Works by Stamitz, Haydn, and Mozart. Visiting guest conductor Levi Wataka joins director and soloist Levon Ambartsumian, violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola; and James Kim, cello. $15 - Adults | $3 - UGA student with valid ID Thursday, April 17 7:30 p.m.
Music & Dance collaborate to create an evening highlighting the intricate relationship between music and dance. The program will feature music by Piazzolla, Tchaikovsky, and more. $15 - Adults | $3 - UGA student with valid ID
Presenting traditional rhythms and songs from Brazil, including Ijexá, Samba Reggae, Congo, Coco and Samba. Come join this Brazilian party!
Wednesday, April 2
7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall
“Springing into Love” with special guests: Spring Yang (erhu); Huang Rong Fu, Ying Chen, and Chao Tian (Yangqin); Seunghee Lee (Haegeum).
Monday, April 7
7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall
The British Brass Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Philip Smith, has become an Athens fan favorite.
Monday, April 14
7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall
PUBLISHER
PRODUCTION
Larry Tenner
Alicia Nickles
ADVERTISING SALES Libba Beaucham, Dave Martin
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin
CITY EDITOR Blake Aued
MUSIC EDITOR Sam Lipkin
ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR Lauren Leathers
OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene
CLASSIFIED ADS & CALENDAR COORDINATOR Jennifer Keene
AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson
CONTRIBUTORS Stanley Dunlap, Erin France, Gordon Lamb, Chase McGee, Ed Tant
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
of Eddie Glikin by Jason Thrasher
STREET ADDRESS: 220 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: 706-549-9523 · ADVERTISING: 706-549-0301
“Flagpole Premieres: Ashes to Omens, ‘The Tide’” at flagpole.com.
STREET FESTIVAL
Celebrate the World in the Heart of Athens
Saturday, April 5th
12pm-5pm College Avenue
city dope Mall Moves Forward
PLUS, NEW HABITAT HOMES, TAX COLLECTIONS SLOW DOWN AND MORE NEWS
By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com
It’s been two years since the Athens- Clarke County Commission approved a plan to redevelop Georgia Square Mall, but demolition work just started last week. Such delays are typical, developer Mark Jennings said at a town hall meeting to provide an update on the project.
Jennings said that, when he’s asked “What’s the holdup? I didn’t know there was one.” It typically takes three to four years to break ground, he said.
Jenning’s company, The Leaven Group, won commission approval in March 2023. The company received demolition and land disturbance permits last fall. Last week, crews started to tear down some of the outparcels around the mall, Jennings told a crowd of about 200 at a Mar. 27 town hall meeting organized by District 6 Commissioner Stephanie Johnson. By the end of the year, Jennings said he hopes to move on to demolishing portions of the mall itself, starting with the old Sears.
Plans call for keeping the central portion of the mall, including Belk, which has a long- term lease, and surrounding it with 70,000 square feet of new commercial space (one tenant he named-dropped was Dave & Buster’s) and a total of 1,200 housing units, with apartments toward Atlanta Highway and townhouses and a 55-and-up senior living center toward the back of the property. The project will cost an estimated $660 million—making it, according to Jennings, perhaps the largest development in Northeast Georgia history—with $189 million covered by future tax revenue from the property.
That $189 million represents the property taxes the development will generate over a 20- year period. The mayor and commission created a tax allocation district (TAD) around the mall in 2020 to encourage redevelopment. Under a TAD, taxes are fixed at the current level, and any additional revenue from new development is plowed back into the district. In this case, the TAD will fund stormwater infrastructure and “community benefits” such as 99 affordable apartments for low-income renters, greenspace and trees, walking and biking trails, a bus station, subsidized commercial space for women- and minority-owned businesses, space for the Boys & Girls Club and internships for Clarke County public school students.
But Jennings said he has not received any of those funds yet. An agreement between The Leaven Group and the ACC government calls for him to be reimbursed for eligible expenses; he doesn’t get the money upfront. That has led to some challenges financing the project, according to Jennings, so he is working with county officials to change the order in which construction proceeds.
The first phase of the project, which includes demolition and stormwater drainage work, does not generate any value, Jennings said, and so banks have been reluctant to lend money. “Our Phase 1 has no collateral value,” he said. “If something
goes wrong, [banks] don’t want a detention pond in Athens, Georgia. They want an apartment building.”
So far, Jennings has spent $31 million of his own money on the project, including $25 million to buy the mall, according to an annual update required by the TAD agreement filed Mar. 18. He said he owns it outright and does not have any debt.
government. However, Smith repeatedly emphasized that no taxpayer dollars went toward the home’s solar panels—those were paid for with donations from Wells Fargo and the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, and installed by the local company Infinite Energy Solutions. In addition, local artist Helen Mills has agreed to make a stained glass window for each of the 63 homes in Micah’s Creek.
The development scales up Habitat’s usual model in a way that local officials hope can be replicated elsewhere. According to communications director Paul Farr, there are five ways that Habitat can alleviate poverty. One is simply to increase the housing supply—”You gotta build. You gotta build new homes for people,” he said. In addition, Habitat is able to sell homes at cost, with-
Jennings said repeatedly that setbacks were expected in such a complicated venture, especially considering that TADs are new to Athens, and neither he nor ACC officials have worked with one before. He said he has a good partnership with the local government, and that he is confident the project will come to fruition.
“We want it to be the nicest thing in the Athens, Georgia area—the nicest thing Athens has ever seen,” he said.
Ribbon Cut on Micah’s Creek
Athens Area Habitat for Humanity completed the first of what will eventually be 63 affordable houses in East Athens for families, artists, veterans and former foster children attending college.
Most of Micah’s Creek—named for the Bible verse Micah 6:8, reading “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly”—will be located in between Oconee Street and the Firefly Trail, but the first completed house, a small Craftsman- style bungalow, is on an infill lot a few blocks north on Peter Street. Nikeria Sims and her young sons Nasir, Carson and Cartier moved in on Mar. 26.
Those boys will attend Gaines Elementary School and be part of a study by the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences measuring the effect that home ownership has on school performance. A national study “found that students did remarkably better once they moved into a Habitat house,” said Charles Smith, vice president of operations.
The development is being funded primarily with federal American Rescue Plan Act grants awarded by Sen. Jon Ossoff, Gov. Brian Kemp and the Athens- Clarke County
also tight. Griffin is recommending funding 10 capital projects worth $7 million out of 110 requests totaling $26 million. “The vast majority, line by line, was not recommended for funding quite simply because there was not the funding to pay for it,” he told commissioners.
The anticipated $9 million increase in revenue was quickly eaten up by what Griffin views as essentials, such as pay raises for employees as the county continues to struggle to keep positions filled, fire equipment, traffic signal replacement, new computers, higher power costs for streetlights, increased costs for insurance and replacing the Biden administration’s expiring American Rescue Plan Act funds. To even fund those costs, Griffin is proposing dipping into the county’s reserves for $3 million.
In the past few years, the commission has drawn down reserve funds largely to address a previous backlog of infrastructure projects dating back to budget cuts during the 2008–2011 Great Recession. The county had 32% of its total budget in reserve in fiscal 2023, but taking out $3 million for fiscal 2026 would bring that figure down to 19%. Accounting guidelines generally call for local and state governments to have two months of funding in reserve, or about 17%, but “it really should be much higher than that, in my opinion,” Griffin said.
Some commissioners had their own ideas for raising revenue that were quickly knocked down. Commissioner Melissa Link proposed creating a special district to charge the tax-exempt University of Georgia for fire protection—an idea she has floated several times, but has never gotten much traction.
out turning a profit. The houses are energy efficient, reducing the cost of home ownership. When a house is sold, the money goes toward building another affordable house. And owners make an average of 200% return on investment.
When completed, Micah’s Creek will include 37 houses for families, 11 “tiny homes” reserved for artists and military veterans, and 15 units for homeless college students who’ve aged out of the foster care system, the latter known as Lydia’s Place.
Tight Budget Ahead for ACC
Rapidly rising property values in recent years have allowed the Athens- Clarke County Mayor and Commission to pursue new initiatives while also cutting the millage rate. But the gravy train is about to come to an end.
During a work session Mar. 25, Brad Griffin—the former planning director brought out of retirement to run the ACC government’s day- to-day operations after Niki Jones left in December—presented the manager’s so- called “big rocks” budget, with a somewhat pessimistic outlook. Griffin projected increased revenue of $9 million, or about 4.5%, but his $201 million proposed operating budget includes little but the bare necessities.
Department heads requested a total of $40 million in new spending, and “honestly, most of the things the departments are asking for are needs,” such as funding to hire new employees, overtime or accounting for inflation, Griffin said. But he approved just 9% of those requests.
The capital budget, for equipment and maintenance rather than mainly salaries, is
Commissioner Dexter Fisher wanted to charge fees on student housing developments. Legally, “I’m not sure you could get into imposing fees on student multifamily, because then you’re basing it on who lives there,” Griffin said. As far as impact fees for apartments in general, those “have to have a very specific expenditure plan associated with them,” like a park in a fast-growing neighborhood, Mayor Kelly Girtz said, and can’t just go into the general fund for any purpose.
Commissioner Stephanie Johnson suggested selling off county-owned properties to raise revenue. The commission’s Government Operations Committee recently looked at a list of such properties, Link said, and developers would not be interested in many. “It turns out there are very few buildable properties out there that are owned by Athens- Clarke County,” Link said.
Girtz is expected to submit his version of the budget to the commission in late April. Commissioners will then spend May tweaking it before approving a final version in early June. The new fiscal year starts July 1.
Check Out the Land Use Map
For the many Flagpole readers who are also amateur urban planners, there’s nothing like tilting back a cold one at Friday happy hour and talking zoning—and we don’t mean whether the Dawgs should run a 1-3-1 trap.
The new Future Land Use Map is Athens’ first update in 25 years, and it’s intended to guide growth for the next two decades. With Athens expected to add 30,000 people by 2050, where will they all live? Based on community input, the Future Land Use ➤ continued on next page
Athens Area Habitat for Humanity construction manager Josh Houben presents the housekeys and a Bible to new homeowner Nikeria Sims.
BLAKE AUED
continued from p. 5
Map pinpoints areas that can handle the growth—primarily downtown, around the mall and at major intersection “nodes” across the county.
The ACC Planning Department has scheduled 10 drop-in sessions to view the Future Land Use Map. All of them take place from 5:30–7 p.m. except the second, which is from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Friday, Apr. 4 at Athentic Brewing Co. (108 Park Ave.)
• Saturday, Apr. 5 at Fire Station #3 (1198 Milledge Ave.)
• Monday, Apr. 7 at New Faith Tabernacle Church (198 Peter St.)
• Thursday, Apr. 10 at the Lyndon House Arts Center (211 Hoyt St.)
• Monday, Apr. 14 at East Athens Baptist Church (4325 Lexington Road)
• Wednesday, Apr. 16 at Hilsman Middle School (870 Gaines School Road)
• Thursday, Apr. 17 at the Athens- Clarke County Extension office (275 Cleveland Road)
• Monday, Apr. 21 at Chaplewood Methodist Church (100 Janice Drive)
• Wednesday, Apr. 23 at Fowler Drive Elementary School (400 Fowler Drive)
• Wednesday, Apr. 30 at the Athens- Clarke County Library (2025 Baxter St.)
Residents can also view documents and leave comments online at accgov.com/ compplan.
Bill Would Remake Board of Elections
Three Republicans who represent Athens in the Georgia House of Representatives have introduced a bill taking away the ACC Commission’s ability to appoint a majority of the members of the local Board of Elections.
Currently, the local Democratic and Republican parties each appoint one member, and the county commission appoints three. Though technically nonpartisan, the commission is made up of all or mostly Democrats, and so its appointees
tend to lean left.
Under House Bill 581—sponsored by Reps. Houston Gaines (R- Athens), Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) and Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville)--- the commission would be forced to select those three appointees from among a list of eight recommendations, two from each of the four judges on the Western Judicial Circuit. A related bill would abolish the current Board of Elections effective June 30.
According to BOE Chairman Rocky Raffle, ACC officials did not request the bill. He said several commissioners were caught off-guard when he called them about it.
Although Superior Court judges are also elected, Gaines told Flagpole that the new process would create a layer between elected officials—the mayor and commission—and those running local elections. He also said having judges recommend candidates would remove some of the partisanship. (Like judges, the mayor and commission are technically nonpartisan.)
Gaines also referenced a 2020 incident where the BOE spent $41,000 in taxpayer money on attorney’s fees without the mayor and commission’s permission in an effort to switch to hand-marked paper ballots in defiance of state law. The chair and vice chair at the time were removed soon after. In addition, last year the ACC Elections and Voter Registration Department accidentally sent several hundred voters duplicate absentee ballots; staff assured the board that failsafes were in place to ensure no one was able vote twice.
One elections board member, Adam Shirley, a Democrat who is one of the commission’s nonpartisan appointees, sent the legislators a letter outlining his opposition to the bill. He said it’s unnecessary, given that Athens- Clarke County has had no major issues with running its elections, and that it would interfere with preparations for upcoming elections. He also questioned whether it’s the best use of judges’ time to have to recommend board members every two years, and argued that the new procedure would give Oconee County voters influence over who runs Clarke County elections because the Western Circuit includes both counties. f
Lost in Space
ASTRONAUT RESCUE TURNS POLITICAL UNDER TRUMP AND MUSK
By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com
“What a long, strange trip it’s been” were words of a Grateful Dead song, but those lyrics may have been on the minds of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore when they finally returned to Earth last month.
What was to have been a short space trip turned into a 21st century space odyssey lasting over nine months after their Boeingbuilt Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned and was brought home automatically— minus its crew. The two astronauts returned to Earth aboard a capsule built by SpaceX, the company owned by Donald Trump’s sidekick Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who will get even richer with billions of dollars in federal contracts, according to news reports released by The New York Times on Mar. 25.
Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth with fellow fliers Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov, who had also spent time in orbit aboard the International Space Station that has hosted a series of human crews for over 25 years. After a meteoric reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, the astronauts’ spacecraft parachuted gently into the Gulf of Mexico. As the otherworldly craft bobbed in the water, a friendly pod of dolphins cavorted near the spaceship before recovery vessels arrived to welcome home the weary travellers.
haughtily huffed that Mogensen was “fully retarded” and an “idiot.”
Retired astronaut Scott Kelly—who spent nearly a year in space himself— defended Mogensen, calling him “competent, trustworthy and honest.” In a response showing that competence, trustworthiness and honesty are in short supply in the White House today, Musk posted insults about both Scott Kelly and his brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, now a senator from Arizona. Firing back at the billionaire and underlining his defense of his brother Mark and his fellow flier Mogensen, Scott suggested, “Hey @Elon Musk, when you finally get the nerve to climb into a rocketship, come talk to the three of us.”
It didn’t take long for earthly politics to sully the happy ending to a space saga. The same Donald Trump who laughably and lamentably changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America claimed that his predecessor, President Joe Biden, “was going to leave them in space.” Musk said, “They were left up there for political reasons,” though it was never explained how Biden would gain by leaving spacefarers stuck in orbit. Wilmore himself said, “Politics is not playing into this at all.” Still, Trump, Musk and their right- wing media minions continue to blame the Democrats for the astronauts’ plight, even though the strategy for their return home was approved by the Biden administration last September, two months before the 2024 election.
Other astronauts challenged Musk on the billionaire’s own X social media site. Andreas Mogensen bristled at Musk’s suggestion that political chicanery delayed the return of Williams and Wilmore. “What a lie,” he posted. “And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media.” In response, Musk
Many wish that Musk would take a oneway rocket ride. Though his Falcon rockets that take crews to the space station are very reliable, the same cannot be said for the billionaire’s vaunted Starship vehicle. That rocket is twice as powerful as the Saturn V moon rocket, but Starship in eight test launches has yet to prove as dependable as the Saturn V, which was successful in all its 13 launches in the 1960s and ’70s. The Saturn V did its job with only five engines. Starship uses more than 30 engines, tempting Murphy’s Law, which says that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”
Musk seems hellbent on controlling Earth while colonizing Mars. A round trip to Mars could take at least two years, while the longest human spaceflight so far was a 14-month Earth-orbiting trip by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov 30 years ago. Exploring Mars with automatic robot spacecraft is less risky and costly than sending humans there, but that wouldn’t be as profitable for mogul Musk.
Men like Musk and Trump would do well to remember the words of the first man in space, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who said, “I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it.” f
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore
FRANK MICHAUX / NASA
Housing Bills Stall
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE DOES LITTLE TO ADDRESS HIGH HOUSING COSTS
By Stanley Dunlap news@flagpole.com
Acoalition of housing rights advocates are feeling disappointed heading into the homestretch of the 2025 legislative session after seeing little progress on bipartisan bills aimed at protecting Georgians from higher rents, problematic landlords and increasing threats of eviction.
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta and HouseATL are among the three dozen housing nonprofits, civil rights groups and faith-based organizations that have spent the session pushing for legislation regulating corporate-owned singlefamily homes and calling for the state to keep alive a federal emergency rental assistance program that runs out later this year.
Despite backing multiple bipartisan bills this year, a leading voice in Georgia’s housing advocacy coalition says she sees a bleak outlook for the rest of the session.
“It’s grim, especially given how much recognition there is now of the importance of housing people as a foundation for strong communities, strong families,” said Elizabeth Appley, an attorney and public policy advocate for housing rights in Georgia. “There’s really no way for people to succeed without decent, safe and affordable places to live.”
A key housing bill that failed to meet the Mar. 6 deadline to advance through one chamber was House Bill 689. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton) would continue the Georgia Rental Assistance Program, which was launched in March 2021 with $1 billion in federal emergency rental assistance money. Housing rights advocates are pushing for $25 million in next year’s state budget to be allocated to continue the rental assistance program within the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ State Housing Trust Fund. The measure calls for the creation of flexible local grants for homeless preven-
tion programs that would provide short term rental assistance and legal support to unhoused and low-income individuals facing a financial crisis, such as lost hours at work, a medical emergency or other unforeseen expenses.
“We’re hoping that could be used for these flexible local grants for emergency rental assistance, but it would need to be substantially increased in order to continue what the department is doing now with the federal funds that will expire in September,” Appley said.
In addition, housing rights advocates are calling for a $20 million increase in funding for the Georgia Housing Voucher Program to meet the state’s obligations under the 2010 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities program provides supportive housing vouchers and wraparound services for chronically homeless Georgians with severe and persistent mental illness. Due to an absence of an increase in funding in 2024, the program has housed only 21 people since Apr. 1. Currently next year’s proposed budget calls for a $1.7 million increase for the program.
There has been some success for a housing coalition-backed bill targeting the proliferation of investor-owned homes, primarily around metro Atlanta. The House passed a bipartisan bill by a 163-4 vote that supporters say would hold out-of- state landlords accountable for managing singlefamily homes in Georgia. House Bill 399 would require landlords owning 25 or more single- family homes to employ local brokers or real estate agents and have in- state staff to handle tenant complaints.
“If you are a single family, young family, looking to purchase a home, these investors are taking assets out of Georgia,” bill sponsor Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) said during a floor debate on Mar. 3. “They’re making a profit on the rent that’s
erties when they have exceeded the legal limit.
The bill targets the rise in investorowned housing that has lowered the affordability of homes in metro Atlanta neighborhoods. An Atlanta Regional Commission report in November found that seven corporations own more than 51,000 single- family rental homes across 21 counties around the area.
Warnock Introduces Federal Bills
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, is attempting to drive down the high cost of living in Georgia by recently introducing a package of bills including the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, the Rent Relief Act, the Stop Predatory Investing Act and the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act.
charged. They’re making profit on the acceleration of home values, and that profit is not being enjoyed by young Georgia families looking to purchase a home.”
Housing rights groups are hoping for the passage of Stone Mountain Democratic Sen. Kim Jackson’s Senate Bill 170, which would create an Interagency Council on Homelessness. A vote on the bipartisan bill could take place in the House Governmental Affairs Committee in the coming days.
Another bipartisan bill that has stalled this session is House Bill 555, which would prohibit investors from owning an interest in more than 2,000 single- family residential properties or 10 multifamily residential properties. The Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Derrick McCollum (R- Chestnut Mountain), would also enforce penalties such as forcing the residential property owners to sell prop-
Warnock emphasized the need for bipartisan support to tackle the housing crisis, which disproportionately affects young people and renters. He also criticized private equity firms for buying up housing stock, especially in the Atlanta area, resulting in soaring rental costs and the need for policies that increase housing supply to mitigate the crisis and support generational wealth.
“We need to listen to the people, and people all across Georgia—Democrats, Republicans, independents—all agree that we have a severe housing issue that is crushing young people,” Warnock said during a press conference last week.
“Housing is not a partisan issue.
“I say to those that support the free market, and certainly I do that, you ought to look at what this housing crisis is doing to the American market,” Warnock said. “We are seeing generational wealth shift, literally from the young to the old, and that doesn’t bode well for the future of our economy.” f
This article originally appeared at georgiarecorder. com.
april 5th | 3-5 PM
Athens city hall rally speeches & music
BRING SIGNS WITH YOUR OWN “HANDS OFF ____” STATEMENT.
HANDS OFF PUBLIC EDUCATION. HANDS OFF OUR UNDOCUMENTED NEIGHBORS. HANDS OFF OUR TRANS SIBLINGS. HANDS OFF OUR RESEARCH. HANDS OFF OUR BODIES. HANDS OFF OUR HEALTH CARE. HANDS OFF OUR DIVERSITY PROGRAMS. HANDS OFF OUR DATA. HANDS OFF OUR PUBLIC LANDS. HANDS OFF OUR MEDICAID. HANDS OFF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY. HANDS OFF VETERANS’ BENEFITS.
Get your life back. Get help. If you are in crisis due to domestic violence, Classic City Orthodontics wants you to find help.
Tariffs Hit Beer Industry
CREATURE COMFORTS EYES INCREASED COSTS
news@flagpole.com
based craft brewery Creature Comforts holds the title of Georgia’s largest independently owned brewery. But recently, their focus has been on again tariffs on Canadian imports like barley and aluminum, says CEO and cofounder Adam Beauchamp.
tracted price on barley that the Canadian supplier said it will honor for 2025, but Beauchamp says the two companies do not yet have a contract for 2026.
While tariffs on Canadian goods such as steel and aluminum are currently on hold, it’s possible that trade conditions could
“Usually [it’s] the time of year now where we start to look at barley futures, and it is a time of great uncertainty,” Beauchamp says. “So we’re in a wait and see phase for that.”
If your partner objects when you use the phone, limits your everyday contact with family and friends, and you restrict yourself to avoid angry, aggressive confrontations, you need to step back and take another look. How can you cope once you are involved with a controlling partner? Call Project Safe for help. Our hotline is confidential, and counseling is free.
If your partner objects when you use the phone, limits your everyday contact with family and friends, and you restrict yourself to avoid angry, aggressive confrontations, you need to step back and take another look. How can you cope once you are involved with a controlling partner? Call Project Safe for help. Our hotline is confidential, and counseling is free.
Beauchamp says that Creature Comforts is in the middle of some long- term business moves. The brewery just signed a lease for a 36,000- square- foot storage facility, which he estimates should double the company’s current production capacity to more than 200,000 barrels of beer per year. The brewery has seen enormous growth since it opened in February 2014, when it produced 1,800 barrels of beer.
change again, as President Donald Trump has promised new tariff announcements for Apr. 2. But Beauchamp says that even though Creature Comforts uses domestically sourced aluminum for its cans, the influx of American manufacturers buying up domestic aluminum could mean the cost of its cans could go up anyway.
“We will see, probably, some price increase in the next year if those tariffs do in fact go in,” Beauchamp says. “So you know, we would advocate for no tariffs being placed on aluminum… it would be an extra burden for us.”
Get your life back. Get help.
706-543-3331 Hotline, 24 hours/day Linea de crisis, las 24 horas del dia
If your partner objects when you use the phone, limits your everyday contact with family and friends, and you restrict yourself to avoid angry, aggressive confrontations, you need to step back and take another look. How can you cope once you are involved with a controlling partner? Call Project Safe for help. Our hotline is confidential, and counseling is free. Get your life back. Get help.
If your partner objects when you use the phone, limits your everyday contact with family and friends, and you restrict yourself to avoid angry, aggressive confrontations, you need to step back and take another look. How can you cope once you are involved with a controlling partner? Call Project Safe for help. Our hotline is confidential, and counseling is free. Get your life back. Get help.
706-543-3331
Hotline, 24 hours/day
de crisis, las 24 horas del dia
Over the past 11 years, Creature Comforts built a working relationship with one Canadian barley supplier, which Beauchamp says simply provided the best product for their craft brews. Barley is an essential component in beer production: It’s the fermentable ingredient that is broken down into alcohol. There are domestic suppliers, but to Beauchamp, none have been able to show him the same quality and consistency in their product.
“ Our margins are definitely compressed, compared to what they were even pre-pandemic, but it’s something we’ve felt we’ve needed to just sort of eat it ourselves.
Beauchamp says Creature Comforts hasn’t had to raise prices on its six-pack for a long time, even in the face of inflation. He feels like his product is an affordable luxury, something that consumers might splurge on even while they’re tightening their belts elsewhere.
Linea de crisis, las 24 horas del dia
“I’ve got 11 years of data on the other supplier, and a heck of a lot of confidence that they meet our expectation,” he says. “And if they haven’t, then they fixed it, and I know they have the ability to fix it. So there’s a known quantity there.”
Currently, Creature Comforts has a con-
Even in the face of increased costs, he says consumers won’t have to pay more for their six-pack, for now. “Our margins are definitely compressed, compared to what they were even pre-pandemic,” he says, “but it’s something we’ve felt we’ve needed to just sort of eat it ourselves.” f
This story comes to Flagpole through a reporting partnership with GPB News, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state of Georgia.
CEO and cofounder Adam Beauchamp
food & drink
good growing Farmers Market Season
LOCAL MARKETS OFFER FRESH PRODUCE AND FUN VENDORS
By Erin France news@flagpole.com
Athens boasts a plethora of farmers, food vendors and crafts people selling their wares at markets throughout the week. This year, the local farmers market landscape will be a bit different because the West Broad Market is on pause for the 2025 season.
The West Broad Market, run by the nonprofit Athens Land Trust, is taking a hiatus while funding for the program is assessed, said Young Urban Farmers Coordinator Randy Priest. “It’s not off the table,” he said. “It’s on pause now, and we’ll revisit it as we restructure what we do in the future.”
Shoppers interested in buying from familiar faces at the West Broad Market will be able to see some of those same folks at the Marigold Market in Winterville.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
PIERCING ATHENS SINCE
TUES-FRI
BINGO
Athens Land Trust’s young urban farmers and incubator farmers will sell produce at the Marigold Market every second and fourth Saturday of the month, Priest said.
said. “I truly just enjoy being at the farmer’s market.”
If you’re interested in meeting newer farmers and eclectic small businesses, Marigold Market is worth checking out. “I think it has a lot going for it, for familyfriendliness,” said communications director Katrina Ohstrom. Pittard Park hosts an adaptive playground and allows leashed dogs through the market. Sarah Hovator, Marigold Market’s executive director and a shepherdess, even sometimes brings baby goats to the market, Ohstrom said.
vendor sells produce at the Athens Farmers Market.
While there’s some friendly competition, this sort of support is typical for Athens’ markets. Many vendors start at a smaller market while building their businesses. Mannaweenta served Ethiopian/Eritrean food at the West Broad Market before opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Gaines School Road. Ceylon Snack Hut, selling Sri Lankan specialities, also started at West Broad before moving to Marigold Market. It’s now a staple at the Athens Farmers Market.
The Athens Farmers Market and Marigold Market both double SNAP/EBT benefits, support local families with food donations and offer a variety of seasonal activities.
“We have a little bit of everything for everyone,” said Brian Strickland, Athens Farmers Market manager. This year, the market will offer more convenient bike parking to encourage more people to ride instead of driving. Bike racks will be stationed near the market’s entrance, with a kind of coat- check process, Strickland said. “You’ll be able to hang your bike on the rack and know that it’s safe,” he said.
The Athens Farmers Market will feature favorite annual celebrations like April’s strawberry day and the autumn harvest fundraiser, but also will host a new wellness- centered event the first weekend in May, Roots 2 Rise. The two-day event will include yoga lessons, holistic health sessions and a sound bath. Ticket sales will help support the FarmRX program, providing food to local needy families.
Strickland said he was a customer at the Athens Farmers Market before landing the job as its manager. His family often chooses to spend their grocery money at the market to support local producers. “We see the economic benefit that it brings to Athens,” he
This year, the market’s farmers worked together to plan a wide array of diverse produce for customers to choose from, said Bradley Wheeler, a market co-manager and farmer at Foxwood Farms in Bowman. “I’m most excited to see the new mix of vegetables that will be hitting the market table this season,” Wheeler said. “The co-op has spent some time over the winter collaborating on what to grow, and I think those efforts are really going to create a bold and exciting experience for both the community and the market as a whole.”
Marigold Market also will hold a fundraiser Apr. 19, Marigold Mingle, to help fund its food donation program.
It’s worth your time to visit both markets. The Athens market has more produce, but it sells out more quickly—those early season tomatoes go fast. If you like having a longer chat with a vendor—Mr. Bill of Mr. Bill’s Beans is a favorite of mine—Marigold is a better bet. f
Marigold Market: Open Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. April through December at Pittard Park in Winterville. The group also runs a Monday market from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. with online pre-ordering or in-person shopping available.
Athens Farmers Market: Open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon March through December at Bishop Park. A smaller mid-week market is held Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. March through November at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. The group also holds a winter market January through February.
A
ART | THU, APR. 3
Art Rosenbaum
Opening Reception
Lyndon House Arts Center • 5:30 p.m. • FREE!
Named for the folk and gospel song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” the new exhibition “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Threads of Art Rosenbaum” is a series of the late artist’s paintings and drawings that explore the themes of family and community bonds, continuity and unity. The works are rooted in the context of Appalachian and Southern gospel traditions, depicting lively, musical Southern scenes in a variety of mediums while focusing on creativity, authenticity and a respect for the stories and voices that inform him. Rosenbaum was also dedicated to his work as a folklorist, musician, teacher and community builder, with these interests featuring prominently in his artwork. According to Rosenbaum, art is not only about what is made, but also the people it touches, the histories it honors, and the connections it draws across time and space. [Mary Beth Bryan]
ART | THU, APR. 3
Richard Huston
Opening Reception
ATHICA@Ciné • 6 p.m. • FREE!
Native flowers are reimagined in the work of local artist Richard Huston, who seeks out his subjects during his regular walks in nature. Like the flowers he depicts, Huston is a Georgia native, having grown up in Normaltown. He received his bachelor of fine arts degree in technical theater from UGA before continuing his studies at the University of Missouri Kansas City and moving to Los Angeles to work as an assistant art director, set designer and scenic artist. Huston returned to Athens in the early 2000s and began combining his love for art with his passion for flora. The paintings in this collection—his first solo exhibition with ATHICA—began as sketches in graphite, charcoal, watercolor and acrylic paint before being built up through layers of color and cut-out shapes. The final works are like stained-glass interpretations of nature, inspired by craftsmen like William Morris and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Huston’s paintings will be on display through Apr. 25. [MB]
MUSIC | FRI, APR. 4
and sisters Tikyra (T.K.) Jackson and Ava Jackson. Family chronicles the evolution of the group as both a family and a band while also reflecting the cultural tapestry of Memphis, TN, the city where the album came to be. Martine Ehrenclou writes from Rock & Blues Muse that on this record, “the band unleashes one memorable performance after another, all delivered with soul-healing power and fueled by Tierinii’s soaring vocals, warm sister harmonies, Naftaly’s deeply rooted guitar playing and TK’s forceful, propulsive drumming.” [MB]
EVENT | APR. 4–6
HauntFest April Ghouls
Terrapin Beer Co. • 3 p.m. • $20–190
HauntFest’s springtime spooky celebration is back, featuring macabre vendors of art and oddities, food and drink vendors, themed activities, haunted attractions and more. Amongst HauntFest’s wide range of activities are a car showcase, scavenger hunt games, creature encounters, Terror Trivia, crafts, book signings and ghost stories from local authors, body painting and even a trail of terror to visit after sunset. Live music is also an important aspect of the event; the lineup for Friday includes The Lazy Ghouls, Parking Garage, Vüdü Revival, Sorta Spooky, Murder the Mood, Sweet Meteor of Death and Persona Machine. On Saturday, Kyle Lewis is a Boring Name, Garden Variety Band, Adrianne Blanks & The Oracles, Hella Stellar Band, Rae & The Ragdolls and Husk will be performing. Finally, Back Room Revival, TC Costello, Fletcher Roberts, Karma Kat and Once Below Joy will perform on Sunday. In signature HauntFest fashion, the festival’s monsters and freaks will be released into the crowd to interact with patrons throughout the weekend, but those who are scared can pick up ghoul-gone glow necklaces to ward them off. [MB]
EVENT | SAT, APR. 5 International Street Festival
Downtown Athens •
Dog Person’s Late Bloomer PLUS,
MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com
WHAT’S IN A NAME?: Lately I’ve been consciously trying to get away from judging books by their covers or bands by their names, but I’ve been failing steadily and often. However, this leaves a lot of opportunity for pleasant surprises so, six of one, right? The latest of these nice revelations is Psychofunkyrough (who may also be known as simply Psychofunky, but it’s unclear). The new 11- song, soft indie-pop collection, long term wave draft, is clever, occasionally funny and rises well above its project name. Specific highlights here are “every little task,” “long term wave,” and “no one cared.” Find this quiet gem over at psychofunkyrough. bandcamp.com.
A POET AND A PICKER: Arfus Records is spreading its wings again, and this time it’s with a new single from Johann Greco Being previously unfamiliar with Greco, I was pleasantly surprised to hear this new song, “Doing The Best That I Can,” and can report that if you’re in the market for a fresh tune that sounds like it could have been poured directly onto a Sunday morning sidewalk by a gruffer Kris Kristofferson, then this is your thing. Greco’s first solo album, titled Hopeless, is slated for release May 28 courtesy of Arfus, but presumably this song and other singles to-beannounced will stream well before then. Look for this on all major streaming services, and if you can’t find it on those, then go bug all these folks via facebook.com/ JohannGreco, instagram.com/johanngreco and arfusrecords.com.
all but, rather, a collection of ambient and semi-ambient work with Hackett employing woodwinds, synthesizers, horns and other elements to create these sounds. Two tracks, “Nylon Bell Pot” and “Loose Changes 2,” are available to stream now, and preorders are available for digital downloads, vinyl LPs and compact discs. Check it out at ben-hackett.bandcamp.com.
SONGS FOR WIDE AWAKE DOGS: The Athens pop supergroup Dog Person (Lauren Gregg, Jay Domingo, Steve Hendriksen, Gray Reilly and Robbee Cucchiaro) just released its first full-length album and, indeed, its
first recorded music in nearly three years. These nine songs were recorded and mixed by Vic Fischer at Studio 1093, and they trot along to a familiar indie-pop aesthetic that would have been right at home on the old Kindercore label. The band next plays live at Foxglove Plant Bar (1063 Baxter St. Suite 600) on May 2 for its tape release show. For more information, please see dogperson. dog, and if you just wanna jump straight in and play the thing, head to dogperson. bandcamp.com.
Grammy Award-nominated roots, blues and soul band Southern Avenue is touring ahead of the Apr. 25 release of its debut album on Alligator Records, Family. The name of the album is referential to the band’s strong focus on its family identity; it is led by vocalist Tierinii Jackson, who is joined by her husband Ori Naftaly
12 p.m. • FREE! The International Street Festival is Athenians’ annual opportunity to explore a variety of cultures without leaving the city. The event was founded in 1999 with the goal of promoting cultural awareness and appreciation by featuring performances, activities and food from around the world. This year’s showcase will include Kenya Safari Acrobats, Tonalli Danza Folklórica Mexicana, music from the Pacific Islands and Africa, and dance performances from South, Southeast and East Asia. There will also be interactive displays hosted by UGA student organizations and community groups. All attendees will be given a “passport” that they can fill in with stamps from visiting different places around the festival, and those who fill their passport can receive prizes and raffle tickets. For those visiting with kids, the event also provides a Children’s Corner with crafts and inflatables. The festival will take place on College Avenue. [MB] f
HERE’S JOHNNY!: Johnny Falloon will release its next full-length album, Tell Hell I’m Not Coming, on May 30, but its first single, “Dog Flesh,” is out now. It’s a wonderfully theatrical track that’s several compositional steps above the group’s previous work. The whole album definitely skews a bit darker, too, so prepare yourself. Find this on major streaming services and celebrate along with Johnny Falloon Thursday, Apr. 3 at Flicker Theatre and Bar or Friday, Apr. 4 at Milledgeville’s Georgia College and State University-owned radio station WGUR 95.3 FM’s (aka 95.3 The Noise) Sounds of the Spring festival. Johnny Falloon will perform at Blackbird Coffee (114 W Hancock St., Milledgeville), and you can find more information on that through instagram. com/sotswgur, and keep up with all things Falloon over at instagram.com/johnny. falloon.
SLEEPER’S AWAKE: Pre-orders are open now for the upcoming full-length album by Ben Hackett (New Madrid, et al) named Songs for Sleeping Dogs. This isn’t a rock record at
NINE FROM ONE NIGHT: Hot on the heels of her release show for her new EP Keep To Me, Julia Barfield just released the live recording of the release show itself. It was recorded at Hendershot’s on Feb. 21, runs nine- songs long, and is a great companion piece to the new EP. She was joined in this live performance by Matt Knox (bass), Brandon Steinhauer (lead guitar), Iain Cooke (pedal steel) and Connor White (drums). Find this and more at juliabarfield. bandcamp.com.
COUPLE OF THINGS: While we were distracted Quentin Love sneaked out a couple of new songs. They are “Sleeping In Your Smile” backed with “My Little Eye.” The former is a very lighthearted tune, complete with a carnival- sounding keyboard refrain, but he does manage to throw a little rock guitar in it around the two-minute mark. The latter is much heavier and bass-oriented (or just bass-blown out) and sounds a lot longer than its mere two-and-a-half minute running time, and is pretty cinematic in its presentation. Dig ’em at quentinlove.bandcamp.com. f
International Street Festival
JAKE
ZERKEL
live music calendar
Tuesday 1
Ciné
8 p.m. FREE! www.athenscine.com
KARAOKE WITH THE KING Show off your pipes to the world. Every first, third and fifth Tuesday.
THE FOURFATHERS Funky soul organ quartet comprised of Dwayne Holloway, Jason Ogg, Chris Queen and Justin Willis.
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. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. music.uga.edu
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WIND
ENSEMBLE Performing “Shapeshifter” by Andrew Blair featuring Philip Smith, Brandon Craswell, James Naigus, Joshua Bynum and Matthew Shipes.
Normal Bar
8–11 p.m. FREE! booking@rudy montayremusic.com
OPEN MIC All musicians welcome. Every Tuesday. Ramsey Hall
HIBBS FAMILY BAND Quartet of family members combining the textures and rhythms of bluegrass and folk music with alt-rock melodic sensibilities and lyricism. (6 p.m.)
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 a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more.
Georgia Theatre
Rooftop
7 p.m. FREE! www.georgiatheatre.com
PALMYRA Folk trio from Virginia that flirts with soul, post-rock and emo influences. Touring their debut album, Restless CLOVER-LYNN Bluegrass and gothic country musician who rose to fame on TikTok under the name hillbillygothic.
Hendershot’s
7 p.m. FREE! www.hendershotsathens. com
OPEN MIC Hosted by Liz Farrell the first Wednesday of every month. Sign up in person starting at 6 p.m.
MAIKAI OPEN MIC Share your music, comedy and poetry every Wednesday.
The Old Pal Daffodil Disco. 6–9 p.m. www.instagram.com/theoldpal DJ LADARIUS Get ready to dance and help raise funds for Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful. Porterhouse Grill
7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com
JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits.
JAZZMYN Cross-cultural jazz fusion band. Album release show! ERIK OLSON Local keyboardist known for his work in jazz-infused trios and quartets, as well as his recently-formed band, Erik Olson’s Slam Tilt.
Cobbham Triangle Park Cobbcerts in the Park. 6 p.m. FREE!
Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall
Piedmont Athens Regional Performances for Young People. 10 a.m. pac.uga.edu
ANDA UNION Singing Mongolian history with a combination of throat singing and long song with a variety of instruments.
7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu
ALL CLASSICAL: MOZART AND HAYDN ARCO Chamber Orchestra performs a concert featuring the work of two composers who were quintessential in creating the sound known today as classical music.
Lexington Vintage
6–8 p.m. FREE! www.lexington vintageathens.com
Ramsey Hall
3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
The ensemble performs its annual spring concert.
7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu
LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC
ENSEMBLE An ensemble performing folk, classical, popular, nationalistic and contemporary music and dance of Latin America.
COMMÜNE Local political/feminist punk band living in revolt.
CARDYNAL AND THE FLOCK An eclectic, producer, instrumentalist and vocalist delivering hard-hitting, witty bars and catchy melodies.
NEAT FREAK Post-punk with ethereal shimmer and poignant melodic pop sensibilities.
The Foundry
Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 6 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). 15 (adv. or w/ UGA ID), $20. bit.ly/Southern AvenueAthens
SOUTHERN AVENUE Blues Music Award-winning, GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based family band that plays original Memphis blues, modern soul and gospel-infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless.
Hendershot’s Arcade Disco Dance Party. 10 p.m.–1 a.m. www.hendershotsathens.com DJ CHARLIEFLOWER Eclectic DJ into trance, ambient, synth pop, new wave, deep house and more.
HALOGENIC Local alternative psychedelic rock band.
RAUNCHER New project blending electronic, house and bass music.
ALIEN FUNK ACADEMY Athensbased power trio specializing in high intensity rock and roll influenced by Vulfpeck, Umphree’s McGee and Phish.
Akins Ford Arena
8 p.m. $31–96. www.classiccenter.com
MEGAN MORONEY UGA alum and breakout country star known for her 2022 hit “Tennessee Orange.” Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmers market.net
GORDAN STELTER Local musician. (8 a.m.)
ARTIE BALL SWING BAND Swing, blues, boogie and Dixieland with all the camp and candor of the glory days of the ’30s and ’40s. (10 a.m.) Buvez
5 p.m. $20. www.buvezathens.com
JIVEBOMB Hardcore punk based out of Baltimore, MD. CLOT Negative music for a negative world.
TREPID Local grungegaze and bouncy electro-punk.
ATTEST Originally formed in 2008, the group took a long hiatus before returning with a more refined hardcore punk sound.
REVILER Metallic hardcore from South Carolina
FRIGID Ice-cold hardcore from Atlanta.
POLARVIEW Alternative rock and shoegaze from Baltimore, MD. OBSCURITY Noise and synth-punk band.
Chibugan Cafe
3 p.m. 706-424-4286
RC OUTLAW COWBOY Country and gospel singer with over four decades of experience. Ciné
NEAT FREAK Post-punk with ethereal shimmer and poignant melodic pop sensibilities.
MARALUSO Indie rock project based out of Charleston, SC known for its intense songwriting structures and conversational melodies. KIT Athens-based kaleidoscopic rock band expanded from the eponymous solo project Catt Malonius. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com
NANOCAR Indie rock band with rich harmonic segments.
JONES MURPHY Singer of ’90s Nashville act The Lounge Flounders performs songs off of Stare Down Stare Down, a recently released album featuring members of Michael, Nuclear Tourism and Telemarket.
The Foundry Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 6 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10–80. bit.ly/FoundryApril5
COUNTRY RIVER BAND Classic western and honky-tonk style country band.
HOMAN AUTRY BAND Longrunning local band blending rock and country.
Front Porch Bookstore 6 p.m. FREE! Find Front Porch Bookstore on Facebook
DODD FERRELLE Winterville singer-songwriter who has explored acoustic folk, alt-country, pop rock
Mongolian group Anda Union will perform at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall on Thursday, Apr. 3 and Friday, April 4.
and Americana over the course of his career.
Hendershot’s
3–5 p.m. FREE! www.hendershots athens.com
CLASSICAL REVOLUTION Open play by local musicians.
Meson Park
7 p.m. FREE! Lexington GA Downtown Development Authority on Facebook
THE ORIGINAL SCREW TOPS
Athens blues band that has been active for over a decade performing original tunes and genre classics.
Normal Bar Attaboy Presents. 7 p.m. $10. www. instagram.com/normal_bar_athens
MCKENDRICK BEARDEN Athensbased alternative-rock artist whose music depicts the negatives and positives we all experience in life.
BIZNER Alternative folk band from Atlanta.
PONDGORL Athens-based artist
Laila Li McCleery joins genre-bending friends in a band of beautiful, harmonious DIY glory.
Strange Duck Brewing Mini Masters Mini Golf Tournament.
2–4 p.m. (tournament), 4:30–7 p.m. (music and mini golf). $20. www.lovecraftathens.org
FIVE EIGHT Legendary Athens band known for its boisterous, thoughtful rock and roll.
THE LOVE.CRAFT BAND Crew members of Love.Craft Athens perform songs.
ERIK OLSON QUARTET Passion project fueled by a mutual love of modern jazz and New Orleans style funk led by the nationally touring Erik Olson on organ and keys. Five Bar
11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.five-bar.com
SWING THEORY Local jazz trio playing brunch every Sunday. The Globe 4–7 p.m. www.facebook.com/globe. athens
SWING THEORY Jazz collective plays originals and standards.
Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall
6 p.m. $13. pac.uga.edu
AFRICA NIGHT A night of music, dancing, fashion and drama.
Monday 7
Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall
7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu
CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Under the direction of Vicki Lu, several distinguished guest artists join this ensemble which features instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, hulusi and the yangqin.
Madison-Morgan
Cultural Center
The Hall on Foster. 7 p.m. FREE! (performers), $5. www.mmcc-arts.org
OPEN MIC NIGHT New open mic series for music, spoken word, comedy, poetry and everything in between. Held the first Monday of each month.
Porterhouse Grill
7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com
JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in town featuring a rotating cast.
ROOMMATE College students playing a medley of rock covers and originals.
THE GOODJOYS Athens band with a dynamic blend of influences and a passion for creating a communitycentered environment.
THE ECHOLOCATIONS Local rock band embracing a retro, ’60sinspired sound. 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.”
Normal Bar
8–11 p.m. FREE! booking@rudy montayremusic.com
OPEN MIC All musicians welcome. Every Tuesday.
Wednesday 9
Athentic Brewing Co.
7–10 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com
KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY Every Wednesday. Creature Comforts Brewery
RED OAK STRING BAND Local band playing a feel-good blend of bluegrass, blues, folk, rock and classic country. (6 p.m.) 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 a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more.
MAIKAI OPEN MIC Share your music, comedy and poetry every Wednesday. Paloma Park Strikefest. 6 p.m. $7. www.instagram. com/strikemagazineathens
HALOGENIC Opening DJ set.
RITIKA Songwriter and producer whose unique sound ranges from folktronica to bossanova to create “music with umph.”
ORGANICALLY PROGRAMMED
Oliver Domingo’s electronic spacethemed act, which utilizes primitive drum machines and synthesizers to create disco-pop, jazz and easy listening inspired compositions. Porterhouse Grill
7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com
JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast. f
feature Rhythm of the Steeple People
COMPILATION OF PERCUSSIONIST SONGWRITERS BENEFITS PROJECT SAFE
By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com
The momentous 27- track compilation album Rhythm of the Steeple People, organized by Eddie Glikin to benefit the nonprofit Project Safe, highlights Athens drummers and percussionists as songwriters. Since its Jan. 15 release, the unique project has drawn a lot of support and attention, including radio interviews with Glikin and his collaborators for stations like WUGA and 97.1 The River. However, the release of this roughly 90-minute album has been three years in the making.
Glikin is a percussionist or “noisemaker” himself who has been involved in the local music scene since moving to Athens in 1978. Over the years he’s noticed a lot of drummers and percussionists who wrote great songs but often remained out of sight, out of mind behind their kits. And so the idea that these musicians should get together to create an album started ruminating in the back of his mind.
Outside of music, Glikin has long been involved with nonprofits like the Athens Wellness Clinic (formerly the Athens Nurses Clinic), Habitat for Humanity, Project Safe and Nuçi’s Space. His daughter Shannon Glikin also heavily supported the latter two organizations, but in 2021 Shannon lost her life to depression. In honor of her memory, Glikin wanted to do something to show support for the two organizations, and it felt like the right opportunity to organize the percussionist compilation he’d been dreaming up.
Since all of the proceeds of Rhythm of the Steeple People would be benefitting Project Safe, Glikin’s stipulation for its recording was that for anyone who needed studio time, Glikin would pay out of his own pocket for them to record at Nuçi’s Space to support the nonprofit. The other stipulation was that all musicians involved must be from Athens. Before putting his plan into action Glikin went to Chris Byron, engineer at Nuçi’s Space’s Amplify Recording Studio, to ask if this project was even a possibility. Glikin says that Byron replied, “If you get the people, it’s a possibility.”
“I know musicians who know musicians in this town. So I knew who to get in touch with to get in touch with other people… To my surprise, I had no problem getting them. It was like the only reason that any of them didn’t want to or couldn’t do it is because they had a prior commitment,” says Glikin.
willing to do it?’ He said, ‘It might be cool… let’s give it a shot,” says Glikin. “It was a bit of a challenge. Chris thought if we’re going to do this, we want to find where the best sound is. And so he would move the mics around and try. Of course it was a pain because he had to go back to the room and listen to it, then come back and tell me, ‘OK, let’s try this one,’ until we finally found the right place where the acoustics were right.”
“When Chris and I first started talking about this, he almost laughed because he went, ‘Yeah, that sounds pretty great. It sounds like a pretty big, you know, thing.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I know. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen or if it can, but let’s start it. Let’s see what happens.’”
Glikin invited drummers and percussionists to submit one or two songs, and he received about half already recorded. Scheduling studio time that fit everyone’s schedules for the other half of the songs is in part what took so much time to put this project together, but there were other music industry hang-ups like receiving permission from other recording studios to release some of the previously finished tracks. Ultimately, the album includes songs from Glikin, Kane Stanley, Deborah Wall, Tony Oscar, William Kissane, Joe Rowe, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, James Wilson, Seth Hendershot, Mark Cooper Smith, Catbird, Jason Fusco, Peter Alvanos, Moyuba and Bill Berry.
The iconic St. Mary’s Steeple featured on the album cover represents a connection to Nuçi’s Space, Athens, R.E.M. and the city’s music legacy, but it also captures a behind- thescenes history-making moment for Glikin. His track “It’s About Time” is the very first song to be recorded inside of the Steeple. It was recorded there in its entirety, beginning with Emily Salguero playing a set of singing bowls.
“I talked to Chris, and I said, ‘Is it possible to record in the steeple?’ He thought about it, and he said, ‘Yes, it is possible. It’s going to take a little doing.’ I said, ‘Are you
Although Glikin didn’t originally plan to organize a release show for the album, listeners kept asking him if he was going to get everyone together to perform. He spoke with Kane Stanley, who had been by his side through the project’s three years, and they decided they could get a house band together for a live show with featured drummers switching out to play their songs. And so the Steeple People Band started coming together with Bryan Howard, Dan Roth, John Neff, Rick Fowler and Stanley.
There will be live performances from the album at the 40 Watt Club on Apr. 11, with all proceeds from the event benefitting Project Safe. Joan Prittie, executive director of Project Safe, will host the show, and links to purchase the album will be available at the venue. Alongside the Steeple People Band, there will be performances by Five Eight, The Bad Ends and The Granfalloons.
“The experience was phenomenal. I mean, it was nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’ve never produced anything as far as an album or anything like that,” says Glikin. Rhythm of the Steeple People is available at thesteeplepeople.bandcamp.com, and tickets for the event are on sale at 40watt.com. f
WHO: Rhythm ofthe Steeple People Release Show WHEN: Friday, Apr 11, 7 p m (doors) WHERE: 40 Watt Club HOW MUCH: $10
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 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
ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY
(Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons. Visual artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creatives are encouraged to create a free listing. www.athenscreatives.directory
BIPOC ARTIST/CURATOR PROJ-
ECT 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 (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 (Oconee County Library) The library is seeking local artists to share their artwork in
monthly exhibitions. Email for information. adial@athenslibrary.org
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 (Winterville Library) Apply to be a featured local artist 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 ARTISTS (Athens Film Festival) Now accepting submissions for independent films including shorts, features, docs, animation, music videos and works in progress. Regular deadline is Apr. 15. www.athensfilm.com/ submissions
CALL FOR ARTISTS (Athica) Registration for the inaugural Studiofest 2025 is now open. The day-long studio crawl will be free to the general public, with a map of all participating studios available in print and online. Artists, artisans and craftspeople encouraged to apply. Deadline Apr. 20. Event May 3. Details on studio space definitions, fees and registration can be found online www.athica.org/updates/callstudiofest-2025 or email info@ athica.org for more information.
CALL FOR ARTISTS (Circulating Stamp Project) Take part in an interactive experience to create a limited-edition postcard while visiting multiple art venues across separate Third Thursday events. Apr. 17 and May 15. Visit www.3thurs.org for more information.
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. Through Apr. 24. Closing reception featuring readings and live music by New Town Revue on Apr. 24, 6–8 p.m.
AMICI AT THE FALLS (8851 Macon Hwy., Suite 501) Animal art with a pop art twist by local artist Will Eskridge on view through Apr. 10. ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) Curated by Lauren Bradshaw, “Interstitial Agency” features six artists using diverse materials to explore the body’s fragmentation and repair, expressing autonomy and resilience. Through May 1.
ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “A Walk in the Woods and Stroll Through the Garden” showcases local artist Richard Huston’s stylized paintings of native plants inspired by his walks in the woods. On view through Apr. 25. Reception Apr. 3 from 6–8 p.m.
AURUM STUDIOS (125 E. Clayton St.) “All Banners of Living Things” from local artist Margaret Agner features painted silk wall hangings of moths, butterflies and florals. Through May.
FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Marisa Mustard presents a diverse collection of art including large cuts of wood, paper mache, canvas paintings and functional pieces like piggy banks and cupboards. Through April.
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.
CALL FOR ARTISTS (MAGallery)
Now accepting artist applications for gallery exhibits. MAGallery is a nonprofit cooperative gallery. Gallery Artists work one day a month and participate on a committee. Visit www.themadisonartistsguild. org/call-for-artists for more information.
CALL FOR ARTISTS (MAGallery)
Now accepting artist applications for the MAGallery Plein Air Paint Out for the MADfest event on Apr. 26. Pre-registration required. www. themadisonartistsguild.org/pleinair-paint-out
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 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
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 SPRING MARKET (MAGallery) A rotating market featuring over 30 regional artists showcasing springtime creativity with a variety of mediums including birdhouses, pottery and more. Runs through May 10. Visit www.themadison artistsguild.org for days and times.
Auditions
BRIGHT STAR (Town & Gown Players) Auditions for this musical production will be held Apr. 14–15. Performances held June 12–22. Email info@townandgownplayers. org 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
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 “Three
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.
JUST PHO...AND MORE (1063 Baxter St.) A collection of silk works, including pieces by local artist Margaret Agner, will be on view through April. 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. • In the “Green Life Exhibition,” local school-aged students present work that depicts Athens through their eyes. Closing reception May 1, 4–6 p.m. On view through May 1. • Over 150 works for the 50th Juried Exhibition are on view through May 10. Artist talks held Apr. 10, 17, 24 and May 1 at 5:30 p.m. • “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Threads of Art Rosenbaum” showcases the late artist’s exploration of American vernacular music through his paintings and drawings. Artist reception Apr. 3, 5:30–7:30 p.m. On view Apr. 3–June 14. MAGALLERY (125 W. Jefferson St., Madison) Atlanta artist Robert Miller presents a special exhibition of abstracted works called “All Over the Pallet” that runs through Apr. 19.
OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) Featured exhibit “Youth Art Month” will be on view through May 9.
THE OLD PAL (1320 Prince Ave.) Painter Jacob Riddling will have expressionist works focusing on the human figure on view. Through mid-April.
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.
STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA (2450 S. Milledge Ave) Local photographer and mixed media artist Berkeley Boone presents a nature-centric exhibition through Apr. 27.
Hook Rack” (Apr 5), “Fire Poker” (Apr. 12), “Blacksmith Tongs” (Apr. 26), “Spear” (May 3) and “Bottle Opener” (May 10). Visit website for costs and details. www.greenhow handmade.com/blacksmith-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
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS (Athens, GA) The Athens Land Trust hosts a variety of virtual and in-person classes. Topics include “Fair Housing” (Apr. 7) and “Tenant’s Rights” (Apr. 21). Visit website for full list. www.athenslandtrust.org/ classes-events
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS (The Lightroom Athens) A variety of programs to help build skills in photography, videography and audio production. Follow @lightroomath on Instagram for the latest updates.
CLEAN ENERGY STUDY GROUP (Athens, GA) Learn about the ACC Clean & Renewable Energy Plan, and discuss how local citizens can contribute to reaching ACC’s goals. A 5-week program on Tuesdays, Through Apr. 15. Morning and evening sessions available. Email info@sosuin.org for information.
COOKING AND BAKING CLASSES (Athens Cooks) Upcoming classes include “Classic Lasagna” (Apr. 4), “Sweet & Savory Biscuits” (Apr. 6), “Fish & Chips” (Apr. 18), “GlutenFree Cinnamon Rolls” (Apr. 22) and “Strawberry Layer Cake” (Apr. 27). Visit website for full list, prices and registration. www.athenscooks. com/collections/cooking-classes
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/interme-
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
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
WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE (AKF Athens Martial Arts) Registration open for 6-week course teaching physical techniques for escaping dangerous situations as well as confidence building. Begins Apr. 9. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $40. Scholarships available. www.akfathens.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 of yoga. Visit @gratefulheadyoga for full 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) Classes are offered in Power Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Yin and Restorative Yoga. New student offer: four weeks of unlimited yoga for $40. shaktiyogaathens.com
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. • “The Madness of Clowns” is a collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures that explores humanity’s interest in clowns. Presented by curatorial assistant Victoria Raatz. Through July 1.
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.) “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. • “From Farms to Fast Fashion: Unraveling the Need for Sustainable Style” tells the story of how fast fashion came to rise and who pays for the cost of its convenience. Through July. • With selections from the Samuel Golden Theatre Collection, “The Golden Age of Broadway” provides a glimpse into Broadway’s Golden Age through musical posters, playbills, and artifacts. Through August. • “Captain Planet: The Power Is Yours” explores the origins and impact of the TV series, which inspired young people to care for the environment. Through May 2026.
WINTERVILLE CULTURAL CENTER GALLERY (371 N. Church St., Winterville) Featuring the works of more than a dozen potters, “Georgia Contemporary Wood-Fired Potters” highlights the tradition of wood firing. • The first annual “Friends of the Gallery: Members’ Exhibition” will showcase the works of 40 local artists. Opening reception Apr. 5, 5–7 p.m. On view Apr. 4–May 22.
WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Ln., Winterville) “Discography: A Visual Exploration of Music” by Abigail Boylen is a collection of colorful and engaging paintings. Reception Apr. 5, 12–1:30 p.m. Currently on view through Apr. 12.
Help Out
ADOPT-A-MOM (Athens, GA) The Ark’s annual Adopt-a-Mom distributes flower bouquets and cards to nursing home patients and single mothers. Donate $25 to “adopt a mom” for Mother’s Day. Proceeds also benefit The Ark’s Single Working Mother’s Fund. Through May 10. www.athensark.org/adopta-mom
ATHENS REPAIR CAFE (Solid Waste Office) The repair cafe is seeking volunteers comfortable fixing a variety of items including: clothing, small appliances, lamps,knives, tools and more. Fourth Sunday of every month. reuse@accgov.com, www.accgov.com/RepairCafe
BRAS FOR A CAUSE (Grail Bra Specialists) Seeking donations of gently-used bras for distribution to local shelters, recovery centers and communities in need. Contact Athens Area Bra Bank at 706-8500387, support@grailbras.com
MULTIPLE CHOICES VOLUNTEERS (Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living) Seeking volunteers to assist a nonprofit agency that serves individuals living with disabilities throughout a 10-country area of Northeastern Georgia. Con-
tact Daniel Myers at 706-850-4025 or dmyers@multiplechoices.us PACK WALKS (Animal Services Adoption Center) Volunteer dog walkers needed for daily interactions with the shelter dogs. Open opportunities every day, 4–5 p.m. Register at www.tidycal.com/animal servicesvolunteer/pack-walk
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
RAMP UP FOR SPRING CLEANING VOLUNTEERS (KACCB) Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup and Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful have volunteer opportunities that include roadside cleanups, adopt-a-ramp, daffodil bulb donations and more. Email carlos.pintos@acc.gov or visit www.keepathensbeautiful.org for more info.
SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Athens FOL) The Friends of the Library Board of Directors are currently accepting applications for new members. Must be a current member of the FOL and available for monthly meetings plus various vol-
unteer opportunities. Applications online. Deadline is Apr. 4. www. friendsofacclibrary.org
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 BOARD MEMBERS
(Moms Adopting Moms) Local nonprofit seeks board members, including a chair and treasurer, to support foster children and families through mentorship and reunification. momsadoptingmoms@ gmail.com
SEEKING FOOD DONATIONS (The Cottage) Seeking donations of single-serving, non-perishable snacks to help children and adults navigating interviews, therapy sessions and court hearings. To arrange a drop-off please call 706-546-1133, ext 223.
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 AND DONATIONS (Twilight) Volunteers and donations needed for the 45th Annual Twilight event. Volunteer opportunities include event guide, enrichment activity support and more. Donate a rental to host professional cyclists and staff, and receive a variety of opportunities such as VIP tickets or special event entries. Apr. 25–26. Sign up forms online. www.athenstwilight.com/ volunteer, www.athenstwilight. com/host
TEACHER SUPPLIES (Teacher Reuse Store) Educators can access free creative supplies at the store. Visit accgov.com/trs for hours.
TOWELS FOR ANIMALS (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
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 AND PROGRAMS (ACC Leisure Services) Registration for the 2025 Spring and Summer season is now open. A variety of programs, classes and camps for all ages are available at local parks and community centers including “Spring Break Fun Zone,” “Sports R Us,” and “Swim School.” Visit website for full list of classes, availability and registration. www.accgov.com/ myrecs, 706-613-3800
CAMP PROGRAMS (Athens Humane Society) “Humane Heroes” and “Junior Vet” summer camps are open for registration. June and July availability but spaces are limited. www.athenshumanesociety.org/ summer-camp
CAMP PROGRAMS (Firefly Homeschool Community) Registration for “Be Wild” Homeschool Summer Camp for students grade K–12 is now open. Programs run May through June. Visit fireflyhome schoolcommunity.org for pricing and scheduling.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Merit Music Academy) Registration for a variety of Summer Camp classes is now open. Offering Puppetry, Piano, and Ukulele Camps, with crafts, snacks and performances. Visit MeritMusic Academy.com/summercamp for pricing and scheduling.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Nuçi’s Space) Registration for 2025 camp programs is now open for June and July Camp Amped sessions, Camp Amplify recording/engineering camp, Camp Amped Half Day 1 week sessions and 1 week Sound Check sessions. Visit www.nuci. org/camp for more information.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Sweet Olive Farm) Registration for 2025 camp programs for children ages 6–12 is now open. Programs run June through Aug. Visit www.sweetolive farm.org for pricing and options.
CAMP PROGRAMS (The Studio) Registration for “Creative Kids Camp” starting in June is now open. Programs are for ages 4–8 with music, art and movement to foster creative expression and imaginative play. www.thestudioath. com
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 Street. 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. Summer camp registration is now open. Check website for schedule and details. www.treehousekidandcraft.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 parentbaby yoga, instrument play, maternal mental health and more. www. reblossomathens.com
SUMMER CAMPS (Athens First UMC) Registration for True North Vacation Bible School for kids K–5 is now open. June 2–5. Outdoor adventures and lessons of trusting Jesus in a wild world. www.athens firstumc.org/vbs
Support Groups
ADVANCED CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (University Cancer and Blood Center) A support group for those living with advanced/ terminal cancer with the goal to find comfort, encouragement and valuable resources. First Monday of every month. 5:30–7 p.m. www.university cancer.com
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
PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (Chase Park Warehouses) A peer-led 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. www. vibrantbeing.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 vio-
lence. 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
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 CALL FOR STORYTELLERS (Rabbit Box) Rabbit Box presents true short stories shared by community members. Submit story ideas for upcoming shows. Themes include “Road Trip!” (Apr. 22) and “Soundtrack of My Life” on (May 27). www.rabbit box.org/tell
SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT (Various Locations) The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government will host a series of public input events and survey opportunities as part of the Planning Department’s continued efforts to update Athens-Clarke County’s Future Land Use Map. List of events and drop-in meetings as well as a survey are available through Apr. 30. www.accgov.com/ compplan.
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. 706-340-7134 SPRING FLOWERING BULB SALE (Athens Area Gardeners Association) In conjunction with Athens Area Gardeners Association, the ACC County Extension Office and the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia, this bulk bulb sale benefits local community gardens and UGA Horticultural Scholarships. Order through Apr. 30. www.tinyurl.com/ 2025bulbsale
SPRING REGISTRATION OPEN (ACC Leisure Services) A diverse selection of programs for both adults and children are now open for registration. Visit www.accgov. com/myrec to sign up. Scholarships available. www.accgov.com/ scholarship f
“Man’s Search for Meaning” oil on canvas by Cameron Bliss and “Vespers” assemblage by Sharon McDearis are part of the Members’ Exhibition at the Winterville Cultural Center Galleries. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Apr. 5 from 5–7 p.m.
event calendar
Wednesday 2
ART: Faculty Perspectives (Georgia Museum of Art) Joseph Kellner will give a gallery talk on the exhibition “The Awe of Ordinary Labors: 20thCentury Paintings from Ukraine.” 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.
org
CLASSES: SSI: En-ROADS Workshop (Online) Explore local climate solutions, whether it’s supporting clean energy, protecting green spaces, or creating a more sustainable future. Registration required. 2 p.m. FREE! www.southernsustain abilityinstitute.org
COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com
EVENTS: Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, art and crafts. Live music at 6 p.m. AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www.athens farmersmarket.net
FILM: España en Corto (Georgia Museum of Art) This is the 12th anniversary of the two-day festival of awarded short films from Spain. 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (showing). FREE! www.facebook.com/ EspanaEnCorto
FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Disturbed by the disappearance of her psychiatrist boyfriend after dreaming of his murder, Julie travels to the last place he has been seen in Eye of the Labyrinth. 7 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/bloodeverywhere. athens
GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist. New players welcome. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia
GAMES: Trivia Night (Hotel Indigo) Test your trivia knowledge. 6 p.m. FREE! www.indigoathens.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (La Fiesta) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia
GAMES: Trivia Night (B&B Theatres) Test your trivia knowledge on a variety of topics. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www. bbtheatres.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia
KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
KIDSTUFF: LEGO Mania (Bogart Library) Drop in to free build and create. All ages. 3–5 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
KIDSTUFF: Teen Prism Club (Oconee County Library) Hang out in the library to play games, do crafts and build friendships in an inclusive and welcoming space. Grades 6–12. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee
LECTURES & LIT: Environment in Mexico (Baldwin Hall) Dr. Analiese Richard will present her research. 3:30 p.m. FREE! lacsi.uga.edu
LECTURES & LIT: Odum Environmental Ethics Lecture (Jackson Street Building) Ethnographer, writer, photographer and filmmaker Wade Davis will give a talk discussing the world’s indigenous cultures 4 p.m. FREE! calendar.uga.edu
LECTURES & LIT: Word of Mouth (The Globe) Athens’ longest-running spoken word open mic, celebrating National Poetry Month with poets Han Vance and Rosser Shymanski from Atlanta. 6 p.m. (signups), 7 p.m. (poetry). FREE! www. facebook.com/athenswordofmouth
MEETINGS: Avid Writers’ Collective (Avid Bookshop) Members critique each others’ pre-submitted writing of all forms. First Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. FREE! events@ avidbookshop.com
SPORTS: Athens Rock Lobsters vs. Binghamton Black Bears (Akins Ford Arena) Cheer on the home team in this hockey match. 7 p.m. $20–43. www.classiccenter.com
Thursday 3
ART: Artist Reception (Lyndon House Arts Center) The exhibition “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Threads of Art Rosenbaum” will be on view featuring paintings and drawings by the late artist. 5:30–7:30 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/LyndonHouseArts
ART: Aralee Strange Lecture (Georgia Museum of Art) Keisha L. Green will discuss pathways for a multimodal literacy-rich liberal arts based education in the era of many issues preventing instruction about race or social justice. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org
CLASSES: Lines and Wines (Tapped Athens Wine Market) Learn to use various calligraphy tools and methods while enjoying a selection of wines on tap. Registration required. 6 p.m. $28 (workshop only). www.kaartist.com
CLASSES: AI for Image Generation and Editing (ACC Library) Learn how to use tools to generate and edit content, and to create images and art from text prompts. Registration required. 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org
COMEDY: ASSSSCAT (150 Fritz Mar Lane) Flying Squid improvisers perform special longform improvised scenes followed by standup with Lanny Farmer. 9 p.m. $10. www. flyingsquidcomedy.com
EVENTS: Ladies Night Out (Boutier Winery & Inn) Enjoy a night of dancing with wine, beer and a buffet. First Thursdays, 6:30–9:30 p.m. $20. www.boutierwinery.com
FILM: Como Vivimos (UGA Special Collections Library) Documentarian Aggie Ebrahimi Bazaz screens Como Vivimos (How We Live) followed by a virtual panel discussion. 7 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu
GAMES: BINGO (VFW Post 2872) Join in to play this weekly game of chance. Thursdays, 5 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.johnnys pizza.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia
GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Foundry) Test your knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Your Pie Watkinsville) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia
KIDSTUFF: Baby Music Jam (ACC Library) Sing, dance and play along with instruments. All ages. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
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: 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
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
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org
SPORTS: Athens Rock Lobsters vs. Binghamton Black Bears (Akins Ford Arena) Cheer on the home team in this hockey match. 7 p.m. $20–43. www.classiccenter.com
Friday 4
COMEDY: Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue (The Classic Center) The classic TV show comes to life on stage. Ages 18 & up. 7 p.m. $35–99. www.classiccenter. com
EVENTS: UGA College of VetMed Open House (University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine) People of all ages can explore the world of veterinary medicine through activities like teddy bear surgery, a Q&A panel and more. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. FREE! vet.uga.edu
EVENTS: Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale (Center for Applied Genetic Technologies) Browse houseplants, landscaping plants, vegetables and more. Apr. 4–5, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Apr. 6, 12–6 p.m. ugahortclub2014@gmail.com
EVENTS: Hauntfest (Terrapin Beer Co.) This off-season Halloween/ horror festival features live music, art vendors, entertainment and activities with the theme April Ghouls. Apr. 4–5, 3 p.m.–12 a.m. Apr. 6, 3–10 p.m. $20/day (adv.), $25/day. www.hauntfest.net
EVENTS: Vermouth Tasting (Tonique Bottle Co.) Drop in to taste a variety of French Vermouth on their own and used in a cocktail. 5–7 p.m. $10. www.shoptonique. com
GAMES: Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Join others for a weekly chess competition. Fridays, 6–10 p.m. FREE! www.winterville center.com
GAMES: Historic Game Night (Lexington Vintage) Living history interpreter Libba Beaucham will teach children classic games from the 18th and 19th centuries. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.lexingtonvintage athens.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
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
LECTURES & LIT: Athens Science Café (Buvez) This month Dr. Mark Farmer will give a talk titled “The History and Future of American Science.” 5 p.m. FREE! www.athens sciencecafe.wordpress.com
Saturday 5
ART: Student Perspectives (Georgia Museum of Art) Join one of the student guides for a conversational tour of the permanent collection. 12 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum. org
ART: Opening Reception (Winterville Cultural Center Gallery) Exhibitions featuring the Georgia Contemporary Wood Fired Potters and Friends of the Gallery will be on view. 5–7 p.m. FREE! www.wintervillecenter.com/gallery-about-us
CLASSES: Beginning Gardening Workshop (Publica) Learn about site selection, bed preparation, plant selection and organic gardening principles with snacks, meals and coffee provided. Registration required. 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. www. asuskaproduction.com
COMEDY: The Hothouse (work. shop) An improv comedy show that pokes, prods and stretches reality until it verges on the surreal featuring LeeAnn Peppers, Bradley Bazzle and Matt House. 8 p.m. $10. www. hattmouse.com/shows
EVENTS: Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park) Markets offer locally grown groceries and handmade goods with live music and children’s activities. AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.net
EVENTS: UGA Trial Garden Spring Plant Sale (UGA Trial Gardens) This annual sale will feature landscape ornamentals curated from the garden’s collection of annuals, perennials and more. 8 a.m.–1 p.m. FREE! ugatrial.hort.uga.edu
EVENTS: Marigold Farmers Market (Pittard Park) Vendors offer organic produce, prepared foods, agricultural products and artisanal goods, with this opening day market also having a pre-sale and day-of plant sale. Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. www.marigoldcollective winterville.com
EVENTS: Open House (Cofers Home & Garden) There will be plant sales, music, food trucks and door prizes. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www.cofers. com
EVENTS: 10th Annual Outpace Parkinson’s 5K and Fun Run (Sandy Creek Park) Fundraiser for research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. 9 a.m. $28.15–33.44. www.pdathens.weebly.com
EVENTS: Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale (Center for Applied Genetic Technologies) Browse houseplants, landscaping plants, vegetables and more. Apr. 4–5, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Apr. 6, 12–6 p.m. ugahortclub2014@gmail.com
EVENTS: African American Genealogy Shared Interest Group (ACC Library) Learn and share research stories, problem-solving techniques, and tools that are focused on African American genealogy. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org
EVENTS: Open House (Meadowsong School) Meet teachers, tour the school and learn about educational opportunities. Registration required. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www. meadowsong.org
EVENTS: International Street Festival (College Avenue) Annual festival that explores different cultures through performances, activities and food from around the world. 12–5 p.m. FREE! isl.uga.edu/ international-street-festival
EVENTS: Eleven Year Anniversary Party (Creature Comforts Brewery) Celebrate with a full-day of entertainment, food and beer. 12–10 p.m. $24.99–299.99. www.creature comfortsbeer.com
EVENTS: Spring Fling Market (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse local vendors offering vintage pieces, local art and more. 1–6 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com
EVENTS: Mini Masters Mini Golf Tournament (Strange Duck Brewing) Second annual tournament with live music, food and drinks in benefit of Love.Craft Athens. 2–4 p.m. (tournament), 4:30–7 p.m. (music and mini golf). $20. www. instagram.com/strangeduckbrewing
EVENTS: Hauntfest (Terrapin Beer Co.) This off-season Halloween/ horror festival features live music, art vendors, entertainment and activities with the theme April Ghouls. Apr. 4–5, 3 p.m.–12 a.m. Apr. 6, 3–10 p.m. $20/day (adv.), $25/day. www.hauntfest.net
EVENTS: Hands Off! Protest (College Square Plaza) Bring signs with your own “hands off” statement to join the march and hear speeches. 3–5 p.m. www.facebook.com/ IndivGA10
GAMES: Learn to Play Shadowrun RPG (Tyche’s Games) Join others to learn about the science fantasy tabletop role-playing game. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com
KIDSTUFF: STEM Games & Crafts (Bogart Library) The Center for Developmental Science at UGA hosts games and fun. 2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
PERFORMANCE: Brew Revue Variety Show (Athentic Brewing Co.) A variety of local talents take the stage to perform. 7 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com
PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Drag For All (Hendershot’s) Enjoy a fabulous night of open drag fun for all ages in benefit of Boybutante with special guests The Armorettes Camp Drag Group. 8–11 p.m. $5. www.athensshowgirl cabaret.com
SPORTS: Classic City Petanque Club Tournament (Lay Park) The third annual FPUSA SE Region Mixed Triples Petanque tournament will feature 24 teams competing from around the Southeast. Apr. 5–6, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www. athenspetanque.org
Sunday 6
ART: Student Perspectives (Georgia Museum of Art) Join one of the student guides for a conversational tour of the permanent collection. 2 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: Off the Clock Comedy (The Globe) Athens Comedy presents a lineup of local and touring comedians. 8:30 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). www.facebook.com/ athenscomedy
EVENTS: Spring Plant Sale (515 Forest Heights Drive) Pre-order or browse heirloom plants for sale. Apr. 6 & 12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. www. forestgardensfarm.com
EVENTS: Horticulture Club Spring Plant Sale (Center for Applied Genetic Technologies) Browse houseplants, landscaping plants, vegetables and more. Apr. 4–5, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Apr. 6, 12–6 p.m. ugahortclub2014@gmail.com
EVENTS: Athens Beer Fest (440 Foundry Pavilion) Sample beers from regional breweries with live music and food trucks in benefit of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. Ages 21 & up. 1 p.m. $55–85. www.classiccenter.com
EVENTS: Upcountry Oyster Roast (Athentic Brewing Co.) Athens Land Trust celebrates its 31st anniversary with an oyster roast, beer release, raffles and live music from Erik Olson Quartet. 2–5 p.m. $100. www.athenticbrewing.com
EVENTS: Beat the Chief BBQ Cook Off (Saucehouse) A backyard barbecue showdown in benefit of Friends of Advantage. 2 p.m. $25. www.advantagebhs.org/friends-ofadvantage
EVENTS: Hauntfest (Terrapin Beer Co.) This off-season Halloween/ horror festival features live music, art vendors, entertainment and activities with the theme April Ghouls. Apr. 4–5, 3 p.m.–12 a.m. Apr. 6, 3–10 p.m. $20/day (adv.), $25/day. www.hauntfest.net
EVENTS: Africa Night (Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall) This annual event is an immersive cultural experience showcasing an array of African cultures through dances, fashion, music and drama. 6 p.m. $13. pac. uga.edu
GAMES: BINGO (VFW Post 2872) Join in to play this game of chance. 1 p.m. (doors), 3 p.m. (game). FREE! www.facebook.com/vfw2872
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
MEETINGS: Game Developer Munch (Barnett Shoals Waffle House) Network whether you’re a
game developer or interested in learning more. 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/groups/AthensGameDevs
PERFORMANCE: The Great Gatsby Ballet (The Classic Center) The World Ballet Company performs to an original score with hand-crafted costumes and lavish sets. 6 p.m. $39–85. www.classiccenter.com
SPORTS: Classic City Petanque Club Tournament (Lay Park) The third annual FPUSA SE Region Mixed Triples Petanque tournament will feature 24 teams competing from around the Southeast. Apr. 5–6, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www. athenspetanque.org
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org
Monday 7
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.marigold collectivewinterville.com
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: 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: YA Sketch & Study (Oconee County Library) Drop in to work on personal projects or schoolwork. Snacks, music and art supplies provided. Grades 6–12. 6–8 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
MEETINGS: Recovery Dharma (work.shop) A Buddhist-inspired support group for addiction of all kinds with introductions, a short meditation and book reading, followed by group sharing. Open to all, especially service industry workers. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www. recoverydharma.org
PERFORMANCE: Miss Thing’s Drag Search (Hendershot’s) Watch new and seasoned drag queens and kings compete to win a spot in the line up during the annual Boybutante Ball. 7 p.m. (doors). FREE! www.facebook.com/boybutante
Tuesday 8
CLASSES: MS Word: Styles, Themes and Templates (ACC Library) Learn how to use styles, themes and templates to create a professional looking document. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
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
CLASSES: Genealogy 101 (ACC Library) Learn about DNA kits and how to research records and search for family members. 3:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
COMEDY: Flying Squid Open Improv Jam (150 Fritz Mar Lane) Improvisors of all skill levels
are invited to practice and play together. 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flyingsquidcomedy. com
EVENTS: Rex Manning Day (Creature Comforts Brewery) Dress as your favorite ’90s movie character, play ’90s movie-themed trivia and browse a pop-up record sale from Wuxtry Records. www.creature comfortsbeer.com
FILM: Athentic Movie Night (Athentic Brewing Co.) Screening of the 1998 Pixar classic A Bug’s Life. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com
FILM: The Jangling Man (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Attaboy Tapes presents a screening of the Martin Newell documentary. 8 p.m. FREE! 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/baddog athens
GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com
GAMES: Rock ’n Roll Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host The Music Man. Second Tuesdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.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/MellowMushroom Athens
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
MEETINGS: Athens Fibercraft Guild (Lyndon House Arts Center) Kay Read will show and discuss how and why she makes her sculptural beasties with crocheting and stitchery. 12:30–2:30 p.m. FREE! www.athensfiber.org
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org
Wednesday 9
ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org
CLASSES: Google Drive and Docs (ACC Library) Learn how to upload, manage and share files in Google Drive. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org
COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com
kets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, art and crafts. Live music at 6 p.m. AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www.athens farmersmarket.net
GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist. New players welcome. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia
GAMES: Miss Thing’s Drag Bingo (40 Watt Club) Play bingo hosted by Sophia Lo’Rent, Lacie Bruce and Karmella Macchiato to win prizes. All ages. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (bingo). www.boybutante.org
GAMES: Trivia Night (Hotel Indigo) Test your trivia knowledge. 6 p.m. FREE! www.indigoathens.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (La Fiesta) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia
GAMES: Music Bingo (B&B Theatres) Join in to play music bingo. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www.bbtheatres. com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia
KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
KIDSTUFF: LEGO Mania (Bogart Library) Drop in to free build and create. All ages. 3–5 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
MEETINGS: Lunch and Learn (Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living) A guest speaker for the Multiple Ideas Support Meeting will discuss Non-Twenty-Four Circadian Rhythm Disorder. 12:30 p.m. FREE!
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.athentic brewing.com
Down the Line
4/10 Adobe InDesign for Beginners (ACC Library)
4/10 BINGO (VFW Post 2872)
4/10 Murder on the Orient Express (UGA Fine Arts Theatre)
4/11 Meet & Play (Bogart Library)
4/11 True South (150 Fritz Mar Lane)
4/11 Murder on the Orient Express (UGA Fine Arts Theatre)
4/12 Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park)
4/12 Marigold Farmers Market (Pittard Park)
4/12 Redstone Round Up (Redstone Market + Butcher)
4/12 Oconee County FanFest (Oconee County Civic Center)
4/12 Spring Plant Sale (515 Forest Heights Drive)
4/12 Spring Plant Sale (R&R Secret Farm)
4/12 Super Spring Saturday (Washington Farms)
4/12 Really, Really Free Market (Reese and Pope Park)
4/12 Animal Clinic 1 Year Celebration (Oak Grove Animal Clinic)
4/12 Murder on the Orient Express (UGA Fine Arts Theatre)
4/13 Spring Plant Sale (R&R Secret Farm)
4/13 Murder on the Orient Express (UGA Fine Arts Theatre)
4/13 Comedy Open Mic (MaiKai Kava Lounge) f
classifieds
REAL ESTATE
HOUSES FOR RENT
House in ARMC. 3BR/2BA. Central HVAC. Furnished. Hwd floors. Washer/dryer. Driveway/on-street 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. 706-296-2941
PROPERTY FOR RENT
Hotel Abacus offers six unique and historic venues for your special event. hotelabacusathens.com
FOR SALE
SPORTING GOODS
Adirondack Canoe Company 14’ hand-built Boreas. Carbon fiber and Kevlar, 24 pounds. $1800 includes 3 paddles. One person flat water canoe. Like new condition. 706-614-3348
YARD SALES
MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE . Sat. 4/5, 8am-2pm. 115 Hampton Park Dr. Hampton Park Subd. off Oglethorpe Ave. Furniture, designer clothes, kitchen items, art, boys clothing, childrens car seats and SO much more! Let our treasures become YOUR treasures!
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.athensschoolofmusic.com. 706-543-5800
In-home private music lessons with a local and passionate teacher at a reasonable rate. I come to you! 30 or 60 minute lessons. Experienced with guitar, voice, bass, piano, recording, mixing, songwriting and live performance. (Almost) all ages and skill levels. Camnortonmusic@gmail.com
Summer Camps at Merit Music Academy are filling fast! Offering Puppetry, Piano, and Ukulele Camps, with crafts, snacks and performances. Read more at MeritMusicAcademy.com/ summercamp!
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
CLASSES
Athens First UMC True North Vacation Bible School June 2-5 for kids K-5. Outdoor adventures and lessons of trusting Jesus in a wild world! athensfirstumc.org/ vbs
HOME AND GARDEN
Do you need old newspapers for your garden? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll have a stack ready for you. Please leave current issues on the stands. 706-549-0301
Get ready for spring! Woman-Run Gardening Services: We offer garden clean-up/ maintenance, invasive plant removal, raised beds, personalized native/edible gardens for home/business and more! Call/Text: 706-3955321.
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 631-9034365.
Local Spring Plant Sale! Apr. 6 & 12 10a.m.-4p.m. Pawpaws, Hybrid Chestnuts, Peaches, Hardy Pomegranates, Figs, Elderberries, Hazelnuts, Persimmons, Comfrey & Other Edible Plants! Buy 3 Plants Get 1 Free~Bring a Friend Get 50% off a Plant. See ForestGardensFarm. com for Plants & Details! Plant Sale & Preorder Pickup in Athens in Forest Heights Neighborhood. ~Address of Plant Sales On Website~
Advertise your service in the Flagpole Classifieds. Call 706-549-0301.
PETS
Pamper your pup at Bark Dog Spa, Athens’ premiere dog grooming facility! Book online at barkdogspa.com
JOBS
FULL-TIME
Athens digital marketing agency seeks articulate, energetic, professional Private Equity Sales Associates . More info at: lightmarkmedia.com/job
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
Join our growing team of well-paid, motivated, hardworking individuals. Junk South starting pay $15/hr + tips (totaling $22+/hr). Learn more at www.junksouth.com and text us 706-424-4389.
Summer Seasonal (May-Aug) Classic City Installation - Starting @ $20–25/hr. Assistant Manager roles performing furniture installation on college campuses. Email: rnichols@ classiccityinstallation.com or text/call 470-866-8777.
NOTICES
LOST AND FOUND
LOST DOG! ‘Bo’ is a friendly black and white mutt. Last seen on 3/21 in downtown Athens. Please call 706-4633518 with any information.
ORGANIZATIONS
If you are in crisis due to domestic violence, Project Safe is here to help. Call 706-543-3331 or visit project-safe.org.
Northeast Health District offers free or low-cost services to all people within our area and to promote healthy lifestyles among all members. northeasthealthdistrict. org
VFW Post 2872. Join us for weekly Bingo nights, live music and more at VFW Post 2872 at 835 Sunset Drive in Athens!
