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE CONCERT The Morton Theatre Corporation and HEART Music present Clarke County School District students from the band, orchestra and guitar programs performing songs written primarily by Black composers as well as the

band versions of the season’s greatest hits in “Big Band Holidays.”

Tuesday 28 Flicker Theatre & Bar Attaboy Tapes Presents. 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. www. flickertheatreandbar.com JAKE BROWER Whimsical bubblegum pop. SCOTT SPILLANE EXP The Neutral Milk Hotel member plays

hypnotic folk-rock. INFINITE FAVORS Athens-based band featuring members of Pride Parade, Los Meesfits and Cars Can Be Blue.

Wednesday 29 Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $40. www.georgiatheatre.com WATCHHOUSE Duo singer-songwriter group with profound chemistry whose grassroots songs explore heartbreak and mystery. ALLISON DE GROOT & TATIANA HARGREAVES Banjo and violin players weaving their own soft folk genre. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! mixed media.sax@gmail.com MIXED MEDIA A recital of contemporary saxophone quartet music. Nowhere Bar 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. bit.ly/NowhereBarNov29 HANDHOLDER A group whose multi-genre sound ranges from folk to rock to electronic. THE DOWNSTAIRS Athens indie- rock quartet that is building a name for itself with high energy live performances. THE NAYSAYERS Seven-piece indie rock band that incorporates elements of punk and pop into its lyrical ballads. Porterhouse Grill 6–8:30 p.m. www.porterhousegrill athens.com JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens captained by drummer Mason Davis and featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits. f

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

feature

music

A Celebration of Kevn Kinney LET’S GO DANCING: SAID THE FIREFLY TO THE HURRICANE

By Patrick Barry music@flagpole.com

CARLTON FREEMAN

hen I sat down to interview moved or influenced by Kinney’s music. The Kevn Kinney, it was the first first of the four albums, Said The Firefly To day of a rash of cold days to hit The Hurricane, will be released Nov. 24, with the South, and it was the first day I turned following albums to be released on a loose the heat on in our poorly-insulated home. quarterly schedule throughout the next The cold front stretched to Atlanta as well, year. Said The Firefly To The Hurricane is an and periodically throughout our interview, expressive compilation of Kinney’s music, Kinney paused to direct the maintenance crew to his broken central heat. He told me that he and his wife Anna Jensen are used to it. They just pile the blankets on. Kinney has executed his musical career in quiet humility, from his time in Atlanta’s Drivin N Cryin to an extensive and profoundly creative solo discography. Over time, he’s built more of a reputation, in the South specifically, than even he would admit. Kinney’s work as the principal songwriter of Drivin N Cryin redefined Southern rock at a time when it was sorely needed, and garnered him wide acclaim regionally. It also earned him a long list of friends. In 2020, Jensen, seeing Kinney’s 60th birthday on the horizon and with limited options for celebration due to COVID, Anna Jensen and Kevn Kinney reached out to some of the musicians Kinney had met along the and the passion with which they are interway to ask about covering one of his songs. preted by the various artists is evident. “I think that as much as Kevn and Drivin Jensen’s own art graces the cover of N Cryin are loved and respected in inner not only each of the four albums, but also circles, they’ve been underappreciated more unique pieces created for each song, a task widely,” Jensen said. “I’m hoping this projalmost as monumental as the record itself. ect helps to change that.” She also founded a new label, Tasty Goody The result is Let’s Go Dancing: A CelebraRecords, to put out the re-imagined songs. tion of Kevn Kinney, a monumental four-alThe album was announced with two bum tribute with a final aggregation of 100 accompanying singles, “Catch The Wind” songs digitally, that calls on musicians from and “Gotta Move On,” performed respecacross genres and the country who have felt tively by Brian Ritchie and Gordon Gano of

the Violent Femmes. Kinney played his first gig in Atlanta as an opener for the Violent Femmes, so it’s fitting that they start things off. Ritchie brought in Wisconsin musician Sam Llanas for vocals on “Catch The Wind,” the second song off of Drivin N Cryin’s Whisper Tames The Lion, as well as Sean Williamson on lap steel, John Sparrow on cajon, Mike Kasprzak on bongos and Ritchie himself on acoustic bass. “Gotta Move On,” a 2012 song by Kinney, was performed by Gano in a collaboration with Boy Dirt Car, a longtime friend of Kinney and Drivin N Cryin’s tour manager for some time. “It’s cool they picked this song, because that was kind of my Violent Femmes ripoff,” Kinney said.

YELP REVIEWS FROM OUR PATIENTS

Feeling grateful this season for my two-legged friends at Boulevard Animal Hospital! – Sunny

706-425-5099 i 298 Prince Ave. Across from The Bottleworks

www.downtownathensvets.com

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

“‘Gotta Move On’ is kind of a true story,” he said. “When I first moved down to Atlanta, I lived in my car for about six months. I worked at the sewage plant and slept in my car. I had that, you know how people look at you like ‘you’re homeless?’ Like, dude, I work at the sewage plant, I just don’t have a house right now. I spent a lot of time just wandering around.” Kinney hasn’t forgotten those times. When Jensen finally approached him with the idea of the tribute, he agreed under one

condition: that all of the album’s proceeds go to charity. So, Anna worked with Kinney to pick charities with a personal connection. The SIMS Foundation is an organization founded in part by featured artist Alejandro Escovedo. It provides mental health and substance use recovery services and support for musicians and music industry professionals. How Big Is Your Dream is an education-based youth empowerment organization affiliated with Ike Stubblefield. Out of The Woods assists children with spinal and brain injuries. FarmLink Project brings together farmers and food banks to tackle food waste and food insecurity. Said The Firefly To The Hurricane also includes tracks by Elf Power, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Pylon Reenactment Society, Parker Gispert (The Whigs), Shovels and Rope, Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) featuring Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Erin Rae featuring Seth Martin, and more. Each of the upcoming albums has a theme that links them together. The first installment attempts to channel the moods and sounds of the season, with earlier songs from Kinney’s rugged beginnings. The second plans to rely on the country, roots and blues influences throughout Kinney’s discography. It’s not often that an artist is prolific and effective enough to generate even a single tribute album, let alone four. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more thoughtful birthday present, both to the artist himself and the world at large. “I do feel like it’s good for the world in general,” Jensen said. “There’s so much terrible stuff going on, so it’s nice to focus on some positive stuff, too.” f

WHO: Drivin N Cryin, VOLK WHEN: Friday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m. WHERE: 40 Watt Club HOW MUCH: $25 (adv.), $30

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Welcome to the first edition of flagpole’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide To be included in the Dec. 6th edition, contact the Flagpole Advertising Department at 706-549-0301 or ads@flagpole.com. Deadline is Nov. 28th.

Athens Community Council On Aging

Big City Bread Cafe

Help us ensure that all older adults in our community age well. A gift can provide a blanket to keep warm ($20), transportation to the pharmacy, grocery store, or medical appointments ($10), a week’s worth of meals ($50), or 1 day of care at our Adult Day Health Center ($65).

Treat your loved ones and celebrate your love of Big City Bread with gift certificates in any denomination. Super easy to purchase online or in person. Delicious sweets trays feature assorted mini cookies, sweet bars, and chocolate truffle stars. Call or email bigcitycafe@yahoo.com to order (with 48 hours notice) for your holiday celebration.

135 Hoyt St. accaging.com

393 N. Finley St. bigcitybread.com

Holiday Market Dec. 14 & 15, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

Canopy Studio

160-6 Tracy St. canopystudio.org

Give the gift of aerial dance with kids winter camp, adult workshops, and classes for all ages. Check out the new bungee classes for ages 16 and up! Perfect for all abilities with no experience necessary. Wrap up a Canopy gift certificate and t-shirt this holiday season!

Ciné

234 W. Hancock Ave. athenscine.com

Give the Gift of Ciné! Located in the heart of downtown Athens, Ciné is the premier spot to see the best independent films anywhere in the Classic City! Give a gift certificate or even better, give a membership for perks like discounted ticket prices for every show and free popcorn!

The Classic Center

DePalma’s Italian Cafe

Your favorite, Athens On Ice public ice skating returns outdoors this season at the 440 Foundry Pavilion at The Classic Center. Lace up your skates and join us for 75 minutes of holiday fun! Tickets are only $15 and include your skate rental. Groups of ten or more are eligible for $12 tickets.

DePalma’s offers catering and party trays to make your holidays tastier. Lasagna, Chicken Parmigian, salad, bread sticks, and more. Dine in or call in your order and pick it up at one of our 3 locations.

440 Foundry St. classiccenter.com/iceskating

Hours: Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

401 E. Broad St., 2080 Timothy Rd., 1965 Barnett Shoals Rd. depalmasitaliancafe.com

Gift cards, both physical and email versions, are available online at depalmasitaliancafe.com

Frog Pond Gift Shop

Grail Bra Specialists

Shop for nature themed gifts for everyone in the family. The vibrant colors of the dart frog tell predators to stay away! This realistic porcupine puppet provides a fun, interactive experience. Explore the invisible forces of magnetism with a science kit. Plus lots more!

This gorgeous A-line nightgown uses ultra-soft fabric with a reinforced bust for shaping and support. Grail also offers gift cards in any amount, a great way to explore the Athens area’s only dedicated fully body-inclusive bra fitting boutique.

Sandy Creek Nature Center

Open Tues.–Sat. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

1055 Gaines School Rd., Suite 110 grailbras.com

Double loyalty program rewards and additional discounts on non-bra lingerie and clearance items on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

NO V E MB E R 22, 2023· F L A GP OL E .C OM

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Hendershots

Indie South

Support your favorite local spot and spoil your family and friends by gifting the finest coffee Athens has to offer plus super cute merch like Hendy’s trucker hats and cozy Hendershot’s sweatsuits to keep your loved ones warm all season.

Proud to be Athens’ Favorite Gift Shop, locally owned Indie South is stocked with lots of unique gifts from over 150 small brands. A few favorites this season include this cast iron moon face wall hanging, genuine framed butterfly and functional fire starting kit to impress your outdoorsy friends.

237 Prince Ave. hendershotsathens.com

Gift Cards available.

470 Hawthorne Ave. theindiesouth.com

Store is open 7 days a week through Christmas Eve. Holiday Hooray event in Bishop Park Dec. 9 & 10

Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation

Olive Basket

OCAF presents the 29th Annual Juried Holiday Market, featuring handmade works, like Donna McCavit’s handbuilt ceramics, and jewelry like this handcrafted pendant by Sheila Collins and watercolor work like this piece by Elizabeth Barton. Plus fiber arts, photography, candles, woodwork and more.

Olive Basket gift sets are available in a variety of combinations, including Olive Oils, White or Dark Balsamic Vinegars, or a combination of Oils and Vinegars. Choose one of their pre-made combinations or design your own from over 50 oils and vinegars.

34 School St., Watkinsville ocaf.com

Dec. 1, 4 p.m.–9 p.m. & Dec. 2, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Food trucks on site.

Gift wrapping available.

Pain and Wonder Tattoo and Piercing

Poquitos

Pain and Wonder, an Athens favorite tattoo shop, has gifts for your loved ones: jewelry for all piercings & tattoos for anyone on your list.

No need to struggle finding gifts for the family this holiday! Come on down to Poquitos and grab a gift card, merch or a Grit cookbook!

Gift certificates available in any amount.

Hours: Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Republic Salon

Ted’s Most Best

Visit Republic Salon to find glitzy, sparkly, totally blinged out hair accessories sure to make you the star of holiday parties. Check out the cool and unique handmade jewelry by local artisan Amy Bellotte. For kids or the young at heart, they have super cute accessories that will make the perfect gift or stocking stuffer.

Do you or your loved one absolutely love Ted’s? Grab the perfect gift for them this holiday season! Whether it is a gift card, t-shirt, or one of their limited supply Grit Cookbooks!

285 W. Washington St. painandwonder.com

312 E. Broad St. republicsalon.com

1791 Oconee Connector, Suite 745 olivebasketonline.com

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 22, 2023

195 Prince Ave. poquitosathens.com

254 W. Washington St. tedsmostbest.com

Hours: Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

TREEHOUSE Kid & Craft

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

585 Barber St., Studio G treehousekidandcraft.com

Gifts for teens, kids, and kids at heart! Sonny Angel Surprise boxes: Treehouse is your local place for fun Japanese collectable toys. Give a happy gift to friends and start or add to your collection. Jellycats: Visit Treehouse to see the biggest assortment of the lovable Jelly’s in Athens. The best gift to give to all ages!

Urban Sanctuary

810 N. Chase St. • 1348 Jordan Dr. urbansanctuaryspa.com

Give the gift of self-care with a gift certificate to Urban Sanctuary Spa, Athens’ Favorite Spa! Providing massages, facials, HydraFacial, Glo2Facial, spa days, and luxurious gifts for your loved ones, since 2005. Eco-friendly, organic, cruelty free, and natural. Be kind to yourself, be kind to others, unwind at Urban Sanctuary.

Hours: Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Free wrapping, ice cream and candy shop TREATHOUSE now open, visit online calendar for arts markets, classes & events.

New second location, off of Epps Bridge Pkwy., opening in time for the Holiday Season!

Woodhill Artists Market

Flagpole Shirts

Woodhill Artists Market features local artists (pictured) Charles Pickney, forged and textured pearl earrings; Michael Pierce, wood, gourds and fiber; Peter Loose, Bird Painting. Also exhibiting are Ansley Williams, Barbara Odil, Camren Gober, Greg Krakow, Jenny Derevere, Leigh Ellis, and Wini McQueen.

Flagpole shirts make great gifts. Short sleeved black, blue, or gray are only $20. Stop by the Flagpole Office Mon.–Fri. or order one online at flagple.com.

4745 Bod Godfrey Rd. barbaraodil.com/woodhillartshow2023

220 Prince Ave. flagpole.com

Opening Reception: Dec. 1, 3 p.m.–8 p.m. Market: Dec. 2 & 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Dec. 9 & 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Slackpole… Because we need a break!

We’ve run out of ideas, so we’re turning the writing over to you for Flagpole’s year-end double issue, published on Dec. 27th. Submit your stories (600 words max), comics (one page), poems, humor, recipes, and photos to slackpole@flagpole.com.

Deadline is Friday, Dec. 1st!

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