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Music Section p. 2 - 5 Spring concert p. 8 Unique grading method p. 10 Flowers Hall renovations p. 12

March 23, 2017 Vol. 85, Issue 14

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the end. Theatre sees no end JASMINE FLEMING Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net

Its physical location may have closed July 2016, but Shoals residents will continue to hear from the end.

Theatre.

The theatre, which The Flor-Ala’s readers voted best live music venue in last year’s Student Choice issue, has been without a home since the owner of its 106 S. Pine Street building sold it, leaving the end. owner Scott Long to search for a new place.

Long said he still hopes to buy a location instead of rent. The requirements for the theatre’s new home are walkability from UNA’s campus and a reasonable price.

Those who visit the theatre’s Facebook page might notice there are

still regular events showing up. These are either events from the end. at other locations or Long’s attempt to help promote local artists on the page, a goal he still has, he said.

Davis Sandlin, a recent UNA student and member of the local band Isaac, said this dedication to local music is part of what helped his band succeed.

“We tried getting shows at other places, but we just didn’t have the notoriety,” he said. “Nobody wanted to book a band they didn’t know and nobody talks about. We didn’t really have any material out, but Scott met us, and he trusted us. He was a nice enough guy to have us come up there and play.

It kind of kicked it off (for us).”

David Lanier, a Cullman musician, said Long gave him similar support with his “avant-garde” project, titled “Munook.”

“It was very difficult to find my first gig as most venues didn’t know what to do with me and wouldn’t book me in a prime spot,” he said. “Luckily, the end.

Theatre gave me my first gig on Dec. 21, 2012, and stayed loyal fans of my work for years to come, opening their doors to me whenever I needed a gig to fill in a tour.

“Honestly, when that room was packed out, that tiny basement venue provided some of the best shows I’ve ever had.”

Music wasn’t the only art form Long supported with the theatre. He also hosted Boxcar Voices, a local spoken word group that met there biweekly.

“I loved going to Boxcar Voices at the end., and I loved that Florence had a theatre that was so accessible for the community and for students,” said senior Chloe Allen.

Boxcar Voices is searching for a home as well, although Long said it will always be welcome at the future home of the theatre. the end. also hosted Sustainable Differences, an improvisational comedy troupe. Long said the group is still active and is looking to start an improv troupe at UNA. Any students who are interested should contact the Sustainable Differences Facebook page.

For those who want to support the theatre, Long said to think kind thoughts and support local arts in whatever way possible. He also said to look out for locations wherein the end. could fit.

“The more eyes and ears who are paying attention, the more likely we are to find a place where people are willing to go and that we can afford to be at,” he said.

Local band brings Billy Joel to Mane Room MIKE EZEKIEL Managing Editor managing@florala.net A local band hopes to bring a new meaning to “The Longest Time” when it performs a Billy Joel cover show at the Mane Room in downtown Florence April 29.

The Ray Brothers, a piano rock band comprised of UNA graduates, will perform Billy Joel songs with all proceeds from the event going toward a band member’s 12-18 month long adoption process. Admission is $10 per person.

Timmy Ray, the band’s lead singer and keyboard player, organized two similar fundraising concerts in 2013 and 2014 to help pay the funds for his and his wife’s first adopted child, Maddux Ray, a six-year-old from Ethiopia.

“The Lord called us into adoption, and he’s provided multiple ways for that to be completed,” Timmy Ray said.

“Fundraising has been a big part of (the process).

We’ve done

concerts, yard sales and advertising with local restaurants where a portion of the proceeds go to us.”

The upcoming fundraiser would help fund the process to add a second child to the Ray family from Colombia, Timmy Ray said. While he and his wife, Maggie Bea Ray, are not sure what gender the child will be, Timmy Ray said he predicts its age to be between birth and five years old.

Timmy Ray said the passion for adopting international children came from his wife and was a “calling from God” when the two married in 2011.

Maggie Bea Ray said she took a semester off during her sophomore year of college and went to Kenya to work in orphan care. This experience helped solidify her desire to adopt internationally.

“At a very early age, I started talking about (adoption), and my mom still laughs that I wanted dolls that didn’t look like me,” she said. “I would say they were my adopted children.

It was something that was

like a God-given passion.”

Timmy Ray said through research he discovered many people use fundraisers to pay adoption fees, which can range well into five-figure amounts. With this in mind, he decided to approach the band with the idea of performing to raise money, he said.

“As a musician, it’s just a skill that I have that I know I can use to raise funds for this,” Timmy Ray said.

Alongside Timmy in the Ray Brothers band are his actual brother, Benjamin Ray, who plays drums, Tony Bush, who plays bass and Brad Greene, who serves as a utility member who can perform saxophone, guitar and vocal duties.

All of the performers will play without compensation to further help the cause, Benjamin Ray said.

“It’s a pretty special feeling (to participate in the fundraiser) just in the short time I’ve been around Maddux,” Benjamin Ray said. “He’s a great kid and has been a welcomed part of the family.

Just to know that you can play a part in helping

better someone else’s life, that’s what it’s all about.”

Timmy Ray said he is thankful for the band’s support.

“I am blessed with a brother and very close friends that are willing to play on multiple occasions knowing they will not be compensated financially,” he said.

“They do it because they love me and love my family. They’re good folks, and we’re fortunate to have them in our lives.”

Also performing at the event are “local guitar guru” Scott Todd and Mark Ray, who is Timmy and Benjamin’s uncle.

The event should last about two hours, as the band will play 18 songs that represent the entire 28-year career of Billy Joel, Timmy Ray said. Timmy Ray hopes this year’s event brings 200-300 people, he said.

There will also be a silent auction and possibly coffee, with those proceeds also going toward the adoption process, Maggie Bea Ray said.

Courtesy of Maggie Bea Ray and Unsplash

From left: Timmy Ray, Tony Bush, Brad Greene and Benjamin Ray represent their band, the Ray Brothers, in fall 2011 in Muscle Shoals. The Ray Brothers will perform a Billy Joel cover concert April 29 in the Mane Room with all proceeds going toward the adoption process of Timmy Ray’s and his wife’s, Maggie Bea Ray’s, second child from Colombia.

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Ensemble to sing acapella

HILLARY TAYLOR Entertainment Beat Writer htaylor1@una.edu

MELANIE HODGES | Chief Photographer

Band members perform at Braly Stadium at the 2016 homecoming game. The band has consistently grown under the lead of Lloyd Jones, Director of Bands.

Marching band steps into new era MADI WINKLER Social Media Coordinator online@florala.net The award-winning Pride of Dixie marches onward as the university transitions to Division I. With the change in divisions comes a change in the band.

“We’re ready to move forward and find new ways of representing the university to an even larger public,” said Director of Bands Lloyd Jones.

While the program has tried different styles, it remains a jazz band, he said.

“We’ve reached out into other styles to make sure the product we bring to the field is entertaining,” Jones said. “Some part of it is going to be entertaining to anybody in that audience.”

Senior trumpet player Elijah Hart said UNA is ready to take this step.

“I think that being seen by bigger schools will allow us to make a bigger name for ourselves,” Hart said.

The POD travels frequently to play in different states. Three of the last four years, the band went to the Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, and played for unfamiliar crowds, Jones said.

“The band has also become increasingly visible for the university,” Jones said. “We play at larger venues, (and) we’re able to basically advertise for our university.”

The move to Division I might help people across the country realize the value of UNA as one of the “best bands in America,” said junior Lionette Destiny Izaguirre. It might even attract more students.

This exposure to new audiences generates interest in UNA and the Shoals, Jones said.

The Pride of Dixie marching band has also seen consistent growth from 140 members when Jones started 19 years ago, to 250 this year. With the move to Division I, he hopes to see continued growth, Jones said.

This growth in membership could help maintain the Lion legacy.

“The Pride of Dixie has such a long-standing tradition, just like UNA has, and I think that the move to Division I will help the Pride of Dixie and UNA continue in that tradition,” Izaguirre said.

Jones said this transition will create more visibility for the

“

university.

“Whether it’s traveling to a football game with our team and supporting them, or it’s being invited to provide these exhibition (or) recruitment-type performances for marching contests, it’s going to open up new doors and enable us to spread the word about UNA,” Jones said.

Most Division I bands have anywhere from nine to 15 staff members, and UNA has three people who work with the band, Jones said.

With the growth of band students, Jones said he hopes to see growth in faculty members, too.

“The program has grown so much that it’s time to start adding faculty, just to make sure we’re taking care of all the needs,” he said.

Jones said he is confident in the transition.

“I know from the side of the band, we’re going to make it positive,” Jones said.

We’re ready to move forward and find new ways of representing the university to an even larger public.

Lloyd Jones| Director of Bands

UNA’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble will strip songs to the bare minimum with its March 23 performance, ‘Voices Unplugged.’

The performance will take place at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at 7:30 p.m.

‘Voices Unplugged’ will showcase the individual talents of the students featuring solos and duets from several members of the ensemble.

Despite the name, the UNA Jazz Ensemble will not be singing jazz.

“It’s a group that needs a new name, because that’s not who we are,” said Ian Loeppky, director of choral activities. “Only about a quarter of what we do could be considered jazz.”

The ensemble, which is a collaborative acapella group, will sing without accompaniment and without microphones.

The music will feature a variety of artists, such as Pentatonix and the Beatles. The students have transcribed or arranged many of the songs.

The set list will also include a variety of global and classical music.

“We cast a big net style-wise,” Loeppky said. “The best thing about this ensemble is no one can pin us down. We’re pretty unique.”

Senior Hannah Allen, a vocal choral major, said the group has given her the opportunity to grow and become more independent as a vocal performer. She said while the performance is a group effort, there is more individuality. “(The group is) a little more exposed than being in a large choir,” she said. “(We’re) a smaller group, so you can easily be picked out. You can really represent yourself and have self-expression.”

During the vocal jazz ensemble class, the students have been given the freedom to choose music for themselves, to collaborate on pieces and to create their own works, Loeppky said.

“What’s been the most liberating for me is the creative freedom that comes with it,” said freshman Preston Burks. “You’re getting to show your own side of your artistry.”

Although Loeppky is the director, he said he will rarely conduct the performance.

“Someone once said, ‘Teaching is the art of becoming increasingly unnecessary,’ and that’s the fun in this,” Loeppky said. “(It’s fun) being able to take a hands-off (approach) more and more each day, until one day it wouldn’t matter if I showed up because they’d still be making music.”

4 Sailour weathers storm despite name change

Courtesy of Andrew Johnston

Junior Andrew Johnston performs at the Memorial Amphitheater for the Singing River Music Fest April 29, 2016.

Johnston said he started Sailour to share his songs with the world.

JESSICA LIVINGSTON SGA Beat Writer jlivingston2@una.edu Junior Andrew Johnston wanted to share his songs with the world, so he established a local indie-rock band in

March 2014.

Johnston said he started Sailor as a side-project while he was playing bass for Seven Seasons, a local rock band from Muscle Shoals.

Sailor started taking shape as a full band, but the spelling of its name had to

change to “Sailour” in 2015, Johnston said.

“I had previously recorded an album as Sailor before we received a ceaseand- desist order from 1970’s Britishpop band Sailor,” Johnston said.

The band’s first album, “Shuttle EP,” released Dec. 17, 2015.

The members liked the name better with the “u” added, so the name change was just a small speed bump, Johnston said.

Johnston met senior Zebulun Worlund in 2014, and he became the guitarist and second lead singer for Sailour in 2015.

“My sense of humor got me into the band,” Worlund said. “One day, (Andrew) was talking about how he didn’t have a guitar player for his band.

Being the jokester I am, I said, ‘I play guitar,’ and this was news to him. He asked if I wanted to jam with him that night. I said, ‘Sure’.”

Johnston said he and Worlund “rocked it duo for a while,” and Ty Beahm played with them from time to time before officially joining the band as producer and drummer. Graduate assistant Mark Bryant was the last to join the band, as he reluctantly filled in on bass but quickly fell in love with the group.

In December 2016, Beahm and Worlund had to part ways from the band.

Beahm left to become a worship pastor at Launch Pointe Church in

Greenhill.

Worlund had to leave due to it being his last semester at UNA. “Zeb leaving the band was really difficult for me,” Johnston said. “We have become such close friends, and we work so well together. We did most everything together. I honestly wasn’t sure if we’d continue after he left.”

Sailour performed at Warehouse 414 on Study Day in December 2016 for Worlund’s last performance as a member.

Sailour currently has two official members, Johnston and Bryant. The band is continuing to move forward.

All of the previous members have made Sailour what it is today, Johnston said.

“I am 100 percent invested in this project, and I do believe in what we are doing,” he said. “I believe that’s necessary in whatever it is that a person might pursue. You’ve just got to give it all you’ve got, make sacrifices and stick through the rough patches.”

The band has recently been playing some acoustic shows whenever it can get some friends to play along.

“I can’t say too much about it right now, but I will say there is a chance fans may have something new to listen to this year,” Johnston said.

The band’s website sailour.com and all of the social media accounts are @sailourmusic.

Look for Sailour in bars, record stores, music venues and coffee shops around North Alabama.

Junior with musical history continues her passion TYLER HARGETT Associate Life Editor life@florala.net Many professional musicians have attended UNA, including John Paul White and Darryl Worley. Like them, junior Emerson ‘Emmie’ Chambers hopes to graduate into the music industry.

Chambers has begun moving into the Shoals music scene with her talent in Americana (an American folk genre), which she displays through singing, guitar and piano.

She has contributed to one Christmas album, and she is in the works of a second with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. “(I got to record) at Martie Maguire’s studio in Austin, (Texas), which was the coolest thing ever,” Chambers said.

Chambers began her professional career in 2014 when she met producer Michael Raskovsky. “(Raskovsky) had heard me sing (at a local studio), and he (asked), ‘Hey, can you do a song for me?’ and we’ve been working together ever since,” she said.

Chambers said her dream is to do “anything in the music industry” and to perform with one of her five musical heroes: Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, Cassie Chambers, Hollie Williams and Patti

Griffin.

Chambers said her friend, senior Skylar Taylor, has helped her produce most of her music.

“I’ve never let her down, and she’s never let me down,” Taylor said. “We work well together. If she doesn’t become a front man or her own act, I expect her to be a session singer.”

Her music mirrors her personality, said freshman Miller Pelton.

“She’s a very deep thinker, and I think that reflects in the music she writes a lot,” Pelton said. “The first time I heard her (perform), it kind of blew me away.

(Her voice) has a really deep, colorful tone to it — a gift that you’re born with. I think that people have already started to appreciate the talent she’s got.”

Taylor said Chambers is determined in every activity she does.

“She tries to be the best at everything she does, and I admire her for that,” he said.

Chambers said she remains thankful to UNA’s Department of Entertainment Industry for helping her take farther steps in her music career.

“The department and its professors are amazing,” she said. “They’ve given me so many opportunities, and I’ve gotten so many connections because of it.”

Chambers said when she is not

working with music she is active on campus. She has served as one of the Step Sing captains for Alpha Delta Phi and is a current member of the Music and Entertainment Industry Students Association.

Taylor said he is glad to have met Chambers.

“She’s a great person and a great friend and always willing to lend a helping hand if she can,” he said.

Chambers is working on her first EP, which will be available later this semester in both CD and digital format.

Her next public performance will be at the Mane Room April 5.

Courtesy of Emmie Chambers

Junior Emmie Chambers and her father Alfie Chambers perform March 18 in Sugar Land, Texas. “She’s a very deep thinker, and I think that reflects in the music she writes a lot,” said freshman Miller Pelton.

5

Best playlists for any workout JACOB COLE Associate Sports Editor sports@florala.net Two things that go together well are music and working out.

Whether it be cardio or weightlifting, a playlist can make anyone’s workout more enjoyable.

There are many types of music to get people psyched for a workout, but these are my picks for the best workout songs.

First off, my top five picks for cardio.

1.

Starboy by The Weeknd My personal favorite, “Starboy”

by The Weeknd, is a good song to play when starting a cardio workout.

2.

Incredible by Future “Incredible” by Future combines up-beat music with a twist that only Future can provide.

3.

Run Up by Major Lazer “Run Up” by Major Lazer has solid features from PARTYNEXTDOOR and Nicki Minaj to continue the flow of the playlist.

4.

Everlong by Foo Fighters Once I get close to the end of my

workout, a song like “Everlong” by Foo Fighters can be a good change-up to the other songs I included on my list. It changes the tempo of the music, and it also changes genres of music.

5.

Hold On, We’re Going Home

by Drake Another personal favorite to finish the workout is “Hold on, We’re Going Home” by Drake. It is a great choice to remind me that the workout is almost over.

This five-song collection has different, but more up-beat songs to keep me motivated while I run. Unlike weightlifting, cardio workouts need different beats to keep me running.

My top five picks for strength training.

1.

Energy by Drake My top pick for a weightlifting workout is “Energy” by Drake. It has a good beat, and this song should be able to get anyone psyched for a workout.

2.

No Problem by Chance the Rapper Another song to help jump-start a workout is “No Problem” by Chance the Rapper. The up-and-coming

rapper mixes solid beats and rhymes to help the song move along well.

3.

Thunderstruck by AC/DC For the middle of a workout, I like to change things up, so I switch to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” This song can become stale after a while, but this song has been in my weightlifting playlist for a long time.

4.

Jungle Remix by X Ambassadors & Jamie N Commons “Jungle Remix” is a good transition from “Thunderstruck” to my last song on the playlist.

5.

Work Out by J. Cole A less serious song, but still great to finish a workout to is “Work Out” by J. Cole.

This song is a completely different feel than the other music chosen on this playlist. The different rhythm helps cool me down during a workout.

There is plenty of music to choose from for one’s personal workout playlist, but these are the songs that I turn to during my workout.

How do you stream your jams?

Marcus Robinson | Junior “I stream music by going on apps such as Spinrilla. There are new songs on there, and it’s like SoundCloud. It’s quick, and I can type in the name of any artist and find their music.”

Su Yan | Freshman “I use Spotify. It has a lot of music and different music from other countries. I can listen to American, Korean and Chinese music when my other methods don’t work.”

Eli Dickinson | Freshman “I use Spotify and Pandora to stream music. It’s a two-step process. I use Pandora to find music, and then I use Spotify to add the music to a playlist and listen to it again.”

Carter Mathis | Sophomore “I use Apple Music to stream music.

It’s pretty cheap and has the music I listen to. I also sometimes use PlayTube, which is a way for me to access music from YouTube.”

Information compiled by Life Editor Monday Sanderson

Kaylee Juny | Freshman “Pandora is my favorite app to stream music. They have different stations to listen to, and I can shuffle through them and find new music.”

Makala Harlen | Sophomore “Pandora and Apple Music are the two that I use (to stream music). They both have a wide variety of music and genres available.”

Naomi Liriano | Freshman “I use YouTube and Pandora to stream music. I can look up any song I want on YouTube, and I can listen to different music on one station from Pandora.”

Austin Meadows | Sophomore “I use iTunes (to stream music) if I have the money. If I don’t, then I use YouTube. iTunes is just an easier way to access music than any of the other apps.”

ANDREA BELK | Staff Photographer

6 NEWS

Get to know BREANNA LITTRELL News Editor news@florala.net

“I am involved in the Honors Program, Young Americans for Freedom and have worked in the International Office in the past. I am the (Interfraternity Council Vice President) of Judicial Affairs and have brought back the judicial board and written policies and procedures for the judicial process of the council.

“I am also involved in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and have very much enjoyed my time in that.”

Dante said he enjoys drinking craft been and supporting the Alabama Craft Beer Industry.

“Last fall, I planned a beer festival with Jackie Hendrix from Party Pros and the Shoals Chamber of Commerce” Dante said in his spare time he likes to read books about economics and law, play the saxophone and piano, or go to the gym.

He also stays active in the university outside of SGA. “My parents pushed me to take piano lessons, and I loved it,” he said. “I’ve always loved music, so naturally joining band came easy.”

Dante said he started playing the saxophone in sixth grade and played through middle

school, high school and his first two years of college.

“I had the incredible honor of playing in the Pride of Dixie for two years,” he said. “I marched alto sax and I played Baritone Saxophone in the Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band during my freshman year.

“My sophomore year, I only marched and played in the symphonic band.”

He said he still plays the saxophone and piano on occasion, especially when he is with friends.

Dante’s partner, junior Erin Hill, said Dante does not have much spare time because he is always working on a project.

“In the rare instances that he does have spare time, he will work out or do something nerdy like watch a documentary,” Hill said.

D a n t e said after he graduates from UNA in May 2018, he plans to attend law school to go into

Wednesday, Feb. 22, will always be a memorable day for junior Hugo Dante.

In the 2017 Student Government Association elections, 790 votes ensured Dante will be next year’s president.

“At first, I was absolutely blown away,” Dante said. “Bella (Martinez) was an awesome opponent, and it was really humbling knowing the support that we had.”

Dante said he was excited about winning.

“When I found out that I won, first there was this wave of relief,” he said.

“After that, I felt so humbled and motivated, and I really just wanted to get started. I plan on meeting everything that I campaigned on. That’s my intention.”

Dante said he will make the Shoals area better connected with UNA so students will feel they belong here, according to his campaign site. In addition, he said he hopes this will increase the economics in this area to help local businesses.

“I have a vision in which no matter where someone might be in the Shoals, Purple and Gold reigns supreme and the roar of this university and community becomes inescapable,” he said.

Sophomore Baylee Smith said she has known Dante for six years, and he was one of the first friends she met when she first moved to the Shoals.

“He’s always been a friend that I knew I could rely on,” she said. “He always asks me how I am doing when I see him, and it means a lot to have such a good friend that carries over into college.”

Sophomore Blake Polson said Dante is one of the most dedicated individuals he knows.

“He not only dedicates himself to his friends and his family, but to his passion, and UNA is his passion,” Polson said. “I have known Hugo for the entirety of my college career, and he has been one of my largest inspirations.

“First of all, he not only cares about our university as a whole, but also each individual who makes UNA so great.”

Dante said he is a passionate individual.

“I really and truly just enjoy having new experiences and making the world a better place,” The student body elected junior Hugo Dante to be the he said. “That’s why I of the Student Government Association Feb 22. “I plan have done a little bit of everything. everything that I campaigned on,” Dante said. “That’s

financial law.

He said he has not decided where he will attend school.

“I actually decided to go to law school last spring,” he said. “I found out that I am really passionate about law, government, and economics in SGA and my internship. That totally changed my life’s direction.

“I would love to work for a large financial company.

Eventually however, I would like to run for public office and help serve my country and community.”

Dante said he believes there is a need for more fiscally responsible and honest policies in government.

Hill said Dante will make a great lawyer.

“When he expressed his ambitions to me, I was not surprised at all,” Hill said. “He loves the challenge.

“He’s always seeking ways to become well rounded and understand different perspectives and concepts.”

Freshman Chase Holcombe, a member of SGA, said Dante is an incredible individual.

“I’ve known Hugo for about a year, and I’m even more impressed every time I meet with him,” Holcombe said.

“He is always concerned about doing what he believes is right. I’d say he’s somewhat of a visionary.

“If he sets his mind to something, he’ll find a way to make it happen.”

Dante said his ultimate goal in life is to make a positive impact and help make the world a better place.

2017-18 president on meeting my intention.”

Courtesy of Hugo Dante

NEWS 7

Drivers may threaten student safety JESSICA LIVINGSTON SGA Beat Writer TIFFANY MCDANIEL Student Writer news@florala.net

Students walking on and around campus may feel speeding drivers pose a safety threat.

Deputy Chief of Police Mark Parker said the university police operates under the vehicle code for the state of Alabama, in which speeding only applies to city streets and highways.

Because of this, UNA Police does not write speeding tickets on campus property.

Parker said if someone is caught speeding in the campus parking lots, that person will not receive a citation but could be sent to the Office of Student Conduct or even face reckless endangerment charges.

“One of the primary places that I have noticed some speeding is in the parking deck,” he said. “It is listed there as a 5 mph speeding area, and people make turns at the end, and then they will kind of accelerate going down through there. I have called several people out, but I have not written any citations on it.”

Parker said UNA Police will do its best to help these issues.

“I’ll post a patrol request so police vehicles can be seen in these areas, and I will discuss the issue with (Chief of Police Kevin) Gillilan and see about

an enforcement campaign,” he said.

Junior Lynda Hilliker said some people run the red light at the intersection of Pine Street and Irvine Avenue or turn when they are not supposed to, and when the buses are parked on that corner, it makes the situation worse.

“Another problem I have noticed— and I’m guilty of—is not pressing the button before crossing the walk,” Hilliker said. “When I’m running late for class, and every other student probably is, too, we are more liable to not press the crosswalk button or turn the corner without double-checking for pedestrians.”

Some students have said the newly repainted crosswalk and yield to pedestrians sign on North Wood Avenue in front of Wesleyan Hall and the Appleby East and West lot often do not catch drivers’ eyes. In addition to the crosswalks, bike lanes and sharethe-road-signs were also added to North Wood Avenue.

Senior Mark Pettit said walking to class is a constant battle to avoid careless drivers.

“I use the crosswalk from Appleby Apartments across Wood Avenue about 10 times a week,” Pettit said.

“There have been several occurrences where I have been in the crosswalk and nearly hit by oncoming traffic.”

Pettit said there were times when he would make sure to press the button, and he would still almost

ANDREA BELK | Staff Photographer

Drivers pass through the crosswalk on North Wood Avenue March 1. “I feel like the drivers in this town are negligent toward pedestrians and cyclists,” said senior Mark Pettit. be hit by a car coming through the intersection.

“I feel like the drivers in this town are negligent toward pedestrians and cyclists,” Pettit said.

Junior Payton Nicole Gilchrist said she has seen people driving fast across the crosswalks while texting.

“No one pays attention to the pedestrians,” Gilchrist said.

UNA Department of Communications & George Lindsey UNA Film Festival present

UNA Faculty Screening Hunky Dory

by Mike Johnson, MFA

HOME

by Jason Pangilinan, MFA

Thursday, March 23, 2017, 6:00 p.m., Communications Building 131 Refreshments will be served.

Hunky Dory contains adult content including language and mature situations.

8 NEWS

Campus gathers for Light the Fountain JESSICA LIVINGSTON SGA Beat Writer jlivingston2@una.edu For the second year in a row, UNA students, faculty, staff and members of the community took part in the Light the Fountain event March 16 to celebrate the beginning of spring.

President Kenneth Kitts and his family, Vice President of Academic Affairs David Shields, Student Government Association President Sarah Green, former UNA head football Coach Bobby Wallace and his wife, Sharon, stood together to light the fountain.

Grace Williams, a University Program Council member, said around 250 students attended the event.

The event began with Shields asking everyone present to Tweet and post to Facebook and Instagram about the event.

Victoria Roose, Miss UNA 2017,

announced performances by Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Mu. The two groups performed a synchronized step dance for the audience.

Sophomore Jessica Dews said she attended Light the Fountain last year and enjoyed it so much she came again.

“It was such a great experience getting to see the main attraction of our campus being lit up,” Dews said. “The fountain makes this place home to me. Being able to perform a snippet of Phi Mu’s step show just makes it that much better. It’s such an honor to be asked by Shields to perform.”

Students received raffle tickets for T-shirts and door prizes.

Freshman Evan Shelton said he was happy the event had a good turnout.

“I’m excited to see how much attention this event is getting and see how much the community cares about this great university,” Shelton said.

ANDREA BELK | Staff Photographer

Students and members of the community gather together to wait for the fountain lighting March 16 to celebrate the beginning of spring.“The fountain makes this place home to me,” said sophomore Jessica Dews.

Bellion to rock on for Spring Concert CIERA GOLLIVER Staff Writer cgolliver1@una.edu The Student Government Association put rumors to rest at the Singing River Music Festival in the Mane Room March 17 by confirming Jon Bellion as the headliner for the UNA 2017 Spring Concert.

The Spring Concert will be April 29 in Flowers Hall.

Tickets will be available to students the week after Spring Break in the Guillot University Center Atrium.

Tickets are free to students with a valid Mane card, said SGA Vice President of University Program Council Nic

Smith.

Junior Merri Beth Stanfield said she is happy SGA chose Bellion as the headliner because she enjoys his song “All Time Low.” SGA is still unsure when tickets will go on sale to the public. Non-student tickets will cost between $30-40, Smith said.

“With Spring Concert this year, we really wanted to make sure that we represented more students,” Smith said. “We are just trying to cover more genres to represent more of our students.”

Freshman Anrich Vandersmit said he is appreciates SGA considering genre preferences of students.

“When I first saw who they were

looking at, I assumed the concert would be all rappers,” he said. “I’m glad to know it’s more than just that.”

Smith said SGA has three steps to go through when choosing artists.

“First, we start with surveying the students,” he said. “We usually send out a poll with the Homecoming Court nominations. Next, with those results, whichever (genre) wins, we decide what our price range will be and get that to our mid-agent along with the genre.

“Then we wait for a list of possible artists and prices. After that, we pretty much just go through the bidding process starting at our top pick and work our way down.”

SGA is looking to schedule two

other artists from a range of genres as opening acts. SGA executives have not confirmed anyone yet, nor would they release any potential names. SGA made one artist an offer, but the artist has not approved the contract yet, Smith said.

SGA will inform students as more acts are confirmed, Smith said.

Sophomore Lionel Wright said he did not know SGA held an annual concert, but he likes the idea of anything where he can get free entertainment as a student.

Junior Elayna Lauck said she loves Bellion’s song “All Time Low.” “Plus, I love his beard,” Lauck said.

“I hope he never shaves it.”

Editor’s Note: Staff Writer Ciera Golliver is a member of SGA.

Panda Express approaches grand opening CIERA GOLLIVER Staff Writer cgolliver1@una.edu White walls in the Guillot University Center represent the beginning of construction on UNA Dining’s newest project on UNA’s campus, Panda Express.

Panda Express will be to the right of Moe’s Southwest Grill.

Panda Express will also take up part of the old Student Government Association offices. This space is

currently used for small group meetings, so the groups will have to find a new location, said UNA Food Services Shared Governance Committee member Jordan Cooper.

UNA Dining had to push the opening date back while the state approved the building plans for the restaurant, said Susan Breer, director of UNA Dining.

UNA Dining and Panda Express submitted a new plan, which the state approved the week of Feb. 13.

Construction began in the GUC Feb. 27 when workers blocked off an area of the atrium. UNA Dining is working

with Panda Express on a construction timeline, Breer said.

“We will be sure to keep (students and faculty) up to date throughout our development process,” Breer said.

“We’re excited for growth, and we hope you are as well.”

Some students have said they are excited to see the addition of dining options at UNA. Freshman Harley Miller said UNA needs additional places to eat because dining at Moe’s Southwestern Grill and Burger 256 is “getting old.”

“I’ve been anticipating Panda more

than I anticipated Moe’s,” Miller said.

Sophomore Charles Lieb said he is ready for construction to finish to benefit the students who enjoy the restaurant chain’s food.

“I honestly wish they were already done so it would make getting Chinese food for my girlfriend easier,” Lieb said.

Junior Ben Schoenbachler said he is not sure adding Panda is necessary, but he is glad UNA is adding restaurants from a range of cultures.

Panda Express is currently taking applications for new crew members, according to posters in the GUC Atrium.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 9

EARNINGS BY GENDER 2015

In , female, full-time year-round workers made 80 cents for every dollar made by a man.

MEN

WOMEN

Female

Asian $902

31.2%

20.2%

White $766 26.5%

33.1%

22.1%

Hispanic $586

Black $641

Hispanic females earn the least with $586 Information compiled by Life Editor Monday Sanderson

Male

Asian $1151

Hispanic $663

19.1%

White $942 27.1%

20.7% Black $718

Hispanic males earn the least with $663 MICHAEL MEIGS | Graphic Designer

10 LIFE

Checks instead of grades in digital media class MONDAY SANDERSON Life Editor life@florala.net A common complaint some students might have when learning new material is how it can help in the real world. New Art Instructor Nicholas D’Acquisto addresses this complaint in every lesson.

In order to make his lessons applicable in the real world, D’Acquisto uses fake paychecks to represent grades.

“The goal is for my students to get a job when they leave,” he said. “If that’s the goal, then why not make my class more real world so when they get in the real world it’s not a shock? That’s why I give them grades as checks. It’s to reinforce that mindset that if you do a bad job, you’ll get bad money.”

D’Acquisto said the checks are for $100, but on bigger projects, the amounts increase.

Junior Jordan Cooper said D’Acquisto’s usage of checks as grades adds a more realistic perspective on assignments.

“Our future bosses aren’t going to give us a $100 check for something that should be worth $50, and the same goes for us in our classroom with his grading system,” he said.

D’Acquisto has been a teacher for five years, but he first began teaching digital media at UNA in spring 2017.

D’Acquisto said his realistic teaching style evolved over the years.

“By my second or third year, I began to realize that students were getting jobs with the knowledge I gave them,” he said. “I thought to myself, ‘What is something I can I bring to my class to reinforce that?’ About a year later, I came up with the idea of using checks.”

Cooper said this teaching style was not one he was used to.

“His real-world teaching style freaked me out at first because I was used to doing four or five digital media projects in a semester in Digital Media 1, but this is preparing me for that fast-

“

paced world of design,” he said. “He has definitely picked up the pace from my prior class, but I have learned so much from him.”

D’Acquisto said he also tries to ensure the class feels similar to a work environment.

“I make it feel like a job and treat them like employees, but I still keep it relaxed,” he said.

He makes the class feel ‘laid-back’ through his mellow personality, said junior Carson Traylor.

“He offers friendly pushes to encourage us to do better,” she said. “Once he explains something, he won’t show us again, but he will ask us questions that help direct our mind to the correct answer or method.”

D’Acquisto said when he does not teach, he works at his graphic design business, D’Acquisto Design, in Tennessee.

D’Acquisto said he has taken a work request and turned it into an assignment for his students.

They were given the chance to redesign a menu for a Mexican restaurant.

“I don’t give them work that people would consider ‘busy work,’” he said. “It’s a waste of my time and theirs. I like to give them assignments that they can use and look well in their portfolios. This assignment will not only give them something for their portfolio, but if their design is chosen, they will be given $50.”

Traylor said it is a great opportunity for students to get their work out there.

D’Acquisto said he is amazed he has made an impact on his students within a few months.

“I always try to make sure my students are well-prepared for the world they will work in,” he said. “I’m glad that my students have found my lessons helpful and impactful.”

I don’t give them work that people would consider ‘busy work.’ It’s a waste of my time and theirs.

Nicholas D’Acquisto | Art Instructor

ANDREA BELK| Staff Photographer

Art Instructor Nicholas D’Acquisto discusses how to take steps in creating a design for a menu for a Mexican restaurant. “This assignment will not only give (students) something for their portfolio, but if their design is chosen, they will be given $50,” D’Acquisto said.

SPORTS 11 Baseball on top at midway point

Scoreboard March 11- 19

Softball March 11-12 vs. Lee Loss 3-1, Loss 3-0 Loss 4-3 March 18-19 vs. West Ala. Win 5-2, Win 5-3 Win 9-2

NICK GRIFFIN Baseball Beat Writer ngriffin@una.edu The North Alabama baseball team is nearly halfway through the 2017 season, and the Lions are prime contenders for a conference championship as they sit atop the Gulf South Conference standings.

The Lions are 16-9 overall and 11-4 in conference play after finishing last season barely over .500 with a 25-22 record and an eighth place finish in the GSC. One of the highlights for the team in the first half of the season has been its pitching staff. The Lions rank first in the conference in ERA, due in large part to two-time GSC pitcher of the week, Tyler Joyner.

The junior right-hander is 7-0 on the season and is among the best of the GSC in both strikeouts (59) and ERA (2.60).

However, head coach Mike Keehn said he does not want to get too wrapped up in statistics.

“Right now, that’s just one of those early things you can’t really look into and see what it is,” Keehn said. “It’s how you build throughout the year.

I give coach (Matt) Hancock a lot of credit. He’s worked really hard with the pitching staff. They’ve really bought in, and there’s a lot of competition.

They’re a very competitive group of guys, and right now they’re pitching well.”

Junior catcher Logan Carter said he also likes the way the year is shaping up for himself and his teammates.

Carter bats third for the Lions and is second on the team in RBI’s with 24 behind junior Kyle Hubbach.

“I like this team,” Carter said. “We have a lot of chemistry, and that’s why I think we’re going to make a run for the GSC tournament. I don’t think we’ve been there in quite a while, but I have a good feeling about this team, and I think we can come out on top.”

Another key piece in the Lions’ lineup is leadoff hitter and junior center fielder T.J. Lockett. Lockett has reached base in all but one of UNA’s games this season and is second on the team with a minimum of 20 games played in on base percentage at .441.

To continue reading about baseball’s midseason progress, visit florala.net.

Editors note: At the time of this publication, UNA has not played its home game versus AuburnMontgomery March 21.

Baseball

ANDREA BELK | Staff Photographer

North Alabama senior pitcher Hillary Carpenter winds up against Lee March 11 in Florence. The Lions are back in the hunt in the Gulf South Conference standings after sweeping West Alabama March 18-19 to improve to 9-6 in the GSC.

Softball finding traction halfway through season ANDREW FULMER Sports Editor sports@florala.net North Alabama softball set a standard when it claimed its first national championship in 2016.

But, as so many teams have following championship seasons, the Lions have had their fair share of bumps in the road back to tournament season in 2017.

After a 6-6 start in conference play, the Lions may have gotten back on track with a 3-0 series sweep over visiting rivals West Alabama March 18-19 and improved to 9-6 in Gulf South Conference play. The Lions now sit four games outside of first place in the conference at the midway point of the season.

Though Lions head coach Ashley Cozart said the team tries not to bring up last season, she said this does not mean other teams do the same.

“The biggest challenge this season has been the target on our backs,” Cozart said. “I think we all knew there would be one, but until we started playing we found out that everyone is going to bring their best game against

us, and we have to have a mindset to counter that and come out and play hard.”

The Lions began the season as the top-ranked softball team in the Division II Coaches Poll but are now unranked after their unexpected 1910 record. But, wins over currently ranked teams such as Missouri-St. Louis, Indianapolis and Shorter earlier in the season could become valuable résumé boosters come regional rankings season.

UNA has 18 regular season games remaining on its schedule, all of which are GSC contests. The bulk of those games will be on the road as the Lions have just two three-game series at home — Alabama-Huntsville April 1-2 and Christian Brothers April 22-23.

Cozart said she looks for things to start going the team’s way and for the roller coaster season to become more consistent.

A key for UNA’s series win versus UWA and as a whole going forward is the emergence of the Lions’ bats, Cozart said.

To continue reading about softball’s season thus far, visit florala. net.

March 12-13 vs. Lee Win 3-2, Loss 6-3 Win 10-2 March 15 at Montevallo Loss 11-5 March 18-19 vs. West Ala. Win 8-7, Loss 6-1 Win 13-5

Women’s Tennis March 11 vs. Cameron Loss, 4-1 March 17 at Shorter Win 7-2 March 18 at Lee

Men’s Tennis March 11 vs. Cameron Win 4-3 March 17 at Shorter Win 9-0 March 18 at Lee Win 5-1 Games continued at roarlions.com

12 SPORTS

MELANIE HODGES | Chief Photographer

North Alabama women’s basketball junior KeKe Gunter shoots a free-throw at Flowers Hall against AlabamaHuntsville in the 2016-17 season. Flowers Hall has been a mainstay of Lion athletics since its construction in 1972.

Flowers Hall to undergo updates for Division I move JACOB COLE Associate Sports Editor sports@florala.net Flowers Hall has been a staple in North Alabama athletics since it opened its doors in 1972.

But, the arena will need changes before North Alabama moves to Division I, said Director of Athletics Mark Linder.

Flowers Hall is home to UNA’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, as well as serving as an event venue that has hosted concerts from musicians like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Alabama, to J. Cole and Panic! At the Disco in recent years. Flowers Hall even hosted an NBA preseason game between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics for its inaugural basketball game and also serves as the home of UNA’s graduation ceremonies.

One of the more challenging aspects in applying new prosthetics to Flowers Hall will be the seating Linder said.

Once the seating design is structurally sound, UNA will visit with stakeholders and get approval from the State Building Commission to finalize the seating plan, Linder

said.

With the changes, UNA is still looking to use Flowers Hall in as many ways as possible.

Flowers Hall holds a maximum capacity of 3,500 in the stands, but most of those seats are on the original wooden benches from the ’70s.

“The floor is on its last sanding, and the seating is in need of replacement, regardless of our athletics classification,” Linder said.

The current hardwood was installed in 2004 and will be in its 13th season of use in the 2017-18 season.

UNA had already begun to review a change to the floor and seating before the ASUN invitation Dec. 6, 2016, Linder said. Along with the seating and floor, UNA will also have to be able to support the expected growth of Lions athletics.

“Since basketball is such a driving force in Division I athletics, we also plan on creating a nice hospitality area for donors,” Linder said.

It will also require a production room and equipment suitable for ESPN, Linder said.

To continue reading about the status of Flowers Hall, visit florala. net.

OPINION 13

Property decision should consider students

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JASMINE FLEMING MANAGING EDITOR MIKE EZEKIEL NEWS EDITOR BREANNA LITTRELL LIFE EDITOR MONDAY SANDERSON ASSOCIATE LIFE EDITORS TYLER HARGETT HANNAH ZIMMER SPORTS EDITOR ANDREW FULMER ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR JACOB COLE SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR MADI WINKLER JUNIOR SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR ASHLEE CARTER BUSINESS MANAGER KARA DUCKETT

MONDAY SANDERSON Life Editor life@florala.net UNA officials declared a formal interest Jan. 25 for the land where Florence Middle School used to stand, and they have been fighting for the chance to purchase the property on Cherry Street next to Braly Stadium ever since.

However, with this declaration and struggle, they are showing Florence middle schoolers that sports and money are more important than academics.

Currently, students in Florence Middle School must attend classes in modular classrooms behind Hibbett Middle School, while the Florence Board of Education

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MICHAEL MEIGS DAVID SAN MIGUEL JACKIE WILLIS JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS DYLAN BAKER KENDALL BROWN CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER MELANIE HODGES

VIDEOGRAPHER SIERRA HILL ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS COVER PHOTO BY MELANIE HODGES

The Flor-Ala is published biweekly on Thursdays at 111 locations on campus and off.

Corrections The staff strives to maintain the integrity of The Flor-Ala through accurate and honest reporting. To report an error, call 256-765-4364 or email editor@florala.net.

and not in a permanent structure.

“UNA officials have a responsibility to act when our interests are threatened,” Kitts and UNA board of trustees President Pro Tempore Martin Abroms said in a March 7 statement. “Legal agreements must be honored, our financial investments must be protected and the needs of our students (many of whom call Florence home) must be given due consideration.”

UNA officials state their intentions on protecting the interests of current students but not the Florence Middle School students, who could potentially be UNA students in the next four or five years. If the future of Braly Stadium is important, then future students should be, too.

As of March 18, UNA officials and the Florence Board of Education have come to a potential agreement. This is a great first step for both parties. They are taking actions to cooperate and decide what is best for not only the middle school students but also the university and city.

UNA students should attend the public board of trustees meetings to voice their concerns and thoughts on this situation and others. While Braly Stadium is UNA’s past and present, the students at Florence Middle School are part of the future.

It’s important for all parties to prioritize the education for the youth.

Small-school sports reinforce true passion

CIRCULATION MANAGER ALLEN CHILDERS

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ANDREA BELK HILLARY TAYLOR

makes plans to create a new building for them.

While the board opened bids for companies to begin construction of the school, UNA President Kenneth Kitts and the UNA board of trustees have addressed concerns of the effects of the new school on Braly Stadium. “(The architectural plan) calls for the new school to be built within feet of the home side of Braly Stadium, thus eliminating most of the parking that had existed behind the old school,” Kitts said in a statement.

However, the new plans will add an additional 20 parking spaces, said Connie Wallace, interim superintendent of Florence City Schools, in an email to Kitts and Athletics Director Mark Linder.

It is understandable for UNA officials to worry about the effects of the new building on Braly Stadium. Braly Stadium not only serves as the home location for UNA football games, but it is also a “multimillion investment,” Kitts said.

Despite these concerns, due to the struggle between UNA officials and Florence City Schools, there is a delay on finding a contractor to build a new building for Florence Middle School. This delay causes middle school students to spend more time learning in modular classrooms

ANDREW FULMER Sports Editor sports@florala.net I love sports, plain and simple.

Whether it’s football, as some call the “sports king of the South,” the nonstop action of basketball or the back-and-forth endurance of soccer, chances are if it’s on television, I’ll be watching it.

As a kid, I dreamed of making a livelihood out of the pastime I adored so much, but an aversion to waking up at a reasonable hour and a lack of a professional discus-throwing league thwarted the only way I knew at the time to make my dreams a reality.

Then, a friend of mine told me he majored in sports management at Faulkner University. I discovered through

research this major opened the possibility of a career in the “behind-the-scenes work” in sports.

I then realized North Alabama had a sport management major, and so I disembarked to Florence from small-town Bridgeport to chase that dream.

After attending several UNA sporting events over the past few years, first as a student and then as a sports writer, I began to notice something was different when I watched major sports on TV. It was as if whenever I entered the American cathedral that is the living room on Saturdays and Sundays to pay offerings to the football gods, as I had since I could remember, that certain elements have now tainted this pastime.

Then, it occurred to me that major sports are now a huge, profit-churning machine. With that comes exploitation from advertisers and marketers to continue an upward growth, and with that comes a slightly unauthentic product.

UNA’s transition to Division I Football Championship Subdivision will provide huge amounts of growth and will attract new fans to the sports teams that made me fall in love with sports all over again.

I’m undoubtedly in favor of UNA’s move to Division I, but still, a part of me is wary of the possibility of UNA athletics losing some of the luster that I have come

to know.

Going to UNA games and matches has spoiled me in the way I watch sports now.

The student athletes who perform and compete here in Florence play at a high level, except no one is trying to sell me anything, and ESPN isn’t building up any drama of a player to boost viewership.

This is sport in its purest form without people tainting the game with ulterior motives to make a profit.

In today’s world, sports are quickly becoming an obsessive chore rather than a fun outlet for competition and socialization.

But at smaller universities across the nation, we still have a chance to witness a dying breed of sport — sports that our grandparents and their parents enjoyed.

However, I’m no fool. I understand that growth is a necessity and commercialization and mass marketing come with the territory, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I urge students and Shoals area residents to make time to pilgrim to Braly Stadium, Flowers Hall, the UNA Softball Complex, Mike Lane Field or wherever there’s a UNA sporting event happening.

Perhaps skip the Alabama or Falcons games to rediscover sports at its finest in your own backyard before the sun sets on that opportunity.

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor should be emailed to editor@florala.net or mailed to:

The Flor-Ala, UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 Letters must include name and telephone number for verification. Please limit letters to 400 words.

The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

14 PHOTOS

Cypress Moon Studios

Getting jazzy From left: Junior Lowe, Brad Guin, Mike Dillon and Travis Wammack collaborated to entertain the audience March 2 at Cypress Moon Studios in Sheffield. Various songwriters and musicians use this studio as part of the “Songs from the Sessions” event six - eight times per year to entertain Shoals music fanatics.

CALEB COLE Student Photographer ccole4@una.edu Overlooking the banks of the Tennessee River in Sheffield lies one of the area’s most celebrated musical institutions.

Cypress Moon Studios, the previous Muscle Shoals Sound, has been the location where esteemed artists, such as Etta James, Bob Dylan and the Commodores, recorded some of their most famous songs.

Tonya Holly, the owner of Cypress Moon Studios, seeks to preserve the musical heritage of the studio. This objective gave Holly the inspiration for her latest concert series, “Songs from the Sessions.”

“I just want to grow the music here and keep it alive,” Holly said.

“Songs from the Sessions” commemorates the iconic songs various performers, musicians and producers recorded in Muscle Shoals that launched their careers. Holly hopes to host six eight shows annually in the Full Moon Theater on the campus of Cypress Moon Studios.

In her last installment, Holly honored

the guitarists whose legendary licks have become instantly recognizable to anyone who knows Muscle Shoals music.

Fifteen guitarists received recognition that night. Among those performers were Kelvin Holly (Amazing Rhythm Aces, Little Richard), Larry Byrom (Steppenwolf), Travis Wammack and Gary Nichols.

Highlights of the show included a rendition of honorary guest Pete Carr’s classic, “Main Street.” Kelvin Holly played the signature guitar part as Carr watched from the audience.

Jimmy Hall, the lead singer and harmonica player from Wet Willie, was the guest singer for the event.

Concert-goers who attend “Songs from the Sessions” can expect a comprehensive musical experience.

“You’re a part of the history but also the progression of where we’re going,” Holly said.

Each of the concerts in the series is recorded live, and plans are in the works for the studio to release the concerts as a web series.

Holly said she has not set a specific date for the next chapter of “Songs From the Sessions,” but she expects to organize another concert in May. Any interested parties can find information about Cypress Moon Studios on Facebook, and tickets for “Songs From the Sessions” are available for purchase in advance by calling 256-335-6961. Fans can also buy tickets at the door.

Sax to the max Brad Guin plays his saxophone in the“Songs from the Sessions” event. The venue was the same studio that launched his career.

Lost in the music (Top Photo) Kelvin Holly gazes at his guitar on which he played “Main Street” during the “Songs from the Sessions” event. Pete Carr, the song’s writer, watched Holly play the song from the audience.

Passionate jam session Travis Wammack plays his guitar and sings vocals at “Songs From the Sessions.”

Wammack was one of many performers in the series at Cypress Moon Studios.

CALENDAR 15 Thurs., March 23 What: 3rd Annual Sustainability Conference When: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Music Building Recital Hall What: Collier Library Faculty Series, featuring Dr. Eric O’Neal When: 2:30 p.m.

Where: Collier Library What: SGA Senate Meeting When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Office of Student Engagement What: UNA Choirs: Voices Unplugged When: 7 p.m.

Where: St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Florence

MELANIE HODGES | Chief Photographer

Senior Olivera Ngouabeu zones in during the Feb. 15 match against Martin Methodist.

Women’s tennis plays Alabama A&M April 1 at 1 p.m. at the UNA Tennis Complex.

What: Jeans for Justice When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: GUC Loft

Fri., March 31

Fri., March 24

University closed for Spring Break

What: UNA Bands: Wind Ensemble Concert When: 7:30 p.m.

Sat., April 1

Where: Norton Auditorium

University closed for Spring Break

Sat., March 25 What: Spring Break Begins What: Percussion Auditions for potential music majors and potential Pride of Dixie band members When: scheduled appointment only Where: TBD

Sun., March 26 University closed for Spring Break

Mon., March 27 University closed for Spring Break

Tues., March 28 University closed for Spring Break

What: Baseball v. UAH When: 1, 4 p.m.

Where: Mike Lane Field What: Men’s Tennis v.

Alabama A&M When: 1 p.m.

Where: UNA Tennis Complex What: Women’s Tennis v.

Alabama A&M When: 1 p.m.

Where: UNA Tennis Complex What: UNA Softball v. UAH When: 2, 4 p.m.

Where: UNA Softball Complex

CONGRATULATIONS TO WRITER

Sun., April 2

Tues., April 4

University closed for Spring Break

What: Baseball v. Trevecca Nazarene When: 5 p.m.

Where: Mike Lane Field

What: Baseball v. UAH When: 1 p.m.

Where: Mike Lane Field What: UNA Softball v. UAH When: 1 p.m.

Where: UNA Softball Complex What: The Flor-Ala writer’s meeting When: 4 p.m.

Where: Student Publications Building

Mon., April 3 What: SGA Meeting When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Office of Student Engagement What: Use of Force Training When: 5 - 7 p.m.

Where: Stone Lodge, Lower Level

What: Jone Deeds/Lynne Burris Butler Visiting Artist Series When: 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: GUC 208/Loft What: Honors and Awards Recital When: 6 p.m.

Where: Music Building Recital Hall What: UPC Movie Night: “Pete’s Dragon” When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: UNA Amphitheater (Rain Location: GUC Performance Center)

Wed., April 5 What: Black Hair Forum When: 6:15 - 9:30 p.m.

Where: GUC Performance Center

CONGRATULATIONS TO PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE WEEK, CALEB COLE,

What: UNA Baseball v. Miles When: 5 p.m.

Where: Mike Lane Field

OF THE WEEK, JESI LIVINGSTON.

FOR HIS PICTURE OF THE TAJ MAHAL. THE PHOTO ESSAY, WHICH

Wed., March 29

LIVINGSTON PUT IN EXTRA HOURS

RAN IN THE MARCH 9 PAPER,

LAST WEEK, TAKING TWO STORY

EMPHASIZES STUDY ABROAD

University closed for Spring Break

Thurs., March 30 University closed for Spring Break

ASSIGNMENTS IN ONE DAY.

OPPORTUNITIES.

16 SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK