FP250212 by Flagpole Magazine

WINTER OPEN HOUSE

Join us to celebrate our new exhibitions

“Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection”

“The Awe of Ordinary Labors: 20th-Century Paintings from Ukraine”

FACULTY FOLLIES

PUBLISHER

PRODUCTION

Larry Tenner

Alicia Nickles

ADVERTISING SALES Libba Beaucham, Dave Martin

CITY EDITOR Blake Aued

MUSIC EDITOR Sam Lipkin

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin

OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene

CLASSIFIED ADS & CALENDAR COORDINATOR Jennifer Keene

AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Dowd, Stanley Dunlap, Gordon Lamb, Rebecca McCarthy

CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip, Joey Weiser

CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe

EDITORIAL & OFFICE INTERN Mary Beth Bryan

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Wood, Jake Zerkel

SPECIAL AGENT Pete McCommons

city dope Commission Chaos

TIFFS OVER RACE, HOUSING, THE CLASSIC CENTER AND MORE

By Blake Aued, Chris Dowd and Rebecca McCarthy news@flagpole.com

In a tense and often emotional meeting, Athens- Clarke County commissioners chose to delay making a formal statement of support for racial equity despite a large turnout of constituents who urged them to do more for the Black community in Athens.

Dozens of people took the podium at City Hall Feb. 4 to speak out for racial justice, affordable housing and other topics. While there was broad agreement among the public that more needs to be done on these issues, speakers were not completely unified on how to go about it. Most speakers pleaded with the commission to first make a formal statement of support for racial equity, arguing that such a statement would be the basis for future action.

The resolution on the commission’s agenda that night was written by local activists in the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement in conjunction with commissioners Patrick Davenport, Melissa Link, Carol Myers and Dexter Fisher. The resolution starts by acknowledging the persistent racial wealth gap and other inequities suffered by the Black community and other minorities in Athens. It lists what has already been accomplished, and reaffirms the local government’s commitment to addressing these issues by working towards housing security, economic empowerment and safety for Black residents and other marginalized communities.

60–90 days to give the community, city attorney and commission an opportunity to turn the resolution into a city ordinance.”

Commissioner Stephanie Johnson had suggested at a previous meeting that the resolution be converted into an ordinance. Ordinances are laws, unlike resolutions, which are statements of intent or opinion.

Commissioner Ovita Thornton, who has expressed discomfort with “social justice” resolutions in the past, called for the vote to be tabled for 60 days while commissioners and members of the public work together on a separate piece of legislation. She did not mention what topics the ordinance would cover, or whether she would even vote for the resolution after the 60-day period ended.

Commissioner Tiffany Taylor seconded Thornton’s motion, saying that she wanted to see real “impact” instead of just “another document that goes into a folder.” Taylor was also not specific as to what she wanted to see in the ordinance, except that she wanted Black community needs to be “properly funded.”

saying that it was an “off the cuff” and unnecessary response to some recent funding problems.

Another proposal from Commissioner John Culpepper would add two commissioners to the Classic Center Authority’s board (which is already appointed by the mayor and commission but does not include any elected officials). He said he was not satisfied with the level of transparency the new steering committee provides.

“You look at the financial liability that the authority has, $108 million in bonds, and I think it would be helpful to have a couple commissioners on that authority so there is transparency on what’s going on with the payments,” Culpepper said.

Classic Center President and CEO Paul Cramer and current board members did not oppose the development committee, but they did object to adding commissioners to the Classic Center Authority.

“[This resolution] is not just a document. It is a call from the people, urging our local government to take meaningful steps towards racial equity. It demands action on housing security, youth safety and economic opportunities for Black and minority-owned businesses. We are not here for empty promises or symbolic gestures; we are here for action,” said Mokah Jasmine Johnson, co- founder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement.

Some speakers harshly criticized the body for failing, from their perspective, to take action over the years on these issues. “[There have been] over three centuries of constant economic assault on Black and brown people. The history is undeniable, but more importantly, it’s not just the history. It is still happening right now,” said Tamika Money, referring to how the local government is making existing racial disparities worse through its procurement and contracting policies.

A smaller group of speakers supported the goals of the resolution, but called for it to be delayed so that more specific and tangible action might be taken over the next few months. “I commend everyone who worked on this resolution. It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Xavier Walker. “But I now just respectfully ask that the commission table the vote for at least

However, it is unclear how the broad resolution could be converted into a law or laws within 60 days or, indeed, within any time frame.

Given this uncertainty, Davenport, Link and Myers advocated for going forward with the resolution as written. Myers in particular pointed out how the commission could continue to act after passing the resolution by drafting specific ordinances and by making funding allocations during the upcoming budget process.

“From this resolution, we can move forward and allocate another $4 million in next year’s budget for affordable housing, and another $1 million for a strike fund to help low-income residents stay in their homes. We could draft specific ordinances or policies to follow through on the recommendations of the disparity study. We could allocate general budget funds to help continue funding for some of the programs that have received funding through ARPA [the American Rescue Plan Act] for youth,” Myers said. “This [resolution] is a diving board into taking more action as a commission, and I hope we will do that as we move forward.”

While the commission could do all of these things without first passing a resolution, formal statements by the body are often helpful in giving political direction to ACC staff, who are otherwise expected to do their work without political agendas.

Thornton’s motion to delay passed 6-3, with Davenport, Link and Myers voting no, and Johnson abstaining.

CLASSIC CENTER: The ACC Commission signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Classic Center Authority and the Athens Downtown Development Authority to create a partnership to encourage the development of areas around Akins Ford Arena.

The agreement creates a new steering committee chaired by Mayor Kelly Girtz that will include two representatives each from the commission, the Classic Center and the Athens Downtown Development Authority. It will hire a “real estate head hunter” to get development to happen, according to Girtz.

The Classic Center and the ACC government have always intended to lease government-owned property on the eastern edge of downtown to pay back bonds that funded the arena’s construction. But that effort has experienced some setbacks, including the commission batting down a partnership with Athens-based student housing developer Landmark Properties, and Atlanta-based Mallory and Evans backing out of another deal. Girtz told Flagpole that the Classic Center has enough reserves to make the bond payments for two years.

Commissioners voted 9-1 to sign the agreement. Davenport opposed the motion,

“The Classic Center Authority is not a political entity. It’s a team of professionals appointed by you,” said Tres Small, vice chair of the Classic Center Authority. “The proposal to alter our structure is not about increased oversight. It is an attempt to inject selfinterest and self-interest alone. If we allow political interests to override the very foundation of what has made the Classic Center successful, we risk losing the momentum that we have all worked so hard to build.”

Link disagreed, saying that it was “crucial” to have a commissioner on the Classic Center Authority’s board. She asked that it just be one commissioner, plus an additional member of the public, a change that Culpepper agreed to.

Link’s amended motion passed 7-3, with Fisher, Myers and Davenport voting no. Even so, the change will require support from Athens- Clarke County’s mostly Republican legislative delegation, which often ignores the local government’s requests, especially if they lack a unanimous vote.

VINCENT DRIVE: Out of doubts about the integrity of the SPLOST funding process, Johnson attempted to delay approval of new sidewalks for Vincent Drive. She was not happy about a large increase in the cost of the project since it was originally approved in 2019. “Approving an amount that’s almost double, 46% increase, is outrageous,” Johnson said. “I need to see the numbers… If that’s the cost, that’s the cost, but I can’t explain it the way it’s written.”

Construction costs rose substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath due to pent-up demand, supply chain problems and overall inflation. Similar sticker shock struck projects like the Bethel Homes redevelopment, the Classic Center arena and a future new courthouse that were also included on the list for a 2020 sales tax referendum.

In disagreement, Commissioner Allison Wright proposed approving the project as is to avoid causing an unnecessary delay to an important public safety initiative. Wright’s motion to approve the sidewalks passed unanimously. The new sidewalks will cost almost $4 million and should be completed by spring of 2027.

Hundreds of people, mostly young Hispanics, marched through downtown and held a rally at the Arch Feb. 6 to protest President Trump’s harsh immigration policies. See flagpole.com for more.

NORTH AVENUE: The commission approved a multifamily housing development at 218 North Ave., including eight apartment buildings with 228 bedrooms in total. In the same vote, commissioners instructed ACC staff to come up with language to allow people to live in RVs legally in single- family zones. Girtz said he would also include a renewed discussion on allowing accessory dwelling units—commonly called granny or in-law flats—at a future work session.

Taylor was the only commissioner to oppose the new apartment buildings. “I want this to be on record that I will not be supporting any of the developments tonight that come before us that [are] not going to be for the working- class citizens of Athens- Clarke County,” Taylor said.

Given high construction costs, new developments that are not governmentsubsidized tend to be on the high end. Many economists and housing experts, however, believe adding to the housing supply will eventually bring down prices, because most cities have a shortage of housing relative to demand. [Chris Dowd]

New Houses Proposed on Eastside

The Athens- Clarke County Planning Commission signed off last week on a new phase of the massive Lakewood development off Barnett Shoals Road.

The most recent version of a plan to develop 90 acres includes 40–795 housing units—including live/work units, apartments, townhouses and detached houses— as well as 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Originally 173,000 square feet of commercial space was proposed.

“The principles behind this are mostly New Urbanist in design,” planner Marc Beechuk said. “You’ve got a lot of alleyloaded garages, a mix of housing types, a mix of commercial and residential uses, lots of public green, some of which the units face on, as opposed to facing onto a street, street trees, buildings that are close to the street.”

The current proposal consists of four “pods” or neighborhoods labeled “arts and

entertainment,” “central,” “garden” and “peninsula,” each with distinct architectural styles. They would be connected by streets and trails.

Lakewood has a long history dating back to 2004, when the original plan for 207 acres owned by the Dekle family was approved. It was amended in 2005, 2006, 2014, 2017 and 2020. Only 196 apartments, 43 houses and 38 townhouses have been built so far.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval. The development now goes to the ACC Mayor and Commission for a final decision. [Blake Aued]

Library Adds Solar Panels

The Athens- Clarke County Library spends from $8,000–$12,000 every month on electricity. To protect the book and document collections, the humidity throughout the building needs to be at a constant level. The last thing a librarian wants is even a mention of mildew.

To save money and fossil fuels, the library will soon have seven solar arrays in the parking lot, each one standing 14 feet high. They will provide 10–12% of the energy the library uses and will also provide shade.

Installing the ground-mounted solar arrays has meant taking down seven Chinese elms, which are invasive. The landscape plan calls for planting native plants, grasses and wildflowers around the bases of the arrays. In addition, eight native trees will be planted on the library grounds.

The cost of the seven arrays is $498,860, according to ACC Sustainability Director Mike Wharton. Of that, $280,000 comes from a state grant. The remainder is part of SPLOST 2020.

The solar arrays are part of a plan, adopted in 2019 by the mayor and commission, committing to run government facilities on 100% clean energy by 2035. Solar panels will also be installed on a new building planned for Memorial Park and the county-owned Costa Building downtown, which is undergoing renovation. [Rebecca McCarthy] f

Stopping School Shootings

HOUSE SPEAKER INTRODUCES BILL IN RESPONSE TO APALACHEE HIGH

By Stanley Dunlap news@flagpole.com

Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns has announced legislation to enhance school safety following last year’s deadly school shooting in Barrow County.

Burns, a Newington Republican, said at a Feb. 4 news conference that House leaders would introduce legislation calling for a statewide database to track student mental health histories, development of an app for anonymously reporting threats to schools and a requirement for school districts to create safety management plans. The school safety proposal also includes an additional $50 million in one- time school safety grants, which would give each public school in the state $68,000 for safety upgrades. The legislation would also offer tax incentives for the purchase of firearm safes and other safety equipment, and strengthen criminal penalties for students and other individuals who target schools with terroristic threats.

Burns stressed the seriousness of copycat threats that often follow tragedies like the Apalachee High School mass shooting on Sept. 4 that killed two students and two teachers and injured several others.

safety plan will mandate participation in a statewide student information sharing and tracking database that will allow for timely transfer of relevant student data between school systems, law enforcement and mental health care professionals.”

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith and Richard and Rita Aspinwall, parents of Ricky Aspinwall, an Apalachee math teacher and football coach killed in the shooting, were guests at the school safety press conference held inside the state Capitol. Smith said he was proud of the heroic efforts of law enforcement and school staff during the tragic shooting and was supportive of the House safety plan.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency would help develop the system tracking student mental health history and reported threats that would be investigated by school personnel, mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies to determine the seriousness. Burns said the plan would also create mandatory suspensions of students from school while the extent of their threats is investigated.

School security and student resource officers have remained in the national spotlight since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adult staff members. Since then, there have been many other deadly school shootings across the country, including last year’s Barrow County incident that resulted in the arrest of 14- year-old Apalachee High School student Colt Gray, who faces multiple homicide charges for the shooting. Gray’s father, Colin Gray, also faces felony charges for purchasing the AR15 rifle as a gift for his son that police say was used to kill 14- year-olds Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Ricky Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie.

Burns said the school safety plan is intended to ensure the safety of young people, teachers and other school staff. “That’s why the House is taking the following measures to ensure a tragedy like what we witnessed in Apalachee never happens again in this state,” he said. “We know that failure to transfer and share information regarding the student who is accused of these horrific acts played a role in the deaths that unfolded that day. Our school

“As human beings, we’re tasked with taking care of others who cannot take care of themselves,” Smith said. “Our kids are our future. As Speaker Burns said, we should do everything we can to protect them.”

Some of the proposals in the House Republican Majority Caucus plan have been championed by Democratic legislators, such as incentivizing the safe storage of firearms. Last year, both chambers passed their own version of a tax incentive with wide margins, but neither chamber approved the other’s plan. Democrats in the Senate and House have also re- filed legislation this year that would also punish adults who don’t properly store firearms away safely in a manner preventing minors from accessing them.

The prospective Burns’ legislation does not call for stronger gun control laws championed by Georgia Democratic lawmakers and organizations like Moms Demand Action. There are also questions about how well the House GOP measure will protect the confidentiality of students.

“I think school safety is something we’re going to come to the table on because we have to do everything we can to make sure that our students are safe at schools,” House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat, said in a separate interview with the Georgia Recorder. “That’s going to require us to look at internal threats as well as external threats.” f

This article originally appeared at georgiarecorder. com.

From left to right, Richard and Rita Aspinwall, parents of Ricky Aspinwall, an Apalachee High School math teacher and football coach who was killed in a 2024 school shooting, stand behind House Speaker Jon Burns.

Saye Goodbye?

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com

Acentury-old building in downtown Athens, thought to be saved when Athens- Clarke County created a new historic district five years ago, is now once again threatened as the county commission considers a settlement allowing the church that owns it to tear it down.

Preservationists have been working to save the Saye Building at the corner of Lumpkin Street and Hancock Avenue for the past month, since the ACC Commission preliminarily gave its blessing for First United Methodist Church to demolish it and build a parking lot on the property, including offering to buy the building.

“Athens deserves better than to lose a building with such potential for so little in return,” said Denise Sunta, engagement coordinator for Historic Athens.

When First Methodist initially applied for a demolition permit in 2018, Melissa Link used her power as a county commissioner to place a temporary hold on the teardown to buy time to consider alternatives. The full commission then included the Saye Building in a 2019 downtown demolition moratorium and the subsequent creation of the West Downtown Historic District in 2020, prompting years of appeals and litigation by the church. The district protects the Hot Corner, a historic center of African American culture and commerce, as well as landmarks of the Athens music scene.

In 2023, First Methodist tried again to obtain a demolition permit. It was denied by ACC planning staff, then on two appeals. The church sued, and Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott ordered the dispute to mediation in July. As a result of that mediation, the commission approved a resolution in November allowing the church to tear down the building.

Link was the only commissioner to vote in opposition. “We are giving special consid-

eration to a religious organization by doing this,” she said. “I don’t believe we would come to the same conclusion if it were any random developer, and I will continue to vote no.”

But first, the teardown has to go through the process again. At a Jan. 21 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission voted down a request to remove the Saye Building from the West Downtown Historic District.

“Demolition wasn’t really in the cards at that point,” Griffith told the HPC. “But what they found, what we found, was that the building was in just horrible condition. All the systems would need to be replaced. It posed a safety risk to the community, and the costs would be just staggering to come in and repurpose that building.”

However, others insisted that the building can be saved. “While its current appearance may seem rugged, it’s entirely salvageable and no worse than other historic preservation projects that have transformed neglected spaces into community assets,” Sunta said, noting that tax credits are available to renovate historic buildings.

Historic preservation advocate Michael Ruppersburg pointed to similar projects like Ciné (formerly a tire recap plant), Creature Comforts (a former tire store), the Costa

Originally built sometime between 1918–1926, with an addition sometime in the 1960s, the office building is run-down and would be too expensive to renovate, according to Ben Griffith, chair of First United Methodist’s board of trustees. The church bought the building in 2004, but by around 2015 the maintenance costs had gotten too high, so the church formed a building committee that hired an engineer to assess its condition.

Building next to City Hall (a former ice cream shop), the old furniture store where Trappeze is now located, the old Lamar Lewis shoe store (now Tweed Recording) and the Southern Bell building, which is being converted into a boutique hotel. “The building can and should be saved,” he said, “and we can put it back to use like all these buildings we’ve talked about.”

Around the same time, a group of investors led by downtown business owner and

former commissioner Russell Edwards, historic preservation consultant Chris Jackson and lawyer Gray Reilly made a formal offer to buy the Saye Building for $2 million. Historic Athens has urged the church to accept the offer, but Edwards told Flagpole he has not received an answer.

“If the owner cannot realize the immense potential of this property, it should sell it to someone who can,” Sunta said.

HPC members said they were concerned about setting a precedent by removing the property, but Thomas Mitchell, the attorney representing the ACC government, said the resolution specifically states that it should not be construed as precedent- setting.

If the property is removed from the historic district, a demolition permit could be issued. The second part of the process involves obtaining a special use permit to build a parking lot, which must go through the ACC Planning Commission.

“This can be a better use,” former mayor Gwen O’Looney told planning commissioners at a Feb. 6 meeting. “This does not fit any plans for our community.”

Sunta called it “a critical link between the east and west downtown districts, and its significance extends beyond its walls.”

Historic preservation advocate Amy Andrews told the planning commission that the church destroyed “a very successful African American office and professional building on the corner of Washington and Hull streets for the parking lot behind their building. So they don’t always act in the interest of the public. They’re acting in their interests, so we have to make our decisions on what’s best for our interests.”

Planning Commission Chairman Matthew Hall said parking “seems like a particularly terrible land use for a downtown zone.” The planning commission voted to table the special use request for 60 days. Members said they want the historic district issue to play out first, because it could influence their vote on the special use permit.

Ultimately the county commission will have the final say. “All this resolution does is start that process. There will be another vote that comes at the end,” Mitchell told the HPC. “From my perspective, my anticipation is that they will approve the necessary pieces to settle the case.” f

LITERATURE | WED, FEB. 12

‘Shadow Country’ Poetry

Readings

Flicker Theatre & Bar • 4 p.m. • $10 suggested donation

Glenn Raucher first became engrossed with the music of Drive-By Truckers during his hour-long commutes on the New York train. During one evening ride he found himself particularly captivated by “Cassie’s Brother,” a song from the album Southern Rock Opera about the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist who passed away in a plane crash. Despite not considering himself a writer, he had the idea to “reverse-engineer” the songs on the album into poetic monologues, imagining new characters and fleshing out their worlds. In an article published on Medium about the project, Raucher says, “I wanted their imagined stories to inhabit the same spaces that the characters in Southern Rock Opera did, and hopefully come to life the same way that [Patterson] Hood and [Mike] Cooley brought to life the deacon’s daughter’s boyfriend, Ronnie Van Zant and Neil Young, George Wallace, the Devil himself and all the other characters interspersed throughout SRO.” Members of the Drive-By Truckers fan community will be reading these poems aloud as part of the week’s homecoming celebrations. [Mary Beth Bryan]

EVENT | THU, FEB. 13

Athens Creative Directory

Launch

Lyndon House Arts Center • 6 p.m. • FREE!

Seeking to uplift the creative community, Invest Athens and Envision Athens have collaborated to reimagine and relaunch the Athens Creatives Directory. The directory is a digital hub that gives Athenian creatives a platform to share their work and connect with other creatives, buyers and businesses. According to Myung Cogan, the small business and entrepreneurship coordinator for Invest Athens, “by providing artists with the resources, partnerships and opportunities they need to grow their careers, and offering patrons and businesses a direct link to the heart of Athens’ creative scene, the Athens Creatives Directory will help bolster the local creative economy and community.” The soft launch of the directory will feature a presentation about the new brand foundation and website from Kaptiv8 Marketing. The full website launch is set for this summer. [MB]

MUSIC | FEB. 12–15

HeAthens Homecoming

40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $55–195

The time has come for local Southern rock legends Drive-By Truckers to return to Athens for a series of hometown shows and related festivities. The band will kick off night one of the homecoming with a performance of songs from its 2001 record, Southern Rock Opera, the deluxe edition of which was released last year. DJ Jay Leavitt will host the night-one afterparty. On night two DBT will be joined by Dexateens, a rock and punk band that has been active since the 1990s. Night three will feature perfor-

mances from a Nuçi’s Space Camp Amped band and local punk-rock band Shehehe. On the final night DBT will be joined by Thelma and the Sleaze, a Nashville-based rock trio. Two associated shows are happening at Flicker Bar & Theatre, with performances from Loose Cattle and Jay Gonzalez on Feb. 13 and Dash Rip Rock, Schaefer Llana and Drunken Prayer on Feb. 14. Nuçi’s Space is also hosting its annual HeAthens cookout and silent auction on Feb. 15. [MB]

THEATER | FEB. 13–16, 19–23

John Proctor is the Villain

Cellar Theatre • Times Vary • $6 (w/ UGA ID), $18

John Proctor is the Villain follows a class of high school students in rural Georgia as they discuss Arthur Millers’ 1952 play

The Crucible. Ideas about heroism, villainy and defining the narrative emerge as the classmates discover parallels to their own lives in the story. The play was written by Kimberly Belflower, a native Appalachian who works on the playwriting faculty at Emory University. Director Sloan Elle Garner describes the story as both “deeply personal and universally resonant,” and says that Belflower “captures the beauty and complexity of the culture, even the more problematic elements.” John Proctor is the Villain will be performed at 2 p.m. on Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 and at 8 p.m. on the other days of its Athens run. The preview performance on Feb. 13 will be followed by a talkback with members of the cast and creative team. Later this year, the play will have its Broadway debut at the Booth Theatre in New York. [MB]

FILM | FRI, FEB. 14

Eloquent Nude Exposition

Ciné • 8 p.m. • $15

Eloquent Nude: The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston & Charis Wilson is an awardwinning 2007 documentary following the life of Charis Wilson, a free- spirited Californian who modeled for and fell in love with photographer Edward Weston in 1934. A 90- year-old Wilson offers frank and opinionated reflections on the experience, letting viewers in on adventurous crosscountry travels, the ways she and Weston transformed each other and the many iconic photographs they made together. A rare showing of the film will be followed by a discussion with Lily Herne and Chipper Bixby, who are models for the Lamar Dodd School of Art, as well as Herne’s longtime photographer Hal York. The event will culminate in a Dreamlily concert, which is Herne’s dream rock musical project, much of which is dreamed up during her long hours spent posing for art. [MB] f

STUDIO SPACES & GEAR Rentals in Athens, GA

Athens Favorites

Flicker’s 25th Anniversary

KEEPING DOWNTOWN’S MUSIC AND ART TOWNIE HAVEN THRIVING

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

The landscape and atmosphere of downtown Athens have always been in flux—ushering in and out cultural phases based on the blend of businesses filling its blocks. In the early 1980s, when the Georgia Square Mall opened, it attracted many retailers away from downtown, notably sparking a rebrand from a shopping destination to one home to smaller, locally owned businesses, restaurants and music venues. Now the ghostly corridors of the Georgia Square Mall are set for a major downtown-like redevelopment while luxury apartments and corporate stores like Target and CVS integrate into downtown.

Rising rents, among other factors, have set panic into small business owners and their loyal patrons. Downtown has also long been an essential space for the overflowing creative community in Athens to showcase its talents. So when a beloved venue—that, yes, is also a beloved bar serving free, perfectly salted popcorn—celebrates 25 years of operation, it’s a shining light of townie hope in today’s murky waters.

Flicker Theatre and Bar opened on West Washington Street in 2000 under Angie Grass, who had founded Flicker as a film society previously without a brick-andmortar home. In 2007 Clint McElroy and current co-owner Jeremy Long, officially CFO alongside his wife and CEO Kim Long, decided to buy the business when it went up for sale.

“I managed the Vision Video downtown for 17 years. I was saving up money to buy the video store because I always wanted a movie theater. By the time I had any amount of money, it was clear I shouldn’t buy a video store. Then Flicker came up for sale,” says Jeremy. “So I bought it with the intention of having a movie theater that had bands sometimes, and it turned into a live music venue that has movies sometimes.”

The change in business model was an organic one that Grass had also come to before Long. Screening at least one film a week and hosting music another four to five nights has remained consistent over time. However, Jeremy has spent a lot of time and effort curating the “vibe” of the venue side of Flicker, which he says has been a journey. When he took over Flicker there was a very small stage with DIY sound and a limited mixing board. Now there’s a proper stage with full sound operated by staff, and vibrant murals painted by Marisa Leilani Mustard and Will Eskridge that Jeremy views as Flicker’s “tattoos.”

to upgrade all of this stuff.’ So we did a whole bunch of upgrades,” says Jeremy. ‘It’s really helped now because we have better subs so we can have better sounding hip hop, better metal, better punk.”

Beyond music, Flicker’s stage is open to a variety of performances from comedy and poetry readings to puppet shows and author events. Jeremy shares how important it is to him not to gatekeep and provide space for anyone who has something they want to try.

sistently refreshed artwork that contributes to its iconic atmosphere and mission to encourage local creatives.

Just as COVID was a turning point for many businesses, it prompted Flicker’s owners to join the Chamber of Commerce in search of resources. Navigating venue grants was not a user- friendly experience, says Kim, and the process for some was grueling. Finding what grants were available, which ones applied to Flicker then how to fill them out was becoming disheartening.

“I was so grateful because David Bradley helped us so much… he kept in touch with us the whole time and really helped us to navigate things and connected us with resources at UGA,” says Kim. “So I’ve joined the Chamber of Commerce, and it’s been really helpful because now we’re really recognizing that as Athens is growing, we have to figure out how to reach new people.”

Jeremy and Kim emphasize that as local owners wanting to maintain the “local vibe” of their establishment, as opposed to being a college or party bar, it requires some innovative hustling and outreach to the community. Leaning on regulars and expecting people to know they exist because they’ve been open for 25 years is not how it works, says Kim. As a college town, the population of Athens is constantly regenerating, and so Flicker also has to constantly regenerate, says Jeremy.

“When we built the stage, they wanted to make it a little higher. I wanted to make it a little lower so that people could step off the stage for hip-hop or punk rock shows and easily get back and forth. Be part of the audience, because it’s really important to me,” says Jeremy.

One of the COVID pandemic’s downtown casualties was Caledonia Lounge, just behind Flicker on West Clayton Street. The venue’s closing was a hard blow for the local and touring music scene, but Flicker’s unique space has absorbed many displaced bands over the last few years. But not without new challenges.

“We had a metal show, sort of our first full metal show that would have been a Caledonia show. It blew our amps and everything. So we’re like, ‘Oh, shit, we really need

“Sometimes it’s a disaster, and sometimes it’s amazing,” says Jeremy. “That’s why you walk the tightrope, just to see what happens. I always saw Flicker as that. It’s like where anybody in Athens who’s artistic can try anything, within reason. There’s so much creativity in this town, and I’d hate for it all to just stay in people’s living rooms.”

Another element of Flicker as a creative space is its long gallery wall opposite the bar that showcases a different artist each month. Currently the popular wall space has a year-long waitlist. Kim explains that the featured artist keeps all profits from their sold pieces, but they are also responsible for organizing contact info and handling sales. The mutually beneficial trade provides Flicker with con-

“You sacrifice a lot of potential income. We know that we’ve consciously made the decision to not be a college party bar, right? It is kind of a prime location, as much foot traffic and as many college party bars have spread to our side of town. We really could cash in on that, but it’s kind of soulless, right? We want to maintain the Athens soul, and that’s a really important mission. And we feel like we’re caretakers of that,” says Kim.

The future of Flicker will be built on bridges. Now that its business owners have made connections to the chamber and UGA, they’re focused on getting organized. Kim says that a student marketing team will be helping to establish some routine and structure for the business and its outreach moving forward.

“The local businesses in Athens need a tremendous amount of help. We can’t compete with these huge corporations moving in and opening their chains. We just can’t,” says Kim.

The Longs attribute Flicker’s success to a group effort, alongside co-owners Jon Miller and Annie Markham, a dedicated staff and a sympathetic landlord. They view Flicker as its own entity with its own identity that could persist with or without them, but for now they are happy to be its tenders.

“We’re happy to hit that 25 year mark because we really didn’t know… especially five years ago after our 20th anniversary, then everything shut down,” says Kim.

“We’ll just keep working on the vibe. We just hope that we can keep being. That Flicker can keep going for a long time,” says Jeremy.

There will be a two-night 25th Anniversary Extravaganza full of live music to celebrate with the community. On Friday, Feb. 14 the lineup includes Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band, Little Gold, Don Chambers and Neat Freak. Then on Saturday, Feb. 14 there will be performances by Elf Power, Elijah Johnston, Honeypuppy and Johnny Falloon. Doors open at 8 p.m. both nights, with advance tickets available at flickertheatreandbar.com. f

WHO: Flicker’s 25th Anniversary Extravaganza WHEN: Feb 14–15, 8 p m (doors) WHERE: Flicker Theatre and Bar HOW MUCH: $15 (single night), $25 (both nights)

Jeremy and Kim Long

JAKE ZERKEL

live music calendar

Tuesday 11

The Classic Center

7:30 p.m. $23.50–106.50. www.classiccenter.com

MANIA Internationally traveling ABBA tribute band.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com

PILGRIM Local hard-hitting, riffheavy rock band led by songwriter Paul McHugh.

JEF WHATLEY Member of Brown Dwarf, Normaltown Sound Machine, TaxiCab Verses, Pilgrim, etc. performs a solo set of originals and favorites.

Georgia Theatre

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $35–40. www.georgiatheatre.com

LETTUCE Grammy award-nominated, genre-busting musical collective formed in 1992 by four alumni of the Berklee College Of Music that combines funk, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, jam, go-go and the avant-garde.

Hendershot’s

No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com

KENOSHA KID The brainchild of guitarist Dan Nettles performs two sets from his catalog that exists “somewhere in the Schrödinger’s nexus of jazz, post-rock and improvised music.”

Manhattan Cafe

HWY 29 Premiere After-Party. 8:30 p.m. FREE! www.fiveeight.com

FIVE EIGHT Acoustic performance by the legendary Athens band known for its boisterous, thoughtful rock and roll.

Normal Bar

8–11 p.m. FREE! booking@rudy montayremusic.com

OPEN MIC All musicians welcome. Every Tuesday.

UGA Tate Student Center

Live in the Lobby at WUOG. 8 p.m. FREE! www.wuog.org

HANDHOLDER Visit the radio station’s lobby or tune in to 90.5 fm to hear this group whose multi-genre sound ranges from folk to rock to electronic.

Wednesday 12

40 Watt Club

HeAthens Homecoming Night 1. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $55, $195 (VIP). www.40watt.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing the songs of Southern Rock Opera for their homecoming show.

JAY LEAVITT DJing the DBT after-party.

Athentic Brewing Co.

7–10 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com

KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY Every Wednesday.

El Paso Tacos & Tequila 6–10 p.m. www.instagram.com/ elpasoathenss

KARAOKE WITH DJ D00MSDAY Every Wednesday.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com

DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring pop, rock, indie and more. 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 Performing the finest standard and new repertoire for wind band.

SYMPHONIC BAND Experienced undergraduate music majors, minors and non-majors from across campus play classic band repertoire and new music. Nowhere Bar

8 p.m. www.facebook.com/Nowhere BarAthens

F.O.R. Trio of Neal Fountain, Erik Olson and Jeff Reilly. Paloma Park Peach Park by Sprinter Vodka Soda. 5:30–11:30. FREE! (limited entry). www.palomapark.com

ELLA LANGLEY Acoustic set by country artist with branded giveaways and deals.

Porterhouse Grill

7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com

JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast.

White Tiger Deluxe

6 p.m. www.instagram.com/itshoney puppy

HONEYPUPPY Four-piece indie rock band self-described as a “menace to society.”

Thursday 13

40 Watt Club

HeAthens Homecoming Night 2. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $55. www.40watt.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

DEXATEENS Fiery rock and punk band formed in 1998 in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Athentic Brewing Co. 7–9 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com

FLATLINE DRIVE No info available.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

HeAthens Homecoming Happy Hour. 5 p.m. (doors). FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com

LOOSE CATTLE New Orleansbased Americana band formed by Michael Cerveris and Kimberly Kaye. JAY GONZALEZ Athens songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with an affinity for ’70s power pop melodies.

Georgia Theatre

8 p.m. $16–20. www.georgiatheatre. com

SHADOWGRASS Bluegrass band branching outside the traditional genre.

Hendershot’s 7:30–11 p.m. $7 (adv.), $10. www. hendershotsathens.com

SABACHA DANCE SOCIAL DJ

L.A. Darius leads a Latin dance party with salsa, bachata, merengue and cha-cha-cha. An hour-long lesson is followed by open dancing. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $20. pac. uga.edu

FACULTY FOLLIES A collision of classical music and side-splitting

laughter curated by professor of clarinet D. Ray McClellan. Nowhere Bar

8 p.m. www.facebook.com/Nowhere BarAthens

ERIK OLSON ORGAN TRIO Pianist who recently moved to Athens from Montana with guest Dwayne Holloway.

Friday 14

40 Watt Club

HeAthens Homecoming Night 3. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $60. www.40watt.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKER Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

SHEHEHE Local band that draws from old-school punk and arena rock to create a fist-pumping atmosphere.

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

Bolo Bolo Athens

9 p.m. www.instagram.com/bolo. bolo.ath

MARYOKE Valentine’s Day edition. Ciné

Eloquent Nude Exposition. 8 p.m. $15. www.athenscine.com

DREAMLILY Lily Herne and her dream rock band.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

Dial Back Sound HeAthens Homecoming Happy Hour. 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com

DASH RIP ROCK Louisiana band best known for its cowpunk sound, which mixes punk rock, rockabilly, hard rock, country and boogie.

SHAEFER LLANA Contemplative and confessional indie rock with folk influences.

DRUNKEN PRAYER Playing a cosmic gospel set.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

Flicker’s 25th Anniversary Extravaganza. 8 p.m. (doors). $15 (single night), $25 (both nights). www. flickertheatreandbar.com

RYAN DAVIS AND THE ROADHOUSE BAND Louisville artist recognized for fronting State Champion, leading the Cropped Out festival and establishing indie label Sophomore Lounge.

LITTLE GOLD Local group playing garage-rock with country and pop sensibilities.

DON CHAMBERS Longtime local favorite who delves into pastoral folk and experimental rock with equal passion.

NEAT FREAK Post-punk with ethereal shimmer and poignant melodic pop sensibilities.

Georgia Theatre

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show).

$75.60. www.georgiatheatre.com

DYLAN MARLOWE Statesboro native now based in Nashville who blends traditional country and rock. Hendershot’s

8 p.m. $10 (adv.), $15. www.hendershotsathens.com

HOLIDAY HUSTLE CLUB From the piano, Bart King will accompany a selection of iconic (and sometimes ironic) songs about love, with the evening’s other featured vocalists, Claire Campbell and Marty Winkler. Two sets will draw from the Great American Songbook, as well as R&B, country classics and originals.

TRACY & JEFF Jazz, blues and new and old classics from the voice of Tracy Brown and the guitar and harmonica of Jeff Lustig.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. $32–79. pac.uga.edu

THE KING’S SINGERS This British ensemble has set the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s greatest stages for more than 50 years.

Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture

7 p.m. $20. www.marigoldauditorium. com

THE ORIGINAL SPLITZ BAND A mixed drink of the Motown sound, part 1970s funk and disco flavor, a dash of the old-school R&B, and a guaranteed good time.

Nowhere Bar

9 p.m. www.facebook.com/Nowhere BarAthens

ADAM & THE TESTIFIERS The funk collective of Adam Hendley, who has worked with artists such as Brittany Howard, Duane Betts and George Clinton.

Oak House Distillery

7 p.m. FREE! www.oakhousedistillery. com

OPEN MIC Every Friday.

VFW Post 2872

Valentine Dance.

8 p.m. $10. www. facebook.com/vfwpost2872

VARIETY MUSIC DANCE BAND

Playing favorites in two step country, R&B , classic rock, bossa nova and ballads.

VFW Post 2872

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfw2872

CHRIS HAMPTON BAND Performing a variety of country, western and rock dance music with line dancing in between the breaks.

Saturday 15

40 Watt Club

HeAthens Homecoming Night 4. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $60. www.40watt.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Local legends playing all the favorites for their homecoming show.

THELMA AND THE SLEAZE Nashville-based rock and roll power trio. Boutier Winery & Inn

8 p.m. $10. www.boutierwinery.com

PRINCESS AND ROYAL BLUE Motown, soul, blues and smooth R&B.

Buvez

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show), $10. www.instagram.com/buvez_athen

BLEETH Experimental post-metal band from Miami, FL whose visceral, heavy sound is grounded in an aggressively melodious genrefusing experience.

.CARMELO Bedroom skramz out of Lawrenceville.

HAMBEAR Five-piece grunge emo-rock band based in Athens. CUPSTACK Athens screamo and noise band.

Ciné

8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). FREE! www.athenscine.com

ISRA & THE PAISLEYS Atlanta band with a raw Merseybeat sound capturing the essence of the ‘60s with a modern twist.

MATT KNOX Maximalist power pop meets a confused upbringing for fans of Elvis Costello, friends of Dorothy, and Men of the Cloth.

QUENTIN LOVE Bubbly indie pop with leanings into country and sunshine pop psychedelia.

Creature Comforts

Brewery

6–9 p.m. FREE! www.creaturecomforts beer.com

VINYL OPEN DECKS DJ Nate and JiiG host an open decks night where attendees can bring a few records and sign up to share some tunes.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

Flicker’s 25th Anniversary Extravaganza. 8 p.m. (doors). $15 (single night), $25 (both nights). www. flickertheatreandbar.com

ELF POWER Longtime fixture on the Athens scene playing crisp, melodic psych-pop.

ELIJAH JOHNSTON Athens-based emo musician whose songs bridge the conversational songwriter fare of now and the hooky guitar based music of the past.

HONEYPUPPY Four-piece indie rock band self-described as a “menace to society.”

JOHNNY FALLOON Deranged local band with hard-hitting songs and complex theatrics.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com

BIGDUMBHICK Wise-cracking, self-deprecating acoustic guitar slinger with a background in bluegrass and traditional country.

The Foundry

Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 6 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. bit.ly/CarpoolFeb15

CARPOOL Atlanta-based act paying tribute to The Cars.

Hendershot’s

Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $12 (adv.), $15. bit.ly/HendershotsFeb15

RICK FOWLER BAND Original, guitar-driven local blues-rock group. Album release show!

THE SMILLIES & THE DEACONS Janet and Dennis Smillie of blues rock band Janet and the New Dogs joined by the best rhythm section in town.

Memorial Park Administration Building

AFMDS Contra Dance. 6:30 p.m. (intro session), 7 p.m. (dance). FREE! (17 & under), $10–12. www. athensfolk.org

FIDDLEBONE Live music for a contra dance hosted by Athens Folk Music and Dance Society.

Nowhere Bar

7 p.m. (doors). www.nowherebarlive. com

OZZY CRUE Tribute band playing Ozzy Osbourne and Mötley Crüe hits.

VFW Post 2872

Southern Exposure Radio Presents. 7 p.m. $35 (adv.), $45. 706-9884061

CECILY WILBORN Southern soul artist out of West Memphis with roots in Marianna, AR.

STELLA GROOVE Local R&B singer-songwriter. BALLADEER DREW No info available.

work.shop

Celestial Crush. 8 p.m.–2 a.m. $10. www.instagram.com/technospeak easyathens

T3CHNOFAIRY Electronic artist curating a danceable vibe.

LIBBALOOPS Electronic musician and looping artist who loves to be silly and get “loopy doopy.”

CARDYNAL An eclectic, multi-faceted producer, instrumentalist and vocalist delivering hard-hitting bars with catchy hooks and melodies. MACK2TONE Hip-hop artist with a contemporary sound.

AFRO KENOBI Battle rapper with witty wordplay and smooth melodies.

ZEERZA Local electronic DJ. WAATERS Athens-based DJ.

Sunday 16

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

3 p.m. $10 (w/ UGA ID), $40–60. music.uga.edu

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC STRING QUARTET Quartet returning to Athens with Haydn’s Viennese Op. 77, No. 1 and a Dvorák composition not heard on our stage in at least 15 years.

Oak House Distillery

3:30–6 p.m. www.oakhousedistillery. com

MAX GANEM Acoustic guitarist playing alternative covers.

Monday 17

40 Watt Club Classic City Wrestling. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). SOLD OUT! www.40watt.com

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Legendary local Southern rock band front by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu

PAGANINI 24 SOLO VIOLIN CAPRICES CONCERT #2 A UGA ensembles event. Porterhouse Grill

7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com

JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast.

Tuesday 18

Ciné

8 p.m. FREE! www.athenscine.com

KARAOKE WITH THE KING Every first, third and fifth Tuesday. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). SOLD OUT! www.georgiatheatre.com

IAN Dallas-based rapper and producer whose recent album features Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, and more. Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com

KENOSHA KID The brainchild of guitarist Dan Nettles performs two sets from his catalog that exists “somewhere in the Schrödinger’s nexus of jazz, post-rock and improvised music.”

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

UGA PHILHARMONIA As one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large orchestral ensembles, the Philharmonia is open to all student string players.

Normal Bar

8–11 p.m. FREE! booking@rudy montayremusic.com

OPEN MIC All musicians welcome. Every Tuesday. f

event calendar

Wednesday 12

ART: Student Spotlight Tour (Georgia Museum of Art) Exhibition design intern Winston Lovelace will give a talk about his behind-the-scenes work for some reinstallations. 1 p.m. FREE! www. georgiamuseum.org

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

COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com

EVENTS: Shadow Country (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Members of the Drive–By Truckers fan community will read poems inspired by the band’s album Southern Rock Opera in benefit of Nuçi’s Space. 4 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www. medium.com/@glennraucher

FILM: HWY 29: An Athens Music Documentary (The Globe) Demo premiere of the documentary about the local music scene. 5 p.m. (doors), 5:30 p.m. (screening). FREE! partiful.com/e/IFsqsGtPSWy0UL0iV8MR

FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) A womanizer hires a killer to murder his wife, then a couple steals the car with the wife’s corpse in The Killer Must Kill Again 7 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ bloodeverywhere.athens

GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia

GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (La Fiesta) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia

GAMES: Not Rocket Science Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your trivia knowledge with host Michael. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www. notrocketsciencetrivia.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: Kids’ Art (Oconee County Library) Drop in for creative painting that helps build fine motor skills. Ages 5 & under. 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: LEGO Mania (Bogart Library) Drop in to free build and create. All ages. 3–5 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

KIDSTUFF: Valentine Cards & Candy (Aaron Heard Community Center) Make a special memory with a loved one while decorating Valentine’s Day cards and candy with your child. 6 p.m. www. accgovga.myrec.com

KIDSTUFF: Teen Candy Salad & Movie Night (Oconee County Library) Drop in to make a candy ‘salad’ and watch a Valentine’s Day themed movie. Grades 6–12. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee

MEETINGS: Athens Psychedelic Society (740 Prince Avenue Bldg 14) Meet like-minded individuals interested in topics related to expanded states of consciousness.

6 p.m. FREE! Athens Psychedelic Society on Facebook

OUTDOORS: ‘Normal’ Run (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join the Athens Road Runners for a 1–3 mile run that starts and ends at Athentic Brewing. Second and fourth Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

SPORTS: Athens Rock Lobsters vs. Columbus River Dragons (Akins Ford Arena) Cheer on the home team in this hockey match. 7 p.m. $20–43. www.classiccenter.com

Thursday 13

CLASSES: Palentine’s Crafting (Oconee County Library) Join library staff to create a recycled heart wreath as a Valentine’s Day decoration. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. 4 p.m FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee

EVENTS: Valentine’s Houseplant Sale (UGA Trial Gardens) This sale will feature a variety of houseplants and tropicals curated from the garden’s greenhouse collection. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE! ugatrial.hort. uga.edu

EVENTS: “Valentine’s Day Party” Therapeutic Recreation Program (Howard Park & Community Center) Enjoy a Valentine’s Day celebration. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. 1–2 p.m. $1 (resident), $1.50 (non-resident). www. accgovga.myrec.com

EVENTS: Oconee County Library Friends Winter Book Sale (Oconee County Civic Center) Browse books, children’s books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. Thursday is Preview Night (for members only; $10/individual, $25/family), Saturday is 50% Off Day and Sunday is $10/Bag Day. Feb. 13–16. www.oconeelibraryfriends.org

EVENTS: Orchids and Chocolates (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Enjoy a chocolate tasting and demonstrations about the cacao bean and orchids from the garden’s collection. 5 p.m. $55. botgarden. uga.edu

EVENTS: Galentine’s Day Celebration (Lexington Vintage) Enjoy food, fun and a free chair massage while you browse. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.lexingtonvintageathens.com

EVENTS: Athens Creative Directory Re-Launch (Lyndon House Arts Center) There will be a brief presentation of the new brand foundation and website with an opportunity to create a profile and join the directory. 6–7:30 p.m. FREE! www. athenscreatives.directory

EVENTS: Galentine’s Meet & Greet (Ciné) Join the Athens Roper Rompers for games and fun with prizes for Audra Lindley superlatives. 6 p.m. FREE! www.roperrompathens.com

FILM: Tokusatsu Club (ACC Library) Screening of the 1988 sci-fi action film Cyber Ninja. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org

GAMES: Adult Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) A gaming session for players of all skill levels. Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart

GAMES: BINGO (VFW Post 2872) Join in to play this weekly game of chance. Thursdays, 6 p.m. (doors). FREE! www.facebook.com/vfw2872

GAMES: Thursday Trivia (Johnny’s New York Style Pizza) Test your

trivia knowledge with host Todd Henderson. 6:30 p.m. www.johnnyspizza.com

GAMES: Disney Trivia (Normaltown Brewing) Test your Disney knowledge for a chance to win prizes. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.normaltownbrewing.com

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Foundry) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens

GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia

KIDSTUFF: Open Play (Oconee County Library) Drop in for playtime that’s focused on encouraging early literacy and brain building. Ages 5 & under. 11 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: Read to Rover (Oconee County Library) Drop in to read a story to certified therapy dog Grady. 3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: STEAM Thursday: What Was It Like? (Bogart Library) Celebrate Georgia’s history with hands-on fun. 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

KIDSTUFF: LEGO Club (Oconee County Library) Drop in to free build and create, or do one of the fun LEGO challenges. Ages 5–12. Thursdays, 3:30–5:30. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (UGA Special Collections Library) Michael L. Thurmond will discuss his book James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist. 6 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (Avid Bookshop) Romance writer Lauren Connolly will discuss her new book P.S. I Hate You. 7 p.m. $5. www. avidbookshop.com/laurenconnolly

MEETINGS: Coffee Hour (Oconee County Library) Drop in to drink some coffee, while supplies last. Thursdays, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

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

THEATER: Reminder (Flying Squid Comedy) Flying Squid Comedy presents a dark, outrageous and touching one act play by Iona Sun. Feb. 13 & 15, 7:30 p.m. $15. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com

THEATER: For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday (Town & Gown Players) After their visit 50 years earlier, siblings are called back to Neverland and must face aging and the allure of never growing up. Feb. 13–14, 8 p.m. Feb. 9 & 16, 2 p.m. www.townandgownplayers.org

THEATER: John Proctor is the Villain (UGA Cellar Theatre) UGA Theatre production drawing parallels between a high school English classroom in rural Georgia and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Feb. 13–15 & 19–22, 8 p.m. Feb. 16 & 23, 2 p.m. $6 (students), $18 (general). www.ugatheatre.com/proctor

Friday 14

ART: Morning Mindfulness (Georgia Museum of Art) Instructor-led med-

itation, movement and mindfulness techniques in the galleries. Email to RSVP. 9:30 a.m. FREE! gmoatours@uga.edu

CLASSES: Food Safety Workshop (Strickland Pride Produce) Food safety experts will provide essential insights into proper food handling, storage and packaging. Registration required. 11 a.m. FREE! shanna. reynolds@uga.edu

CLASSES: Cacao Ceremony (Sangha Yoga Studio) This heart fortifying experience will include drumming, sipping, gentle stretching, breathwork and savasana. Registration required. 5 p.m. $25. www.healingartscentre.net

CLASSES: Blacksmithing Workshop: Steel Hearts (Metal Shop Fantasy Camp) Sparks fly as students forge a steel bar into the shape of a heart. All tools and materials included. 6–8 p.m. $130. www.metalshopfantasycamp.com

COMEDY: The Perfect Pair (Flying Squid Comedy) 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. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com

EVENTS: Love at First Bite (Boutier Winery & Inn) Pairing of wines, truffles and strawberries dipped in chocolate with an evening of live music. Feb. 14, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Feb. 15, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Feb. 16, 12:30–6 p.m. $42. www.boutierwinery.com

EVENTS: Athens Spring Home Expo (The Classic Center) Learn about the latest in home improvement, remodeling, outdoor living and more. Feb. 14, 12–6 p.m. Feb. 15, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Feb. 16, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE! www.classiccenter.com

EVENTS: Valentine’s Wine Tasting (Tonique Bottle Co.) Sample five wines from different regions. 5 p.m. $10. www.shoptonique.com

EVENTS: Valentine’s Day Sushi Workshop (Athentic Brewing Co.) Enjoy a sushi dinner and an all ages workshop to learn essential techniques of sushi preparation. 6:30 p.m. $55. www.athenticbrewing.com

EVENTS: Feast with the Gods (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Dress in your best mythological costume and enjoy Greek food, followed by a planetarium program hearing tales of the gods. Ages 18 & up. 7 p.m. $30. www.accgovga.myrec.com

EVENTS: Eloquent Nude Exposition (Ciné) Screening of the award-winning documentary Eloquent Nude followed by a discussion with a photographer and models and live music by Dreamlily. 8 p.m. $15. www.athenscine.com

GAMES: Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Join others for a weekly chess competition. Fridays, 6–10 p.m. FREE! www.wintervillecenter.com

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Soldier of the Sea Distillery) Test your trivia

knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Fridays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Soldier of the Sea Distillery) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Fridays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens

KIDSTUFF: Wild Hearts (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Kids will explore in the woods and enjoy games, crafts and more. Ages 6–12. Registration required. 9 a.m. –12 p.m. $4 (resident), $8 (nonresident). www.accgovga.myrec. com

KIDSTUFF: Funny Valentine Day Camp (Howard Park & Community Center) Kids will create Valentine mailboxes, swap cards with friends, play games and more. Ages 6–12. Registration required. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $15 (resident), $23 (non-resident). www.accgovga.myrec.com

KIDSTUFF: Cupid’s Day of Play (Lay Park Community Center) Kids will enjoy a variety of games, crafts and snacks. Ages 6–12. Registration required. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $15 (resident), $22.50 (non-resident). www.accgovga.myrec.com

KIDSTUFF: Bouncing Baby Storytime (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for a music and language floor-based program. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart

KIDSTUFF: Meet & Play (Bogart Library) Drop in for facilitated open play with age-appropriate toys. Best for ages 6 & under. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart

KIDSTUFF: Valentine Craft Party (Memorial Park) Create themed crafts for friends and family, play hopscotch and more. Ages 6 & under. Registration required. 10:30 a.m. $3 (resident), $5 (non-resident). www.accgovga.myrec.com

LECTURES & LIT: Models for Shared Stewardship (Georgia Museum of Art) Shalini Le Gall will discuss new forms of stewardship for contemporary Indigenous art focused on long-term relationships with artists and communities. 12:30 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum. org

OUTDOORS: Valentine’s Day Sunset Kayak Paddle (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) A guided paddle on the river for all ages and experience levels. Registration required. 5 p.m. $15. www.facebook.com/ WatsonMillBridge

OUTDOORS: Valentine’s Moonlight Hike (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Enjoy a guided hike and discover local trails by moonlight. 8 p.m. $3. www.facebook.com/ WatsonMillBridge

Saturday 15

ART: Family Saturdays: Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) A drop-in family-oriented series of art projects that are inspired by current exhibitions. Registration suggested. 12–2 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com

ART: Opening Reception (ATHICA) The 2025 Members’ Showcase features a variety of mixed media works from ATHICA members. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athica.org

ART: 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: Community Class Day (DanceFX Athens) Try out different dance classes for all different skill levels. Registration required. 1:30–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.dancefx.org/ upcoming-events

EVENTS: Historic Athens Heritage Walk (RSVP for Location) Learn about the history of East Athens, from historically being home to Athens’ Black working-class families to its changes today. Registration required. 2 p.m. $25. www. historicathens.com

EVENTS: AFMDS Contra Dance (Memorial Park Administration Building) This community dance features caller Amanda and Rob Setili and live music by the Fiddlebone. 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: STEAM Saturday: What Was It Like? (Bogart Library) Celebrate Georgia’s history with hands-on fun. 11 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart

KIDSTUFF: Tween Saturday (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for a movie, crafts, snacks and games. 2–4 p.m. www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart

MEETINGS: Atheist Society of Athens (ACC Library) Non-prophet discussions with friends and neighbors. Third Saturdays, 4 p.m. FREE! www.atheistsocietyathens.org

OUTDOORS: Environmental Philosopher’s Walk (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) The Lilly Branch Bird Club will lead a bird watching walk. Binoculars provided. 10 a.m.

FREE! www.instagram.com/lillybranchbirdclub

THEATER: Spite Marriage (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) A play about unrequited love and revenge with a live piano accompaniment. 2 p.m. $10. www. marigoldauditorium.com

THEATER: Reminder (Flying Squid Comedy) Flying Squid Comedy presents a dark, outrageous and touching one act play by Iona Sun. Feb. 13 & 15, 7:30 p.m. $15. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com

Sunday 16

ART: Sunday Afternoon Tour (Georgia Museum of Art) This drop-in public tour features highlights of the permanent collection. 3 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org

COMEDY: Comedy Open Mic (MaiKai Kava Lounge) Show up and go up with your stand-up material. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram. com/bulaatmaikai

COMEDY: Back to Back (Hendershot’s) Performances by comedians Corey Forrester and Drew Morgan, hosted by Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood. 7 p.m. $25. www.hendershotsathens.com

EVENTS: 30’s–50’s Speed Dating (Athentic Brewing Co.) A meet and mingle followed by speed dating sessions for ages 30–50. Registration required. 6–9 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Globe)

Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 6 p.m. www. facebook.com/baddogathens

GAMES: Trivia Night (Cheba Hut) Test your trivia knowledge. 7:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/chebahut

PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Drag Brunch (Hendershots) Enjoy some brunch and the first performance of 2025 with “Love vs. Hate” themed drag entertainment. 11 a.m. $25. www. athensshowgirlcabaret.com

THEATER: For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday (Town & Gown

Players) After their visit 50 years earlier, siblings are called back to Neverland and must face aging and the allure of never growing up. Feb. 13–14, 8 p.m. Feb. 9 & 16, 2 p.m. www.townandgownplayers.org

Monday 17

COMEDY: Funny Femmes (150 Fritz Mar Lane) An all-women showcase featuring comedians from Athens and Atlanta. 8:30 p.m. $7 (adv.), $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com

EVENTS: Marigold Farmers Market (100 North Church Street) Vendors offer organic produce, prepared foods, agricultural products and artisanal goods. Mondays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. www.marigoldcollectivewinterville.com

FILM: Bad Movie Night (Ciné) After meet cute-ing the love of his life, Frank Stallone learns she is in deep trouble, on the run from her pimp in the highly-regressive actioner Savage Harbor. 8 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/BadMovieNight

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (LumberJaxe) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens

GAMES: General Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge. Mondays, 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com

KIDSTUFF: Ready, Set, Go (Lay Park Community Center) Kids will participate in a variety of games and physical activities. Ages 6–12. Registration required. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $15 (resident), $22.50 (nonresident). www.accgovga.myrec. 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

KIDSTUFF: Teen D&D Club (Oconee County Library) Join a one-shot game open to all skill levels, including Dungeon Masters, with a prize drawing at the end of the evening. Grades 6–12. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (1430 N Chase St) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.classiccityrotary. org

PERFORMANCE: Classic City Wrestling (40 Watt Club) A night of high flying, power slamming independent wrestling, with a side of rock and roll by the Drive-By Truckers. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). SOLD OUT! www.40watt. com

Tuesday 18

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: Casa de Amistad ESL Class (ACC Library) Strengthen your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills for adults of all nationalities. Registration required. 11:30 a.m. FREE! athensamistad@ gmail.com

CLASSES: ESOL (Bogart Library) Learn or polish your English skills using Mango languages online and in-person conversation. 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

COMEDY: Monthly Movie Improv (Athentic Brewing Co.) Improv group Take This! will perform an abridged version of movie favorites. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com

COMEDY: Happy Accidents Improv (Buvez) Free Play Improv Acting Studio will perform a comedy show. 7:30 p.m. FREE! xmatthouse@ gmail.com

COMEDY: Open Toad Comedy Night (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Comedy performed by a mix of newcomers and local favorites from Athens and Atlanta. 8:30 p.m. (doors). $7. www.flickertheatreandbar.com

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Eddie’s Calzones) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens

GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com

GAMES: Not Rocket Science Trivia (Trappeze Pub) Test your trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. www.notrocketsciencetrivia.com

GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/MellowMushroomAthens

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens

GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens

KIDSTUFF: Storytime (Oconee County Library) Drop in and join Ms. Jera for rhymes, songs, movement, a story and a craft. Ages 5 & under. 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: Crafternoon (Oconee County Library) Drop in for a craft or two. Supplies Provided. All ages. Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: Chapter Chat (Bogart Library) This month’s chat will feature The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket with quizzes, trivia, snacks and more. Ages 8–12. 4:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

LECTURES & LIT: Black Publishing in Georgia (UGA Special Collections Library) Panel discussion focused on Black publishing in Georgia hosted in honor of Robert Sengstacke Abbott. Spring 2025 Signature Lecture Series. 6 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu

LECTURES & LIT: History of Chocolate (Bogart Library) A presentation will explore the history of chocolate and its health benefits with a tasting journey. Ages 16 & up. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

Down the Line

2/19 Open House & My Georgia Promise Scholarship Info Session (Athens Academy)

2/19 Artful Conversation: Kent Monkman (Georgia Museum of Art)

2/19 Intro to FL Studio (Oconee County Library)

2/19 Johnstone Lecture (State Botanical Garden of Georgia)

2/19 Pachinko Pop (Flicker Theatre & Bar)

2/19 Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) f

threats & promises

Ashes To Omens Brings ‘The Tide’ PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

EACH ONE TEACH ONE: Tickets are on sale now for the eighth annual Athens In Harmony concert, which will take place this year at UGA’s Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall Sunday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Pay attention because this event will most likely sell out. Athens In Harmony features collaborative performances matched up between Athens artists in the rap/hip-hop/R&B arena with those in the rock/pop arena. This event is a benefit for the Athens AntiDiscrimination Movement. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $35 for premium seating and $15 for students of all ages. For tickets, please see pac.uga.edu/event/ athens-in-harmony.

CLOCKED IN: You’ve got until Wednesday, Feb. 26 to sign yourself and your workmates up for this year’s Athens Business Rocks competition. The deal is that local workplaces form themed bands—generally a tribute to other bands, but feel free to get creative with it—then compete as a benefit for Nuçi’s Space

This competition is among the most popular fundraisers that Nuçi’s has ever conceived. The competition this year is May 3 at the 40 Watt Club. For all rules, guidelines and other specifics, please see nuci. org/abr.

C’MON OVER: The dudes in The Wraps seem like nice enough guys in that boyishly collegiate way. If you’ve stumbled into The Roadhouse at any point over the past few months, you may have seen them plowing through their particular brand of power pop. If you’re feeling particularly romantic, you can catch them again over there on Friday, Feb. 14, when they celebrate the release of the new single “Goodnight.” It’s a little bit schmaltzy and a little bit waltzy, and perches its entire self atop a 1950s-era doo- wop melody. I’m far more partial to the group’s tunes like the Urge Overkill-ish “All It Was” and pure guitar pop of “Good Luck, Babe,” both of which you can find on the band’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@TubeGangTV. Find this new one, and a few others, after it’s released this week over at Spotify and other major streaming services.

Last Shit which is, if you’ve even a passing familiarity with this classic Athens combo, instantly recognizable as completely appropriate. These were recorded with John Keane at his studio in 1986. As one of the foundational groups among the then-bubbling-under heavier rock scene in Athens, Bar-B-Q Killers were guitar-oriented, intelligently provocative, artfully offensive, and—essentially—separated the hip from the square. The actual record doesn’t get released until Mar. 7, so you’ll have to sit on your hands a bit but it’s worth it. Order it over at chunklet.bandcamp.com.

DARK SIDE OF THE TUNE: You know that particular breed of melodic metal that pulls from alt-rock, atmospheric metal, post-hardcore, big chorus emo and the like? Well, Ashes To Omens has all that in spades, and just feels like one of those groups that is right at the precipice of something big happening. Last week the band released a new single, “The Tide,” from its upcoming EP Vessels and Vices It was produced by Michael Guevarez (Enox). and it totally sounds like it, too, in a good way. Find it on all major streaming services, and keep up with everything at facebook.com/ ashestoomens official.

DIGGIN’ FOR FIRE:

And since the whole theme of this week’s column seems to be teasing out bits of new releases, how about another one? Punky indie duo

Penny Loafer announced that its debut EP Daily Deal is slated for release Mar. 28, which feels like forever. The first single, “Fridge,” is out now. It takes a minute for it to really kick into gear, but once it does it’s as slacker authentic as anything that came before. While you’re checking it out, though, stick around and listen to “Lynx” which the band released last year. The both of them together kind of helps bring the whole aesthetic into clearer view. Find it all over at pennyloafer.bandcamp.com.

GOOD TIMES AND GREAT OLDIES: Pre-orders are open now for Chunklet Industries’ 7-inch vinyl release of the first batch of Bar-B-Q Killers songs that Chunklet head Henry Owings and engineers David Barbe and Jason Nesmith have been hard at work both resurrecting and beautifying. The first release is a 7-inch named Part 1: The

TIP YOUR BARTENDER: Leeding Blind is back with another double-dose of its indie country. The two newly-released tracks here, “Chalk Outline” and “Mail Order Bride,” are both mildly humorous and not as over the top as say, Redneck Greece was. A previous, much more demo- sounding version of the second tune was released in March 2024. Nothing terribly mindblowing here, but these songs are a fine addition to the group’s lineage. I mean, it’s not Beyonce, but it’s still pretty damn country. Find it at sunshinecrooks.bandcamp.com. f

James Branton of Ashes To Omens

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.

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

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

(Lyndon House Arts Center) The AIR Program provides participants with a semi-private workspace, access to the center’s seven open studios and a $250 stipend. Applications are reviewed Apr. 20 for residencies beginning July 1 and Sept. 20 for residencies beginning Jan. 1. www. accgov.com/lyndonhouse

ATHFEST ARTIST MARKET (Downtown Athens) The AthFest Music & Arts Festival Artist Market is now accepting applications. Deadline Apr. 1. Email examples of work to art@athfesteducates.org and fill out online form. bit.ly/42hQJKq

BIPOC ARTIST/CURATOR PROJECT OPEN CALL (Lyndon House Arts Center) Seeking BIPOC individuals residing in Georgia to develop an art exhibition to be on display for 6–8 weeks at the LHAC. A stipend of $1,500 is provided. www.accgov. com/9799/ArtistCurator

CALL FOR ART (ACC Waste) AthensClarke County PreK-12 students are invited to submit art for the 2025 Green Life Exhibition to be displayed at the Lyndon House Arts Center’s North Gallery. Submit aart with a focus on sustainability and

the local environment. See website for specifications. Deadline Feb. 28. Exhibition on display through April 2025. www.accgov.com/GreenLife

CALL FOR ART (Amici at The Falls)

Amici is seeking artists to share artwork in monthly exhibitions. Email an introduction and a few examples of work. careywelsh20@gmail.com

CALL FOR ART (Bishop Park) Professional artists are invited to submit qualifications to design and install artistic pedestrian gates as part of the public art for the Bishop Park Improvements Project. Application deadline Mar. 14, 5:00 p.m. www. accgov.com/10597/Call-for-PublicArt-Bishop-Park-Gates

CALL FOR ART (Rook & Pawn) Rook & Pawn is seeking artists to share artwork in monthly exhibitions. Email for specifics. kendallmcquoid @gmail.com

CALL FOR ART (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Seeking original art submissions from students 9th grade and above attending school full- or part-time in Georgia. Winning art may be used for promotional materials and merchandise. Prizes include $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3rd place. Application deadline Mar. 28. www.botgarden.uga.edu/ student-art-competition

CALL FOR ART (Winterville Cultural Center) Friends of the Gallery Members are encouraged to apply for entry into the upcoming Members Exhibit. Submission deadline Feb. 26. Email wintervilleccgallery@ gmail.com for details

CALL FOR ART (Winterville Library) Apply to be a featured local artist

art around town

ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 500) “Beneath the Sky and Sea,” new paintings by Louise Haynes Hall on view in the Main Gallery. “Playing House”is a collection of mixed media work by Cecilia Reynolds in the Upper Gallery. Opening Reception Feb. 20, 6–9 p.m. Through April. AMICI AT THE FALLS (8851 Macon Hwy., Suite 501) Paintings by Marissa Mustard. Through Feb. 13. • Paintings by Will Eskridge Feb. 14–Mar. 13. ARTS + ATHLETICS (Contact for Address) “Raised Bed” features works on paper and sculptural works by Sara Hess, co-founder of printmaking studio Two Parts Press. Closing Reception Feb. 22, 4–6 p.m. Open by appointment through Feb. 22.

ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) Brooklyn-based artist Matt Keegan’s sculptures, collage and paintings in “Realia” are based on double-sided imagebased flash cards his mother made to teach English. Through Mar. 22. ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LIBRARY BOGUE GALLERY (2025 Baxter St.) Library staff members share their creations. Through Feb. 23. ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) The 2025 Members’ Showcase features a variety of mixed media works from ATHICA members. Opening reception Feb. 15. On view through Mar. 16. UGA Digital Printmaking Student Wheat Paste Mural Collaboration Feb. 10–17.

ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) R.B. Pruett’s solo exhibition includes visceral “cannibalized” paintings that involve a process of cutting up and collaging fragments of other paintings. Currently on view through Feb. 25.

CLASSIC CENTER (300 N. Thomas St.) On view in Classic Gallery I, “Legendary Georgia Musicians in Watercolor” is Jackie Dorsey’s homage to musicians who have called Georgia their home. • In Classic Gallery II, “Linnentown Then and Now: The Johnsons” includes portraits by Caroline Ford Coleman.

COMMUNITY (260 N Jackson St.) Local artist Susan Pelham will have a variety of works on view through March.

DODD GALLERIES (270 River Rd.) “Bookmarked: One Hundred Images”

in the Front Room Gallery. The library accepts all 2D mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, collage, textile, photography, digital and multi-media. Email swatson@ athenslibrary.org

CALL FOR COLLECTORS (Lyndon House Arts Center) The LHAC’s “Collections from our Community” series features unique collections of objects found in the closets, cabinets and shelves of Athenians. Email if interested in displaying your collection. shelby.little@ accgov.com

CALL FOR VENDORS (Bear Hollow) Seeking local artists who use sustainable materials and/or feature native wildlife for vendor openings in upcoming Zoo Day market. Application deadline Mar. 1. Market Mar. 15. Contact megan.hong@accgov. com with sample submissions.

JOKERJOKERTV CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKERJOKERtv is actively accepting proposals for collaboration from artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can also submit films, skits and ideas to share with a weekly livestream audience. www. jokerjokertv.com/submit

CALL FOR VENDORS (Sisters of the Moon) Seeking locals artists and small business owners for vendor openings in upcoming monthly markets. Application deadline Feb. 22. Contact @shopsotm for more information.

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-StudioMembership PUBLIC ART SELECTION PANELS (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking community members to participate in upcoming public art selection panels. Panels review, evaluate and select from submitted proposals for ACC-funded public art commissions. www.accgov.com/9656/ Public-Art-Selection-Panels SEEKING NEW MEMBERS (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking two candidates to fill three-year volunteer positions. Meetings held the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Application deadline Feb. 23, 11:59 p.m. www.accgov.com/4161/ Athens-Cultural-Affairs-Commission

Auditions

ANGEL STREET (GASLIGHT) (Elberton Arts Center) Encore Productions hosts auditions seeking two adult men and three adult women. Auditions held Feb. 17–18, 6–8 p.m. Performances held May 2–4, 9–11. 706-213-3109, tking@ cityofelberton.net

THE CEMETERY CLUB (Athens Creative Theatre) Auditions held Mar. 11–12, 6–9 p.m. Performances held May. 1–3. Email act@accgov. com to schedule audition or for more information.

Classes

A COURSE OF LOVE (Unity Athens Church) Learn a positive path for spiritual living based on A Course in Miracles. Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m. www.unityathens.com

investigates numerous styles of visual languages and translates them into book form. Through Feb. 28.

FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) On view is a variety of works by Kristin Cole. Through February.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) Shot through the windows from inside Waffle House restaurants across the Southeast, Micah Cash’s photographs in “Waffle House Vistas” contemplate the built and natural environments. Through June 1. • “The Awe of Ordinary Labors: 20th-Century Paintings from Ukraine” exemplifies socialist realism, a style of art promoted by the government of the Soviet Union. Through June 1. • “Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection” is one of the most extensive holdings of Florentine baroque art in private hands outside of Italy. Through May 18. GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Zane Cochran presents “Aurora,” a sculptural interpretation of the aurora borealis using 3D geometric figures and lights.

GREEN WAY & FIREFLY TRAIL (Multiple Locations) Outdoor art installations include new public artwork “Georgia Railroad Lantern,” by artists Jim Benedict and Lily Kuonen. It joins other works along the trail including “Trail Blossom,” a sculpture by Richard Herzog and “Heron Sighting,” a mural by Krysia Ara.

LAMAR DODD SUITE GALLERY (270 River Rd.) Presented by the Black Artists Alliance, “COLORS” is the gallery’s second annual Black Artists’ Exhibition. Through Mar. 21.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) The Window Works series presents a site-specific artwork by Atlanta artist Michael Reese that questions the perception of the Black Body against cyanotype photography popular with architectural blueprints. Through spring 2025. • “Twist” features paintings by Carol John full of pop colors and vibrating repetitions of dots, lines and shapes. Studio Visit Feb. 22. Through Mar. 15. • “Distillations” features drawings on paper and wall-bound constructions by Johntimothy Pizzuto and Patti Roberts-Pizzuto. Studio Visit Mar. 1, 1–4 p.m. Through Mar. 15.

MAGALLERY (125 W. Jefferson St., Madison) In “Branching Out,” Barbara Odil presents mixed media sculptures that elevate nature and its process of decay to unprecedented artistic levels. Through Mar. 8.

OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) “Winter Respite” features photographs by Glenn Galau. Through Feb. 28.

ACCENT REDUCTION CLASS (Covenant Presbyterian Church) Improve your American English pronunciation skills. For ages 18 and up. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. marjoriemiller@ gmail.com

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. Register online. www.kaartist.com

BLACKSMITHING CLASSES

(Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of blacksmithing classes include “Forging Basic Tongs” (Feb. 15) and “Forge a Fire Poker” (Mar. 1). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $150/class. www. greenhowhandmade.com/black smith-classes

CANOPY CLASSES & SCHOLARSHIPS (Canopy Studio) Canopy offers a variety of trapeze and aerial arts classes for children and adults. Scholarships and financial aid are available. outreach@canopystudio. org, www.canopystudio.org/ outreach/scholarships

COOKING AND BAKING CLASSES (Athens Cooks) Upcoming classes include “Valentine’s Day” (Feb. 13), “Valentine’s Formal Dinner” (Feb. 14) and “Marbled Cake Decorating” (Feb. 16). Visit website for full list and registration. www. athenscooks.com/collections/ cooking-classes

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

(Athens, GA) The Athens Land Trust hosts a variety of virtual and in-person classes. Topics include “Homebuyer Education” (Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m.) and “Using Credit Cards” (Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m.). Visit website for full list. www.athens landtrust.org/classes-events

DANCE CLASSES (East Athens Educational Dance Center) The center offers classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap. Lunch time classes are available for adults including “Pilates & Dance Conditioning” on Wednesdays at noon. www.accgov.com/myrec

CUBAN SALSA CLASSES (UGA Dance Building) TIMBAthens offers multiple classes for different skill levels. Follows UGA closures.

Sundays, 3 p.m. (Level 1) and 4 p.m. (Level 2). $10 drop-in. timbathens@gmail.com, www. timbathens.com

CUBAN SALSA LESSONS (El Carretonero) SALSAthens offers multiple classes for different skill levels. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced) and 7:30 p.m. (beginner/intermediate). $10 drop-in. www.SALS AthensDancing@gmail.com

PÉTANQUE CLUB OF ATHENS (5 Alumni Dr.) Learn to play Pétanque. RSVP for a free Wednesday introduction. athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play

TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES (Live Oak Martial Arts) Taekwondo, self-defense and more are offered for all ages. Classes in Jodo, the art of the Japanese staff and sword, are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit the website for a full schedule. www.liveoakmartialarts.com

YOGA AND MORE (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) A multipurpose mind-body wellness studio offering yoga and therapy with an emphasis on trauma-informed practices. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com

YOGA CLASSES (Grateful Head Yoga) Classes are offered in beginner, gentle and other styles including 4 week courses (Art of the Heart). Visit @gratefulheadyoga for schedule.

YOGA CLASSES (Highland Yoga) Classes are offered seven days a week. Intro offer includes 30 days for $30. www.highland-yoga.com

YOGA CLASSES (Let It Be Yoga Studio, Watkinsville) Classes are offered in Hatha, Vinyasa, gentle and other styles. Check online calendar for weekly offerings. www. letitbeyoga.org

YOGA CLASSES (Shakti Yoga Athens) This body-neutral and traumainformed space offers classes in Power Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Yin and Restorative Yoga. New student offer: four weeks of unlimited yoga for $40. shaktiyogaathens.com

YOGA CLASSES (Ace/Francisco Gallery) A 6-week series of yin yoga (Yoga at the Gallery with Kayla Carnes) begins Mar. 1 for $90.

PORCELAIN AND DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM (2450 S. Milledge Ave.)

Two new collections celebrating the connection between art and nature include a complete Jasperware tea set from Wedgewood in England and a series of hand-carved coconut vessels.

STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead)

Developed in collaboration with the Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton, “Touch Grass: Steffen Thomas, Senora Lynch, Raven Waters” is an environmentally-focused exhibition that explores humanity’s place in the natural world. On view through June 28. • Alexandra Huynh presents “From Tears to the Sea and Other Works.” Through June 28.

TAYLOR-GRADY HOUSE (634 Prince Ave.) “Warrior Women” is a collection of 60 ceramic torsos by Alice Woodruff that celebrate real-life heroines from American history, contemporary society and across the globe. Artist Talk Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Through Feb. 21.

UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOBBY GALLERY (230 River Rd.)

Benjamin Britton, an associate professor at the Lamar Dodd School of Art, presents “surface potential,” a collection of four abstract paintings over 7 feet tall. Through Aug. 8.

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “Bulldog Olympians” celebrates over 200 UGA athletes who have competed for Team USA or their home countries through photographs and artifacts. Through January. • “Precious, Almost Sacred: Voting Rights in America” features photos, pamphlets, newspaper reports, letters and more from the Russell Library archives to illustrate the expansion of voter access in Georgia. Through May.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA OCONEE CAMPUS (1201 Bishop Farms Pkwy., Watkinsville) “More Real than Real” is a collection from Best in Show at the UNG Visual Arts 2024 Juried Alum artist Aidan Lyerly. Through Mar. 14.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS CLEMENTS

GALLERY (780 Timothy Rd.) “Family Val-hues” by Broderick Flanigan focuses on the faces of the Athens-born painter and muralist’s family members. Through March.

WINTERVILLE CULTURAL CENTER GALLERY (371 N. Church St., Winterville) Exhibitions “Two Fold” by Jack and Amanda Burk and “Outside the Box” by Peter Loose, Leigh Ellis and Michael Pierce will be on view.

Pre-registration is open. www.ace franciscogallery.com

Help Out

BLING YOUR PROM (ACC Library)

The annual formal wear drive is accepting formal clothes, jewelry and accessories for teens. Donations will be accepted through Feb. 28. Email ya@athenslibrary.org for more information.

LEMONAID ATHENS COMMUNITY

FOOD DISTRIBUTION (UGA Lot

E06) Seeking volunteers for mutual aid food and supplies distribution to unhoused neighbors. Reach out on Instagram with questions at @lemonaid_athens. Feb. 16 and 23, 2–4 p.m. lemonaid.ath@gmail.com

SEEKING DONATIONS (OCAF)

Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Inc. is seeking donations for their upcoming OCAF Thrift Sale that benefits various programs. Through Mar. 4. www.ocaf.com/thrift-sale

PET FOOD PANTRY (Animal Services Adoption Center) The Animal Services community pet food pantry provides pet food to ACC residents at no cost. Donations always welcome. Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays, 12–3 p.m. www.accgov.com/adoptioncenter

SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Bigger Vision of Athens) The nonprofit homeless shelter Bigger Vision of Athens, Inc. is seeking new members for its board of directors. The application is available online. the biggervisionshelter@gmail.com, www.bvoa.org/boardmember

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Athens Farmer Market) Seeking volunteers for the 2025 season to help with weekly markets, special events and more. Submit applications online. www.athensfarmersmarket.net/ volunteer

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (ACC FOL)

The Athens-Clarke County Friends of the Library need volunteers for their inaugural 5K. Feb. 23, 7–11 a.m. Visit www.friendsofacclibrary. org for more information.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Historic Athens) Volunteers needed for the Seventh Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade at the 40 Watt Club on Mar. 4, 4–11 p.m.. Roles include checkin crew, food attendants, production assistants, etc. Volunteers will receive free admission and time to enjoy the event. Sign up form online. www.historicathens.com/mardigras

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (TaylorGrady House) Seeking volunteers to work as greeters during open hours for “Warrior Women: An Exhibition of Ceramic Sculptures” by Alice Woodruff. Thursdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. through Feb. 21. Email for volunteer sign-up form. director @taylorgrady.com

TEACHER SUPPLIES (Teacher Reuse Store) Educators can access free creative supplies at the store. Visit accgov.com/trs for hours.

TOWELS FOR ANIMALS (ACCGov Animal Services Adoption Center) Seeking donations of gently used bath towels and hand rags for bathing animals and cleaning kennels. Donations can be dropped off at the door if it’s after hours. www.accgov. com/animalservices

Kidstuff

ART CARD CLUB FOR PRE-TEENS AND TEENS (K.A. Artist Shop) Draw, paint, collage and create your own collection of art cards. Materials provided. Fridays, 6–7:30 p.m. $28/drop-in, $200 (10 classes). www.kaartist.com

AFTER-SCHOOL ART CLASSES

(Lyndon House) Registration is now open for upcoming Spring classes for children, such as “Studio Art Practice,” “Art Time” and “Handbuilt Ceramics.” Classes run for 6 weeks beginning in Mar. Check website for schedule, cost and details. www.accgov.myrec.com

BRELLA ACTIVITIES (’Brella Studio)

After-school art lessons for ages 6–11 are held Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Family Playgroups are for ages 0–5 and their caregivers including “Messy Mondays” and “Sing, Splatter, Storytime.” Check website for descriptions and meeting times. www.brellastudio.com/ events

CAMP PROGRAMS (Wild Earth Forest School) Registration is open for Wild Earth Spring Break in Apr. and Summer Camp starting in May for ages 4–13 at the 50–acre Piedmont Preserve off of Chase St. www. wildearthcamp.org

CREATIVE CLASSES (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Treehouse offers a variety of art-centric activities for children, such as “Art School,” “Toddler/ Baby Process Art,” “Digital Art Designer,” “Open Studio,” “Art School Junior,” “Saturday Morning Crafts” and more. Check website for schedule and details. www.tree housekidandcraft.com

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

Support Groups

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP

(St. Mary’s Hospital, 5th Floor Therapy Room) This support group for survivors of traumatic head injury, their families, friends and caregivers offers friendship, information about resources and opportunities for advocacy. Every third Monday, 4:30–6 p.m. Contact Floretta Johnson, 706-353-1892, floretta.johnson@stmarysathens. org

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. Second and fourth Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. www.byyourleave.org

PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT (Chase Park Warehouses) A peerled support group of people who understand the depth of love and grief for animal companions. Meets every second and fourth Wednesday, 6:30–8 p.m. ibrantbeing.net/ grief-support

PREVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN (Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support) Women ages 18–50 who have been diagnosed with a genetic mutation for breast cancer (but not diagnosed with cancer) can gather for peer support and share unique challenges. Third Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. 706465-4900, loransmithcenter@ piedmont.org

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

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

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 ON ICE (440 Foundry Pavilion) Outdoor ice skating is currently available through February. Tickets include skate rental and 75 minutes on the ice. $15. www.classiccenter. com/iceskating

ATHFEST MUSICIAN APPLICATIONS (Downtown Athens) The 2025 AthFest Music & Arts Festival, held June 20–22, is seeking applications from musicians to perform. Fill out the online form. Deadline Mar. 7. www.athfest.com/athfestmusician-applications

BIKE REPAIR STATIONS (Multiple Locations) Over 15 free bike repair stations are located across Athens with tools, an air pump and a QR code for quick guides on basic bike repairs. Visit the website for participating locations. www.accgov. com/10584/Bike-Repair-Stations

RABBIT 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.). www.rabbitholestudios. org/calendar

SEVENTH GENERATION (Various Locations) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts gatherings on Sundays at 11 a.m. at Feel Free Yoga and Men’s Group on Tuesdays at 6 p.m at St. Gregory’s Church. For information: 706-3407134

STORMWATER STEWARD AWARD NOMINATIONS (ACC Stormwater) Organizations, businesses and individuals that have worked to consider the impact of stormwater runoff are encouraged to apply. Deadline Mar. 7. www.accgov.com/ stormwater

SOUTHERN MAN CONTEST (VFW Post 2872) Southern Exposure Radio presents a contest to recognize ordinary men who go above and beyond in their communities and families. Seeking nominations. Winner will be recognized at an event on Feb. 15. 706-988-4061, www.southernman.info

VIC CHESNUTT SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARDS (Athens, GA) Classic City Rotary is now accepting nominations. Songs must have a public release date during 2024, and songwriters must reside in Athens-Clarke County or a contiguous county. All genres welcome. Winner receives $1,500 cash prize, recording time from Amplify at Nuçi’s Space, a photo shoot with Jason Thrasher and a Team Clermont promotional package. Finalists receive $250 cash prizes. Deadline Mar. 20. www.vicchesnuttaward.com

VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA)

Brad Staples (of the Athens GA Live Music crew) is seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC, Hi8, MiniDV and DVDs to digitize and archive on his YouTube channel, vhsordie (@ vhsordie3030), and the Athens GA Live Music channel courtesy of Gregory Frederick. Materials will be returned, and credits and dates will be included. Contact for details and shipping info. bradley.staples88@ gmail.com, vhsordie.com f

HWY 29

DOCUMENTARY UNCOVERS CONSISTENCY OF ATHENS MUSIC SCENE

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

Named for the route that once brought many into Athens, HWY 29: An Athens Music Documentary features heavily curated footage from interviews, live shows and private performances of local musicians spanning relevance from the ’90s heyday to now.

In 2023 Jim Benson, a UGA graduate student in the early ’90s now living in Massachusetts, was determined to put a new camera to use making a documentary about a topic already in his wheelhouse: Athens’ music from that storied time period. To get the film started and hold himself accountable to see it through, he texted Athens musician William Tonks the same day the idea came to him.

“[He] was the first musician that I met in Athens when I was in grad school,” says Benson. “He said something like, ‘Cool, I’m in. Let me know how I can help.’ From there it was just a question of getting in touch with as many musicians sort of from back in that day as possible, because that’s what I knew. The movie I thought I would make was going to be a documentary about Athens music in the ’90s, and it wound up being something different than that. It really developed because that was the story that got uncovered in the filming.”

ing about the movie is that we were able to capture a lot of things that otherwise sort of would never be seen on film,” says Benson.

The crew set up intimate private performances just for the purpose of this documentary. The Possibilities, a popular alt- country band that didn’t last beyond its decade, was resurrected for a carport performance by Kevin Lane, Matt Lane and Jay Gonzalez. Although the group is beyond getting back together, what’s captured in the documentary is a modern nod to the influence of its past. Benson says another highlight of the film is an acoustic “songwriters in the round” style performance with William Tonks, Michael Gibson of The Dashboard Saviors, Eric Carter of Bloodkin and John Neff.

After assembling a crew and blocking out a month in Athens to film, Benson unraveled a story far bigger than the time they had to capture it. Planned interviews led to a slew of recommendations, and going to shows to film legacy bands led to capturing more recent acts. Benson says that rootsrock band The Dashboard Saviors started out as the heart and soul of the film.

“From that center, we realized that what we actually had captured is the present time, which is that Athens still has multiple shows every night, and you still can walk up and down the street or across the street and see more than one show in a night. And that was my recollection when I lived in Athens; the greatest thing about it was that there were too many shows to choose from. In interviewing some of the younger people, they repeated that same thing,” says Benson.

The premise to prove there’s something special about the Athens music scene by way of how great the bands were from the ’90s turned into, there’s something special about the Athens music community, period. The Athens, GA: Inside/Out documentary was an inspiration for this project, and Benson says that its messy and endearing way of capturing the Athens music scene’s pure state was the formula he wanted to follow.

“I feel very proud to add something into that legacy, but I know at the same time all I could show was what I could show. There’s so much more that isn’t in there. So I think that one of the things that I hope is endear-

Tracking the influence of Athens bands outside of their home city, the crew was able to follow Mercyland to Atlanta’s Summer Shade Festival to film its performance there. Then they also tagged along on a four-day mini ride-along with The Drive-By Truckers, recording shows at their stops in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Atlanta.

“We asked everybody we interviewed, ‘Why did you come to Athens?’ If I had to sort of sum it up, it basically was they had an idea. I want to be a musician, or me and my friend formed a band, and we want to go to Athens,” says Benson. “With the younger people, it’s the same thing. You know, they came to Athens to be a student, and they didn’t leave because they became part of the music scene. And it’s a viable thing for a young person to do.”

The full-length documentary will have a two-day demo premiere in Athens, which means it’s not in its final, polished form but is essentially complete. Screenings will take place Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Ciné and Wednesday, Feb. 12 at The Globe with doors at 5 p.m. and the showing starting at 5:30 p.m. f

WHO: HWY 29: An Athens Music Documentary

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb 12, 5 p m (doors) WHERE: The Globe HOW MUCH: FREE!

REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT

Tiny living in the country. 30’ RV camper on small farm 30 miles east of Athens. All utilities furnished, wi-fi, 2 TVs, trash service, private, secure, large covered porch, nice setting. Security deposit and references required. $1000/mon. Text 706401-0880.

HOUSES FOR RENT

3BR/2BA house in Normaltown, quiet interior street. Central heat/air. Furnished. Hwd floors. Washer/dryer. Driveway/onstreet parking. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505

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. 706296-2941

WANTING TO RENT

Single, retired professional seeking an Athens area ADU or guest house for a long-term rental. Move- in Apr. 30. Not a pet owner. Willing to provide property management when owner is absent. Contact: mr11344@gmail.com

FOR SALE FURNITURE

Moving: Traditional furniture sale with bedroom, living, dining and home office. Home theater equipment, oriental rugs, lighting, wall art, decorative items and kitchen appliances also. Contact: mr11344@gmail. com for images and pricing.

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.athensschoolof music.com. 706-543-5800

INSTRUMENTS

Two Mint 2018 Guitars. Fender MIM Strat $650 and Epi LP Trad $550. Includes new hardcases. No mods. Contact: mr11344@ gmail.com.

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

SERVICES

FINANCIAL

Local Bookkeeper available. Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor & Gusto Partner. Limited availability left for 2025- act soon. Email thebeesknees bookkeeper@gmail.com or text 706.386.0281 for a free consultation.

HOME AND GARDEN

Get ready for spring! WomanRun Gardening Services: We offer garden clean- up/maintenance, invasive plant removal, raised beds, personalized native/edible gardens for home/ business and more! Call/Text: 706-395-5321.

Hi! I’m Pablo, an expert gardener offering personalized care for your landscape. I specialize in low- maintenance, native gardens that support pollinators and biodiversity. Find me @pablofromseed, email pkozatch@gmail.com or call 631-903-4365.

Need old newspapers for your garden? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll have a crate ready for you. Please leave current issues on the stands. Call 706-549-0301 today!

MASSAGE

Now accepting new massage clients! Relieve pain, reduce stress, and feel amazing. Book your personalized session today: 706- 2074796 or www.soulfulserenity massage.com.

MISC. SERVICES

Perfectly Polished offers professional editing services for all types of documents, including dissertations, articles, and more. Please call/text Glenda at 706- 395- 8519 or email polished125@gmail.com for inquiries.

The Blacksmith is IN! I’m Jon, a local craftsman. Contact me for your steel item repair, welding, sculpture, and chainmail needs. HammerofHobus. com, 706-338-3334, Instagram @Hammer.of.Hobus

JOBS

PART-TIME

Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 12–40 hours, Mon–Fri. NEVER be called in for a shift you didn’t sign up for. Must type 65+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction. Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes.com

NOTICES ORGANIZATIONS

Donations needed for OCAF

Thrift Sale. Drop-off 34 School Street, Watkinsville. Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. thru March 4. Sale Mar, 7 & 8. Details ocaf. com.

Follow ACC Solid Waste on Instagram/Facebook @accsolid waste for tips and resources for recycling, composting, repairs, and more or visit accgov.com/ solidwaste.

Northeast Health District offers free or low- cost services to all people within our area and to promote healthy lifestyles among all members. northeast healthdistrict.org

The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia accepts food donations between 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Mon- Fri. Volunteer opportunities available! foodbanknega. org

The Lightroom Athens offers affordable professional studio and equipment rentals for photo, video, podcasting, and more! Right next to Puma Yu’s. thelightroom-ath.com

VALENTINES

Stephen, you’re the coolest and we love you lots. Jennifer & the Critters

Dearest Rita, We know this is cheesy but you stole a pizza our hearts forever. Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, Sheana, Morfee, Maxine and Georgie Happy Valentine’s Day, Nory! I am so glad to have you in my life. Here’s to us and an incredible future together. I love you! -Logan

John, your girls love you more than you know. Happy Valentines Day! Also, please get me those papers at Todd as soon as possible.

My darling Sam, Happy Valentine’s Day, my love! You are worth celebrating and treasuring every single day. I love you. Love, Garner

To my baby boyfriend, I’m eternally grateful to have met and fallen in love with you. I’m excited for what’s to come. -Lil Carrot

To my gals at COMMUNITY— There are no better coworkers than y’all. XOXO, BJC

To my valentine Shelby, and our baby Mae B. Proud to have the best team. Love, Jake

To my gatinho: the hottest dentist, funniest improv star, best dad, and reluctant cat whisperer. You drill teeth, but you filled my heart.

Tap- I love the shitty things we do together, Live with me in this sin forever. xo Rats

2025-26 Pre-K Lottery Early Registration from February 7-21, 2025

Students who turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025 are eligible. In-person appointments for assistance available Monday-Friday February 10-21 from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

*No appointments available February 17*

Placement after lottery will be based on availability.

2025-26 K-12 Registration

Beginning Februrary 7, 2025

Students who turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025 are eligible.

Registration for new students and students returning from other school districts.

For more information, appointment scheduling, and a list of required documents, visit: www.clarke.k12.ga.us/registration Clarke County School District | 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601 | 706-546-7721