February 2012 Issue B

THE ART OF STACI SWIDER | PAGE 17

verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA

FREE | FEBRUARY 15 2012 | VOL 4 ISSUE 24 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS

NATURE LOMBARD MILL POND

ART MARY WHYTE + FOOD SOUP FOR THE SOUL + FILM STARS AND BARS AFLAME MUSIC BLUEGRASS IS ALIVE + PUNK IS NOT DEAD + FUN ROLLER DERBY KICKS OFF

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 3

publisher Matt Plocha editor Lara Plocha events editor Sarah Childers copy editor Andrea Bennett

RANDOM OR REASON

ran•dom [ran-duhm] adjective Occurring without definite aim, reason or pattern lacking uniformity of dimensions. Unknown, unidentified or out of place. Odd and unpredictable.

contributors Alison Richter, Alison Ryan, Amy Swann, Anne Lovell Swan, Ben Casella, Christopher Selmek, Dino Lull, Elizabeth Benson, Gabi Hutchison, Holly Birdsong, John Cannon, Jonathan Karow, Karen Farley, Leah Deslandes, Mariah Gardner, Michael Swan, Nora Blithe, Skyler Andrews, Stephen Delaney Hale

Are you random or are you connected to community and helping to make a difference?

vergeconnect

To wit, everyone seems to be an expert on how to do someone else’s job, can blog about it or, worse yet, post it on Facebook. We are experts on how to live another’s life because of this insatiable appetite to “know” random stuff with no definite aim, reason or intimate knowledge or understanding. Is this the society we want to live in?

we want to hear from you

call us: 706.951.0579 mail us: P.O. Box 38

Augusta GA 30903 email us: advertising and general stuff publisher@vergelive.com story tips, ideas and letters editor@vergelive.com free event listings events@vergelive.com find us online: vergelive.com

vergepolicies the boring part

GENERAL POLICIES: Contents

copyrighted 2011 by verge. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial content of verge is the opinion of each contributing writer and is not necessarily the opinion of verge, its staff or its advertisers.

DISTRIBUTION: verge is published twice a month and available free of charge at locations throughout the CSRA, including Publix, Kroger, Bi-Lo and Earth Fare.

RECYCLE: verge is printed on 50 percent recycled stock.

vergeadvertisers check out our partners

3 24 22 20 7 7 12 18 8 12 12 20 10 28 20 10 6 14 14 2 26 12 31 10 22 26 30 32

1102 Bar and Grill Augusta Players Bar on Broad Big Mamas Flowers Express Book Tavern Safe Homes Casa Blanca DJ and Company Salon Empty Bowl Family Y Halo Salon Hammonds Ferry 5K Le Chat Noir Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse Mercy Ministries Mid-Town Market Moon Beans/New Moon Nacho Mamas Rock Bottom Music Sanford Bruker Banks Sky City Soul City Sirens The Learning Center The Loft Tipsey McStumbles Wild Wing Café Windsor Fine Jewelers

WHAT’S INSIDE

SMATTERINGS

vergestaff

yeah, we made this

With all the different ways we get our news and information these days, it is amazing that we are not all in the loony home. We are bombarded with hundreds and hundreds of marketing messages every day – news from half way around the world that 10 years ago we would have never known had happened. We are forever being updated with celebrity insider news and noise, the list goes on and on. It never ceases to amaze me how some can get so caught up in other people’s business that what is forgotten and often neglected is our own community.

I think our forefathers would shudder at the thought of a society that has no aim or reason or purpose. Where is the American Dream in that? Many generations before ours were taught to work hard and earn a living to support a family, church and community. Today’s standard seems to be that we can tell you who won the American Idol contest or Dancing with the Stars but cannot explain why the Constitution is important, let alone understand it. We can get in other people’s business and do it better than they can before we take care of our own.

Again, is this the society that we want to live in? It is so random.

For the past four years, verge has been a proponent of community and community building. We have engaged you, our reader, to be an active participant in the great things going on right here in our community without random content. Verge has been extremely local – some call it hyper local. At the same time, it is great that our readership crosses county lines, spreads across Georgia and throughout the U.S. and is, to some extent, global. But our goal remains focused on our community and direct geographical area. It is quite an honor that people that have visited Augusta, lived in Augusta, have family here or are looking to locate to our area are turning to verge to see what’s really going on in our community.

The purpose of verge is to promote all of the great people and things going on.

It is to support those in our community that are having a direct and positive impact. That is our responsibility to you and our area. It is not to get the latest “scoop” on some public figure or local business owner that might or might not be involved in something or not (random). Our responsibility to you is to try and get you connected to our community and more involved in something bigger than “self ” (aim and reason). Self importance is so 1980s anyway and that decade was really random. I think that most of us that were there really don’t want to relive it. It was fun while it lasted but is a speck in the rearview of life and REALLY random. Like “totally for sure,” right?

Something not so random is that verge has seen an uptick in our readership, in print and online. This is encouraging as a publisher and community proponent.

It shows that there are more people every day finding verge and what it stands for in the market – thank you. Whether you are a long time reader or new to our pages, we truly appreciate you. We also want to thank our advertisers. Visit them and support the local economy (more aim and reason). They are the back bone of our local economy. They are your family, your friends and your neighbors. Your frequent continued, and not so random, support will help ensure their success and ultimately the success and vitality of our community.

In this issue, there are some great events for you to get involved in, become a part of or participate in. On the inside back cover you will find an ad for the newest member of the verge family – the Soul City Sirens. Yes, it’s roller derby time!

The ladies come from all professions and walks of life. They are homemakers, teachers, accountants, stylists and more. In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities for you to win tickets to see them in action during their home bouts. Stay tuned to verge either in print or on our website to find out more. This season should be great and we are excited to be a part of a winning team. Represent Augusta, Soul City Sirens!

Thanks for your continued support Augusta and THAT is not random.

See you out and about!

Matt

ON THE COVER THE WATERFALL AT LOMBARD MILL POND by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK Read more about the CSRA

Land Trust efforts to preserve Augusta’s natural resources and provide nature trails connecting people to nature on page 17.

4 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

you won’t want to miss a page

the main feature

5 The Soul City Sirens Open New Season 9 Banks Pappas Brings a Riot to Augusta 11 Bringing the Opry to Hephzibah Experience the thrill of roller derby at the ladies’ first bout

Film Stars and Bars Aflame explores Civl Rights movement

Brothers Doug and Dwayne Flowers attract big names in music

13 Punk is Not Dead 16 Mary Whyte Captures The Working South Barb Wire Girls bring a raucous sound to The Playground Bar

Her stunning, realistic watercolors on exhibit at The Morris

17 Preserving Augusta’s Natural Resources

Lombard Mill Pond is first in series of nature trails for Land Trust

heard around town 5 Juilliard in Aiken Expands Events 5 Historic Augusta Offers Seminar on Homes

music | theatre | art | film 19 19 21 23 25 26 27 27

Music: Shovels and Rope Theatre: Chicago, The Musical Literary: Augusta Literary Festival Art: The Band Art Project Film: The Film Reel Music: Sound Bites Music: Blair Crimmins & The Hookers Music: R.Ring

regular stuff 05 07 15 15 19 27 28 29 29 29

Heard Around Town Buzz on Biz Chow Bella Food Bites The Daily Planner Nightlife Ask Dr. Karp The New York Times Crossword Life Face First Parting Shot

vergequotes

here’s what inspires us

“Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.”

— DAVID OGILVY

“Get the Master of Arithmatic (probably an accountant) to show you how to square a triangle.”

— FROM one of LEONARDO DA VINCI’S TO DO LISTS

heard [ soul city sirens open fourth season on feb. 26 ]

around town

what’s happening in augusta and aiken

The Soul City Sirens are back for their fourth season with an opening game against the CQS Misbehavers at the Red Wing Rollerway on Feb. 26.

Augusta’s roller derby team is ready for action, according to Jason Craig, who along with his brother, Brett, coaches about 30 women eager to participate in the nation’s fastest growing female contact sport.

“We have 14 on the main roster, and we just picked up a lot of new players so we’re looking forward to a really good season,” said Jason. “All of our games are here at the Rollerway, except for our away bouts, and we’ve been from Birmingham to Knoxville and down to Daytona over the last season, so we’ve pretty much covered the entire southern region. We usually play about one bout a month for a total of about 12 bouts, six away and six at home, and this year we’ve added some scrimmages to keep us ready for competition.”

Roller Derby bouts are divided up into two halves of 30 minutes each, and into a series of short matchups called “jams” that can last up to two minutes. During each jam, one player from each team is designated as the “jammer,” whose goal is to score points by passing each member of the opposing team, while “blockers” from each team attempt to hinder the jammers’ progress. In this way each team plays offence and defense at the same time.

“There’s a penalty box for offenses like elbowing, grabbing each other’s uniforms, fighting or skating out of bounds, and it can get pretty rough out there,” said Jason. “It’s a full contact sport equal to hockey, but unlike hockey these girls aren’t fully padded up except for kneepads and a mouthguard. We’ve had two people break both legs over the course of our few seasons; it is not a sport for wimps.”

According to Jason, the rules of roller derby are unlike those of any other sport, but the event itself has a surreal, carnival-like atmosphere that gives fans plenty of opportunities to have fun and interact with the players. A typical bout might attract 500 fans, but Jason says they’ve seen as many

as 800 show up and hope for a similar turnout this season.

We’re going into our fourth season now and I’ve seen other fads come and go, but roller derby is here to stay,” he said. “I hope people come to check it out, because it’s unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.”

Tickets are $15 at the door and $10 in advance. This season the Soul City Sirens are also offering season tickets for $55. These punch-cards can be used to get into six games or admit six people to one game. For more information, visit soulcitysirens.com. | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

[ juilliard in aiken increases events for festival ]

and this seemed like a good way of putting our money where our mouth is,” said Robyn Anderson, Historic Augusta’s preservation services director. “It’s one thing for us to have an endangered properties list, but it’s another thing for us to take those properties and actually try to find owners for them. We’ll be marketing them on our own website, and also on two or three national websites that focus on historic properties, in our print and e-newsletters, as well as at all the events we do.”

Juilliard in Aiken Music Festival returns for its fourth year from Mar. 10 to 16 and will take place on a dozen local stages.

The whirlwind of the performing arts showcases 15 public performances and 20 outreach programs for students in regional schools.

Dr. Sandra Field, the president of Juilliard in Aiken, said the lineup of this year’s events for Aiken’s one-of-a-kind collaboration with the prestigious performing arts school is even more extensive than the last.

Mark Donahue has already purchased a property at 920 Green St. and plans to turn it into six apartment units. According to Anderson, the purchase of this property serves as a great showcase for the real estate program because of Donahue’s previous experience developing historic properties. The two properties that are still for sale, 305-309 James Brown Blvd. and 586 Broad St. will also have information about them available at the fair.

“For 2012, we’re offering daily matinee and evening performances, and two showcase concerts,” she said. “We’ve also expanded the outreach program to children of all grade levels – elementary, middle, high school and college age students.”

The week begins with a gala concert in the ballroom at Joye Cottage. Other events include a historical performance ensemble, organ recital, jazz performances, a piano trio with a vocal quartet, dance at the URS Center for the Performing Arts, a percussion ensemble performance and two showcase concerts.

When not on the festival stages, the 35 Juilliard artists will visit area schools in Aiken, Richmond and Allendale counties. There they will work closely with the students, presenting performances, conducting classes and providing one-on-one instruction.

Field says that in past three years, Juilliard artists have worked with more than 8,000 area students. She emphasizes that the outreach program goes beyond simple exposure.

“The performers are actually teaching,” she said. “They’re also acting as mentors and role models.”

This year’s performers include Juilliard’s “pre-

a performance from the 2011 julliard in aiken

college students,” 10-year-old violin virtuoso Elli Choi and 17-year-old Taeguk Mun on cello. Both have played with major orchestras in Europe, North America and the Far East.

Choi is the youngest recipient of an instrument from the Stradivari Society in Chicago.

Field said the relationship between Aiken and Juilliard is one in which Aiken residents can take great pride.

“We are so fortunate to have Juilliard come to Aiken,” she said. “We have the nation’s most celebrated performing arts conservatory sending its students here not only to perform, but also to teach. They spend time on our stages, in our downtown and in our schools.

And this is the only place in the world where that happens.”

For a complete schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit juilliardinaiken.com.

by STEPHEN DELANEY HALE

[ learn to preserve and restore historic homes ]

Historic Augusta’s Old House Fair will take place March 3 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center and will help facilitate historic-home owners seeking information about restoring or maintaining their homes by connecting them with preservation-minded service providers.

The expo of plumbers, electricians, architects and other professionals accustomed to working with historic properties will also help to launch Historic Augusta’s new real estate program, designed to match buyers and sellers of historic properties. Historic Augusta already executed options to buy three separate properties in downtown Augusta and has subsequently sold one.

“We’re in the business of preserving historically or architecturally significant sites and structures in Augusta and Richmond County,

There will also be a series of lectures including Researching Your House and Its Architectural Style, Wood Window Repair, Working with an Architect and Contractor, and Energy Effeciency and Sustainability for an Old House.

Richard Cloues, the deputy state historic preservation officer for Georgia’s Historic Preservation Division, will deliver a keynote luncheon lecture at noon and lunch will be served.

The Old House Fair is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $10, plus $10 for the luncheon. For more information, call 706.724.0436 or visit historicaugusta.org.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

[ 00PS, WE GOOFED ]

In the Feb. 1 article, A Surprise Rock ‘n’ Roll Soldier’s Homecoming on page 11, we referred to AKA Productions as ALA Productions.

AKA Productions is a private provider of live entertainment based in Upland, Calif.

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6 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the buzz on

biz

what’s moving and shaking in local business

“ROCKET-MAN” IGNITES LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS

Sir Elton John’s presence at the James Brown Arena on March 6 is coming with different hype than when he appeared in Augusta several years ago. We are living in the Facebook age and companies such as Riverfront Collision Center and Jim Hudson Lexus are dipping their toes into the social media contest world.

Riverfront Collision Center and Jim Hudson Lexus will each give away a pair of Elton John tickets in early March.

In the first day of announcing its contest, Riverfront Collision attracted 25 new “likes” and received names and email addresses of entrants on Facebook. When owner Denny Gardner launched Riverfront’s Facebook page, he gave away a free car wash to anyone who “liked” his page. He gave away 150 car washes and was able to meet new potential customers.

Jim Hudson Lexus is using its Facebook contest to get recommendations on www.yelp.com. A condition of entering the contest for two concert tickets is a written review of a personal experiences with the Washington and Baston roads car dealership.

NO BALONEY PONY BUSINESS OPENS IN CSRA

Would it be worth $75 to $100 per hour to make a big splash at your child’s next birthday party? If so, consider a No Baloney Pony as you sort through the options of Putt Putt, Adventure Crossing, Jumping Beans and others.

A husband and wife team originally from Maine has restarted the business after a successful 20-year run in their home state.

Trish and Jim Mulcahy might have gotten a little bored with retirement life in Aiken so they are “giddying up” the business in the CSRA. For the wagon rides, the couple has a team of Belgian draft horses, Duke and Trigger, and they can bring them to parties and special occasions. The wagon seats approximately 10 to 15 people. The couple currently has three draft horses, two ponies and a donkey. Yes, the donkey insists on his turn at birthday parties – the Mulcahys say he absolutely loves the attention! For more information, call 803.266.2450.

WEST LAKE COUNTRY CLUB GM TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO In March, Bert Morales, the

general manager of West Lake Country Club, will deliver one of the keynote addresses at the National Resort and Country Club conference in Orlando, Fla. The former managing partner of Carraba’s Italian Restaurant on Washington Road turned around the food and beverage business at West Lake from an annual loss of more than $100,000 to an annual gain of more than $100,000.

Most country clubs in the United States make money on monthly fees and lose money on the food and beverage transactions. Morales has made money despite a food cost of 38 cents – considered high in the industry. As general manager, Morales has been able to take the annual surpluses and use the money to make club improvements with more than 100 employees on staff.

Morales will speak about working with the board of directors and members in a difficult economic climate and how he has been able to turn around West Lake.

MATTRESS MAN TO OPEN ON BOBBY JONES EXPRESSWAY The signs are up – the former Athens Pizza space will become a Mattress Man store.

The new retail outlet will join PHC, a long-time tenant, in the plaza which borders the Wal-Mart\ Sam’s Club Plaza. Though there is no specific bedding store nearby, Great Deals on Furniture does a fair amount of bedding business in their store next to Sam’s .

Mattress Man will offer Sealy, Simmons, Tempurpedic and more in its 6,000-square-foot store, which is approximately double the size of its other stores in Aiken and on Furys Ferry Road in the Publix Shopping Center.

Neil Gordon owns Buzz on Biz LLC, a company dedicated to highlighting business growth through newspaper, television, radio, and Web content.

Story idea? Email neil.gordon@buzzon.biz

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8 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the civil rights movmement in

stars and bars aflame film director banks pappas delves into the reasons and ramifications of the augusta 1970 riot

A riot is coming to Augusta, though it is one that occurred in May 1970.

Banks Pappas is bringing back the infamous Augusta Riot in the documentary he wrote, directed, narrated and musically scored, Stars and Bars Aflame. He claims that the Augusta Riot, spawned by the growing Civil Rights movement against a culture of segregation, was transformative for Georgia and that it deserves to be remembered, even if that memory is uncomfortable for those who take today’s multiculturalism for granted.

“It was amazing to me that the audience for the first screening was roughly equal between black and white audience members, and the panorama of the age demographic went from teenagers to senior citizens,” said Pappas. “I had one white gentleman leave the theatre who said something to the effect that he thought it was a really powerful film, but it was a little bit too intense for him.”

The documentary, which screened at Le Chat Noir on Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – took many by surprise. The movie opens with scenes from the 1969 Masters Golf Tournament interspersed with scenes from the 1970 riot, highlighting what Pappas sees as the divided nature of Augusta.

“With all respect for the Masters, I wanted to use the stereotype of golf being a rich, white man’s game and contrast it with the reality of the very brutal struggle for civil rights,” said Pappas. “I think it’s pretty evident that Augusta is a divided city, and for quite some time the entire South has been divided culturally, and this is obviously worth having a conversation about.”

About a third of the documentary includes footage of the riot, while the rest explains other events happening around the nation preceding that time in order to give viewers the proper historical context.

“It was a story that was begging to be told and, through discovering the story of the Augusta riot and doing my homework therein, I discovered a slew of other incidents within the national and Georgia civil rights timelines that were pertinent in bringing forth the narrative,” said Pappas. “I couldn’t tell that story without putting it in the context of the entire Civil Rights movement and cultural revolution.”

Some of the more shocking moments in the film, according to Pappas, include an interview with former commissioner Grady Abrams, where he describes the kinds of stereotypes white people had about blacks, as propaganda distributed at that time is overlayed to re-enforce these stereotypes.

Throughout the documentary, Pappas also includes clips from popular children’s cartoons of the day that portray black men in the same way.

“Today, some can’t understand what would drive people to that kind of violence, but after you view something as trivial as a children’s cartoon that is in retrospect vehemently offensive, it allows you to see how our culture as a whole needed to change,” he said. “I felt it was important to demonstrate the naiveté of our society at large in the decades before which became the catalyst for riots in cities such as Newark, Detroit, Watts, Washington, and of course Augusta.”

The film also gives a brief history of former Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox, who Pappas describes as the most ardent segregationist aside former Alabama Gov. George Wallace.

“When you view Lester Maddox choking a black desegregationist outside his restaurant and beating his car with an axe handle, and then you realize that that man went on to become to governor of Georgia, it is very intense and it should be shocking to us that this kind of behavior was ever acceptable,” said Pappas.

Pappas said he collected more than 800 pieces of media for the film from multiple sources, including the Augusta State University Special Collections Library, the TV news archives of Vanderbilt University, and both WSB-TV collections at the University of Georgia. Much of the material didn’t make the final cut of the film, but Pappas says he is confident he did a good enough job editing to make the finished product worth discussing.

“We still have huge strides to make in racial issues, and with the advent of the Occupy Movement it’s even more relevant for us to understand how even the best intentioned movement can turn violent.”

— BANKS PAPPAS

“I think the biggest learning process for me is yet to come, when I learn how far we have come as a society as a result of this film invoking dialogue,” he said. “On the day of the screening there was some chatter on Facebook questioning if this kind of material was suitable for a younger audience, and my response was that if I had children, I would almost be adamant that they watch this film as long as it was presented in an explanatory context.”

Pappas has approached several larger media companies about making the film available to a larger audience, including the possibility of it becoming a pilot for television series. While no deal has yet been conclusive, Pappas insists that people need to see this film.

“If through distribution I don’t feel the film is going to reach enough people, I may give it away for free,” he said. “We still have huge strides to make in racial issues, and with the advent of the Occupy Movement it’s even more relevant for us to understand how even the best intentioned movement can turn violent.”

Two screenings for Black History Month are slated in the CSRA, at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Feb. 26 and at USC Aiken on Feb. 29. The film has also been accepted as a selection in both the Charleston International Film Festival and the Greenville International Film Festival this spring.

Discover more information and view a trailer and clips from the film on the Burbanks Rose Media website.

by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

see the FILM WHAT Stars and Bars Aflame WHERE Unitarian Universalist Church 3501 Walton Way Extension WHEN Sunday, Feb. 26 | 3 p.m.

TICKETS TBD MORE | burbankrosemedia.com or facebook.com/starsandbarsaflame filmprojecT

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10 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

a little town packs a big punch with

the hephzibah opry doug and dwayne flowers brinG

a foot-stomping good time to the old masonic lodge

In a town with only one traffic light and plenty of Southern charm, Hephzibah comes alive every month with the some of the best acoustic, bluegrass and country music in Georgia.

The Hephzibah Opry opened in 2008 and was originally a place for local musicians to get together and fingerpick their guitars and hold jam sessions.

Local residents Robert Buchwitz, the commission chairman for Hephzibah, and brothers Doug and Dwayne Flowers wanted to give back to the community and organized the music venue.

“We basically wanted a place to pick and jam more, but we really wanted to do something for the community,” Doug says.

In 2009 they held their first show in the old Masonic lodge, a little brown building across from city hall. They opened with Little Roy and Lizzie, a band that comprised Roy Lewis from the legendary Lewis family and accomplished musician Lizzie Long. The success of that first show was the beginning of the monthly music performances.

In 2011 the opry moved to its current location in the Richmond Lodge off Highway 88.

Since it opened, the opry has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Grand Ole Opry star and Country Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs, former Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year Terri Gibbs, Nashville songwriter Gerald Smith and local entertainer Calvin Esley Lewis.

The Hephzibah Opry hosts big names in bluegrass and country music, and the person responsible for bringing those popular musicians and singers is Doug Flowers.

Doug began playing music when he was 6-years-old. He learned from his father, Dan Flowers, and grew up playing with his brothers Tal and Dwayne. His dad performed on the radio and they moved to Augusta in 1960. With eight children, Dan put his music aside and opened a paper mill to support his family. It wasn’t until 1969, when older sister Dana gave her father a fiddle for Christmas, that music once again entered their lives.

“Playing at the Hephzibah Opry is like going back in time to when we first started playing,” Wynn Jr. says. “It’s a family atmosphere and that is something that is hard to find these days.”

In 1970, the family took a trip to Bean Blossom, Ind., for a bluegrass festival.

Wynn Jr. is also an accomplished artist and will have some of his work on display during the upcoming concert. He has received numerous awards including first place for several years in the Department of Army International Competition. One of his works, “Gibson Girl,” is in the permanent collection of the Gibson Guitar Company. Visit his website at: henrywynn.com.

“I was 9-years-old and got to see Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley,” Doug says. “They were about 15 at the time and had a huge influence on me. They were both very encouraging and when we came back from that festival the light came on for me.”

At the age of 12, Doug became a member of the Ed Hurt’s Bluegrass Band. At 14 he was on the road with the Betty Fisher Show. He spent his high school years at major bluegrass festivals in the ‘70s and performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

After graduation, he went to college and majored in marketing.

While in college, Doug played and continued to be involved in the music industry.

Doug’s reputation as a premier mandolin player and songwriter has been instrumental to bringing some of the country’s most talented artists to Hephzibah.

But Doug is not the only Flowers performing on stage. Younger brother Dwayne plays the bass and is responsible for the technical aspects of operations at the Hephzibah Opry.

“It takes teamwork to run the Opry, and Dwayne is an important part of the whole show,” says Doug.

Dwayne, the youngest of the eight children, started playing at age 14. Four years ago, he began playing with a country band.

“I played the bass because I wanted to be different,” he laughs.

“Music was a big thing in our family.”

dwayne and doug flowers

Dwayne and Doug Flowers are talented and communityminded citizens in the small town west of Augusta. They are passionate about playing old-time, traditional music. They say their love of music and bringing top talent to the Opry will put Hephzibah on the map as their connections in the business also bring musicians with other artistic talents to the stage.

The Hephzibah Opry features a variety of clean, family-friendly entertainment and offers visitors a chance to hear some of the best bluegrass, country and acoustic music around. It is located in the Richmond Lodge 412 building behind the Southern Bank and is open the last Saturday of each month. For a small charge, patrons can enjoy a meal before the show. article and photo by KAREN E. FARLEY art FIDDLE PKAYER BY HENRY WYNN, JR

EXPERIENCE THE OPRY WHAT Doug and The Henrys

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Doug and The Henrys take the stage at the Hephzibah Opry. The group consists of guitarists Doug Johnson and Henry Wynn Jr., violinist Henry Wynn III, and bass player Devron Roof. Some of the members have appeared with artists Ricky Skaggs and Old Crow Medicine Show.

WHERE Hephzibah Opry, 4391 Saxon Drive –

Wynn Jr. is a lifelong resident of North Augusta. His son plays violin while Wynn plays guitar in a duo called, appropriately, “The Henrys”. They play American traditional music, bluegrass and folk music.

TICKETS Free admission with a love offering,

just off Highway 88, Hephzibah WHEN Saturday, Feb. 25 Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. there is a nominal charge for dinner.

MORE | 706.306.7537 or myspace.com/thehephzibahopry

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12 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

barb wire dolls prove

punk is not dead

live performance at the playground bar promises a raucous evening for all

Combining the raw elements of punk into a fast, furious and yet melodic sound, Barb Wire Dolls is vocalist Isis Queen, guitarist Pyn Doll, bassist Voodoo Doll and drummer Krash Doll.

The band came together in 2008 in Crete, Greece, and released its debut EP, Punk the Fussies!, in 2010.

Their raucous live perfomances and uncensored recordings -- no Autotune, no artifice -- immediately spoke to audiences. The group headlined club dates and festivals in Greece, and within the year were performing a soldout concert at the Roxy in Los Angeles.

Within their first six months in the U.S. they had performed more than 60 shows. Last year, they released two fulllength albums, and now they are touring again before recording for a fall 2012 release.

Guitarist Pyn Doll communicated with verge via e-mail for an interview.

Verge: The first and most obvious question: How did Tom Zutaut become your manager?

Pyn Doll: He came to a show of ours at the Viper Room and that was it. The wild thing is that I had tried to contact him for decades for my previous bands, ever since he signed Guns N’ Roses back in the 1980s and was the head of A&R at Geffen, but to no avail. He signed some amazing acts like GNR, Motley Crue, Metallica, X, PIL, Muse, Nashville Pussy and on and on. I always wanted to work with him. Funny how life works in mysterious ways. It took me over two decades, but now we are working together finally!

Verge: You got together through an artist commune on the island of Crete. What was that experience like, and how did it help shape your style as a songwriter and guitarist?

Pyn Doll: Living in the Ikarus Artist Commune in Avdou, Crete, was one of the most surreal experiences I could ever imagine. We had artists from all over the world: songwriters including all five members of the band Grouplove, to members of Flogging Molly being there at times, to painters, directors, sculptors, etc. We all went to the beach to our local hangout almost every day and in the evenings we all worked on our “art.” On Friday nights we would have an open party to the public in our “Zen Garden,” where each of us songwriters would play a new original song that we wrote that week. Hearing everyone’s songs helped inspire us all, I feel. I learned from the country songwriters as well as the English punk rockers that were in residence there, and singing by candlelight with the light of the moon overlooking you could sometimes be overwhelmingly emotional.

“Get ready to rock, riot and rip it up, because the new punk revolution is at hand.”

— pyn doll

the first time with this interview. What would you like them to know about Barb Wire Dolls and what your music stands for?

Pyn Doll: I can say one thing: Isis, our singer, is one of the most thrilling frontpersons you will ever see in your lifetime and the music live will shake and wake you. This is guaranteed. We stand for bringing out that inner revolution that is within, and to help bring it out into the forefront so that we can all find the courage to live our lives to their fullest potential along with no regrets and no excuses. If you can’t stand for anything, then you will fall for anything! So get ready to rock, riot and rip it up, because the new punk revolution is at hand. Come and be a part of the “street generation” and go wild in the streets! See you at the show!

by ALISON RICHTER

Verge: You moved to Los Angeles in 2010, only months after gigging in Greece. This came after an invitation from Rodney Bingenheimer, who had played some tracks from your EP. How did he find your music, and how big a risk was this move? At the same time, wasn’t it a necessary one in order to break the band in the U.S.?

Pyn Doll: Greece’s economy was failing rapidly because of all of the greedy, cheating politicians, and good punk shows were hard to come by, so when Rodney started playing our EP nonstop on KROQ and then invited us to play a show in Los Angeles, we sold everything we had and got one-way tickets across the Atlantic! After seeing The Decline Of Western Civilization [the 1981 documentary film about L.A.’s early punk scene], we thought we would be part of a whole punk culture on the Sunset Strip. We were shocked when we found out that punk had been essentially blackballed from the Strip for decades. We made it our mission to get punk back onto the Strip and cause a little chaos wherever we could. The U.S. gave us opportunities that we couldn’t have dreamed of in Greece. Greece’s mainstream is just now getting into rap and hip-hop, and that does not interest me in the slightest.

Verge: You released two full-length albums in 2011 and are planning another release for fall 2012.

How far along are you with writing and demoing new songs, and where do you see the most growth in your writing and musicianship as a result of having studio experience and being on the road?

Pyn Doll: I am constantly inspired by all of the punk bands that we have been playing shows with. I always learn something from them and it influences my writing. The songs that we play live that get the best response, we end up keeping in the current set, and then the top songs will end up being the tracks for the new album. I want to make a record that will blow minds from the first moment it plays. I have never done that in the past, but I can feel it is about to happen.

Verge: Some local fans will see you for the first time, and perhaps are learning about the band for

see the show WHAT Barb Wire Dolls with Shotgun Opera WHERE The Playground | 978 Broad St. TICKETS $5 advance

WHEN Monday, Feb. 27 | 9 p.m.

MORE | barbwiredolls.com

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 13

14 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

fresh food bites an average joe’s guide to eating healthier

(Do the) Mashed Potatoes

There are many great holidays in February and, though it has not been officially declared as such, February to me is Augusta music month. What symbolizes Augusta music more than the Godfather of Soul, James Brown? Now, I have no clue what Brown’s favorite dish was but I do know that February is also National Potato Lover’s Month and the Godfather recorded two mashed potatoes themed songs – “(Do the) Mashed Potatoes” in 1959 under the name Nate Kendrick and the Swans, and “Mashed Potatoes USA” in 1962. Possibly less known is that in 1969 James Brown took part in a soul food franchise called “Gold Platter” that never managed to get past a pair of experimental stage locations in Macon. “Gold Platter” looked to capitalize on the success of Harlan Sander’s KFC franchise business by offering a menu featuring chicken, catfish, burgers, and all the trimmings served on a gold platter.

I can’t tell you how to get your hands on a gold platter, but here’s a good recipe to warm the soul. I also can’t tell you that this recipe is the healthiest recipe on the planet but, hey, indulge for a change. You know the Godfather would! If you REALLY need to keep it healthy, use skinless chicken breasts and turkey bacon.

If you REALLY wanna go nuts, use sweet potatoes instead of regular ones.

for the love of onions

chow bella simple tips and recipes on cooking with natural goodness

FRENCH ONION SOUP

For the love of onions and Julia Child, I endured searing eye pain as I lovingly cut onions to make French onion soup. Why do onions have to hurt so bad, but taste so good? My sensitive eyes water at the slightest irritation, so I cried more than Johnny Depp’s Cry-Baby (in the movie of the same name). Sometimes you do things as a labor of love for a good dish and I do love onions – especially caramelized onions in soup – even better.

I chose to feature a hearty, winter soup this month because of a suggestion from my husband who recently exclaimed “Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, so six more weeks of winter, you should make soup!”

We can all feel it regardless of what the groundhog says – the premature blooms that thought it was springtime are in for trouble as the air has cooled significantly. Chilly winds for the past few days have made it perfect soup weather.

French onion is one of my favorite soups and I wanted to do it right. Julia Child’s way in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, the quintessential guide for the non-French to wrap their heads around the delicacies of what is truly an art form, French food, is my chosen guide. I want to study more recipes from her beloved book – I believe many a good cook was made that way.

This French Onion Soup is a fairly simple recipe if you follow the instructions carefully. A little work gives you a big reward and “oohs” and “awws” from your family and friends for a beautiful and tasty dish. If you love all things French, onion and Julia Child, this is the ticket. Eat with friends and don’t skimp on the soup, bread and cheese. There are only so few wonderful things you can experience each day, make this one. article and photo by ELLIE BENSON boyandabride.virb.com

from chow bella’s kitchen: FRENCH ONION SOUP

Caramelized onions give this version an intense flavor Serves six to eight

Baked Bacon Chicken ‘n’ Taters

INGREDIENTS: 5 cups thinly sliced yellow onions 3 tbs. butter 1 tbs. oil 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. sugar 3 tbs. flour 2 quarts beef stock ½ cup dry white wine Salt and pepper for seasoning 3 tbs. brandy Round of croûtes (sliced French bread), toasted 8 oz. sliced Swiss cheese

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS:

6 chicken breasts (with skin) 6 tbs. Italian salad dressing 6 bacon slices Salt and pepper (to taste) 6 to 8 potatoes ½ c. butter

DIRECTIONS 1. Boil potatoes until tender and mash in a bowl with butter, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Place chicken skin-side down in lightly oiled pan and brush 1 tbs. Italian dressing on each breast.

3. Fry breasts until done, then remove them from the skillet and place in a casserole dish.

4. Cover each piece of chicken with a large portion of mashed potatoes and top with bacon.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour.

With the weather getting colder this is the perfect comfort food – hot and hearty!

by JOHN “STONEY” CANNON John believes that anyone can learn to eat healthier - in small steps - taking one bite at a time.

1. Add the yellow onions and the butter and oil to a saucepan and slow cook on low for 15 minutes, covered.

2. Uncover after 15 minutes and add the salt and sugar.

3. Raise heat to medium to achieve a lovely brown caramelization. This is the most important part of the recipe, as it makes the flavor base for the entire soup. Stir frequently and cook the onions for 30 to 40 minutes, until the onions have turned a caramel brown color.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

5. Add the flour to the onion mix and stir for three minutes, the onions will turn a deeper brown.

6. Add the wine and then the stock, stirring constantly. Scrape off any bits on the bottom of the pan, which will add to the flavoring of the soup.

7. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Don’t forget whichever cheese you use might have significant salt; be wary of adding too much salt to your soup.)

8. Simmer, partially covered, for another 30 to 40 minutes. If needed, skim the soup.

9. While the soup simmers, cut the French bread and drizzle with olive oil and toast in oven for 15 minutes or longer, until the edges have started to brown.

FINISHING TOUCHES: 1. Stir the brandy into the soup as soon as you are ready to serve.

2. Pour soup into oven-safe soup bowls, leave enough room for the displacement made by the croûtes 3. Place two croûtes on top of the soup in each bowl.

4. Cover the top of the bread with the cheese slices.

5. Place bowls of soup in the oven until you see the cheese melt to your liking.

6. Cool slightly and enjoy! adapted from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 15

mary whyte’s heap of talent and

leap of faith

artist’s stunning watercolors exude her love

of real living, capturing its beauty on paper

When Mary Whyte and her husband, Smith Coleman, relocated to Charleston, S.C., she never imagined that her art would lead her to travel around the South, painting unknown subjects with stories waiting to be told — “industries that were vanishing,” she says. Textile mill workers, shoeshine men, elevator operators, crabbers, shrimpers, diner operators — so many people, so many lives. Nor did she imagine herself painting a series of works about the Gullah women on John’s Island. But that’s the beauty of art and creativity — never knowing where it leads, and the path of discovery on the way.

Whyte grew up in rural Ohio, where her natural talent for painting developed early. Though she works in other mediums, watercolor is her passion. She went to art school and met her future husband during her first week of classes. She studied in Italy for a year, and after graduation, the couple married and opened a small gallery outside of Philadelphia. At age 36, she was diagnosed with cancer and spent a year undergoing surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Though they’d often discussed retiring in Charleston, that year changed their lives so dramatically that they decided to go ahead and make the move.

“We realized that life is short, and on any given day you can walk out of a doctor’s office and realize that it’s going to be really short,” she says. “It made us braver, and we decided to do what we really wanted to do. In one week we made the decision, closed the gallery, sold the house and put everything in a moving van. We were driving down I-95 with all our stuff in the back of a U-Haul and I had a panic attack. I said, ‘Do you realize that as of right now we have no gallery, no place of business, we don’t know where we’re going to live, we don’t know anybody in Charleston, and everything we own is in the back of this van?’ He looked at me with this big grin and he said, ‘Yeah!

Isn’t that great?’”

On a leap of faith they settled in, set up shop, and since then, Whyte has illustrated more than a dozen children’s books and authored six books of paintings and techniques, in addition to teaching, exhibiting and, of course, painting. She also created the annual Mary Whyte Art Educator Award to recognize teachers in the Charleston tri-county area.

Whyte spoke to verge about her work and what it means to be an artist.

“I’ve never lost the wonder and magic of watercolor, and I still feel that when I paint.”

— MARY WHYTE

Verge: When did you really discover your passion? whyte: I remember the very first watercolor I ever did. It was in a class after school. The teacher took us out and gave us these big sheets of watercolor paper and a brush. I was timidly dabbing away at the paint and she said, “No, Mary,” and she grabbed my hand with the brush, made a big red brushstroke across the paper and I remember inhaling. It looked like a comet going across the sky, leaving all of these stars behind it with a sparkle of white paint that’s left behind when you do a fast and fresh brushstroke. And I never lost that. I’ve never lost the wonder and the magic of watercolor, and I still feel that when I paint. I think that was fifth grade. People often ask me do I hate getting rid of a painting, and of course it’s enormously satisfying when somebody buys a painting, but for me, once a painting’s done, the show’s over and I can’t wait to get to the next painting. Parting with a painting is no problem because I just want to paint. I often joke that if I get sent to prison it won’t be half bad as long as they give me a pencil. I can just draw my cellmates!

Verge: What steps did you take to establish yourself? whyte: I remember the very first thing I sold: It was a little pen-and-ink drawing. I was in eighth grade, visiting an aunt in New Jersey, and I sat on her front doorstep and drew the inn and restaurant across the street. She came out and said, “I bet they would buy that to put on their menus.” I stood up like I was going to march over and she said, “No, no, let me take it for you.”

She goes over, I’m sitting there and she comes back and puts $20 in my hand and I said, “Wow!” It never occurred to me that someone would pay you to do something you love to do. That’s when I decided that this is what I’m going to do. If I have to live in a cardboard box, this is what I’m going to do. I was enormously blessed with great opportunities and an art education and a wonderful husband that’s really been my partner every step along the way. Smitty runs the gallery, he makes all of my frames by hand, they’re all hand-carved and hand-gilded and they’re a very unique work of art in themselves.

Verge: Is there a name for the technique you use in which you paint without white paint? Are all of your paintings done this way? whyte: Ninety-five percent of the time, that’s correct. Occasionally I use white paint if it’s an effect that I feel is better, but if I’m painting the whiskers of a man’s beard, or the light hitting the eyelashes of a young girl, or a white lace cuff on a hand, you’re actually painting around those areas because you can’t get that white-white with paint because it’s always slightly dulled down. If you leave the paper white and paint around it, you get a wonderful white quality. Again, that’s the process I love — just painting around it is really engaging for me. Almost all the technique I’ve sort of figured out on my own because I could never find anyone to teach me. I spent a lot of time in museums, looking at books and studying the watercolor of great artists like Sargent or Homer or Wyeth and

16 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

figuring out if they did wet into wet or wet into damp. The thing that makes watercolor challenging for most people is that it’s the only medium that relies strictly on timing. If I want a soft edge, I know I’ve got to come in right away with another wash or another color. If I want a hard edge, I’ve got to let it dry completely. If I want something in-between, that’s another timing all together.

Verge: How do you “teach” art? whyte: Part of it is learning technique and how to handle the medium, learning to draw, getting the shapes on your paper to look like the shapes you’re looking at, whether it’s a tree or a figure, but that’s only part of it. The big part is teaching students how to see and recognize not only what they’re looking at, but also the feeling they get when they’re looking at something. That’s the hard part. There are a lot of artists who have learned technique but don’t have anything to say, so their paintings aren’t particularly moving or inspiring. It is understanding what you have to say, and that’s probably the one component that I can’t teach. It’s the emotional part. It’s something that the artist has to bring to the table themselves, and then it’s how hard are you willing to work. I have students who say, “Let’s forget all this drawing stuff and color theory and just give me the recipe.”

That’s what they want: the recipe. And I say, “I can tell you how to paint this sky today, but I can’t tell you how you’re going to paint it tomorrow because it’s going to look different.” I think the mark of a good teacher is to not only instruct but to inspire, so that when they leave your class they’re just so fired up that they want to keep going.

by ALISON RICHTER art above Mary Whyte, Cotton Man, Cotton picker, Bishopville, South Carolina, 2006. art below Mary Whyte, By A Thread Provided.

go to the exhibit

WHAT Working South: Paintings and Sketches by Mary Whyte WHERE The Morris Museum of Art | 1 10th St. WHEN Through March 11 TICKETS Regular museum admission, Sundays free MORE |706.724.7501 or THEMORRIS.ORG

protecting

augusta’s greenspaces lombard mill pond begins

plans to connect augusta through

preserving its natural resources

In 1911 a bridge was built across Lombard Mill Pond. By the end of the century the bridge had fallen into the swamp, parts of its former structure creating a home for plant life still visible beneath the surface of the water. Today even the pond has ceased to exist, but the bridge footings still rest on either side, and soon they might again find use helping visitors to cross the marshlands.

“We want to follow the original plans for the bridge,” said Hazel Langrall, the executive director of the CSRA Land Trust. “I think it would be nice for people to be able to follow in the footsteps of those who walked a hundred years ago, and to be aware of how much the land has changed since then.”

The bridge project would be the second phase of what might eventually be a three-mile loop circling the marshlands. The Lombard Mill Pond Trail currently consists of one half-mile trail from the former bridge to the mill ruins, but the directors of the CSRA Land Trust say they have high hopes for the preserved land in the future.

“The next level of the dream is to have trails, and in the longer range we would like to take what we have here and extend it all the way down Butler Creek,” said Langrall. “I think phase-two will be finished in two or three years, which would get the bridge across, and phasethree would allow us to complete the three-mile loop.”

“We’re working with some donors right now and hoping that the money comes in within the next few years to start the bridge project, but the whole three-mile loop will probably cost the better part of $1 million,” she continued. “The Georgia Department of Natural Resources gave us $100,000, which we are extremely grateful for, but in trail-speak that doesn’t buy a whole lot. The engineering, paving and rocks for this portion of the trail that we have right now cost about $100,000, so we try to break the project up into manageable chunks that one person could realistically fund.”

Before CSRA Land Trust’s acquisition of the property in 2004, it had already been undeveloped since Richmond County’s last grist mill closed in the 1960s. Ruins of the mill are still visible at the start of the trail, and eventually the Trust hopes to put signage up to teach visitors about the history of the mill and of the property.

“A mill at this site dates back to the late 1700s, and early records called it Robinson’s Mills,” said Erick Montgomery, the executive director of Historic Augusta. “Dr. John Murray, a prominent Augusta physician bought the mill

Lombard Mill Pond is “a great example of patient persistence, that in less than ten years it went from an overgrown piece of land with no trails to become a

beautiful outdoor nature preserve

that benefits the entire city of Augusta.”

— MAyor deke copenhaver

and surrounding property in 1801 and owned it until 1821. The road that led from Augusta to the mill pond was originally called Murray Mill Road, or just Murray Road. In the 20th Century it was widened, improved and renamed Dean’s Bridge Road.”

“The Lombard Family owned the property by at least 1905 – probably some years earlier, but I have not had time do a chain of title on the property,” he continued. “In any case, Roswell Oliver Lombard owned several thousand acres in Richmond County at the time of his death in 1923. He also built the Modjeska Theater on Broad Street. Roswell Lombard and his wife, Nancy Jones Lombard raised their three children across the road from the mill at a country estate called ‘The Oaks.’ ” Decades ago the dam was destroyed to allow the creek to be free flowing, yet despite its lack of official use. Langrall says the land was trashed by the time her organization stepped in.

hazell langrall at lombard mill pond

Volunteers from Fort Gordon, the American Hiking Society and Savannah Riverkeeper’s Rivers Alive program worked countless hours to remove several dumpsters worth of debris including an old stop sign and a newspaper dispenser of The Augusta Chronicle. Slowly, the land began to look like a park that might attract visitors.

“When I first started working on the property in 2004 there was actually enough water in the pond that you could put a canoe in it and paddle to the other side, but since then nature has kind of reclaimed it,” she said. “It’s been fascinating to watch as the water level receded and small trees started sprouting up again along the trail. The wetlands are great for migratory birds, and you can see deer, foxes, and all your normal small wildlife. I’ve even seen a turkey in here, but you cannot hunt on this property because it’s within the city and it is patrolled.”

They have also built a wooden walkway over a sunken part of the trail, and an observation deck where Langrall occasionally sees fishermen and naturalists observing the wood ducks in the wetlands. Once the trail expands, she says she hopes to see it used more often by schools and ordinary citizens desiring a nature walk.

The property now has a conservation easement on it, a restriction that stays with the property no matter who owns it, ensuring that it can never be developed.

“This is the main way in which we protect land we buy through the Georgia Greenspace program,” said Langrall. “It’s interesting to think that, even a hundred years from now, this property will still be undeveloped. We currently have 55 acres around the pond and a little over 400 all along the creek protected, and we’re working on acquiring the rest. Our goal is to eventually protect all the land along the creek from Fort Gordon to Phinzy Swamp, a total of about twelve and a half or thirteen miles.”

The CSRA Land Trust is currently seeking grant money from state or federal agencies, but also solicits foundations and organizations interested in preserving nature and making a contribution to the public good.

“It’s a great example of patient persistence, that in less than ten years it went from an overgrown piece of land with no trails to become a beautiful outdoor nature preserve that benefits the entire city of Augusta,” said Deke Copenhaver, former executive director of CSRA Land Trust and current Augusta Mayor. “I would like to see it eventually become the starting point for a trail that goes all the way down Butler Creek, and I’d like to see more educational opportunities for the many good schools in that area, as well as opportunities to promote a healthy lifestyle in Augusta for runners and nature lovers of all kinds.” article and photos by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 17

18 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

the

daily planner

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

FEB. 15 to mar. 3

[ EXPLORING THE CLASSICAL MUSIC ] Take a little Bob Dylan and some Loretta Lynn, throw in a handful of White Stripes and the result is the noisy country-folk of Shovels and Rope, the Southern-fried duo is Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst.

Brimming over with a ferocious, beautiful, and often gritty wildness, Shovels and Rope has something primal in its sound, a feeling that will appeal to fans of many different genres while touching the current revival of retro rock that has found fame with singers such as Adele and Nobunny.

Combining multiple projects together, Hearst and Trent, a songwriting team with musical careers in their own right, pooled their resources and formed Shovels and Rope, releasing a self-titled album in 2008. Trent recently released his solo second album, The Winner, and Hearst is working on a new solo album, Lions & Lambs.

Expect some instrument switching and style shifts, too, as Shovels and Rope bring a sleazy blues, rock and country hybrid to Sky City. | by DINO LULL WHAT Shovels and Rope WHERE Sky City | 1157 Broad St. WHEN Saturday, Feb. 18 | 9 p.m. COST $5 MORE | SHOVELSANDROPE.COM The Daily Planner is our selective guide to what is going on in the city during the next two weeks. IF YOU WANT TO BE LISTED: Submit information by email (events@vergelive.com) or by mail (verge, P.O. Box 38, Augusta, GA 30903). Details of the event - date, time, venue address, telephone number and admission price - should be included. Listings included are accurate at press time, check with specific venues for further details.

ONGOING

DAILY HISTORY BLAST FROM THE PAST opens on Feb. 24,

as part of the celebration of the Augusta Museum of History’s 75th anniversary. The exhibit will highlight the variety of materials that were collected in the past, such as rocks, minerals, taxidermy animals and birds, ethnographic clothing, archeological collections, and the different ways artifacts were displayed. Augusta Museum of History; $2 to $4; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG

WEDNESDAY

2.15

CONCERT POPS CONCERT

by the Columbia County Civic Orchestra. East Georgia College, Swainsboro Campus; 11 a.m. or 7 p.m.; free; 131 College Circle, Swainsboro COLUMBIACCO.ORG

FILM THE TOE TACTIC Mona Peek is jarred by delayed grief for her dead father when she finds out her childhood home has been sold. Her emotional plight is the subject of an esoteric card game played by four animated dogs. Writer, director and animator Emily Hubley uses live action and animation to explore the connection between the real and the ethereal. After viewing the film, Hubley will conduct a question-and-answer session.

Morris Museum of Art; 6 p.m.; $3; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG LITERARY PHILOSOPHY CLUB Kroc Center; 7 p.m.; free; 1833 Broad St.; 706.364.5762

THURSDAY

2.16

FOR KIDS NURTURING NATURE WALKS Through

FOR KIDS DRAGON SCALES MONTH Take the

library reading challenge: For every book that you read, write its name on a scale and help make the dragon stretch around the children’s department.

Headquarters Library; through March 1; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

the use of songs, movement and using the senses, young children’s curiosity of the natural world is nutured through a outdoors walk in this family program.

For children ages 3 to 5. Reed Creek Nature Park & Interpretive Center; 10 a.m.; $2; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027

LITERARY BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB Picking Cotton by

FRIDAY

COMMUNITY K-12 EDUCATOR EXPO Augusta

COMMUNITY EMPLOYER EXPO Augusta State University

Jennifer Thompson. Columbia County Library; 11 a.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd.; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

State University hosts its annual job fair, which is open to the public. Professional attire is required for admittance.

Christenberry Fieldhouse; 11 a.m.; free; 3109 Wrightsboro Road; 706.737.1604 AUG.EDU/CAREER_CENTER

2.17

will host their annual job fair, which is open to the public.

Professional attire is required for admittance. Fifty organizations recruit for part-time, full-time, internship, co-op, volunteer and seasonal hiring needs.

Participating employers are listed on the website.

Christenberry Fieldhouse; 11 a.m.; free; 3109 Wrightsboro Road 706.737.1604 AUG.EDU/CAREER_CENTER

ART ART AT LUNCH: FRAMING MARY WHYTE CONCERT FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH:

Songs and Dances From Around Our World. The Trio Intermezzo of Ruth Berry, cello; Kelly Odell, oboe; and Kevin Polluck, piano. Selections include music of Bartok, Bazelaire, Still and Rachmaninoff. First Presbyterian Church of Aiken; noon; free, $9 for lunch; 224 Barnwell Ave., Aiken; 803.648.2662

LITERARY BOOK DISCUSSION Lamb in His

Bosom, a modern Southern classic by Caroline Miller, the first Georgia author to receive a Pulitzer Prize for literature.

Harlem Branch Library; 4 p.m.; free; 375 N. Louisville St., Harlem; 706.556.9795

closing time. Ages 12 to 18.

Headquarters Library; 5:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

Smith Coleman, the owner of Coleman Fine Art, discusses the art of frame building, restoration, and gilding, focusing on the handcrafted frames he created exclusively for his wife’s watercolor paintings featured in

the exhibition Working South.

Lunch by Roux’s Catering.

Morris Museum of Art; noon; $14; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501

FESTIVAL 2012 BEAUTIFUL LIFE CONFERENCE: RUNNING FREE Conference is designed

to help young women walk in a strong understanding of their value as daughters who are loved without measure by an awesome and holy God. New Hope Worship Center; 7 p.m.; $18 or $15/person for groups of 10 or more; 715 S. Old Belair Road, Grovetown; 706.868.6410

FOR TEENS LIBRARY AFTER HOURS: A NIGHT OF IMPROV! Be at the

GOOD CAUSE 2012 MARDI GRAS DINNER & DANCE An evening of music by the Paul Roberts All-Star band, dancing and traditional New Orleans cuisine. Costumes are optional.

Proceeds will benefit food ministries at Saint Paul’s Church.

River Room at St. Paul’s Church; 7 p.m.; $40; 605 Reynolds St.; 706.724.2485 SAINTPAULS.ORG

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Columbus Cottonmouths. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 712 Telfair St.; 706.993.2645

second floor YA Room before

[ the classic chicago ] Chicago premiered in 1975, was the hit of the 1997 Broadway season and won six Tony awards – it has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz with one showstopping song after another.

THEATRE EXPERIMENTAL RELIEF Presented by the

Set in Chicago during the Roaring ‘20s, Chlorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband to take the rap, until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. The New York Daily Times called Chicago “wildly entertaining (with) a dazzling score.”

THEATRE BECKY SHAW

Richard Justice directs the Augusta Player’s version, with musical direction by Jeannie Butler and choreography by Peter Powlus.

University Theatre Players.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.; donations accepted; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

Gina Gionfriddo’s comedy of bad manners tells a tangled tale of love, sex and ethics among a quartet of men and women in their 30s. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; $25; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322; LCNAUGUSTA.COM

WHAT The Augusta Players present Chicago, The Musical WHERE The Imperial Theatre | 745 Broad St. WHEN Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. | Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.

TICKETS $15 to $41 MORE 706.826.4707 |AUGUSTAPLAYERS.ORG

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FRIDAY

2.17 THEATRE THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES Go to the

1958 Springfield High School prom and meet four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts. Be treated to the girls performing classic ‘50s and ‘60s songs such as “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Lipstick On Your Collar” and “It’s My Party.” An Aiken Community Playhouse fundraising event with dessert buffet and cash bar. Aiken Municipal Building Conference Center; 7 p.m.; $35; 215 The Alley, Aiken; 803.648.1438

THEATRE EXPERIMENTAL RELIEF See listing on Feb. 16.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

THEATRE BECKY SHAW See listing on Feb. 10. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

CONCERT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUGUSTA: THE GREAT Dante’s Inferno –

one of the greatest tragedies of all time – was Liszt’s inspiration for Mephisto Waltz No. 1.

Pairing it with Stravinsky’s great gamble, Jeu de Cartes (Game of Cards), and Schubert’s Great C Major, Symphony D. 944 C Major, makes this an amazing selection of monumental works. First Baptist Church of Augusta; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $45; 3500 Walton Way; 706.733.2236 SOAUGUSTA.ORG

SATURDAY

2.18

LITERARY FRIENDS OF AUGUSTA LIBRARY BOOK SALE Appleby Branch Library;

10 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244 ECGRL.ORG

ART ARTIST WORKSHOP

Face Jugs with David Stuart.

Morris Museum of Art; 10 a.m.; $75 others; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

ART DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH ARTISTIC SHOWCASE Bringing the

community together through the Arts with music, poetry, spoken word, singing and more. Call Joe Rob to participate or volunteer.

Headquarters Library; 4 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 704.200.1293 ECGRL.ORG

WINE NATIONAL WINE DRINKING DAY Join us for

half price wine by the glass and enter to win a free bottle of wine.

Casa Blanca Café; 5:30 p.m.; regular menu pricing applies; 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431 CASABLANCATIME.COM

CONCERT PICKIN’ AND PRAISIN’ CONCERT SERIES A meal, desserts and

beverages are available for donations that will go toward use of the facility. Glenn Hills Baptist Church; 6 p.m.; free; 2877 Lumpkin Road; 706.373.7855

Sample raccoon barbecue with acorn side dish at a pot luck dinner. Dishes must contain at least one wild ingredient.

Free with admissions to park.

Mistletoe State Park; 2 p.m.; $5 for parking pass; 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling; 706.541.0321 GASTATEPARKS.ORG

THEATRE EXPERIMENTAL RELIEF See listing on Feb. 16.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 2 p.m.

LITERARY QUALITY POETS SOCIETY LITERARY WORKSHOP Creative writing

THEATRE IMAGO THEATRE: ZOOZOO An ASU Lyceum

Series event. Maxwell Theatre; 7 p.m.; call for info; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100 AUG.EDU

THEATRE THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES See listing on

Feb. 17. Aiken Municipal Building Conference Center; 7 p.m.

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Fayetteville FireAntz. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 601 Seventh St. 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

THEATRE EXPERIMENTAL RELIEF See listing on Feb. 16. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

THEATRE RIVERDANCE The last tour of the internationally acclaimed worldwide phenomenon. The Bell Auditorium; 8 p.m.; $50 to $60; 712 Telfair St.; 877.4AUGTIX GEORGIALINATIX.COM

OUTDOORS THE WILD GOURMET IN WINTER

FESTIVAL FAT SATURDAY PUB CRAWL Experience a

variety of libations at more than 15 bars and restaurants along Broad Street. Registration begins at 4 p.m. on 11th Street and the first 500 individuals to sign up will receive a free Fat Saturday t-shirt. Participants receive a passport, which provides free access to each crawl stop. Fill out the card and enter to win prizes such as a Fat Tire bicycle, concert tickets and restaurant gift certificates. Pay an extra $5 to ride the Augusta Trolley all night long, which will visit each stop and feature Matt Stone as the MC. Broad Street, Downtown Augusta; 8 p.m. to midnight; $10 FACEBOOK.COM/FATSATURDAY

THEATRE BECKY SHAW

See listing on Feb. 16. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

2.19 a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, discusses the 2011 summer excavation of the Pottersville kiln site in Edgefield. The utilitarian vessels produced by slaves at Pottersville are the first examples of alkalineglazed stoneware in the United States and unique to the area.

Morris Museum of Art; 2 p.m.; free; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

2.21

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Knoxville

Ice Bears. James Brown Arena; 4:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 712 Telfair St.; 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

MONDAY

2.20

FOR KIDS PIONEERS & INDIANS Learn how people

lived in Georgia 300 years ago; experience pioneer cooking, churning butter and making candles. For ages 8 to 12, register by Feb. 17. Mistletoe Park; 9 a.m.; $20; 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling; 706.541.0321 GASTATEPARKS.ORG

HISTORY PRESIDENTS’ DAY TOURS Celebrate

Presidents’ Day by touring the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson in Augusta, Georgia. See the restored Civil War era home, which features original and period furnishings, original kitchen and servants’ quarters and carriage house.

Guided tours are offered on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

President’s Day special: buy one admission, get one of equal or lesser value for free.

Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson; $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for student; 415 7th St.; 706.724.0436 WILSONBOYHOODHOME.ORG

and demonstration. JSAC Ballroom and ASU Sports Field; 11 a.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1444 AUG.EDU

LITERARY MONDAY NIGHT BOOK DISCUSSION

Columbia County Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd.; 706.863.1946

FILM FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY This film helps tell the story of America’s Black Patriots.

After the film, a panel discussion will be held. Part of the ASU Spring Film Series. Augusta State University; 7 p.m.; $2; 2500 Walton Way; 706.729.2416 AUG.EDU

the

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FOR KIDS MARDI GRAS PARTY Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

COMMUNITY YPA LUNCH-N-LEARN WITH THE MAYOR Mayor Deke

Copenhaver will discuss the State of the City. Partridge Inn; 11:45 a.m.; regular menu pricing; 2110 Walton Way YPAUGUSTA.COM

and performance workshop hosted by LadyVee DaPoet.

Aroma Coffee; 3 p.m.; free to participate, one-item minimum encouraged; 379 Highland Ave.; 770.361.6411 MEETUP.COM/ AUGQUALITYPOETS

HISTORY BUFFALO SOLDIERS Video presentation

ART EXCAVATING EDGEFIELD George W. Calfas,

TUESDAY

[ A FEAST OF BOOKS ] CONCERT TUESDAY MUSIC LIVE Featuring

Sebastian Baverstam on cello and Constantin Finhouse on piano. Lunch is provided after concert. Reservations required.

Saint Paul’s Church; noon; concert is free, lunch is $10; 605 Reynolds St.; 706.722.3463 TUESDAYSMUSICLIVE.COM

HISTORY BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT: AFRICAN DAY Lecture by Dr. Nate Plagemen. Augusta State University, E151 Allgood Hall; noon; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1444 AUG.EDU

FOR TEENS YOUNG ADULT JEWELRY WORKSHOP

The Augusta Literary Festival on March 3 will feature 50 authors signing and selling books at the Headquarters Library, giving readers the opportunity to enhance their appreciation of their favorite books.

Some of the attending authors, including Louise Shivers, Brandi Cummings and former Augusta mayor Bob Young, will also be invited to speak in the library’s meeting room. Sherryl James, the community service and outreach librarian, has been organizing the event and says she was sorry to have to cap the event at 50 authors.

“We had an overwhelming number of local authors want to be involved, as well as some from as far away as Florida and South Carolina, but space considerations just wouldn’t allow us to invite everybody,” she said. “We will have authors throughout this entire building, on the first, second and third floors, as well as in the children’s area, where we will have several children’s book authors.”

Make a set of beaded jewelry.

Columbia County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd.; 706.863.1946

One of James’ favorite authors, John Kratic, writes urban fiction set in Augusta, which she believes will be a draw for many readers who appreciate local works.

COMMUNITY 2012 NORTH AUGUSTA CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING Sen.

“I’m fascinated by his dialog, but it’s some pretty hard hitting stuff,” she said. “It talks about the underbelly of the city, but with an uplifting message that I think anyone who lives here can relate to.”

Jim DeMint will speak about The Power of American Free Enterprise. North Augusta Community Center; 6 p.m.; $45 for members; 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.2323

FILM INSIGNIFICANCE

Rated R. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

HISTORY BLACK STUDENT UNION CULTURAL EXPLOSION A Black History

Month event. Maxwell Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1444 AUG.EDU

WEDNESDAY

2.22

Many of the authors will be selling copies of their books, payable by cash or check. The library will also be raising money, through $12 tee-shirt sales with the ALF logo, but the event is free to attend.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet some young and upcoming authors, and some established ones, and to sample a number of locally produced works,” said James. “We hope to make this an annual event, and give as many people as possible the opportunity to appreciate something they might not have thought about picking up before.” | by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK

WHAT Augusta Literary Festival WHERE Headquarters Library | 823 Telfair St. WHEN Saturday, Mar. 3 | 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

TICKETS Free MORE | ECGRL.COM

THURSDAY

2.23

FOR KIDS HEALTHY HEART KIDS CRAFTS For ages 3

LITERARY BOOK CLUB

Kroc Center; 6:30 p.m.; day pass or membership; 1833 Broad St.; 706.364.5762

to 5. Registration begins Feb. 6. Appleby Branch Library; 11 a.m.; free; 2260 Walton Way; 706.736.6244 ECGRL.ORG

THEATRE IT’S DANDY IN DEADWOOD An original

HISTORY BLACK HISTORY MONTH MOVIE SERIES

musical written and directed by Jim Moore as the annual Heart Board benefit musical. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.; $25; 471 University Ave., Aiken; 803.649.7650

Lady Day: The Many Faces of Billie Holliday (60 minutes).

Headquarters Library; noon; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600

HISTORY JOHNNY CASH and the Paradoxical South,

part of the Phi Kappa Arsenal Speaker Series with Dr. John Hayes as lecturer. 170 University Hall, Augusta State; 2 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.729.2416

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THURSDAY

2.23

CONCERT ASU ORCHESTRA & WIND ENSEMBLE Maxwell Theatre, Augusta State; 7:30 p.m.; call for info; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100 AUG.EDU

THEATRE IT’S DANDY IN DEADWOOD See listing on

Feb. 22. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

THEATRE CHICAGO, A MUSICAL Read the

article on page 19. Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m.; $15 to $41; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 AUGUSTAPLAYERS.ORG

FOR KIDS THE WORLD OF OWLS Learn about owls that

live in Georgia, their adaptations and natural history. Then dissect owl pellets, regurgitated bones that cannot be digested by the owls, to find out what they have been eating. For ages 5 and up. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park; 4:30 p.m.; $3; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

THEATRE YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU At first the

Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize that if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. An ACP Youth Wing Mainstage Production.

Suitable for all ages. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.; $7 to $20; 126 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1438

musical tells of parents, children and faith, plus centuries of unresolved family business.

Loosely based on Genesis, the play is a frank, heartfelt and humorous, examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, 7 p.m.; $40; 32100 Third Ave.; 706.793.8552 FORTGORDON.COM

Feb. 24. Imperial Theatre; 8 p.m.

THEATRE YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU See listing on Feb. 24. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

2.26

FOR KIDS MEDALS FOR MILES YOUTH FUN RUN A

On Feb. 25 at 7 p.m., Freedom Bible Church in Evans will host the third annual Band Art Project, a free event in which live bands provide the soundtrack for visual artists to put paint to canvas. The “live art painted to live music” concept came about as an idea for area artist Stephanie “Sunshine” Forbes’ senior project in 2010.

“My (senior project) mentor was a lady named Peggy Maddox,” said Forbes. “She’s huge into networking and that’s why I chose her. Doing an event, of course you want it to be great but you also want a good number of people there.”

2.25

Community health and fitness expo. Enterprise Mill Events Center; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free; 1450 Greene St.; 706.722.8326 AUGUSTAHALF.ORG

HISTORY BATTLE OF AIKEN Each year, the Sons of

Confederate Veterans re-enact life as it was during the battle. Full calendar of events is available online.

Confederate Park; 8:30 a.m. to dusk; $5 to $10, free for children 5 and under; 1210 Powell Pond Road, Aiken; 706.830.0930 BATTLEOFAIKEN.ORG

HISTORY THE AFRICANAMERICAN EXPERIENCE THEATRE CHILDREN OF EDEN A two-act, pop/rock

THEATRE CHICAGO, A MUSICAL See listing on

With so many shows raising funds for so many worthy causes it can be tough to pull people in the direction of a particular event and while Forbes has seen the Band Art Project grow, she is quick to acknowledge that much of that success can be attributed to lessons learned while working on the original concept through her senior project.

SPORTS AUGUSTA HALF MARATHON EXPO

Series event presented by the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $7 students, $25 adults; 2500 Walton Way; 706.790.9274 HJCMS.ORG

Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre, 7 p.m.

It’s no secret that art can inspire change, moods, life. Artists walk with a different kind of step than the average Joe, though many an average Joe is found to be a closet artist.

Artists appear to carry an inner need to liberate the creative juices conceived in their hearts and souls. It is how most artists share; how they express.

GOOD CAUSE CASINO NIGHT 2012 The Arts and

CONCERT FINE ARTS QUARTET An ASU Lyceum

THEATRE CHILDREN OF EDEN See listing on Feb. 22.

[ THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT BRUSH ]

A series of short plays written and directed by various local writers centered on the Black Experience. Blue Bistro Theater at Encore 601; 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; $12; 601 Broad St., second floor; 404.786.3277 BLUEBISTROTHEATER.COM

Heritage Center of North Augusta hosts a casino fundraiser with 18 gaming tables, a silent auction and dinner. Tickets include meal, two drink tickets and $25,000 in play money and are available at Jim Bush Florist, the AHCNA and online. Julian Smith Casino; 7 p.m.; $35; 2200 Broad St.; 803.441.4380

daily planner

SATURDAY

feature event of the Augusta Half Marathon, the 1.1-mile course begins and ends at Enterprise Mill with the goal to get children involved in an active lifestyle.

Preregistration is required and can be completed online or picked up at any Family Y branch location. Begins at Enterprise Mill; register online for pricing; 1450 Greene St.; 706.722.8326 AUGUSTAHALF.ORG

THEATRE BLUE BLACK

the

Feb. 22. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

2.24

Veterans Fisher House. Sno-Cap Drive-In; 4 p.m.; regular menu pricing applies; 618 West Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.4004 SNOCAPDRIVEIN.COM

THEATRE IT’S DANDY IN DEADWOOD See listing on

THEATRE IT’S DANDY IN DEADWOOD See listing on

FRIDAY

FESTIVAL CLASSIC CAR CRUISE-IN Proceeds benefit

This Black History Month event is an exploration of slave songs and spirituals and how they have impacted modern music and will feature the vocal talents of the Midland Valley High School Chorus. Redcliffe Plantation; 10 a.m.; call for info; 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island; 803.827.1473

THEATRE EMANI Opera

streamed live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20; 12:55 p.m.; $18 to $24; 1144 Agerton Lane; 706.667.9713 FANDANGO.COM

SPORTS AUGUSTA HALF MARATHON Challenging

13.1-mile course. Begins at Enterprise Mill Events Center; 8 a.m.; entry fee $55 until Feb. 21, $75 on Feb. 25, free for spectators; 1450 Greene St.; 706.722.8326 AUGUSTAHALF.ORG

HISTORY BATTLE OF AIKEN See listing on Feb. 25.

Confederate Park; 8:30 a.m. to dusk

THEATRE CHICAGO, A MUSICAL See listing on

Feb. 24. Imperial Theatre; 3 p.m.

THEATRE YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU See listing on Feb. 24. Aiken Community Playhouse; 3 p.m.

SPORTS SEASON OPENER: SOUL CITY SIRENS ROLLER DERBY vs. CQS Miss

B-Havers. Halftime includes games and prizes for kids.

Bring a folding chair or blanket.

Redwing Rollerway; 5:30 p.m.; $10 in advance, $15 at the door, free for children under 12; 3065 Washington Road; 803.295.9618 SOULCITYSIRENS.COM

FILM FOURTH ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY Feel like a star,

walk the red carpet and watch the Academy Awards on the big wall. Dine on Oscar-inspired fare and have a chance to win prizes. Reservations are required.

Casa Blanca Café; 6 p.m.; $25; 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431 CASABLANCATIME.COM

THEATRE IT’S DANDY IN DEADWOOD See listing on

Feb. 22. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.

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“It just came to me one day,” said Forbes. “I was painting and watching my paint brush move to the beat of the music and it was something I’d never noticed before and so I thought it’d be cool to do it with live bands and have artists paint to a song and have just that one song to complete a 30x40 painting.”

This year the event has blown up, with 17 artists painting to live songs performed by Eleventhour, who is making its third Band Art Project appearance this year, The Mood, who will reunite for the show, and The Industry, a band Forbes says she is especially stoked about having participate in the event.

“I went to an Incubus concert back in September,” said Forbes. “And The Industry actually opened the show and, long story short, a friend of a friend knew who The Industry was and I got in contact with them and now they’re playing for my show.”

While the main focus for the evening will be on witnessing what shapes and colors will form on the canvases when each artist finds their space infiltrated with sound, the expressions will reach far beyond the artists and Feb. 25, when each piece is auctioned off for charity.

“All the canvases created during the event will go to Walton Rehab for their Undercover Artists show,” said Forbes. “This will help to raise money for Camp TBI [To Be Independent], which is a camp for kids with traumatic brain injuries.”

Forbes says that having a great senior project mentor, in addition to both of her parents being in advertising, allowed her to concentrate on getting connections, sponsors, bands and willing artists.

“I just had to find a good number of artists who were willing to be vulnerable on stage for six minutes and then find the bands,” said Forbes. “Once I found all that everything else just kind of fell into place. Right now, all I have left to do is get all the canvases for the show.”

In addition to the annual Band Art Project show and her ongoing music and visual arts projects, Forbes has also taken over the Gaartdensity gallery, located near Mellow Mushroom, Sky City, Knuckle Sandwiches and the Firehouse, at 1155 Broad St. It’s obvious just by talking to “Sunshine” and seeing where the young artist is going that her experience with her senior project and the Band Art Project have left quite the impression.

“It’s crazy, you wouldn’t expect the art to turn out so good,” said Forbes. “It’s cool because you can see the artists flow on the canvas and they really tune into that moment and it comes out in a lot of unintentional strokes it’s really cool to watch.”

WHAT The 3rd Annual Band Art Project WHERE Freedom Bible Church 702 North Belair Road, Evans WHEN Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7 p.m.

Tickets Free MORE | 706.466.5166

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TUESDAY

2.28

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daily planner

SPORTS AUGUSTA RIVERHAWKS vs. Fayetteville FireAntz. James Brown Arena; 7:35 p.m.; $7 to $18; 601 7th St.; 706.993.2645 AUGUSTARIVERHAWKS.COM

FOR KIDS MEET YOUR LOCAL DENTIST Learn about

brushing, flossing, nutrition and plaque. Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

LITERARY MAXWELL MORNING BOOK CLUB The

Borrower by Rebecca Makkai.

Maxwell Branch Library; 10 a.m.; free; 1927 Lumpkin Road; 706.793.2020 ECGRL.ORG

FOR TEENS YOUNG ADULT DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB Meet other teens

interested in photography and discuss ideas for the coming year.

Light refreshments, registration required. Columbia County Library; 4 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd.; 706.863.1946 ECGRL.ORG

FESTIVAL BIKE NITE Drive

your motor bike up to the oldest drive-in in the CSRA. Sno-Cap Drive-In; 6 p.m.; regular menu pricing applies; 618 West Ave., North Augusta; 803.279.4004 SNOCAPDRIVEIN.COM

Rated R. Headquarters Library; 6:30 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

HISTORY AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLAR PROGRAM

A Black History Month event.

Maxwell Theatre; 7 p.m.; free; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1444

LITERARY OSWALD WRITER’S SERIES Featuring

Ron Rash, the author of prizewinning novels One Foot in Eden, Saints at the River and The World Made Straight. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 8 p.m.; free; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

WEDNESDAY

2.29

FESTIVAL FIRST THURSDAY ON KINGS WAY Featuring past Augusta mayor Bob Young who will be signing copies of his book, The Treasure Train. Enjoy an evening out in Summerville as stores stay open, refreshments are served and friendships are made. Kings Way in Summerville; 5 p.m.; free; 706.364.8479

THURSDAY

FESTIVAL JUNIOR LEAGUE ATTIC SALE Augusta Exchange Club Fairground; doors open at 7 a.m.; visit website for info; 301 Hale St.; 706.736.0033 JLAUGUSTA.ORG

GOOD CAUSE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION MARCH The signature

fundraising event for the American Heart Association.

Activities begin at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Downtown Aiken on Newberry St.; 8 a.m.; free; 706.589.0063 HEART.ORG

FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY

COMMUNITY HISTORIC AUGUSTA’S OLD HOUSE FAIR Read the article on page

3.2

Downtown Augusta celebrates the first Friday of each month as art galleries display new works and vendors sell their handmade goods along Broad Street.

Family friendly. Downtown Augusta; 5 p.m.; free; Broad Street; 706.826.4702 AUGUSTAARTS.COM

Mrs. Sutton Stracke and Dr. Alan Whitehouse promise an evening of delicious fare, live entertainment, dancing and a raffle. The gala will feature the exhibition Working South: Paintings and Sketches by Mary Whyte. Morris Museum of Art; 7 p.m.; call for info; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG

THEATRE CHILDREN OF EDEN See listing on Feb. 22. Fort

Gordon Dinner Theatre, 7 p.m.

CONCERT AUGUSTA BLUES FESTIVAL The Augusta Blues Festival returns to the Bell Auditorium as The Klass Band, Mel Waiters, Sir Charles Jones, Latimore, and Clarence Carter will take the stage for an experience you can’t bootleg. Bell Auditorium; 8 p.m.; $40 to $47; 712 Telfair St.; 877.4.AUGTIX GEORGIALINATIX.COM

XX. Sacred Heart Cultural Center; 9 a.m.; $10; 1301 Greene St.; 706.724.0436 HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG

OUTDOORS SWAMP SATURDAY The Academy’s

trained volunteers lead free, 2.5-mile, 1.5-hour hikes through wetlands, over picturesque trails and scenic outlooks. Phinizy Swamp; 9:30 a.m.; free; 1858 Lock & Dam Road; 706.828.2109

CONCERT WOMEN OF IRELAND Presented as part of

3.1

downtown to find the best bargains on the highest quality goods. Downtown Aiken; free; 803.649.2221 DOWNTOWNAIKEN.COM

Feb. 24. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

THEATRE YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU See listing on

film reel NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN

If you’re in the dog house because you forgot about Valentine’s Day, Hollywood has a chance for you to save a little face. A decidedly atypical romantic comedy brings action and manly competition into the mix as guy’s guy director McG (Terminator Salvation, We Are Marshall, Charlie’s Angels) does his best not to conform to romantic genre standards with the Feb. 17 opener THIS MEANS WAR. Chris Pine (Unstoppable, Star Trek) and Tom Hardy (Inception, Warrior) play fellow CIA agents FDR and Tuck, respectively, whose friendship is tested when they date the same beautiful girl. Reese Witherspoon plays Lauren, the lucky lady who finds romance with both men. Lauren doesn’t tell FDR and Tuck she’s dating both of them – they just find out on their own and create a gentleman’s agreement to vie for her affections. They keep Lauren WAR IN A HANDSHAKE in the dark about the agreement and the fact that they know she’s seeing both of them. The guys abuse their government training and resources to woo Lauren and the competition gets more intensely physical as they fall harder for her, ultimately waiting for her to choose one of them. Comedienne and one of Hollywood’s current “it” girls Chelsea Handler costars as Lauren’s married, painfully average pal who gives advice and lives vicariously through the exciting romantic exploits of her gorgeous friend. Angela Bassett also stars.

The week’s other openers offer more action, but for two very different audiences. Nicolas Cage returns to the role of a Marvel Comics anti-hero in a sequel to 2007’s Ghost Rider. Cage’s chainwielding biker skeleton with the flaming skull, Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, takes on more demons in GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, with screenings in 3D. Idris Elba also stars in this action-packed adaptation from Neveldine and Taylor, the directing team behind Crank and Gamer. The duo also penned a big-screen version of D.C. Comics’ Jonah Hex in 2010, a film that tanked at the box office in light of horrible reviews. Eva Mendes, who appeared in Ghost Rider, does not return for this film. Also absent from the sequel is the previous film’s writer-director, Mark Steven Johnson.

FOR KIDS 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE EARTH Become a young

geologist and study solid Earth and how it has shaped and changed over time. Look at minerals and elements that are use in everyday life. For ages 7 and up. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park; 10 a.m.; $2; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027 REEDCREEKPARK.COM

GOOD CAUSE SECOND ANNUAL PREP FEST Musical

guests include Jesse Colin Young, John Francis, Planet Walker, Mike Frost Jazz, Adam Cross, John Krueger, Not Gaddy, IDRUM2U and Swingsation of Aiken. Aiken Prep School Soccer Field; 3:30 p.m.; $20 plus a can of food, admission for children 12 & under is one can of food; 619 Barnwell Ave. NW, Aiken; 803.648.3223 PREPFEST.ORG

LITERARY INAUGURAL AUGUSTA LITERARY FESTIVAL Read the article on the USC Aiken Cultural Series.

USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 8 p.m.; $40 adults, $20 students; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU

COMMUNITY SPRING SIDEWALK SALE Come

3.3

FRIDAY

CONCERT FACULTY ARTISTS RECITAL USC Aiken

Etherredge Center; 5:30 p.m.; free; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305

extreme theater games are sure to delight any mature audience member. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; $8 advance, $10 door; 304 8th St.; 706.722.3322 SCHRODINGERSCATAUG.COM

SATURDAY

ART THE 19TH ANNUAL MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART GALA 2012 Gala co-chairs FILM RESERVOIR DOGS

THEATRE SCHRODINGER’S CAT PLAYS EXTREME THEATRE GAMES These

the

page XX. Headquarters Library; 10 a.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG

THEATRE CHILDREN OF EDEN See listing on Feb. 22. Fort

Gordon Dinner Theatre, 7 p.m.

THEATRE YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU See listing on

Feb. 24. Aiken Community Playhouse; 8 p.m.

go to vergelive.com for art exhibits to see, classes to attend and more

TINY HUMANS LIVE IN THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

Disney has more of a family-friendly adventure to present. A new feature from Hayao Miyazaki and the studio that brought audiences Ponyo and Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli) has the same Japanese anime styling of those two animated tales. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is based on Mary Norton’s children’s book The Borrowers and tells the story of a miniature girl and her family who are part of a tiny race of people called Borrowers. They live in houses much like mice do, taking little bits of food and supplies people will not notice or miss. The Borrowers hide their existence from humans in order to survive, but young Arrietty is discovered by a human boy with a heart condition, whom she befriends in spite of the potential danger it poses to her family. The film chronicles the beginning of their friendship and the adventures that followed.

The U.S. voice cast includes Disney Channel stars Bridgit Mendler and David Henrie along with Amy Poehler, Will Arnett and Carol Burnett.

February 24 openers include ACT OF VALOR, a military action thriller starring active duty Navy SEALs with a fictional plotline based on actual missions. The film also explores the missions’ impact on military families. Also opening, producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) brings the world another R-rated comedy as Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd and ACT OF VALOR Alan Alda star in WANDERLUST. Writer-director-actor Tyler Perry’s latest relationship drama, GOOD DEEDS, also hits the big screen along with GONE, an abduction mystery thriller starring Amanda Seyfried.

by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 25

stoney’s

sound bites

the guy who put the “k” In lokal gets vocal about augusta’s music scene

Here it is – another music column in a brand spankin’ new issue of verge and it finds me still spitting out particles mere days after the dust has settled on this year’s Lokal Loudness Choice Awards. We recognized our talented area music community while celebrating the 20th anniversary of Lokal Loudness and lived to tell about it! Those in attendance were exposed to some great performances and 20 awards presentations. Before I continue, I want to say thank you to all the bands, presenters, sponsors, media and attendees who were a part of this year’s event and everyone over the years who have made it possible for Lokal Loudness to celebrate 20 years of turning it up in Augusta. I also want to show love for the angel whose birthday inspired the date for the first issue of the Lokal Loudness magazine to come out 20 years ago – the sweet angel that God blessed my wife Jean and I with, Alexis Noelle Colohan-Cannon. Without Alexis there would have been no Lokal Loudness and it surely would not have stuck around for 20 years!

the radar cinema went home with four plexies

For those of you who couldn’t come out (or have just become too old to rock ‘n’ roll), here are the winners of the 2012 Lokal Loudness Choice Awards. Usually the awards go one of two ways – one band has a banner year and walks off with half or more of the trophies or it is a wide mix of winners. This year fell in the middle as four bands battled it out for the most group and individual trophies. At the end of night, SHE N SHE and THE RADAR CINEMA bagged four plexies each, JOHN BERRET’S LAROXES grabbed three, SIBLING STRING took home two and five other artists picked up single awards. Since this was the 20th anniversary celebration, we dug up a few awards from when Lokal Loudness turned 10 and gave out a pair of panel-voted Decade Down awards for top band and CD during the time period between 2002 and 2012.

Community Service Award: The Greater Augusta Arts Council Decade Down Band Award: Jemani Decade Down CD Award: Hearts & Bars (Livingroom Legends) Favorite Bassist: Nick Laws (The Radar Cinema) Favorite Drummer: Mike Dansevicus (LaRoxes) Favorite Guitarist: John Berret (LaRoxes) Favorite Misc. Instrument: Deveran Roof (Sibling String) Favorite Vocalist: Jordan Sudak (The Radar Cinema) Favorite Female: Brandy Douglas (She N She) Favorite Male: Morgan Parham Favorite Song: Quark (The Radar Cinema) Favorite CD: Crimson Silence (She N She) Favorite Solo Artist: Jim Perkins Favorite Americana/Country Artist: Sibling String Favorite Hip Hop/Soul Artist: Rebel Lion Favorite All-Ages Band: The Radar Cinema Favorite New Band: She N She Favorite Rock Band: She N She Favorite Hard Rock/Metal Band: G-City Rockers Favorite Band: John Berret’s LaRoxes Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and of course to each and every area musician whether nominated or not. It takes every one of you guys and gals to make this music community chug. I am excited as we rock through year 20 of Lokal Loudness with tons of great Augusta/ CSRA rock ‘n’ roll. Remember to check out the Daily Planner in print and online at VERGELIVE.COM for great live shows. To get an earful of what is happening in Augusta music, listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen on CONfederation of Loudness, which can be found ironically enough at CONFEDERATIONOFLOUDNESS.COM and, of course, as always … Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud.

John “Stoney” Cannon is considered the guru of “lokal” music.

Check out his long-running Augusta music website: lokalloudness.com.

Send any music news to lokalloudness@yahoo.com.

26 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

night

A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 CRYSTAL GUZMAN @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 5:30 p.m.

FORTY WINTERS + A Fight For Life + In Reference to A Sinking Ship + Convexis @ Sector 7G | 6 p.m.; all ages

SPOTLIGHT: BLAIR CRIMMINS AND THE HOOKERS Coming from Atlanta to Stillwater Tap Room on Feb. 18, the wild jazz-vaudeville-ragtime band Blair Crimmins and the Hookers will astound you.

Think early 1900s jazz transported through time to the modern age and that begins to sum up Blair Crimmins and his backing band the Hookers. They have that Al Bowlly/vaudeville/jazz revival feeling, similar to Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade.

The band has two musical ventures under their belt, full-length album The Musical Styling of Blair Crimmins and the Hookers and EP State Hotel. So there is plenty out there to prepare yourself for when these guys hit town.

Beautiful sleazy Southern-style jazz doesn’t just appeal to diehard jazz enthusiasts and Tom Waits fans. When you listen to Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, something comes alive in you. Those that remember the heyday of Augusta’s Hellblinki Sextet will love it as there is that same deep-seated energy, that feeling of wanting to burst out of your skin and make your skeleton dance. Crimmins sounds a little like Harry Connick Jr. – perhaps it’s just the Southern vibe or the masterful jazz musicianship, but when listening to songs such as “Oh Angela,” you are transported to a New Orleans street corner drinking Hurricanes and shoving powdery beignets in your face until you want to puke.

Crimmins got the first incarnation of his band together in 2009.

He had been writing the kind of music he wanted to play for a while in his own work, but “had no keen focus on one particular style,” he said.

By the time Crimmins corralled the members together, everything began to fall into place. He started recording, found people he wanted to play with and hired them, and basically, His unfocused musical energy took on a life of its own.

“I thought I was giving people the bird by playing jazz,” Crimmins said he was jaded by the music business at the time.

Now, the band is a six-piece with Crimmins on vocals, banjo, guitar, piano, and ukulele. The other five members fill in bass, drums, trumpet, trombone and clarinet/saxophone. The band recorded its full-length album and, within a year, the EP came out as a follow-up.

A variety of people are drawn to the shows: swing dancers, independent circus groups, puppeteers, cabaret dancers and just plain old music fans.

“People want to hear good music with real instruments,” he said.

Blair Crimmins and the Hookers has played Stillwater Taproom twice before and this third show is a part of the band’s first tour of the year.

“With word of mouth, there’s no faking it,” Crimmins said.

“People walk into a show and they like it.”

As simple as that, Crimmins gets to the heart of the matter and the soul of the music.

WHAT Blair Crimmins and the Hookers WHERE Stillwater Tap Room |974 Broad St. WHEN Saturday, Feb. 18 | 9 p.m. COST $5 MORE | blaircrimminsandthehookers.com the profiler is DINO LULL

COMEDY ZONE: JULIE SCOGGINS + GREG HALL @ Somewhere in Augusta 8 p.m.; $8

DAVE & MICHAEL @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

ERIK SMALLWOOD @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB . 22

FRIDAY, MAR 2.

CHRIS NOLETI @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 5:30 p.m.

DR. BREAD’S BIRTHDAY BASH featuring Ayo K, Joycette and Spaxxed Out @ Sky City | 9 p.m.; $2 to $5 OLD MAN CRAZY @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB . 23 BANG TANGO @ Coyote’s 8 p.m.

SIBLING STRING

SIBLING STRING @ Joe’s Underground Cafe | 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

jEFF JOHNSTON @ Joe’s Underground Cafe | 9 p.m.

SUN DRIED VIBES @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

FUNK YOU @ Wild Wing Cafe 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 24

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

NAPPY ROOTS + SLEEPY EYEZ CARTER + ETERNAL EVERLASTING @ Sky City 8 p.m.; $10 to $12 JEREMY GRAHAM BAND @ Coyote’s | 9:30 p.m.

AUGUSTA ROLLER DERBY PARTY The season opener party for the Soul City Sirens@ Sky City | 9 p.m., $5 RUSKIN YEARGAIN @ Joe’s Underground Cafe | 9 p.m.

CAMERAS, GUNS & RADIOS @ First Round | 9 p.m.

DALLAS MARTIN BAND @ Coyote’s | 9:30 p.m., $5 FUNK YOU @ Surrey Tavern 10 p.m., $5

ADAM KLEIN ADAM KLEIN & THE WILDFIRES @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m., $5 IRRITATING JULIE @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

BRANTLEY @ Wild Wing Café 10 p.m.

2/25 BLACK TUSK + NUKLEAR BLAST SUNTAN @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $7 to $9

BIG DADDY LOVE @ Stillwater Taproom | 10 p.m., $5

JEREMY GRAHAM BAND @ Coyote’s | 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

FUNK YOU @ Stillwater Tap Room | 10 p.m., $5

FAT SATURDAY PUB CRAWL @ various venues on Broad Street Registration begins at 4 p.m. on 10th Street, crawl at 8 p.m. to midnight; $10

BLAIR CRIMMONS & THE HOOKERS Read the article on the right. @ Stillwater Taproom 10 p.m., $5 COUNTY LINE BAND @ Somewhere in Augusta | 10 p.m.

PLAYBACK THE BAND featuring TuTu Devine @ Wild Wing Café 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, FEB . 19

SUNDAY, FEB. 26

TUESDAYS HAWK TALK WITH COACH RAPLH @ Somewhere in Augusta 6 p.m.

Twisted Trivia @ The Playground Bar | 10 p.m.

Krazy Karaoke @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

THURSDAYS TANGO NIGHT @ Casa Blanca Café | 6 p.m.

SOUP, SUDS & CONVERSATIONS @ The Fox’s Lair | 6 p.m.

4 CATS IN THE DOG HOUSE @ The Willcox | 6 p.m.

OPEN MIC NIGHT @ The Playground | 8 p.m.

Boom Box @ Soul Bar | 8 p.m.

JAZZTINI THURSDAY @ Hotel Aiken | 9:30 p.m.

ALL-OUT ACOUSTIC FRIDAY @ Hotel Aiken | 9:30 p.m.

LIVE JAZZ FRIDAY @ The Partridge Inn | 10 p.m.

SATURDAYS FRESHSOUNDS DANCE PARTY @ The Playground 8 p.m.

NOW DANCE, BABY! SATURDAY with DJ Kenny Ray, Greatwhitefunk & Smurf @ Hotel Aiken | 9:30 p.m.

FIND THE VENUE

CASA BLANCA Café @ 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431 Cocktails Bar & Lounge @ 660 Broad St.; 706.814.7429 Coyote’s @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.560.9245 FIRST ROUND @ 210 11th St.; 706.828.5600 the fox’s lair @ 349 Telfair St.; 706.364.8278 Hotel Aiken @ 235 Richland Ave. W, Aiken; 803.648.4265 JOE’S UNDERGROUND Café @ 144 eighth St.; 706.724.9457 manuel’s bread cafe @ 505 Railroad Ave., North Augusta; 803.380.1323 THE PARTRIDGE INN @ 2110 Walton Way; 706.737.8888 THE PLAYGROUND BAR @ 978 Broad St.; 706.724.2232 SECTOR 7G @ 631 Ellis St.; 706.496.5900 SKY CITY @ 1157 Broad St.; 706.945.1270 SOUL BAR @ 984 Broad St.; 706.724.8880 Somewhere in augusta @ 2820 Washington Road; 706.739.0002 STILLWATER TAP ROOM @ 974 Broad St.; 706.826.9857 SURREY TAVERN @ 471 Highland Ave.; 706.736.1221 WILD WING CAFE @ 3035 Washington Road.; 706.364.9453 The Willcox @ 100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken; 803.648.1898

for more events,

visit vergelive.com

RYAN STAR

RYAN STAR + MICHAEL TOLCHER @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $25 limited seating; tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the door TJ MIMBS @ Wild Wing Café 10 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

SABO & MIKE @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29

BANG TANGO

THURSDAY, FEB. 23 BANG TANGO + HELL’S 40 AcRES

TUESDAY, FEB . 21

R. RING featuring Kelley Deal (of the Breeders) with guests The Black Swans and Matthew Buzzell @ Sky City | 10 p.m.; $5

MONDAYS MIKE FROST JAZZ @ The Willcox | 8 p.m.

KARAOKE @ Coyote’s | 9 p.m. $5 after 9 p.m.

JASON MARCUM @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

HAPPY BONES @ Joe’s Underground Café | 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAR. 3

BETH CAMLEY BENEFIT featuring The Hollerers, Sibling String, Jesup Dolly, She N She @ Sky City | 9 p.m., $5

MAD MARGRITT @ Wild Wing Café | 10 p.m.

CHILI COOK-OFF & FUNDRAISER for JD Paugh and the Richmond County Sheriff ’s Department @ Coyote’s | 8 p.m.

SHOVELS & ROPE + PACIFIC UV Read the article on page XX. @ Sky City | 8 p.m.; $5 or free with Pub Crawl wristband

JASON WALTER

80S NIGHT + ART SHOW BY JASON WALTER @ Sky City | 8 p.m., $5

WEDNESDAYS TRIVIA NIGHT WITH CHRISTIAN & MICKEY @ Surrey Tavern | 8 p.m.

ROLLER DERBY

FRIDAYS OPEN MIC NIGHT @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.

TRIVIA WITH MACDADDY @ Cocktails Bar & Lounge | 9 p.m.

KARAOKE AND SUCH

SUN DRIED VIBES

life

THRU MAR. 3

JASON RUSSELL

COMEDY ZONE: JASON RUSSELL + MICHAEL BROWN @ Somewhere in Augusta 8 p.m., $8

Funk-infused classic rockers Bang Tango return to Augusta on Feb. 23 as part of the Arena Rock Series, following last year’s sold-out performance and the release of new album Pistol Whipped in the Bibile Belt. The sound is infectious: Billy Idol meets The Cult with a dash of Red Hot Chili Peppers. The concert celebrates the “Black Balloon” birthday of Arena Rock Series promoter Jonathan Karow. His band, Hell’s 40 Acres, joins Bang Tango for a night of arena rock you won’t want to miss. @ Coyote’s | 8:30 p.m.; $10 in advance, $15 day of show; tickets can be purchased at Rock Bottom Music in Augusta or Aiken; 706.724.1172 or ROCKBOTTOMMUSIC.COM.

vergelive.com | community driven news | February 15, 2012 27

ask

dr. karp NO-NONSENSE NUTRITION ADVICE

Jackie from National Hills asks…

Is it really possible to make traditional Southern foods delicious AND healthy?

Jackie, your timing is perfect for this question, with the recent news about Paula Deen and diabetes in the media. Let me say, first, that I wish Paula the best outcome for her diabetes. Hopefully, she will lose weight, change her eating habits, start moving more and take her medication. If she does all the right things, it is possible that she could reach the point of having her diabetes under control without medication. She could be a great example for other Americans with the same disease.

Is it possible to make traditional Southern foods both delicious and healthy? Yes, yes, yes! Today, I will give you three, simple examples of how to do this with traditional Southern cornbread, potato salad and veggies. Once you get the idea, you and your family can start experimenting on your own.

The hope is that, starting today, there will be new “traditional” foods and recipes handed down in your family. You see, the traditional foods in your family are contributing to the traditional chronic diseases in your family, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Your goal, then, is to start new traditions of food, family health and wellness.

When your great-grandma made these traditional Southern foods, she was serving them as a Sunday-after-church dinner to a family who was expending 3,500 calories per day growing and harvesting crops. Today, in contrast, many Americans sit at desks, work on computers or watch TV, but they still want their Sunday dinner and, now, we seem to want it every day. Our bodies can no longer handle these foods and stay healthy. That is one reason why we have had this tremendous increase in obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases in the Southeast and the United States.

Let’s look at traditional Southern cornbread. A typical recipe contains flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt, eggs, buttermilk, whole milk and butter. I make Southern cornbread all the time, but with these changes: I add a bit more cornmeal and a bit less flour, I omit the salt, I use egg substitutes instead of eggs, I use low-fat buttermilk and skim milk instead of high fat dairy products and I use olive oil instead of butter and I use less. I might substitute the salt taste by adding some fresh minced rosemary or oregano. I might add a small can of whole kernel corn (drained) or some red and green peppers (looks colorful and adds great flavor).

Adding the rosemary, corn and chopped peppers might change the flavor of traditional Southern cornbread, but my family thinks it makes the flavor better. Of course, you don’t have to add these ingredients if you want the flavor to be more traditional. I call mine “bistro-style.”

What about that Southern potato salad? Instead of the usual recipe with chopped hard-boiled eggs, bacon and tons of mayo, make Southern sweet potato salad – different, but still traditional.

Simply peel and cut up some sweet potatoes, put them in a microwaveable dish with a little water and cook them in the microwave until they are tender, but not too soft. You don’t want them to get mashed and smashed when you mix the potato salad. Then, in a big bowl, add the sweet potatoes, green tomato relish, sliced green onions (scallions), chopped red peppers, a little salt, pepper and olive oil. I don’t worry all that much about measuring, just throw things in to taste. After a while, you’ll get the idea. If you feel adventuresome that day, you might add other flavors, such as chopped olives, rosemary, tarragon or other herbs from your garden. Add just enough olive oil so that the salad looks appetizing, not drowning in oil. Serve it cold. Another advantage of this potato salad is that, without the mayo, it is less likely to spoil sitting out on a July 4 picnic table.

Now, what about cooking and flavoring all those great Southern veggies? Instead of adding salt, fatback, bacon or butter, try using a little olive oil and some liquid smoke. Just a drop or two added to your microwaved veggies can make it taste very Southern by giving it that smoked fatbacktype flavor. I got this trick from a farmer from Wrens, Ga. Nancy and I were strolling through the Augusta Farmer’s Market and went by his butter bean stall. I asked the farmer how to prepare the butter beans. First, he told me about the bacon, butter and salt, but, then, to my surprise, he mentioned he used liquid smoke because he had a cholesterol problem that he was getting under control. We tried it and he was right – it was good.

So, what is the no-nonsense nutrition advice for today? It is simply this: the TRADITIONAL Southern foods in the family might be contributing to the TRADITIONAL Southern diseases in your family, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, so change the meaning of “traditional” with respect to both foods and family diseases. I will post more recipes on the AskDrKarp Facebook page. Bon Appétit!

Ask Dr. Karp focuses on food, diet and nutrition. Dr. Warren Karp is a professor emeritus at Georgia Health Sciences University. If you have a question you would like answered in this column, email him at DrKarp@ vergelive.com, or visit his Facebook page, facebook.com/AskDrKarp or website at sites.google.com/site/drkarpverge.

28 February 15, 2012 | community driven news | vergelive.com

puzzle 1

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How to Tell If It’s Time to Date Someone New

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Edited by Will Shortz | by chuck deodene | No. 0111 Across 1 Semidomed area 5 Constellation with the star Rigel 10 Smidgens 14 Mecca for oenophiles 15 Like a drag revue 16 ___-B 17 Fabric store employees?

19 “Me neither” 20 “Nixon in China” role 21 Sculptor Jean 22 Fed in pursuit of counterfeiters 23 Repair for a torn pullover?

27 ___ esprit (witty one) 28 Set of parts awaiting assembly 29 Bothersome 30 Org. that oversees American athletes 32 Gunk 34 Bro’s sibling 35 Attend a tennis tournament because one is a fan of?

41 “La Femme Nikita” director Besson 42 Serengeti herd member 43 Vostok 1’s Gagarin 44 Slanted columns?

47 Dallas

is in it, for short 49 Kicker 50 Cookies baked by Satan?

55 Ocean predator 56 Back-to-school night grp.

57 E.M.T. hookups 58 Mineral suffixes 59 Arrest made on a side street?

64 Online destination 65 Sierra ___ 66 Grumpy 67 Muscular jerks 68 Harmonizes, as digital devices 69 Form of fencing Down 1 All of the above, e.g.: Abbr.

2 Claw holder 3 2005 Broadway hit based on a 1974 film 4 Vex 5 Edinburgh exclamation 6 Turncoat 7 “To clarify …”

8 Eye-straining exhibit 9 Young termite, e.g.

10 Advice to an introvert 11 Airborne stimuli 12 President after George

life

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13 Toy

consisting of 80 feet of wire 18 One making a wake-up call?

23 Money across the border 24 Feat for a soprano 25 Plains native 26 Monumental 27 Flu 31 Dead-ended investigations 33 Text messager’s “Wow!” 34 Cram 36 Heinie 37 ___ Domini 38 Period 39 Oka River city 40 Semi 44 Wind section player 45 Trilogy’s midsection 46 Yadda, yadda, yadda 48 Fashionable 51 Milky gems 52 Five-time All-Star second baseman Chase ___ 53 Avian gripper 54 Sidestep 60 S.A.S.E., for one 61 “Getting to ___” (best-selling business book) 62 What a walk-on awaits 63 Bygone Eur. realm

Find the solution to this puzzle at VERGELIVE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay.

The next issue of VERGE hits the newsstands on

FEB. 29

Look for our outdoor boxes or find your copy at Publix | EarthFare Kroger | Bi-Lo and more than 150 locations in the CSRA

face first Negotiating one calamity at a time

Valentine’s Day has come and gone and now is the time for couples to pause and reflect on their relationship: Are you noticing some changes in your partner? Did Valentine’s Day live up to your expectations? Was he a little less romantic than in years past? Is she a tiny bit less interested in her appearance that she used to be? Could it be time to sample the waters of a new relationship with a partner who seems more interested in you than they are in themselves? If any of the following situations apply to your relationship, it might be time for a change.

1) For Valentine’s Day, he gave you a stack of manila envelopes and a stapler since you, “Seem to like working so much. You’re always there.” He also insisted you buy him a tool belt and a power sander. Sadly, you suspect the only use the sander will get is when you use it to buff the corns off his feet.

4) During your past four conversations with her, she outlined how you weren’t living up to her expectations.

You didn’t so much mind that she complained that you don’t do the dishes because you don’t, but you thought the 10-foot line graph comparing you with her ex-boyfriend was a little over the top.

2) For Valentine’s Day, you took her to an upscale restaurant that you could only afford if you robbed a bank.

After selling your plasma for five months, you’d finally saved up the money to treat her to the lobster dinner. She wined that her soup was too cold, her bread was too hot and she belched the entire alphabet to prove that wine can cause as much gas as beer.

5) On your last date, you “coincidentally” ran into three of his friends at the pool hall, spent the evening toting pitchers of beer from the bar to the pool table and had to listen to the same four songs play on the jukebox—songs he picked out and paid for. At the end of the night, he forgot you and you took a taxi home.

3) He instituted the Sports Time Out rule where you’re not allowed to speak to him during football season, baseball season, hockey season or basketball season unless there is a commercial break on all four stations that he simultaneously watches or it’s between the hours of 3:12 and 4:02 a.m.

6) You got your credit card bill. You don’t remember buying six pairs of shoes, a $700 sweater or 24 karat gold earrings. When you call your girlfriend’s cell phone to ask her about the charges, a man named Biff answers and says she’ll call you back when she gets out of the shower.

Nora Blithe is the author of Door In Face, a humor blog about all things that lay you flat. Read more at doorinface.com.

a parting shot

make a valentine’s vow for next year Valentine’s Day has just past, which means that for the past weeks love has been in the air – and on everyone’s Facebook page, scrawled on the walls of every high school bathroom stall and infesting the media like the late-winter flu.

As a teenager, I have not yet lost the inherent wisdom that fades with maturation and so I understand love and relationships far more than, say, couples who have been married for centuries.

Call it the supreme all-knowingness of youth.

Girls expect a lot on Valentine’s Day: to be taken out to eat, to be bought flowers and to be waited on like regal queens. Like Prom, Valentine’s Day is a dubious tradition that forces guys to spend unheard of amounts of money on gifts and dinner.

Somehow this day has been warped into a celebration of flower companies, a far stranger from the day’s origins.

Personally, I don’t think heart-shaped chocolate can truly capture the spirit of Saint Valentine, who was killed with a slew of arrows. He bled to death with arrow shafts jutting out of his ribcage, but I’m sure if someone offered him a chocolate heart filled with ominous mush that the box claims is “nougat,” he would be quite happy to make such a gory sacrifice.

This year, perhaps you did the same-old, same-old. Went to dinner, bought flowers, and then watched The Vow. But that’s because this Valentine’s Day was centered around the whims of every female in a relationship.

If Valentine’s Day were for men, however, things would go differently. If valentines truly celebrated the back-and-forth that a relationship should be, then every other year, the female partner should pay for something fun. Something that doesn’t require buying flowers that are just going to wilt in a forgotten vase. Something that won’t require the male counterpart to don

penguin costumes and learn to tie a bowtie.

Ladies, when picking your man up for his Valentine’s date, arrive with a rose bared in your teeth, preferably on horseback (and in case no horses can be found, rent a tank. Nothing says, “I’m a woman who loves my man” than driving a tank). Girls love a man with a romantic side, and guys love girls who drive tanks.

While during a female-centric Valentine’s Day, the couple might visit the most expensive and luxurious restaurant in town (which for me is usually Applebee’s), guys want something different for hot wings. Take your man for some greasy hot wings and let him wipe his sauce-drenched hands over whatever pants he has on. Remember, love is all about acceptance. Or instead treat him to a heart-attack-inducing steak. We enjoy shady places where “formal” equates to jeans and a t-shirt.

To make the night a true date, the couple should not settle for the common date schemes of mini-golf or going to see a romantic comedy based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. When guys get praised during Valentine’s Day, couples will suit up to battle each other with paintball guns.

Or perhaps you should pay homage to Saint Valentine by heading out to the archery range and slowly realizing that neither of you knows how to shoot a bow. Like Cupid before he grew up to become a toddler, your shots fly haphazardly.

Perhaps that’s why Cleopatra courted with the likes of elderly Caesar or traitorous Marc Antony. Cupid’s stray arrows.

Perhaps driving tanks, eating food high in cholesterol, and poorly shooting arrows seems like a fun Valentine’s date only to me, but that doesn’t mean Valentine’s has to include the clichéd flowers, candy boxes, and boring dinner. Maybe, ladies, let your fellow decide what to do on the eve of next Valentine’s. Or better yet, on any future date. You might be surprised at what great fun you have. | by DEREK BERRY

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