intentional pompadour ‌southern culture in images and words‌
spring 2019
FREE
intentional pompadour ‌southern culture in images and words‌ is a free quarterly zine based out of Augusta, Georgia and published by Betsey Venom submissions accepted by southern creatives and subscriptions are available for $10/year send your work or subscription request in the body of an email to: betseyvenom@yahoo.com if you are published, you will receive a copy of the issue in which your work is featured and you will retain all rights to your work issue 7 spring 2019 find intentional pompadour online at: intentionalpompadour.wordpress.com facebook.com/intentionalpompadour issuu.com/intentionalpompadour find Betsey Venom online at: betseyvenom.wordpress.com facebook.com/betseyvenom instagram.com/betseyvenom
Welcome to Spring! Hello and welcome to the spring 2019 issue of Betsey Venom’s intentional pompadour. Here’s what you’ll find in the pages to follow:
Showcasing a different kind of art in this issue, I am happy to introduce Waynesboro, Georgia Reiki Master Jami Hart McMillan. Learn how the gentle Japanese energy work of Reiki can change your life.
Venice, Florida poet Kimberly Laettner shares two of her beautiful works in this issue: “Edges of Flight” and “Calling.”
Augusta, Georgia columnist Magnolia Lee shares upcoming arts events in her column Art Corner.
T. Leon Bigham of Cumming, Georgia brings a parody spin to a classic Queen song in his poem “Is it Memorex or Mouse?”
Savannah, Georgia resident Echo LaVeaux shares a poem about the waning crescent moon.
Learn about the time Aiken, South Carolina musician Michael Eubanks nearly fell for Ashley Judd. Yes, you read that right.
Augusta, Georgia artist Francie Klopotic shares her portrait of Theda Bara.
Everyone’s favorite feline, The Harv, returns with some pondering.
And last but certainly not least, we meet local Augusta, Georgia artist Jeff Riggan. His magical Monster Art Studio is here to make waves and inspire us all. Learn a bit about the area’s newest addition to the arts community!
Email me at betseyvenom@yahoo.com if you’d like to be a part of this project. I am unable to pay in $ but will mail you a hard copy of the issue where your work is featured. You retain all rights to your work. Thanks for coming along. Enjoy the ride and always remember to stay intentional!
Edges of flight by Kimberly Laettner
Surrender Never to the cause In the persuasion of a waking day, We slip between the pages Uncovered in the light Having breached the wall of darkness We filter through. Forgotten seasons waiting, Asking questions to the emptiness of air As breath hangs in formless clouds The welcome of winter overstayed its trip And time moves on in increments Too fast yet slow it seems, Somewhere in a dream I still remember the way you looked For each goodbye dealt with the blow Of a breaking fragment For a simple soul, Fare thee well she sighs As the bird flies higher Carrying her home To yesterday once more.
Calling by Kimberly Laettner Southern drawl calls Like honey from the lips of Gods, Spitfire smile wakes the mood Under overflowing starry skies, There was a place that became Like the wonder of a spirit awakened As islands of towers rising Against a sleepy atmosphere, It is here I had found the giant Gentle and beckoning with quiet wit To come play in the elements deep Blue water season of love, Visions of paradise bloom In the sultry heat of passions kiss We slide within the boundaries And play with the fire of want and need, If this were all there would be I could be free As the Southern drawl calls. Kimberly Laettner is a published author and poet who resides in Venice Florida. She enjoys spending her time between working hours with her husband, two dogs and new rescue cat. Kim has a blog on Wordpress with over four thousand followers and it can be found at Zipsrid.wordpress.com . She loves nature, dabbling in watercolor painting and gazing at the sky for inspiration. A spiritual soul since childhood, her writings are based on kindness, beauty and magical spaces found in her dreams. Her writings can also be found in two compilations by Russ Towne. Heart Whispers includes nine of her works and one short childhood story is found in Slices of Life. Both books can be found on Amazon. She also has had a short about her dearly departed dog Zip and how he was beneficial in helping her get through Hodgkins Lymphoma in a local publication, Life after 50. Kim is currently working on her own book of poetry, release date to be announced in 2019.
The Harv’s Pick of The Litter
In this issue, The Harv contemplates springtime in Augusta. Every year, The Harv hears the hoomans speaking about a tuna mint. Not only does this sound crazy to me, but it draws zillions of hoomans to this area. Not sure what a tuna mint is, but it seems to be a big draw for hoomans. I like tuna, but I don’t think I like tuna-mint, tunamint, mint-tuna, or any other mint with my tuna. Hoomans are strange people. Got a question you’d like to ask the cat? Email The Harv at betseyvenom@yahoo.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD QUARTER MOON A Poem By Echo LaVeaux
Half Moon at midnight, a sentinel shines In deepest night, watching those who sleep Enchanting dreamers with beams of light Sprinkled like dew upon slumbering eyes And filling dreams with magical things From “Echo LaVeaux’s Book of the Moon,” available on Amazon
Stories from Nashville and Music Row If I Fell An Essay by Michael Eubanks
Thought I'd throw in another Nashville Studio story. Building "A" or #1 was more or less Emerald headquarters. Studio A, B, C, was it 6 (?), Digital Audio Post, David Breen Agency etc., we're located there. Split level, two stories up, and lower level huge studio A in the back. Had a ramp out front (behind the wall and gates though) to facilitate moving extra tape machines in or out if needed). Tony Brown was coming by (world famous studio musician, record producer, label president, label owner...let's see...pianist for Elvis Presley and TCB for a few years, member of the Stamps Quartet, Blackwood Brothers, Oakridge Boys, winner of 4 Grammy Awards, 4 ACM Awards including "Producer of the Year", President of MCA Nashville from early 1990s until 2002, where he left MCA and founded Universal South Records. His career, yielding over 100 #1 singles, and record sales from his signings and productions have exceeded past the 100 million mark). Yep, when we heard Tony was on his way to see us, he got his own private parking spot...very quickly. Anyway, just a small glimpse of music industry movers and shakers that were in and out at Emerald on a daily basis.
So the funny (?) story is, that between the 1st floor and lower floor (Studio A) was a spiral staircase. As it happened one sunny afternoon, one of the Judds (Naomi, Wynonna) was recording or filming a video in studio A, and rumor had it that Ashley was coming in for support. Now everybody knew back then, that Ashley was sort of the "girl next door" type that would win every evening gown competition in America. So there were a lot of trucks, a lot of equipment, a lot of cables all over the floor, a lot of lights...cameras, smart slate, blah, blah. Well...I had to make a run downstairs just to see if they needed "My" help (wink, wink), so not finding Ashley I turned around to head back upstairs and slave tape machines together or whatever I was doing. Before I got two steps up the stairs, another assistant (stuck behind about 30 people crammed in the control room) said "Hey Mike, I can't move...could you bring us some drinks?" "Sure..I'll be right back" I replied. Now, I had a reason to be back and hopefully see more. So I grabbed as many trays full of canned drinks as I could hold, and slowly (with perfect balance of the Flying Wallendas) navigated my way back down...the spiral staircase. On that fateful return, I heard more commotion, and as I was reaching my foot out trying to find the next lower step, I saw her. MTV could not have produced a better video. Our eyes actually met. Ashley Judd was looking straight at me and I was frozen in time. She smiled, ever so sweetly, and said, "Hey there, how are you doing?" (She was one of the thirsty ones and knew, at that moment, her knight in shining armor had arrived). Now as the seconds seemed like hours and I was still balanced precariously on this staircase...the moment...the stillness...the fantasy bubble around my head was poked with the shriek of Wynonna, who walked into the studio from the outside with all of the grace of a bull in a China shop. I was blindsided by it. In that exact moment, my dangling foot missed the lower step it was searching for, and I actually slipped partially down two more steps...knowing the importance of the activities, I did not utter a single profanity, didn't even twist, strain, or break any feet/ankles, and most miraculously, didn't even drop a can. In the end, Ashley got tickled and bet me I could never do that again. Naomi and Wynonna were gracious (Naomi even more so), and after a few chuckles everything returned back to some sense of normalcy. For weeks later, other assistants would pass me by...look my way and wink...then say something like "Duuude," then laugh at it all again. Good times at the Emerald City, in the Music Row Land of Oz.
Michael Eubanks teaches music in Aiken, SC! Look him up and connect with him at www.facebook.com/MikeEubanksMusicLessons
Magnolia Lee’s Art Corner A Look at the Performing Arts Scene in Augusta I know pollen gives many of y’all a hard time in spring, but it’s my favorite season. And don’t hate me because I’m not allergic to all that yellow stuff. I’m convinced that there’s a piece of Heaven that looks just like Augusta does in her full glory in April. Azaleas, wisteria, and dogwoods are simply gorgeous, and nothing compares to them. And now that winter’s officially over, it’s time to hit the out-of-doors. If you’re looking for a low or no cost way to enjoy the arts outside, the area has plenty of things to offer. Some of my favorite events are the outdoor concert series that take place mainly in May and June, and for several weeks, you can almost take in a concert a night. On Monday nights in Aiken, there’s the Hopelands Gardens concert series, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. The series kicked off on April 1 with the Hollywood Revue with Brooke Lundy and John Vaughn. The concerts will continue through June 24 with the Parris Island Marine Band. Concerts will be at 6:30 p.m. in April and 7 p.m. in May and June. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center. The longest running outdoor concert series in the area takes place at Augusta’s Appleby Branch Library at the corner of Johns Road and Walton Way. This year, the series will celebrate its 65th anniversary. The musicians will play on the back porch to the audience seated on the lawn. Bring a blanket and chair and enjoy the musicians. Concerts are typically held at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in May and June. On Thursday nights, it’s the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council’s Music in the Park series at Maude Edenfield Park. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. in May and will run into July. If it rains, the event gets moved into the North Augusta Community Center. All of the series try to have varied performers in different musical styles to appeal to a wide array of audiences. If you go to the Augusta Market at Riverwalk on Saturdays, you’ll probably find a few musicians playing tunes there as well. All of the above concerts are free. Here’s another fun event, but there’s a fee attached to it. Take a cruise on the canal and enjoy the musical styles of some talented local people. The Augusta Canal has its moonlight music cruises on Fridays beginning April 5, and there’s a new twist with special cruises being added on certain Saturdays paying tribute to performers such as Billie Holliday, Billy Joel and the Beatles. Cruises are $25, and seating is limited to 36 people. For more information, call (706) 823-0440 ext. 4. Well that should keep you busy until my next column. Don’t let me hear you say there’s nothing to do in Augusta.
Healing Hands, Healing Hearts, Healing Arts A Conversation With Reiki Master Jami Hart McMillan
Betsey: What drew you to study Reiki, and how long have you been practicing? Jami: I reconnected after 20 years with a friend through Facebook in 2009, and she came to see me. She was a Reiki Master and gave me a session while she visited. It was literally life-changing. Working with her Reiki techniques, she had me release two people or events that had caused me pain in my lifetime. When the session was completed, I felt taller, brighter, lighter…like a weight had been lifted off of my heart that I’d been carrying for quite a while. I knew I was meant to learn Reiki and continue to help myself as well as others. I began studying and learning the levels of Reiki in 2010. By 2012, I was a Usui and Karuna Reiki Master teacher/practitioner. Betsey: For those who’ve never had one, what happens during a Reiki session?
Jami: Reiki is a relaxation and energy balance technique that uses focused energy and learned skills from the practitioner which is moved into and through the client. The energy comes from a pure source, a Higher source, and the Reiki practitioner is merely a conduit for this pure and high vibrating energy. Reiki can help to release both physical and emotional issues in a client which, in turn, allows the client to feel more balanced, at peace, and giving a clarity about themselves. Reiki can be a gentle hands-on touch a certain parts of the body (but never the bikini areas) and can also be done with the practitioner’s hands hovering over the areas of concern. The client is lying on their back on a Reiki table fully clothed and relaxed. A Reiki session lasts anywhere from 25 to 40 minutes. I recommend that everyone do their homework and make sure their Reiki practitioner has been certified through our Reiki organizations which have high standards of practice and ethics. This can be done with a simple question to the practitioner regarding their level of training and certification.
Betsey: How many people contact you to set up an appointment?
Jami: It varies from week to week. Once someone receives a Reiki session, it is recommended that they receive 2-3 more within a month’s time span to continue to release old emotional and physical issues and then schedule a session when they feel like they are out of balance. I work on animals as well as humans and also teach all levels of Usui Reiki and Karuna Reiki with classes being scheduled to fit the needs of the student(s). In closing, it is exciting to see that in the 9 years I’ve been practicing Reiki that it is becoming more accepted and utilized in hospitals, hospices, dental offices, useful for treating PTSD in veterans, and even animal shelters and veterinarian offices. Any questions, please feel free to contact me at: Jami H. McMillan 706-551-0272 dusterwife@yahoo.com www.mellodynamicenergy.com
Is it Memorex or Mouse? by T. Leon Bigham Was that a real mouse or just some phantasy? Caught in a rat trap, it can’t escape from me! It opened its eyes, started to cry to me. I’m just a poor mouse, I need something to eat. Because I’m hungry to, hungry fro A little starved and a little slow Made a noise don’t you know Now a cat’s after me, after me. Meow, meow, imma kill that mouse Put my paw against its head Pushed down hard and now it’s dead. Meow, that mouse couldn’t run So now I’ve eaten another one. Mousie pow pow Didn’t wat to make you squeak I’m not that kind of freak Cause you know it’s true for you Nothing really matters. Your fate and time ahs come Sends quivers down my spine Tummy’s been growling all this time Goodbye little mousie, I’ve gotta eat Gotta eat you up and find another one. Meow, meow, oww oww smell what the wind blows, It’s leading me to dine, on others of your kind Who wish I’d never been born at all. I see a little silhouette of a mousie Musculus, musculus, will you be my entrée.
You dash & dart & try to confuse me. Rodentia, Rodentia, Rodentia, Rodentia Rodentia, a meal for me, magnifico. Although it’s a small rat I’m gonna eat it It’s just a little rat from a rat family I’ll spare it a life of adversity Easy come never go, I won’t let you go It’s chowder before I let it go, let it go Lasagna before I let it go, let it go Frittata before I let it go, let it go Will not let it go, oh no Will not let it go, oh no Will not let it go, hell no No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Meow meo, meow meo, meow meo it can’t go. Hecate has another put aside for me To eat, you see. So it tries to evade me and throw dung in my eyes, It wants to escape me and never have to fry. Oh mousie, you can’t outrun me mousie. Might as well give up, might as well give up right here. Mousie, mousie you ain’t going nowhere. The world can see What a tasty treat you are to me. Just gonna get ate, gonna get ate right here. “I earned my Masters in March 2011 at University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. I have been writing poetry since fifth grade, fifty years of words needed for catharsis.” - T. Leon Bigham
Silent Film Stars: Theda Bara An Art Series by Francie Klopotic
Graphite on Bristol Board
Find Francie on Facebook or write her at moonaluna@yahoo.com
Artist Spotlight: Monster Art Studio Welcome to Augusta, Jeff Riggan!
Betsey: How did you evolve into your personal art? Jeff: I never had the time to pursue my artistic visions on my own stuff while working for major corporations (Nickelodeon, Viacom, MTV) painting on 5 story high buildings and 3-D billboards and theme parks in Orlando Florida until 2001 when I formed Monster Art Studio. I tried all kinds of experiments with different mediums & styles: sign art, murals, art installations in private homes, corporate environments and restaurants, creating “die-o-ramas� with felted and hand-made characters. I am not afraid to try anything once-it might catch on and take on a life of its own or it might sit unfinished for days, weeks, months, years until I figure out I can re-use it in something else. My style is ever-evolving. I don’t like to stick to one genre of art. Betsey: You moved from your native Florida to live in the metro Atlanta area. Now you call Augusta home. What are the biggest differences in living here as opposed to living in Atlanta?
Jeff: When we moved to Atlanta from Florida in 2012, I started over from scratch-I had a lot of inventory. I needed a way to show my work. I began to do art festivals in Atlanta, and I did very well with my style of art-from vintage-looking sign art to 3-D pieces made with old toys to zombie bag toss and Nerf gun games (kids love it!)-all made by my hands-no computers necessary. I have several of collectors of my work thanks to Atlanta. I did work on some movie and TV sets, but I began to feel that Atlanta was becoming saturated with artists to which the competition to be recognized for your work or get any type of commission for professional art was stifling. We moved to Augusta in 2018-it was a bit of a change - but I took my Junk Angels and a 4-foot-tall wood carved mantis down to Art on Broad and Kristen helped give me a boost of confidence that my stuff could sell here. I find Augusta to have a “hometown� feel to it and you have more of an opportunity to connect with people one on one. It seems to be a perfect blend of small town and burgeoning city.
Betsey: What is your vision for Monster Art Studio in Augusta? Jeff: I like to shake things up artistically and see what falls out-I would love to see this town covered in public art/art installations and to be one of many who do itmaybe to be sponsored and/or compensated by local businesses and corporations investing in local artists. I would like to organize a community bike ride to a downtown bike parade/festival just for fun-bike or walk only-no cars. I think Augusta has a ton of potential for anyone who lives here and if it is any inclination from everything I see going on-from Le Chat Noir to Peter Excho’s Dime Museum, to the pop-up art shows and First Fridays, I think Augusta is ready for it. Contact Jeff at 404-200-1594 or by email at monsterartstudio@hotmail.com Visit Jeff online at www.facebook.com/MonsterArtStudio
Spring Happenings in Augusta, Georgia