TAKING THE THIRD SHIFT | PAGE 29
verge AUGUSTA & THE CSRA
FREE | OCTOBER 5 2011 | VOL 4 ISSUE 16 | YOUR SOURCE FOR COMMUNIT Y DRIVEN NEWS
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MEET BEN FRANKLIN + AUTHOR JORDAN TRENT + VISION WESTOBOU CROSSING ART LURKING IN THE ORANGE + THEATRE ZOMBIES ATTACK + MUSIC ANGIE APARO
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 3
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8 46 36 20 28 28, 35 6, 16 38 44 40 44 40 32 20 6 34 18 12 14 34 6 6 16 40 30 34 20 26 32 21 42 32 10 2, 43 12 16 40 12 22 38 47 26 3 48 22
1102 Bar and Grill AB Beverage Aficionados/ 8th Street ArtZilla Augusta Canal Augusta Market Augusta State University Bar on Broad Book Tavern Buzz on Biz Casella Eye Center Chilly Chili Cookoff CSRA AD Specialties Edge Salon Family Y First Round Forkfly French Market Grille Greek Festival Ground Zero Halo Salon & Spa Import Auto Exchange International Uniform Le Chat Noir Manuel’s Bread Café Metro Pub & Coffeehouse MITS Monk Solutions Moon Beans/New Moon Café Nacho Mamas New Life / DiChickos Oddfellows Gallery Palmetto Curb Designs Peach Mac Rock Bottom Music Sanford Bruker Banks Sit a Spell Coffeehouse Sky City Staci Swider The Curiosty Shoppe The Loft Tipsey McStumbles Vintage Ooollee Wild Wings Windsor Fine Jewelers Zimmerman
WHAT’S INSIDE
SMATTERINGS
vergestaff
yeah, we made this
FILLING UP THE IN BETWEEN
What do you fill your “in between” time with? We recommend community. I was recently in a great conversation about faith. We were discussing past forgiveness and future promises and what we fill up our lives with “in between” those times. As I pondered the conversation, I began thinking about those “in between” times we have and exactly how we actually fill them up. One excellent filler is community – getting out and about, engaging with and participating in community. Lately, it seems that there is no shortage of ways to accomplish this! Our pages – both in print and online – are filled with hundreds of community events. Our print selection is merely a highlight of the interactive online calendar, which is packed with events across the CSRA. You can sync it with your own personal electronic calendar, send yourself event reminders via text message or email and post events to your Facebook page or Twitter account. You can also get directions, purchase tickets when available and you can invite your family and friends to these events with the click of a button. That’s a cool way to engage in community. One of the coolest community events in recent days was Arts in the Heart Festival. Our hats go off to the Greater Augusta Arts Council for moving the event to Broad Street, which allowed the event to “breathe” and provided attendees greater opportunities to explore each artisan booth and stage event with ease. On the heels of that success, ten-day Westobou Festival began. Here is another excellent example of community engagement. With the success of that event behind them, there was one short week before the start of the Westobou Festival. This is another excellent example of community engagement. Our Arts community has pushed the pedal to the metal to provide excellent culture, art and events that might not normally come to the area. Although my wife, Lara, and I do not get to experience as many events as we would like, we were thrilled to attend the premiere of Transfigured Time: Music for the Films of Maya Deren on Sept. 29 – the opening night of Westobou. If you missed it, you missed something truly spectacular. From the camaraderie of the casual garden party beforehand to the haunting score Mac McCaughan wrote for Deren’s films, it was truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that Westobou is helping to bring to our community. The festival runs through Oct. 8, so there are still plenty of events to experience. Check out the remaining schedule at WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM or VERGELIVE.COM and engage. This coming weekend – Oct. 7 to 9 – brings the 22nd annual Greek Festival on Greene and 10th streets. Come out this year and help celebrate Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church’s’ Centennial! Our family always enjoys this excellent community event and looks forward to the festive atmosphere, singing, dancing and, of course, the food! Our “in between” time of the present can be filled up with a lot of community goodness. Come, explore, get involved, be a part of a great movement – community building. This can be a time where family, friends and neighbors gather to share experiences and good times while supporting and lifting one another up (the ultimate “in between” activity). So, fill up your “in between” time with community. Engage and support one another. See you out and about filling up with community “in between.” Matt P.S. Verge likes to provide new ways to engage and explore community. In this issue, several of our advertisers have little black squares or QR codes in their messages. If you have a smart phone, download a QR reader and then scan the code to engage deeper in community. These codes bring you directly to a place online that the business would like for you to visit. There are great things waiting for you! Verge provides you with more ways to get involved with community and supporting local business.
ON THE COVER A TABLE FOR A QUEEN by BRIAN StewART
To celebrate Vintage Ooollee’s expansion into costumes (just in time for Halloween!), Brian Stewart re-created Marie Antoinette’s dining table with an Alice-in-Wonderland twist. Wait, where is Alice? Read and see more on page 24. Brian Stewart is an Augusta-based photographer and artist, whose work can be seen at STEWARTIST.COM.
4 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
you won’t want to miss a page
the main feature
13 The Mesmerizing Voice of Angie Aparo 15 Lurking in the Orange 19 A Rare Interview with Benjamin Franklin Singer-songwriter appears at Oddfellows Art Gallery on Oct. 15
Halloween-inspired art exhibit opens at Gaartdensity gallery
Founding Father will attend Living History Park’s Colonial Times
21 Beware: The Zombie Apocalypse is Here 23 Unifying Augusta and North Augusta Le Chat Noir creates interactive haunted-house theatre
The Master Plan envisions Westobou Crossing as the connector
24 Dressing Up for Halloween
Vintage Ooollee pulls out the stops as it expands into costumes
heard around town 5 5 7 7
Walk with the Spirits from Historic Augusta Tea with a Dutchess Expands New Digs for Dentists at GHSU My Aiken Body
music | theatre | art | film 11 17 29 30 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 43
Art: Reflecting on ArtZilla Literary: Jordan Trent Art: The Eamespirational Chairity Auction Film: The Film Reel Music: 3rd Shift Music: Sound Bites Film: The Illusionist Music: Pam Tillis Art: STUDIO-F + Medium Anxiety Theatre: Almost Maine Music: False Flag Music: The Radar Cinema
regular stuff 05 09 27 35 43 44 45 45
Heard Around Town Living Green + Buzz on Biz Augusta Eats + Beers Locals Like The Daily Planner Nightlife In Good Health The New York Times Crossword The Last Word
vergequotes
here’s what inspires us
“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” — GEORGE ELIOT
“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” — BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
heard [ walking with the past ] The fifth annual Walk with the Spirits tour through the historic Summerville Cemetery will introduce locals to the character of the neighborhood as described by some of the cemetery’s more prominent residents on Oct. 8 and 9. Tours will start every 20 minutes between 3 and 6 p.m. and be guided by one of four notable spirits: Elizabeth Weed Steiner, the daughter of the first rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd; Bryan Cumming, a prominent lawyer of the Georgia Legislature; Isaac Henry, a successful banker who fought in the war of 1812; or Elizabeth Moore Reid, whose son dedicated the land upon which the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church was built. “The tour guides will introduce guests to nine other spirits of the cemetery, all dressed in period costumes, who will tell about their lives and accomplishments,” said Julia Jackson, the programs and marketing director for Historic Augusta. “They are all volunteers and, in a few cases, they are portraying a spirit connected with a house or institution they are representing.” Spirits include Cornelia Cohen White and Cornelia White Barrett, who will be portrayed by the real life granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Cornelia Cohen White, Nina Inman and Nina McCallie. All of the actors have been rehearsing for several months and hope to make this an educational experience for all visitors.
around town
what’s happening in augusta and aiken
“The people that go on this tour often have an ‘a-ha’ moment when they realize where a street name came from, who lived in an historic house or when they meet somebody’s dead relatives,” said Erick Montgomery, the executive director for Historic Augusta. “They connect the dots themselves, which makes the history more relevant for them and provides a very personal way of getting to know the historic background of the neighborhood.” On the same weekend, the Summerville Neighborhood Association is celebrating 150 years of their incorporation as a village and hosting their annual tour of homes. Several of the personalities included on the Historic Augusta tour represent buildings in the tour of homes, including Alfred Mann Battey, who once lived at Twin Gables, the current home of Georgia Health Sciences University President Dr. Ricardo Azizz. “Our tour is a wonderful way to enjoy a cemetery in a new and different way,” said Jackson. “In the 19th Century, it was popular for families to visit their dead relatives and enjoy a picnic in the cemetery’s park-like setting. I think that tradition has kind of fallen by the wayside, but this is a wonderful way to renew the appreciation of old headstones and monuments.” The tour costs $15 for adults, $10 for students age 5 to 18, and is by reservation only. For reservations, call 706.724.0436. For more information on the Summerville tour of homes, visit SUMMERVILLEAUGUSTA.ORG.
[ tea shop expands and offers lunch ]
Tea with the Dutchess, at 1403 Monte Sano Ave. in historic Summerville, recently announced an expansion of their lunch menu, which includes several homemade sandwiches and soups. Augusta’s only tea room will also open on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Cream Tea and High Tea. The new menu includes toasted ciabatta with ham and turkey, Gouda and pimento cheese melt, cucumber and dill, egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches. “We have been in business for more than one-and-a-half years as the area’s only authentic tea room,” said owner Laura Simmons. “As our business has grown, we have made improvements and changes in the services we provide our customers.” The tea room is named after the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, who during the reign of Queen Victoria changed afternoon tea from the simple fare to the elaborate, stylized latelunch that has now become tradition. In celebration, Tea with the Dutchess will also offer a Grand Afternoon Tea Fit for a Queen, which includes choice of tea, traditional scones, tea sandwiches and English Toffee Pudding. An introduction to the history of afternoon tea and the Duchess of Bedford gives the fête even more royal flair; this tea service is by reservation only. Tea with the Dutchess is also available for birthday parties, showers and simple sunny afternoons. For more information, call 706.733.4230 or visit teadutchess.com.
[ volunteer for holiday cheer ]
Action Ministries-Augusta, an independent, faith-based, Georgia nonprofit, held their fourth annual White Christmas kickoff at St. John’s United Methodist Church on Sept. 13. The program provides toys and other gifts to children of low income families for the holidays, and food and other necessities to their parents.
“In this fragile world, where people are teetering on the edge, sometimes we shudder at the sea of humanity washing up at our doorstep and wonder if we can ever make a difference,” said the Rev. John Moeller, the CEO of Action Ministries. “I challenge you not to just throw up your hands, but to get involved and do something.”
Anyone may walk, but only those who have raised $100 or more will receive a T-shirt from this event. Participants may drop off their donations and pick up T-shirts between 4 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the main entrance to University Hospital. Organizers will also sell $5 raffle tickets at the race for the chance to win a pink golf cart.
Moeller noted that the unemployment rate in the CSRA was 8.4 percent, and that 17 percent of all Georgians at one point last year were not sure where they would get their next meal.
In 2010, more than 900 underserved women in the CSRA received free mammograms through the program, which raised $150,000. This year, Anderson hopes to raise even more.
“We care about this community, we care about our neighbors in need, and that’s why we gather together under one banner as Action Ministries Augusta,” he said. “But, we’re only as successful as the support that you and your colleagues and your business and your churches entrust us with.”
“I am a survivor myself, so I have a passion and I know there is a tremendous need in the community for women to get mammograms,” she said. “Our mobile mammography van goes out five days a week to locations around CSRA, and we also try to educate people about the importance of monthly self-checks.”
Organizers of the White Christmas Program need help taking applications for more than 800 families on Oct. 17 and 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 706.722.8195 or visit AUGUSTA.ACTIONMINISTRIES.NET.
Registration for the walk begins at 8 a.m. on the Common and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 706.667.0030 or visit THEMIRACLEMILEWALK.ORG.
[ walk for a miracle and health ]
The 11th annual Miracle Mile Walk will begin at the Augusta Common on Oct. 15, and seeks to raise money and awareness about the number one cancer in women: breast cancer. All of the proceeds will benefit University Hospital’s Breast Health Center. “One in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in their lifetime,” said Pam Anderson, the program coordinator for the center. “Two hundred thousand women get breast cancer every year and it is the number one cancer in women. The key to survival is early detection, and one of the best ways of doing that is through regular mammograms. Mammograms are covered by insurance, but if someone doesn’t have insurance then we can pay for it out of this program.”
[ the inkling: call for entries ] In celebration of the written word, verge is accepting entries for the annual edition of The Inkling, a literary journal discovering the best in local prose, poetry and art. Named in honor of the informal Oxford literary club of the ‘30s and ‘40s, which included famed authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, The Inkling mirrors the desire to encourage pursuit of the written word, while providing mind-stimulating stories, essays and poems for consumption. In 2010, more than 225 submissions were received and the final edition featured 21 writers and artists. For submission guidelines, write to editor@vergelive.com. Around Town is written by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 5
6 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
heard
around town
what’s happening in augusta and aiken
[ new digs for dentists ]
Georgia Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine opened its new facility, at 1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive, on Sept. 23. GHSU now has one of the largest dental clinical facilities and class sizes in the country. The five-story, 269,133-square-foot building enabled this year’s freshman class to grow from 70 to 80 students. According a recent press release from the college, the building houses 316 clinical operatories, the college’s eight residency programs, two large clinics for junior and senior dental students, simulation labs, an expanded faculty practice, the College of Allied Health Sciences’ dental hygiene program and an operating room and recovery unit for outpatient surgery. Approximately 260 patients are treated in the building each day. The expanded clinical space will enable a 61 percent increase in dental students per class. This will help fill a pressing need for dentists in Georgia, which ranks 48th in the country for dentists per 100,000 residents. The college’s new home is the first on the GHSU campus to be LEEDcertified, showing leadership in energy and environmental design. A proposed Education Commons, adjacent to the new building, could provide additional classroom space for GHSU dental and medical students. For more information about the building, call 706.721.2117 or visit georgiahealth.edu/sod/expansion.
THE LOBBY OF THE GHSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE photo SALLY KOLAR
options, but she prefers working with clients who have persistent problems.
pageant production, which includes an onstage talent performance.
“I will happily provide a pampering massage experience for the client that wants one,” she said. “However, my favorite work is therapeutic and I appreciate building relationships with my clients. I am most especially gratified to work with clients who are suffering from chronic pain and illness.”
The pageant is open to girls from ages 2 to 16 and will be held on Nov. 19 at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center. Registration for the event closes on Oct. 15. For more information, call 706.294.5007 or visit SOUTHERNESSENCEPAGEANT.COM.
Her work extends out of the studio, helping soldiers, both active and retired, recover from injuries and stress.
[ aiken is getting relaxed ]
Kristen Sojourner, a certified massage therapist, opened My Aiken Body in August at 109 Laurens St. NW. Originally from Georgetown, S.C., Sojourner has been working in Boulder, Colo., for the past 16 years and said she is glad to be back in the South. “South Carolina and my family called me home,” she said. Sojourner studied at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy after experiencing extreme pain from a herniated lumbar disc and graduated with honors. “My experience with pain and rehabilitation inspired me to work with people in need of relief,” she said. “Upon moving to Aiken, I saw a market niche for restorative therapy services and decided to open a full-scale massage studio. My intention was to maintain a simple atmosphere and clean environment so that any person might feel comfortable and able to focus on receiving massage.” Sojourner offers a full array of massage
“As a contract massage therapist with the Bishop Gravatt Center, I have been working with the Wounded Warriors of Fort Gordon, one of my favorite groups,” Sojourner said. “These veterans and active military have been injured physically and often mentally in the line of duty and my job is to help them relax into their bodies and feel whole again. The effects of massage are profound on people who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. My line with them is, ‘Soldier, take your pack off for an hour. You don’t need it here.’ ” “Ordinary citizens carry packs and burdens of all types and sizes and likewise benefit from an hour of ‘putting it down,’ she said. “It makes my day to see clients leave lighter than when they walked in the door.” Call 803.761.1127. | by STEPHEN HALE photo ALISON RYAN
[ focus on inner beauty ] Ferneasa Cutno is founding a new type of beauty pageant that she says will “promote academic achievement, talent, fitness and inner beauty among children and teen of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and ethnic origin.” Contestants for the Miss Southern Essence Pageant will be judged on personality, poise, talent and oral and written communication styles. Cutno says there will be no swimsuit competition or false enhancements allowed. Accepted registrants will also be involved in a training program to help prepare them for the
[ new lease for partridge inn ]
[ star oyster roast ]
The 2011 STAR Riding Oyster Roast and Barbecue on Oct. 14 will benefit Aiken County’s Equestrian Program for children and adults with disabilities. The evening includes oysters, gumbo, BBQ with all the fixings, a live band, cash bar and a silent auction at Black Forest Equestrian Center. Since 1996, STAR – Specialized Therapeutic and Recreational Riding – has provided people age 3 to 60 with disabilities therapeutic options through riding, caring for and being around horses. According to STAR, horseback riding has been shown to improve strength, balance and mobility, while the interaction with horses and instructors can result in improved social and communication skills. The Roast will be held at Black Forest Equestrian Center, 4343 Banks Mill Road, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, available at Aiken Saddlery & Supply and Boots, Bridles & Britches, or $35 at the door. Call 803.642.8812 for more information.
Last year The Partridge Inn celebrated its 100th birthday. In August, the Atlanta-based owners defaulted on a loan and almost lost the hotel to foreclosure. Now, the owners have retained a new property manager, Hostmark Hospitality Group, to reposition the hotel and regain the high standards consistent with the hotel’s moniker “The Grand Hotel of the Classic South.” In a press release, Hostmark, based in Schaumburg, Ill. assured the city that the Partridge Inn’s historic excellence will be sustained and all contracted business will be honored. The core management team at the hotel has been preserved, providing a nucleus of wellknown area professionals during the transition in management and ownership. “Hostmark has over 45 years of experience in successful management of independent, upscale, boutique hotels,” said Jerome Cataldo, Hostmark’s president. “Our focus will be on delivering unique and memorable experiences to guest of the Partridge Inn, tailoring our approach to the specialized requirements of this highly select market.” For more than a century, The Partridge Inn has hosted world events and social functions. First opened as a hotel in 1892, the 144-room property completed its most recent renovation in 2006, updating its facilities and amenities while preserving the elegance of the Old South. For more information, visit hostmark.com or PARTRIDGEINN.COM. Around Town is written by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
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8 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
the buzz on
biz
what’s moving and shaking in local business
living the
green life practical ways to be more eco-concious
OCTOBER IS FULL OF GOOD TREATS
Don’t Just Hug the Trees, Water Them Well.
Augusta Ghost Trolley Tour Begins On Saturday, Oct. 15, local haunted
Trees in our communities help the environment by removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, filtering pollutants from water, reducing storm water runoff, protecting soils and providing animal habitat.
history enthusiast Michael Wolff will yell “all aboard” to adults and children looking for some family fun without the blood and gore of the Halloween season. The fully narrated 75 minute tour through downtown Augusta will be based, in part, on the works of Janis Ann Parks, the local author of Gravely Mistaken: Tales of Medicine, Mishaps, and Body Snatching in Augusta, Georgia. After the Halloween season, the tour will switch gears and focus on a Christmas theme for The Spirits of the Holidays. The trolley bus is leased through SouthStar EMS and available for The Augusta Ghost Trolley evening tours on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children ages 5 to 11.
Trees provide shade in the summer and block winds in the winter, which saves energy by reducing the need for heat and air conditioning. Trees also provide benefits that enhance our health and quality of life. Studies by the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory show that having trees near your home, can uplift your spirit, improve your ability to concentrate and reduce AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in children. These studies also indicate that tree-filled neighborhoods have lower levels of domestic violence, are safer and more sociable. According to the National Forest Service, trees can provide as much as $7 in annual benefits for every dollar invested in their care.
For more information, call 706.364.6608 or visit AugustaGhostTrolley.com
SPORTING GOODS STORE EXPANDS
Hibbett Sports Inc. plans to open nine new stores in October, including one in Aiken to accompany the successful store inside the Aiken Mall. The store will be similar to other Hibbetts with 4,000 to 5,000 square-feet and should employ approximately eight associates. There are three other Hibbetts in the CSRA: Batesburg/Leesville, Thomson and Evans.
CINDY CRAWFORD READY TO CALL IT A CAREER Cindy Crawford (not
THAT Cindy Crawford) of Cindy’s Catering is hoping to find a young entrepreneurial caterer this month to take over her facility. “It would be such a wonderful opportunity for someone,” Crawford said. “We aren’t going to sell Cindys Catering. I just can’t do that. But we would refer all of our clients to a new owner and then it would be up to them to maintain that relationship.” What is Crawford planning to do? “I am going to cater on a personal chef basis and get back to what I really love, my passion, my ministry, being in the kitchen, actually cooking; providing a much more personal service on a much less frequent basis,” she said. Crawford said that she will include all of the equipment and furniture for the right person. For more information, email Crawford at: cindyscatering@comcast.net
WINDSOR IS GOLDEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Work is winding down on the transformation of the old Eckerd\Rite Aid building at the corner of Washington Road and Alexander Drive into Friedman’s Gold Buying Center. Windsor Jewelers acquired the Friedman’s name several years ago after the company went out of business. In more recent days, you might have noticed the “Windsor Winnebago” around town buying gold in the parking lot of Augusta Mall and at the Gerald Jones Dealer Group. Now, Windsor is rolling the two concepts into one – the new store will be a place for area residents to sell their unwanted jewelry for cash.
HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH TO PHC! PHC Weight Loss & Wellness Centers celebrated a special anniversary – 30
years in the CSRA. One of the oldest privately owned weight loss companies in the United States, PHC provides medically directed weight loss programs. “There are no gimmicks at PHC. We find solutions that fit your lifestyle & schedule. Our clients are seen individually one to two times per week. This is what makes the difference, this is what brings success,” said Donna Plants, the director of PHC. The company also carries a complete line of weight loss, nutrition & health products handpicked by her husband. “I won’t carry anything that I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving to my 96-year-old grandmother. I want our clients to have the very best,” she said. | phcweightloss.com
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
Trees are resilient, but they need a consistent source of water to survive. During hot, dry years, trees can be damaged and even die from the effects of drought. Drought damage can include shortterm effects such as wilting, leaf scorch and defoliation; and more damaging long-term effects such as stunted growth, branch die-back and death. Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable to damage. They have a more difficult time finding water because their roots are not fully developed. 2011 has been a particularly harsh year for trees in the Central Savannah River Area. The extended drought and record high temperatures in our region have severely stressed the trees. In September, the Augusta-Richmond County Tree Commission issued an urgent request for people living in the CSRA to water their trees at least once a week, saturating the soil to a minimum depth of eightinches. Hand watering or using a drip hose are the most effective ways to ensure that your trees get the proper amount of water. You can control the flow rate to ensure that the water is applied slowly enough to be absorbed by the soil and you can make sure the water is applied at the drip-line where the trees roots are. The drip-line is an imaginary line that can be drawn out at the farthest extension of the branches. These watering methods use less water and are more efficient than using sprinklers. The best time to water your trees between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Trees pick up more water during those hours and there is less evaporation so more of the water you apply is used by your trees. Make sure you water deeply. One deep watering each week is better than many shallow or light waterings. Shallow watering encourages shallow roots, which in turn makes the trees even more prone to drought stress. If you are not sure whether you have given your tree enough water, you can take a long screwdriver and poke it into the soil under the tree. If it doesn’t go six to eight inches into the soil, give your tree more water. To make watering even more efficient, you can remove all grass and weeds from underneath and around your trees to roughly three feet beyond the drip-line. Grass and weeds can out-compete trees for water. Removing these plants ensures that it is available for your trees. Then put a threeto four-inch thick layer of mulch over the bare soil. Water evaporates more quickly from bare soil than it does from mulched soil. Using mulch can reduce your water use by as much as 35 percent in hot weather. Good mulching materials are pine straw, wheat straw, pine bark and wood chips. Be sure to keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk of the tree to prevent disease and insect attacks.
Anne Lovell is an environmental consultant who lives in Aiken with her husband and three dogs. Her column, Living Green, focuses on practical ways to be more environmentally conscious.
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 9
10 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
a photo shouts
a thousand words
everyday LIVING CAUGHT ON FILM
the aftermath of the
artzilla attack Ten artists gathered on a downtown sidewalk during Arts in the Heart with blank canvases, ready to brave the elements and the stares of passersby. ArtZilla, the rebirth of Art45, resulted in a creative frenzy and 10 masterpieces which will be auctioned to benefit the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Organizer Jason Craig was joined by Jay Jacobs, Blaine Prescott, Aaron Crawford, Carrie Brooks, Brian Stuart, Hannah Elliott, Chris Murray, Staci Swider and Leonard Zimmerman. “We were especially impressed with newcomer Hannah Elliot who generated a lot of interest with her portrait of a bulldog,” said Craig. “She was squished in between Jay Jacobs and myself all weekend and managed to pull off a great painting.” ArtZilla created a chemistry between the artist and the viewer, exhibiting the creative process from inception to finished artwork. The location – in the center of the 1100 block of Broad Street – helped the event expose the process to more people. “When we were down on the corner of Seventh and Broad streets, we were more of a quiet destination tucked away. This go-round we were more of a busy pass through,” Craig said. The finished pieces can be viewed at Gaartdensity, 1155 Broad St. The auction is in two parts: one silent, one live. The silent auction started Sept. 16 and continues through Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. At that time, anyone who has placed a silent bid on a particular painting will have one final opportunity to outbid opponents in a live auction. Bids can be placed at Gaartdensity. photos GABI HUTCHISON CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The artist’s palette, Aaron Crawford, Brian Stewart, Blaine Prescott, Chris Murray, ArtZilla, Porkchop
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12 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
he writes the songs that make
nashville sing SEE ANGIE aparo LIVE AT ODDFELLOWS ART GALLERY ON OCT. 15
Angie Aparo is no stranger to the Augusta area or to the downtown gallery where he will perform this month. He is also no stranger to the music industry, having begun his professional career some 20 years ago. Aparo has released several albums over the years, toured as a solo artist and with his bands, and gained additional recognition when Faith Hill covered his song “Cry.” Since then, numerous artists have cut Aparo’s songs, with two more tracks featured on an upcoming album by Tim McGraw. Also in the works: a new solo album, a book and a cartoon in development. Aparo spoke to verge very briefly about these projects and at great length about the decline of the music industry and his concerns for its future. Verge: What can you tell us about the upcoming projects? APARO: The book and record are part of a multimedia thing that’s been going on for a year and a half. The cartoon sat on the shelf until I got a new manager a year ago and we looked at stuff that had been sitting there. It’s woven around a dysfunctional band made out of inanimate objects. Hopefully, by the end of fall, we will do a pilot. I found a great animator who will help us out. I may do a traditional album that is not tied to the multimedia. I might still write a Broadway musical. They approached me and that’s an ongoing “OK, we’ll be done in 10 years.” It takes so long. In the middle of that I figured out that I like writing that, so it’s a good departure from traditional pop music and the three-minute constraints, which are also gone because there is no radio anymore. Verge: And what’s left is all monopolized, plus the on-air personalities have none. There’s no getting a musical education from the radio anymore. APARO: It’s horrible! I did an on-air thing to promote a show in Atlanta and the DJ told me they won’t hire a DJ if he has too overt a personality. The emotionless machine is running a bunch of stations, and no, you don’t
“You don’t write songs; you create the space they’re written in.” — ANGIE APARO
get that education. In the 1970s you could hear David Bowie, James Taylor, Elton John, all the hits at the same time. You look at the list of artists and it was overwhelming because there was so much going on. Now there’s a demise. If the buying public had a great radio station, they wouldn’t put up with what record companies give them. They sell them something that’s not that great. There might be greatness being written, but it has to be able to be absorbed. My kid is 16; he hears the Beatles and Neil Young, so greatness will always be perceived, but the other side of the coin is that he’s not in the majority; he’s one percent. Everyone else is whatever mindless crap is on radio; that’s 99 percent of his school. I was listening to Bruce Springsteen’s “Growing Up” and Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., which is one of my favorites, when I was 14. Today a 14-year-old would not know what Bruce was talking about. It freaks me out. Kids who are old souls will get it, but that’s not the norm and it’s a bit depressing. On the other side, at the end of the day, as the Internet becomes more woven into the fabric, it might become that tool for education. I’ll go with that. Verge: You have two tracks coming up for McGraw, which is a longstanding working relationship. What did it take to develop those contacts and placements in the industry? APARO: I’d never written or sold to anyone, and when Faith got “Cry,” that started it. I thought, I guess I should go to Nashville more, but I never moved there. Whether you build a relationship with the artist who does your song is based on the writer. As a performer, I had a “wink wink, nudge nudge” with Faith and Tim because they get it. Most national writers aren’t performers, and I’d go on the road for a week with Faith and do “Cry.” There was a union outside of being a writer. Nashville is a small town. I met people and it started to happen.
Today, if I were starting out, I wouldn’t try to write for other people because the industry is almost gone completely. I would just try to write for myself. The amount of energy it would take now, and – not the established ones; they don’t pull this on you – but the new artists want publishing because they make no money. They sell no records. I had a Miley Cyrus cut last year. I wrote it with a friend and she wanted to write on it, and what am I going to do? Say no? So she rewrote the
bridge. Faith and Tim just want great songs, although Tim is a great writer. It’s tough, but it doesn’t bother me. If it was an old song, I would say no because it was a personal endeavor, but a new artist who wants to write, that’s fine. Nashville is the last place that still believes in “the song.” Nashville still works. They have a system in place to find great talent. I love going there. They get it right and they release amazing stuff, but if the Nashville system goes away, I don’t know how they’ll find anybody. The Internet is too big and you need a record company and money to search. Verge: Despite all of this, you have spoken favorably about the Internet in past interviews. Have your opinions changed? APARO: I still think the Internet is great and it’s great for artists. If there is structure in place, like a strong indie label, it benefits them if they have a little bit of money to get the artist out there. The downside of it becoming more of a tool is that the artist becomes a businessman. The jury is still out about that because it doesn’t allow the artist to stay in a space. I’ve always said, “You don’t write songs; you create the space they’re written in,” and for the artist to write, he can’t check Facebook all the time. Look at a song like “Imagine.” You mine the universe for songs, and it won’t trust you with “Imagine” if you’re worried about how many friends you have on Facebook. You’re never done with a song. You stand behind it for the rest of your life, and if you’re worried about your Facebook account, you’re never going to get that song. by ALISON RICHTER
GO TO THE SHOW
WHAT Angie Aparo WHERE Oddfellows Art Gallery, 802 Eighth St. TICKETS $7 WHEN Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. MORE 706.513.0916 or ODFELLOWSART.COM
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14 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
the spirit of halloween is
lurking in the orange UPCOMING ART EXHIBIT DISPLAYS A LOVE OF SPOOKINESS
October is the month of ghosts and ghouls. It is also the month that local artist Aaron Crawford loves most – a sentiment that can be keenly felt through his larger-than-life macabre monsters that slaver off the canvas. To celebrate All Hallow’s Eve, Crawford and Jesse Vaughn, the owner of Gaartdensity, are putting together the art exhibit Lurking in the Orange on Oct. 15. INSIDE THE WOLF TOMB from left to right: Eric Thomas, Robbie Phillips, Aaron Crawford and Landon Dawson. MURAL BY CRAWFORD and THOMAS.
“It’s a huge group art show displaying our collective love (and fears) of Halloween,” Crawford said. The show is large, representing 16 artists, but it isn’t Crawford’s first foray into putting together an art exhibit. He regularly opens his home – affectionately dubbed “The Wolf Tomb” – to other artists for single night art shows. “The story behind the Wolf Tomb is – well, it’s where Eric Thomas and I live and we throw art shows out of our apartment,” said Crawford. “The first one was a huge success, so we decided it would be fun to keep doing it. Plus it gives our friends a cool place to hang their art for one night, and other people can come see it.”
Crawford has launched another art initiative – Question Further. The new silk-screened T-shirt line – founded with his friends Landon Dawson, Eric Thomas and Robby Phillips – had its first, limited edition release in the summer. The fall release will be during Lurking in the Orange, which promises to “be a bit darker, but still fun designs,” according to Crawford. Posters and stickers are also available and hoodies are in the works. “There is so much we hope to achieve,” Crawford said, “we just have to keep moving to get there.” Crawford’s art inspired local artist Steph Kalakikos, who will also be participating in the Lurking exhibit.
For his solo show Pause and Claws in May, Crawford created the “artifacts” of a mythical giant bunny monster that he supposedly killed. Those artifacts were then displayed in shadowboxes, similar to museum exhibits. The effect caught Kalakikos’ eye, she said. Now, presentation is integral to her vision. Vaughn said that Kalakikos is another artist who simply loves Halloween. “For most of these guys, Halloween is like Christmas and their birthday all rolled into one,” he said. The exhibit opens with a reception on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. and will run through All Hallow’s Eve, Oct. 31. by DINO LULL photos LEAH DESLANDES
GO TO THE SHOW
WHAT Lurking in the Orange WHERE Gaartdensity | 1155 Broad St. WHEN Opening reception, Saturday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. | exhibit runs through Oct. 31 WHO Aaron Crawford, Jesse Vaughn, Steph Kalakikos, Porkchop, Epic Thomas, Ami Tumeless, Sydney Marie, Tena Aceto, Ryan Davis, Jay Jacobs, Creepy Chris, Good Tyme Charlie Baker, Jacob Disney, Jason Craig and Joyce Russell MORE 706.466.5166 or Gaartdensity on Facebook STEPH KALAKIKOS DISPLAYS HER LOVE FOR ALL THINGS HALLOWEEN.
aaroncrawfordart.com
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16 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
local author helps families heal from the
battle of cancer
HER NEW BOOK IS ONE OF MANY PLANNED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND PROVIDE A MEANS FOR OPEN DISCUSSION
According to national statistics, one in eight women in the U.S., or 12 percent, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Author, educator and activist Jordan Trent is familiar with the terrifying realities of cancer, from personal losses to her own scare. The Atlanta-based writer channeled her experiences into a recently released children’s book, If Tomorrow Comes and I Am Gone. Trent’s poignant work is unique in that although the central character is a child, the book tackles a tough subject and functions as a guide for parents and adults who seek a means of dialogue with youngsters who face loss. In tandem with Breast Cancer Awareness month, Trent will present a reading and signing at Sit-A-Spell Coffee House in Augusta on Oct. 7. She spoke to verge about the book, its inspiration and purpose, and the passion she holds for reaching young people and making a difference in their lives. VERGE: You come from a long line of educators. When did books become a part of your life, and what are some of your earliest recollections about reading and some of the titles that spoke to you? TRENT: My literary journey began very early in life. In fact, my mom, who also loved to write,
encouraged my sisters and me to write when we were children because she didn’t always love the images or stories that were in print. So we began writing poetry and short stories as kids and then would perform our work for our parents. However, interestingly enough, I never thought I would publish any of my work until I wrote If Tomorrow Comes and I Am Gone. I thought I would be like my mom and just share my stories with my own children one day to inspire them. It wasn’t until I became a published author that I learned my mom always wished she had published some of her work as well. So in many ways I now feel this journey is for both of us.
My earliest memory was reading Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. I remember being transfixed with the illustrations as a young reader. Because of the old rules about month of birth in Georgia, I moved to New York to start school at age 5, instead of having to wait until 6. When I read that story I saw myself and my mom. It made me feel like that was our story, and despite the fact that we were separated by so many miles, she was just like the mother rabbit and always right there with me. I also remember receiving the Weekly Reader and Highlights as a young girl and feeling like I was like the grownups: reading my current events and my own magazine. VERGE: When were you first drawn to the power of written words? TRENT: I have been writing since I was a young girl, from short stories to poetry. My mother once wrote her own biography and allowed us to read it, and I was mesmerized by her ability to craft images with her words and feeling like I was a fly on the wall in many of the scenes she recounted. I think because it was my mom, I somehow felt like writing was not only attainable but perhaps in my DNA. However, honestly, when I wrote Tomorrow, it was initially intended to help me through my own process, because I originally had no intentions of publishing. Writing had just become a way of processing my life experiences.
“I will miss you calling my name, the way you said I whispered it to you the first time you looked into my eyes.”
— FROM IF TOMORROW COMES AND I AM GONE
VERGE: McKenzie, the main character, was inspired by your own breast cancer scare. How difficult was it to create this character and get into her head without making her too complex for young readers? TRENT: I think moving beyond that space helped me to write the story. In the moment, you are
faced with the dichotomy of having so many questions, while fearing every potential answer all at the same time. So, when I found the voice of McKenzie, she in fact helped me leap to the only answer that truly mattered, which was, we have the power to determine how we respond, in spite of the outcome. As for crafting her voice in a simple way, I simply thought of the types of conversations I have had with countless young students that I have either tutored and/or taught over the years. More importantly, because my nephews were much younger at the time, I also drew upon the powerful innocence that came from their questions and conversations about everything. They didn’t always understand the answers, but they never ceased to have questions. It is that inquisitive spirit that I think readers will find in McKenzie.
VERGE: Why a children’s book rather than a book from a parent or adult’s perspective? TRENT: This book is written from an adult’s perspective because it was intended to be shared with
a child. However, it was important for the voice of a child to guide that perspective, because there are times that, as adults, we lose sight or lack the words to explain very adult issues to children. I wanted to write a book that eliminated the difficulty. I think perhaps that is why so many adults have had such an emotional and visceral reaction to reading this book. I hope [it] captures the inner child of my adult readers, while simultaneously representing the innocence found in the voices of the children in their lives.
VERGE: In your bio, you discuss the importance of adults providing “tools” to help children
formulate ideas. What are those tools and how are they provided in Tomorrow? TRENT: Wanting to provide “tools,” I think, is merely a reflection of the educator in me and my
desire to seek ways to extend a lesson for students. Some of the tools I’m hoping readers find in the book are next steps which inspire them to recognize the gifts of a family’s love, the power and potential to create their own legacies that reflect their memories, dreams, or anything they determine important to them. Additionally, the book is intended to help adults explain the loss of a loved one in a way that is not frightening and allows them to help young children find ways to understand that love has a way of remaining, even when the physical self is no longer present.
VERGE: You are working on three more children’s books. What can you tell us about them? TRENT: Like Tomorrow, each is designed to help strengthen families and children. They are centered around the relationships of stepparents, extended families and the relationships of godparents, and the dynamics that can occur with the expansion of families with a new baby. Each of these books is slated to, again, provide adults with loving responses to the challenging questions families face every day. Like Tomorrow, they will ultimately provide opportunities for readers to extend the stories and cultivate their own endings because the doors for dialogue are open with each of the stories. VERGE: In addition to your work as an author, you are also involved with youth advocacy programs and recently launched the Ngambika Academy. Can you tell us more about these projects? TRENT: I am energized by young people and find their power of promise and potential infectious.
My passion for our future leaders inspired me to develop the Ngambika Academy – a Kiswahili word meaning “help me carry the load” – to provide a “train the trainer” model and curriculum for volunteers and mentors seeking to create ongoing leadership and life skills training for young people. The Ngambika Academy is not an actual school, but is a replicable curriculum that allows others to design and develop their own academies within their schools and/or communities. The types of projects that mentors and youth we train engage in are all designed to transform youth into servant leaders. They are trained in project development and management that work in concert with communities and community members. It is important that they recognize how to create authentic spaces for the voices of community members to be heard and respectfully engaged in the process from start to finish. It is how they learn to not only be accountable, but to hold others accountable for the type of community and world in which they want to live. The projects have ranged from school restorations and peer mentoring to healthy life choices. by ALISON RICHTER
MEET THE AUTHOR
WHAT Book reading and signing with Jordan Trent WHERE Sit-A-Spell Coffee House | 903 Broad St. WHEN Friday, Oct. 7 | 7 to 9 p.m. WHAT Writer’s Workshop with Jordan Trent WHERE Library Headquarters | 823 Telfair St. WHEN Saturday, Oct. 8 | 10:30 a.m. to noon WHY Trent will share her experience as a selfpublished author. MORE JORDAN-TRENT.COM
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18 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
a rare interview with
benjamin franklin THE FOUNDING FATHER WAXES ELOQUENTLY ON HIS VIEWS of yesterday and today
Charm can bring some people fairly far in social interactions; wit can bring them even further. Combined with a formidable intellect, one has the ingredients for a profound character. Although he would not likely admit so, Benjamin Franklin is all too aware of this about himself. His words have a hidden thread of devilish charm, a peek of which one might catch in that wry smirk on every $100 bill. At the redoubtable age of 305, Franklin has lost absolutely none of that sharp mind and impish, if fiercely courteous, deportment. Franklin’s honesty is a prime example of his edged charm. He readily calls Thomas Jefferson a “fiery, red-headed young man” who “is well educated [and has] strong ideas, but still has a lot to learn about life,” but whose company he enjoys and whom he finds “very respectful.” He says that John Adams, though brilliant and respectable, is personally incompatible with himself. He continues with his opinions of various European countries. “I find the English to be a fair and just people to the cause of their fellows in the New World,” says Franklin. “Unfortunately those in Parliament and their King are not so inclined.” “I find the Scottish people very pleasant and I, at one time, wished to retire in Edinburgh; a very lovely place,” he says. “The French are very charming people,” he continues. “I was well welcomed in all my visits to France, even in the Revolutionary War. I will say of their King, he is a pleasant young man. I do not necessarily share all of his unusual ethics and social manners. I would not recommend any one staying in the city of Paris, for it is not a clean city. Their habit of dumping foul in the streets make them stink and is very repulsive. If one could stay just outside of the city, perhaps Passé, their countryside is very beautiful.” Perhaps the standards and conventions of diction and speech of the era he was used to is the source of his tendency toward elaborate turns of phrase that tend to be both roundabout and direct at the same time. Nevertheless, his candor and his eloquence are more than welcome in an era where both seem somewhat lacking among most public and political figures. Being one of protagonists of the American Revolution, Franklin is no stranger to controversy, namely the controversies of his own day. He candidly discusses a most contentious subject in the America of his day, which is now the darkest blight in our own time – slavery – but not without a prodigious touch of shame in his words.
“Our representatives and senators should listen to the will of the people and not the will of themselves and their own personal wants and needs.” — BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
“Yes, I did own slaves. Not purchased, but given to me in payment of a debt. I held them for a little over a year and they were both set free,” Franklin says. “I did buy and sell slaves for others and advertised them for sale in my newspaper, but you must remember this was part of my business and not unusual for my time period. In order for my daughter to inherit on my death, she had to free her only slave. Which she gladly did.” “I do not believe any man should own another,” he finishes with a view that, in his day, was probably as revolutionary as anything else in which he was involved. He stands behind that statement as the first president of the Abolitionist Society of Philadelphia.
“I have often said that if one could live the life of Jesus Christ, with the knowledge of Socrates, and the wisdom of Aristotle, there would be a successful life.”
— BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
As for revolution itself, many might be surprised to know Franklin’s rather sober view of it. “Revolution is an unfortunate act,” says Franklin, who descries preemptive strikes and eager cries for war. “We, in 1775, as a Continental Congress sent to Parliament and the King, an Olive Branch document to try to resolve our differences,” he says. “When neither party accepted any portion and attacked our people unwarrantedly, we felt there was no other choice but to revolt and free ourselves from the yoke of tyranny.” Franklin’s firm and sober mind, along with his willingness to speak said mind, make for some comments about politics and religion that might intrigue or infuriate. Not that Franklin aims to do either, his views are his views and it is as simple as that. Regarding the government established during and after the Revolution, Franklin matter-of-factly confesses: “ ‘I am sorry to say that we do not have a democracy. We have given you a republic, if you can keep it.’ This is what I told the mayor of Philadelphia’s wife as we departed the State House after the Constitutional Convention.” The meaning of the Constitution is hotly debated today in the process of determining the direction the nation should go. As a Founding Father, Mr. Franklin has no qualms about elaborating on what he and his fellow founders set out to do. “I believe we need a good strong central government like the one we have created with the Constitution,” Franklin says. “Government should rule over the people with the consent of the people. It should not have total control over the daily lives of its citizens. Our representatives and senators should listen to the will of the people and not the will of themselves and their own personal wants and needs. We have elected them to represent us as our Public Servant. We are not hiring them as permanent occupation.”
On the subject of religion, Franklin is not without deeplyheld spiritual views and a high regard for faith. But his own perspective, while not strictly orthodox, is simple and seems to work for him. “The true fact is, I believe in God,” says Franklin. “He is the maker and creator of all that we have. I have often said that if one could live the life of Jesus Christ, with the knowledge of Socrates, and the wisdom of Aristotle, there would be a successful life.” Franklin’s simple spiritual and ethical views might strike some as refreshing, especially when one considers his noteworthy interests and achievements in the sciences (because of, in a word according to Franklin, “curiosity!”) and then connects the dots. The relationship between knowledge and how one should live, and in turn how people might be sensibly governed, seems easy to spot when talking with Franklin, which seems to be the “point” to his character the whole time. “You of course know that all things are connected. One does not function with out all of nature and each other,” Franklin notes. “Man’s freedom is dependent on his knowledge, not only of science, but of all things around him.” Wisdom worth at least $100, indeed. by SKYLER ANDREWS photos and interview provided by Charles Molenda, a history re-enactor who portrays Benjamin Franklin at Colonial Times
MEET BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
WHAT Colonial Times: A Day to Remember WHERE Living History Park | 1157 Broad St. WHEN Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. TICKETS free MORE COLONIALTIMES.US
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20 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
le chat noir preparing for the
zombie apocalypse
off-broad theatre creates Augusta’s first INTERACTIVE HAUNTED HOUSE-ESQUE PLAY
BREAKING NEWS! While the rest of the world is ravaged by a pandemic zombie break-out, Augusta
is surprisingly weathering the disaster. Initial testing showed that Augusta’s pollution problems have actually proven beneficial to this particular crisis – residents appear to have bolstered immune systems and are resistant to zombie contagion. With Interstate-20 blocked by abandoned vehicles and Atlanta in ruins, citizens of Augusta must prepare to defend their city against the world. Are you prepared to survive the zombie apocalypse? Darkest Hour, a private military company, has commandeered Le Chat Noir by official order and strongly encourages citizens to attend Zombie Apocalypse Survival Camp. Attendees will learn zombie combat exercises such as the Molotov Toss, the Melee Measure and Hand2Mouth for close quarter zombie encounters. Trainees will then be tested on their skills in a fright-filled, ever-changing labyrinth.
The Rest of the story: One could speculate endlessly why the leitmotif of the zombie – the shambling, braindead brain-craving lurcher best exemplified for us in George Romero’s first Night of the Living Dead – has once again become so popular. Perhaps we look around us and seem to see nothing but a sort of zombie in the empty faces of the strangers that surround us. Perhaps we feel more and more alienated ourselves and identify with the outsider – the zombie – and feel its numbness and mindless appetite. Whatever the cause, the ever-edgy Le Chat Noir is looking for a cure: taking on the living dead theme headfirst with an all-out assault on theater, reality and where the lines blur. Working with an all-too-plausible scenario that takes place right here in our fair city, Le Chat delivers an interactive theater experience with its first walk-through play that requires the audience to participate. Le Chat’s website begins the experience with a preview of the boot camp. This is well beyond Shaun of The Dead in Augusta. You might find yourself feeling a craving for brains, fresh brains, after visiting. Warning: this play is rated R and Le Chat Noir reserves the right to deny anyone without identification entrance to the event. by JOSEF PATCHEN photo LEAH DESLANDES
GO TO ZCAMP
WHAT Zombie Apocalypse Survival Camp WHERE Le Chat Noir | 304 EIghth St. WHEN Oct. 13 to 14; Oct. 18 to 22; Oct. 25 to 29 TICKETS $15 in advance (guarantees your time and date); $13 general admission: $5 line-buster upgrade MORE 706.722.3322 or LCNAUGUSTA.COM
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22 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
connecting the states with
westobou crossing THE master plan calls for a unification of augusta and north augusta via the savannah river
The 1982 Augusta Master Plan included a vision of the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center to be built on 6.5 acres, bounded by Sixth Street, the Riverwalk, Reynolds Street and Fifth Street. Because of economic considerations, the building site moved down the river to Tenth Street and the Sixth Street property continued to lie fallow. The original lot, commonly called the “Pension Fund Property” because it was purchased as an investment by the city of Augusta from the Pension Plan, now factors in to the 2009 Master Plan. It is here that Augusta Tomorrow hopes to establish a link with North Augusta, and tiein the educational aspirations of downtown Augusta, in a Westobou Crossing and Higher Education District that extends from Laney Walker Boulevard across the river. “All the elements we were hoping to use in the original plan are still there, we just had to re-site the hotel, which we think of as a major accomplishment of the original plan,” said Monty Osteen, a co-chairman of Augusta Tomorrow’s Westobou Crossing and Higher Education District committee. “We are in the
CONCEPT DRAWING OF WESTOBOU CROSSING
The committee has looked at several models for this project, including the Savannah College of Art and Design and the consortium of several universities in Greenville, S.C., which Osteen said represent totally different possible directions.
“The planning part was the easy part, however the implementation part is very detailed and requires a lot of investigation.” — MONTY OSTEEN
process of creating a developer package now, but we’re not quite ready yet to go out and start pitching the property. What we’re waiting for are the final numbers from the 2010 census for the economic outlook of the area, but I think, as the economic recovery progresses, we’ll see some of those businesses who have done previous development in the downtown area come back and become interested again.” The ultimate goal for this district, Osteen said, is a $41 million mixed-use development on both sides of the river, which would include the Pension Fund Property, the Fifth Street Bridge and the riverfront in North Augusta. “Westobou Crossing is a commercial, residential, retail, mixed-use property project that is separate from the Higher Education District, however they could feed off each other and you can see why,” said Osteen. “You could have people living in one area and going to school, or teaching, at the colleges in the nearby district. We combined the two districts simply because they abutted one another.” The Higher Education District focuses mainly on the old Richmond Academy property because the building’s charter states that it can only be used for higher education purposes.
“We are not sure which model fits best with Augusta’s needs right now, but that piece of property is ideal for some kind of educational institution,” he said. “We have particularly looked at the property as a starting point, but Georgia Tech would be a key to completing the project, as would Georgia Health Science University, as would Augusta State University.” Another major focus of the district is the Fifth Street Bridge, which connects both sides of the river and which the current plan calls to be made into a pedestrian bridge. “In New York, they had converted an old railroad bridge into a very appealing pedestrian bridge, which we looked at as a model for what we wanted to do with the Fifth Street Bridge,” said Osteen. “On the other hand, we could end up with two different developers on either side of the river, in which case they may want to leave the bridge open. We’re drilling down into the details of the traffic patterns now and wondering if it may be easier to make it accessible to light traffic.” This kind of flexibility must be built into the Master Plan, which serves mainly as a template for developers to follow. Inevitably, as in the 1982 plan’s placement of the Marriott several
an aerial view of the existing property
blocks away from its current location, certain elements will be different once the plan is complete. “The planning part was the easy part, however the implementation part is very detailed and requires a lot of investigation,” said Osteen. “Each property has to be separately assessed. The consultant comes in and he’s at a 30,000foot level looking down at the whole city. When you start developing the property, you have to know everything about it.” Osteen suggested several additional developments, which depend on the will of the developers, including extending the North Augusta Greenway to the Fifth Street Bridge and having it circle back around on both sides of the river, or using North Augusta’s Brick Pond as a canal source for water traffic though
the area. Whatever Westobou Crossing looks like in 15 to 20 years, it will be a mix of what is in the plan now, and what the developers find convenient to their interests. “Each one of the Master Plan Implementation Teams is working on creating an environment to attract development,” said Osteen. “When we presented the 2009 Master Plan, we realized that the general public doesn’t really understand what it takes to implement this plan, and that it may take 10, 15 or 20 years before some elements are finalized. Many of the elements of this plan will not come to pass in the near term; all we can do is get the homework to the developers so they can implement these ideas.” by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK
PROGRESS REPORT: THE WESTOBOU VISION
WHAT Over the next several momths, we will travel through the 2009 Master Plan for Augusta and North Augusta, taking a look at each component and its progress. IN THIS ISSUE Westobou Crossing NEXT REPORT Nov. 2: Laney-Walker/Bethlehem LEARN MORE AUGUSTATOMORROW.COM
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the creative c
vintage ooollee e just in time for ha
Caren Dorn Bricker owns the largest clothing closest in down Augusta. But no one knows who Caren is. Instead, they all co to see Ooollee.
“Ooollee is a nickname from a song my father used to sing to called ‘Indian Love Call’,” she explained. “It always made me smile and everyone had always known me by that name, because it means ‘I love you.’ ”
Her name on the sign says it all – Vintage Ooollee – and Ooollee has been sharing her love of vintage clothing since May 2008 when she opened the store on the lower level of the building where she and husband John live. On Oct. 1, Vintage Ooollee officially expanded into the world of costumi reopening a side of the shop which has been closed since Ap for roofing repairs and inventory cataloguin
“I had been thinking about expanding the business already when an opportunity came along to purchase the inventory of Fat Man’s, which was a successful gift and costume shop for 60 years across the street from Paine College,” she said.
“The costume shop has always had a huge clientele because there are a lot of local theater groups,” Ooollee said. “I have already provided costumes for Amadeus at Le Chat Noir, the Enopion Theatre Group which performed the opening play at the Kroc Center, The General and his Lady and The 39 Steps which just opened at Fort Gordon Dinner Theater.” Ooollee also provides costumes for Storyland Theater at the Imperial. While Vintage Ooollee closed for only two weeks during the roofing repairs, the costume shop underwent a hefty inventory process requiring a lot of time and resources. “I hired a high school student who has been doing seven to eight loads of laundry every day since the beginning of May,” said Ooollee. “We had to take eight truckloads of costumes, which added up to 260 garbage bags, from an off-site storage unit. I ended up having more inventory here than I had space to hang it.” Miranda Whitfield, a senior at North Augusta High School, said that her first job at Ooollee’s has been fantastic, and enjoys helping customers now that she knows the ins-and-outs of every costume in the shop. When not using Ooollee’s new washing machine, capable of holding three gorilla suits at once, she is sorting, organizing and removing pins from the costumes that are already on the shelf. The costumes are now organized chronologically, starting with ancient Egyptian costumes on through Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and more. Ooollee herself wears her favorite, a yellow, French, ruffled gown she calls Marie Antoinette, for the Grand Reopening photo shoot. “The idea is that we’re going to set up a dining room table and chairs in the middle of a big field, and I am going to be dressed in vintage clothing serving tea to everyone,” she said. “It is going to be a tea party, like in Alice in Wonderland, only the characters will all be my own creations. I have no problem finding models, since I do a lot of fashion shows with Patty Thelen of Modish Salon.”
24 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
costume
expands alloween
ntown ome
o me, e
ing, pril ng.
“Marie Antoinette will of course be eating cake,” she continued. “I am going to keep that costume for myself, since it’s an older costume that’s been mended and let up so many times that there are obvious tears in the fabric and I wouldn’t want to rent it to anyone else. I’m going to have another made just like it, and then other people can rent that one.” Though the clothes racks on the floor are overflowing, Ooollee has more costumes stored in the upstairs loft. Children’s bagged costumes, most of which have been in storage, are on sale for $10 or less. Another series of 20 bags of older costumes will go on the dollar rack and be rotated out every Saturday along with some vintage items. Ooollee also sells Mehron theatrical makeup, the same brand that Fat Man’s used to sell, and has several other surprises in store for the upcoming holidays. For her, the shop is still a dream come true as it was when she opened it more than three years ago. “Unfortunately, as soon as we opened the economy took a nose dive, but we managed to do okay and business cruised along and continued to improve every year since then,” she said. I love vintage clothing. I’ve always loved vintage clothing, and I’m ready to share that love with anyone who comes by to discover what we have to offer.” Vintage Ooollee is located at 1121 Broad St. and is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made during off-hours. For more information, call 706.724.2591 or visit FACEBOOK.COM/ VINTAGEOOOLLEE. by CHRISTOPHER SELMEK photos Brian StewART
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26 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
beers locals like BREWS TO TIDE YOU OVER UNTIL AUTUMN APPEARS
The fact that the shady side of Broad Street actually does feel noticeably cooler than the sunny side can only mean one thing: Summer is over! I hope your summer was as happy (and hoppy) as mine. Now, however, it is time to break out the baggy clothes and drink up some dark beer calories for the cooler months … who are we kidding? It will probably be warm for at least two more weeks. Then, finally it will get cold and dark, and you will be yearning for the days when I was writing about the perfect 90-minute IPA to take fishing with you or the perfect light beer to serve ice cold (which is code for the fact that it is less than perfect). Here are three “transitional” brews to ease you into that allbut-lost art that we used to term “autumn.”
Highland Oatmeal Porter
A porter as a way to take you into the fall? I know, I know, but the subtle nose that hints of roasted malts and chocolate eases into a taste that is a little sweet, a little cocoa-esque, and even a little hoppy. These attributes combine in an unassuming yet hardly faint way to yield a porter that hints at an imperial stout and a brown ale at the same time. Such a seemingly false dichotomy of savor could only come from one place: Asheville, N.C. (home to those ranging from homeless hippies to Cornelius Vanderbilt). Truly, the Highland Brewery has given us a tremendous family of craft brews and the Oatmeal Porter, while not the most robust representative of its category, does nothing to sully Highland’s strong reputation.
Duck-Rabbit Brown Ale
Located just down the road (actually, across the state) in Farmville, N.C., the Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery has been churning out quality microbrews for a hard-to-believe seven years. It has quickly become known for producing dark beers of unsurpassed quality and the Brown Ale is no exception. It pours a coppery hue with a healthy head and the nose conveys chocolate, malts and just a tinge of hops. There is considerably more coffee and hops in the taste, but this beer finishes up just malty (and sweet) enough to remind you that you are, indeed, imbibing a brown ale. I recommend it with anything that calls for bleu or goat cheese.
Woodchuck Spring Cider
Vermont: Now, that is a great part of the world. There are actually four complete seasons up there – amazing! Of course, this all begs the question as to why I would profile a “Spring Cider” in October. Let me explain why this works: Hints of caramel, maple syrup and, of course, Granny Smith apples make this cider one for days when it is still warm in the sun and nights when the wind actually makes you cross your arms. There is a sweetness that marries with the sour tinge to give the entirety of the tongue something to ponder. It is also gluten-free, so take THAT, Celiac Disease! Seriously, though, try it with anything that calls for peanut butter. These and more can be found at Aficionados on Eighth Street, where the summer brews are currently on sale!
by BEN CASELLA Ben Casella is aware that cider is not technically beer. So, please try Woodchuck Spring Cider before posting too negatively on the comment thread. In fact, try all three, and maybe you will forget all about his fallacious equivocation.
from the fork of
augusta eats a genuine foodie takes on augusta’s fare one bite at a time
THE SNUG I love grilling at home and preparing steak
for my family. However, there are times when our schedules or the intensity of our beloved, scorching Georgia heat simply don’t allow for firing up the grill. So, Augusta Eats is always in search of a good steak and I think that I have found just a place that will calm the carnivore in us all: The Snug. The Snug is located on the border of Augusta and Martinez and offers a full menu of steak, seafood and other such American fare. On my recent visit, I began the meal with jumbo lump crab dip. It came to the table bubbling hot, accompanied by a loaf of buttered, herb French bread. The dip was creamy and the flavor played many different notes – I could definitely taste the crab with a hint of rosemary in the background. This appetizer was warm and comforting and exactly what I look for in one that precedes a good steak dinner. The salad was fresh and picturesque. All the colors in the bowl made a lovely presentation and dressing was served on the side. I tried the house bleu cheese dressing. My palate, on first bite, noted that the dressing base was too heavy and the bleu cheese underplayed. Bleu cheese should be bold and pronounced. I also tried the house honey mustard and found, again, I was not a fan. Honey mustard should be bright and playful on your tongue and this particular one fell short. Our entrees arrived in about 20 minutes to our candlelit table and the aroma from the New York Strip was overwhelmingly enticing. I longed for our waiter to stop asking whether we needed anything further – I wanted to dig right in. Finally, I took a bite – with the perfect steak-to-fat-encrusted-flavor ratio. The two combined perfectly together, yet each player held its own. It felt, on the tongue, “just like butter,” to borrow a line
from Coffee Talk’s Linda Richman. I could actually taste the grill in every bite. The seasonings for this strip were wonderful and did not overpower the beef. With the juices combined, there was no need for steak sauce. The mashed skin-on potatoes were warm and comforting. My dining companions ordered the Snug burger with homecut fries and Cajun Canoe, a pasta dish. After my near-divine steak experience, the Cajun Canoe really threw me. The dish lacked heat and flavor, while the shrimp and chicken were overcooked. However, the burger was cooked wonderfully and its toppings,crisp and fresh The Snug is locally owned and operated at 240 Davis Road and is open Monday through Sunday for dinner at 5 p.m. For more information, call 706.863.1118 or visit THESNUG.NET.
BIG DAY CAKES
Wedding cake is extraordinary cake – the Lamborghini of cakes. It should be magical, decadent and beautiful – a foodie’s sweet dream all rolled up into a confectionery delight made for the big day. Augusta Eats was fortunate enough to run across Big Day Cakes, a bakery which recently opened downtown. I checked them out online first to find a few pictures of their goodies, because I always eat with my eyes first. What I beheld were exquisite cakes and treats. They looked just like the ones on the TV food shows – the ones that you marvel at the artistry while wondering whether something that looks that perfect can taste as good. Most do not, but it makes for good television viewing for hardcore foodies. Yet, I always think “what a waste, give us cake that tastes good.” Big Day Cakes Bakery does. Their cakes are sinfully over-the-top tasty and gorgeous works of art! How lovely for a bride to have the cake of her dreams and her guests to eat the cake of theirs. During my onsite visit, every cake I sampled was light and rich. Surprisingly, my favorite cake was the Raspberry Pucker. I typically despise anything that is raspberryflavored, but this Pucker is spectacular. The cake is light and sweet, the frosting creamy and bright and the flavor popped with a touch of lemon that made the entire cake vibrant. My sympathies go out to all you foodies who have yet to try “real cake” such as Big Day Cakes. I dare you to take a bite and not say “Wow!” Big Day Cakes also offers other sweet treats such as cupcakes, cookies and brownies on Fridays from 10 a.m. until traffic dies down at 120 Ninth St. For more information, call 706.255.7316 or visit BIGDAYCAKESBAKERY.COM.
by AUGUSTA EATS Augusta Eats is literally eating Augusta, from restaurant to roadside gourmet. Considered by some to be the original Augusta foodie, Augusta Eats has more than 25 culinary years under his (or her?) apron strings and has a deep-seeded love for all things tasty. Follow Augusta Eats on Facebook or visit AUGUSTAEATS.NET
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28 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
creating a
chair-itable work of art
110 original eames chairs have been transformed by local artists to benefit the library
LEFT: MILLIE KLOSINSKI WITH CHAIR BY ROBYN raymond; right: CHAIR BY rich menger
Miniskirts, peace signs, Andy Warhol and the Beatles were all icons in the 1960s. Millie Klosinski, the development officer for the Augusta Public Library, plans to recreate another familiar item in modern American history – the popular Eames chair. The Augusta library will hold an auction on Oct. 20 to benefit the new library on Telfair Street. The funds will be used for additional equipment, new programs and books for the library. With recent budget cuts, Klosinski would like see more funds to enhance the current programs, rather than just provide the basics. “When I took over as development officer at the Greene Street library, the library had begun minor renovations. While I was sitting at my desk, I noticed a medallion in one of the drawers. After taking a closer look, I decided to research the name on the tag. I did a Google search of George Nelson for Herman Miller desk. I was shocked to see the value on eBay, so I decided to do an inventory on all the furniture items in the library. I sold the desk, but there were also 160 white plastic molded chairs that were used in the ‘60s at the library,” Klosinski said.
“I love the Augusta library. As a child, I felt I belonged to something. It is a part of who I am.” — MATTHEW BUZZELL
artist and one time girlfriend of Dylan) were seekers of truth, according to Nakashima. “Dylan stood up for what he thought was right. He was innovative in his music and lyrics, and as an artist he proceeded into the future, challenging the ideals of the past. I felt a common ground with him,” Nakashima said. His other chair, Moon Walk, is a tribute to the first man on the moon. It represents a nonpolitical look at science. Nakashima feels that the first moonwalk exemplifies science. He chose random images from the National Geographic magazine. Matthew Buzzell, a local filmmaker and educator, is not an artist, but his interest in the Eames chairs is not by chance. “They were not just designers, they were also filmmakers. When Millie asked if I would design a chair, I wanted to do something to honor them while helping the library,” Buzzell said. “I love the Augusta library. As a child, I felt I belonged to something. It is a part of who I am.”
The Eames chairs were icons of mid-century furniture. The molded plastic chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, were the first industrially manufactured plastic chairs. The husband/wife team is among the most innovative American designers of the 20th Century.
Martinez donated their services to clear coat them. Among the 23 artists chosen was Jason Craig. An artist and graphic designer, Craig never does the expected. He knew his design would be nontraditional.
Buzzell, with the help of art student Lauryn Sprouse, located signatures of Charles and Ray Eames. They enlarged the signatures and traced them onto the backs of the chairs. On the front is a tribute to the couple.
When Klosinski discovered the Eames chairs, she began a twoyear research project that she hopes will turn into a big money maker for the library.
“Remain true to what you do when submitting art,” Craig said. “When you do, you are much happier when selected.”
Klosinski wants the public to be aware of the historical and monetary value of the chairs.
The His and Her chairs are definitely the unexpected. His design appears to be pencil, but the man’s suit and woman’s dress painted on the chairs give a transparent look to the artwork.
“Before you come to the auction, educate yourself on the Eames chairs,” she says. “Then, look on eBay and know what you could have!”
“I wanted to actually raise money, not just have a garage sale,” she explained. “I had a lot of people in the community that wanted to buy the chairs.” Last year, she received a phone call from Antiques Roadshow. They wanted 50 of the 160 chairs for the audience during their shows. Klosinski agreed, but she had big plans for the remaining ones. “I really found a big treasure here,” Klosinski said. “I wanted to do something that would give people a piece of Augusta history that has been recreated.” Her passion for education and excitement about raising new funds for the library, gave her the idea for the chair auction. She invited artists to submit proposals to decorate the chairs in June, and a panel selected 23 artists to transform the white plastic chairs into unique collectible pieces of furniture. Once the chairs were finished, Rick’s Paint and Body Shop in
“I didn’t want the typical retro look, so I used black and white,” he said. “Only the imprint of a suit and dress appears on the chairs.” Another artist, Tom Nakashima, is not a fan of the Eames chair. But he is a strong advocate of literature and the arts. The internationally known painter and printmaker admits this project was a bit of a reach for him. “I don’t generally do work that has to do with the past,” he said. “If I have a subject, in some manner, it’s contemporary. I also wanted to give an honest, but objective look at truth.” Nakashima did a collage on both of the chairs with the subjects painted in the center of the chair in black and white. The first is titled Bob and Suze. Bob Dylan and Suze Rotolo (American
The chairs are also on public display through Oct. 20 at the library during normal business hours. article and photos by Karen E. Farley
BID FOR A chair
WHAT The Eamesspirational Chairity Auction WHERE Headquarters Library | 823 Telfair St.
WHEN Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. TICKETS $50 BUY A CHANCE Raffle tickets are $10 each for a chance to win a teak table with four Eames chairs recreated by designer, J. Quarles MORE 706.821.2612 or ECGRL.ORG
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the
film reel NOW PLAYING ON THE BIG SCREEN
Leading men rule the world of cinema in early October. George Clooney, who earned a Best Director Oscar nomination for Good Night, and Good Luck, returns to the director’s chair for a political thriller. Clooney also served as screenwriter, producer and star for THE IDES OF MARCH, an adaptation of Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North. Willimon worked on Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign. Clooney’s film adaptation centers on the Ohio presidential primary. He plays charismatic candidate Governor Mike Morris and Ryan Gosling (Drive, The Notebook) is his hot-shot young press secretary, a guy with huge career aspirations until he gets wrapped up in a political scandal that threatens Morris’ White House run. GOSLING AND CLOONEY Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood co-star. Leonardo DiCaprio served as Executive Producer. The film’s title utilizes symbolic ties to the date Julius Caesar was famously betrayed by men he viewed as political allies. The Oct. 7 box office also presents a boxing movie featuring Hugh Jackman as the former-champturned-coach. While that aspect of the premise sounds a lot like most boxing movies, factor in the idea that he’s coaching robots in the sport and suddenly the plot gives the typical boxing flick a Transformers twist. Jackman is a down-on-his-luck boxing coach in a world where robots take the punches in REAL STEEL. He reunites with his estranged young son to find a scrapped robot they can train to be a champion. Shawn Levy (Date Night, Night at the Museum) directs and Evangeline Lilly (Lost) co-stars in this futuristic sports drama. Feeling a mid-October chill around the 14th? A remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon music a l FOOT LOOS E ROCK ‘EM, SOCK ‘EM ROBOTS could be to blame. High School Musical director Kenny Ortega and stars Zac Efron and Chace Crawford were all formerly attached to this update before the project went to Craig Brewer, whose directorial credits include Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan. Brewer kept many elements from the original story intact. Ren McCormack, the character played by Bacon in the original, is portrayed by newcomer Kenny Wormald. The young dancer’s big-screen break as the rebellious new kid in school who makes waves in a small, religious Utah town by fighting a ban on public dancing has him co-starring with TV’s Dancing With the Stars alum Julianne Hough. She plays the wild-child daughter of the town’s uptight minister (Dennis Quaid). Andie MacDowell also stars. Fans of the original Footloose can purchase the recently released Deluxe Edition Blu-ray. Or those who don’t mind a little update to their ‘80s nostalgia can enjoy hearing Kenny Loggins’ title track covered by country crooner Blake Shelton. Another cinematic update comes in the form of THE THING. Based on the short story that inspired horror master John Carpenter’s 1982 film of the same name, this tale about scientists in Antarctica who discover a murderous alien life form is actually intended as a prequel to Carpenter’s film. The alien being can replicate the appearance of any person, causing paranoia and distrust among the scientists. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) stars MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD IN THE THING with Joel Edgerton (Warrior). Other Oct. 14 openers include a Spanish language art-house thriller from writer-director Pedro Almodovar (Volver). THE SKIN I LIVE IN features Antonio Banderas as a plastic surgeon equally obsessed with his project to create artificial skin and his beautiful test subject. The week’s final major release features funnymen Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson co-starring as birdwatching enthusiasts who are at different crossroads in their lives. They step away from “normal” life for a year to have adventures in exciting destinations where exotic birds await in THE BIG YEAR, a comedy from Marley & Me director David Frankel. by MARIAH GARDNER, MOVIE GURU
30 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
3rd shift has
youthful rhythm and soul TALENTED TEEN GROUP DEBUTS ON THE 2011 12 BANDS OF CHRISTMAS CD
“Meet me at the Miller.” These are the words photographer Leah Deslandes told me via phone while I was heading downtown, dodging water puddles on River Watch Parkway for a scheduled interview at the James Brown statue with wunderkind band 3rd Shift. Mother Nature had put our scheduled outdoor meeting at risk, still Deslandes remained undaunted in her mission. Outdoor gatherings tend to be at the mercy of the weather, but the show must go on – especially if your deadline is the next day.
3rd Shift is not your typical Augusta band. It was quite a sight when the eight guys and one gal that make up the band came strolling around the corner in the drizzle, complete in band dress and toting instruments. A jam session ensued, providing perfect soulful entry music for the photographer as she crossed the street. It was then that I learned that this hard-working group of youngsters (average age: 16) started off as your normal, everyday metalheads covering Metallica tunes. “The band started out with me and the drummer (Jacob Nelson). We kind of learned our instruments with each other,” said Caleb Tokarska, the band leader and guitarist. “We were playing rock ‘n’ roll; we were into Metallica playing ‘Seek and Destroy’ and stuff like that.” After kicking around as part of a classic rock three-piece, Nelson and Tokarska hooked up with Tokarska’s classmate Robert Washington III, another inspiring 14-year-old artist. Washington added vocals and trumpet to the group and the inspiration for new sounds. “When we were a trio we would just scream into a microphone to have fun,” said Tokarska. “Robert came in and we had him singing ‘Purple Haze.’ He sung it like he was in church so that added soul, but we were still just doing classic rock covers. In the spring, I started writing music for a school performance and he came in. I’d been in the (Davidson) jazz combo for a while and we just got fake books and decided to just do traditional jazz numbers and started writing our own stuff.” Tokarska said that if not for jazz band and older, more experienced students showing them the ropes the band would “still be doing Hendrix covers.” Despite their breakaway from ‘60s and ‘70s rock, the band says a certain local classic artist can be credited, at least partially, to their appearance, stage show and work ethic. “A big influence for all of us is James Brown,” said Tokarska. “Robert sang lead for a little while before we got Ashley (Levine) on vocals and the Godfather was always a big inspiration for him so we listened to a lot of James Brown and old school jazz.” With the legacy of a hometown music hero and the sounds of old school soul, jazz and funk pushing them along, the fledgling band continued to work toward a goal of branching outside of John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School. (Nelson is the sole non-Davidson member of the band and a student at North Augusta High School.) They added a formidable horn section and percussion and performed their first official gig outside of Davidson by taking part in the Carley Peace memorial concerts. “I like that people know that we’re from Davidson but I definitely don’t want that to be an undertitle,”
said Tokarska. “It’s totally outside the school thing, although half of us are in a music association within the school that’s about doing charity through music so that’s pretty cool.” It is that sentiment which might explain why Tokarska and his bandmates would be standing underneath the marquee of an old theater in downtown Augusta braving rain and dreary weather. The young band was chosen as one of the dozen to appear on this year’s 12 Bands of Christmas CD and concert with their original song, “You’re Funky Santa.” “12 Bands of Christmas was always a big thing for me,” said Tokarska. “I’ve been going to the shows for a long time so that was way up, that’s such a big honor. I started writing the song and we got a lastminute recording. I was worried about the quality of the recording , but we sent it in and we’re really stoked to be a playing on the CD.” Once it was confirmed that 3rd Shift was chosen for 12 Bands, Tokarska spoke with downtown music veteran CoCo Rubio who recommended Morgan Parham to lay down the tracks for the band’s first official recording. “Morgan was so cool, said Tokarska. “It was out first recording experience and we just went in there and said, ‘we don’t know much about this,’ and he was really great at explaining how everything works.” So, what does a 15-year-old musician fresh off a debut studio experience think about while standing around downtown on a dreary day while fielding questions and photo shoot instructions? “We’re really excited for the CD just to get our names out there,” said Tokarska. “But the show’s a big deal. That’s a big stage to be playing on and hanging out with all the older bands is going to be pretty cool.” by STONEY CANNON photo LEAH DESLANDES
WHO’S WHO IN 3rD SHIFT Jacob Nelson (15): Drums Caleb Tokarska (15): Guitar Khalil McCullen (17): Bass Robert Washington III (15): Vocals & Trumpet Meiji Nguyen (16): Tenor Sax Morgan Bobrow –Williams (15): Percussion Ashley Levine (17): Vocals KJ Pugh-Bari (17): Sax Jeremy Berksteiner (16): Alto Sax
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32 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
stoney’s
sound bites
the guy who put the “k” In lokal gets vocal about augusta’s music scene
THE RADAR CINEMA I had hoped to draw inspiration for this month’s articles by working in full Halloween gear, but I could not decide between donning my best Meatloaf costume and dressing up as a zombie who obviously was not hurting for a steady supply of brains. In the end, I opted for some comfy jeans, an old dirty T-shirt and a rat’s nest of a hairdo – scary enough. Speaking of scary, the lineup for this year’s 17th edition of Bloodfest has been finalized and features some pretty fierce bands. Imagine Augusta’s rockin’ ghosts and ghouls rattling their chains to the lethal sounds of BLURRING THE LINE, CAROLINA CHUPACABRA, CHAIRLEG, REBEL LION, SOUL CRIME and a reunited JAMES GATE. Scary, isn’t it? Now, picture all of this in a haunted Sky City and you should get a hellacious picture of what is going to be going down Oct. 21 downtown. That should be powerful enough to make even James Brown rise from the grave if only he were … well, you get the idea. Demonic details available at SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM. If that isn’t scary enough, than the amount of product Augusta artists continue to release takes up the slack by being downright frightening. THE RADAR CINEMA recently released Bird Meets Worm with a limited edition of 100 copies. Luckily for fans, the downloadable version continues to be available at THERADARCINEMA.BANDCAMP.COM (review on page 41). Beachy retro rockers KOKO BEWARE have also digitally released their new platter Back and Forth Forever, which is available at KOKOBEWARE.COM and full of catchy pop goodness (pick up the next issue of verge for a full interview). In the middle of all this, madness hip hop act REBEL LION dropped Adidas and Backpacks and rockers FALSE FLAG are set to release One Size Fits All on Oct. 7, complete with a show at The Playground Bar (read a preview on page 41). If there was ever a time when it would be perfect to have a radio show dedicated to solely kicking out CSRA jams, it would be now! Seems like it was ages ago that I agreed to do something crazy and stick a group of elder gents playing classic covers on a concert bill made up of original (and mostly heavy) bands. To this day, I consider it to be one of the greatest decisions I ever made. Since then, THE VELLOTONES have become an important part of the Augusta music scene. The band released its own CD of originals, produced an awesome video for the song “No Way” and appeared on several 12 Bands events and CDs. Their Musicians Night Out events have become well-attended things of legend. These days, the guys spend a portion of their time backing Augusta music vet George Croft, formerly of late-’60s recording artists THE PALLBEARERS. Now it appears that band voice John Donnelly is retiring – either from his day job or music. (We hope it’s the day job.) On Oct. 8, the band (with Croft) will throw a retirement party at Laura’s Backyard Tavern on Belair Road. Look for good music, lots of fun, killer food, no cover and, if Donnelly has his way, his now-famous giant presentation board filled with clever sayings and such. God bless the Vellotones. More info at VELLOTONES.COM.
While online news services are reporting that former James Brown publicist Jacque Hollander has hired a private detective to investigate the late soul singer’s death (Hollander reportedly believes Brown was murdered), Brown’s daughter Dr. Yamma Brown has been busy working to keep the music legend’s spirit alive. Dr. Brown recently announced several upcoming projects while participating last month in a preview of the new exhibit Say It Loud: The Genius of James Brown at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. In addition to the exhibit, which takes up a large portion of the museum’s fourth floor, she announced an in-the-works biopic and a possible tribute album. Daughter Deanna Brown Thomas, son James Brown II, and widow Tomi Rae Brown also participated in the event honoring James Brown. L.A. isn’t the only city paying props to Augusta music. Because of the closing of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon this past June, the Augusta Museum of History is now in possession of 53 of the museum’s artifacts including record albums, hand-written lyrics and dresses from Terri Gibbs, Brenda Lee and the Lewis Family. The items were chosen from a list of performers from Columbia, Richmond, Burke and McDuffie Counties and will be part of an exhibit showcases area actors, athletes, musicians and writers. The new exhibit is scheduled to open Oct. 28. While James Brown IS the man, it’s great to know that so many others connected to Augusta music will finally be recognized in a way that’s fitting of their important contributions to music no matter how big or small. Well, my fellow freaks, it looks like the “Casual Friday” costume isn’t cutting it and I’m getting the “OMG, you look like a homeless person” look from my wife. So, I guess it’s time to decide on something a bit more, shall we say, “rockin’?”
BRENDA LEE
Until next time, don’t forget to play your tunes loud, take advantage of happy hour, raise your devil horns high and remember, 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 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.
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the
daily planner
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
OCT. 5 to OCT. 21
[ THE BEAUTY OF ILLUSION ] From the director of The Triplets of Bellville, Sylvain Chomet, comes the delightful animated feature, The Illusionist. Based on the a short sketch of a script by French humorist Jacques, the film follows a magician who struggles to keep audiences interested in his old-fashioned sleight of hand tricks and his longing to have meaningful relationships. But, the beauty of the film is in the homage Chomet pays Tati, staying true to a minimalistic style, sparse dialogue and melancholy air. “Beyond the lovely simplicity of the story – there’s hardly a full line of dialogue throughout, as was common in Tati’s own films – sublime sight gags (many briefly glimpsed in the background, making this an ideal film to see more than once) are abundant. The Illusionist is absolutely mandatory viewing for aspiring animators and filmmakers. For the rest of us, however, it’s simply magic,” said Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle. WHAT The ASU Fall Film Series: The Illusionist WHERE University Hall, Room 170, Augusta State University WHEN Monday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. TICKETS Free NEXT La Casa Muda (The Silent House) on Oct. 31 MORE AUG.EDU 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.
HISTORY BROWN BAG HISTORY SERIES “Place in
Time, Augusta Past, Present and Future,” a talk given by Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell, tells about the significance of local history and preservation and her own journey as a historian. Augusta Museum of History; $3; 12:30 p.m.; 560 Reynolds St.; 706.722.8454 AUGUSTAMUSEUM.ORG
CONCERT CHAMBER AND ORGAN SERIES
Church of the Most Holy Trinity; 2 p.m.; free; 720 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
WEDNESDAY
10.5 ART ARTISTS ROW COMMUNITY SCULPTURE
A temporary sculpture, designed by the 2011 Artists Row Scholarship winner, Sara Mays, will be constructed by community members and artists. The work will be auctioned on Oct. 6. Old Academy of Richmond County; free; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 504 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
LITERARY THE LIFE AND WORKS of Horton Foote Gerald Wood, the
director of the Horton Foote Society at Carson-Newman College, holds a symposium on the screenwriter. Headquarters Library; 2 p.m.; free, seating is limited; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
ART SOCIAL CANVAS
Second night of this Westobou event features live soundtrack provided by Night People, The Cubists and the Shaun Piazza Band. Unveiling of the community sculpture, ARTie - The Garden City’s Green Dragon. Old Academy of Richmond County parade grounds; 6 p.m.; free; 540 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
LITERARY POETRY READING Headquarters
Library; 6 p.m.; free; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
ART HUMS AND OMS: PERFORMING SCULPTURE Collaboration between artist Priscilla Hollingsworth and musician/composer Carl Purdy addresses the question: What does art sound like and music look like? Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre; 8 p.m.; $10; 2500 Walton Way; 706.667.4100 WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
THURSDAY
10.6 ART TODDLER TIME View paintings by artist Edward Rice and learn about different types of buildings and the stories they tell. Afterward, make a painting using different shapes and textures. Morris Museum of Art; $4; 10 a.m.; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG
ART ARTISTS ROW COMMUNITY SCULPTURE See listing on Oct. 5. Old Academy of Richmond County; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 504 Telfair St.
CONCERT Across the Atlantic: Art Song
from England and America with Diane Haslam, mezzo soprano; Carol Cook, piano; Christine Crookall, cello. St. John’s United Methodist Church; noon; free; 736 Greene St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
FOR KIDS DISNEY LIVE! PRESENTS THREE CLASSIC FAIRY TALES Join
Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they magically bring to life the fairy tale adventures of Snow White, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Bell Auditorium; 3:30 p.m.; $16 to $41; 712 Telfair St.; 706.724.2400 GEORGIALINATIX.COM
FESTIVAL FIRST THURSDAY ON KINGS WAY Summerville; 5 p.m.; free; Kings Way; 706.755.2665
THEATRE MOMIX: BOTANICA Dancer-illusionists are presented as part of the Westobou Festival. Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $10 to $75; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
THEATRE CELTIC FIRE
High-energy performance is anchored in the traditional customs and ancient musical history of Ireland and features live music, dance and song. URS Center for Performing Arts; 8 p.m.; $40; 126 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; 803.643.4774
find more @
vergelive.com
[ CELEBRATE SCIENCE! ] Bring your imagination to the Ruth Patrick Science Center on Oct. 15 and prepare for an encounter of the scientific kind. Make your own lava lamp, learn to talk turkey, get slimed, drive a robot and travel through a virtual representation of outer space. These are only a few of hands-on exhibits and activities that S.E.E.D. – Science Education Enrichment Day – will offer. This year’s theme Celebrate Science mirrors a national goal to increase awareness of the critical role science plays in everyday life and encourage youth to pursue science as a viable career. “One of our goals each year is to give young learners “up close and personal” interaction with real world scientists, engineers and other technical professionals,” said John Hutchens, the director of Special Programs at the RPSEC. Witness demonstrations of technologies and intriguing science phenomena from exhibitors such as the American Chemical Society and the U.S. Army.
WHAT 26th Annual S.E.E.D. WHERE Ruth Patrick Science Center, USC Aiken WHEN Saturday, Oct. 15 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Free MORE 803.641.3313 or rpsec.usca.edu/SEED
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FRIDAY
CONCERT MUSIC IN BOECKH PARK Jay Floyd
10.7
sings country and rock ‘n’ roll from today and the ‘80s. Hammonds Ferry; 7 p.m.; free; 506 Front St., North Augusta
FESTIVAL SUMMERVILLE TOUR OF HOMES Explore
the beautiful and historic homes of Augusta’s Summerville Neighborhood. Summerville; 7 p.m.; $35; Summerville SUMMERVILLEAUGUSTA.ORG
FESTIVAL GREEK FESTIVAL
Experience the music, food, art, traditional dances and culture of Greece. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; 10 a.m.; free; 953 Telfair St.; 706.724.1087 HOLYTRINITYAUGUSTA.ORG
FILM FILMS ON FRIDAY
View the screwball comedy Christmas in July, starring Dick Powell and Ellen Drew. Morris Museum of Art; free; noon; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501
FESTIVAL FIRST FRIDAY
Art galleries display new works, performers take to the sidewalks, arts and craft vendors sell their hand-made goods along Broad Street. Family friendly. Downtown Augusta; free; 5 p.m.; Broad Street; 706.826.4702 AUGUSTAARTS.COM
ART RECEPTION: SARAH HOBBS Hobbs’s carefully
staged photographs explore phobias and obsessive compulsive behavior. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; 5 p.m.; free; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495
CONCERT MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE Jeff Liberty
performs blues, jazz and Americana aboard the Augusta Canal’s Petersburg Boat. Augusta Canal; 6 p.m.; $25; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440
LITERARY BOOK SIGNING
Children’s author Jordan Trent reads from and signs copies of her book If Tomorrow Comes and I am Gone. See article on page 17. Sit-A-Spell Coffee House; free; 7 to 9 p.m.; 903 Broad St.; 706.305.3046
THEATRE CELTIC FIRE See
listing on Oct. 6. URS Center for Performing Arts; 8 p.m.; 126 Newberry St., SW, Aiken
THEATRE MOMIX: BOTANICA See listing on Oct. 6. Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
10.8
SHOPPING FALL PORCH SALE Neighborhood-wide
renowned for their incredible live show presents music with sounds of gospel, soul and funk. Old Academy of Richmond County; 8 p.m.; $15, $500 for table of eight; 540 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
THEATRE CELTIC FIRE See listing on Oct. 6. URS Center for Performing Arts; 8 p.m.
some of the area’s local authors. Columbia County Library; free; 11 a.m.; 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans; 706.447.7660
FOR KIDS CASEY AT BAT
garage sale is annual tradition. Hammond’s Ferry; free; Hammond’s Ferry; 803.613.1641
Presented by the Mangelly Accordion Band. Headquarters Library; free; 2 p.m.; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG
GOOD CAUSE A DAY TO REMEMBER See article on
FESTIVAL SUMMERVILLE TOUR OF HOMES See listing
page 39. New Life Natural Foods; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; free; 2825 Washington Road; 706.737.8805
FESTIVAL COLUMBUS DAY
Festivities include arts and crafts vendors, fire breathers, a petting zoo and more. The Swinging Medallions perform at 7 p.m. Columbia County Amphitheater; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; free; 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans; 706.312.7194
EDUCATION CANAL DISCOVERY WALKS: Unlocking the Waters Learn how the headgates and locks on the upper canal work with Peter Hughes, PhD. Savannah Rapids Pavilion; 10 a.m.; $1 to $2; 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez; 706.823.0440
FESTIVAL GREEK FESTIVAL CONCERT SHARON JONES + THE DAP KINGS Group
LITERARY LOCAL AUTHOR EVENT Meet and chat with
See listing on Oct. 7. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
LITERARY WRITER’S WORKSHOP with author
Jordan Trent. Headquarters Library; free; 10:30 a.m.; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600
FESTIVAL HISPANIC FESTIVAL Annual event aims
to promote Hispanic culture. Augusta Common; 11 a.m.; $3; Broad and Reynolds streets ELCERVANTINO.ORG
on Oct. 7. Summerville; noon
HISTORY WALK WITH THE SPIRITS See article on page 5.
the
daily planner
CONCERT JOHN WILLIAMS SPECTACULAR Symphony Orchestra Augusta will perform movie music by John Williams, the composer responsible for some of the most iconic film scores of the past 50 years. Bell Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.; $3.74 student, $8.41 to $49.74 general admission; 712 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
Blanca Café; free; 5:30 p.m.; 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431 CASABLANCATIME.COM
CONCERT APPLING OPRY
Music of Pinehill Ramblers. Love offering taken and jam session after show. Old J.D. Howell General Store; free; 6 p.m.; 5701 Whiteoak Road, Appling
CONCERT SECOND SATURDAY CONCERT: The Swingin’ Medallions
Columbia County Amphitheater; $5; 7 p.m.; 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; 706.312.7192 COLUMBIACOUNTYGA.GOV
EDUCATION CANAL DISCOVERY WALKS: Unlocking the Waters. See listing on Oct. 8. Savannah Rapids Pavilion; 3 p.m.; 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez
HISTORY WALK WITH THE SPIRITS See listing on Oct. 8.
MONDAY
CONCERT COMFORT + JOY: Masterpieces of Early
ART THE ART-SIDE OF ART GOMEZ Reception Casa
Summerville; noon
Summerville Cemetery; 3 to 6 p.m.; 2301 Cumming Road
Summerville Cemetery; 3 p.m.; $10 to $15; 2301 Cumming Road; 706.724.0436 HISTORICAUGUSTA.ORG
Music. Presented as part of the Westobou Festival, the Cecilia Ensemble specializes in European Renaissance repertoire. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church; 4 p.m.; free; 720 Telfair St. WESTOBOUFESTIVAL.COM
FESTIVAL TOUR OF HOMES See listing on Oct. 7.
THEATRE LIZZ WRIGHT: THE GOSPEL OF JAZZ Imperial Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $20 to $35; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341
SUNDAY
10.9
FESTIVAL GREEK FESTIVAL See listing on Oct. 7. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; 10 a.m.; 953 Telfair St.
CONCERT JOEL CRUZ + YOUNG LIONS JAZZ Group
performs during Sunday brunch. Casa Blanca Café; free; 11:30 a.m.; 936 Broad St.; 706.504.3431
FESTIVAL HISPANIC FESTIVAL See listing on
Oct. 8. Augusta Common; noon; Broad and Reynolds streets
10.10
FILM I am Love Rated R.
Film tells the story of the wealthy Recchi family, whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Augusta State University, University Hall room 170; free; 7 p.m.; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1405 AUG.EDU
TUESDAY
10.11 CONCERT TUESDAY MUSIC LIVE Featuring The
Great Russian Nightingale: Duo Lana, Svetlana Strezeva, soprano and Milan Strezeva, piano. Lunch is provided after concert. Reservations required. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; free (concert only), $10 (with lunch); noon; Sixth and Reynolds streets; 706.722.3463 TUESDAYSMUSICLIVE.COM
[ SOUTHERN GENTILITY : PAM TILLIS ] Award-winning singer/songwriter Pam Tillis will perform in Augusta for the first time as part of the annual Southern Soul & Song Series. Tillis charted her first country music single in 1990. Since then she has won three CMA awards, two Grammy awards and an IBMA award. Over the course of her career, she has charted 14 Top 5 hits, including six that reached No. 1, and has sold more than 6 million records. Her songs have been recorded by artists such as Chaka Khan, Martina McBride, Highway 101, Juice Newton and Conway Twitty. She was one of the first women in Nashville to produce her own album, and she was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year by the CMA in 1994. In 1999, she became the first female country entertainer to star in a Broadway musical when she appeared in Smokey Joe’s Café. Her television credits include roles in Diagnosis Murder, Promised Land and LA Law. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. Tillis’ music, while never straying from its roots, has always reached a wide audience. As she remarked once in an interview, “I like to think that stylistically I’m exactly in the middle. And I make it a point to be accessible. Some artists make music only to please themselves, and others exist solely to entertain the masses. I try to do both. It’s a fine line and you’re not going to please everybody. Sometimes the musicheads might say something I do is ‘fluffy,’ and sometimes I probably do things that the mainstream country listener might have trouble grasping.” In 2006, she took full control of her career with the launch of her label, Stellar Cat Records, and has since released several albums, including the most recent, 2007’s Rhinestoned. The first single, “Band in the Window” held the No. 1 spot for six weeks on the European Country Music Association chart. Country music has taken many turns since Tillis began writing and recording hit singles. “What I’m doing is country — but not necessarily the kind that you hear on the airwaves these days,” she says. “Now, I admire a lot of this music; after all, I’ve sung rock, pop, R&B and jazz, so I’m hardly a purist. But what I’m hearing now sounds often more like pop than country to me. And I just seriously felt called by that old different drummer to something a little bit more like the country I remember from my formative years, the country music of my youth.” Tillis will perform that country music and more in an acoustic performance on Oct. 14 at the Imperial Theatre. | by ALISON RICHTER
WHAT Southern Soul and Song: Pam Tillis WHERE The Imperial Theatre | 745 Broad St. WHEN Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. | $13 to $37 BUY SOUTHERNSOULANDSONG.COM MORE PAMTILLIS.COM
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WEDNESDAY
10.12
the
[ ROAD TRIP FOR ART ]
FILM SOUTHERN CIRCUIT: The Wise Kids. Unique
STUDIO-f: Monoprints from the University of Tampa, an exhibition of lithographic and serigraphic monoprints by 18 internationally renowned artists, will be at the Georgia Southern University Center for the Arts through Oct. 25. The 21-monoprint exhibition is a rare glimpse of artists who have embraced the experimental nature of the monoprint technique. Each artist has participated in the University of Tampa’s visiting artist program, including Sam Gilliam, Komar & Melamid, Katherine Porter and Joyce J. Scott.
program brings independent films and their makers to communities throughout the South. Morris Museum of Art; $3; 6 p.m.; 1 10th St.; 706.828.3815
THURSDAY
10.13
“STUDIO-f at the University of Tampa is one of the most interesting and innovative visiting artist programs in our nation. The prints created by the artists are exceptional and engaging,” said Marc Mitchell, the gallery director at GSU.
BUSINESS HISPANIC DIVERSITY CAREER EXPO Goodwill presents
career expo with more than 20 vendors on site for job and community resources. Goodwill Job Connection; free; 1 p.m.; 3120 Peach Orchard Road; 706.447.5195 GOODWILLWORKS.ORG
At the same time, the Center’s University Gallery offers Medium Anxiety, an exhibition highlighting video, sound sculpture, and artwork that challenges traditional artistic media. “Our Age of Anxiety is, in great part, the result of trying to do today’s job with yesterday’s tools and yesterday’s concepts,” wrote Marshall McLuhan in The Medium is the Message.
ART OPENING RECEPTION Augusta State students, led by professor Brian Rust and in collaboration with the Morris Museum of Art, will create installations. Forest Hills Dog Park; 5:30 p.m.; free; Magnolia Way; 706.724.7501
McLuhan described our Age of Anxiety as the “blurring of technology and society.” As industries continue to provide artists with new forms of technology for expression, there is the risk of losing one’s message in the medium. The novelty of medium continues to influence much of contemporary art, leading some artists to consider new means of validation. Medium Anxiety features the work of seven artists who use a variety of media to explore and recreate experiences.
THEATRE PURLIE VICTORIOUS Presented by the University Theatre Players, play originally performed in 1961 is considered among the first to successfully depict the BlackAmerican experience through the eyes of its own people. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; $7 to $15; 7:30 p.m.; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP Le Chat Noir
produces a haunted attraction, a walk-through play that requires audiences to participate. Read the article on page 21. Le Chat Noir; $13 to $18; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.; 706.722.3322 LCNAUGUSTA.COM
CHURCH COLLEGE IN THE CAFÉ Bring your guitar and
some friends and hang out for volleyball, music and coffee. Cafe 180; free; 9 p.m.; 1326 Broad St.; 706.722.7348
FRIDAY
10.14 ART ART AT LUNCH Mark
C. McDonald, the president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, discusses statewide efforts to save historic architecture. Morris Museum of Art; $10 to $14; noon; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG
Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid. The Angels XIII, 1990. Lithogrpahic monoprint. Collection of STUDIO-f at the University of Tampa © Komar & Melamid. photo Jim Lennon
Enjoy fair rides, food and entertainment. Specials offered nightly. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; $6; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.; 706.722.0202
WHAT STUDIO-f + Medium Anxiety WHERE CENTER FOR ART & THEATRE Georgia Southern, 233 Pittman Drive, Statesboro WHEN Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ends Oct. 25 MORE | 912.GSU.ARTS or georgiasouthern.edu
FOR ADULTS THOMSON TREASURE HUNT The fourth
SATURDAY
CONCERT MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE: Rob Foster
GOOD CAUSE BOSHEARS MEMORIAL GROUND LOOP 10K + 5K Race benefits
10.15
annual event will kick off with a meet-and-greet. Thomson Depot; 5 p.m.; 111 Railroad St.; 706.597.1000
and Utake uses mellow and meditative bamboo flute to perform new age and jazz music aboard the Petersburg Boat. Reservations required. Augusta Canal; $25; 6 p.m.; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440 AUGUSTACANAL.COM
the Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA. Daniel Field Airport; 8 a.m.; $20 10K, $15 5K, $10 Kids Fun Run; 1775 Highland Ave.; 706.513.2155 BOSHEARS.COM
GOOD CAUSE RIVERS ALIVE CLEAN UP
GOOD CAUSE STAR RIDING OYSTER ROAST + BARBECUE Benefits
Aiken County’s equestrian program for children and adults with disabilities. Black Forest Equestrian Center; 6 to 9 p.m.; $30 in $35; 4343 Banks Mill Road, Aiken; 803.642.8812
CONCERT KINGS OF NEW YORK Hip-hop tour features
Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Melle Mel, Chubb Rock and Big Daddy Kane. Bell Auditorium; 37, $51.50, $61.50; 7 p.m.; 712 Telfair St.; 706.724.2400 GEORGIALINATIX.COM
THEATRE PURLIE VICTORIOUS See listing on
FESTIVAL GEORGIA CAROLINA STATE FAIR
daily planner
Oct. 13. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.; 471 University Parkway, Aiken
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
[ Understanding Alzheimer’s ] To prepare for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, New Life Natural Foods offers a day of education, free chair massages and store specials on Oct. 8. Classes focus on the natural prevention of Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease, including The Other CoQ-10: Learning the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction, Boosting Brain Brainpower and Strategies for Deep Immune Health. At 4 p.m., watch the film Rethinking Cancer which features cancer survivors who used alternative cancer therapies to overcome their disease. A percentage of all vitamin sales during the day will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Augusta.
WHAT A Day of Education about Alzheimer’s WHERE New Life Natural Foods 2825 Washington Road WHEN Saturday, Oct. 8 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Free MORE 706.737.8805 or NEWLIFEAUGUSTA.COM
Community-wide biannual clean up is sponsored by Savannah Riverkeeper, Augusta Canal and the City of Augusta. Lunch will be served to all volunteers at noon. Lake Olmstead Picnic Area; free; 9 a.m.; Milledge Road; 706.826.8991
FESTIVAL BOSHEARS SKYFEST Enjoy airshows,
parachute teams, carnival rides, car shows, food vendors and helicopter rides. Daniel Field Airport; 9 a.m.; $12 to $15; 1775 Highland Ave.; 706.733.8970 BOSHEARS.COM
HISTORY 20TH ANNUAL COLONIAL TIMES: A Day to
Remember. Learn how life and times were from 1735 to 1785. Read the article on page 19. Living History Park; free; 10 a.m.; 299 West Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta; 803.215.0837 COLONIALTIMES.US
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FESTIVAL GEORGIA CAROLINA STATE FAIR
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; noon 301 Hale St.
FOR KIDS SCIENCE EDUCATION ENRICHMENT DAY Read article on page 35.
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, USC Aiken; free; 10 a.m.; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3474 USCA.EDU
ART ART SHOW + SALE
North Augusta Artists Guild sells fine art originals and prints, wood sculptures, greeting cards and handmade jewelry. North Augusta; free; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; West Avenue, North Augusta; 803.221.7881
ART TOMMY HARMAN
Wood carver carves sweet potatoes. Gallery on the Row; free; 10:30a.m.; 1016 Broad St.; 706.724.4989 GALLERYONTHEROW.COM
LITERARY ADULT WORKSHOP Cultural
historian Vennie Deas Moore shares writing tips. The workshop includes group readings and critiques, and exercises and strategies for creativity. Morris Museum of Art; $25 members, $35 nonmembers; 1 to 4:30 p.m.; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501 THEMORRIS.ORG
FOR KIDS BOOK SIGNING
Maurice McBride signs copies of Oliver Vance: Pull up your Pants. Headquarters Library; free; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG
FILM CALL OF THE WILD Charlton Heston stars in Jack
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SATURDAY
MONDAY
10.15 10.17 CAROLINA STATE FAIR
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.
FILM Tamara Drewe
London’s epic saga in which a dog is abducted and taken to the arctic wilderness to work as a sled dog. Aiken County Public Library; free; 3 p.m.; 314 Chesterfield St., Aiken; 803.42.2020 ABBE-LIB.ORG
ART DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH Showcase returns
Rated R. Presented as part of the Sandhills Writers Series and based on the graphic novel by Posey Simmonds, the film has been described as a contemporary comedy of manners. Augusta State University, University Hall room 170; free; 7 p.m.; 2500 Walton Way; 706.737.1405 AUG.EDU
THEATRE YOUNG
to bring community together through the Arts. Headquarters Library; free; 3 p.m.; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2600 ECGRL.ORG
LITERARY BOOK LAUNCH + SIGNING Local artist Hildie McQueen signs copies of her new book Desperate Betrayal. Lamar Building; free; 6 p.m.; 753 Broad St.; 762.383.9807
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; free; 6 p.m.; 2877 Lumpkin Road; 706.373.7855
FOR KIDS TARA SCHEYER AND THE MUD PUPPY BAND Kackleberry Farm;
6 p.m.; 1025 Verdee Road, Louisville, Ga.; 478.625.7552 KACKLEBERRYFARM.COM
GOOD CAUSE WAGS TO WISHES Read the article on
page 45 Taylor BMW; $20, $30 couple; 7 p.m.; 4180 Washington Road, Evans; 706.863.2067
THEATRE PURLIE VICTORIOUS See listing on
Oct. 13. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; 7:30 p.m.; 471 University Parkway, Aiken
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
FRANKENSTEIN The classic Mel Brooks movie comes alive in this winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. Bell Auditorium; $40, $45, $50; 7:30 p.m.; 712 Telfair St.; 706.724.2400 GEORGIALINATIX.COM.COM
FESTIVAL GEORGIA
TUESDAY
10.18
community-wide Aiken’s Wild Read, retired librarian Sally Farris leads a discussion about Jack London’s Call of the Wild. Aiken County Public Library; free; 7 p.m.; 314 Chesterfield St., Aiken; 803.42.2020
CONCERT AIKEN CONCERT BAND: Tribute to the Military
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
SUNDAY
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
10.16 SKYFEST See listing on
Oct. 15. Daniel Field Airport; 9 a.m.; 1775 Highland Ave.
HISTORY 20TH ANNUAL COLONIAL TIMES A DAY TO REMEMBER See listing on Oct. 15. Living History Park; 10 a.m.; 299 West Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta
FESTIVAL GEORGIA CAROLINA STATE FAIR
LITERARY BROWN BAG
THURSDAY
10.20 BOOK CLUB Discussion of
Little Bees by Chris Cleave. Columbia County Library; free; 11:30 a.m.; 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd., Evans; 706.863.1946
FESTIVAL GEORGIA CAROLINA STATE FAIR
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.
GOOD CAUSE EAMESPIRATIONAL CHAIRITY AUCTION
22 artists have been selected to design Eames Molded Plastic Chairs from the Greene Street Library auditorium. Buy $10 raffle tickets for the chance to win a teak table with four Eames chairs redesigned by J. Quarles. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Read the article on page 29. Headquarters Library; $50; 6:30 p.m.; 823 Telfair St.; 706.821.2612 ECGRL.ORG
FILM STARLIGHT CINEMA Remember the Titans
Roy Warner Park; free; 6:30 p.m.; 4287 Festival Trail Road, Wagner, S.C.; 803.642.7559 AIKENCOUNTYSC.GOV
LITERARY ANNUAL
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.
LITERARY LONDON’S CALLING As part of the
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
FESTIVAL GEORGIA
WEDNESDAY
10.19 CAROLINA STATE FAIR
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.
GHOSTLY NIGHT OF STORIES Local young adults
read their winning entries from the annual Ghost Story Writing Contest. Nancy Carson Library; free; 7 p.m.; 135 Edgefield Road, North Augusta; 803.279.5767
FESTIVAL GEORGIA
pass or membership; 7 p.m.; 1833 Broad St.; 706.364.5762 KROCAUGUSTA.ORG
THEATRE ZOMBIE
REEDCREEKPARK.COM FESTIVAL GEORGIA CAROLINA STATE FAIR
CAROLINA’S GOT ART Ends
Oct. 29. Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; 803.441.4380
YOU + YOUR DOG Part of
the Art Center’s Wild with Dogs Exhibition. Ends Oct. 29. Aiken Center for the Arts; free; 122 Laurens St. SW, Aiken; 803.641.9094
WHISKEY PAINTERS Ends
CONCERT MOONLIGHT MUSIC CRUISE: Double
D performs ‘60s and ‘70s pop and rock classics aboard the Augusta Canal’s Petersburg Boat. Reservations required. Augusta Canal; $25; 6 p.m.; 1450 Greene St.; 706.823.0440 AUGUSTACANAL.COM
THE EBONY LEGACY EXHIBITION Ends Oct. 31.
Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; $5; 1116 Phillips St.; 706.724.3576
PRESERVATION OF PLACE: EDWARD RICE Ends Nov. 20.
Morris Museum of Art; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501
I WALTZED WITH GOD THE MORNING OF GENESIS
Works by Augusta artist Nancy Wellington Bookhart. Ends Nov. 30. Paine College, CollinsCalloway Library; free; 1235 15th St.; 706.821.8308
Nov. 1. Zimmerman Gallery; free; 1006 Broad St.; 706.774.1006
ART ROSENBAUM Ends Nov. 7. Morris Museum of Art; $5; 1 10th St.; 706.724.7501
daily planner @ vergelive.com to discover more stuff to do and places to go.
THEATRE WHO SHOT J.R.?
In observance of Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Raisin AJ Productions presents Who Shot J.R.?, a play written by local radio personality Miss Monique and based on a true story. Imperial Theatre; $22.50 to $26.50; 7:30 p.m.; 745 Broad St.; 706.722.8341 IMPERIALTHEATRE.COM
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
ART LECTURE: HIGH AND LOW The second of a two-
10.21 ART 706.724.7501
FLIGHT IN PLACE: SARAH HOBBS Ends Oct. 14. Gertrude
Herbert Institute of Art; free; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495
A SENSE OF PLACE Ends
Oct. 14. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; free; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495 GHIA.ORG
INGRID HOFER Solo
Chronicle’s annual event for breast cancer awareness. Christenberry Fieldhouse; 2 p.m.; 3109 Wrightsboro Road; 706.823.3476 AUGUSTACHRONICLE.COM
MEDIUM ANXIETY Read the article on page 39. Georgia State University; free; 233 Pittman Drive, Statesboro; 912.478.2787
visit the online
ONGOING
AND LOW The first of a twopart series. Artist and author Franklin Einspruch addresses the aesthetical debate of what qualifies as excellence in the Arts. Augusta State University, University Hall room 170; free; noon; 2500 Walton Way; 706.724.7501
daily planner
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; 5 p.m.; 301 Hale St.
FRIDAY
GOOD CAUSE WE THINK PINK DINNER The Augusta CLUB Kroc Center; day
about the Native American craft of leaf pounding to set a leaf print on cloth. Ages 5 and up. Preregistration required. Reed Creek Nature Park; $2; 4:30 p.m.; 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; 706.210.4027
ART LECTURE: HIGH
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
See listing on Oct. 14. Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds; noon; 301 Hale St. Singer-songwriter performs a varied concert including imagerich songs, engaging storytelling and guitar work. Covenant Presbyterian Church; $10; 7 p.m.; 3131 Walton Way; 706.733.0513 COVENANTAUGUSTA.ORG
OUTDOORS CHEROKEE LEAF PAINTING Learn
part series. Artist and author Franklin Einspruch addresses the aesthetical debate of what qualifies as excellence in the Arts. Augusta State University, University Hall room 170; free; noon; 2500 Walton Way;
THEATRE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
LITERARY PHILOSOPHY
CONCERT DAVID LAMOTTE
the
Oct. 13. Le Chat Noir; 8 p.m.; 304 Eighth St.
CAROLINA STATE FAIR
and Veterans. USC Aiken Etherredge Center; $10; 8 p.m.; 471 University Parkway, Aiken; 803.641.3305 USCA.EDU
FESTIVAL BOSHEARS
APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL BOOT CAMP See listing on
exhibition features mixed media journals of her travels throughout Europe and select watercolors and acrylics from her larger works. Ends Oct. 14. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art; free; 506 Telfair St.; 706.722.5495
STUDIO-F: MONOPRINTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA Read the article on page 39. Ends Oct. 25. Georgia State University; free; 233 Pittman Drive, Statesboro; 912.478.2787
[ Sweet Romance ] “A whimsical approach to the joys and perils of romance. Magical happenings bloom beneath the snowdrifts. Almost, Maine explores the thunderclap of love and the scorched earth that sometimes follows.” – The New York Times On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend— almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. Playwright John Cariani twines the story Almost, Maine into “a comic romantic roundelay,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Davidson Fine Arts theatre students will present the play as a one-act production on Oct. 13 and 14. “This play is a perfect fit for the students in my Advanced Acting class. It has a little bit of everything as far as giving my students the opportunity to play characters who laugh, cry, fall in and out of love, and everything in between. It’s a sweet, warm and feel-good play without being sappy, a perfect combination,” says Betty Walpert, the drama director at DFA. DFA’s Musical Theatre Production class joins the evening with a series of Broadway selections entitled “Seasons of Love.” The medley will be linked together with a combination of music, poetry and real-life quotes.
WHAT Almost, Maine + Seasons of Love WHERE Davidson Fine Arts | 615 12th St. WHEN Oct. 13 and 14 | 7 p.m. TICKETS $6 to $10 MORE 706.823.6924 or DAVIDSONFINEARTS.ORG
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 41
42 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
night
A SELECTIVE GUIDE TO NIGHTLIFE IN THE CSRA
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 Rene Russell @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 6:30 p.m. COMEDY ZONE: B.T. + Mikey Mason @ Somewhere in Augusta | $8; 8 p.m.
POWERKOMPANY @ Sky City $3; 10 p.m.
album preview
false flag one size fits most While most bands are focused on selling songs via digital media, the members of False Flag — Terrell Lewis - vocals, Jacob Fischer - guitar, Chris McCarthy - drums and Tony Miaco – bass — are taking the old-school approach, not only releasing a physical CD this month, but also filling it with 12 songs. It’s the medium they grew up with, says Lewis, from a time when bands gave content for dollar value, and an even dozen tracks made sense for False Flag’s recording debut, One Size Fits Most. False Flag’s sound is an interesting mix of styles and influences. That’s not surprising, given Lewis’ musical background. He grew up in Columbia, S.C., and began playing violin at age 3. As an adolescent, he developed an affinity for bands such as the Misfits and Sublime, but also had an appreciation for classic singers such as Frank Sinatra. Lewis also plays bass, percussion and some guitar, and studied violin and voice — the kind of voice that sings classical and operatic music. He still plays violin, performing as a duo with Miaco’s wife. Lewis relocated to Augusta in 2006 with his wife and joined his first band, Signal 18, shortly thereafter. Lewis’ classical training has paid off for False Flag, both onstage and in the studio, from his “very, very picky” nature when recording to the wide range of musical styles that he brings to the songwriting. In addition to recording their CD, the band spends most weekends on the road, playing an average of three nights per week across Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Thanks to the power of social media, particularly Facebook and ReverbNation, they’ve been able to build a following across the Southeast and beyond. Much of their appeal, says Lewis, goes beyond the music.
album review
the radar cinema bird meets worm Eleven tracks from Augusta’s progressive metal and space rock band – The Radar Cinema – shows the latest direction and musical versatility of the group. Jordan Sudak, Nick Laes, Eric Parton, Will Duckworth and J.P. Hare have created an interesting mix of progressive metal and electronic music to form the hybrid album, Bird Meets Worm. Sudak’s vocals on the opening song, “Super Ghouls and Ghosts” – named for a ‘90s video game, have a sing-along style that mirrors much of the early 2000 metal that current prog metal is based on. Next up is “Pariah” which starts off a little harder with a more traditional metal guitar solo from Duckworth. Paradoxically, “The Effortless Fall” comes before “The Arduous Climb.” The first hits the listener with a wall of noise that leads right into the harder progressive, modern sound of “The Arduous Climb,” which is quite possibly the best song on the album with some killer vocals and shredding guitar riffs. The rather short “Pearsquisher” is basically the intro to “Quark,” a more mellow and melancholy song with vocals and guitar with roots hailing from the early 2000’s metal and hardcore blend. The second part of the album almost takes a 180-degree turn with the spacey, celestial, electronic-flavored “Error 404.” The next song, “Consignment,” offers a more melodic sound with a cool breakdown about halfway through the song that alters the mood of the track, transforming it into a harder, more punkish tune. “Temperate Maw” and “The Drifter” continue the more melodic trend. To wrap the album up, “Trapped in a Cave” develops from a Radiohead-style opening into a harder traditional metal rocker.
“People tell us we look like we’re having a lot of fun onstage,” he says, “and they’re right. We’re very happy with this lineup. And we have a good time when we practice and when we play live.”
Overall, Bird Meets Worm has a nicely layered sound, clean but not polished to death, showing off what the Radar Cinema can do with some tight production work. Complex and filled with variety, the album delivers a beautiful tapestry of metal, melody and electronic experimentation.
False Flag performs at their CD release party on Oct. 7 at the Playground Bar. | by ALISON
Get the album at theradarcinema. bandcamp.com. | by DINO LULL
RICHTER
FALSE FLAG + SUPERBOB @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m. PIEDMONT BOYS @ Coyotes 9:30 p.m.; $5 after 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 8
ROSS COPPLEY BAND @ The Country Club | $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 22
FRIDAY, OCT, 14
JARED ASHLEY BAND @ The Country Club | $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 7
80s NIGHT featuring new art by Abby Zwanziger. @ Sky City 8 p.m.; $5 GWEN SEBASTIAN @ Country Club | 10 p.m.; $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m.
life
THRU OCT. 22
JASON JONES
JASON JONES @ The Country Club | $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m.
ESKIMOJITOS
TRIVIA & KARAOKE
ESKIMOJITOS @ Metro Pub & Coffeehouse | 9 p.m.
TUESDAYS TRIVIA WITH CHARLES @ Somewhere in Augusta | 8 p.m.
SHE ‘N’ SHE @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.
TWISTED TRIVIA @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m.
WALLER @ Still Water Taproom $4; 10 p.m.
TRIVIA @ Mellow Mushroom downtown + Evans | 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 15
TRIVIA @ Soiree | 9 p.m.
THE ENDALLS @ The Country Club; $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m. TURF WAR + THE AGENDA @ Soul Bar | $5; 8 p.m.
DEEPSTEP @ Coyotes 9 p.m.; $7
JEREMY GRAHAM BAND @ Coyote’s | 9 p.m.
SECOND SATURDAY BEAT BATTLE @ Zoom Studio 9 p.m.; free
TUESDAY, OCT. 18
KARAOKE wEDNESDAYS KRAZY KARAOKE @ The Playground Bar | 8 p.m. THURSDAYS KARAOKE @ Coyote’s $5 after 9 p.m.
FIND THE VENUE
THE FELICE BROTHERS AN EVENING WITH THE FELICE BROTHERS @ Sky City 10 p.m.; $10 BRANTLEY @ Coyote’s | 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 9
THE CORDUROY ROAD THE CORDUROY ROAD @ Still Water Taproom | $5; 10 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 18
Miranda Pokryzywinski @ Manuel’s Bread Café 6:30 p.m.
MAZES & MONSTERS
MAZES AND MONSTERS The Spaces In Between album release concert and party with special guest Adam Sams @ Enterprise Mill Event Center | $5, free with album pre-order; doors at 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
COMEDY ZONE: Big Ed Caylor + Jared Stern @ Somewhere in Augusta | $8; 8 p.m.
COMEDY ZONE: Valerie Storm + Paul Strickland @ Somewhere in Augusta | $8; 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 21
JULIANA FINCH @ Manuel’s Bread Café | 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
HOLMAN AUTRY BAND @ Country Club | $3 girls, $5 guys after 8:30 p.m.
PROJECT INDEPENDENT @ Sector 7G | 8 p.m.
THE LAROXES @ The Playground Bar | 9 p.m.
FUNK YOU @ Surrey Tavern $5; 10 p.m.
PAPA STRING BAND @ Still Water Taproom | $5; 10 p.m.
the country club @ 2834 Washington Road; 706.364.1862 Coyote’s @ 2512 Peach Orchard Road; 706.560.9245 manuels bread cafe @ 505 Railroad Ave., North Augusta; 803.380.1323 Metro Pub & CoffeeHouse @ 1054 Broad St.; 706.722.6468 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 Soirée @ 231 The Alley, Aiken; 803.226.0097 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 ZOOM STUDIO @ 216 Eighth St. Submit event listings to events@vergelive.com for inclusion in Nightlife at least two weeks in advance of show date.
find more nightlife @ vergelive.com
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 43
in good
health
news from the csra medical community to help you
Research aims to starve breast cancer cells Starving cancer cells could provide new options for patients, particularly those resistant to standard therapies such as tamoxifen, according to researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health. They report that the most common breast cancer uses the most efficient, powerful food delivery system known in human cells and blocking that system kills it. Human estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells thriving in a Petri dish or transplanted onto mice die when exposed to a drug that blocks the transporter, called SLC6A14, said Dr. Vadivel Ganapathy, Chairman of GHSU’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and corresponding author of the study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. “It basically starves the cancer cell,” said Ganapathy. The transporter can carry 18 of the known 20 amino acids, fuel all cells need in some combination. Amino acids enable cells to make proteins, which they need to function and survive. The cell type determines its amino acid needs and delivery system. Rapidly growing, dividing estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer needs nearly every amino acid so it makes the smart choice of utilizing the transporter that can deliver the biggest load, Ganapathy said. SLC6A14 is the only transporter known to carry all 10 essential amino acids, essential because the body can’t make them so they have to be delivered via the bloodstream from food. The transporter, which has three energy sources instead of the usual one or two, also takes eight of the nonessential amino acids along. Interestingly, SLC6A14 is expressed at low levels in most of the body. “There are specialized features of this transport system which could be used by every cell to its advantage but they do not seem to do that. It’s expressed only at low levels in normal tissues,” Ganapathy noted. While that may seem like a loss for healthy cells, it bolsters the cancer-fighting potential for drugs that block SLC6A14 by making it a more specific cancer target. “Since the normal cells do not depend on this transporter, you can use a drug that selectively blocks it to target cancer cells” Ganapathy said. The compound they used is alpha-methyl-DL-tryptophan, already used in humans for short periods when they are getting a PET scan in certain areas of the brain. When the researchers treated estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells with it or put it in the drinking water of the mice with the cells, rapid growth stopped and the cancer cells died. Further studies showed alpha-methyl-DL-tryptophan seemed to impact only cells expressing the SLC6A14 transport system. Even another type of breast cancer, estrogen receptor-negative, wasn’t impacted. by ALISON RICHTER
BREAST CANCER DEATHS ON DECLINE October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined. Though the progress appears promising, there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals. • Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age. • Hispanic women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian women and African American women. • Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years. • Mammography use has increased for all groups except American Indians and Alaska Natives. “If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods – mammography plus clinical breast exam – breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent,” says NBCAM. “The key to mammography screening is that it be done routinely – once is not enough.” For more information, visit nbcam.org. Learn more about breast cancer and prevention by visiting nbcam.org, the American Cancer Society at CANCER.ORG or Susan G. Komen for the Cure at KOMEN.ORG. provided by NBCAM
44 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
puzzle 1
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Edited by Will Shortz | by ASHTON ANDERSON | No. 0827 Across 1 It may be seen in a 3-Down picture 10 Times up? 15 Like bending over backward 16 Lowest deck on a ship 17 Feign concurrence 18 Words of concurrence 19 Bit of consolation 20 Google rival 21 Scriveners 22 Yesterday, to Yvette 24 “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” star 26 Their lines have ties: Abbr. 27 It’s taken while waiting 29 “Le Roi d’Ys” composer 30 Lumpkin 31 Bible supporter, often 33 One may be suckered 35 Hedonist’s opposite 39 Unwanted tail? 40 Black-and-white 42 W.W. II agcy. 43 Bottom of the ocean? 44 Group sharing a coat of arms
46 Feeds
on the farm, maybe 50 Offensive time? 51 City that lost its “tallest building” distinction in 2007 53 Not apart, in scores 54 Club alternative 56 ID figures 58 ID issuer 59 Match 60 “Let’s roll!” 62 Long 63 Very close game, e.g. 64 Bloody Sunday march site 65 Like some skiing and swimming Down 1 “The tenth Muse,” per Plato 2 Oblong temptation 3 Beyond suggestive 4 Far from forward 5 Quatrain scheme 6 Author of “America by Heart” 7 Missing a key? 8 Dope 9 Lines coming from the heart, briefly? 10 Gardeners’ aids 11 One letting off steam 12 1970s music genre
13 What
the Faroe Islands were granted in 1948 loner, stereotypically
21 “Now!” 23 Undo 25 Accented
cries
28 Out
of practice?: Abbr.
30 Line
forgetter’s substitute worker
34 It
causes lights to go out
35 Camels’
resting
36 Sponge
alternative
places
37 Kind
It is so nice to go into a bar and wear whatever you want, have a decent stage and (delete then) play whatever you feel. The crowd is intermittently interested if you are with a weird ensemble such as a piano trio – nobody sees them around much anymore. I tend to go with the energy in the room – enough blues and grindhouse to keep things kind of nasty, enough sweet to keep the ladies interested, and enough musically gritty songs for the connie-sewer. First the Chickens: I recently played at a local upscale, uptown bar. The crowd appeared to be replicates of 1980s preppy “clothes clones.” I realize that some folks in Augusta have dressed this way before – and way after – the prep look was in vogue. An acquaintance has dubbed them “Children of the Corn.” At a certain point in the evening, it felt as though everyone in the place threw back their heads and started to scream at the top of their lungs. It occurred to me that these were actually the “Children of the Rich” and they displayed the casual bad manners that their class often does and ignored us.
14 Frumpy
32 Magick
last word RUMINATING ON LIFE IN THE SOUTH
I finally received the chance to step out and play ensemble piano after a long dry spell. I seem to be bouncing between the modern equivalents of the Chitterling and Rubber Chicken circuits. At least I am out and about, and the differences are refreshing. Rubber chickens bounce easier than Chitterlings do, though, and believe it or not, the chitlins taste better.
30 33
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Playing Around
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Now, contrast that night with a recent one at a grittier downtown Chitterling venue. There were tattoos, friendly drunks, genuineness to the crowd and they actually paid some attention to our piano trio – even though our repertoire was supposedly way over their heads. And playing at a real downtown bar without needing chicken
wire! And playing whatever we wanted! Regardless of the lateness of the hour, there was joy to be found. Now, I have played so much for so long for so little that I am prepared to play anything for anybody or nobody. And at last, a little crack seems to be letting in an actual interest in what I do. People seem to care – as long as I stay with what is actually a hip, young crowd. I had thought there was not such a thing to be found, but here, in this downtown dive, I discovered it and as long as I gave them my best, they seemed willing to respect me for that. This beats chitterlings or even pig’s feet. So, good news, everyone! There is social life in Augusta beyond the uptown crowd. There is a dynamic happening here, a true spirit that Augusta can be a cool place. I know I am late getting on this bandwagon, but, heck, I will sit on the tailgate. I wish it had happened to a younger me, not this stretched-thin membrane of gristle that is all that remains on the surface of my musical instincts. But, now there is hope. I am looking forward to being back downtown in the thick of it again, giving my best and not having to worry about offending someone if my collar’s not popped. Please, oh, please, pass the chitlins. by JOSEF PATCHEN
a parting shot
of awareness
38 Title
locale in a 1998 Notorious B.I.G. hit
from WAGS TO WISHES: help rescue the pups
41 The
Notorious B.I.G., e.g.
45 Tabloid
nickname
47 Ripley’s
love
48 Pound 49 Very
bad
51 Singer
___ Marie
52 Fireplace 55 Shoulder 57 Displays
disconsolation
60 Like
Beethoven’s Sixth
61 Black-throated
___
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
OCT. 19 Look for our outdoor racks or find your copy at Publix | EarthFare Kroger | Bi-Lo New Moon Cafe and more than 150 locations in the CSRA
Fall is upon us, but don’t hang up your Hawaiian shirt yet: The Pawprints Foundation is holding its third annual Wags to Wishes event at Taylor BMW in Evans.
Aside from networking and entertainment, patrons can enjoy food donated by local restaurants and bid on items in live and silent auctions.
This year’s benefit has a Surf ’s Up theme and will raise donations for no-kill shelters across the CSRA. More than just a fundraiser, event coordinator Dr. Nancy McNair says that the event provides an opportunity for animal lovers and shelters to network, “make connections … and help each other out.”
“There are animal and non-animal items,” McNair says, noting that local businesses, such as Around Town, Columbia County Magazine and Tea with a Duchess, have donated items.
The Oct. 15 fundraiser will feature live music by Leo Dean. The singer-songwriter from Brunswick, Ga., is known for his beachy “Parrothead” sound, and requested to perform again after participating in last year’s event. There will also be images of adoptable pets, along with surfing dogs, projected on one wall of the dealership.
Pawprints is a volunteer-based organization that provides support to local animal shelters. The benefit is casual and guests are encouraged to participate in the coastal theme. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 each or $30 per couple, available at Animal House, Art on Broad, Boots Bridles and Britches, Taylor BMW, Vineyard Wine Market, Wild Birds Unlimited or online at pawprintsfoundation.org.
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 45
46 October 5, 2011 | community driven news | vergelive.com
vergelive.com | community driven news | October 5, 2011 47