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FEBRUARY 14, 2024 · VOL. 38 · NO. 6 · FREE

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987

Kashi Washi Jason Thrasher Returns to Benares p. 7

ARALEE STRANGE LECTURE

Thursday, February 22, 5:30 p.m.

Karyn Sandlos “Learning from Loss: Pedagogies of Art, Creativity and Change.”

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

contents

this week’s issue SOPHIE SAHARA

WASHINGTONSQUARESTUDIO.COM

706.395.6633 Home Base For Disruptive Beauty

Kendall Jenner visited Paloma Park, also making stops at Westside Bottle Shop and 1785, on Tuesday, Feb. 6 to promote her 818 Tequila brand. Jenner got behind the bar to serve shots, and took photos with fans.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Union Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Short-Term Rental Regs

Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

FOOD & DRINK: Good Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Dealing With Winter Weeds

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Unearthing Banned 37

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

MUSIC: Record Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

T.W.I.N.’s 199X

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles

Local Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Fabienne Mack, Jessica Pritchard Mangum

Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

CITY EDITOR Blake Aued

Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin CLASSIFIEDS Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CONTRIBUTORS Erin France, Gordon Lamb, Jill Nolin, Chad Radford CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe

GREGORY FREDERICK

OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene

Ancient Infant

EDITORIAL INTERNS Mary Beth Bryan, Xinge Lei

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VOLUME 38 ISSUE NUMBER 6

PLEASE VAX UP SO WE DON’T NEED TO

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online exclusive With Gregory Frederick behind the camera, Athens GA Live Music documents artists gracing stages across the Classic City. Don’t miss footage from the recent performances

by Recess Party, Jameson Tank, Ancient Infant, T Hardy Morris, Sam Burchfield and more.

See “Athens GA Live Music Recap” at flagpole.com.

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F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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news

city dope

Short-Term Rental Regs Pass PLUS, PUSHBACK FROM HOMELESS SHELTERS AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

By Blake Aued, Xinge Lei and Jill Nolin news@flagpole.com After three drama-filled hours, the Athensresidents even panned the two-year sunset Clarke County Commission approved new provision as too weak at a recent town hall restrictions on short-term rentals Feb. 6, meeting held by Culpepper and commisbut the compromise reached means comsioners Allison Wright and Mike Hamby, missioners may be having the same debate all of whom represent part of Five Points, a again in a couple of months. neighborhood that’s seen a particular influx The proposed regulations, under disof STRs due to its proximity to UGA and cussion for two years, ban new short-term Sanford Stadium. rentals like those advertised on booking After more than an hour of public comsites like Airbnb or VRBO in single-family ment and nearly two hours of commission neighborhoods, unless the host lives in debate, commissioners deadlocked. The the home. They are aimed at out-of-town votes were 5–4 in favor of enacting the investors that have been buying houses in regulations, then 4–5 to reject them, with neighborhoods like Five Points and conMyers, Hamby and commissioners Melissa verting them into full-time vacation homes, Link, Patrick Davenport and Tiffany Taylor prompting complaints from neighbors supporting STR regulations, and commisabout parking and noise, as well as concerns sioners Ovita Thornton and Jesse Houle that short-term rentals (STRs) are taking joining Culpepper and Fisher in voting houses off the market that would otherwise against them. be bought or rented by full-time Athens As a text amendment to the county zonresidents, thus helping to drive up housing ing code, the regulations required six votes costs. to pass, not a simple majority. With Airbnb At the same time, the new regulations owner Allison Wright recusing herself, allow STRs in multifamily, commercial and Mayor Kelly Girtz, who votes only to break industrial areas with fewer restrictions, as a tie, was unable to tip the balance. long as the owners obtain the proper perGirtz called for a break after the mits and pay taxes, treating them much like impasse. When commissioners returned hotels. In single-fam20 minutes later, they ily zones, homeowners voted unanimously What I don’t want to see can still rent out a for the regulations, room, an outparcel or a caveat: Girtz is that monstrosity go up with the entire property as assigned the commisand have my community look the sion’s Government long as they actually live in the residence same as when I was a little girl. Operations otherwise. A new code Committee to immeenforcement officer diately take another and a third-party vendor will be hired to look at the new rules and bring back a rectrack STRs and enforce the new laws. ommendation on potential changes within Athens-Clarke County’s zoning code, two months. He also tasked the planning originally written more than 20 years ago, commission with reviewing the procedure doesn’t account for STRs. “STRs are not on for text amendments. that list because platforms like Airbnb and The compromise downplays the threat VRBO didn’t used to exist,” Commissioner of a lawsuit by affording commissioners the Carol Myers said. “STRs in single-family chance to repeal the controversial sunset zones are a kind of loophole that exists provision more quickly than if they sent because our county, like those across the it back to the planning commission. May country, has not caught up with online was the earliest the planning commission booking platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. could submit a new recommendation if We are now trying to enact local legislation the regulations were rejected, Assistant that addresses this.”

Planning Commissioner Bruce Lonnee said.

The main issue was a sunset provision And there was no guarantee the planning inserted by the ACC Planning Commission, commission would have followed the mayor an advisory board on zoning issues. The and commission’s directive to remove it, planning commission recommended a twopotentially putting the county commission year sunset on existing single-family STRs, back at square one. overruling the advice of county attorneys “Thanks for coming to this evening’s who said that such a sunset would violate presentation of parliamentary procedure,” Georgia’s vested property rights. Local Girtz told the overflow crowd at City Hall. attorney David Ellison, representing an LLC Despite the new regulations, “my area is that owns multiple STRs in Athens, all but going to be primed for short-term rentals” said he would sue the county if it enacted when the new Classic Center arena opens the regulations with the sunset provision. this summer, Taylor said when discussion Commissioners Dexter Fisher and John turned to a distribution of tax dollars in Culpepper moved to reject the proposed eastern downtown and East Athens. regulations on the grounds that ACC would In 2020 the commission approved six tax be sued. “We’re going to spend money on allocation districts, including one stretching outside counsel, most likely, to fight a lawfrom the arena site to public lands across suit that we don’t have to fight,” Fisher said. the North Oconee River, such as the Nellie Public opinion at Tuesday’s meeting B housing project, Heard Park and Dudley was fairly evenly split, whereas at past Park. Similarly to the Georgia Square Mall public comment opportunities it’s been area, future growth in property taxes from overwhelmingly in favor of the strongest new development must be spent on infraregulations possible. Many Five Points structure within the district.

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

A TAD oversight committee had recommended a 70/30 split between downtown and East Athens, but Taylor proposed—and her colleagues unanimously approved—a 70/30 split the other way, so that 70% of the revenue growth from development around the arena will go toward East Athens. “What I don’t want to see is that monstrosity go up and have my community look the same as when I was a little girl,” Taylor said.

That was the intent all along, said Hamby and Girtz, who unlike Taylor were serving behind the rail four years ago. “The way [the TAD district] was drawn was to draw some wealth into that part of town, without a doubt,” Girtz said.

But there are still some arena-related expenses that will have to be paid for somehow, Manager Blaine Williams warned, like intersection improvements at a new parking deck and stormwater management work.

The commission also approved, by an 8–2 vote, Houle’s proposal to raise the wage floor for ACC employees from $15.60 to $16.29 an hour to match MIT’s most recent living wage calculation for Athens. The bump only applies to an upcoming study on county wages and wage compression, though; any actual raises would have to come through the annual budget the commission will approve in June. But it does lay the groundwork for such raises.

In a rather odd alliance, Houle was joined by Link, Fisher, Culpepper, Myers and Thornton in rejecting staff’s warnings that Houle’s proposal would lead to further wage compression and possibly raise the cost of the study. Davenport and Wright then opposed Houle’s commissioner-defined option. [Blake Aued]

Shelters Say They Were Shut Out of Homelessness Funding Based on recommendations from last fall’s strategic plan to reduce and prevent homelessness, Athens-Clarke County approved $2.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for local nonprofits. Proposals are now being accepted for homeless supportive services, unsheltered

homeless activities and increasing low-barrier shelter. But to the shock of many organizations, an exception was made for the Salvation Army of Athens, which was able to bypass the lengthy application process for funds.

On Jan. 15, the ACC Mayor and Commission received a collective response from the Athens Area Homeless Shelter (AAHS), Bigger Vision, Family Promise and Project Safe addressing four commissioners’ recent proposal to award the Salvation Army a $550,000 grant. The grant was approved at the commission’s Jan. 2 meeting, after disputes over a conflict of interest involving commissioner John Culpepper, who cosponsored the proposal and sits on the Salvation Army board. The funds will go toward new beds and facility improvements at the Salvation Army’s Center for Hope shelter. Commissioners reasoned that this route would take the most people off the streets in the shortest amount of time.

While the united shelters recognize the need to invest in the Salvation Army, they were never granted the same opportunities for funding. The response letter states that as long standing providers in the Athens area, they too deserve the same consideration allotted to the Salvation Army.

“It is confounding that we, as proven shelter providers, were shut out of the streamlined, easy, efficient process offered to the Salvation Army in response to their unsolicited proposal,” the letter reads.

The statement goes on to suggest that the greatest community benefit would be to allocate ARPA funding to other existing shelter programs in the same manner.

Furthermore, all four contributing agencies were willing to submit individual funding proposals before the commission’s next meeting on Feb. 6.

ARPA funds are time-limited and must be allocated by December 2025. Meanwhile, the request for proposal process that nonprofits must undergo, competing for these funds, is an extensive one. According to Madison Sanders, the executive director for Family Promise, RFPs maintain strict timelines and can take from one to several months to execute, depending on the type of grant. The RFP application requires vari-

For those interested in volunteer work, BikeAthens does not require an application or prior experience, it simply asks for folks to show up in person. On that note, bike donations and spare parts are always accepted at the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials at 1001 College Ave. or in-store during the week. BikeAthens—now located behind the Daily Groceries Co-op at 1190 Prince Ave.—is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. [XL] f

Bail Bill Passes Legislature

BikeAthens Executive Director Scott Long at the nonprofit’s new location on Prince Avenue.

ous documents including budget proposals, equity/risk assessments, financial statements and letters of support. Only after the commission approves these items can the contracting process start. Nonprofits must float costs until they are reimbursed after their contracts are executed. For example, the Family Promise eviction prevention program was approved in May, but did not begin operating until September.

Sanders said that the release of the current RFP application, which closes Mar. 8, was delayed due to the commission’s recent actions, creating further time restraints for providers.

“We are in a critical period where ARPA funding has the ability to be used as a real investment into our community, but that opportunity is dwindling as time goes by,” Sanders said. “Getting the funding out to service providers quickly and ethically is integral to ensure that we are serving the needs of the community.”

The letter also pointed out that the Salvation Army closed for months in 2022, a time when homelessness was on the rise in Athens, leaving other service providers to pick up the slack.

Sanders, along with the executive directors of AAHS and Bigger Vision, Shea Post and Ryan Hersh, are commission-appointed members of the ARPA Homelessness Advisory Committee. As key partners in funding decisions, the advisory committee has worked extensively with consultants the Cloudburst Group to develop the final draft of the strategic plan. The Salvation Army, however, was not a part of this advisory committee.

“To be honest, it was a huge time investment… In the end, I’m not sure that the plan really responded to the advisory committee’s guidance,” Post said. “It’s a long, complicated history that’s gone into creating this plan and quite frankly, the mayor and commission keep changing it.”

This is not the first time that the commission has given preemptively to unsolicited proposals. In March 2022, the ACC government authorized the allocation of

The organization’s most notable initiative is the bike recycling program, which refurbishes donated bikes and distributes them to those in need. Every bike donated comes with a helmet, lights and a lock.

For this program, BikeAthens partners with other local nonprofit agencies such as Advantage Behavioral Health, Athens Area Homeless Shelter and Children First. The recycling program has extended to UGA as well, allowing students and staff to obtain bikes through referral.

Besides selling and donating refurbished bikes, BikeAthens offers many services at reduced prices or for free. Most repair costs are determined by sliding scales, and every week, the shop hosts Fix Your Own Bike sessions where tools and advice are Local nonprofit BikeAthens reopened its available for people to make their own bike doors on Prince Avenue recently after movrepairs, as well as cycling education classes ing out of its former Broad Street location and group rides through the city. A full calfour months ago. endar of events can be found on its website, The move was due to an unexpected along with a bike map and other guides. lease change, but BikeAthens said the Resources specifically for minority groups community has been also appear on the immensely generous site to “facilitate the Our mission focuses on in aiding with the growth of the bicycling transition. The staff advocacy, education and community in Athens celebrated the reopenand beyond.” service. So we’re advocating ing with the first Fix BikeAthens was a Your Own Bike session for safer streets, more safe part of the Athens in of the year on Feb. 2, Motion citizens adviinfrastructure for people to ride. sory committee, which which was open to all.

Board members said helped pass the bike the new location is more safely accessible by and pedestrian master plan back in 2018. bike, closer to client resources and presents With aid from consultants at the Toole a better work environment for staff and vol- Design Group, the final plan advocates for unteers. BikeAthens has been operating in a safe and connected bike and pedestrian its previous location since 2016. network in ACC through tax funded projWith a focus on cycling inclusivity, it ects. The Athens in Motion Commission firmly supports the use of alternative trans- is responsible for making modifications to portation like biking, walking and public the plan and recommending future projects transit. In doing so, the organization partic- and policies to the mayor and commission. ipates in research and advocacy efforts with The most recent projects underway include numerous groups across the county and the Prince Avenue corridor improvements, state. “Our mission focuses on advocacy, Atlanta Highway corridor improvements education and service. So we’re advocating and a Lexington Road sidewalk extenfor safer streets, more safe infrastructure sion. All three are being funded by the for people to ride,” executive director Scott Transportation Special Purpose Local Long said.

Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).

ARPA funds for designated program areas or “buckets” including youth development and violence prevention, affordable housing, business development and workforce support, homelessness and behavioral health. The M&C voted to grant $2.875 million—all the funds within the youth development bucket—to the Boys and Girls Club in June 2023, less than a month after their request. Similarly, all $4 million in the behavioral health bucket was released to Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, which serves on the advisory group for that bucket, to build an inpatient mental health facility. [Xinge Lei]

BikeAthens Opens New Storefront

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House lawmakers signed off on a controversial measure that would increase the number of misdemeanor criminal offenses that require a cash or property bond to be released from jail.

With a 97–69 vote, the House approved a bill Feb. 6 that Georgia Republicans say is intended to crack down on repeat offenders. But Democrats argue the changes will only hurt the poor. The measure adds theft, criminal trespass and other offenses to the list of misdemeanors that require a cash or property bond after a second charge. Last Tuesday’s vote sends the bill to the governor’s desk.

“This legislation will make it clear that Georgia is not going down the path of failure seen by other states and communities that have eliminated cash bail. It’s been an unmitigated disaster,” said Rep. Houston Gaines, an Athens Republican who carried the bill in the House. Misdemeanor marijuana possession is not one of the offenses that would require a cash or property bond under the bill, Gaines said.

Gaines also touted two other provisions in the measure that hold bail bondsmen responsible when a client is removed from the country, and limit charitable groups to posting someone’s bail three times a year.

“Once they reach that threshold, these groups need to register properly as a bondsman. This doesn’t prevent a bail fund from operating. In fact, they can bail out as many folks as they want, but they need to do so under the same rules and regulations as bondsmen,” Gaines said.

Democrats blasted the bill as an attack on the poor that will lead to overcrowding in local jails and unwind the past progress made toward improving Georgia’s criminal justice system under former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal. “These reforms were designed to contribute to public safety by helping people turn their lives around and not recidivate so that they can become contributing members to their communities and not simply more experienced criminals,” said Rep. Tanya F. Miller, an Atlanta Democrat.

Miller said the bill also targets churches that take up collections to bail out people on special occasions, like moms on Mother’s Day. “What is most scary about this bill is the criminalization of churches and religious institutions that have historically been on the front lines of social justice and civil rights justice for Black and brown people in this country,” Miller said.

Organizers with a bail fund called the Atlanta Solidarity Fund were arrested last summer after using donations to bail out protesters fighting the planned Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. They were charged with money laundering and charity fraud charges, a move many criticized as payback for supporting the “Stop Cop City” movement and that raised First Amendment concerns. [Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder] f

F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

5

feature

food & drink

good growing

Secret Unions

Winter Weeds

By Ross Williams news@flagpole.com

By Erin France news@flagpole.com

Workers of the world, unite—but only if you hold a secret election first.

That’s what the state Senate said on Feb. 8 when it passed along party lines a labor union bill backed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Senate Bill 362 bars businesses that open up shop in Georgia from receiving state incentives if they recognize labor unions, unless workers vote to unionize with a secret ballot.

Whether a postage stamp or acres large, you’ve likely spotted winter weeds appearing in your garden. Though there’s the blanket use of the word “weed,” some of these plants might be worth leaving in the ground. Here’s a collection of late winter/ early spring weeds and how I handle them:

GOP BILL WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR WORKERS TO ORGANIZE

ROSS WILLIAMS / GEORGIA RECORDER

call for a secret ballot election, she said.

“Voluntary recognition is beneficial for unions because it allows the union to begin negotiating immediately,” she said.

“Secret ballot elections may take months to conduct, and employers often use intimidation tactics to prevent their employees from authorizing their unions. Currently, employers spend over $400 million per year on union avoidance consultants.”

Unless prospective unions can show they have overwhelming support and make voluntary recognition the clear choice, owners can use their financial advantage to put their thumb on the scale, said Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs).

“The employer still owns the means of production,” he said.

“They are still the economic power in the room. What do they do? It’s called a captive audience meeting: all hands meeting, every Some Democrats, like Sen. Jason Esteves, wore red armbands to comemployee is required memorate a group of West Virginia coal miners known as the Red Neck to come and listen Army who took up arms in the nation’s largest labor uprising. to all the employer’s talking points on why “The bill only targets voluntary actions unions are such a bad idea. of companies who agree to accept certain “So a secret ballot that takes weeks gives incentives, regardless of the outcome of a an employer an opportunity for a lot of unionization effort,” said the bill’s sponthings, things that amount to intimidation sor, Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick). “It tactics, which is why voluntary recognition does not prohibit a company’s employees is a super important tool for unions that from unionizing or require an employer to can get to that level of participation,” he oppose unionization efforts in any action. added.

Employers are free to agree to hold union Sen. Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta) said the elections; however, employers only lose bill oversteps the state’s power and violates eligibility for state incentives if they decide national labor law and labor unions will sue. to skip secret ballot elections when it’s “The lobbyists and the special interests available.” that wrote the bill know that it’s likely not Hodges said the bill would not apply to to hold up in court,” he said. “They also a business that had a prior labor agreement know that there are going to be lawsuits that new locations would recognize a union. over this that are going to suck up taxThe other path to unionization this bill payer dollars, and Georgia taxpayers will attempts to avoid is called card check. It is ultimately be held paying the bill. But they less formal and involves collecting signathink that they found a loophole, so they tures from employees, usually on cards. want this to be a test case. They want this to Sen. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) said secret go to court because they’re hoping that the ballots allow people to vote their conscience Supreme Court will allow them to chip away without intimidation or pressure, and at the National Labor Rights Act.” that’s why they’re used for everything from Republicans denied that idea. Sen. Bo church council elections to presidential Hatchett of Cornelia said Arizona passed elections. He said the Democratic caucus a ballot initiative declaring that the right and labor unions use secret ballots to elect to vote by secret ballot for employee repreleadership. sentation is fundamental. “And it passed.

Sen. Donzella James (D-Atlanta), who And it was challenged. And the federal said she has been a member of unions for judge said, ‘You know what? No, that can air traffic controllers, the U.S. Postal Service stay. That is not preempted by federal law,’” and Georgia public schools, said a union Hatchett said. “How is doing less than that vote is a different scenario than the type going to be preempted? That’s a disingenuof election most people are familiar with. ous argument.” f When a majority of workers sign cards to This article originally appeared at georgiarecorder. join a union, employers can choose to volcom. untarily accept the union, or they can still

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR GARDEN’S EARLY ARRIVALS

OK ON THE LAWN, A PAIN IN THE GARDEN: The purple deadnettle is a member of the mint family (you can tell from the square stem) and sports small, purple flowers and large, fuzzy, spade-like leaves folded on top of each other. In the lawn or a path, deadnettles are great. They’re one of the earliest blooming flowers, ready to provide food to pollinators on warm days before many other plants. In the garden, deadnettles are pests. The weed’s roots grow in a dense mat and can make cultivation difficult.

Deadnettles also are a vector for mildew.

Leaving a deadnettle close to your lettuce could turn your produce gray and fuzzy after a rainstorm.

Some people plant deadnettle in their gardens, particularly in shady areas. Purple deadnettles are not native and, with their spreading nature, are sometimes labeled invasive.

LIKE DEADNETTLE, BUT BETTER: Henbit

NOT AS BAD AS YOU THINK: Dandelions get a bad rap, and left completely unchecked, they can overwhelm a garden. But dandelions do something pretty amazing—they tend to grow in compacted soil, where their long tap roots start to break up the compaction. While they will take advantage of the garden beds, usually I find them in the lawn and borders. Often, I leave the plant and deadhead any closed flowers to stop the puff-ball seeds from flying.

I LOVE IT SO MUCH, I SEED IT: Not everyone loves vetch as much as I do. Shallow roots make it easy to pull up, but vetch is notoriously sticky and will adhere itself to any pants leg, glove or shirt sleeve it can touch. Vetch is a nitrogen fixer and leaves behind usable nitrogen for other plants to gobble after it dies. I seed it around fences to help slow the

flowers look almost exactly the same as deadnettle, and the two (both mint family members) often are confused. Henbit’s Purple deadnettles provide food for early spring pollinators, but make garleaves are scalloped, den cultivation difficult due to dense root mats. and the roots don’t mat. I find weeding spread of Bermuda grass and give the goats shallow-rooted henbit a breeze, and for some forage. Ava and Val ignore the vetch that reason, I let it grow in the garden to until it’s goat-head height, then lop it off out-compete other, tougher weeds and prowith gusto. vide food for bees. I clear out henbit in any rows with tender greens, for the same reaMANAGEABLE: Wild onions and garlic son I purge those rows of deadnettle. grow long, thin leaves in clumps from tiny POLLINATORS LOVE THEM; I HATE THEM: Thistles bulbs. Though a perennial, folks notice wild come into their full, awful glory in the sum- garlic now because it’s the tall green wads mer, but if you can pull those boogers up in a mostly gray, brown yard. If you try to now, do it. Invasive bull thistles in particclear them out of the ground, you’ll likely ular like to camp out in some of the worst, break the brittle stems instead of pulling empty soil and seed themselves where out the bulbs. Particularly large chunks are there’s little competition. These plants grow worth digging out, but most wild garlic is around last year’s bonfire pits and in sunny managed by trimming with a lawn mower spots with poor soil. They form long, sharp or weed whacker. In the garden, I try to pull spines on their leaves, and without any them up before they set new bulbs in the fertilization can grow 6 feet tall. Thistles are late spring. Wild garlic hates competition. touted as a win for pollinators, so I’m plant- Bulbs can remain dormant or send up only ing some sea holly in my beneficial insects a few sickly stalks if other plants shade garden this year while killing any bull thisthem out early and out-compete them for tle I can find. I’ve tried running bull thistles nutrients. The rows where I overwintered over with a lawnmower to keep them conkohlrabi, cabbage and lettuce have few wild tained, but those suckers will bloom against garlic bulbs, compared to my leaf-bitten, the ground to propagate. frozen and failed bok choy row. f

ERIN FRANCE

news

arts & culture

art notes

Kashi Washi

JASON THRASHER RETURNS TO BENARES 25 YEARS LATER

By Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com Reflecting the passage of time and global interconnectedness, Athens photographer Jason Thrasher’s exhibition “Kashi Washi,” on view at ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery, combines photographs taken in Benares, India in 1998 with those shot in 2023. Benares, also known as Varanasi or Kashi, is an ancient and holy city located in northern India on the bank of the Ganges river. In addition to its beautiful temples, Benares is renowned for its ghats, or embankments of stone slabs that lead down into the river.

The majority of these ghats are used for ritual bathing by pilgrims, while two are used exclusively as cremation sites. Offering an alternative to travel photography that primarily focuses on these riverfront scenes, “Kashi Washi” ventures deeper into the sacred city to connect with the individuals who call Benares home.

Prior to his first visit to India, Thrasher was working as an employee of The Globe, where he would frequently meet graduate students and other international travelers who all naturally gravitated towards the pub for its name, occasionally even encouraging him to come visit them one day. After waking up one morning from a dream in which he traveled around the world, Thrasher felt inspired to turn the dream into a reality.

However, as he began planning his trip, which was initially envisioned to cross several countries, his curiosity and focus shifted entirely to India.

Thrasher was able to fund his travels by pre-selling roughly 50 photographs over the course of six months to friends, relatives and collectors who would not see the prints until the following year—a precursor to today’s popular crowdsourcing models like Kickstarter. With a new Leica camera in hand, Thrasher landed in Mumbai and spent the next three and a half months traveling to various cities across India, shooting anything that caught his eye.

A major turning point occurred in New Delhi, when Thrasher visited with Raghu Rai, one of India’s most prominent photographers and photojournalists, who has spent over five decades documenting the culture and people of India. Leafing through various publications, the two discussed a prevalent, underlying sense of disconnect between Western photographers and their Indian subjects. Rai then asked Thrasher about his motivations and purpose, to which he responded, “I’m trying to see who I would be if I was born and raised on

... just listen

the other side of the planet.” This conversation brought into focus his distinct perspective and the intentions behind his artistic endeavors, greatly impacting how he approached the remainder of his time in India.

With its beautiful architecture and deep spiritual and cultural significance, Benares is a widely popular destination for tourists who can often be found by the boatloads photographing bathers along

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the banks of the river. When Thrasher first arrived in the city, he wanted to avoid being invasive and felt uncomfortable taking any photographs for several days. Instead, he spent his time wandering the city’s old historic alleyways and frequenting a chai shop—located near a convenience store and barber shop—where he gradually began meeting and photographing locals.

This little corner of the world, tucked away from the bustle of the riverfront, recalled memories of his own father’s clothing shop in Alabama, which was located next door to a barber shop and a few doors down from an ice cream shop. Finding parallels between his life and the lives of these men, Thrasher finally felt like he had an impression of who he may have become had he been born on the other side of the world.

For the next two weeks, they became the focus of 30 rolls of film.

In November 2023, 25 years after his initial trip, Thrasher returned to Benares with a yearning to revisit the specific street corner he had so deeply connected with years before. He came prepared with 50 physical prints, as well as many more photographs organized digitally on his phone.

His first night in Benares, he went down to the river towards the burning ghats and was quickly approached by a local who earnestly offered to lead him around the site.

Thrasher explained why he was there and showed him a few photographs. As luck would have it, the man quickly identified several of the people in the portraits and had Thrasher on his way to finding them by the next morning.

“Kashi Washi” offers windows into two specific points of time in the history of Benares and bridges them through the connection created between Thrasher and his photographic subjects. Featuring several recreations of images from 1998, the exhibition pairs black-and-white originals alongside recent color counterparts that draw attention to aging, familiarity and change. A personal reunion of sorts, as well as an update on the lives of the people who have been working and living in Benares all of these years, “Kashi Washi” demonstrates how a large city can begin to feel like a small town as relationships between community members are discovered.

ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery, which is co-owned by Jason and Beth Hall Thrasher, will be open in conjunction with the gallery-hopping initiative Third Thursday on Feb. 15 from 6–9 p.m., as well as Saturdays through February from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The gallery will host a special free performance

by Elephant 6 affiliated psych-folk pop act The Rishis on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

Thrasher will offer an artist talk at ATHICA on the following Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., while ACE/FRANCISCO stays open for viewing from 6–9 p.m. “Kashi Washi” will remain on display through May by appointment, and future gallery hours can be found at acefranciscogallery.com. f

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music

feature

The Story of Banned 37 UNEARTHING A BEST-KEPT SECRET 40 YEARS LATER

By Chad Radford music@flagpole.com

It’s

purely by chance that Marcel Sletten stumbled upon Banned 37’s scant few 1984 recordings while scrolling through Ross Shapiro of the Glands’ old YouTube channel, “The Forgotten Man.” “Someone had suggested that I check out a Club Gaga song that’s uploaded there, and I started poking around the site,” Sletten says. “I found the Banned 37 songs, and I fell in love with them instantly.”

Sletten is a Northern California by way of New York transplant who moved to Athens in 2021. Since 2018, he has owned and operated Primordial Void, a cassette and CD label that has released music by an eclectic roster of contemporary acts ranging from the understated folk songs of Little Wings to the post-noise electronics of Twig Harper. “‘Honest music’ is kind of a tagline that I used to use when talking about Primordial Void, and that’s what I’ve always been attracted to,” Sletten says. “I’m always looking for groups that stand apart from the pack.”

And that’s what he found when he pressed play on Banned 37. The songs on Shapiro’s YouTube channel fuse grit and radiance with elements of the so-called kudzu pop of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s—a somewhat dated term for Southern alternative rock and jangle pop ranging from Memphis’ Big Star to Athens’ R.E.M. Like prehistoric paintings discovered on a cave wall, three songs were all that remained of a band that’s been described as one of Athens’ “best kept secrets.”

Hearing it for the first time is like discovering that in the lineage of great Athens bands of the early ‘80s—R.E.M., Pylon, the B-52s, Current Rage, Kilkenny Cats, Guadalcanal Diary, Mercyland—there was one more band in the mix that until now was lost to the sands of time. Banned 37 may be less accomplished than the bands with whom it shared stages, but the songs are equally compelling, and they cast more light on a music and social scene that made Athens what it is today. Now, a restored release of the group’s long-buried tracks stamps Banned 37’s pace in time in the

8

secret history of Athens music.

Banned 37’s songs on Shapiro’s YouTube channel “Guns ‘n’ Cameras” and “Drive Safely” are cut from whiplash and jangling guitar lines that yield poignant yet ramshackle pop tempered by the sweet and languid harmonies of “Ordinary Day.” The sound there is gritty, but undeniably catchy.

When Sletten dug a little deeper, he found that there wasn’t much information about the band available anywhere. Later, while talking with Flagpole writer Gordon Lamb about a different release, he asked about Banned 37. Lamb pointed him to vocalist Kenny Aguar. As fate would have it, Aguar was already in the process of cleaning up and compiling a small batch of studio recordings and two live sets that he wanted to release as an homage to two of the group’s fallen members, singer and guitar player Newt Carter, who died in 2015, and bass player Eric Agner, who died in 2023.

“When I first discovered the music, I didn’t know if I wanted to put it out on the label, but I knew I wanted to interview Kenny for my blog Cosmic Trattoria, so I could tell their story,” Sletten says. “Right after we did the interview I proposed the idea of doing this as an archival release. He immediately said ‘Yes!’” The Banned 37 tape is a mile marker for Primordial Void: It is the label’s 40th release. It is the first time the label has released music by an Athens-based artist. It also marks PV’s first archival release.

“I am looking forward to working with more Athens artists now that the label is based here,” Sletten says.

Banned 37’s name, Aguar says, is a passing reference to the Velvet Underground

F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

and Nico’s “Femme Fatale,” in which Nico sings, “You’re written in her book / You’re number 37, have a look.” But as with the songs and everything else, meaning is best left to the ears of the beholder.

“We didn’t often talk about what the songs mean,” Aguar says. “They mean one thing to me, but I can’t speak for anyone else in the group.”

After Carter died, Aguar met with drummer Rob Neal to get a box of Banned 37’s tapes. The reels had been damaged in a flood where they were being stored and could not be salvaged. This album was culled from five different cassettes.

“I met with Dave Barbe for advice on what steps to take,” Aguar says. “I took notes, and it was a play-by-play for how to turn a record out in nine months. I followed that and took the tapes to Jason NeSmith.

From those, we culled the tracks together and sequenced them. He had to do a lot of noise reduction.

The songs had never been mastered in the first place, so I don’t know if they were mastered and then remastered or just mastered,” Aguar laughs.

The release was stalled briefly last year while Aguar recovered from an altercation with a housemate in which he was shot in the arm.

The cassette tape is limited to 60 copies, and will be streaming via Bandcamp beginning on Aguar’s birthday, which falls on Valentine’s Day. The A-side features seven cuts recorded at John Keane’s studio in 1984. The B-side includes seven live recordings from two shows at the 40 Watt Club Uptown in July and August of that same year.

None of the material has ever seen a proper release until now. “I had this dream in which I recalled an actual memory of talking with Newt,” Aguar says. “In the dream he told me that we can’t release these songs because they haven’t been mastered. I was like, ‘Whoa, what’s mastering?’

Then he went into a long explanation that ended with him saying that we have to go to Nashville and hire an engineer. That costs thousands of dollars. That’s why this tape has been delayed for so long.”

Aguar moved to Athens at the age of 5 when his father relocated the family from Duluth, MN in 1970 to work with the University of Georgia’s environmental design and landscape architecture program.

When he joined Banned 37, the group had been playing together for three years, largely as an instrumental outfit. Aguar had attended high school at Clarke Central.

The rest of the band had attended Cedar Shoals. Aguar was only 19 years old. Agner, the youngest member, was 17. Second guitarist Mark Craig joined in 1985 after parting ways with the post-punk group the Kilkenny Cats. He also did a stint playing with Mercyland.

“Newt wrote most of the songs, and he could sing, but he wasn’t into that part,” Aguar says. “Newt sang a couple of songs and often joined in on backing vocals.”

Carter’s voice comes through loud and clear in the live recording of “Somewhere Down The Line,” which opens the live side of the tape. Elsewhere, their voices blend in “Oh Sheila,” giving rise to a psychedelic Americana dimension of the group’s jangle pop and post-punk song dynamics.

Banned 37 was hitting its stride around the same time the Athens Inside/Out documentary film crews rolled into town. The group had opened for every band that’s included in the film, yet it was not mentioned in the film.

“That hit me,” Aguar says. “I remember thinking, ‘What am I even doing?’ That’s when I left Athens to go to Young Harris College in North Georgia to begin my formal art training.”

Banned 37’s final show happened at Young Harris College in January 1986.

Aguar returned to UGA where he was accepted on the strengths of his portfolio. He even attended folk artist Art Rosenbaum’s upper level art class.

The group drifted apart—pretty much amicably, Aguar says. “There were outside forces that were pulling us apart,” he adds.

“Newt was such a great player that everybody was trying to get him in their band.”

Carter went on to perform with many other bands over the years, including the El May Dukes, Elephants Gerald, the Deacons and the Vigilantes of Love. He ran sound for Perpetual Groove and monitors for the Drive-By Truckers, among various other endeavors around town.

Now, Banned 37’s music can be heard. Of the recordings that were gathered for this release, one studio cut was left off, which may appear on a compilation album—eventually. f

music

threats & promises

In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com COME ONE, COME ALL: Performer applications are now open for the 2024 AthFest Music & Arts Festival. This year’s festival occurs June 21–23, and the word on the street is that north of 85% of performers are to be chosen from Athens and immediately surrounding areas. AthFest director Mary Joyce wrote in an email to Flagpole, “Performers outside of Georgia are welcome to apply, but preference is given to local acts.” All genres are welcome to apply, so feel encouraged. Please head to athfest.com/athfest-musician-​applications and follow the instructions closely. The deadline MIKE WHITE · DEADLYDESIGNS.COM

Tears For The Dying

for applications is Saturday, Mar. 30. I can assure you with absolute certainty that booking events like this is a largely thankless job, so please be patient with the process. That said, good luck to all!

FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN: If you’re looking to both rock a little bit and sway around with your special person, then head to The Georgia Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 14 to enjoy the fantastic Elijah Johnston with openers Kid Fears (Atlanta) and Hunlo. Johnston is, or should be, still riding a nice wave of support from his full-length release that came out last October named Hometown Vampire. Doors open at 7 p.m. this night, and music should start by 8 p.m. Get up to speed at elijahjohnston.net and elijahjohnston.band camp.com.

HURRY UP, Y’ALL: The window for getting onboard to compete in the 2024 Athens Business Rocks benefit for Nuçi’s Space is quickly closing. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 19.

This event has proven popular for several years, and it’s a nice way to bring folks who play, but not with any regularity, out of the woodwork. For the unfamiliar, this event is based around local businesses forming a band with employees, then heading out into the community to raise money for Nuçi’s Space. Then, the top 15 bands (based on money raised by Mar. 27) move on to the next phase. Based on the same criteria, the next top 10 bands move on to the next

step on Apr. 10. Finally, on Apr. 24, the last six bands move on to qualify for the live show, which will be held May 4 at the 40 Watt Club. The lineup of qualifiers will be announced Apr. 29. For all information, and there is a lot, please see nuci.org/abr.

FIRST NIGHT: The first instance of ATHICA’s Sonic Space for 2024 happens Saturday, Feb. 17 with doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Featured this night is the video debut of LeAnn Peppers’ short experimental film Paranoia, which is described as “a single-take, abstract, ambient video featuring a brooding harmonic soundscape.” Also on the bill this night are the improvisational Texan Montezuma (nee Jeremiah Trinidad) and Athens trio Brooms of Fantasia.

You can learn more about each of these by heading to leeannpeppers.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/blackweed2012 and heatingandcooling.bandcamp.com, respectively.

For all other information, please see athica.org/event/ feb2024_sonicspace.

BOOKMARK ME: If you’ve been sitting on your hands wondering when the new full-length album from gothy deathrockers Tears For The Dying is coming out, let me just go ahead and tell you that it’s this week—Friday, Feb. 16 to be exact. Named In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun, it’ll be available on vinyl, too. A release show is reportedly in the works, but not yet scheduled. Even so, this shouldn’t prevent you from throwing your bucks at the band and at least enjoying the first single, “Dead Girl Dancing.” This track in particular is a little bit of a side-step for the generally aggressive and guitar-oriented group. This is much more synth-pop oriented with the vocals occupying a much lighter space as well. In other news, Tears For The Dying is hitting the road for the remainder of February and into March, and will cover pretty much all of Florida on this jaunt. In May, the band will cover a huge swath of the East Coast, too. Find the new single and grab the album over at tearsfor​thedying.bandcamp.com, and keep up with them at tearsforthedying.com.

BUILDING A MYSTERY: I’m still no closer to knowing who the hell Josey is than I was when I first covered this artist back in 2021. It’s all good, though, because the stream of legitimately quirky, oddball and surprisingly catchy songs has continued along at a steady clip. Why, just last month Josey released the 10-track album Birdday Songs 2024. Specific highlights on this are the detuned and wobbly opening song “Two Yellow Songs,” the nearly-New Jack rhythms and beats of “She Doesn’t Look,” and the closest thing to a rock and roll song on this, “Walk In Step.” This isn’t for everyone, but I’ve always been charmed by Josey’s music, and I dig its personality. And, like the man said, personality goes a long way. Find this and more over at joseymusic. bandcamp.com. f

record review T.W.I.N.: 199X (Independent) After a two-year hiatus from dropping a Valentine’s Day project, T.W.I.N. has delivered a brief three-track R&B EP self-described as a “musical odyssey” navigating the highs and lows of love. Making full use of its barely-over-seven-minute runtime, it packs an immersive punch equal to the weight of the subject matter’s heart-wrenching journey. Narrating the aftermath of a breakup, the EP opens with “199X” portraying denial and pleas for a reconciliation. “Over You,” featuring Atlanta artist Claudia Cherii, is a reflection on loneliness and self-deception that intertwines two narratives between the artists. T.W.I.N.’s smooth vocals heavily layered in effects glide equally well over the fast- and slowpaced beats of these tracks, respectively. “Falling” closes the EP on a high note in technicality and sound for the project, but also as a stand-out track in T.W.I.N.’s discography. Intertwining captivating R&B hooks with snappy rap-driven riffs, this one’s a certified head-nodder. The theme of vulnerability is fitting with the experimental direction the artist went with for this song. Overall, 199X checks all the boxes for a listen-worthy Valentine’s Day release. [Sam Lipkin]

Voting for the 2024

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Athens Favorites is over.

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F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

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THE LOVE OF MUSIC AT UGA

The Doo Wop Project

TICKETED PERFORMANCES $15-20; $3 with UGA student ID THURS 2/15 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

TUES 2/20 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

THURS 2/22 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

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

UGA Wind Ensemble “Deconstructed”

The program includes SEER by Erik Santos, featuring UGA Voice Faculty Gregory Broughton (left) and Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble by Ingolf Dahl preformed by Concerto Competition winner Michael Chapa (right). $15-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

UGA Symphony Orchestra

In celebration of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, UGASO presents Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 along with selections from Midsummer Night’s Dream by German composer Felix Mendelssohn. $15-adults, $3 - UGA student ID

“A thoroughly authentic, engaging, and upbeat night.”

—DC Theater Arts

Feb SAT 7:30 pm

17

CONNECTION SERIES: FREE CONCERTS, NO TICKETS NEEDED 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

FRI 2/16 7:30 p.m.

HODGSON HALL

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.

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

Sarah DelBene Memorial Concert

230 River Road, Athens

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.

UGA Philharmonia

Philharmonia offers an outlet for all string players at the University of Georgia.

Conducted by Orchestral Conducting Student Nicholas Han. Free performance.

PR

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

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

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BIG HEARTS BIG HEARTS BIG HEARTS BIG HEARTS N

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

12

Hodgson Concert Hall

2/1/24 4:24 PM

D

BY

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LD O G KI A

live music calendar Tuesday 13

The Classic Center 7:30 p.m. $27.50–94.50. www.classic center.com MANIA Tribute band that delivers energetic and sonically faithful performances of ABBA’s greatest hits.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com TRVY & THE ENEMY Hip-hop band that blends trap, funk and psychedelic rock.

THE CULT OF CHUNK Brooklyn-­ based band with indie rock instrumentals and loud vocals.

VIOLENT VIOLET Gritty, distorted punk rock from Athens.

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 various guests.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UNIVERSITY CHORUS Presenting the program “Love and Laughter.”

UGA CONTEMPORARY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE AND UGA CHORAL PROJECT “Awakening” features new works for voices and instruments by living composers.

Nowhere Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens SEX CELL Local alternative band influenced by grunge, garage and indie rock.

CAREY WELSH & THE WAKING STORM New group led by Carey McLaughlin sharing songs from the forthcoming album. Debut show!

69 DUDES Athens misfits on a mission to write 69 punk songs, each exactly 69 seconds long.

DIM WATTS Psych-­tinged folk group led by Jim Willingham.

INFINITE FAVORS Featuring members of Pride Parade, Los Meesfits and Cars Can Be Blue.

Rabbit Hole Studios 8–10:30 p.m. www.rabbitholestudios. org IMPROVS AND ORIGINS Musical experiments, originals and improvisations.

Red Line Athens 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.instagram.com/trianglefire13 TRIANGLE FIRE Local pizza punk with extra thick crust. First Athens show in three years!

BOOF Reckless queer punks on tour from Dallas, TX to support the new album, Blood, Sweat & Queers.

WONDERMARE Thrashy sludge-­ core on tour from Dothan, AL. HILL BLOCKS VIEW Atlanta indie-­ surf punk.

SANITY SYNDROME High-­energy punk from Atlanta.

Terrapin Beer Co. Sixth Annual Historic Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade and Block Party. www.historicathens.com BLAIR CRIMMINS AND THE HOOKERS Atlanta-­based ragtime/ Dixieland jazz revival outfit.

Wednesday 14 40 Watt Club HeAthens Homecoming Night 1. 7 p.m. (doors). $35. www.40watt.com

DIMMER TWINS AND FRIENDS Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley of The Drive-By Truckers play a stripped-­down set of original solo and duo material, plus some DBT songs that they’ve written.

Ciné 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. www.athenscine.com FLORAL PORTRAIT Stunning baroque psych-pop ensemble led by composer Jason Bronson and collaborator Jacob Chisenhall.

FREEMAN LEVERETT Hypnotic local songwriter and backing band with dreamy vocals, exuberant melodies and cosmopolitan influences.

ORGANICALLY PROGRAMMED ORCHESTRA A 10+ piece ensemble utilizing electronic and orchestral instrumentation to perform psychedelic space-­themed electronic arrangements influenced by disco, jazz, easy listening and library music.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 5 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com THE LANES The world’s heaviest easy listening band.

PAUL McHUGH Musician from local band Pilgrim who performs hard-­hitting, riff-heavy rock.

9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.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 ELIJAH JOHNSTON Athens-­based emo singer-songwriter with hooky guitar-driven tunes.

KID FEARS Atlanta group drawing influence from slowcore and shoegaze giants like Low and My Bloody Valentine.

HUNLO Electrified, soulful artist with a soft, inspiring sound.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (sign-ups). FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE OPEN MIC Emcees, poets, rappers and freestylers of all styles are invited to perform with the backing band playing the tempo of their choice.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu WIND SYMPHONY AND 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.

Ramsey Hall 3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu REPERTORY SINGERS A mixed chamber choir directed by graduate student conductors.

5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu SARAH DELBENE MEMORIAL CONCERT The UGA Flute Studio performs in tribute to the late UGA doctoral student and accomplished flutist.

Thursday 15 40 Watt Club HeAthens Homecoming Night 2. 7 p.m. (doors). $55. www.40watt.com DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

VISION VIDEO Catchy goth-pop and post-punk act based in Athens.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com BIGDUMBHICK Wise-cracking, self-­deprecating guitar slinger from North Carolina with a background in bluegrass and traditional country.

9 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com RESERVE CLUB New project led

by Joey Cristo.

BIG TOE AND THE JAMS New rock and roll band from Atlanta.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $22. www.georgiatheatre.com JOSH ABBOTT BAND Country band from Lubbock, TX touring its seventh studio album, Somewhere Down the Road, which is full of honest lyricism and freewheeling musical energy.

JOHN BAUMANN Country singer from supergroup The Panhandlers.

Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (sign-ups), 8 p.m. (show).

FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com JAZZ JAM Seth Hendershot and the house band Unstarched host an open jazz jam.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $20. pac. uga.edu UGA STUDENT CHAMBER MUSIC GALA The Bulldog Brass Society, Southern Wind Quintet, Hodgson String Quartet, Mixed Media Sax Quartet and Viola Choir and other ensembles will perform traditional and contemporary chamber works.

Ramsey Hall 5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu CHARLIE GOODMAN Guest artist Goodman holds the principal tuba chair of Sinfonia Gulf Coast in Destin, FL. Southern Brewing Co. 6–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com KARAOKE NIGHT Every Thursday evening.

Friday 16 40 Watt Club HeAthens Homecoming Night 3. 7 p.m. (doors). $55. www.40watt.com DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

CAMP AMPED Young musicians in Nuçi’s Space Camp Amped program show off what they’ve learned.

THE PARANOID STYLE Garage rock band based in Washington, D.C. and fronted by husband-­and-­ wife duo Elizabeth Nelson and Timothy Bracy.

Buvez 7–10 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ darkentriesathens DARK ENTRIES KARAOKE Sing your favorite song from a curated catalog of classic to modern goth, post-punk, punk, ’80s and J-Pop. Ciné 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.athenscine. com STRUMBRUSH DIY art rock from Atlanta.

FISHBUG Local punk band playing its first show in roughly two years.

WITCHES AT BLACK MASSES Black Sabbath cover band featuring members of Five Eight, Larry’s Homework and Carjo.

Dancz Center for New Music 7:30 p.m. music.uga.edu STEPHEN MAROTTO Boston-­ based artist who performs contemporary works for cello and electronics.

Flicker Theatre & Bar Dial Back Sound HeAthens Homecoming Pre-­Party. 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com THELMA AND THE SLEAZE Nashville-based rock and roll power trio.

BARK Husband-and-wife garage rock duo Tim Lee and Susan Bauer Lee. TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH Singer-­songwriter from Birmingham, AL who has played with The Dexateens, Verbena, and Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.

9 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com NICHOLAS MALLIS AND THE BOREALIS Local synth-pop act claiming a diverse array of supposed corporate sponsors.

2 SLICES Sentimental synth-pop from Charleston, SC. LUXURY VEHICLE High-energy duo featuring DJ Reindeer Games with John Swint on drums.

DJ DOLPHIN TITAN Late night dance party following the bands.

The Foundry 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. bit.ly/LovesongsFeb16 ATHENS SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND: LOVE SONGS SHOW Musicians take turns performing covers and original love songs. Participants include members of Blank Canvas and the Holman Autry Band, plus Kip Jones, Carey McLaughlin and Trisha Adams.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $17. www.georgiatheatre.com THE WLDLFE Indie-pop band from Indiana. A favorite of college radio stations and indie publications.

ABBY HOLLIDAY Soft indie singer from Tennessee who often uses electronic vocals into her music.

ALAN PRICE & THE MODERN DAY Band that pours a variety of musical influences into its alternative-­rock ballads.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com KARAOKE A night of karaoke in celebration of Amie D’s birthday.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA PHILHARMONIA The Philharmonia offers an outlet for all string players at UGA. Live Wire 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $15– 25. www.livewireathens.com THE GRATEFUL BROTHERS Tribute band combining the catalogues of The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers Band.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens THE ROYAL VELVET Heavy powdered rock and roll.

Spaceball Bazaar A Night of Doomed Romance. 5–10 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/ spaceball.bazaar CHAIRS Ambient soundscapes utilizing synthesizers, acoustic guitar, theremin and harmonium.

PLASTIC DUCK ARMADA Original dance rock band fronted by singer-songwriter Greg Do.

Saturday 17

40 Watt Club HeAthens Homecoming Night 4. 7 p.m. (doors). $55. www.40watt. com DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

HANS CONDOR Nashville punk rockers known for their high-energy, raucous live performances.

ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery 7 p.m. FREE! www.acefrancisco gallery.com THE RISHIS Psych-folk featuring members of The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power and The Apples in Stereo.

ATHICA Sonic Space. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). Donations encouraged. www.athica.org LEEANN PEPPERS Sharing the video premiere of PARANOIA, a single-­take, abstract, ambient video featuring a brooding harmonic soundscape.

MONTEZUMA Armed with a militia of samplers, Jeremiah Trinidad is on an improv mission to paint his pictures, and then attempts to burn all of them up just as quickly.

BROOMS OF FANTASIA New charmingly unconventional trio comprised of Jon Vogt (daxophone), Kyle MacKinnel (synthesizer) and Michael Pierce (guitar).

Athentic Brewing Co. 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com THE FOURFATHERS Funky soul organ quartet comprised of Dwayne Holloway, Jason Ogg, Chris Queen and Justin Willis.

Earth Fare 2–4 p.m. www.earthfare.com RC OUTLAW COWBOY Country and gospel singer with over four decades of experience.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. (doors). $12. www.flicker theatreandbar.com WURLB New Athens experimental punk band that takes influence from ’80s punk and shoegaze.

COMMÜNE Local political/feminist punk band living in revolt.

EAR ATTIC Local punks with evocative, poetic songwriting.

BABBLER Emerging rhythmic rock band from Atlanta.

Georgia Theatre 8 p.m. (doors). $20. www.georgia theatre.com THE ERAS PARTY A Taylor Swift inspired dance party.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $30–60. pac.uga.edu THE DOO WOP PROJECT Stars from Broadway hits trace the evolution of doo-wop from the classic sounds of street corner harmonies to today’s biggest radio hits. A pre-­ performance talk by Stephen Valdez will be held in Ramsey Concert Hall at 6:45 p.m.

Memorial Park AFMDS Contra Dance. 7–10 p.m. $10–12. www.facebook.com/ groups/athensfolk LICKLOG STRING BAND Live music for a community contra dance hosted by the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society.

No. 3 Railroad Street 7 p.m. www.3railroad.org MARION MONTGOMERY &

GLYN DENHAM Bluesy local acoustic folk duo.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthensGA CASH MACHINE Progressive funk-­ rock band from South Carolina.

THE LOW WHITES No info available.

The Roadhouse 9 p.m. www.highheatrocks.com HIGH HEAT Knoxville, TN-based band with a gritty garage-rock vibe.

Monday 19 Ciné Primordial Void Presents. 8 p.m. $10. www.athenscine.com UNRECOVERY Lo-fi, home-­ recorded slowcore indie from Ohio.

MELAINA KOL Cult solo recording project of North Carolina’s Logan Hornyak, who blends electronic and slacker rock elements with traditional indie songwriting.

HAMBEAR Local emo band.

Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. music.uga.edu LEVON AND FRIENDS Levon Ambartsumian leads an ensemble.

Tuesday 20 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.

Georgia Theatre 6:30 (doors), 7:30 (show). $25. www. georgiatheatre.com 49 WINCHESTER Band from Virginia that blends Appalachian country and soul.

DRAYTON FARLEY Earnest acoustic roots singer-songwriter.

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 various guests.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu UGA WIND ENSEMBLE The program “Deconstructed and Reimagined” includes “SEER” by Erik Santos, featuring UGA Voice Faculty Gregory Broughton, and “Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble” by Ingolf Dahl, performed by Concerto Competition winner Michael Chapa.

Rabbit Hole Studios 8–10:30 p.m. www.rabbitholestudios. org IMPROVS AND ORIGINS Musical experiments, originals and improvisations.

Wednesday 21 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $25. www.40watt.com JAMES McMURTRY Texas folk-­ rock and Americana singer backed by his band of heavy hitters, including Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess and Tim Holt.

BETTYSOO Contemporary folk musician from Texas known for the emotional depth of her voice and the wittiness of her lyrics. f

F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

13

Tuesday 13

event calendar

CLASSES: Reiki Circle (Serenity Attunement) Connect in meditation and learn more about Reiki. Second Tuesdays, 6 p.m. $22. www.serenityattunement.com EVENTS: Valentine’s House Plant Sale (Trial Gardens) Browse a selection of antique dish gardens, tropicals, orchids and flowering plants. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. ugatrial. hort.uga.edu EVENTS: Historic Athens Mardi Gras (Terrapin Beer Co.) Join this sixth annual event for a masquerade featuring live music, swing dance lessons, a drag showcase, authentic New Orleans cuisine and an art auction. 5:30–10:30 p.m. $40–80. www.historicathens.com/mardigras EVENTS: Galentine’s Day Celebration (Lexington Vintage) Grab your galfriends and enjoy sweet treats, door prizes, snacks and extended business hours. 6​​–8 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/lexington​ vintage EVENTS: Love & Espresso Martinis (The National) Specialty crafted cocktail event hosted by a variety of vendors. 9 p.m.​​–12 a.m. FREE! www.thenationalrestaurant.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: Tuesday Night Shenanigans (Southern Brewing Co.) Play board games and arcade games on site, bring your own games or even your D&D group. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens LECTURES & LIT: Monthly Book Swap (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse free books to take home or settle in to read in the front lounge.

Donating books is encouraged but not required. Second Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. FREE! www.athentic​ brewing.com MEETINGS: Memoir Writing Group (Bogart Library) During this monthly group, hear memoirs from others and learn tips on how to write your own. 5:30–6:30 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 14 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 ART: Orchid Madness Sip n’ Paint (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Enjoy drinks and appetizers while painting an orchid led by a local artist. Supplies provided. 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. $60. botgarden.uga.edu CLASSES: Cocktail Workshop (Live

14

Wire) Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a couples workshop learning how to make cocktails. Reservation required. 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. $90. www.livewireathens.com 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: Wedding Wednesday Open House (Live Wire) Drop in for a venue tour and meet with wedding planners and vendors. 4–8 p.m. FREE! www.livewireathens.com EVENTS: Valentine’s Supper Club (Athentic Brewing Co.) BasKat will serve a four-­course prix fixe menu to pair with several beers on tap while guests mingle. 6 p.m. $75. www.athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Valentine’s Wine Tasting (Tapped Athens Wine Market) A special tasting of five varietal wines with small plates, a box of local chocolates and a rose. Reservation required. 6:30 p.m. $75. hello@ tappedathens.com EVENTS: Palentine’s Night (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Enjoy some crafts and snacks, have some coffee and chocolate, then end the night with a planetarium program. 7–9 p.m. $25. www.accgovga.myrec. com 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 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 PERFORMANCE: North Georgia Talent Show (ACC Library) Multiplechoices Center for Independent Living presents an afternoon of performances with light refreshments.

1–4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org

Thursday 15 ART: Opening Reception (tiny ATH gallery) Camille Hayes’ solo exhibition “B Sides” will be on display.

6–9 p.m. FREE! www.tinyathgallery. com

F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

ART: Collector Talk & Bake Off (Lyndon House Arts Center) Ilka McConnell’s Pyrex collection will be on display with a casserole bake-­off competition. 6 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/LyndonHouse​ Arts ART: Opening Reception (ATHICA) As part of Third Thursday, the 2024 Members’ Showcase featuring artists of all ages and affinities will be on view. 6–9 p.m. FREE! www. athica.org ART: Gallery Walk (ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery) Jason Thrasher’s photography exhibition “KASHI WASHI” will be on view. 6–9 p.m.

FREE! www.acefranciscogallery. com CLASSES: Classic City Squares Dance Lessons (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) Beginner square dance lessons for singles, couples and children. Ages 12 & up. Thursdays, 2​​–4 p.m. $5. www.facebook.com/groups/classic​ citysquares CLASSES: Yoga in the Galleries (Georgia Museum of Art) Enjoy a yoga class in the art galleries led by instructors from Five Points Yoga.

Open to all skill levels. Attend in person (first come, first served) or via Zoom. 6 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Prosecco and Pottery (Southern Star Studio) Make your own piece of pottery during this two-­hour adult ceramics workshop led by a studio artist. 6:30 p.m. $75. www.southernstarstudio​ athens.com COMEDY: Open Improv Jam (work. shop) An improv comedy practice open to the community. 8​​–9:30 p.m. Donations encouraged. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com COMEDY: Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) Athens Comedy presents headlining comedian Patrick Seals and special guests.

Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 p.m. $7–12. www.facebook.com/athens​ comedy EVENTS: Ladies Network Galentine’s Pop-­Up Market (Tapped Athens Wine Market) Enjoy sipping wine while browsing women-­owned vendors. RSVP encouraged. 6–8 p.m. FREE! theladiesnetwork@ gmail.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 Children of Hiroshima. 7 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org GAMES: Teen Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) Join this 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

GAMES: Rock ’n Roll Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host The Music Man. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athentic​ brewing.com KIDSTUFF: Read to Rover (Bogart Library) Reading aloud to a dog helps children develop their reading skills and build confidence. Ages 4 & up. 4–5 p.m. FREE! www.athens​ library.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: The Past, Present and Future of Coral Reefs (UGA Special Collections Library) Dr. James W. Porter will lecture on his recent work. Attendees are encouraged to peruse the exhibit “Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs.” 6 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu 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: Ladies Homestead Gathering (397 S. Church St) A monthly meeting to discuss topics surrounding growing food, sustainable living and more. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.community.nlhg. org/about PERFORMANCE: The Vagina Monologues (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Cottage presents this performance with proceeds supporting the center’s free services to survivors of sexual violence and child abuse in the Athens area. Feb. 15–17, 8 p.m. $16. www.northgeorgiacottage.org SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Disaster! The Musical (Town & Gown Players) A night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as a floating discotheque casino succumbs to multiple disasters. Feb. 9–10 & 15–17, 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 & 18, 2 p.m. $20. www. townandgownplayers.org

Friday 16 CLASSES: Help I Yarned (Bogart Library) Learn new patterns and techniques for knitting and crochet.

1–2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart COMEDY: The Perfect Pair (work. shop) A comedic recreation of a game show where any group of two is welcome to compete for who knows each other best. 8 p.m. $8. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: Terrapin Mobile Food Pantry (Terrapin Beer Co.) First come, first serve rain or shine food distribution for those in need who meet income eligibility requirements. Third Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.terrapinbeer.com EVENTS: A Night of Doomed Romance, Song, Poetry and Art (Spaceball Bazaar) Join local poets and musicians for an evening devoted to failed romance, lost love and loneliness with set performances and an open mic. 5–10 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/ spaceball.bazaar EVENTS: Georgia Arbor Day Celebration (Athentic Brewing Co.) The Athens Tree Council will be

giving away free tree saplings while supplies last. 5:30–7:30 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Sensation Soirée (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) Get into your body and explore ways to curate the sensational experience you and your lover(s) desire with private sensory stations. Limited space. 6 p.m. $129–149/couple. www.sensationsoiree.eventbrite. 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 welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: “Friends” Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your “Friends” trivia knowledge to win prizes.7–9 p.m. FREE! www.sobrewco.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 KIDSTUFF: Fantastic Friday (Bishop Park) An instructor supervises while a parent/caregiver leads their little ones through obstacle courses. Ages 1–4 years. Register online. 10–11:30 a.m. $7.50 (ACC residents), $11.25 (non-­ACC residents). www.accgovga.myrec.com PERFORMANCE: Big Hearts Talent Show (Athens Church) This annual event starts with a red carpet entrance followed by talent show performances. 6:30 p.m. $25–50. www.espbighearts.com PERFORMANCE: The Vagina Monologues (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Cottage presents this performance with proceeds supporting the center’s free services to survivors of sexual violence and child abuse in the Athens area. Feb. 15–17, 8 p.m. $16. www.northgeorgiacottage.org THEATER: Disaster! The Musical (Town & Gown Players) A night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as a floating discotheque casino succumbs to multiple disasters. Feb. 9–10 & 15–17, 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 & 18, 2 p.m. $20. www. townandgownplayers.org

Saturday 17 ART: Family Saturdays: Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) A drop-­in family-­oriented series of art projects that are inspired by current exhibitions. This week is focused on Jasmine Best and stitched painting.

12​​–2 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com CLASSES: Pendulum for Energy Work (Serenity Attunement) In this workshop, learn how to stimulate healing on the energetic field, obtain answers through dowsing and more. 10 a.m. $75. www. serenityattunement.com COMEDY: Comedy/Nature/Science Night (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Local comedians will work with the nature center staff to deliver laughs

and discuss short science topics.

7–9 p.m. $10. www.accgovga. myrec.com EVENTS: HeAthens Homecoming Cookout & Auction (Nuçi’s Space) In benefit of Nuçi’s Space, this annual celebration of Drive-­By Truckers’ music and community is open to all. 12–4 p.m. FREE! www. facebook.com/nucisspace EVENTS: Big Hearts Gala (The Classic Center) This annual event starts with a silent auction and reception followed by dinner and dancing. 5 p.m. $250. www.espbig​ hearts.com EVENTS: Miss Queen of Hearts Pageant (Morton Theatre) The first annual pageant with the goal to empower young girls with confidence, positive self-­esteem and more. 5:30 p.m. $20-­25. www. instagram.com/slay_pageant EVENTS: Athens Folk Music and Dance Society Contra Dance (Memorial Park Administration Building) This community dance features caller Charlotte Crittenden and live music by The F-holes. No partner required. 6:30 p.m. (intro session), 7 p.m. (dance). $12 (adults), $10 (students w/ ID), 17 & under FREE! www.athensfolk.org 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 OUTDOORS: Forest Bathing (Sandy Creek Nature Center) A guided immersive experience in the forest with a master naturalist and forest therapy guide. Includes a tea ceremony from local plants. Ages 18 & up. 9 a.m.​​–12 p.m. $20​​–30. www. accgovga.myrec.com PERFORMANCE: Beerbutante (Terrapin Beer Co.) Boybutante hosts an evening of drag entertainment hosted by Karmella Macchiato.

6:30–8 p.m. www.facebook.com/ boybutante PERFORMANCE: Next Act Cabaret (Hendershot’s) UGA’s student-­run musical theatre group will put on a performance. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com PERFORMANCE: The Vagina Monologues (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Cottage presents this performance with proceeds supporting the center’s free services to survivors of sexual violence and child abuse in the Athens area. Feb. 15–17, 8 p.m. $16. www.northgeorgiacottage.org THEATER: Plays in Progress Series (ATHICA) Sponsored by Georgia Fine Arts Academy, local actors will read Look Away Dixieland, a new play by Jeff Auerbach, with opportunities for feedback and conversation. Ages 16 & up. 2 p.m.

FREE! www.athica.org THEATER: Disaster! The Musical (Town & Gown Players) A night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as a floating discotheque casino succumbs to multiple disasters. Feb. 9–10 & 15–17, 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 & 18, 2 p.m. $20. www. townandgownplayers.org

Sunday 18 ART: Opening Reception (Madison Morgan Cultural Center) The John Lewis Series” includes 17 paintings

by Morgan County native Benny

Monday 19 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 GAMES: Team Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowl-

edge with host Team Trivia. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.sobrewco.com GAMES: Trivia with Marissa (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Test your trivia knowledge with host Marissa.

8 p.m. www.flickertheatreandbar. com 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 20 ART: Creative Aging Art Workshop (Georgia Museum of Art) Join teaching artist Toni Carlucci to discuss art in the galleries and to make art in the studio classroom.

All skill levels welcome. Ages 55 & up. Registration required. 10 a.m.

FREE! gmoa-­tours@uga.edu CLASSES: ESOL (Bogart Library) Learn or polish your English skills using Mango languages online and in-person basic conversation and vocabulary. 12:30 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart CLASSES: Help I Yarned (Bogart Library) Learn new patterns and techniques for knitting and crochet.

1–2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart CLASSES: ARTWORK Workshop Series (Lyndon House Arts Center) Artists and creative professionals will learn about trademark and copyright law with Meredith Regains. Registration suggested.

5:30–7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/LyndonHouseArts COMEDY: Open Toad Comedy Night (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Comedy performed by a mix of newcomers and local favorites from Athens and Atlanta. 9 p.m. (doors). $7. www.flickertheatreandbar.com EVENTS: Science Fiction + Advocacy (Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library) Learn about UGA’s historical zine and comics collections, then make your own zine honoring science fiction author Michael Bishop. RVSP by email. 4 p.m. FREE! jess.grant@uga.edu EVENTS: Athens Technical College Open House (Athens Technical College) Prospective students can drop in for a campus tour, sign up for orientation and meet with instructional staff. 5:30–7:30 p.m.

FREE! www.athenstech.edu 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: Tuesday Night Shenanigans (Southern Brewing Co.) Play board games and arcade games on site, bring your own games or even your D&D group. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.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 GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens

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. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 21 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 COMEDY: Hendershot’s Comedy (Hendershot’s) Enjoy a lineup featuring comics from Athens and Atlanta as well as newcomers.

Hosted by Noell Appling. Third Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com EVENTS: Wedding Wednesday Open House (Live Wire) Drop in for a venue tour and meet with wedding planners and vendors. 4–8 p.m. FREE! www.livewireathens. com EVENTS: Whiskies of North America (J’s Bottle Shop) Learn about the North American single malts by sampling. 7–9 p.m. $25. www. eventbrite.com/cc/whiskies-­of-­the-­ world-­2578279 FILM: My Bloody Horrorcast (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1988 mystery horror film The Spider Labyrinth. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.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 GAMES: Music Bingo (Southern Brewing Co.) Win prizes at this classic hip hop music bingo night.

Every other Wednesday, 7–9 p.m.

FREE! www.sobrewco.com 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: Speech Sound Development (reBlossom Mama & Baby Shop) The seminar “What to Expect at Each Age and How to Help Children Pronounce Sounds More Clearly” with a free speech screening after. 10 a.m. FREE! www.reblossomathens.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 LECTURES & LIT: Betty Jean Craige Lecture (Ciné) Author Alexander Chee will be presenting “On Productive Ambivalence” will books available for purchase. 6 p.m. FREE! www.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 f

arts & culture

calendar picks

MUSIC | FEB. 14–17

HeAthens Homecoming

40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $35–55

impact on humans and the environment.

This meeting of natural history specimens, photography and books makes the exhibit equal parts art and science. Porter’s lecture about the exhibit on Feb. 15 will discuss the science and history that the exhibit is exploring, as well as his personal experiences working with coral throughout his career. The exhibition will remain on view

Iconic Athens-based Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers is returning for its annual series of homecoming shows. Night one of the concert series will feature frontmen Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley’s side project, Dimmer Twins, where the two will perform strippeddown solo and duo work, as well as some DBT songs.

Night two will be opened by local band Vision Video, night three by Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped Band and The Paranoid Style, and night four

by Hans Condor, all followed by headline performances by the Truckers. Nights three and four are already sold out, but tickets for the other dates Drive-By Truckers are still available. Events associated with the homecoming include a pre-party with Thelma and through July 3, and Porter will offer additional tours on Mar. 1, Apr. 5 and May 3. the Sleaze, Bark and Taylor Hollingsworth [MB] at Flicker Theatre & Bar and a hangout at Ciné with raffles and tarot readings to THEATER | FEB. 15–17 benefit Nuçi’s Space on Feb. 16, as well as a cookout and auction event at Nuçi’s Space on Feb. 17. [Mary Beth Bryan]

The Vagina Monologues Marigold Auditorium • 8 p.m. • $16

MUSIC | WED, FEB. 14

Floral Portrait, Freeman Leverett & Organically Programmed Orchestra Ciné • 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show) • $10

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Ciné is hosting “Midnight Lovin,” a romantic evening of music with Floral Portrait, Freeman Leverett and the Organically Programmed Orchestra. Floral Portrait—a band whose core members, Jason Bronson and Jacob Chisenhall, are local to Athens and Atlanta, respectively—will be performing ’60s-influenced baroque and chamber pop. Aquarium Drunkard writer M. Neeley describes their newest work as “a rich tapestry of cozy psychedelic pop.” Freeman Leverett, who will be performing with all three acts throughout the night, is a local singer-songwriter whose music is hypnotic and danceable, full of dreamy vocals and cosmopolitan influences. Organically Programmed Orchestra, an over-10-piece ensemble from Athens, will be performing its signature electronic space disco mixed with jazz and easy listening sounds. [MB] LECTURE | THU, FEB. 15

‘The Past, Present and Future of Coral Reefs’ Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries, Room 271 • 6 p.m. • FREE!

“Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs” is a new exhibit developed by ecologist James W. Porter that includes coral specimens collected over his 50-year career, as well as a variety of his field photographs and books dating back hundreds of years that show the evolution of scientific understanding of coral reefs and their

The Vagina Monologues, a 1996 play by V (formerly Eve Ensler), examines sexuality, sexual violence and reproduction through the lens of women from a variety of backgrounds, including those of cisgender, transgender and fluid/nonbinary identities.

Productions of the play are staged yearly in a global campaign called V-Day with the goal of raising money for groups combating gender-based violence. The second annual Athens performances are sponsored by the University of Georgia School of Social Work and produced by The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center. The play is directed by Tracy Brown, the Almost Home program coordinator at the Athens Area Homeless Shelter and former cast member of The Vagina Monologues, and the cast includes Michele Johnson, Ange Kahn and Katie Collins, among many others. [MB] THEATER | SAT, FEB. 17

Plays in Progress ATHICA • 2 p.m. • FREE!

Plays in Progress is the Georgia Fine Arts Academy’s new play reading series, aiming to support emerging works by giving them the opportunity for public performance.

The series also includes talk back segments after each reading during which the audience can discuss the readings with their playwrights. The next installment of Plays in Progress is a reading of Jeff Auerbach’s Look Away Dixieland, which will be read by local actors Jeff Clarke, Millie Rose Evans, Fred Galyean and Jase Wingate. The play is a Eugene O’Niell Semi-finalist for best unproduced American play and follows a family reckoning with their dying relative’s confession to a racially motivated murder, addressing themes of how we face our pasts as individuals, families and as a society. This performance is recommended for ages 16 and up. [MB] f

F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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BRANTLEY GUTIERREZ

Andrews depicting the life of the late U.S. Congressman. 2 p.m.

FREE! www.mmcc-­arts.org ART: Sunday Spotlight Tour (Georgia Museum of Art) This drop-­in public tour features highlights of the permanent collection. 3 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org 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 CLASSES: Intro to Screenprinting (ATHICA) Athens Free School is hosting a workshop to learn the basics of screenprinting. Registration required. 5 p.m. FREE! www. athica.org COMEDY: Off The Clock Comedy (The Globe) Athens Comedy presents the Chattanooga Edition with headliners Stephen Henry and Jeff Greenspan along with local comics.

Sundays, 9–10:30 p.m. $7. www. facebook.com/athenscomedy EVENTS: Pups & Pints (Athentic Brewing Co.) The patio will be full of adoptable dogs with a free pour for every adoption. Third Sundays, 3–6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: A Healing Service (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) A gathering to hold space for healing through music, readings and images that bring comfort, strength and hope. 4 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga.org GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog​ athens LECTURES & LIT: The Arts as Reclamation: Stories of Black Athens Artists (ACC Library) This lecture and discussion will be led

by Marie Cochran, founder of the Affrilachian Artist Project. 3 p.m.

FREE! www.athens-­asalh.org PERFORMANCE: Athens Drag Brunch (Hendershots) A gospel-­ themed show open to all ages that includes a brunch meal and limited free beverages. 11 a.m. (doors), 12 p.m. (show). $25. www.athensshow​ girlcabaret.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 THEATER: Disaster! The Musical (Town & Gown Players) A night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as a floating discotheque casino succumbs to multiple disasters. Feb. 9–10 & 15–17, 8 p.m.

Feb. 11 & 18, 2 p.m. $20. www. townandgownplayers.org

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 ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons.

Visual artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creatives are encouraged to create a free listing. athenscreatives@gmail.com, www. athenscreatives.directory 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, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and woodworking.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $65/month. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-​Studio-​ Membership

Auditions AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS (Marigold Auditorium, Winterville) The Winterville Players are casting Anton Chekhov’s comedy, The Proposal, and Susan Glaspell’s mystery, Trifles. Auditions Feb. 19–20, 7 p.m. Performances held Apr. 26–27, 7 p.m. 706-​742-​0823, www.marigoldauditorium.com THE CEMETERY CLUB (Elberton Arts Center) Seeking ages 40–70.

Be prepared to read excerpts from the script. Auditions held Mar. 4–5, 6–8 p.m. Performances held May 10–12, 17–19 at the Elbert Theatre.

706-​213-​3109, tking@cityof elberton.net

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

art around town AADM JUSTICE CENTER & BOOKSTORE (3700 Atlanta Hwy.) The “Global Imagination in Black Music Artists Exhibit” focuses on LP cover art of Black musicians. Through February.

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. Third Thursday on Feb. 15, 6–9 p.m. The Rishis on Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Artist Talk at ATHICA on Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Open Saturdays through February, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

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.) The “2024 Members’ Showcase” features all types of media, including sculpture, photography, painting and more. Opening reception Feb. 15, 6–9 p.m. Through Mar. 17.

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.

DODD GALLERIES (270 River Rd.) “Trust Fall: 2024 Faculty Exhibition” features the work of Lamar Dodd School of Art faculty working in painting and drawing, textile design, photography, video, printmaking and book arts, interior design, scientific illustration and graphic design. Through Mar. 20.

• “Star Dancers” is a mixed media wall-bound creation by Jamie Bull.

FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Paintings by Marisa Mustard. Through February.

FOYER (135 Park Ave.) New York City-based multidisciplinary artist Amelia

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

series. “Feel Better Yoga with Elizabeth Alder, CYT” is a slow-​ going yoga class for all abilities.

Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m. $20–25/ five week series. abarefoot@acc aging.org ART CLASSES (K.A. Artist Shop) The shop offers a range of fine art classes and workshops for adults, private classes and parties, summer camps, and art clubs for youth.

Topics include acrylic, aqua oil, bookmaking, calligraphy, gouache, printmaking, and watercolor. Register online. www.kaartist.com ART CLASSES (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation) “Collage & Composition,” Feb. 17. “Middle Schoolers: A Day of Fun Art Activities, Pizza & Making New Friends,” Feb. 24 or Mar. 30. “Intuitive Painting,” Mar. 9. “Collage & Principles of Design,” Mar. 23. All programs held 10 a.m.–4 p.m. edriscoll60@ gmail.com ARTS SAMPLER (Winterville Cultural Center) Choose two classes per evening on two days to sample different classes. Feb. 22 & Feb. 29, 6:30–9 p.m. $75. www.wintervillecenter.com/classes-​clubs 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/blacksmith-​classes CLASSES (Winterville Cultural Center) “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. “Upcycling Workshop” guides participants on how to repurpose clothes into new creations.

Mondays through Feb. 27, 6–8 p.m. $12/drop in. wintervillecampus@gmail.com, The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center will host an opening program for “The John www.wintervillecenter.com Lewis Series: Paintings by Benny Andrews” on Feb. 18, 2–4 p.m.

FELDENKRAIS CLASSES (Sangha Yoga Studio) Gentle Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention Traditional and modern-​style Taelessons for the brain and sessions for anyone interested, not kwondo, self-​defense, grappling body. Thursdays, 2 p.m. $15–18. just mental health professionals. and weapons classes are offered www.healingartscentre.net/sangha-​ Nuçi’s also offers free training for for all ages. Classes in Jodo, the yoga-​studio businesses and organizations. art of the Japanese staff and sword, MEMOIR WORKSHOP (Contact for Upcoming public trainings will be are held Mondays, Wednesdays Location) Barbara Burt leads a four-​ held Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m. and Mar. and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit the week workshop on writing memoirs.

28 at 9:30 a.m. qpr@nuci.org, website for a full schedule. liveoak Thursdays beginning Feb. 15, 1–4 www.nuci.org/qpr martialarts@gmail.com, www.live p.m. $150. barbwriter@proton.me, SPANISH CLASSES (Multiple oakmartialarts.com www.memories2memoir.com Locations) Casa de Amistad offers YOGA AND MORE (Revolution PÉTANQUE CLUB OF ATHENS (5 beginning and intermediate GED Therapy and Yoga) Revolution Alumni Dr.) Learn to play Pétanque. and ESL classes in-​person and is a multipurpose mind-​body RSVP for a free Wednesday introonline. An eight-​week course to wellness studio offering yoga duction. athenspetanqueclub@ learn Spanish meets Mondays and and therapy with an emphasis on gmail.com, www.athenspetanque Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. trauma-​informed practices. Check club.wixsite.com/play $60. www.athensamistad.com website for upcoming classes and QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS programs. www.revolutiontherapy TRAINING (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s CLASSES (Live Oak Martial Arts) andyoga.com hosts free monthly QPR (Question,

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.) “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. • “Richard Prince: Tell Me Everything” includes a suite of works based on the joke archives of comedian Milton Berle. Through June 16. • “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. 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.

JUST PHO… AND MORE (1063 Baxter St.) Susan Pelham’s collages are inspired by Magic Realism, Surrealism, nursery rhymes, fables and more.

Through March.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) “Memory Worker: Kelly Taylor Mitchell” explores ancestral seeking through hand-sewn stitches and handmade paper. Through Mar. 12. • “Tell Me A Story: Jasmine Best” presents narrative works combining fabric, yarn and digital sewing to reflect on memories and Black female identity. Through Mar. 12. • “Soft Trap” is a site-specific installation by Katie Ford created for “In Case,” a new annual series that utilizes the lobby case as an installation space. Artist Talk Feb. 22, 6 p.m. On view Feb. 15–Mar. 28. • 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.

MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 S. Main St., Madison) “John Lewis Series: Painting by Benny Andrews” features 17 paintings by Andrews depicting the life of late U.S. Congressman John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement. Opening reception Feb. 18, 2–4 p.m.

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.

STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA (2450 S. Milledge Ave) Wendy Chaney shares her love of flowers and nature through photography. Through Feb. 18.

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.

TINY ATH GALLERY (174 Cleveland Ave.) “B Sides” features new paintings by tiny ATH gallery owner Camille Hayes. Opening Reception Feb. 15, 6–9 p.m. Closing reception Feb. 22, 5–8 p.m.

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.) “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. • “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. • 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 CULTURAL CENTER (371 N. Church St., Winterville) Students attending Winterville Elementary School share their creations.

Reception Feb. 22, 6–7:30 p.m. Currently on view through Mar. 22.

WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Ln., Winterville) Paintings by Melanie Sgrignoli. Through February.

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 school students living in Northeast Georgia. Deadline Mar. 1. www. classiccenter.com/scholarships GROUPS AT REBLOSSOM (ReBlossom) A variety of classes, playgroups and support groups are offered for parents and young children. Topics include birth and breastfeeding, prenatal and parent-​baby yoga, instrument play, maternal mental health and more.

Check website for a schedule. www. reblossomathens.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 POLYAMORY SUPPORT GROUP (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) Ongoing support group for adults practicing or considering polyamory or nonmonogamy. Begins Feb. 22, 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services Department will begin camp registration Mar. 16 at 9 a.m. for ACC residents and Mar. 18 at 12 p.m. for non-​residents. www.accgov. com/myrec TEEN EXPERT WORKSHOP: PUPPET MAKING (Bogart Library) Learn to make mouth puppets during a two-​week workshop. Supplies provided. Feb. 17 and Feb. 24, 2–4 p.m. www.athenslbrary. org/bogart TREEHOUSE SUMMER CAMPS (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Camps are offered in a variety of themes including “Camp Swiftie,” digital art illustration and animation, “Mouse Palace,” “Craft Inc. Business,” fairy tales, “Crafty Carnival,” “Mini Museum” and more. Visit the web-

site for details and to register. www. treehousekidandcraft.com

Support Groups ACA ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS AND DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) This support group meets weekly. Tuesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. annetteanelson@gmail.com AL-​ANON 12 STEP (Multiple Locations) Recovery for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Free daytime and evening meetings are held several times throughout the week in Athens. Tuesday meetings, 1:30–2:30 p.m., are held at Watkinsville United Methodist Church. www.ga-​al-​anon.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call the AA hotline or visit the website for a schedule of meetings in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee Counties. 706-​389-​4164, www.athens aa.org ATHENS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (Athens, GA) Open to people of all ages with vision impairments, their families and friends. Topics include adaptive equipment, recreational and social opportunities, and advocacy. 706-​424-​2794, dlwahlers@ gmail.com NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP (Oconee Presbyterian Church) Peer-​led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Second Monday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. FREE! joannehnamihallga@gmail.com NEW PARENTS AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP (BYL Family Resource Center) Come as you are for community, snacks and feeding advice from professionals.

Babies and children of all ages are welcome. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.byyourleave.org OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (24th Street Clubhouse) Learn to stop eating compulsively or curb other unwanted food-​related behaviors.

Tuesdays, 12 p.m. Text: 678-​736-​ 3697 PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP (First Baptist Church) This group is to encourage, support and share information with fellow sojourners who manage the challenges of Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders. Second Friday of the month, 1 p.m. gpnoblet@ bellsouth.net PROJECT SAFE (Family Protection Center) Project Safe hosts a support group for survivors of domestic violence. Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m. www. project-​safe.org RECREATE JOY (Sunny Days Therapeutics) Nuçi’s Space hosts a recreational therapy support group.

Improve coping skills and self esteem while reducing depression and anxiety through adaptive yoga, games and leisure education. Six-​ week sessions. Wednesdays, 5–6 p.m. tinyurl.com/rnvuhesa RECOVERY DHARMA (Athens Addiction Recovery Center) This peer-​led support group offers a Buddhist-​inspired path to recovery from any addiction. Visit the website for details. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.athensrecoverydharma.org SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) Athens Downtown SAA offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from a compulsive sexual behavior. Contact for location. athensdowntownsaa@gmail.com SUPPORT GROUPS (Integrity Counseling & Personal Development) ICPD offers several support groups. “LGBTQIA+ Young Adults

Group” is offered for ages 18–30.

“Survivors of Suicide Loss Group” is offered the first Wednesday of every month, 7–8 p.m. “Veterans, Dependents & Caregivers Benefits Resource & Claim Assistance Group” is offered the first Saturday of every month, 9–10 a.m.

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 of skating sessions. $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 DIAMOND HILL FARM CSA (Athentic Brewing Co.) The Community Supported Agriculture program offers a variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits and/or flowers directly to consumers each week. Check website for weekly pickup locations, home delivery details and to register. $15 (flower share), $25–35 (farm box). www.diamondhillfarm athens.com 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.) and Drumming and Song Circle (Sundays, 3–5 p.m.).

Wednesday Yoga (5 p.m.) is followed by Meditation and Integration (6 p.m.). Events are free or donation based. www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar SEVENTH GENERATION (Multiple Locations) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts gatherings on Sundays at 11 a.m. and Rabbit Hole Studios. Men’s Group meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Healing Path Farm. seventhgeneration nativeamericanchurch.org SPRING ACTIVITIES (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services will offer a variety of arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events this spring. Now registering. www.accgov.com/myrec 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

Ladysmith Black Mambazo “Theirs is among the most distinctive and uplifting choral sounds around.”—NPR

Feb THURS 7:30 pm

29

Hodgson Concert Hall

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

230 River Road, Athens

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM flagpole is fighting to continue bringing you the most up-to-date news. Help us keep our weekly print and online versions FREE by donating.

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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

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE

JOBS

HOUSES FOR RENT

MISCELLANEOUS

FULL-TIME

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.

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.

TINY LIVING (in the country), 2 campers to rent daily, weekly, monthly. Furnished, secure, private. Fire pit, grill, deck. Small farm, Athens 30 minutes. Text 706-401-0880.

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 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.bigcartel.com, call 706-5490301 or email frontdesk@ flagpole.com.

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

PART-TIME Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 16–40 hours, Mon–Fri. NEVER be called in for a shift you didn’t sign up for.

Must type 55+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction.

Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes. com

NOTICES MESSAGES Flagpole ♥s our advertisers, donors and readers! Thank you for your support!

ADOPT ME!

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

Moon (55215225) Meet Moon, a gentle soul with eyes as bright as the night sky.

His coat is soft and his heart is full of love. He even likes cats!

Give Moon a chance to light up your life with endless affection.

Kramer (55215729)

JJ (55217863)

Ready for a lifelong connection that fills your days with pawprints of happiness? Then Kramer is your perfect match!

He’s house trained, crate trained, and good with cats and dogs.

Sweet JJ has been loved and lost but is ready to love again!

She’s very well behaved, highly motivated for training and is happy to meet new people. Open your heart to JJ and adopt.

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

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024

All Georgians ages 6 months & up are eligible for COVID vaccines, and ages 5+ are eligible for boosters! Call 706-3400996 or visit www.public healthathens.com for more information.

COVID self-testing kiosk available in West Athens (3500 Atlanta Hwy. At the old Fire Station on the corner of Atlanta Hwy. & Mitchell Bridge Rd. near Aldi and Publix.) Pre-registration is required! Visit www. register.testandgo.com for more information.

Do you know someone special with an upcoming birthday, anniversary or important milestone? Give a public shout through Flagpole! Please email class@ flagpole.com for more information.

Do you need old papers for your garden or a project?

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

VALENTINES Big Texas Man of my dreams, you wiggle on our tandem bicycle and the dust storm settled over my southern prairie is ravished by rain.

Dan, My life is exponentially better with you in it. Thankful for you and second chances. All of my love, Joy Dearest Flippy, I love you almost as much as I love dolphins. Love, Hambone.

Everlasting love / Days like these make me believe / I really want to / Amanda Jane Happy Birthday Rocky!

You’re the world’s sweetest, fluffiest cat. So glad we found you!

I love all my wonderful friends, who make my life so beautiful. Happy Valentine’s Day. Rosemary Woodel John, we love you more than bike rides, escaping, and TS. Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, your girls (Nessie, Trixie, and Lauren)

Jesse, Happy Valentine’s Day! All the baked goods have taken flight.

Maxwel, 10 years together and my love for you still deepens every day. You’re my best friend and the most handsomest. Xoxo, Indy Stephen, Potato love spree, silly taters dance with glee, spuds in harmony. ♥ Jen Shauna, roses are red, violets are blue, I love you so much, even when you toot.

Love, Nick S.P.A.M., M.A.P.S., A.M.P.S; However you spell it, these are my people and I love them!

To Meggo, my love: There’s no one else I’d rather go back into the flood again with, every single week, than you. Always: Your Hoosband To Ophelia Louise, the prettiest beast; Cheech, who tries his best; and Ahri, who tries the least. Love, Your Mommy When the smooth lover / Spies the fingernail moonlight / 143 says he

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

CORD SIBILSKY GROUP

CORD O:706-510-5189

C:706-363-0803

|

CSG-GAP.COM

PAIN & WONDER

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

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 theofnumbers 9.

Week 2/12/241- to 2/18/24

The Weekly Crossword

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TATTOO

VOTED AN ATHENS’ FAVORITE TATTOO STUDIO

by Margie E. Burke

EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR EXCEPTIONAL PETS

2011–2020

Solu�on to Sudoku:

285 W. Washington St.

Athens, GA 30601

(706) 208-9588 www.painandwonder.com

1150 Mitchell Bridge Rd. 706-546-7879 · www.hopeamc.com Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm

Quitting is hard... hard...but but it’s NOT impossible!

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

GEORGIA TOBACCO QUIT LINE English: 877.270.STOP (7867) or Español: 877.2NO.FUME (266.3863)

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

F E B R U A R Y 14, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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100 Prince Avenue Athens, GA 30601 Princemarketathens.com @princemarketathens Instagram and Facebook 706-850-0711 • Locally owned grocery store • Free Parking – Parking deck located directly behind the building • Full grocery selection with local vendors and organic produce • Beer and Wine • Prince Coffee: Serving the full Starbucks menu • Prince Deli: Offering fresh pizzas, sandwiches and soups • Prince Ice Cream: Serving 12 flavors of Hershey’s ice cream

DO YOUR PART. PROTECT YOURSELF. PROTECT OTHERS.

675 College Ave. • 402 McKinley Dr • 706-546-5526