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JANUARY 31, 2024 · VOL. 38 · NO. 4 · FREE

Echo Base Innovative Local Vinyl Record Manufacturing and Distribution p. 14

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

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

Prosecutor Oversight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mall Redevelopment Update

World View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Transportation for UGA

Good Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ARTS & CULTURE: Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Echo Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

‘Contrasts and Correlations’ Exhibition

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Pub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Hey, Bonita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

MUSIC: Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Cowboy Kerouac’s New Album

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

COVER PHOTOGRAPH of Echo Base by Stephen Payne (see story on p. 14)

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VOLUME 38 ISSUE NUMBER 4

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online exclusive Photographer Mike White captured the visually explosive performances by Tool and Elder at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Jan. 24. See “Photo Gallery: Tool and Elder at State Farm Arena” at flagpole.com.

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J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

IN CONVERSATION Kei Ito and Binh Danh

Artists Kei Ito and Binh Danh will discuss their work in conjunction with Ito’s current exhibition, “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun.” Both artists are at the forefront of artistic practice and thinking about war, intergenerational trauma, and reconciliation and renewal. The conversation will be moderated by museum director David Odo.

February 8, 5:30 p.m. FREE

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

news

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Five Points Residents Call Airbnb Regs Weak PLUS, CAMPAIGN SEASON AND AN UPDATE ON THE MALL REDEVELOPMENT

By Blake Aued and Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com Five Points residents expressed their discome with home ownership in Five Points?” satisfaction with Airbnb “party houses” Hamby reassured her that the local govand other issues in their neighborhood at a ernment would remove the gravel soon and well-attended town hall meeting at the ACC that he would stay in touch with her to see Library last week. what else he could do. Organized by Athens-Clarke County The commission seems very likely to commissioners Mike Hamby, Allison Wright pass the short-term rental regulations next and John Culpepper, the town hall meetmonth, which would prevent out-of-town ing began with five quick presentations landlords from operating such rentals in from senior ACC staff members on issues single-family neighborhoods. But two years of importance to the Five Points neighis a long time to wait for some homeownborhood. ACC Manager Blaine Williams ers. “For two years, [we’re] going to have to spoke about a TSPLOST project that will live with it,” bemoaned one resident. provide $1.5 million in upcoming improveAssuming the ordinance is passed next ments for the Five Points intersection. month, the local government will establish ACCPD Chief Jerry Saulters gave an update a new short-term rental coordinator posion crime, which is generally down with tion and hire a contractor to manage a comthe exception of theft, fraud and DUI, prehensive database of short-term rentals which were up 7–10% from 2022. Traffic in Athens. The new employee and database engineer Tim Griffeth will allow the local govspoke about speeding in ernment to enforce regDo homeowners have ulations on these sorts neighborhoods and how that might be addressed properties for the any right to the peace of through a new residenfirst time. Going further, that should come with home Hamby told the audience tial traffic management program. that the proposed shortownership in Five Points? ACC Assistant term rental regulations Planning Director Bruce were just the start of the Lonee was the last to speak and was tasked local government’s efforts to rein in disturwith giving two presentations. He spoke bances in single-family neighborhoods. first about how the local government is “Once we get that software and that planning to accommodate the large numshort-term rental person on board, then we ber of new residents anticipated to arrive can go and look at the other ordinances we in Athens over the next couple decades. have on the books,” Hamby said. “Seems to He also explained the details of a proposal me we have other ordinances that can help to regulate Airbnbs and other short-term address [it], noise ordinance and parking.” rentals. Not everyone who spoke was in favor of Lonee’s last presentation sparked much the proposed regulations. “I am a 15-year of the discussion during the rest of the short-term rental owner in Five Points,” meeting from the roughly 70 people in one resident said. “I’ve never gotten any attendance. The ACC Commission will be grade less than five stars there. A few bad voting on a proposal to regulate short-term apples make us all look bad. Not all shortrentals at its Feb. 6 meeting, but it’s not term rentals are causing problems.” This nearly strong enough for many Five Points rental owner then asked if he’d be able to residents who spoke at this town hall. continue his operation when the two-year The proposed regulation would stop sunset period expires. Unless he lives on short-term rentals from operating in sinthe property, the answer is probably no, gle-family neighborhoods after a two-year although that kind of short-term rental will sunset period unless they are run by somestill be allowed in commercial zones and in one who lives in the house. Most cities in other areas with a special-use permit. Georgia don’t have a sunset provision at all, Pedestrian and traffic safety was also but even so, one speaker called the two-year a big topic at the town hall. Former ACC sunset “overly generous” because shortcommissioner Russell Edwards spoke up to term rental operators would have two years ask why more isn’t being done to improve free from most regulations. safety on our roadways. “About every 10 Another speaker from the Five Points months, at the intersection of Alps and neighborhood gave a long story about a Atlanta Highway somebody tries to cross short-term rental next to her house that and dies,” Edwards said. “I know a lot of has disrupted her life with noise and light these corridors are controlled by GDOT. I disturbances, stormwater overflow and guess I’m curious to hear the perspective a large amount of gravel dumped on the of the city leaders; what are y’all doing to lot that’s been clogging sewer grates. The advocate for safety from GDOT? It’s kind of owner of this particular rental lives out of like we’re moving in the wrong direction.” town, leaving her with no one to complain In response, Saulters told Edwards that to besides the government. there was an abnormally high number of “There are 35 absentee owners that fatalities last year and suggested a potenwe know of in Five Points. Out-of-city, tial reason for it. “We had 21 fatalities in out-of-state and maybe even out-of-counAthens-Clarke County last year. We nortry owners who buy these homes, rental mally have 10–15,” he said. “We’ve had conglomerates, business ventures,” she several pedestrian fatalities, unfortunately. said. “Why are these hotels allowed in sinSome of those could be suicides.” Saulters gle-family neighborhoods? Do homeowners did not indicate why he believes that some have any right to the peace that should of the fatalities were suicides.

“

Hamby also spoke up to defend his record on safety. “There’s been several instances where we’ve put sidewalks in along Atlanta Highway,” Hamby said. “Another issue we addressed a couple years ago was on Timothy Road where we lowered the speed limit.” Edwards could be a potential opponent for Hamby in this year’s election. The state legislature placed Edwards into Hamby’s district during redistricting in 2022, which prevented Edwards from running for re-election that year. Wright is also up for re-election this May. [Chris Dowd]

Mall Project Starts This Summer Construction will start on the Georgia Square Mall redevelopment project this summer, developer Mark Jennings and designer Jon Williams told an AthensClarke County committee overseeing the project. Williams said his firm, W&A Engineering, has filed plans for the first phase of the project, which involves tearing down most of the existing mall except Belk and the central portion, and replacing the wings with new commercial and residential buildings. Phase one also includes roads, stormwater infrastructure and greenspace. Williams said he expects to pull land disturbance permits July 1 and begin demolition by the end of the summer. Construction will take 18–24 months. About 80% of the mall’s current tenants want to stay during construction and beyond, Jennings said. Some may have to relocate within the remaining portion of the mall. Their rents may increase, but the new development will also bring them more customers. “It’s business,” he said. “Anytime you make an investment this substantial,

things have to change. But we’re working with them.” Subsequent phases will include more commercial and office space and apartments, senior living units, single-family homes and a transfer station for Athens Transit. All told, the $650 million development will include 1,200 housing units and 70,000 square feet of new commercial space. The project is being subsidized by $189 million in future tax revenue that will be generated by new development over the next 20 years. In return, Jennings agreed to build the transfer station and provide space for child care and the Boys & Girls Club in the new development, as well as include more amenities like bike lanes and greenspace that were not included in previous plans but residents and officials asked for. In addition, 10% of the rental units will be reserved for low-income residents at below-market rates. Because tax dollars are involved, Jennings and Williams are reporting regularly to the ACC Economic Development Department and a group of Westside residents and business owners appointed by Mayor Kelly Girtz called the Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee-Mall Area. Williams also provided an update on the child care space: It will be occupied by Extra Special People, an Oconee County nonprofit for children with developmental disabilities. There is a need for a location in Clarke County because some parents are unable to transport their children to Watkinsville, Williams said. He said the Clarke County School District has signed off on the deal. During the Jan. 22 meeting, local restaurateur Rashe Malcolm announced that she will be resigning from the TAD committee to run for the county commission’s District 6 seat, currently held by Jesse Houle, who has said they are unlikely to run for re-election. Malcolm owns Rashe’s Cuisine, a Jamaican restaurant and catering business in East Athens, as well as the food insecurity nonprofit Farm to Neighborhood and the Culinary Kitchen of Athens, a commercial kitchen for startup entrepreneurs. [Blake Aued] ➤ continued on p. 7

J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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continued from p. 5

Election Season Is Underway

the Clarke County School District. Williams is a Democrat, but it’s unclear whether Dorsey will run in the May Democratic primary or as a Republican or independent in November. One candidate for district attorney, Kalki Yalamanchili, has said that he will run against incumbent Deborah Gonzalez as an independent, requiring him to gather thousands of signatures to get on the November ballot.

MASON PEARSON

City Dope

While the presidential race will consume the most attention over the next nine months, local elections are right around the corner, with candidate qualifying taking place Mar. 4–8. But already, races are getting underway. Sheriff John Q. Williams kicked off his re-election campaign Jan. 27 in Winterville, announcing that the sheriff’s department is partnering with state Rep. Spencer Frye and Habitat for Humanity on a program that will teach jail inmates to manufacture modules for tiny houses. Athens is my home, Those homes could house the homeand no one cares more less, or released inmates who’ve lost their housing while incarcerated could about making Athens safe use them, Williams said. During his first term as sheriff, and prosperous than I do. Williams said that he has hired more female deputies—they are now almost 50% of the force—cracked down Meanwhile, Gonzalez on fentanyl at the jail, hired a grant writer held a fundraiser Jan. 28 to bring in more funding and equipment, headlined by state Sen. Jason Sheriff John Williams launched his re-election campaign Saturday in Winterville. and placed an emphasis on community Estevez (D-Atlanta), former outreach. “Athens is my home, and no one state Rep. Jonathan Wallace cares more about making Athens safe and and former school board member Tawana year are commission districts 2 (currently Wiedower (R-Watkinsville), Trey Rhodes prosperous than I do,” he said. Mattox, among others. Hosts were asked to held by Melissa Link), 4 (Allison Wright), (R-Greensboro) and Frye (D-Athens)—are But Williams said there is still work left donate $1,000 apiece. 6 (Jesse Houle), 8 (Carol Myers) and 10 up for re-election. So is 10th Congressional to be done, such as building a new judicial While courthouse positions like DA (Mike Hamby), and school board districts District Rep. Mike Collins, a Butts County center to replace the overcrowded county and sheriff are partisan, school board and 2 (Claudia Butts), 4 (Patricia Yager), 6 Republican. All of those seats are considcourthouse, raising deputy pay and improv- county commission races are not, and so (Mumbi Anderson) and 8 (Nicole Hull). ered safe for the incumbents and their ing relationships among law enforcement they will be decided in May rather than But that’s not all: All six of Athens’ state respective parties, but that has not stopped agencies. November under a state law that requires legislators—Sens. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) Democrats from running. One 10th District Williams has one announced oppononpartisan races to be held in conjunction and Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), and Democrat, Lexy Doherty, kicked off her nent: Tommy Dorsey, a police officer with with partisan primaries. Up for grabs this Reps. Houston Gaines (R-Athens), Marcus campaign in Winder Jan. 27. [BA] f

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J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

feature

news

world view

Prosecutor Oversight

The Fascists Are Not Coming

By Stanley Dunlap news@flagpole.com

By Gwynne Dyer news@flagpole.com

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS PUT MORE TEETH IN BILL

panel of Republican legislators has The legislation also adds language that a advanced a bill designed to clear the prosecutor’s appeal would be heard in the path for a new prosecutors oversight comlocal superior court circuit represented mission to begin reviewing complaints after by the district attorney targeted in the rejecting appeals from Democrats to have a complaint. say in who serves on the board. “When you’re a judge you pick winners The House Judiciary Non-Civil and losers, but at the end of the day, [the Committee on Jan. 22 approved House Bill justices] didn’t pick a winner or loser, they 881, which removes the Georgia Supreme just didn’t play the game,” Gullett said. Court from establishing the rules for the Rep. Steven Sainz said that the comProfessional Attorneys Qualifications mission can avoid making politicized deciCommission that will sions while handling determine whether a such as I think the public would like complaints local prosecutor found whether a prosecuto have committed to know that we’re trying to tor is appropriately willful or prejudicial reviewing cases in work in a bipartisan fashion. misconduct or should their district. be punished for not “Do you think bringing cases against low-level offenses. A there’s a political angle to ensuring that citiprosecutor could also be removed if they are zens across the state who’ve been victims of found to have mental or physical disabilities violent crimes have the prosecutor’s office that impeded the ability to do their job. to lean on and ensure that those crimes Despite being signed into law last year, get prosecuted?” the St. Mary’s Republican the state Supreme Court declined to set asked. the rules for the investigatory and hearing Prosecutors were divided over whether panels, stalling the commission’s ability to the commission is intended to hold them review complaints. In a November ruling, accountable in the same manner as similar the justices expressed “grave doubts” about oversight panels governing elected sheriffs Georgia’s highest court’s constitutional and judges or if it would target prosecutors authority to adopt the commission’s rules for making independent judgments about and standards. which cases to pursue. Forsyth County The House committee passed the bill Solicitor General Bill Finch said he opposes along party lines after GOP lawmakers a bill which interferes with the way local rejected a proposal by Rep. Dar’shun prosecutors handle cases, especially since Kendrick (D-Lithonia) the state does not proto allow the leaders of vide any funding for the minority party to his office to prosecute appoint two of the five cases. hearing panel members. “There’s nothing in Currently, the oversight this bill that undergirds commission members what my political party are appointed by the stands for. And I say governor, lieutenant that with deep respect governor and House and admiration for speaker, all of whom are members of my party Republicans. A Senate who have carried the committee composed flag of Republicanism of the majority party for a very long time,” he leadership and the said at the committee lieutenant governor meeting. also selects members to The oversight comserve on the investigamission’s backers say tion and hearing panels. Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas) sponsored they want to rein in House Bill 881. Rep. Shea Roberts, “rogue” prosecutors an Atlanta Democrat, like Athens’ Deborah said allowing both political parties to Gonzalez, who has faced criticism for nominate members to a commission with reducing or dismissing charges in certain enough power to disqualify district attorcases, and for violating victims’ rights to neys would be a fairer process. Democratic weigh in on sentencing decisions. However, lawmakers also made the case that a potenDemocrats believe the oversight comtial conflict of interest could arise if commission is aimed at removing a wave of plaints are filed by elected officials who also progressive DAs—mostly women of color— appointed panel members. who were elected in 2020 and 2022, such as “I think the public would like to know Gonzalez and Fulton County’s Fani Willis. that we’re trying to work in a bipartisan Willis has come under additional scrutiny fashion, and that these members are going in recent weeks over allegations that she to be appointed in a bipartisan fashion,” hired a romantic partner to help prosecute Roberts said. the racketeering case against Donald Trump Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas) said that and others related to their efforts to overhis legislation allows the commission to turn the 2020 election results. f officially adopt rules and a code of standards that it creates with the support of the This article originally appeared in the Georgia Recorder. Prosecutors Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.

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DASHPHOTOGRAPHY

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

GLOBAL CONCERNS ABOUT AUTHORITARIANISM ARE OVERBLOWN

“Fascism is on the march everywhere!” hasn’t put a foot wrong yet in terms of shrieked the headline on a recent think doing everything by the constitutional piece by my least favorite foreign affairs book. She got there by winning an election, commentator (who must remain nameless and there’s no good reason to think that because I don’t want to give him any public- she’d refuse to leave if she lost one. ity). But articles and op-eds about the fasWhat about the sectarian prime miniscist threat are certainly on the march, and ter of India, Narendra Modi, poised to win occasionally a real fascist pops up in public. a third consecutive term in next spring’s “We will send foreigners back to their election? What about Donald Trump’s homelands. Millions of them. That is not a comeback campaign? Sounds pretty fascist secret plan. That is a promise,” snarled René to me: “I am your warrior. I am your justice. Springer on X (formerly known as Twitter). And for those who have been wronged and Springer sits in Germany’s parliament as a betrayed, I am your retribution.” deputy for the extreme right Alternative for Germany party (AfD)— but his own party is rapidly moving away from his position. The current tempest in a teapot began with a secret meeting two months ago in Potsdam of German right-wing politicians, some neo-Nazis and some wealthy businessmen who discussed a “master plan for the mass René Springer, leader of the far-right Alternatives for Germany party. deportation of asylum seekers and German citizens of foreign origin.” What about Vladimir Putin invading Ethnic cleansing is an ugly subject anyUkraine, and Xi Jinping maybe thinking where, but for obvious reasons even the about invading Taiwan, and the collapse of slightest hint of it sets the alarms ringing democracy in Ecuador, and North Korea’s in Germany. The inherited guilt of the dictator Kim Jong-un planning to make Holocaust enforces a special caution in any his 10-year-old daughter his successor discussion of human rights, and the fact (with her own fluffy pink button for the that there has been a recent surge in supnukes), and the whole career of Benjamin port for the AfD makes people especially Netanyahu? And on and on it goes, with nervous. For example, Wolfgang Thierse, anything that can be represented as evia former president of the Bundestag (pardence for the imminent collapse of democliament), proposed publicly that the AfD racy—indeed of civilization—piled up should be banned on the grounds that it higgledy-piggledy to make the case. was against the constitution even to conYes, it’s a mess, but it has always been a sider such measures. He also suggested that mess. We’re only around 5,000 years into certain prominent party members should this experiment with mass civilization, and have their basic rights revoked as they were the learning curve is still pretty steep. The enemies of the constitution. glass is both half-full and half-empty, but “Our democracy is in a critical state,” what did you expect? Thierse said. “Some of this reminds us of The constant journalistic prattle about events 90 years ago. In 1930 the Nazi party how everything is going wrong is driven stood at 14% or 15% [popular support]. partly by the advancing age of the journalThree years later it was in power and had ists concerned partly by the constant need done away with democracy.” to feed the media beast and only a little bit Well, there you are. The AfD is already by a sober assessment of objective reality (if polling 20%, so the Nazis will be back in such a thing is even possible). power by late 2026 unless Germany starts As for dear old Germany, where I began locking people up right away. The apocathis rant, it may be over-reacting, but at lypse is at hand, or at the very least the least it’s reacting in the right direction. A return of the death camps. And the rest of million Germans came out in the midwinter the world is almost as bad. cold last weekend to protest against any There was a video recently that purmass expulsion of foreigners, and the AfD’s ported to show several hundred Italian men leader, Alice Weidel, fired her own personal making fascist salutes in Rome, and Prime adviser for having attended the meeting. Minister Giorgia Meloni didn’t publicly conAnd if anybody asks you Yeats’ quesdemn it! “Why has Meloni chosen silence?” tion—“What rough beast, its hour come demanded a member of the European round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem parliament. “Why has she not condemned to be born?”—tell them that it might be these disturbing images?” Paddington Bear. f Oh, maybe because she’s on the semiSyndicated columnist Gwynne Dyer’s new book is hard right herself, but maybe just because The Shortest History of War. she had better things to do. She certainly

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SPACES ARE SCARCE AT UGA, BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET AROUND

By Xinge Lei news@flagpole.com

is considered a car-dependent location, and most errands require a vehicle. Though limited, UGA has made attempts at promoting alternative forms of transportation, such as biking, public transit and carpooling, to reduce traffic on campus. For instance, TPS created the Alternative Transportation Program to incentivise the use of such travel modes. The program issues special permits allowing for free days of parking in designated locations. In partnership with Lyft, there is also the option of UGA Ride Smart, a program that gives students a 50% discount (up to $7.50 per use) on qualifying rides. However, it is only applicable on up to four rides a month. For getting around campus, UGA offers the Bulldog Bike Share service. These GPS-enabled, electric pedal-assist bikes are available for rent at multiple hubs across campus. Individuals can pay directly through the UGA Campus Transit carries more than 30,000 riders per day. Lyft app—$1 to unlock the bike and $0.25 per minute of use. Last year, over 15,000 total Aside from biking and buses, the use trips were taken with Bulldog Bikeshare. of electric scooters is also on the rise. If one prefers to have their own bike, E-scooters, like bikes and skateboards, must they can sign up for UGA reCYCLE, a follow all traffic rules and keep off of sideneed-based bicycle recycling and redistriwalks. After the pandemic, more students bution program developed by TPS, UGA have been purchasing their own e-scooters, Office of Sustainability and local nonbut this isn’t the first time that e-scooters profit BikeAthens. This program collects have been spotted in Athens. Five years abandoned bikes found on campus and ago, shareable e-scooters from companies refurbishes them for UGA students and like Bird and Lime did exist in the city. employees in need. All requests are handled Unfortunately, the system was largely on a first-come, first-served basis. Students unregulated, and people would dump their can obtain a referral from Student Care and scooters in random locations, cluttering ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER / UGA MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

2023, 65% of the over 30,000 undergraduate students at the University of Georgia relied on personal or public transportation to commute to campus. There are currently 19,000 parking spots available, with more being added each year to accommodate the growing student population. In addition to the 900 spaces introduced in 2022, last year UGA created 1,300 parking spots at the STEM deck, park-and-ride lots on College Station Road and at the Softball Complex, the former Holiday Inn property, the Veterinary Medicine lot and the Hull Street Deck, with permits ranging from $10–40 a month. Despite the construction of these new spaces, UGA Transportation and Parking Services (TPS) were only able to fulfill 78% of all permit requests, an 11% decrease from 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. With parking in higher demand, enforcement is getting stricter, extending another hour until 6 p.m. for many lots. South Deck entry now requires the student IDs of permit holders instead of the basic hang tags previously issued. The change adds a level of difficulty for students seeking to sell or exchange their parking passes, which has always been prohibited. North Deck and Tate Deck switched from physical tags to a license plate recognition system. While parking expansion feels like a never-ending project on UGA grounds, the Georgia Institute of Technology is embracing the opposite route. Tech’s new Comprehensive Campus Plan, launched in November, details the goal of a “car-free campus core” to cultivate a more pedestrianand bike-friendly environment. Tech projects a 26% increase in on-campus students, faculty and staff over the next decade. Could UGA follow suit? With an average walkability score of 27 out of 100, Athens

Outreach as well as the Fanning Institute. UGA’s Campus Transit is another prominent transportation mode for students. Students can track buses on the system’s 12 routes live using UGA’s mobile app. With ridership and fleet size second only to MARTA in the state of Georgia, Campus Transit carries a greater volume of passengers than any other university transit system in the country. According to TPS, approximately 4.3 million people utilized the service in the 2020 fiscal year. After a steep decline due to the pandemic, ridership rose back to 2.5 million in 2022 and 2.9 million in 2023. “Numbers indicate a slow and steady climb toward former ridership numbers, and our data suggests that ridership is expected to increase for FY24,” TPS stated over email.

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the streets. The Athens-Clarke County Commission passed a temporary ban shortly after, leading up to a permanent ban in 2020. At the time, UGA confiscated over 1,000 e-scooters. While shareable scooters probably won’t be back any time soon, there is clearly a resurgence of the device on campus. When asked about the efforts made to reduce campus traffic, UGA told Flagpole that it clearly advocates for the use of alternative transportation. Students are informed of these options through UGA’s website, social media and orientations. Meanwhile, nearly half of the $8.5 million investment for enhancing campus security is going toward outdoor lighting upgrades and security cameras to improve safety for pedestrians. UGA also stated that it has been working with Athens-Clarke County to establish a fiber optic network to consolidate traffic signals around campus into ACC’s own grid system. Other projects underway include the construction of pedestrian pathways around the I-STEM research buildings, paths from D.W. Brooks Mall to Barrow Hall and the new Poultry Science Building, an East Campus Greenway Connector (between East Campus and North Oconee Greenway) and a new traffic signal at the intersection of East Campus Road and Hooper Street. Regardless of the endeavors promoting alternative transportation, parking expansion is not slowing down. The West Campus Parking Deck II has already been approved by the Board of Regents and will be completed in 2025. It will be 340,000 square feet with approximately 1,100 parking spaces. The budget for this deck is nearly $36 million, and it intends to serve residential communities along Baxter and Lumpkin streets. A new park-and-ride near the Veterinary Teaching Hospital is also in progress, with another 300–400 spaces. f

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J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

news

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letters

Paradise for Misfits

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO P.O. BOX 1027, ATHENS, GA 30603 OR EMAIL US AT LETTERS@FLAGPOLE.COM

By Pete McCommons pete@flagpole.com

Where’s the Affordable Housing?

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO DEFINE THE MAKING OF MODERN ATHENS

Editor’s Note: This Pub Notes is reprinted from the Mar. 4, 2015 Flagpole.

Close readers of this column will recall that a couple of weeks ago the writer sat at his kitchen table on a Sunday morning, writing both a speech for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and his Pub Notes column, lazily combining the two. Behold, the writer is back at his table; a column looms; OLLI was canceled by the weather and is coming up again. Now we have what the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard liked to call a “repetition.” Readers may further recall that the topic of the OLLI speech is “The Making of Modern Athens,” and that the last Pub Notes that was cribbed from the speech addressed changes at the university that brought in a flood of young PhDs from graduate schools outside the South. Their presence and their influence on campus, in town and especially in the minds of their students was a watershed from which flowed a different university and a different Athens. Of course, there were many, many confluent tributaries—the winding down of the Vietnam War, relatively affluent economic conditions, the belated arrival of “the ‘60s” during the ’70s and a general intellectual awakening among some younger people—accelerated by the war and by the views of the new faculty—that things might not really be all peachy keen in “Amerika.” It was never easy, and it never will be. So, here in what was then called “Advancing Athens,” a paradigm shifted. This, like all university towns, had heretofore been a place where kids came to college and then left after they graduated, flunked out or finished law school. A few met and married Athens classmates and stayed on after school, but the general rule was up and out: back home to small-town Georgia (that was before half the student body came from Cobb County) or on to Atlanta to begin a career. Vietnam brought students who were here because college gave them a deferment that would keep them out of that unpopular war. Many of those students would not have been in college except for the war, and they were not particularly interested in remaining in school once they were no longer in danger of being drafted. Many of those students had interests more important to them than a college degree: starting a business, making art, making music. The college drew them here, but the town held them. These kids found that they liked Athens, not for its career opportunities, but for itself—a small, college-influenced, laidback, inexpensive, pretty town with a growing concentration of people with liberal social views who appreciated art and music. These kids, moreover, to the extent that they had applied themselves at the univer-

sity, had been influenced by a cadre of assistant professors not a lot older than they were and bursting with energy and enthusiasm. To those who “tuned in, turned on and dropped out,” Athens was, in author Blake Gumprecht’s description in The American College Town, “A Paradise for Misfits.” More importantly, if you were weird enough to choose music over medicine, you needed to live somewhere you could afford, where you could eke out some kind of living, preferably among congenial people and surroundings. Athens was perfect, and it was about to get better. Not long after the new energy on campus and the end of the war had spun off into a few head shops, organic food stores and beer-joint-clubs, Georgia Square Mall opened and pulled the retail heart of northeast Georgia out to the Atlanta Highway. That left a lot of empty space, cheap: suitable for artists’ studios, band practice spaces, cafés, record stores, clothing and leather-goods shops, bookshops. Local government already had its Main Street program trying to patch things together, and local government also came up with low-interest loans to help a new generation of entrepreneurs buy the old buildings. The infrastructure for a new, weird Athens was in place. Advancing Athens had been bad to tear down the old stuff and put up the bad stuff. The misfits who lived in and appreciated the old homes in the old neighborhoods joined the preservationists in the fight to preserve and protect what was left. The new entrepreneurs opened restaurants and clubs where they and their friends could serve food and beer, and play and listen to music. They hung their art and their friends’ art on the walls, and they served lunch to their former profs and maybe sold them a painting, too. And they supported local government candidates who understood what was going on and also appreciated the importance of neighborhoods and the built environment and the encouragement of artistic creation to the economy and livability of a town. So, what made modern Athens was public investment—in the university and in the city—coupled with individual entrepreneurial effort by local people who were here because they chose to be. It was never easy, and it never will be. The neighborhoods saved by the preservationists and the hippies have gone upscale; the low rents that made living and starting businesses possible have climbed; the government that after much contention finally “got it” has slipped back, and student apartments with their concomitant out-of-town chain businesses threaten to take over the downtown that once allowed an art school dropout to own a building. The Athens we know and enjoy is a public/private partnership, and it is dependent on both if it is to survive and thrive. f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

tions or repairs. So why has that study been ignored? I’m simply convinced that no matter what the people of Athens want, and tell the government officials their needs, the government officials won’t do what we’d need them to do. They’re inviting growth that’s gotten way out of control with all the things we don’t want or need. I will be very surprised if any affordable housing is created over the next few years. Jesus wept. Paula Loniak Arnoldsville

I just read the article in this week’s Flagpole, “Athens is Growing Up” (City Dope, Jan. 17), and I had to write. I attended dozens (hundreds?) of ACC meetings of all kinds—mayor and commission monthly meetings, the Workforce Housing Study results, Athens Federation of Neighborhoods, Athens for Everyone, the 2018 comprehensive plan meetings and others. I often spoke and asked questions at some of those meetings, which I attended from 2015–2021. I was specifically interested in the elected officials (whose job is to do what’s best for the citizens of Athens) Hamas has taken over hospitals in Gaza and trying to convince them that Athens using them as military bases, most recently needs additional affordable housing. Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. Why are The meetings for the 2018 comprethe Arab nations silent about the fact that hensive plan were held in 2017; they were Hamas is using innocent Palestinians as citizen input meetings where the attendees human shields in Gaza? were invited to let our government officials Why won’t Egypt open its borders to know what were the issues that we thought Gaza refugees? the M&C should address, including educaHere’s yet another question: Why won’t tion, health care, transportation, housing the Arab nations form a coalition to help and other basic needs of any city. Out of the innocent Palestinian victims of Hamas curiosity, I decided to check out the previin Gaza, welcoming them to their countries ous comp plans (they’re written every 10 and providing them with safe haven? years in every county in Georgia), which One answer is because they want Israel were 1998 and 2008. Both of those comto do their dirty work. They don’t like prehensive plans included strong opinions Hamas because it is a terrorist organizaabout Athens needing additional affordable tion, and they don’t housing. I wonder anybody tainted why, 20 years later, I bemoan the pain and loss want by Hamas entering affordable housing still isn’t available inflicted on Palestinians— their countries. Moreover, these for so many people/ not just by the war in Gaza and by governments have families. Yes, they added West Bank extremists, but even never been concerned about the welfare of “affordable housing” more so by their very own people. Palestinians. Egypt to the 2018 plan, but refused to accept has anyone noticed Gaza and its Palestinian citizens after they any increase in affordable housing? I havlost it to Israel in 1967. In 1967, Jordan en’t. I’ve seen a lot of huge apartment complexes, right downtown and around the refused to accept Israel’s offer to return the West Bank and its Palestinians citizens to UGA campus, which are designed for stuJordan in exchange for peace. History has dent housing—very nice student housing. shown us that the leaders of the Arab counHigh-rise apartment buildings which have tries want neither Hamas nor Palestinians ruined the skyline and texture of Athens. in their countries, but rather they choose to There’s a new humongous apartment use Palestinians as political pawns against nightmare on Lexington Road heading Israel. How tragic. east from downtown. There must be eight Why are Palestinians the only refugees to 10 buildings, each about 6 stories high. in the world whose status is passed down [Editor’s note: The commission approved those from one generation to the next? Israel apartments after the developer agreed to set rescued hundreds of thousands of Jews aside 10% of units at below-market rents.] It who had to flee persecution in Arab lands, startled me when I first saw it. It reminded including Yemen, Morocco and Tunisia, me of when construction began on The among others. Blended into Israeli society Mark on Oconee Street several years ago, after the first generation, they were no which isn’t a compliment. longer considered to be refugees, but rather I’m disgusted with the promises by Israeli citizens. Why cannot the Arab counAthens government officials to create additries do the same for Palestinians? Why tional affordable housing for the people have Arab oil riches not been used to help who live here for more than four years. Palestinians escape poverty, in the past The Workforce Housing Study, which cost as well as right now? Because the governACC in the neighborhood of $80,000 back ments consider them to be most valuable in 2016, showed that Athens needed more as political pawns and human shields. How housing for individuals (who are starting tragic. to make up a larger and larger percentage I bemoan the pain and loss inflicted on of Athens’ population) should be taken Palestinians—not just by the war in Gaza into account. Individuals who don’t want and by West Bank extremists, but even or need four or five bedroom houses with more so by their very own people. How all the bells and whistles high-end houses tragic. include. It also revealed that the housing Marilyn Gootman stock (housing that was already present & Athens occupied) was old and in need of renova-

Questions About Hamas

“

THE LOVE OF MUSIC AT UGA

TICKETED PERFORMANCES $15-20; $3 with UGA student ID WED 2/7

7:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

THURS 2/15 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

Josh Bynum, trombone Hailed for his “inspiring energy, clear musical conviction, and warm lyrical tone” (International Trombone Association Journal). With Anatoly Sheludyakov, piano. Featuring works by Stravinsky, Ravel, Hindemith, and living composer Marc Mellits. $15-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

UGA Student Chamber Music Gala The second year of the UGA Student Chamber Music Gala features some of our premier small ensembles: Bulldog Brass Society, Southern Wind Quintet, Hodgson String Quartet, Mixed Media Sax Quartet, and Viola Choir. $20-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

CONNECTION SERIES: FREE CONCERTS, NO TICKETS NEEDED TUES 2/6 7:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

TUES 2/13 7:30 p.m.

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WED 2/14

3:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

WED 2/14

5:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

WED 2/14

7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

THURS 2/15 5:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL

David Starkweather, cello This performance includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky, as well as Mariel by living composer Osvaldo Golijov. Featuring UGA Alum Denis Petrunin, marimba. Free performance.

“Love and Laughter” & “Awakening” University Chorus presents an evening of “Love & Laughter”, followed by an encore of “Awakening” with the Choral Project and the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. Free performances.

Repertory Singers This choir, conducted by Graduate Students in Choral Conducting, will be led during this concert by Joshua Wagner and Braden Rymer. Free performances.

Sarah DelBene Memorial Concert This concert is performed by the UGA Flute Studio. Free performances.

Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band Featuring the world premiere of “Aileron” by UGA Faculty James Naigus, “Angels in the Architecture” by Frank Ticheli, “Big City Lights” by Marie A. Douglas, and more. Free performances.

Guest Artist Charlie Goodman, tuba Goodman holds the principal tuba chair of Sinfonia Gulf Coast, based in Destin, Florida, and has previously held similar positions in the Valdosta and Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestras Free performance.

FOR TICKETS: Scan the QR code | music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400

UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road | School of Music Building, 250 River Road

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VOTE AT FAVORITES.FLAGPOLE.COM Tell us your favorite in each of the category and we will let everyone know what Athens locals like most about our great town.

VOTING DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 9TH @ 11:59PM

FAVORITES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE MARCH 6TH ISSUE OF flagpole. • Only one vote per person • Please vote in at least FIVE CATEGORIES to have your ballot counted * New Category

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J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

art notes

food & drink

good growing

Contrasts and Correlations

Finding the Right Seeds

By Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com

By Erin France news@flagpole.com

MASAKO ONODERA AND MARY HALLAM PEARSE AT ATHICA

Exquisite and subversive, the exhibition “Onodera & Pearse: Contrasts and Correlations” pairs the works of two artists who contemplate symbolic, emotional and cultural aspects of metal objects associated with women. Masako Onodera, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Mary Hallam Pearse, an associate professor at the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, share backgrounds in craft and interests in embracing sculptural applications of metal and paper. Currently on view at the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (ATHICA), the exhibition explores themes of memory, loss and the fragility of the feminine. “Contrasts and Correlations” was curated by ATHICA director Lauren Fancher, who had been closely following the development of Pearse’s intricate sculpture, “Full Bloom,” with a wish to one day present the jaw-dropping work in the gallery. After seeing Onodera’s delicate and mysterious work at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, Fancher felt inspired to invite the two artists to collaborate on an exhibition together. Suspended from the ceiling in the center of the gallery, “Full Bloom” resembles a large wreck- “Full Bloom” ing ball or teardrop covered in hundreds of life-sized lead flowers. Pearse began creating the sculpture, which took roughly two years to complete, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to access the art school’s equipment and studio spaces, her students were challenged with finishing out the semester remotely, so she decided to assign herself the same task of creatively using materials around the home. Pearse began by constructing paper flower models that could be digitally scanned and used as patterns by a Cricut machine capable of cutting through thin sheets of lead. Initially, she played with the idea of making a bouquet of lead flowers, but as social and political unrest grew as the pandemic went on, the project expanded in scope and size. This daily ritual of flower-making offered a grounding source of certainty during an unpredictable time. At the core of “Full Bloom” is a contemplation on the paradoxical nature of lead intersecting with the symbolism of flowers. A malleable, abundant metal that has been commonly used for thousands of years, lead has a fraught history due to its extreme toxicity. Flowers, which are often given during times of celebration or as tokens of love, are just as often sent to the grieving as gestures of mourning, comfort or sympathy. Lead can be practical or deadly, depending on its application, and this dichotomy is echoed in the way flowers culturally mark life and death simultaneously.

“Full Bloom” begins to resemble a chandelier when hanging beside Onodera’s spectral “Party,” a sculptural work designed to recall a dinner table setting. Onodera became drawn to silver-plated household materials that were left abandoned and forgotten at antique stores, imagining the lives of people who owned, cherished and took care of these heirloom objects in the past. She created impressions of these objects using handmade paper to create both “Party” and “Ghost.” Each delicate piece of handmade paper rests on a piano wire, and the works become activated, eerily fluttering, as viewers move through the space nearby. Onodera takes her unique approach a step further with “Time,” a whimsical wall-bound work that consists of two topsy-turvy, three-dimensional clusters of vintage tableware. Using a paper casting process in which paper is applied to the outside of objects with glue, then cut open and assembled, “Time” considers memory, history and the lifespan of these once precious objects. While focusing on the artists’ distinctive sculpture-based work, “Contrasts and Correlations” also features several objects demonstrating their shared interest in ornamentation and jewelry making. Onodera’s lace-like necklace, “Elements,” was assembled from decorative embellishments cut off of silver-plated platters. Recognizing that these antique platters primarily serve as memories of people and rarely get to perform their originally intended purpose as tableware, Onodera gives them a new function as ornamentation. Pearse’s “Collar” represents her ongoing exploration in pushing the limits of the lost wax casting method. She collects vintage waxes—shapes used in the jewelry industry to make multiples—and wax welds them together to create a new form. A mold is created around the waxes, the wax is melted out to leave a negative cavity, and the cavity is then injected with molten metal. The result, in the case of “Collar,” is an intricate web of little charms: a seahorse, wing, seashell, hand and other miscellaneous miniatures. “Contrasts and Correlations” will remain on view at ATHICA through Feb. 11. ATHICA will then open its “2024 Members’ Showcase,” an annual exhibition spotlighting artists who support the nonprofit gallery through memberships, with a reception on Feb. 15 from 6–9 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through Mar. 17, with a variety of music, comedy and theater events planned throughout its duration. Stay tuned to athica.org for event details. f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

GET YOUR GARDEN OFF TO A GREAT START

Where you’ll go for seeds likely will depend seed bundles. This year, they have offeron what you’re looking for and how much ings such as a “Juicing Garden,” the “Ugly money you can budget for your garden Vegetables Garden” and the “Indian Cuisine this year. If you’re just picking up one or Garden.” These packets can be a great way two packets, shopping in a store is fine. to get started on a new cooking habit or Otherwise, you’ll likely get more interesting bolster the one you already have. seeds by shopping online. I don’t buy from Seeds From Italy, but My farm products are certified naturally I know farmers who swear by them. The grown, and according to the certification, germination rates, especially for finicky I must purchase organic seed unless I cantypes like tender greens, prove they’re not find an organic option at three other businesses. Organic seeds are pricier, but cost isn’t something I can use as a reason to not purchase organic. If you’re interested in growing organic seeds, be prepared to pay a higher price. While you’ll likely find GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in your fast food meal, you’re not likely to find them in a seed packet. Genetically A selection of seed packets purchased in years past for the farm. engineered seeds are almost entirely geared toward commercial conventional agriculture worth the extra money. If you love Italian like corn and soybeans. However, you might food or really fancy greens, this could be the right catalog for you. want to look for and avoid any “treated” seeds. Treated seeds are more available to the home gardener, and come with a chemical coating of pesticides or fungicides. It seems wasteful to me to start covering your home-grown food in any chemicals when it’s not even germinated yet. High Mowing Organic Seeds has a great selection of winter veggies. The problem, at least for Georgians, is High Mowing’s location in Vermont. If the One of my perennial favorite seed description of a tomato reads as “does well purveyors, Southern Exposure Seed in heat and high humidity,” that could mean Exchange touts a collection of seeds made something different for the Vermonter for the heat and humidity of Northeast writing it than the Georgian reading it. Georgia. There are plenty of options for I worked on a farm in Vermont for three tomatoes, okra and lettuce. The company months and was shocked at the public also employs small farms—including some service radio announcement reminding in Georgia—to grow and harvest seeds for people to stay hydrated at 85 degrees. At 85 them. This is a great way to buy worthwhile degrees, y’all. That being said, their winter inexpensive seed stock (including organic) vegetables can stand up to any wimpy cold and support small farms at the same time. weather the South gets. I have not purchased seeds from MI Many farmers in the Athens area order Gardener, a gardening YouTuber who now from Johnny’s Seeds. This company sells also sells seeds. If you’re just looking for a many hybrid offerings that can outperform wide selection at rock-bottom prices, this is heirlooms. Hybrids come from purposeful, the place to go. Most seed packets are just selective breeding to provide a specific ben$2, making a big garden more affordable for efit, such as disease or pest resistance or folks with a strict budget. higher yields. However, seeds saved from a hybrid plant won’t run true—you won’t get the same type of crop again. I choose hybrids over heirlooms for plants I know suffer from specific and widespread disKitazawa Seed Co. has a great collecease, like my blight-ridden tomato plants. tion of Asian greens, gourds and everything Heirloom varieties, such as Cherokee in between, with a focus on Japanese vegePurple, tend to die from blight before they tables. The business also boasts Indian and can produce much more than one tomato. African produce not found in many grocery Hybrids like Mountain Magic boost a stores. As someone who loves food from plant’s immunity from blight, and allow around the world, but doesn’t always know my garden to grow a full season’s worth of where to start, I’ve purchased a few of their tomatoes. f

Healthy Hybrids and Organic Options

Finding the Cheapest Seeds

Speciality Flavors

ERIN FRANCE

arts & culture

advice

hey, bonita…

No Safe Spaces for Racism

The Music of Jóhann Jóhannsson

ADVICE FOR ATHENS’ LOOSE AND LOVELORN

American Contemporary Music Ensemble

By Bonita Applebum advice@flagpole.com Flagpole pays me to give sex and relationship advice, but today something else is taking up all of the space in my mind. I know the general idea is to never treat anything too seriously in a social media space, but don’t forget that there are actual people writing almost every fascist, racist or hateful comment you see. I’m still reeling from an actual person telling me that National Socialist Black Metal (NSBM) and Nazi punks are tolerated in punk and metal scenes. What city does this idiot live in? Because I came up going to punk shows in the Deep South and on the East Coast, and we have one rule when it comes to dealing with Nazis at the show: Drag them outside, and beat the brakes off of their boneheaded asses. Just like I know that black tapered jeans will always be a foundational part of the punk aesthetic, I also know that you never ever let a Nazi believe that they are safe in your presence.

If you are not a person of color, you cannot reasonably expect your friends of color to be a safe quarter for fascist or racist attitudes. I gag when I think of the amount of people who have attempted to shame me for loving myself—I’m talking about people expecting me, a woman of color raised in the Jim Crow South, to be OK with them talking about how scary they find Black men. They see me in the pit or I move into their group home, and then somehow decide that I’m the one who is going to absolve either their casual or overt racism. Have I ever mentioned the childhood friend that I stopped talking to in adulthood because they were calling Black people the N-word in conversation with me? They’d done this the entire time I knew them, but I wasn’t able to confront them and kick them out of my life until my mid-twenties. That’s how subservient I was to white supremacy, to the point that I was essentially telling a racist that it was

“If you’re into Philip Glass and Michael Nyman and Arvo Pärt and movie soundtracks in general, this could be for you.” —NPR Music

Feb FRI 7:30 pm

Ramsey Concert Hall

You know, maybe this is actual relationship advice, because I am not trying to be friends or lovers with someone who will not protect me and keep me safe. I do not value ease or comfort more than I value the love and struggle of my ancestors, or as much as I want to do everything I can to impede the spread of hate and fascism in America. Centrists and fascists both love to talk about how they don’t judge people for their politics, but a person has to have had a seriously privileged life to not see how politics are an expression of a person’s relationship with the world. To vote for a person with fascist policies is to support fascism, full stop. I don’t want to hear shit about how you voted for someone because they claim your religion—just say you don’t really care about politics and leave. I’m not coming to your house if your roommate has a Skrewdriver poster, and if you’re my roommate, then I’m telling you to take it down before I destroy it (true story).

OK to be a racist. You would think it would be easy to have an antiracist proclivity just by virtue of my face and my skin, but it’s shocking to me how often folks who aren’t people of color expect me to let those things slide. The above incident is a perfect example—my childhood friend was genuinely shocked, speechlessly stuttering out wordless syllables as if it had never occurred to her to not call people of color slurs in front of other people of color. I can’t even waste time on an app without this kind of stuff being thrown in my face, so here’s my advice today: have a little shame. People of color are threatened and scared enough in today’s world, so don’t burden a friend with the responsibility of making you feel better about having racist beliefs. Here’s how you feel better about believing something that’s racist: unlearn it. And that’s your job, not mine. f Need advice? Email advice@flagpole.com, or use our anonymous online form at flagpole.com/get- advice.

Mark Shelby Perry

Tickets start at $25 with promo code PAC25. UGA students $10. Free parking. Scan for info and tickets Buy tickets now: pac.uga.edu or (706) 542-4400

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J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

feature

STEPHEN PAYNE

music

Echo Base

THE SOLUTION TO ACCESSIBLE INDIE-LEVEL VINYL PRODUCTION

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

fter two years of largely functioning as a vinyl fulfillment company, Athens’ own Echo Base will announce its hard launch as a vinyl manufacturing and distribution company on Feb. 1. With its target audience being local and indie level musicians, a lot of scientific research and unique methods have gone into making it a novel business in the industry. Founder and CEO Michael Thomas— alongside partners Brandon Page, head of production, and Drew Beskin, head of artist relations—are all musicians who have each worked in the independent music industry for over 15 years. It’s a business for musicians run by musicians, and the needs of the fast-growing independent artist sector of the music industry hold priority. As better tools become more widely available online for artists, Thomas notes that the accessibility of getting physical products like vinyl records made has not improved. Much of the vinyl manufacturing industry is geared towards larger labels ordering in bulk, and in many cases it’s a necessity for the businesses in order to cover extremely hefty infrastructure costs. Traditional record pressing—such as that at Classic City Vinyl Works, previously Kindercore—requires machinery that runs on natural gas and steam. This includes a boiler, chiller and extensive pipework that runs up startup costs in addition to needing a lot of square footage to house the stationary setup. What’s at the core of Echo Base’s business that allows it to achieve its goal of accessible vinyl manufacturing is a system that runs on electricity in a closed loop. Thomas explains it’s an efficient system with no water or energy waste, but most importantly one unit comes at a fraction of the cost. The equipment is more mobile, and he believes they can accomplish the pressing within a 1,000-square-foot area. Ultimately, that greatly expands options for where pressing can take place both in Athens and in larger, denser cities. Plus, decreasing business costs means Echo Base can afford to press much smaller batches at a time.

“I think my favorite part [of launching Echo Base] has been developing new technology in an industry where… There’s new machines, but I think a lot of them use the same process that’s always been used. Being able to work on something like this electric heating and cooling unit that also produces the same records as steam would has really been exciting because it’s just a new way of doing something,” says Page. “Finding new ways to get it in the hands of smaller independent artists has been really fun as well.” Aside from the manufacturing, Echo Base manages the direct-to-fan relationship on behalf of the artists by way of managing web stores and shipping packages. Thomas states they currently ship about 5,000 packages around the world monthly, and that number is steadily growing. Together these services make Echo Base a one stop shop for independent artists and labels. However, the ability to reduce costs and press smaller batches doesn’t reduce all of the risk for a local artist who might end up with records that don’t move. Echo Base has found a solution for that, too, of course. “We recognize that pressing records comes with a price tag. The speed in which we can deliver quality records is one thing, but being able to work directly with an artist and working through their budget and helping them find ways to get the most out of their experience with fan awareness and engagement is the key,” says Beskin. Echo Base’s on-demand record pressing works much like a Kickstarter campaign where fans can purchase a record before it has been manufactured with no money paid down by the musicians. While there are digital services attempting to do the same, it’s unprecedented in the manufacturing industry. During its pilot period, local musician Wim Tapley used the on-demand service to press his Live at the Georgia Theatre project ahead of a Jan. 27 show at the venue. Thomas explains they reduced risk by publishing a pre-sale then adjusting the quantities to fulfill the orders and add enough for the merch table. “The first thing about Echo Base that’s super appealing as an indie artist is its

WASHINGTONSQUARESTUDIO.COM

706.395.6633 Home Base For Disruptive Beauty

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

durability as PVC without the toxins and inability to break down are in development. The goal is to produce a product with sustainability in mind that doesn’t degrade the reputation of a quality music medium. “This is the kind of holy trinity of what we’re doing,” says Thomas. “We need to make it accessible for people to make records. We need to make it accessible for people to buy records. And then we need to solve for this kind of category-threatening issue, which is that this is not an environmentally friendly practice, and it’s not even a workplace friendly practice.” Working with a (l-r) Drew Beskin, Michael Thomas and Brandon Page British think tank to produce the material turnaround time. Where other plants are compounds, Thomas says they have a viable bogged down by heavy production of major recipe. Next in the process is further testing label records, Echo Base is filling the void with wide-scale pressing of the new matethat smaller artists desperately needed rial. With the public launch of Echo Base, by allowing them to put in a request a Page adds that the short- and long-term reasonable amount of time before their goal of the company is perfecting all of its tour, knowing that they’ll manufacture the new innovative processes. This includes records within plenty of time,” says Tapley. what Beskin refers to as being “nothing “Other than that, they took special care to short of a concierge service” in vinyl manumake sure the process was affordable for us facturing and distribution. without sacrificing any care or attention.” “I grew up in very rural northern Up until this point, Echo Base has been England in the countryside. Working in managing vinyl record production at other plastics can sometimes feel really dissofacilities—like Citizen Vinyl in Asheville nant. You’re putting lifelong plastics out and Third Man Records in Detroit—and into the world. On one side we’re creating running a lot of the behind-the-scenes an archival record of someone’s art, right? operations of Bandcamp’s vinyl program. And on the other side, we’re creating someThomas explains the company’s online thing that’s going to be here long after I am presence has been “kind of cryptic” because and may no longer even have utility at that he signed a non-compete contract with a point,” says Thomas. previous employer that he would not press Vinyl records trace their origins back to records for two years. So while only half the late 1800s, and despite an ebb and flow the business was able to operate during of relevance, they have persisted as a popthis time, it allowed for ample research and ular music medium even in the digital age testing before launching the actual vinyl of music. Rather than serving to compete production side. Artists worked with during with existing manufacturing companies, the pilot program include Annie Leeth, Echo Base wishes to unlock this medium Corey Smith and Vision Video. for a historically underserved community The company’s third leg of innovation within the music industry. In doing so, it will be announced with more details this just might change the future of what vinyl spring, but new materials with the same manufacturing is capable of. f

calendar picks

music

MUSIC | WED, JAN. 31

EVENT | FEB. 2–4

Georgia Theatre • 7 p.m. (doors) • $17 (adv.), $20

The Classic Center • Times Vary • Prices Vary

Lowertown

Lowertown is a duo composed of Atlanta natives Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg. The two met in a high school math class, and quickly bonded over their similar tastes for jazz. Lowertown’s music, however, blends lo-fi, electronica, folk and indie stylings with lyrics often inspired by relationships and Osby and Weinberg’s experiences adjusting to life and the punk scene after their move to New York City. Since putting out its first single in 2018, the band has released three studio albums, including 2019’s Friends, 2021’s The Gaping Mouth and

Athens Wine Weekend

BENJAMIN RAUBER

Athens Wine Weekend, a benefit event for The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, invites participants to experience a weekend of diverse wines and cooking in downtown Athens. Feb. 2 will kick off the weekend with an amuse-bouche at 5:30 p.m., where guests will be treated to a sampling of foods prepared by local chefs, along with the appropriate wine pairings. Feb. 3 will feature the Grand Hall event at 1:30 p.m. offering wines from around the world, as well as the multi-course gourmet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Seminars presented by Depalma’s Italian Cafe will also be held on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The weekend will conclude on Feb. 4 with an 11:30 a.m. sparkling wine brunch. Visit classiccenter.com to check out the range of offerings. [MB] MUSIC | SUN, FEB. 4

Brad Mehldau

Hodgson Concert Hall • 7 p.m. • $35–55

Lowertown

2022’s I Love to Lie, with its latest release earning it a spot on Stereogum’s Best New Bands of 2022 list. Lowertown’s Athens show will be opened by performances from local bands Nihilist Cheerleader, Coma Therapy and Telemarket. [Mary Beth Bryan]

Grammy Award-winning contemporary jazz pianist Brad Mehldau has been consistently recording and performing music since the ’90s. In that time, he has released numerous solo albums, a five-album series with a trio entitled The Art of the Trio, and collaborative albums with fellow musicians such as Jon Brion, Pat Metheny and Renée Fleming. Mehldau now has over 40 records to his name as a leader or contributor. He is distinguished by the experimentation and pop music appeal of his playing, and his fondness for both formalism and improvisation has been known to produce dynamic performances for audiences everywhere. Nate Chinen, a jazz reviewer for The New York Times, says Mehldau is “the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years.” [MB] CLASSES | TUE, FEB. 6

Atomic Age Film Series

ARTWORK Workshop Launch

The Georgia Museum of Art is putting on a film series in support of its new exhibition “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun.” Ito, the grandson of a Hiroshima survivor, uses cameraless photography in his work to create images representing the intergenerational trauma of nuclear disaster, as well as the healing and reconciliation that may follow. The first showing of the supporting film series is 1959’s Hiroshima Mon Amour. This New Wave film is a co-production by France and Japan that follows conversations between a French actress and Japanese architect in the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima. Future film showings planned for the series include Children of Hiroshima on Feb. 15 and Godzilla on Feb. 29. [MB]

ARTWORK is a new workshop series for professional Athens-based artists and creatives. The first workshop in the series is Small Business Tax and Accounting which will cover self-employment taxes, business expense deductions and the best practices for creative businesses. It will be led by Kelli Thompson, an accounting and photography graduate from the University of Georgia, who has built a career creating plans that guide her clients’ businesses to success. Future workshops will include Trademark & Copyright Law on Feb. 20, Public Art & Grant Resources on Mar. 21 and Estate Planning for Artists on Apr. 24, all running from 5:30–7 p.m. Register for these events by emailing myung.cogan@accgov.com, as spaces are limited. [MB] f

FILM | THU, FEB. 1

Georgia Museum of Art • 7 p.m. • FREE!

Lyndon House Arts Center • 5:30 p.m. • FREE!

threats & promises

Cowboy Kerouac’s Chaos Country PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com ARE YOU SURE JAYNE COUNTY DONE IT THIS WAY?:

Cowboy Kerouac has a brand new fulllength album out this week named Chaos Country. In its 11 tracks, the good cowboy collects a couple of previously released singles (“They Don’t Let You Fuck The Horses,” “The Lot Lizardman”) as well as a totally rockin’ version of the previously acoustic number “Thank God I’m Queer,” but retitled appropriately here as “Thank God I’m (Still) Queer.” Strictly musically speaking, this keeps between the ditches via an ongoing mix of folk, traditional country and 1970s-style punk rock. There’s even a nod to Creedence Clearwater Revival in the intro to “Jesus Came Inside Of Me,” which is a song as aggressively and intentionally offensive as you might Cowboy Kerouac care to imagine. But, you know what? Who cares? There’s no right to not be offended and, besides, the principle of free speech is only worth a damn if it protects speech you don’t like. That said, when he’s not making jokes, Cowboy Kerouac can really gin up a solid tune with poignant, thoughtful lyrics à la “No One’s Free ’Til Everyone’s Free” and “O Say Can You See The Horrors.” Find this at cowboykerouac.bandcamp.com. In related news, Cowboy Kerouac will celebrate the release of this album with his band The Barebacks at Flicker on Friday, Feb. 23 along with Atlanta band The Muckers and frequent collaborators Beat Up. For all other information, please see cowboy kerouac.com. HOME BASS: I was pleasantly taken by the new five-track release by the Dick Chardo Trio named Hot Biscuit Summer, which snuck out at the very end of last year. The group—Geoff Knot (guitar and electronics), Seth Hendershot (drums) and Dick Chardo (bass)—recorded the whole thing live in a single afternoon. Loosely, this could be considered something in the family of jazz fusion with its jam band acrobatics, blues progressions and heavily syncopated bass. Especially impressive were “Big Dummy” and the riff heavy “woofalump.” Four out of five tracks here exceed the six minute mark, so prepare to settle in while you check this out at geoffknot.bandcamp.com. BUY NOW OR CRY LATER: Continuing his quest to make the entire world aware that Limbo District ever happened, cultural impresario Henry Owings—via his label Chunklet Industries—will release a 7” containing two live tracks from these half-hidden art maestros on Feb. 14. The songs in question are “Circle of Monkeys” (recorded during rehearsal in Athens in 1982) and “5 ’til 12,”

which was recorded live at the I&I—previously known as the B & L Warehouse, then later known as Buckhead Beach and now known as The Hodgson Oil Building—in November 1982. Preorders are open now for the very limited edition (i.e. only 60 copies) vinyl version of this, and you can get MIKE WHITE · DEADLYDESIGNS.COM

arts & culture

on the techno tip by heading to chunklet. bandcamp.com and entering all your relevant information. MORNING GLORY: You’d be forgiven if you accidentally heard the new self-titled fulllength album by Athens songwriter and musician Lavon Smith and thought you’d stumbled upon some singer-songwriter from decades ago. This exceptionally realized collection of 12 songs has that certain je ne sais quoi that was so strongly present during what I like to refer to as the heyday of artist development that ran from the late 1960s through the early-mid 1970s. You know, that time in history that gave us the earliest albums by Randy Newman, Tim Buckley, Billy Joel, et al. From the plaintive opening piano meditation of “Bittersweet” to the cleverly melodic “Sarah and Stewart” to the Spaghetti Western-meets-Caribbean rhythm “Personal Faults” this record was a revelation of nice surprises throughout its entirety. Please enjoy for yourself over at lavonsmith.bandcamp.com. INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS: On the cusp of its first UK tour, happening in April, Immaterial Possession has a new single out named “Sugar In A Memory.” This tenderly delivered, shadowy tune is a slight step sideways for the group who is largely recognized by its big art statements both musically and visually. That said, the notes for this release mention that it’s among the earliest compositions written for the band, so perhaps it’s a taste of what might have been. In any case, the mood is big with this one so just sit down, listen and wait for the sun to rise. Find this at immaterialpossession.bandcamp.com, and for more information, please see immaterialpossession. com. f

J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

Tuesday 30

event calendar

CLASSES: Consciously CREATE 2024 (Foxglove Plantbar) In this workshop, uncover patterns from 2023, design your ideal 2024, celebrate what you’re proud of and explore what you learned. 10 a.m. $47. www.stacyrayekellogg.com EVENTS: Vaccine Clinic & Testing Kits (Advantage Homeless Day Center) Hosted by the Georgia Department of Public Health, get COVID-19 vaccine and test kits. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE! www.multiple choices.us GAMES: Lunch and Learn New Games (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and try out some new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong. Tuesdays & Fridays, 1–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.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 MEETINGS: Veterans Coffee Hour (Winterville Cultural Center) Sit down with a veteran and have coffee and conversation. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. FREE! www.wintervillecenter.com 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 31 ART: Curator Talk (Georgia Museum of Art) Asen Kirin, Parker Curator of Russian Art, will give a gallery talk about portraiture in the Martha Thompson Dinos Gallery. 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. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com EVENTS: Wine Tasting (Tapped Athens Wine Market) Celebrate the end of Dry January with a variety of Spanish wines as well as small bites. 6:30 p.m. $40. www.tapped athens.com/upcomingevents FILM: The 1619 Project (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) View episodes of the Hulu series “The 1619 Project,” and discuss issues it raises around the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans. 6:45 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga. org/1619uufa FILM: Exquisite Desolation (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the film. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com

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: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist. New players welcome. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo 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: Cocoa and Crafts (Memorial Park) Enjoy some hot cocoa while doing craft activities. Ages 6 & under. 10:30 a.m. $3 (ACC residents), $4.50 (non-residents). www.accgovga.myrec.com 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

Thursday 1 COMEDY: A$$$$CAT & Lanny’s Comedy Show (Hendershots) Members of Flying Squid Comedy perform improvised scenes inspired by a guest monologist followed by standup performances by local comedians hosted by Lanny Farmer. First Thursdays, 8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com COMEDY: Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) Athens Comedy presents a triple feature with Lan Lacin, Emily Holden and Kenny Smallhorn. Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 p.m. $7–12. www.facebook.com/ athenscomedy EVENTS: Diamond Hill Farm Stand (Athentic Brewing Co.) Vegetables and fresh flowers are available on hand and pre-ordered. Every Thursday, 4–6 p.m. www.diamondhill farmathens.com FILM: Club Ned Anime Society (ACC Library) Join club members to watch and discuss episodes of “Future Boy Conan,” “Samurai Champloo” and more. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.animefandom.org FILM: Atomic Age Film Series (Georgia Museum of Art) Presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun,” watch the film screening of Hiroshima, Mon Amour. 7 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org GAMES: Teen Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) Volunteer-led gaming session for teens of all skill levels. Grades 6–12. 6–7:45 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart GAMES: Thursday Trivia (Johnny’s New York Style Pizza) Test your trivia knowledge with host Jon Head. 6:30 p.m. www.johnnyspizza. com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Foundry) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

MEETINGS: KnitLits Knitting Group (Bogart Library) Knitters of all levels are invited to have fun, share craft ideas and knit to their hearts’ content. Thursdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Oconee Rivers Audubon Society (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Mateo Fennell will speak about native tree species that benefit birds and detecting tree diseases. 7–8 p.m. FREE! www. oconeeriversaudubon.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

Friday 2 CLASSES: Native Plant Propagation (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Learn the basics of propagating native wildflowers and shrubs. Registration required. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. $50. www.botgarden. uga.edu COMEDY: small talk, BIG SHOW (Work.Shop) A late night talk show hosted by Matt House featuring Kelly Petronis and the musical stylings of libbaloops. 8–9:15 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquid comedy.com EVENTS: Athens Wine Weekend (The Classic Center) Samples wines with different tasting events taking place in benefit of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 12:15 p.m. Feb. 4, 11:30 a.m. $50 & up. www. classiccenter.com EVENTS: Beloved Apothecary’s Sacred Space (1001 Winterville Rd.) This week’s gathering serving alcohol alternative beverages will highlight flow jams with Athens Middle Eastern Orchestra. Fridays, 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation. www.instagram.com/beloved_ apothecary EVENTS: Father Daughter Dance (Braselton Civic Center) The Kiwanis Club of North Gwinnett hosts its 15th annual dance with proceeds benefitting the club’s community service. Feb. 2, 7–9 p.m. Feb. 3, 5–7 p.m. & 8–10 p.m. $100. www.northgwinnettkiwanis. com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong. Tuesdays & Fridays, 1–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Join others for a weekly chess competition. Fridays, 6–10 p.m. FREE! www.winterville center.com GAMES: Friday Night Initiative (Online: Tyche’s Games) Learn how to play a RPG game with others on Discord. New players are welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames. com KIDSTUFF: Homeschool Series (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Learn more about Georgia’s symbols by diving into animals and plants that represent the state. 10 a.m. $4 (ACC residents), $6 (non-residents). accgovga.myrec.com 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

Saturday 3

ART: Jewelry Show (The Pearl Girls) Local metal artist Sylvia Dawe’s latest works will be on view. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. www.thepearlgirls.com CLASSES: Introduction to Skateboarding (Skatepark of Athens) An all ages fundamental clinic covering the basics of balance and movement on the skateboard as well as skatepark etiquette. Helmet required. 2 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/SkateParkOfAthens EVENTS: Let’s Talk Reparations: Linnentown and Beyond (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) The documentary Linnentown: Urban Renewal, White Supremacy and the University of Georgia will be shown, followed by a presentation about Athens Reparations Action. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.uu athensga.org EVENTS: Athens Wine Weekend (The Classic Center) Samples wines with different tasting events taking place in benefit of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 12:15 p.m. Feb. 4, 11:30 a.m. $50 & up. www. classiccenter.com EVENTS: Valetine’s Day Market (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse local artist and crafter vendors and enjoy Valentine-themed drinks. 1–6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Father Daughter Dance (Braselton Civic Center) The Kiwanis Club of North Gwinnett hosts its 15th annual dance with proceeds benefitting the club’s community service. Feb. 2, 7–9 p.m. Feb. 3, 5–7 p.m. & 8–10 p.m. $100. www. northgwinnettkiwanis.com GAMES: Learn to Play the Shadowrun RPG (Tyche’s Games) Face off against the mega-corporations in a dark future. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com PERFORMANCE: UGA India Night (The Classic Center) In its 30th year, this event is a Bollywood- fusion dance competition showcasing talent, hospitality and southern charm. 6–9 p.m. $21.25–33. www. classiccenter.com

Sunday 4 CLASSES: Athens YOGA Collective (Athentic Brewing Co.) Enjoy a yoga class on the patio. First and third Sundays, 12 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com CLASSES: UGA Salsa Club (UGA Memorial Hall) Learn foundational movements of salsa with no partner or experience required. 3:30 p.m. FREE! Experienced salsa dancers will learn a new style and more advanced techniques. 4 p.m. $5. www.ugasalsaclub.com/sunday- class COMEDY: Best of Athens Standup Comedy (The Globe) Hosted by Lanny Farmer, featured comedians Miles Bunch, Kavita Pandit, Phillip Broughton, Owen Hunt, Adam Beahan and Pete Barlow will perform 8-minute sets. 9–10:30 p.m. $7. www.athenscomedy.com EVENTS: Athens Wine Weekend (The Classic Center) Samples wines with different tasting events taking place in benefit of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3, 12:15 p.m.

Feb. 4, 11:30 a.m. $50 & up. www. classiccenter.com EVENTS: Georgia Bridal Show (The Classic Center) Plan the perfect day by learning about trends and browsing vendors. 12:30–3 p.m. $15 (adv.), $20. www.georgiabridal show.com EVENTS: Get Shucked (Athentic Brewing Co.) Celebrate the Get Shucked Oyster Stout beer release with the SeaBear Shuck Truck. 3–6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens MEETINGS: Skatepark Community Input (ACC Library) The initial meeting to formalize a group that will represent the macro interests of the skatepark community user base. 2:30 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/SkateParkOfAthens 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

Monday 5 GAMES: General Trivia with Erin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Erin. Mondays, 7–9 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Dooley’s Bar and Grill) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (LumberJaxe) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens KIDSTUFF: Monday Funday (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for songs, fingerplays, storytelling and STEAM activities. Ages 3–7 years. Registration suggested. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (Athentic Brewing Co.) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com

Tuesday 6 CLASSES: ARTWORK Workshop Series (Lyndon House Arts Center) Artists and creative professionals will learn about small business tax and accounting with Kelli Thompson. Registration suggested. 5:30–7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/LyndonHouseArts GAMES: Lunch and Learn New Games (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and try out some new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong. Tuesdays & Fridays, 1–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.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

MEETINGS: Veterans Coffee Hour (Winterville Cultural Center) Sit down with a veteran and have coffee and conversation. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. FREE! www.wintervillecenter.com 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 7 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. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the stalker film The Bloodstained Shadow. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist. New players welcome. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo 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: Athens Homeless Coalition Board of Directors (Princeton United Methodist Church) Learn more about the coalition and how to get involved. 12 p.m. FREE! www. endathenshomelessness.com MEETINGS: Avid Writers’ Collective (Avid Bookshop) Members critique each others’ pre-submitted writing of all forms. First Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. FREE! events@ avidbookshop.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, 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

Down the Line 2/08 Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) 2/08 Creative Aging Seated Yoga (Georgia Museum of Art) 2/08 Diamond Hill Farm Stand (Athentic Brewing Co.) 2/08 Oconee County Library Friends Winter Book Sale (Oconee County Civic Center) f

live music calendar Tuesday 30

40 Watt Club 8 p.m. $10 (adv.), $15. www.40watt. com BOILER ROOM Featuring DJ Henny, OTT, $ilva, Airmax, Faded Panda and Brando. Buvez 7 p.m. $5. www.facebook.com/ buvezathens SONG-O-RAMA FINALS Bain Mattox hosts a competition in which five artists perform three songs each for a chance to win a $500 cash prize. 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. Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com KENOSHA KID Instrumental adventure-jazz group centered around the rollicking compositions of Dan Nettles and featuring Josh Allen, Seth Hendershot and various guests. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. Jan. 22–23 & Jan. 29–30, 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL All 10 of Beethoven’s violin sonatas will be performed over the course of four evenings by students of violin professor Levon Ambartsumian and piano professor Evgeny Rivkin.

RICK FOWLER ACOUSTIC BAND Original, guitar-driven local blues- rock group. Every first Thursday of the month. Flicker Theatre & Bar Primordial Void Presents. 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com MARCEL SLETTEN The Primordial Void founder and composer spins alien club and industrial tracks with world music influences. KING LORD Viv Awesome (Jellybean, ex-Rubber Udder) selects dark techno and hardstyle bangers. LETTHE.MEATCAKE Local artist Alva Persons plays dancefloor- ready dub and techno deep cuts. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $18. www.georgiatheatre.com JAMESON TANK High-energy alternative rock band fronted by Jameson Tankersley. FLORENCE CARDIGAN Local group offering funk, punk and jazz- inspired indie rock. RECESS PARTY Up-and-coming

catalog of classic to modern goth, post-punk, punk and industrial. Dancz Center for New Music 4:10 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu ADAM SCHOENBERG Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated composer who has been named among the Top 10 most performed living composers by orchestras in the U.S. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $12. www.flickertheatreandbar.com ANCIENT INFANT Hard indie rock with elements of social commentary, introspection and a tenacity for tackling heavy topics through riffed out driven music. Celebrating the release of Panda In Japan! HENSLEYS Atlanta four-piece band blending punk, alternative and hyper-jazz rock. CHRIS RUDASILL Florida-based singer-songwriter with passionate lyrics and a flare for showmanship and rootsy rock and roll.

UGA WIND SYMPHONY The program “The Magic of Music” includes selections from the Harry Potter films and other beloved magical classics. Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens MUDDY RUCKUS Portland, ME power duo playing a grungy style of railroad indie punk blues. Southern Brewing Co. First Fridays. 5–10 p.m. (event), 6–9 p.m. (music). www.sobrewco.com WADE NEWBURY Easy listening tunes and classics on guitar. First Fridays include a food truck and mini market of local vendors.

Saturday 3 1818 Brewing Company 7–9 p.m. www.1818brewing.com RC COWBOY Country and gospel singer with over four decades of experience.

SONS OF SAILORS A Jimmy Buffett cover band that has been performing together since 1980. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall Family Concert. 10 a.m. FREE! pac. uga.edu UGA WIND SYMPHONY The program “The Magic of Music” includes selections from the Harry Potter films and other beloved magical classics. Madison-Morgan Cultural Center 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. FREE! www.mmcc- arts.org YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION Young musicians from across Georgia compete for scholarships and the chance to perform as a soloist at the Madison Music Festival’s Grand Finale concert in May. No. 3 Railroad Street 7 p.m. www.3railroad.org JIM COOK High-energy solo blues, classic rock and roots music.

Rialto Club 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $25 (adv.), $30. bit.ly/JohnMcCutcheonAthens JOHN McCUTCHEON Legendary, deep-rooted folk singer-songwriter and storyteller who has produced 43 albums since the ’70s.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens FIVE DOOR SEDAN Indie rock group from Charleston, SC with layers of saxophone and synths. BETTER YET Four-piece alternative rock act from Atlanta. CONVINCE THE KID Synth-rock four-piece from Athens.

Wednesday 7

Wednesday 31 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $8 (adv.), 10. www.40watt.com THE DOWNSTAIRS Athens indie- rock quartet that is building a name for itself with high energy live performances. NEAT FREAK New Athens band. KARMA KAT Athens band melding jazz, indie and pop for an innovative sound. Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20. www.georgiatheatre.com LOWERTOWN Duo creating a lo-fi indie blend of electronica and folk. NIHILIST CHEERLEADER Raw riot grrrl-inspired punk that’s a pitch- perfect blend of snotty and sunny, earnest and sardonic. COMA THERAPY Muscular dark wave goth influenced by post-punk and no wave. TELEMARKET Driving, angular indie-rock band from Athens.

Thursday 1 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $20 (adv.), $25. www.40watt.com KOLBY COOPER Young Texan making a name for himself in country music. PAYTON SMITH Louisiana native singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist playing country. Athentic Brewing Co. Blues and Brews Residency. 6–8:30 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com

John McCutcheon will perform at the Rialto Club on Sunday, Feb. 4. local Athens alternative rock band with an energetic and upbeat sound. Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens FRANKENFURT CINNAMON JAM Live freeform funk to dance to and a rotating crew of musicians. Feel free to bring an instrument. The Root 8 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ therootathens AARON BOYD Singer-songwriter with raw and honest lyrics. W.D. MILLER Honky-tonk country hymns and folky ballads inspired by John Prine, Merle Haggard and Tom Waits. Southern Brewing Co. 6–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com KARAOKE NIGHT Every Thursday evening.

Friday 2 Buvez 7–10 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ darkentriesathens DARK ENTRIES KARAOKE Sing your favorite song from a curated

SUNSET ELECTRIC Two-piece rock and roll band hailing from Greenville, SC that pairs an aggressive, feedback-saturated wall of sound with catchy hooks and authentic lyricism. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). SOLD OUT! www.georgiatheatre.com WYATT FLORES Nashville country artist originally from Oklahoma for fans of Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson. LANCE ROARK Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter painting pictures of joy, heartache and the beauty of everyday life. Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $12 (adv.), $15. bit.ly/3uAqTmd THE AIN’T SISTERS Atlanta-based folk group fronted by Arrie Bozeman and Barb Carbon. RALPH RODDENBERY Dynamic blend of Americana, roots rock and a twist of the blues. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall Piedmont Athens Regional Performances for Young People. 10 a.m. SOLD OUT! pac.uga.edu

40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $16 (adv.). www.40watt.com SAM BURCHFIELD The Atlanta- based singer-songwriter plays a set of his folk-pop tunes. THE ECHOLOCATIONS Local rock band embracing a retro, ’60s- inspired sound. Athentic Brewing Co. 6–8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com SCARLET STITCH Straight-up rock and roll band from Athens. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $12 (adv.), $15. www. flickertheatreandbar.com T. HARDY MORRIS Local singer- songwriter and guitarist plays twangy, reflective folk-rock. RYAN DAVIS & THE ROADHOUSE BAND Louisville artist recognized for fronting State Champion, leading the Cropped Out festival and establishing indie label Sophomore Lounge. LITTLE GOLD Local group playing garage-rock with country and pop sensibilities. The Foundry 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. $15 (adv.), $20. bit.ly/SonsofSailorsFeb3

Sunday 4 ACC Library Live at the Library. 3 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org JAY GONZALEZ Athens songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with an affinity for ’70s power pop melodies. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7 p.m. $10 (w/ UGA ID), $35–55. pac. uga.edu BRAD MEHLDAU Grammy Award- winner and contemporary jazz pianist who balances improvisation and original compositions with reworkings of songs by contemporary songwriters.

Tuesday 6 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. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com FOURTH MANSIONS Brant Rackley and Larry Tenner join Joe Rowe for a set of indie rock originals and eclectic covers. CASH LANGDON Birmingham- based singer-songwriter blending influences of twee, jangle pop and ’60s rock. WOLFLI Somber and reflective songs. Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com KENOSHA KID Instrumental adventure-jazz group centered around the rollicking compositions of Dan Nettles and featuring Josh Allen, Seth Hendershot and various guests. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! pac.uga.edu DAVID STARKWEATHER Cellist and professor at UGA’s Hodgson School of Music. The World Famous 9 p.m. $8 suggested donation. www.facebook.com/theworldfamousathens MX LONELY Heavy, melodic shoegaze and post-punk from Brooklyn. AUNT MOTH Local alternative rock band with ’70s punk and post-punk influences. COMA THERAPY Muscular dark wave goth influenced by post-punk and no wave. SPLIT SILK Noisy and cathartic post-hardcore led by Lucca Carver.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $30. www.georgiatheatre.com FLATLAND CAVALRY Texas roots- country outfit with earth country ballads and gritty folk ramblers. COLBY ACUFF Country singer- songwriter from Idaho signed to Sony Music Nashville. Porterhouse Grill 6–8:30 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens.com JAZZ NIGHT Performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu JOSH BYNUM Professor of trombone at UGA, soloist, chamber musician and orchestral trombonist. f

J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

CAMIE WILLIAMS, UGA LIBRARIES

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 AAAC QUARTERLY GRANT (Athens, GA) The Athens Area Arts Council offers $500 grants to visual and performing artists in any medium to support specific projects that enrich the culture of Athens. Rolling deadlines are Mar. 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Dec. 15. Apply online. www. athensarts.org/support CALL FOR ENTRIES (ATHICA) All new and returning 2024 members can exhibit an artwork of their choice in ATHICA’s annual Members’ Showcase. New members welcome. Deadline Feb. 11. Drop- off Feb. 12, 4–6 p.m. Exhibition runs Feb. 15–Mar. 17. www.athica. org/calls IN CASE (Lyndon House Arts Center) A new program, “IN CASE,” will invite an artist each winter to utilize the lobby case as an art installation environment by creating a site- specific work that responds to the case’s specific dimensions. Area artists can submit proposals online. Proposals are reviewed following the deadlines of Apr. 20 and Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. www.accgov.com/ exhibits 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, print-

making, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and woodworking. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $65/month. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-Studio- Membership VALEN-TINY MARKET (tiny ATH gallery) Seeking artist vendors to participate in a Valentine’s Day- themed artist market. Pieces should be 5”x5” or smaller. Artists will share a six-foot table. Email for vendor form. Market held Feb. 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $35/fee. tinyath gallery@gmail.com

Auditions OH, KAY! IN CONCERT (Memorial Park, Quinn Hall) The Athens Musical Theatre Orchestra Program brings together instrumentalists, singers and actors for a Prohibition story of bootleggers, society matrons and new love. Contact to schedule an audition. Auditions held Feb. 5–6, 6–9 p.m. Performances held Apr. 5–6 at the Morton Theatre. 706-613-3628, act@ accgov.com

Classes ACCA CLASSES (Athens Community Council on Aging Center for Active Learning) “Qigong for Vitality with Anna DiBella” includes gentle movements to help improve balance, coordination and the mind-body connection. Mondays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $20–25/five week series. “Feel Better Yoga with Elizabeth Alder, CYT” is a slow- going yoga class for all abilities.

art around town ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1500) Jason Thrasher’s exhibition of photographs, “Kashi Washi,” documents his return to a specific street corner in Benares, India 25 years after his first visit in 1998. Open by appointment. ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) Brooklyn-based artist Fabienne Lasserre presents “Listeners,” an immersive and responsive installation consisting of a series of sculptures made of clear vinyl spray-painted with translucent gradients of color. Through Mar. 16. ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) “Onodera & Pearse: Contrasts & Correlations” combines the works of Masako Onodera and Mary Pearse, two artists who share backgrounds in craft while embracing sculptural applications of metal, paper, gravity and motion. Through Feb. 11. ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “Skitterings: New Works by Don Chambers” presents works on paper that rely on coincidence and chance while playing with mark-making, space, color and texture. Through Feb. 25. 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. FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Paintings by Marisa Mustard. Through February. FOYER (135 Park Ave.) New York City-based multidisciplinary artist Amelia Briggs shares a collection of oil paintings on paper that imagine interior landscapes. On view by appointment through Mar. 16. GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “In Dialogue: Power Couple: Pierre and Louise Daura in Paris” features paintings by Louise, engravings by Pierre and several objects that appear in their images. Through Feb. 11.

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m. $20–25/ five week series. abarefoot@ accaging.org BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “Two-Day Railroad Spike Knife and Tomahawk” (Mar. 15–16), “Basic Tong Making” (Mar. 30), “Forge a Firepoker with Decorative Handle” (Apr. 6, May 11 or June 14), “Forge Grilling Tools” (Apr. 13 or June 1), “Forge a Three Hook Rack” (Apr. 26 or May 25), “Forge Garden Tools” (Apr. 27 or June 8), “Forge a Railroad Spike Knife” (May 3 or May 24), “Forge a Tomahawk” (May 4), “Forge a Spear” (May 31) and “Forge a Bottle Opener” (June 7). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www. greenhowhandmade.com/black smith-classes CLASSES (Winterville Cultural Center) “Upcycling Workshop” guides participants on how to repurpose clothes into new creations. Mondays through Feb. 27, 6–8 p.m. $12/drop in. “Chair Yoga” promotes deep breathing, mindfulness and inward listening. Mondays, 9:10–10:10 a.m. $12/drop in. “Botanical Sketchbook” explores drawing techniques like shading, perspective and light. Mondays, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. $12/drop in. wintervillecampus@gmail.com, www.wintervillecenter.com FELDENKRAIS CLASSES (Sangha Yoga Studio) Gentle lessons for the brain and body. Thursdays, 2 p.m. $15–18. www.healingartscentre. net/sangha-yoga-studio MEMOIR WORKSHOP (Contact for Location) Barbara Burt leads a four- week workshop on writing memoirs. Thursdays beginning Feb. 15, 1–4

“Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs” is currently on view at the Russell Building Special Collections Libraries at UGA through July 3. p.m. $150. barbwriter@proton.me, www.memories2memoir.com PÉTANQUE CLUB OF ATHENS (5 Alumni Dr.) Learn to play Pétanque. RSVP for a free Wednesday introduction. athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s hosts free monthly QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention sessions for anyone interested, not just mental health professionals. Nuçi’s also offers free training for businesses and organizations. Upcoming public trainings will be held Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. and Mar. 28 at 9:30 a.m. 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

• “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. • “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun” uses photography to examine the intergenerational trauma of nuclear disaster and the possibilities of healing and reconciliation. Artist Talk Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. Currently on view through July 14. GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Zane Cochran presents “Aurora,” a sculptural interpretation of the aurora borealis using 3D geometric figures and lights. LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) Abraham Tesser presents “Maquettes,” a collection of small-scale 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 ancestral seeking through handsewn 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. • Collections from our Community presents Ikla McConnell’s collection of Pyrex casseroles and dishware. Collector Talk and Casserole Bakeoff Feb. 15, 6 p.m. Through Apr. 9. MASON-SCHARFENSTEIN MUSEUM OF ART (567 Georgia St., Demorest) Austin Wieland presents ceramic works investigating clay’s intersections with industry, functionality and technology. Through Feb. 22. OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) Celebrating the release of Gail Karwoski’s new book, Skeleton in the Art Closet, “Novel Art Chapter Two” features artwork by over a dozen members of the Wonders of Watercolor group. Through Feb. 10. REPUBLIC SALON (312 E. Broad St.) Jacob Wenzka presents a collection of paintings and drawings of robots, futuristic floating cities, and various other sci-fi and fantasy inspired scenes. STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA (2450 S. Milledge Ave) Wendy Chaney shares her love of flowers and nature through photography. Through Feb. 18.

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. liveoak martialarts@gmail.com, www.live oakmartialarts.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.revolutiontherapyandyoga.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

Help Out ADOPT AN ANIMAL (Bear Hollow Zoo) Different sponsorship levels are available to “adopt” a zoo resident. Donations are used for exhibits, food and wildlife education. 706-613-3580 BLING YOUR PROM (ACC Library) Seeking donations of formalwear

that will be given to local teens for prom. Items can include men and women’s formalwear, jewelry and accessories, shoes, unused cosmetics and hair products, service/ store coupons and paper shopping bags. Donations accepted until Feb. 29. ehood@athenslibrary.org

Kidstuff ACCOUNTING 101: BE AUDIT YOU CAN BE (UGA Terry College of Business) Youth Programs at UGA and UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting offer a two-day workshop for ages 15–17. Feb. 24–25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $20. www.georgia center.uga.edu/youth/spark ATHENS FOREST KINDERGARTEN (Sandy Creek Park) Now enrolling children ages 3-6. AFK is a cooperative preschool that aims to develop initiative, persistence, interdependence, and empathy. www.athens forestkindergarten.org CCCF SCHOLARSHIPS (Athens, GA) The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is now accepting applications for performing arts and visual arts scholarships. Applications are open to 9th–12th grade high

STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Peace in Our Time: Steffen Thomas Meisterwerke from the Lowrance Collection” shares works collected by Marjorie and Richard Lowrance over the span of 60 years. Through July 23. TIF SIGFRIDS (393 N. Finley St.) Brooklyn-based artist Margaux Ogden presents “Tidal Locking,” a series of new paintings iterating upon each other. Through Feb. 24. UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOBBY GALLERY (230 River Rd.) The new gallery debuts with large-scale paintings from Margaret Morrison’s “Paradigm Shift,” a series created after Morrison began questioning historical aspects of her closely held Mormon faith. Through July 26. UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “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. • Developed by James W. Porter, Meigs Professor of Ecology emeritus at UGA, “Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs” explores the marine lives of coral through specimens and photographs. Lecture Feb. 15, 6 p.m. Family Day Apr. 13, 1 p.m. Through July 3. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS CLEMENTS GALLERY (780 Timothy Rd.) Paul Hartman presents “A Lightmonkey Show,” a collection of photographs. Through March. THE VALTON GALLERY AT STATE (625 Barber St., Suite 120) Self-taught painter Valton Murray shares works dominated by abstract botanicals, bright colors and surreal landscapes. WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Ln., Winterville) Paintings by Melanie Sgrignoli. Through February.

school students living in Northeast Georgia. Deadline Mar. 1. www. classiccenter.com/scholarships GROUPS AT REBLOSSOM (ReBlossom) Tiny Tunes is for children ages 4 and under and their caregivers to explore instrument play. Mondays, 10:15–10:45 a.m. $12/ drop-in. 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. Wednesdays, 3–5 p.m. 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. Sunday Support and Play Group is held for ages 1–4 and their families. Sundays, 1–3 p.m. Brave Solo Mamas includes a dinner and support group for moms who are parenting without a second caregiver. Fourth Tuesday of the month, 6 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 register. www.treehousekidandcraft.com

Support Groups 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 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 SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE (Nuçi’s Space) SOS is a support group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Meets the third Wednesday of every month, 5:30–7:30 p.m. www.nuci.org

Word on the Street ATHENS BUSINESS ROCKS (40 Watt Club) Nuçi’s Space invites local businesses to form cover bands and compete in a fundraising battle of the bands event. Awards are given to best fundraiser, crowd favorite and judges’ favorite. Registration closes Feb. 19. Event held May 4. $150/registration fee. www. nuci.org/abr ATHENS ON ICE (Classic Center, 440 Foundry Pavilion) Public ice skating is currently available Feb. 19. Check website for schedule. $15. www.classiccenter.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 RABBIT BOX THEMES (Athens, GA) Seeking storytellers to share true short stories on stage. Upcoming themes include “Duets” on Feb. 27, “Better Late Than Never” on Mar. 26, “The Story of Your Name” on Apr. 23 and “With This Ring” on May 28. Visit website to apply. www.rabbitbox.org/tell 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 SPRING ACTIVITIES (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services will offer a variety of arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events this spring. Registration begins Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. for residents and Feb. 5 at 12 p.m. for non-residents. www.accgov.com/myrec STORMWATER CALENDARS (Athens, GA) The Stormwater Management Program produces educational wall calendars each winter to show off water and nature scenes from around town. Request a calendar while supplies last. www. accgov.com/stormwatercalendar 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 f

CORD SIBILSKY GROUP

CORD O:706-510-5189

C:706-363-0803

CSG-GAP.COM

KITCHEN HOURS TUESDAY 5-10 PM WEDNESDAY 5-10 PM THURSDAY 5-10 PM FRIDAY 5-10 PM SATURDAY 11 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 11 AM - 9 PM BAR HOURS TUESDAY 5 PM - 12 AM WEDNESDAY 5 PM -12 AM THURSDAY 5 PM - 1 AM FRIDAY 5 PM - 2 AM SATURDAY 11 AM - 2 AM SUNDAY 11 AM - 12 AM

PalomaPark.com

Visit our website to inquire for private events, catering and up-to-date on live Music

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ATHENS @ 235 W WASHINGTON ST

HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday-Friday 5-7 / Saturday 4-6 / Sunday 4-8

$6 Pitchers: - Paloma on Draft - Margarita Keg - Draft Beer

SUNDAY FUNDAY .99¢ Smoke Fried Wings BUCKETS: $15 Domestic / $18 Craft / $20 Import Happy Hour 4-8 PM 20% Service Industry Discount

BRUNCH DRINKS 11 AM - 4 PM $10 Mimosa & Sangria Pitcher $4 Mimosa & Sangria Glass

TACOS & TEQUILA

TUESDAY

$3 Tacos à la carte Half-Off Margaritas $10 Cerveza-Rita

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY $12 House Wine Bottles $6 Well Martinis

DISCO THURSDAY $5 Red Bull Bombs

$6 Red Bull Mix & Match $8 Espresso Martinis Disco Lights & MUSIC at night

Weekday date-night discount (Tuesday-Thursday): when couples order 1 Starter, 2 Main Courses and dessert, get 20% off those items

Vote Paloma Park as your Flagpole Athens Favorite:

• TACOS • Wings • Happy Hour • Outdoor dining • • specialty drinks • Outdoor bar space • meal for a deal • J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

classifieds Place an ad anytime, email class@flagpole.com or call 706-549-0301



BASIC RATES: Individual $10/week • Real Estate $14/week • Business $16/week • Online Only $5/week Indicates images available at classifieds.flagpole.com • Deadline to place ads is 11 a.m. every Monday for the following Wednesday issue

FOR SALE

SERVICES

HOUSES FOR RENT

MISCELLANEOUS

House, 3BR/2BA in Normaltown. Central heat/air. Apartment, 2BR/1BA. Furnished. Washer/dryer. Wi-Fi. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505

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.

HOME AND GARDEN

REAL ESTATE

Rent or sell your house in the Flagpole Classifieds! Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com today!

HOUSES FOR SALE Looking for a house or a home? Condo or land? Call Daniel Peiken. REALTOR 5Market Realty. Selling in and around Athens for over 20 years. 706-296-2941 Get Flagpole delivered straight to your mailbox! Weekly delivery straight from the source. Makes a great gift! Only $55 for six months or $110 for one year. Purchase online at www.flagpole.big cartel.com, call 706-5490301 or email frontdesk@ flagpole.com. Flagpole ♥s our advertisers. donors and readers!

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

MUSIC SERVICES Instant cash is now being paid for good vinyl records & CDs in fine condition. Wuxtry Records at corner of Clayton & College Dwntn. 706-369-9428

Woman-Run Gardening Services: Prep for spring! We offer garden clean-up/ maintenance, invasive plant removal, raised beds, personalized native/edible gardens for home/business and more! Call/Text: 706395-5321. Need old papers for your garden? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll have a crate ready for you. Please leave current issues on the stands. 706549-0301

JOBS FULL-TIME El Paso Tacos & Tequila Now Hiring for Hosts, 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.

ADOPT ME!

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

Gizmo (55130355)

Can you (h)ear this? Gizmo is looking for his forever home! Maybe one that will turn his little frown upside down? Gizmo is still a baby so his adopter should be ready for puppy antics.

Dale (55124092)

Now Dale is the polar opposite of Gizmo! He’s big. He’s a bit floofy. He loves to smile. And he’s a mature adult dog who knows basic commands and is ready to sprawl in a new yard.

Pookie (55142675)

Another cute, little pup but Pookie is all grown up at 5 years of age. He loves treats and he knows how to ‘dance’ for a snack. Pookie is house-trained and is focused on pleasing people.

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

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

PART-TIME

classifieds Join a diverse, inclusive classifieds workplace and get paid to type! 16–40 hours, Mon–Fri. classifieds NEVER be called in for a classifieds shift you didn’t sign up for. classifieds Must type 55+ wpm. Make classifieds your own schedule and work independently with classifieds no customer interaction. classifieds Starts at $13 with automatic classifieds increases. www.ctscribes. classifieds com

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SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

7 3 9

5 6 4

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Week of 1/29/24 - 2/4/24

The Weekly Crossword

One Chocolate Chip Cookie Per coupon

by Margie E. Burke

Solution to Sudoku:

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

Sandy Creek Nature Center

Frog Hop 5K

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 2 p.m. - Fun Run • 2:30 p.m. - 5K $25 by Jan. 31 $80 family rate by Jan. 31 $20 No t-shirt option by Jan. 31 All entries $30/person after Jan. 31 and on race day

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors! Georgia Power • Classic Race Services Colonial Pipeline • Hawthorne Animal Hospital • Jackson EMC Hughes Subaru • Flagpole • Leon Farmer & Company Five Points Eye Care • Law Offices of Adam M. Cain • Escoe Industrial Wild Birds Unlimited • Oconee Rivers Audubon Society New Urban Forestry • Tallassee Highlands • Athentic Brewing Co. Grail Bra Specialists • Jittery Joe’s • Cintas • Publix

For more info: scncinc@gmail.com or www.sandycreeknaturecenterinc.org Puzzle answers are available at www.flagpole.com/puzzles

Sandy Creek Nature Center is a facility of the Athens-Clarke County Department of Leisure Services

J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

VOTE

FOR US!

VOTE FOR US FOR FLAGPOLE FAVORITE MEXICAN/ LATIN AMERICAN

VOTE FOR

JINYA

AS YOUR FAVORITE ASIAN/ TAKEOUT RESTAURANT

SUN–THU 11am–10pm FRI–SAT 11am–11pm

Nor

At h

G s,

LUMPKIN & CEDAR SHOALS 706-355-7087

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS

Restaurant Section

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS •

LOMO S A LTA D O • W I N GS • E M PA N A DA S • S H A K E S • M A D U RO S •

FRIDAY DINNERS

975 Hawthorne Ave • 706-206-9322 emskitchenathawthorne.com

JOIN US FOR

Treat yourself to some Em’s Kitchen this New Year and experience our delicious, healthy lunches.

We love you, Marti!

r t i s at m i d d a

Online Ordering • Curb-side pick-up • Box catering Homemade Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, and Desserts

y. c

VOTE FOR US FOR

FAVORITE LUNCH, SANDWICH, AND CATERING!

Inside or On the Patio CASUAL & SOCIAL • BEER & WINE FAMILY FRIENDLY • NEW KIDS MENU Locally Sourced Goodness Every Day !! OPEN ‘TIL 9PM ON FRIDAYS !!

Vote for us for

Local Coffee House, Lunch and New!

497 Prince Ave • www.birdiesathens.com

Please Vote For Us!

F L A GP OL E .C OM · J A NU A R Y 31, 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Please vote for Elations as The Best Sex Positive Business!

Love,

Connect the dots below and spice up your new year. Scan the QR code, follow us on Instagram & comment on our January puzzle post for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

@BedsideManners_Blog

Discover the products that turn you on, then take 10% off with code: FP2024 in-store or online!

4100 Lexington Road - ShopStarship.com J A NU A R Y 31, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM