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Table of Contents September 28, 2017
Get the skinny on the FATS Flow Master
Insider Jenny is Wright Kris Fisher Whine Line Westobou FATS Arts in the Heart What’s Up Calendar Nightlife The Eight Sightings Austin Rhodes
4 8 9 11 12 22 24 26 27 34 36 37 39
Page 22 EDIT
CREATIVE
Amanda Main
Joshua Bailey
Joe White
amanda@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Arts Editor/Production Director
Lead Designer
Stacey Eidson
Publisher
Johnny Beckworth
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stacey@themetrospirit.com
BUSINESS
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Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson
COVER DESIGN: KRUHU
Metro Spirit is a free newspaper published weekly on Thursday, 52 weeks a year. Editorial coverage includes local issues and news, arts, entertainment, people, places and events. In our paper appear views from across the political and social spectrum. The views do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Visit us at metrospirit.com.Š 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
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where in the world is Mayor Davis? There were certain people in the Augusta community who made sure they were in attendance at this week’s meeting of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. After all, the last time the public was not present at the authority’s meeting, the majority of its members selected the abandoned former Regency Mall location on Gordon Highway as the preferred site for the new $120 million James Brown Arena. Many folks were a little nervous to see what the authority would decide if an audience didn’t show up this month. So, this week’s meeting was filled with representatives from the community including Soul Bar co-owner Coco Rubio; concert promoter Joe Stevenson of Gluestick Music; the founder of Friends With Benefits, George Claussen IV; former Augusta commissioners Jimmy Smith, Ulmer Bridges and Louis “Hap” Harris; local businessman and former coliseum authority member, J.R. Riles; and Augusta Commissioner Bill Fennoy. But you know who wasn’t there? Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, himself. The same man who was behind last month’s political coup to surprise the community with the selection of Regency Mall as the preferred site, decided to forgo this week’s coliseum authority meeting. Davis decided not to face the music alongside his good pal, authority member Darren Smith, who was the one who was shoved into the spotlight by the mayor in the first place. Smith was the one who got to announce the surprise attack on his colleagues by proposing the Regency Mall location during last month’s meeting. And what did Davis do? He laid it all in Smith’s lap. “Well, the last time I checked, coliseum authority member Darren Smith brought this to them,” Davis told the Metro Spirit last month, saying he wasn’t responsible for the deal, but fully supported it. So, if the mayor was so interested in supporting the Regency Mall location, why wasn’t he at this week’s coliseum authority meeting? Well, maybe Davis knew he wouldn’t like what the authority’s consultants, Sink Combs Dethlefs, would say about the idea of constructing a new $120 million arena out on Gordon Highway in south Augusta. According to the consultants’ findings, only 2 percent of the arenas built in the past several years have been constructed in suburban areas. An overwhelming majority of new arenas, approximately 63 percent, are constructed in downtown areas. Those are pretty good statistics that should point Augusta’s proposal for a new arena in the right direction: back downtown. But the mayor wasn’t present to hear those numbers. In fact, he was nowhere to be found during the coliseum authority meeting. The only place that the mayor was openly discussing the arena and the Regency Mall site this week was ... on 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Facebook. Yep, folks. Apparently, he took a page out of President Trump’s own playbook and turned to social media to get his message out. On the Augusta Political Watch’s Facebook page, the mayor of our fine city was actually arguing with some critics of the Regency Mall location late into the night on Monday, Sept. 25. Less than 24 hours before the coliseum authority meeting, he was duking it out on Facebook. Believe it or not. It all started when local musician Bethany Davis got onto the Facebook page to let everyone know that the coliseum authority was going to meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Little did the local singer know that she was about to be debating the mayor of Augusta on social media. During the discussion about the arena, several people pointed out that the mayor was up for re-election and that perhaps he was trying to “appease south Augusta’s voters” with the Regency Mall deal. “Pitting West Augusta against South Augusta as a tactic for re-election,” someone wrote. “Feasible, no?” Within the next few minutes, Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. (or at least his Facebook account) joined in on the conversation. “Let’s be very clear. I, nor anyone that I’m aware of has pitted West Augusta vs. South Augusta,” the mayor wrote.
Then, an individual on the Facebook page stated that she wanted the mayor to explain why he wanted to put $120 million of the “people’s money” on land in south Augusta the city didn’t own. “Hardie Davis Jr. you have some agenda and the citizens of Richmond County deserve to know,” she posted. Another person posted that someone should “Call a Grand jury ...” Apparently, the mayor didn’t appreciate those comments. He wrote back, “Ummm this is the best I can do re: your comment,” and posted a photo of actor Gary Coleman with the tagline, “What you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?” from the television show, “Different Strokes.” But critics continued to ask questions about the mayor’s relationship with the owners of Regency Mall, such as, “What do you OWE these people?” After several different lines of questioning, the mayor turned to the Bible for an answer. “Nah. Owe no man anything but to love one another.... Romans,” the mayor posted. So, now you know, Augusta. Next time you want to have a conversation with the mayor about something very serious like the $120 million new arena, go online. From Coleman to Romans on Facebook, but he can’t even show up where the real work gets done. 28SEPTEMBER2017
IMPERIAL THEATRE OCTOBER 14
WESTOBOU.ORG
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Doug Duncan vs. Pam Tucker A rumor had been circling for months in Columbia County that Commissioner Doug Duncan would be running against former EMA Director Pam Tucker for the chairman seat on the commission. Well, that rumor became reality this past week. Duncan sent out a press release last Friday announcing that he is ready to officially kick off his campaign. “I’m running for Commission Chairman to keep moving our community forward,” Duncan said in the release. “For years, I have worked to grow jobs, secure investment, and ensure economic opportunity in Columbia County. During my time on the Commission, we have implemented smart solutions to fix our transportation challenges while holding the line on taxes and government spending.” Duncan, who was elected to the county’s District 1 seat in 2015, insisted that he would fight to build an even brighter future for Columbia County. “As Chairman, I will fight to make Columbia County #1 for business, lead on infrastructure and transportation, and work to enhance our quality of life,” he stated in the press release. “With bold leadership and a clear vision for our future, we can ensure that Columbia County’s best and brightest days are always ahead.” Not only will Duncan be fighting for a better future for Columbia County, but he will also be battling Tucker in the 2018 election. While both Tucker and Duncan are well-respected individuals in this community, there will be a lot of additional controversy and extra baggage brought into this race. After all, when Tucker abruptly resigned from her longtime position as EMA director in January, she didn’t leave quietly. In her letter of resignation on Jan. 31, Tucker basically turned the county upside down. “During the last few years, I have endured a hostile work environment by the administrator, who has an on-going deliberate campaign to force me out of my job,” Tucker wrote in her resignation letter, referring to County Administrator Scott Johnson. “Time and time again, I have tried to be strong and keep focused on my job since that is my passion and has been for a large part of my life. The latest of many verbal attacks on me is more than I can suffer.” The accusations against Johnson absolutely floored citizens throughout the county. Now, it should be pointed out that an internal investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office found no evidence to support Tucker’s claim that Johnson had created a hostile work environment. But it took months before the report was released to the public, so gossip and speculation over the accusations consumed the county for the entire first part of the year. When the sheriff’s report was finally made public, the Board of Columbia County Commissioners announced that they accepted the findings of internal investigation and continued to support Johnson as administrator. During a news conference in May, Duncan told the audience that he had read and reread the sheriff’s report about the investigation about three times and felt that there was no wrongdoing on the part of either Johnson or Tucker, who was also accused of creating a hostile work environment by the former EMA deputy director, Rusty Welsh. “Pam had a few issues with employees, but you can pick those out. Scott had a few issues with employees. But there was nothing in the whole report — in any way, shape or fashion — that gave the indication of a hostile workplace environment,” 6 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Duncan said, adding that he supported Johnson in his role as county administrator. “Nobody’s perfect and everybody has areas where they can improve. Scott runs a real tight ship. He does a really good job. But, when you’re in the public eye, as he is, you just have to watch how you present yourself sometimes.” As for Tucker’s role in the county, Duncan told the media that he also supported the former EMA director and found her to be an invaluable part of the county’s government. “I begged her not to quit,” Duncan told the press. “I said, ‘Don’t. Let’s work this out. We can fix this.’ And it just wasn’t to be. It’s all just really disappointing and we are where we are, so we’re going to move forward.” Columbia County Chairman Ron Cross had much harsher words to say against Tucker, who is running to win his seat on the commission. “I didn’t realize the undertow was as strong among division directors, concerning Mrs. Tucker’s very narcissistic personality. Everything was about Pam,” Cross said during the May press conference. “I think over the years, people have gone out of their way to cater to her because of her sensitivity to constructive criticism and her ability to shut down completely if something was said she did not like.” “One comment was that she was queen of the cut and paste,” Cross added, explaining that some employees accused Tucker of taking full credit for their work. “There were other comments that they ‘had to walk on egg shells around her.’” But what truly bothered Cross was the fact that Tucker told him that “if she could get her severance, she would go quietly.” “I didn’t like the tone of that then, and I don’t like it today,” Cross said in May. Those are not comments made by someone who cares about Columbia County, he said. “It has been said that Mrs. Tucker was the face of Columbia County. She may be,” Cross said, looking around the room filled with county staff and commissioners. “But she is not the heart, the soul and backbone of Columbia County. That is right here with the people in this room.” Following the press conference, Tucker had stern words for the county commissioners. “After viewing a portion of the press conference and several updates, I could not be prouder of the decision that I’ve made to run for Commission Chair,” Tucker posted on her Facebook page. “Today’s display is a perfect example of why I decided to do what I have done. I feel like the only reason these folks made disparaging comments about me personally — as well as my work ethic, my leadership abilities, and my dedication is for one simple reason — because I have decided to run for Commission Chair. The most comforting thing about the report is that the Board of Commissioners and the Investigators acknowledge that I have done nothing wrong.” Tucker insisted she was a perfect candidate for commission chair. “I’ve been a dedicated public servant my entire adult life, and I look forward to moving on with my campaign and putting an end to this situation,” she wrote. “I truly look forward to fostering a team of adult leadership on the Board of Commissioners when you — the people of Columbia County — elect our #TeamTucker to the Commission Chair.” She ended her post, by saying, “It’s Tucker Time!” Needless to say, next year will be one hell of an election season.
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Paying for grades? Jenny is Wright I’m curIous about somethIng. Do y’all pay your kids for good grades? I wasn’t ever paid or rewarded for getting good grades. It was expected of me, and I barely got a pat on the back. I was supposed to do my homework and get As. I don’t remember getting in trouble for bad grades, but then again, I don’t remember getting bad grades. I was a true follower to the nth degree, not wanting to disappoint my parents or teachers. It didn’t even dawn on me to screw up. When our son started sixth grade, turning in homework was an issue. Unlike elementary school, no one told him to turn it in. I know. I agree with y’all. After doing the assignment, wouldn’t you want to turn it in for credit? I’m not sure if it’s a boy thing, a middle school thing, or a my-kid thing, but he eventually got a grip and turned in his assignments. Fortunately, he wasn’t failing for not handing over the worksheets, because his test grades were great. Unfortunately, that fact made motivation a challenge. The Girl is a different story. If she gets a slightly bad grade on anything, she cries. I’d say she’s like me in that regard, but I didn’t care that much. I wanted to make everyone happy, but I got over it with a little less coercing. She’s figuring it out, and at a much faster clip than her brother. I’m fundamentally anti paying for grades. As we’ve always told our kids, you have a job; it’s to go to school and get good grades. The paycheck is happy parents and teachers. If you ask The Boy, he’ll say that’s technically two jobs, but whatever. He’d also say he’s preparing for an early retirement. Finding an effective currency seems to be one of the keys to good (read: easier) parenting. Some kids respond to calm, normal conversations. Some need tangible consequences. One of our many jobs as parents is to discern the best one for our kids, right?
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Back to the issue of not turning in assignments. He’s mostly better about it, but The Boy still “forgets” to turn things in from time to time. When school started this year, I was determined to make eighth grade as stress-free as possible for him. Okay, for me. For every assignment not completed, he would pay me 5 dollars. Easy fix, or so it seemed to me. His first reaction? “Mama, I’ll go broke.” How about doing your homework, kiddo? He offered to pay me $20 one evening, because he had four assignments due the following day and didn’t feel like doing them. Nice try. Smart? Yes, but he clearly missed the point. I can’t be bought. Or can I? I’m offering to pay him, if his grades are good. I had to extend the same to her, in the spirit of being fair, but she will earn her money. Giving them a payment plan, for report cards only, is an insurance policy for Dad and Mama, and by insure, I really mean ensure. It will ensure a better report card. I hope. I’m still not entirely sure about rewarding for good grades. The jury is out. I know it won’t last forever, and we’ve told our kids as much. Having them pay me for zeroes on homework. I’m inching closer to a new pair of boots. I wouldn’t say I don’t want them to do their homework, but… JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
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radio Silence Kris Fisher Harley Drew will be stepping away from the mic this Friday for the last time. To even type it out feels weird. Harley has been a fixture on Augusta radio for 58 years. How many people can you recall staying in the same line of work for 58 years? Not many, I’m sure. In radio, it’s almost completely unheard of. Radio has got to be one of the strangest occupations when it comes to people leaving jobs. We don’t get to leave when we want. It’s almost always in a sudden, unceremonious manner. No goodbyes, no well-wishes, just “hey, we gotta let you go,” and you head straight for the door, do not pass go, do not collect $200. It’s the ugly side of the business. We all joke about it. But the sad reality is that it’s a constant black cloud over each of our heads. Maybe that’s why radio is always listed in the top 10 most stressful careers. The way it usually works is: You’ll have your morning chit-chat with a friend in the building, maybe catch up about each other’s weekend over a cup of coffee, maybe discuss an upcoming promotion, then five minutes later an email pops up saying that person no longer works with the company. Maybe it’s a budget cut, maybe it’s a business decision or maybe it’s because of bad performance. I’ll never forget laughing with Jordan Zeh over the fact that radio is probably the only occupation where you can get fired because you suck: “Hi, no one likes to hear your voice.” “What? In the building?” “No, in the city. We gotta let you go.” Some say that you’re not really a radio vet unless you’ve been fired at least three times. I’ve been fired four, yet I keep coming back. What is that saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? It really is an unstable career, but we can’t seem to stay away. A sane person would probably find something more secure and lucrative. But that proves to be more difficult than it sounds. Radio gets in your blood. The longer you stay in the game, the more you feel like you’d be lost without it. Still, there are some that manage to get away on their own terms and stay away. 95 Rock’s Matt Stone left years ago, before the station was pulled off the air. He is still at the job for which he left — recording videos about the fun things to do around Jacksonville, Fla., for the Jacksonville Times-Union. The Joe Show left HD983 last year to move closer to his girlfriend and took a social media director job in Orlando. Those are really the only two full-time radio personalities that I can think of that left by their own choice and stayed out. And, now, there’s Harley Drew. Matt and Joe weren’t in radio nearly as long as Harley Drew. Over 58 years of broadcasting, he is woven deeply into the fabric of Augusta’s radio history. Ever since I was old enough to realize what I was hearing, I’ve heard Harley Drew on the radio. Back then it was “Handsome” Harley Drew. Those were the days that I would sit and listen in amazement because the voice I was listening to was all over the entire city at the same time. Perhaps this gave me my first little taste of the radio bug. My older brother and I would sit and pretend we were talking in-between songs using cassettes and a radio. But Harley was on the air long before that. So long that he actually worked with my dad’s dad, Don “Shep” Shepherd, back when my dad was a teenager. There’s not many people that give me that kind of awestruck feeling, the same feeling as if you were to meet a big celebrity. The first time was when I got to work with Dickie Shannon when I first began my career. Also, Richard Rogers, Laurie Ott and Bob Smith when I briefly worked for WRDW/News 12. Then, of course, there was Harley Drew. Truth be told, I interviewed for a promotions job with Harley long before I made my Augusta radio debut. It was probably 2003ish. I completely blew the interview because I was so nervous. It was Harley Friggin’ Drew! I had looked up to this guy since I was a child. To say he’s respected would be an understatement. He’s got piles and piles of awards and accolades. It’s a radio career most people can only dream of. I feel lucky to have worked with him. I wish him the best in his retirement. If anyone’s earned it, he most definitely has. KRIS FISHER is the midday host and program director for HD98.3 and an Augusta radio staple. He is a husband, father of three and lover of all things adventurous, as well as activities most people would have outgrown years ago. djkfish.com.
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For all you whiners who hate Austin. Shut the hell up and get your own radio talk show and write your own columns. And for a Gods sake change your radio dial and find someone else’s talk radio show you can agree with, you know follow the groupthink crowd. Changing your radio station is not that hard. If your confused on how, please consult your cars owners manual. To the person unhappy with the variety of out of town vendors, delicious homemade foods to buy and music and other entertainment available at the Arts in the Heart festival for $7 entry: Why didn’t you go to the free Saturday Market? On a much smaller scale, they did have free entry to their vendors and some entertainment. And they run most Saturdays from spring til ... November? Enjoy. Oh, I guess you will not be interested in paying $9 to attend a group of food trucks on Sept. 30, right?
WHINELINE@THEMETROSPIRIT.COM
Have something you want to get off your chest? Send your whines to whineline@themetrospirit.com. The Metro Spirit reserves the right to edit submitted whines for content, but we will otherwise print them pretty much exactly as you type them… spelling errors and all.
Where else would you find concrete paving work done during the day but the dysfunctional city bus terminal. Most intelligent work in busy places is done at night when there is no activity! George Straight performing in Columbia County is like Ron Cross rubbing elbowes with Dolly Parton. You Think? Who gave the banks ownership of the land? It was murdered for, millions of natives have been murdered for. But God has heard the cries and curses. The Hurricanes follow the exact path of the slave ships. From West Africa, the Caribean, to the South. Eartquakes in Mexico, where most slaves were sold. What God would he be if he blessed a nation to was build by murdering women, and children. Where his people are systematically murdered, poisoned, and imprissoned by the millions. Many will be shocked to see Jesus is a black man.
Augusta’s so-called “leaders” on the Augusta Commission are so out of touch with reality that it makes no sense to live in Richmond County any longer. Why give your tax money to fools to waste on big money projects that make no sense? Columbia County is calling our names. Agree, please make Arts in the Heart free. Brenda Durant of The Augusta Arts Council estimated that over 88,000 people attended this year’s Arts in the Heart festival. By conservative estimates, if you figure half the attendees paid the $12 walk-up entry fee and the other 50% paid the $7 pre-order price that comes out to at least $836,000 from the entry fee alone, no withstanding the fees the vendors pay. Then consider the city of Augusta chips in an additional $45,000. So what excuse does the Arts council have for not paying the performers at the festival?
Shut up LeBruh James! The NBA doesn’t bring us together it separates peoples from they money. Why would anyone want to occupy a country that they are neither proud of or not willing to fight for? Yes, we have the First Amendment, which allows one to exercise their right to free speech, but when one makes a living off the people in said country, they have the right to put you in the poor house by not buying your tickets, listening to your music, reading your books, or watching your movies. You are at our mercy. Perform like you’re supposed to and keep your political preferences to yourself. Just my advice.... I’m beginning to think the only thing that will make people happy is if all white people become slaves and give up all they own even though all this happened how long ago and directly affected you how? The nazis are good people, the NFL and NBA players are suns of btchs, and people who have no interrest in visiting you, get no invitation from you. Your president belongs on stage of a comedy club. So these rich black football players are protesting equality? Man I bet other countries look at us and say that place is jacked up. Thanks Obama for helping push the racist agenda. Who is this yahoo who thinks they have some RIGHT to get their whines published? Calm down, Rage McAngerface! From the sound of your rants, you’re probably slandering people in your whines, which they can’t legally publish.
Only God can control the weather and it is clear that he is angry with vile evil dishonest people we have elected to run our country. Re: The Meriweather monument, how many carpetbaggers are going to come to this area and tell us how we should do things? Whats going on at the tax commissioners office? All the properties on the tax levy list are one year and current year due. What about all the properties that are six and seven years plus delinquent. Wake up people. Surely your computers can give you a report on how many properties are due for taxes and for how long. How about taxes that are three years and older. Put them on the levy list. Go after the people who are really in need of a wake up call. You people need to proof read your posts at least twice before clicking “send”. Please, do us a favor. Columbia County Board of Education leadership really messed up in not fully prosecuting the student who hacked the cafeteria computer. This student needs to be held 100% accountable for the criminal activity and be charged with the crime. Yes.... it was a crime. Grade: D-. 28SEPTEMBER2017
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By Stacey Eidson
When Kristi Jilson, the executive director of Westobou, came to Augusta back in 2014, she wanted to hear what people really thought about the city’s ever-evolving multi-arts festival with an unusual name. “In my first year, I just did this listening tour,” Jilson said. “I decided, ‘I can’t make any major changes. I don’t want to stir the pot or open a can of worms or do anything crazy in my first year. I just want to know what people think.’” So, she listened. Jilson heard people talk about what they loved regarding Westobou and what could be improved upon. “That first year, over and over, I heard, ‘Westobou is so cool. We love Westobou. We want Westobou year-round,’” Jilson said. “That is where the Westobou Gallery on Broad Street came from. People were saying, ‘We want Westobou to be around more often, not just a five-day festival in the fall.’ And they were so passionate about being a part of it.” Ever since Jilson became executive director about three years ago, more and more people have grown to know and love Westobou. “I heard recently that people are saying they know the Westobou logo, they know the name and they know that they see the festival every year. That has all been accomplished since the festival began 10 years ago,” Jilson said. “I hope in the next 10 years, who we are rolls off of people’s tongues more easily. And I hope the experiences that we continue to offer help to inform the community of who we are and why exist.” Over the next 10 years, Jilson wants Westobou’s mission of building a sense of community and inspiring cultural change through artistic experiences to be as familiar to citizens as the festival’s name and logo. “I think in 10 years, I want our mission to be equally recognized as the five dots,” Jilson said, adding that Westobou has come a long way. “I remember my first year at Arts in the Heart, which was 2014, I felt like one in 10 people that we talked to were like, ‘Oh yeah. I totally know what Westobou is. I can’t wait to go.’ And those other nine people were like, ‘I don’t know. Tell me more about it.’ Well, this year, it was like only one in 10 people didn’t know what Westobou was. We really felt that this year.” It is clear, Augustans have truly embraced Westobou over the past decade. “We finally have enough time under our belt for people to understand what we are doing,” she said. As a result, this year’s festival has a number of “throwback themes” celebrating Westobou’s 10th anniversary. “For example, originally the festival was two weeks long, so, just this year, to celebrate 10 years, we are expanding back to two weeks,” Jilson said, explaining that the festival runs from Oct. 3-14 this year. “Also, we are doing a little throwback by bringing back people like, my personal favorite, (singer) Allen Stone. We brought him in 2014, and he’ll be back again this year.” The 28-year-old Washington native stunned the music industry back in 2011 when his selfreleased and self-titled album climbed to the top 10 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and famous rock critic Ann Powers described Stone’s music as “meant for those of us who like our R&B slightly unkempt and exceedingly feelingful.” Now, on his third full-length album, Stone will be closing out Westobou at the Imperial Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. “Probably one of my most memorable moments of, definitely my first year at Westobou, and probably of my almost four years here, I remember it was the craziest day during the 2014 festival,” Jilson said. “We had a huge event that we had to move inside because an incredible downpour was headed our way.” People were pulling her in all directions, and Jilson remembered being extremely stressed out. “But through it all, I was most excited to see Allen Stone the whole time,” she said. “I just really couldn’t wait to see that live show.” Finally, when the chaos had died down, Jilson walked over to the James Brown Arena to see if everything was set up and ready to go. “All of the lights were on in the arena, and I’m walking over and you can’t help but see this guy with curly, blonde, long hair and glasses, and I think he was on a skateboard,” Jilson said, adding that it was Allen Stone and he was busy talking to someone. “He was just standing on this skateboard and, as I walked up, I realized he was talking to Sharon Jones.” Jones, the beloved Grammy-nominated soul and funk singer who led her longtime band the DapKings, unfortunately died last year of pancreatic cancer. But Jilson remembers that warm moment between the two artists. “I was floored,” Jilson said. “They were both just so cool. That was such a memorable moment for me. Those are the moments that make Westobou truly special.” For more information, check out westoboufestival.com.
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Kevin Hart to bring the laughs ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES that will grace Augusta during the Westobou Festival this year is comedian and actor Kevin Hart. Hart broke onto the comedy scene when he quit his job as a shoe salesman after an electrifying performance at amateur night in a Philadelphia comedy club, according to a news release. He began performing full time at venues such as The Boston Comedy Club, Caroline’s, Stand-Up NY, The Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Since then, he has sold out arenas such as Madison Square Garden. And his first appearance at the “Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival” that led Hart into taking roles in feature films, according to the news release. Just this year, Hart voiced a title character in the kids film “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” and he will close the year by appearing in the reboot of “Jumanji,” alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black. Also this year, Hart’s memoir “I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons” debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. The audio book also topped records on Audible, selling more than 100,000 copies in just the first five weeks. Kristi Jilson, executive director for Westobou, is excited to bring him on for two nights in Augusta during the festival. She said a connection at local venues helped bring the comedian on.
By Amanda Main
“Our board chair is Chris Bird, who is the general manager of the James Brown Arena and the Bell Auditorium,” Jilson said. “So he had a great opportunity come across his desk, and we’re very lucky that the stars aligned in that way, and we worked together collaboratively to have this event Augusta.” She said every year, the festival tries to bring at least one big name that is widely recognized in the community, more so than other names featured in the festival. “He has the pop culture appeal, but he also is a comedian, and we celebrate words, so as a comedian, he is a writer, a creative person, but then he’s also an actor, so it was sort of like he filled a few of our dots. Each dot in our logo represents one of the different genres that we celebrate,” Jilson said. “For us, he filled two of those dots, and we think he resonates with our community in a very strong way. … I think his topics in his comedy I think are funny and relatable, and I think that’s something that I think makes him appealing to a broad section to our community.” Kevin Hart The Bell Auditorium 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8 $45-$75 westoboufestival.com
Augusta Common to become the ultimate downtown playground FOR THREE NIGHTS during Westobou Festival, the Augusta Common will light up with all sorts of activities for the whole family. Westobou Central will take over the area at 8th and Reynolds streets at no charge for three nights, from Thursday, Oct. 5, through Saturday, Oct. 7. The skyline of downtown Augusta will change with people taking rides on the free Ferris wheel that will be set up there. On Thursday, live music will be provided by local bands Funk You, Bethany and the Southside Boys, and The Mason Jars. “We knew we wanted Funk You right off the bat, because they had performed at previous festivals, and of course they’re a local band on the rise, and the first time they performed at Westobou was when we had Janelle Monae here in 2012,” said Kristi Jilson, executive director for the nonprofit Westobou. “So we just felt like they’ve garnered some pretty great success since then, and then we just thought it would be great to highlight them again since it’s our 10-year anniversary. And then we worked with Bethany from Bethany and the Southside Boys; she’s one of many people that we touched base with about who’s doing great things in music locally, so of course we go to her because she has some great success, and she was also great friends with Sharon Jones, who was also featured at the festival in the past.”
By Amanda Main
Jilson said Westobou Central is meant to be an open-air playground for the community. “It’s family-friendly; we try and have an array of activities, everything from outdoor movies and concerts to a pop-up skate plaza that Sweet Sticks does for us,” Jilson said. “Some live art, children’s activities that are sponsored by other organizations. We try to feature sort of a hand-picked selection of things that are available in the community and diversify each day by having a new organization offer some activity. Each year, we do the skate park and invite a different artist to participate.” This would have been the third year for Westobou Central, but when festival organizers tried to implement it in 2015, heavy downpours canceled it, but that led to Springboard by Westobou to be created in May the following year. The vendors that would have been part of Westobou Central allowed the nonprofit to use them that May, and Springboard is planned to be back on the Common in the spring of 2018. Other activities at Westobou Central include live music by DJ Durrty Martinez on Friday and by DJ KUT DAILY on Saturday night; movie screenings of “Beetlejuice” and “Coraline” on Friday and Saturday; the Sweet Sticks Pop-up Skate Plaza (painted by local artist Jacob Vaz) all three nights; live art from Augusta University all three nights, as well as activities for kids. For the movie screenings on the lawn, Jilson said people are welcome to bring their own seating and snacks, and even a picnic if they want to. There also will be some food trucks at the Common. “I always encourage people to make an experience out of it, and bring a table or bring their folding, camping chairs or beach chairs. Bring popcorn, bring snacks, get stuff from the food trucks. We’ll also have popcorn and cotton candy on LED sticks that are fun — we call it “glowing cotton candy,” but some people get scared that we add a chemical to it or something. But we don’t; it’s just an LED stick,” Jilson said with a laugh. Westobou Central Augusta Common 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 - Saturday, Oct. 7 FREE westoboufestival.com
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Athens comes to Augusta
Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre will host the 30th anniversary screening of “Athens, GA: Inside/Out” with special guest Pylon Reenactment Society LOYAL FANS of the music coming out of Athens, Ga., more than three decades ago won’t soon forget when Rolling Stones declared R.E.M. as “America’s Best Band” in 1987. But drummer Bill Berry insisted another Athensbased band deserved the title: Pylon. Back then, Athens was full of new rock bands, from the B-52’s to the Method Actors, and a documentary called, “Athens, GA: Inside/Out” in 1987 tried to capture the heart of the college town’s music scene. The film, which features concert footage and interviews with several Athens bands such as Kilkenny Cats, Flat Duo Jets, Love Tractor, The B-52’s, Pylon and, of course, R.E.M., will be a part of Westobou this year. Augusta University’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre will host the 30th Anniversary screening of “Athens, GA: Inside/Out” on Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. with a special guest performance by Pylon Reenactment Society. While Pylon — a fiercely independent, post-punk band in Athens — had actually already broken up by the time the documentary was released in 1987, the group was prominently featured in the film because it was one of a handful of bands that put Athens on the map. Formed in 1978, Pylon released such unforgettable albums as Gyrate in 1980 and Chomp, in 1983, but eventually broke up in late 1983. The group played a “final show” at Athens’ Mad Hatter 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
in December of 1983 before disbanding for what would be the first of three times. “What was the genesis of all of that was when we opened for U2 (in 1983),” Pylon’s singer Vanessa Briscoe Hay recently told the New York Observer. “It was a painful experience in some ways being the opening band. They weren’t quite the monster they are now, but they were pretty big and their audience didn’t like Pylon at all.” “Most of the experience was the audience yelling ‘Get off the stage!’ and things like that,” she added. “It wasn’t a lot of fun, but (U2) asked us to open the rest of the whole tour with them and we turned them down.” The band’s agent was shocked, but the members of Pylon had made a personal decision, she said. “We were like, ‘Let’s just quit while we’re having fun,’” Hay reportedly said. “That was kind of the idea in the first place. We were just going to perform as long as it was fun. So we broke up, and it was a decision we all made together.” Uncontrollable fame and the band’s music simply just didn’t go hand in hand, explained Pylon’s bassist Michael Lachowski. “We didn’t necessarily want to do what a lot of people suggested we had to do,” Lachowski told the Observer. “Everybody had these notions of a prescribed pathway for us and we were like, ‘O.K., we’ll just show you guys that
By Stacey Eidson
we were serious about doing it on our terms.” So we quit.” The band had a brief reunion in the 1990s and then again in 2004; however, when guitarist and founder, Randy Bewley tragically died of a heart attack in 2009 at only 53, Pylon permanently disbanded. “Pylon died when Randy died,” Hay told The Observer. But, while Pylon will always be Curtis Crowe, Hay, Lachowski and Bewley, members of Athens bands Casper & the Cookies, The Glands and pianist Damon Denton joined with Hay in 2014 to form a Pylon tribute band (of sorts) called Pylon Reenactment Society. Basically, Athens’ musician Jason NeSmith was in charge of a music committee for the Art Rocks Athens, an event exploring the connection between the art and music scene in Athens between the years 1975-1985. In 2014, NeSmith approached Hay about performing a short set of Pylon songs at Art Rocks Athens and the crowd loved it. As a result, Pylon Reenactment Society was born. 30th Anniversary Screening of “Athens, GA: Inside/ Out” with Pylon Reenactment Society AU’s Maxwell Theatre 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 $15, advance; $20, day of show westoboufestival.com 28SEPTEMBER2017
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Hillary-Marie unites with Wycliffe Gordon DANCER Hillary-Marie — who specializes in one of America’s greatest art forms, tap dance — will be taking the stage for Westobou at Augusta University’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre with American jazz trombonist and legend Wycliffe Gordon. “It’s my understanding that this will be the first time tap has been featured at the festival,” said Kristi Jilson, the executive director of Westobou. “That’s exciting because, for us, the dance component has typically been contemporary dance or ballet. This is a jazz tap performance with Wycliffe Gordon. They are going to do some call and repeat things on stage, so they will be playing off of each other.” Hillary-Marie is known as one of the most accomplished tap dance artists and producers in the country. She is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed soloist and founder of the world-class Jersey Tap Fest in New Jersey. “As a young artist in training, I was determined to become a jazz dancer and a drummer. So it’s only natural that I would combine vernacular movement and rhythm to become a tap dancer,” Hillary-Marie said in a press release. “Music and dance are the universal languages of the world, and being able to participate in both simultaneously as a percussive dancer is powerful. By combining tap dance choreography and improvisation with live music collaboration, I strive to be a unique storyteller.” For that reason, Hillary-Marie is looking forward to her performance on stage with an outstanding musician such as Wycliffe Gordon, she said. “I truly feel that music and dance can connect with people in a way that our words
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By Stacey Eidson
can’t and when people see my work, I want an energy transference to occur,” she said. “I want people to lose themselves, find resolve for their current frustrations, find the drive to follow their aspirations, find the joy they’re searching for and overall just find the missing component that they’re seeking in their day to day lives.” And this is not your classic tap performance, Hillary-Marie playfully warned audiences. “My current work challenges the notion that tap dance is a dying, underground, indigestible art form,” she said. “I’ve thrown aside the top hat, tuxedo and cane of vaudeville to bring to life my definition of the modern day tap dancer because I believe that rhythm is a universal language and tribal instinct that all of us understand.” She describes it as embarking on a “musical dance odyssey.” “I choose to approach tap dance as both a musical instrument and visual performance art to culminate in the ultimate form of storytelling,” Hillary-Marie stated. “The results so far have been beautiful.” Hillary-Marie’s Sole Music Collective featuring special guest Wycliffe Gordon AU’s Maxwell Theatre 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 $25, advance; $30, day of show
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Westobou Calendar TUESDAY, OCT. 3
Westobou Festival Launch Party (invitation and RSVP required): 6-9 p.m. at Westobou Gallery — Celebrate opening of the festival and preview the visual art exhibition “Tracing Shadows” with the artist and curator present. An Evening with Chris Robinson Brotherhood: 9 p.m. at Sky City; $25
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4
“Tracing Shadows”: Artist Talk: 12:30 p.m. at Westobou Gallery; FREE Theatre AUG Performance Works: 5:30 p.m. at Westobou Gallery; FREE Late Night Series: Cory Branan: 9 p.m. at Metro Coffeehouse & Pub; FREE
THURSDAY, OCT. 5
Chamber Music Series: Balkan Quartet: 1 p.m. at Church of Good Shepherd; FREE Westobou Central: 5-10 p.m. at Augusta Common; FREE — Live music by Funk You, Bethany and the Southside Boys, and The Mason Jars; Ferris wheel; Sweet Sticks Pop-up Skate Plaza (painted by local artist Jacob Vaz); live art from Augusta University from 5-8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 6
Chamber Music Series: Student Showcase Concert: 1 p.m. at AU’s Fine Arts CenterDepartment of Music; FREE Westobou Central: 5-10 p.m. at Augusta Common; FREE — Live music by DJ Durrty Martinez; Starlight Cinema featuring “Beetlejuice”; Ferris wheel; Sweet Sticks Pop-up Skate Plaza; live art from Augusta University from 5-8 p.m.; Children’s Fun Factory
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Gallery Hop: 5-8 p.m. at various locations; FREE 30th Anniversary Screening of “Athens, Ga. - Inside/Outâ€? with a special performance by Pylon Reenactment Society: 7 p.m. at AU’s Maxwell Theatre; $15, advance; $20, day of show (discussion at 7 p.m. with members of Pylon Reenactment Society; ďŹ lm screening at 7:30 p.m.; music by Pylon Reenactment Society at 9 p.m.) Late Night Series: Fresh is the Word: 9 p.m. at Sky City; FREE
Saturday, Oct. 7
Chamber Music Series: Jazz a la francaise: Noon at Church of Good Shepherd; FREE Westobou Central: 5-10 p.m. at Augusta Common; FREE — Live music by DJ KUT DAILY; Starlight Cinema featuring “Coraline�; Ferris wheel; Sweet Sticks Pop-up Skate Plaza; live art from Augusta University from 5-8 p.m.; Children’s Fun Factory Kevin Hart: 7 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium; $45-$75 Late Night Series: El Camino Boyz: 9 p.m. at Sky City; $5
Sunday, Oct. 8
Russian String Orchestra presented by Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society: 3 p.m. at AU’s Maxwell Theatre; $40 or free with AU student ID Kevin Hart (second night): 7 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium; $45-$75 Yoga in the Gallery: 5 p.m. at Westobou Gallery; FREE
Tuesday, Oct. 10
The Cinema Series at Augusta University: “Columbus� (2017): 1 and 7 p.m. at AU’s Maxwell Theatre; FREE Late Night Series: Soul Night: 9 p.m. at the Soul Bar; FREE
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Hillary-Marie’s Sole Music Collective with special guest Wycliffe Gordon: 8 p.m. at AU’s Maxwell Theatre (doors at 7:30); $25, advance; $30, day of show
FEATURING WYCLIFFE GORDON MAXWELL THEATRE OCTOBER 11
Thursday, Oct. 12
Chamber Music Series: Three Sopranos sing vocal delights: Noon at St. John United Methodist Church; FREE
Friday, Oct. 13
Southern Soul and Song: The Becky Buller Band with Kenny and Amanda Smith: 7:30 p.m. at Imperial Theatre; $15-$40
Saturday, Oct. 14
Allen Stone 8 p.m. at Imperial Theatre (doors at 7); $20, advance; $25, day of show
VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS “Tracing Shadows�: Works by Annie Kammerer Butrus and Yuken Teruya: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at Westobou Gallery from Oct. 4 to Nov. 20 �Enigma: The Telephone Game�: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at Westobou Gallery from Oct. 4-14 �Blue Hair�: Works by Anna Patrick: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 6 at Wolf and Finch
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�Drawing and Its Peripheries: Noon-3 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20 at Ann and Ellis Johnson Gallery at JNSA Philip Morsberger: An Augusta Treasure: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays from Sept. 14 to Oct. 13 at Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art �A Sense of Place�: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays from Sept. 8 to Oct. 13 at Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art 28SEPTEMBER2017
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Get the skinny on the FATS Flow Master WHEN DREW JORDAN first had the spark of an idea for having a timed race on the clay-packed FATS (Forks Area Trail System), he wasn’t sure whether he could pull it off. The owner of Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse (and Andy Jordan’s son) had heard a lot about how difficult it would be to get a race going on the land in Sumter National Forest, because it is managed by U.S. Forest Service. But a little more than a year ago, after hearing that the local mountain biking group that maintains the trail system was looking for funds to improve it, he said, “OK, this is it, we’ve got to go for it.” “So (Paul Farrow) and I were working on it for a few months and getting involved with the ranger out there,” Jordan said, “and honestly it was a little easier to do than I was expecting, because everybody said, ‘Oh, you can’t get it approved,’ and it’ll just be so much work, but … it’s gone pretty smooth, I feel like.” The FATS Flow Master (named for how the trail is described as having good “flow,” by bikers who use it) is the first event of its kind on the FATS trail system. There is a maximum of 125 riders, and Jordan said it’s filling up, so bikers definitely should register at andyjordans.com before the Oct. 8 deadline if they want a spot in the race. Jordan already had experience with running a race series, as he and Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse have put on The Canal Crown at a mountain bike trail off of the canal for nine years now. Farrow is a member of the Board of Directors on the local chapter of Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBACSRA). The group’s prime objective, Farrow said, is to have fun riding mountain bikes, but with that comes the need for trails, and the group spends a lot of hours and needed funding to maintain the trails. So the two friends collaborated and came up with the FATS Flow Master, coming Saturday, Oct. 21. Registration is $50 and can be completed online at andyjordans. com. All of the proceeds will be used to make the trail better for all users, which Farrow said is more than just bikers. “Not only are there a lot of mountain bikers, but there’s a lot of trail runners, there’s a lot of hikers, there’s a lot of people just going out and walking in the forest,” Farrow said. “And it would be great if they would connect with SORBA and help perform some of this maintenance of the trails. A lot of people will go out and use trails (in the area), and I will see some 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
people on the trails and they’ll say, ‘Well, I’m glad the land manager did this or did that,’ but no, the land manager didn’t do that. We, SORBA, are the ones that did that. It would be nice for Joe Public to understand that while the land manager will do what they can, they’re very restricted in their resources, and they depend on volunteer organizations like SORBA to go out and perform all this trail maintenance.” The trail needs maintenance because over time, biking trails become weathered. FATS was built in 2005, and Farrow compared trail maintenance to the kind of maintenance people would routinely put into their house. “FATS was built per IMBA — that stands for International Mountain Biking Association — standards. But yet we still have from Mother Nature, from all the rain that comes down, some erosion that goes on,” Farrow said. “And so we want to raise funds to bring back in a professional trail builder to go in and repair the sections that have started eroding. I guess you can do an analogy back to your house. Your house is built very fine, but as it ages, you have to go back and repaint it and you have to do minor repairs. So we’re doing these minor repairs so that these trails will last way into the future, and future generations will be able to keep using them.” He said right now, he anticipates that the cost of updating the trail would be about $20,000. “The land manager has told us that we should go and develop a master plan for the FATS trail head, and once we develop this master plan, the Forest Service will review it, and if it gets approved, then the Forest Service will allow us to add trail amenities like a picnic shelter, a changing room, a bike-wash station,” Farrow said. “And if we’re able to get additional funding, then we will go and do these trail amenities. This will make the whole experience of using
By Amanda Main
the FATS trails a whole lot better.” FATS is considered one of the top trails of the world, Jordan said. “It was one of the first purpose-built trails — it was built specifically for mountain biking,” Jordan said. “It wasn’t a hiking trail that was turned into a mountain bike trail, or a hiking trail that could also be ridden on. They call it “flow trails”; a flow trail, as the name implies, is all about keeping the trail as flowing as well as possible so you’re constantly maintaining good speed. The turns might be slightly less, like it won’t be as tight as a radius so you can maintain more speed through it; you’re constantly going up and down the hills without any extreme changes on the trail. Some of the trails out there do feature that type of riding, but what we’ll be doing on the race course is very flowy, single track. So you can maintain a pretty high rate of speed the entire time out there, so the guys that’ll be racing and going for the win, they’re gonna be moving along quite quickly.” Jordan’s advice for anyone wanting to do the trail race is to get out there and ride it themselves first, and to also be prepared for the almost 20-mile distance. The trail race course can be viewed online at andyjordans.com. “It’s a good idea to have ridden 20 miles off-road before. Or at least close to that, because riding 20 miles off-road is a lot different from riding 20 miles on the road or on bike paths,” Jordan said. “It’s a little bit more physically demanding. It requires a little bit more upper body strength because you are having to overcome obstacles and ride over little roots and rocks and things like that, that make you engage your upper body and core a little bit more.” Although the race is meant to raise funds, Jordan and Farrow both said they really want people to just come out and have a good time. 28SEPTEMBER2017
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“We’ll have a little bit past the halfway mark an aid station with water and infinite sports drinks and then (athletic fuel) food like waffles and gels and stuff that’ll keep them going,” Jordan said. “Everything’s included in the price of entry. All the racers will get a T-shirt; the top three in each age group will get a really cool glass that’s shaped like a can. And then we’ve got some other cool prizes for the top racers. So, everybody should be pretty happy when they leave here. We’re trying to raise money for the trail, but we’re also trying to make sure everybody’s got their money’s worth, too.” Jordan said the date will be an emotional day for him, as well, as it will have been exactly two years to the day that his dad, Andy, passed away. “This’ll be a good way to tip my hat to him because he taught me a lot,” Jordan said, “and he was always very active in the bike community, and I try to do the same thing and make him proud, and I think this’ll be a perfect way to do it.”
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To get to FATS from North Augusta, head north on Martintown Road to Sportsmans Corner, and make a left on Woodlawn Road — it will be down that road on the left. From West Augusta, go north on Highway 28 and take a right on Hopewell Church Road. Sponsors for the FATS Flow Master include: Metro’s Best 2017 winner Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, the Metro Spirit, Paragon Services, Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills, Robert J. Buist D.M.D Family Dentistry, Tri Coach Georgia, Mr. Tees Screenprinting & Embroidery, Go Race Productions, USDA, U.S. Forest Service, Booz Allen Hamilton and Publix. Visit andyjordans.com for more information about the race. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help SORBA-CSRA maintain the FATS system can email Farrow at pfarrow@comcast.net.
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Arts in the Heart a brilliant ray of sunshine after Irma A few dAys before Hurricane Irma brought tropical weather to the Augusta area, Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival organizers were wary of what effects it might have on their festival, held the weekend after. The tropical storm blew through on Sept. 11, and the festival took place Sept. 15 through Sept. 17. But thankfully, the weather cleared up a few days before, and despite losing a day of work to the storm, organizers, volunteers and other festival workers came together to put on a bigger, more successful festival in its 37th year. Along with the help of many others, the Greater Augusta Arts Council organizes the festival every year. The Art Council’s Executive Director Brenda Durant and Project Manager Pax Bobrow were exceedingly pleased with how the weekend turned out. Arts Council estimates put attendance between 88,000 and 90,000 this year; last year, it was estimated that upwards of 88,000 people showed up. “I don’t know that there’s enough new adjectives for me, but I thought it was wonderful, amazingly wonderful,” said Durant, who has been a part of Arts in the Heart for more than 20 years. “I thought it had a great feel to it. I thought it was smooth — we’re learning efficiencies (as each year goes on), and that shows. The community turned out. I thought it was just amazing, great. It was a happy weekend.” Art vendors at the festival couldn’t stop praising festival organizers, and especially Bobrow, who they said did everything she could to meet their needs throughout the weekend. Artist Amy Thompson was one of those artists. She and her husband, Mark, from Englewood, Ohio, create works of art infusing wood with stained glass. The Thompsons have done other shows and festivals, but this was their first time at Arts in the Heart, and even their first time in Augusta. “The show was just well-done. Pax was hands-on; I mean, she was all over the place, very helpful. Everybody on the staff was great,” Amy Thompson said. “If you do a lot of shows as artists, there’s other promoters out there, and (the Arts in the Heart staff) put them to shame; they did a good job.” Although Thompson stayed in her booth most of the time, she was able to get out and see some of the numerous performers who were set up on the five stages throughout the festival. “I saw some of the entertainment, but we weren’t able to try any of the food,” Amy Thompson said. “But if we come back, we really want to, because it all looks amazing. I’ve never personally been to a show or festival where that type of set-up with all of the food. That was just so overwhelming to see all of that in one area, in one show. Amy and Mark Thompson’s art can be viewed online at glassandwoodworks.com Another artist who was new to being represented at the festival (but not new to the festival itself, as she lives in Aiken) was Cindy Pearce. She weaves wire around stones to create one-of-a-kind jewelry. (See her work online at underwrapsjewelry.com.) Pearce described the experience of selling at Arts in the Heart as “overwhelmingly positive.” “I have been in art shows before, but not one of this magnitude, and I think I was so surprised at how positive 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
and wonderful the people were,” Pearce said. “They were all just so complimentary, and they were warm and welcoming, and I was just overwhelmed by all the wonderful things people were saying and how they just lit up and talked to me. I had the best time — it was just a very, very positive experience all the way around.” Pearce said she thanks the Arts Council “for hosting a wonderful show, and I appreciate all their hard work. That is a really big thing to put on.” Bobrow, who along with many others worked hard to make the festival a success, said this was the best year yet. “It was really great that we got to expand the fine arts and crafts market,” Bobrow said. “We had more artists than we have ever had before; we had 153 this year (up from about 120 last year). And even though Hurricane Irma caused a few of our artists to have to cancel at the last minute, we had a bunch of people on our wait list who were just dying to get in, and they took their places. We expanded onto the sidewalk of the 800 block. … it was packed — and the artists did well. I’ve gotten feedback from about 25 artists so far, and they’ve all told me it was fantastic and one of the best festivals they do all year.”” The food booths also were a hit, as usual. As soon as the tents begin to pop up at The Global Village at Arts in the Heart, people’s stomachs begin to growl, and they can’t help but start to salivate. There is no doubt about it, one of the best parts of the festival is the food from around the world. Within a few
By Amanda Main
blocks of downtown, Augustans can sample authentic ethnic food from more than 20 countries that is all cooked by volunteers of local ethnic associations. This year, there were 24 countries represented in the Augusta Common, including three new booths for Cambodia, South Sudan and Vietnam. Looking back, looking forward The Arts Council is constantly evaluating the festival, even as it’s going on, to try to perfect it. Durant said one of the biggest successes this year was making the entrances to the festival smoother than ever. “I would say we got better at managing our gates; we really worked at that this year, we had meetings with the finance team that mans the gates, with CitySpin, who does the online sales and then over the weekend does the credit card sales and the redemption of the online tickets at the gates,” Durant said. “And then the banner and sign team, we all got together and worked on how to label the gates, how to set up the gates, we added a second gate at our busiest area, which is 10th and Broad. “So there just wasn’t a real clog at the gates,” she continued, “which made us feel like no one was coming, and we were like, “Ah! How come there’s no line?” and then we realized that we were just doing it better.” Durant said that looking forward, the Arts Council is hoping to get some more help from the community in keeping the festival clean. 28SEPTEMBER2017
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“I know that Augusta is in the process of signing up for Keep America Beautiful and one of our challenges over the weekend is picking up garbage on Broad Street. We pay three people to constantly tour in golf carts with big boxes on the back, picking up trash,” Durant said. “Our logistics team joined them starting Saturday afternoon, pulling bags and tying them in knots. But there are still — for some reason — people who like to drop their trash where they are, which is a little bit amazing to me. So what we would like to find are some teams of people to help us pick up garbage, whether it be Boy Scouts, a Keep America Beautiful team, a high school that needs community credit, things of that sort, so we need people who arrive knowing that they’re going to be given a little grabber and a garbage bag and rubber gloves, and they’re going to pick up garbage. So if anyone out there wants to do that, that’s what we’re looking for, is teams to help us with trash.” Along with the art and food, Durant was pleased with the performances this year. “I do a lot of walking; I walked over 25 miles over my time at the festival, and the jazz stage was full every time I went by. … The family area was very activated, it seemed very neat this year, very organized, and we had the artists on the south side of the 700 block. So not only did they have the stage in the well-loved parking decks, but there was lots of activation on the street. McDonald’s was there, hands-on arts and crafts, the henna booth,
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tie-dye booth, but then street performers, which makes it very fun. Some of that street performance kind of drifted onto 8th and 9th as well, which it’s super fun to look over and see a 9-year-old playing the accordion and you’re like ‘Wow, where am I? This is cool.’ “And the global stage was great, lots of international entertainment during the day and then bands at night. We did a new thing this year with opening where we brought in a Latin DJ, DJ Andrew Serrano, who does this Latin music at Oliviana on Friday nights. He came on and DJ’d for half an hour before opening ceremonies on Friday, and then during opening ceremonies, he was there on stage kind of filling in any blanks, so that was cool. And the Troubador Stage, which is the indoor stage, it looked like on Sunday, during Mahogany Lounge, they had a full house. “And Author’s Alley, which was the first time we did that, that was next to the Book Tavern inside the JB White’s Building. The authors were very happy; I met them early in the weekend, maybe Friday when they were just getting started, and then by Sunday, I understand they’d sold their books and had good crowds. So people really seemed to wander through all aspects of the festival. And the community stage — that’s managed by Spencer Shadden — that’s a lot of local bands, and that always has a good crowd and good vibe. And then we brought in this touring singer-songwriter series on Sunday to close it down. And that had a really nice crowd. Lots of pictures of Otis Redding III and Keith Jenkins, so that was kind of cool.” Bobrow was thankful for all the hard work over the weekend. “I was really impressed by how our logistics and electrical folks managed to get it set up, even though we were unable to get started on it when we normally would in setting up the actual site of the festival, because of Hurricane Irma,” Bobrow said. “So there were things that had to be crunched, with a lot of people up until 4 a.m., but people do it. They make it happen, and I find that really inspiring. So, shout-out to our logistics team and Tracer Audio.” Durant said she thanks the community for coming out. “It’s the one weekend where it’s an event that really reflects Augusta and the whole river area, and then it takes so many volunteers,” she said. “There’s about a thousand people who sign up to take a shift, in addition to the people who voluntarily are cooking in the Global Village, the steering community, their friends who come out and help them during the weekend, so it’s quite an undertaking and a lot people have their hands in it, and of course the city of Augusta who supports us all the way. So it’s wonderful. And the sponsors; it was fun to have Lidl on site, and it just opened on Thursday and there they were at Arts in the Heart on Friday, so it was kind of fun. We had a great time.” The community is looking forward to a great 38th year of the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival next year, a festival our readers chose for Metro’s Best Annual Festival for 2017!
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 25
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What’S up
Calendar: 27 | Music Listings: 34 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amanda Main at amanda@themetrospirit.com.
puMpKInS Get pInK’d Out If yOu’re in the mood for fall festivities and also want to take part in helping fight cancer, Augusta University’s Pink Pumpkin Party is where you want to be Saturday, Sept. 30. The third annual event is for families and the community, and it calls attention to breast cancer, raises funds for free mammograms for women in need, and honors breast cancer survivors. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the Augusta University Health Sciences Campus at the J. Harold Harrison, M.D., Education Commons building. Adults and children are invited to decorate pumpkins, wear their favorite pink outfits and participate in the pumpkin-decorating and best-dressed contests. There also will be music, dancing, children’s activities and more. Pre-registration is over, but you’re still welcome to attend, as additional pink pumpkins will be available for on-site registration. $10 includes a pumpkin and all decorations, and mini pumpkins are available for a donation. Cancer patients and survivors can participate for free. pInK puMpKIn party AU Health Sciences Campus, 1301 R.A. Dent Blvd. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 706-721-8353 giving.augusta.edu/pinkpumpkin
thurSday, Sept. 28
Saturday, Sept. 30
Sunday, Oct. 1
thurSday, Oct. 5
The Burger Battle is back, and this year, there are six competitors. The fundraiser benefits the Boys & Girls Club of the CSRA. Area restaurants will prepare and serve their burgers, and Augusta band Funk You will provide live music for the night. It’s from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at E.W. Hagler Boys & Girls Club. Tickets are $50 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger. Visit bgccsra.org/ burger-battle.html.
Attention, flea market lovers! The Fort Gordon flea market is here, as part of the multi-day Fort Gordon Fall Festival. Dozens of vendors will be there, with all kinds of products. The flea market will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Fort Gordon’s Barton Field. The Fall Festival runs from Sept. 28-Oct. 1, with attractions such as a carnival every day and more. Check out the full schedule at fortgordon.com, or call 706791-8878.
The tough women of Soul City Sirens — an Augusta roller derby team — will be duking it out against the Athens and Chattanooga women this Sunday in Augusta! First whistle is at 11 a.m., and spectators are invited to bring a camping chair. The battle takes place at Red Wing Rollerway. Admission is $10 and $3 for kids ages 6-12. Visit brownpapertickets.com/ event/3079134 or email info@soulcitysirens. com.
For those who weren’t old enough to have seen Elvis perform (or would like to see “him” again), you won’t want to miss “A Tribute to the King,” with Travis LeDoyt on stage as Elvis. LeDoyt has an extensive musical background, and he’s considered one of America’s most convincing Elvis tribute acts. He’ll be at Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; tickets are $36. Visit AugustaAmusements.com or call 706726-0366.
For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 27.
Kids Fishing Rodeo Mistletoe State Park 9am - noon Sat Sep 30 For those ages 15 and under; includes raffle prizes and lunch afterward. No fishing license required. $5. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
ARTS Sat Sep 30
10am - noon Learn to Draw and Sketch Harlem Arts Council Art class with Angelika Bondar. Ages 13 and up. $35; materials provided. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-394-4682.
Tue Oct 3
2pm - 5pm Acrylic Painting for Beginners
Hispanoamericana. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366758 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Oct 4
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Group Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Thu Oct 5
Aiken Public Library A class that meets Tuesdays through November 28. Preregistration required. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
11:30am - 1:30pm Open Job Lab
Thu Oct 5
EXHIBITIONS
10:30am - 12:30pm Pottery Class Harlem Arts Council Pottery with Angelika Bondar. Continues Thursdays through Oct. 26. $80 for all four classes. Includes material fee. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-3944682.
EDUCATION
Diamond Lakes Branch Library Participants can complete job applications, resumes or conduct job searches with staff available for one-on-one help if needed. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Sep 28
8am - 3pm Children are the Future Jaguar Student Activities Center Breezeway Exhibit illustrates the rights of children around the world. Continues 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Visit calendar. augusta.edu or call 706-737-1499.
Thu Sep 28
Thu Oct 5
Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl. org.
Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta Exhibit of art by Robert Amato and Tire City Potters in Main Gallery; art by Shirley Olson in Balcony Gallery. The reception is free and open to the public. Exhibitions will be on display Oct. 5-Nov. 3.
10:30am Estate Planning and Elder Care
Mon Oct 2
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Class Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural
5pm - 7pm Exhibitions Reception
Ongoing
Augusta Museum of History
Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Drawing and Its Peripheries Jessye Norman School of the Arts Drawing and Its Peripheries is a traveling exhibit of contemporary drawings selected from student artwork from the School of Visual Art at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., and the Department of Art & Design at Augusta University. The show will be on display from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20 before it goes to Virginia Tech in November. Reception with artists to take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
FLIX Fri Sep 29
2pm Movie Time for Adults Maxwell Branch Library Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
6:30pm Family Movie Night Kroc Center A free movie showing that begins at 6:45 p.m.. Concessions will be available for purchase. Call 706-364-5762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroc-center/.
Sat Sep 30
11am Movie Time for Kids Maxwell Branch Library
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A rated G or PG kid-friendly movie will show. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
3pm “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”
playing, put on by the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Call 706-951-2437 or visit bordervalekeep. atlantia.sca.org.
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Mon Oct 2
Tue Oct 3
Columbia County Library Coloring for grown ups. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
5:30pm - 8pm Tuesday Night Movie Series Headquarters Branch Library Eclectic variety of films. Visit arcpls.org or call 706-821-2600.
Wed Oct 4
6:30pm Doodle Hour
Wed Oct 4
Noon Doodle Hour Columbia County Library Coloring for grown ups. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
4:30pm Fright Night @ Your Library Diamond Lakes Branch Library Horror movie suitable for teens and adults. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
HEALTH
Thu Oct 5
1pm - 3pm Coloring for Grownups Aiken Public Library Pre-registration required. Call 803-6422020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
Mon Oct 2
5:30pm Fiber Arts Craft and Chat
University Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute A class that offers information, diagnostic exams, lab work, a personal plan and more. Class also held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-5548 or visit universityhealth.org.
Ongoing
6pm Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Class
Tue Oct 3
4:30pm - 6pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
6pm Beat the Pack: Smoking Cessation Class University Hospital A free class that meets Tuesdays through Oct. 24. Pre-registration required. Call 706774-8094 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm - 9:30pm Weekday Childbirth Education Class
Columbia County Library Open to those of all abilities who crochet, knit, loom and cross stitch. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org.
Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
KIDS-TEENS Fri Sep 29
10am - 12:30pm Story Time Fridays Aiken Public Library Stories, songs and interactive activities. Story time for babies (0-23 months) begins at 10:15 a.m., toddlers (2-3 years) at 11 a.m. and preschoolers (4-5 years) at 11:45 a.m. Participants and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib. org.
10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story
4:30pm - 6pm Lego Club North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Open to kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe- lib. org.
Sat Sep 30
9am - noon Kids Fishing Rodeo Mistletoe State Park For those ages 15 and under, this event will also include raffle prizes and lunch afterward. No fishing license required. $5. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/ mistletoe.
11am ‘Runny Babbit Returns’ Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
11am Raptors, Incredible Birds of Prey Reed Creek Park Kids ages 5 and up will be introduced to birds of prey. $5 per person for members, children and adults. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email reedcreekpark@columbiacountyga.gov.
Sun Oct 1
2pm Symphony Petting Zoo Morris Museum of Art Part of the Artrageous! Family Sunday series, participants will learn about, touch and play instruments with musicians from Symphony Orchestra Augusta, create musically inspired crafts and more. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Mon Oct 2
4pm Bugs, Bugs, Bugs! Aiken Public Library Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade get to meet crawly critters. Pre-registration required. Email jennifera@abbe-lib.org or call 803-642-2020, ext. 1141.
Tue Oct 3
4pm Storytime in the Gardens
Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
Hopelands Gardens For families with children ages 8 and younger. Blankets, chairs, drinks and snacks are welcome. Call 803-642-7631 or visit cityofaikensc.gov..
Thu Oct 5
12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play
Wed Oct 4
Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Jessye Norman School of the Arts Participants will read, sing, play musical instruments and explore movement designed to help them develop both literary and cognitive skills. Parents or caregivers participate in the class through age 3. Preschool & Kindergarten children may attend with, or without, a parent or caregiver. $10; pre-registration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool. org.
University Hospital Four-week class meets 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
7pm Center for Women Tour
HOBBIES Sun Oct 1
7pm Shire of Border Vale meeting Augusta Richmond County Fire Station, 2627 Parkway Drive Monthly class introduces attendees to Middle Ages role 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com. 10:30am Preschool Story Time Appleby Branch Library Songs, finger plays and stories for those ages 18 months to 3 years. Pre-registration required for groups of six or more. Call 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Oct 5
10:30am Create with Me: Off to the Races! Morris Museum of Art Participants will view the exhibition “Candidates for the Horse Show” and construct a horse puppet. Free, members and parents; $4 per participant, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-828-3867 or visit themorris.org.
1pm - 3pm Homeschool Adventure: What Animals and Plants Need to Survive Mistletoe State Park For homeschool students ages 5 and up. $5 per child, plus $5 parking. Pre- registration required. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Ongoing
Fabulous Friday Homeschool Jessye Norman School of the Arts Two eight-week sessions are available for homeschool children ages 6 through teens. Each Friday begins with fitness at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and then art classes from noon-2 p.m. Participants are organized into two groups according to age. The first session is Aug. 18-Oct. 6; the second is October 13-December 8. $100, each session; pre-registration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
The Shepard Project Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer A teen hangout and safe space for LGBTQ+ teens, ages 14-17, and allies that meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. The group is also looking for chaperones ages 25 and older and youth mentors 18-24 years old, who must pass a background check. Call 803-617-8352 or email shepardprojectaugusta@gmail.com.
After-School Program Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, Aiken A program for those ages 5-13 that includes homework help, games, snacks and more. It meets Monday-Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. and follows the Aiken County Public School calendar. $20 first child, then a $5 sibling discount. Call 803-642-7634.
LITERARY Thu Sep 28
10am - noon Morning Book Club Maxwell Branch Library “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman will be discussed. Call 706-793-2020 or visit maxwellbookclub.wordpress.com.
7pm - 9pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern A group open to older teens and up. Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com. 28SEPTEMBER2017
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20 1 Best Hospital Best Prompt Care Parental support classes at University Hospital
Thu Sep 28
7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Fri Sep 29
6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Class continues Saturday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Fort Gordon Barton Field
Mon Oct 2
7pm - 9:30pm Weekday Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Four-week class meets 7 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays on Oct. 2, 16, 23 and 30. Preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Oct 3
7pm - 9:30pm Weekday Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Four-week class meets 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Preregistration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Wed Oct 4
5pm Breastfeeding Class University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
See more University Hospital classes in the calendar. 28SEPTEMBER2017
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Peace in the Park Brookfield Park 11am - 6pm Sat Sep 30 A meditation and mindfulness fair featuring feature meditation seminars, live meditation experiences, mind games, mind spa, face painting, henna, live music, dancing and more. Free. Visit peaceintheparkcsra.org.
Sat Sep 30
9am - 1pm Book Sale Diamond Lakes Branch Library Fiction, nonfiction and children’s books for sale at Friends of the Augusta Library event. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
Noon - 2pm Book Signing Aiken Public Library Featuring local romance novel author Trish Collins. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib. org.
1pm - 3pm Meet the Author The Book Tavern Featuring Benjamin E. Lacy, author of “Shattered Diary.” Call 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
Wed Oct 4
6pm Page Turners Book Club Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Thu Oct 5
5pm - 8pm Book Signing
Jim Minick signs “Fire is Your Water.” Call 706-733-1788 or visit facebook.com/ midtownmarketaugusta/.
MUSIC Thu Sep 28
7:30pm The Artist at 50 AU’s Maxwell Theatre Assistant Professor of Voice Melissa Givens presents a debut faculty recital of songs written in the composers’ 50th year in collaboration with Dr. Rosalyn Floyd on piano. $5, general public; free for students, faculty and staff. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta. edu/maxwelltheatre.
Fri Sep 29
6:30pm - 8pm Music Cruise Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Featuring Roger Enevoldson with ‘50s and ‘60s music on acoustic guitar and harmonica. Participants are invited to bring snacks and beverages. $25; $23, seniors, military and students. Pre-registration required. Call 706-823-0440, ext. 4, or visit augustacanal.com.
Sat Sep 30
Sun Oct 1
Eighth Street Plaza Live music from local jazz artists and performing arts groups during the Augusta Market. Call 706-627-0128 or visit theaugustamarket.com.
Augusta Common Featuring live R&B, jazz, old school and reggae music. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets. $8. Vendors available. Call 706-821-1754 or visit augustaga.gov.
3pm - 5pm Garden City Chorus Show
Thu Oct 5
8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing
Grace UMC Wesley Center, North Augusta “You Gotta Have Heart” show features renowned quartet Forefront, as well as Garden City Chorus, the Harmony River Chorus and several local quartets. $20, advance; $25 day of show. Proceeds support the Garden City Chorus Music Scholarships for local high school seniors. Visit gardencitychorus.org or call 803-599-4228.
7:30pm Chanticleer AU’s Maxwell Theatre Grammy-winning male chorus Chanticleer performs. $18, general public; discounted tickets available for military and children. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta. edu/ maxwelltheatre.
6pm - 8pm Fall Concert Series
7:30pm ‘A Tribute to the King’ Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Featuring Travis LeDoyt as Elvis. $36. Visit AugustaAmusements.com or call 706-7260366.
7:30pm Augusta University Gala Concert AU’s Maxwell Theatre Fundraiser for scholarships features students in the Augusta University Orchestra, Choral Ensembles, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Opera Ensemble. $15, public, faculty and staff; $5, children and students; free, AU and EGSC students. Visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre or call 706-667-4100.
Midtown Market 30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Ongoing
Kicks 99 Guitar Pull James Brown Arena 19th annual Kicks 99 Guitar Pull is coming Nov. 14, featuring Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brett Young, and Big & Rich. Tickets on sale at SRP Box Office at James Brown Arena (no online ticket sales). $35; four-ticket purchase limit. Call 706-722-3521, 706-396-7000 or visit kicks99.com.
SENIORS Thu Sep 28
11am Classic Movie for Seniors Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Sep 28
Fort Gordon Fall Festival Fort Gordon’s Barton Field Food, drinks, activities, carnival, flea market and more. Continues through Sunday, Oct. 1. Call 706-791-8878 or visit fortgordon.com.
6pm - 8pm Burger Battle E.W. Hagler Boys & Girls Club A fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA in which seven area restaurants will prepare and server burgers. Competitors include Fat Man’s Mill Cafe, Finch & Fifth, Cucina 503, Village Deli, Tastefully Yours, Southbound Smokehouse and the Bee’s Knees. The event will also include live music by Funk You. Tickets include food, beverages and entertainment. $50, adults; free, kids 12 and under. Visit bgccsra.org/burger-battle.html.
Fri Sep 29
7pm - 9pm Miss Augusta University Pageant AU’s Maxwell Theatre The next Miss Augusta University is crowned. $5; free for students, faculty and staff. Visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre or call 706-667-4100.
Sat Sep 30
A family and community event designed to call attention to breast cancer, raise funds for free mammograms for women in need, and to honor breast cancer survivors and including pumpkin decorating and best dressed in pink contests, music, dancing, children’s activities and more. Visit giving. augusta.edu/pinkpumpkin.
11am - 6pm Peace in the Park Brookfield Park A meditation and mindfulness fair featuring feature meditation seminars, live meditation experiences, mind games, mind spa, face painting, henna, live music, dancing and more. Visit peaceintheparkcsra.org.
Noon - 6pm CSRA Food Truck Festival Augusta Common Proceeds of this event will be donated to the Golden Harvest Food Bank. $9 with $1.49 online fee. Buy tickets at eventbrite. com or email info@csrafoodtruckfest.com.
are accepted year-round, and free pick-up is available. The auction will be held Oct. 7, with auto preview days to be held Oct. 4-6. Visit SalvationArmyCars.com or call 706434-3178.
Marvin Corner Pumpkin Patch Marvin United Methodist Church Pumpkins, gourds, mums and bales of straw for sale to support missions and community outreach. Runs Oct. 7-Oct. 31. Visit marvinchurch.com or call 605-863-0510.
Casino Night 118 York St., Aiken Proceeds from 7 p.m. Oct. 13 event benefit the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons. $50 ticket includes $10,000 play money, one drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Aiken Board of Realtors Office, or call 803648-1891.
Aiken Newcomers’ Club Luncheon 5pm - 10pm KISS Family Reunion Evans Towne Center Park Featuring Zapp, Tucka, 69 Boyz and many others. $30, advance; $40, day of show. Visit freshtix.com or 963kissfm.iheart.com/ calendar.
Sun Oct 1
Noon - 9pm One Day Oktoberfest Villa Europa Special Oktoberfest menu. Entertainment by the Alpine Duo, Jaegerettes, Villa Villains, boots of beer, shots of Schnapps, yodeling contests, chicken dancing. Reservations accepted. Small $1-$5 fest fee may be applied. Visit villaeuropa.com or call 706798-6211.
Tue Oct 3
4:30pm - 7pm Veggie Park Farmers Market Mill Village Trailhead, 109 Eve Street This weekly event in the park behind the Kroc Center features all local farmers and doubles EBT/SNAP benefits. Visit http:// augustalocallygrown.org/veggie-parkfarmers- market/.
Newberry Hall, Aiken Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 10, with a business meeting at 10:15 a.m. and then lunch at 11:30 a.m. $15; pre-registration required by Oct. 5. Call 803-226-9320 or 803-644-4147, email newcomers29803@ gmail.com or visit aikennewcomers.com.
POP (People of Parkinson’s) Walk First Baptist Church of Augusta Fundraiser for the CSRA Parkinson Support Group on Oct. 7 will begin with registration at 9 a.m., and the walk at 10 a.m. Free, but donations accepted. Proceeds will fund new and ongoing research grants and more. Visit POPWalk.org, email info@parkinsoncsra.org, or call 706-364-1662.
SPIRITUAL Sun Oct 1
4:30pm The Swanee Quintet 78th Anniversary Show Bell Auditorium Gospel comedy show featuring Rickey Smiley. $35, advance; $45, day of show. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS
8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River
Thu Oct 5
Fri Sep 29
8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.
Advent Lutheran Church Proceeds benefit When Help Can’t Wait’s mission to help needy seniors in area nursing homes. Catered dinner and entertainment. $15 per person or $25 per couple. Pre- registration required. Call 706-650-9467 or email whenhelpcantwait@ comcast.net.
Stableview Farms, Aiken Spectators welcome. Continues through Monday, Oct. 2. Call 803-648-1222 or visit stableviewfarm.com.
10am - 7pm Pagan Pride Day New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam A family-friendly event with activities, food and entertainment. Free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Visit facebook.com/augustapaganpride.
10am - 2pm Pink Pumpkin Party AU Health Sciences Campus, 1301 R.A. Dent Blvd. 28SEPTEMBER2017
6pm - 8pm Silent Auction & Dinner
Ongoing
Salvation Army Auto Auction The Salvation Army is seeking donations of cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles and RVs for the Oct. 7 auto auction. Auto donations
Oktoberfest Advanced Horse Trials
Sat Sep 30
National Public Lands Day J. Strom Thurmond Lake Visitors Center A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers event in which the public is invited to volunteer to work on projects to enhance public lands and parks at Thurmond Lake, then attend an appreciation picnic. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt (while supplies last) and
a one-day pass for free admission to any federal park. Continues Sunday, Oct. 1. To register, call 800-533-3478.
8am - noon National Public Lands Day Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Volunteers needed to help clear invasive plant species within the park. Open to individuals as well groups and organizations, and snacks and drinks will be provided. Call 706-396-1426, email info@phinizycenter. org or fill out the registration form at phinizycenter.org.
8am Stomp Out Sickle Cell 5K Run/ Walk Children’s Hospital of Georgia The 5K takes place at 9 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m. Entry fees start at $30 individual, or $25 each person in a team. The 5K benefits sickle cell disease education and research. Visit https://giving. augusta.edu/sicklecell5K to register or call 706-721-1079.
8:30am ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/ Walk North Augusta Greeneway Park 5K run/walk and Kids’ Superhero Dash for Dad. Funds raised go to research and treatment. $30, 5K (all ages); $15, Superhero Dash (ages 0-9); $20, 5K for ZERO’s Heroes patient/survivor. Prices go up $5 when online registration closes the week of the race. Visit zeroprostatecancerrun.org/ augusta or call 202-303-3110.
9am - noon Garden and Trail Cleanup Mistletoe State Park Volunteers will choose whether they want to pick up litter on the Rock Dam or pull weeds in the garden behind the office. Call 706541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
Sun Oct 1
11am Roller Derby Red Wing Rollerway Teams from Augusta, Athens and Chattanooga battle it out. $10, general; $3, kids 6-12. Visit brownpapertickets.com/ event/3079134 or email info@soulcitysirens. com.
Ongoing
Golf FORE a Smile Gordon Lakes Golf Club Charity tournament at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 benefits Alliance for Smiles. $100 per golfer or $325 per team of four. Lunch provided; low country boil dinner. Call Phil Powell at 706-394-6332 to register.
Augusta Sports Leagues This organization offers adult sports leagues and social events, including kickball, soccer, flag football, softball, basketball, indoor and sand volleyball, cornhole, dodgeball and more for coed and men’s leagues. For more information, visit AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989 METROSPIRIT 31
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augustasportsleagues.com or call 706-3090280.
SUPPORT Mon Oct 2
6pm Stroke of Hope Doctor Hospital A support group for stroke patients, families and caregivers, held on the first Tuesday of each month. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
6:30pm Cancer Share University Hospital For those with any type of cancer. Call 706774-5946 or visit universityhealth.org.
6:30pm Lung Cancer Support Group University Hospital Call 706-744-5946 or visit universityhealth. org.
6:30pm Pink Pistols Meeting A group for women in their 20s and 30s dealing with breast cancer. Call for location. Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth. org.
7pm Parents Healing Together University Hospital A support group for parents, families and friends who have lost infants through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. Call 706-774-5811 or visit universityhealth. org.
Tue Oct 3
10am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second floor
32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
beginning at 10:20 a.m. All new moms and their babies are welcome and an international board certified lactation consultant/educator/perinatal nurse will answer questions and offer resources. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augustahealth.org.
Wed Oct 4
1pm The Lactation Club University Hospital A breastfeeding support group for mothers of NICU babies. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth. org.
5:30pm Girl Talk Support Group Doctors Hospital A support group for those who have pelvic health issues. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-4343 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Thu Oct 5
10am - 11:30am Alzheimer’s Association Support Group
symptoms. Email marykahb@yahoo.com.
Georgia Carolina Toastmasters Group empowers people to become more effective communicators and leaders. Meets weekly from noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays at Fat Man’s Cafe. Email jmcneill22@att.net.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weighin beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weigh-in beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-481-0529 or visit tops.org.
La Leche League
Kroc Center For those dealing with Alzheimer’s and/or caregivers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-860-5233.
A breastfeeding support group. For more information on meeting dates, times and locations, visit them on Facebook under La Leche League of Augusta or at lllaugusta. wordpress.com.
Ongoing
Celebrate Recovery
Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta A weekly group that meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. Based on the work of Abraham Low, MD, RI offers its members a low cost method to regain and maintain their mental health by using mental health through will training. People who stick with the RI Method are able to live healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other
Diabetes Youth Support Group
Recovery International Mental Health Support Group
Journey Community Church This Christ-centered recovery program meets every Monday night at 7 p.m. The meetings last two hours and childcare is provided. Pre-registration suggested. Visit cr@journeycommunity.net.
Meets at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, and at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 706-863-9534 or email oa.augusta.recovery@gmail.com.
Adult Sexual Assault and Rape Support Group Provides group counseling at University Hospital for those who have experienced sexual assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/meetings.pdf.
Narcotics Anonymous Trinity Hospital of Augusta Meets Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Visit na.org.
Beyond the Bars A support group for those with incarcerated loved ones. Call 706-855-8636.
THEATER Ongoing
“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Showing Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. $53, civilians; discounts for seniors, military retirees and others. No kids 12 and under. Call 706-793-8552 or visit fortgordon.com.
Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Overeaters Anonymous
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Stillwater Taproom - Mike Wheeler Wild Wing - Emory Lane The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Soul Bar - Disco Hell Sally’s - Sally’s Studio 54 Disco drag show w/ Claire Storm, Stephanee Paulina and more
Saturday, September 30 Live Music
8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Jerry Petrin Country Club - Jaime Davis Coyotes - Georgia Red Clay Evans Towne Center Park - Kiss FM Family Reunion Shannon’s - Unmentionables Southbound Smokehouse - Bethany & the Southside Boys Stillwater Taproom - Caleb Takarska Wild Wing - Just Sweet Karma Duo The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Sally’s - Spikey Van Dykey and Miss Petite Coquette
Gimme Hendrix Southbound Smokehouse 9:30 p.m. Fri Sep 29; free 706-733-5464 or southboundsmokehouse.com
Sunday, October 1 Live Music
Augusta Common - Candlelight Jazz Bell Auditorium - Swanee Quintet w/ Rickey Smiley Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Southbound Smokehouse - Phillip Lee Stillwater Taproom - Billy S Wild Wing - D.B. Bryant acoustic The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Chevy’s - Gary Conrad the Master Hypnotist Pizza Joint (Evans) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Polo Tavern (Aiken) - Karaoke w/ Tom Mitchell Sky City - Hip-Hop Night Southbound Smokehouse - Trivia Stillwater Taproom - Pub Quiz World of Beer - Trivia
Upcoming Old Dominion
- Bell Auditorium October 5 Kevin Hart
- Bell Auditorium October 7-8 Chris Janson
- Bell Auditorium October 21 Kansas
- Bell Auditorium October 25 Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Sky City October 28 Funk You
- Sky City October 31 Chicago
- Bell Auditorium November 1 Kenny George Band
- Stillwater Taproom November 3 Symphony Orchestra Augusta
- Bell Auditorium November 9 Chris Tomlin
- James Brown Arena November 10 Rick Springfield, Richard Marx
- Bell Auditorium December 6 An Evening with Molly Ringwald
- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center January 13
Elsewhere Pinback, The Messthetics
- Hell at the Masquerade, Atlanta September 28
Monday, October 2 Live Music
The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
Ani DiFranco
- Center Stage Theater, Atlanta September 29 Drive-By Truckers, Strand of Oaks
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta September 29 and 30 Kesha
Stink Bamboo (pictured), Vox n Bass Sky City 10 p.m. Sat Sep 30; $5 skycityaugusta.com Thursday, September 28 Live Music
AECOM Theater - The British Invasion Years Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Sky City - BullMoose, Gloom Cocoon, Hound of Goshen Soul Bar - Highbeams Wild Wing - Bethany & Friends The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane
34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses
Friday, September 29 Live Music
AECOM Theater - The British Invasion Years Coyote’s - Sherry Iles, Atomic Road The Highlander - Trust in Traitors (TiTs), Passage The Iron Heights - The Plot In You, As Animals Eat My Insides Joe’s Underground - Peace of Mind The Loft - NoNeed Shannon’s - Weston and Preston Sky City - Michelle Malone & Drag the River, Silvertown Southbound Smokehouse - Gimme Hendrix The Stables Restaurant - The Upshot
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night
Tuesday, October 3 Live Music
Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic Sky City - An Evening with Chris Robinson Brotherhood The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
What’s Tonight?
The Highlander - Game Night World of Beer - Karaoke
Wednesday, October 4 Live Music
Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Cory Branan Wild Wing - Sabo & Dave
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta September 29 Jack Johnson, Bahamas
- Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta September 30 Foster the People, Cherry Glazerr
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta September 30 Lil Wayne
- Colonial Life Arena, Columbia September 30 Rufus Wainwright
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta September 30 Paramore, Best Coast
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta October 2 MuteMath, Colony House, Romes
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta October 2 2 Chainz, Young Dolph
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta October 3 Kevin Smith
- Center Stage Theater, Atlanta October 6 Manchester Orchestra, All Get Out, Tigers Jaw, Foxing
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta October 7 A3C Independent Hip-Hop Fest w/ Saba, Nas, 28SEPTEMBER2017
V28|NO39 Ghostface Killah, Just Blaze, Joyner Lucas, Kirk Knight, Jay Idk
- Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, Atlanta October 8 Wilco, Margaret Glaspy
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta October 8 Gorillaz
- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta October 11 Kid Cudi
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 12 Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta October 12 Chris Isaak
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta October 13 Azealia Banks
- Heaven at The Masquerade, Atlanta October 14 Willie Nelson
- Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta October 14
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
Trevor Noah
- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta October 14 Conor Oberst, The Felice Brothers
- 40 Watt Club, Athens October 14 10,000 Maniacs
Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000 Ahora espaĂąol Livelinks.com 18+
- City Winery Atlanta, Atlanta October 15 Pete Yorn
- Vinyl, Atlanta October 15 Foo Fighters, The Struts
- Colonial Life Arena, Columbia October 17 Nick Offerman
- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta October 19
Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
V28|NO39
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE $39,023,010
$39,023,010
1
-
2
IT
$29,757,494
$266,096,375
3
1
3
THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE
$20,433,071
$20,433,071
1
-
4
AMERICAN ASSASSIN
$6,255,617
$26,185,076
2
2
5
MOTHER!
$3,290,780
$13,459,798
2
3
In Theaters September 29
ACTION HORROR “American Made,” rated R, starring Tom Cruise, “Flatliners,” rated PG-13, starring Ellen Page,
THRILLER “Til Death Do Us Part,” rated PG-13 starring Taye
Domhnall Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Jesse Plemons and Sarah Wright. Based on actual events, Cruise plays Barry Seal, a former commercial airline pilot turned drug smuggler. After his arrest, Seal serves as a DEA informant to avoid prison. Cruise is most likely desperate to shake off the dust of this summer’s failed reboot of “The Mummy.” So if you’re tired of waiting for the long-rumored “Top Gun” sequel, perhaps this flick will satisfy your need for speed.
Diggs, Annie Illonzeh, Stephen Bishop, Malik Yoba and Robinne Lee. Madison Roland escapes an abusive marriage and starts a new life. After finding love with a new man, her ex-husband soon manages to track her down and returns to his abusive ways. If you’re a fan of movies like “The Perfect Guy,” “When the Bough Breaks” and “No Good Deed,” this movie appears to follow a similar formula.
36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, James Norton, Kiersey Clemons and Kiefer Sutherland. What lies beyond death? A group of medical students conducts a series of dangerous, near-death experiments to find the answer. Naturally, things get out of hand. Despite having the exact same title, this is apparently a sequel to the 1990 Joel Schumacher hit. In fact, original cast member Kiefer Sutherland reprises his character for this installment.
28SEPTEMBER2017
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Sunny Bohannon, Chris Wills and Shawn Busby at the Fox’s Lair
Singer/songwriters: Phillip Lee Jr., Nathan Evans Fox, Lindsay Foote and Noah Harrington at the Fox’s Lair
Brandy Douglas, Travis Evans and Candace Foster at the Fox’s Lair
Rusty Chalker, Jessica Gearhart and Dean Whaley at the Hideout
Lynn Hill, Catherine Barreras and Debra Hickman at Shannon’s
Jonathan Gettel, Cayce Lockett and Tom Spicher at Craft & Vine
Hannah Hill, Katja King and Jennifer Anderson at Craft & Vine
Kaylee Gough, Sierra Hendrix and Ashley Ellefson at Craft & Vine
Allie Smith, Angelite Lonergan and Gabby Peters at Mellow Mushroom
28SEPTEMBER2017
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METROSPIRIT 37
Anthem Protests Become the New ‘Third Rail’ in Politics Austin Rhodes AS A CONSERVATIVE CAUCASIAN, you know, one of “us guys” who benefit from that ever-present “white male privilege,” I have often wondered if there was any phrase, or any issue, that would become our version of “the N-word.” Was there any word or gesture that was so verboten, so “off the table,” that no use of it, or mention of it, would ever be accepted as tolerable or even considered as “fair game” in political discussion or debate? I think we now have the answer, and it is YES: “There can be no attack, or disrespect, real or imagined, against the American flag, and the symbols connected to it. That would include the National Anthem, and other iconic trademarks of American patriotism. There is to be no discussion, no debate, no equivocation. It doesn’t matter if you are protesting cancer, communism or child molestation, you are to do it in a way that does not involve disrespect, destruction or ridicule for the symbols of America.” This topic is so hot right now, ordinarily sensible and rational people are willing to believe just about anything it takes to back up their fervor and attack those who disagree. Sound like a recurring theme lately? There is no doubt President Donald Trump inspired a firestorm when he called out professional athletes who dare to disrespect the flag and the National Anthem by conducting “protests” at the specific time their respect and solemn attention is in order. Those folks didn’t like being called out by the controversial President, and many of them let their defiance show. What we saw this past weekend in NFL cities all over America, and yes, even before an NFL game played in London, was a bunch of angry young men taking a huge cleaver to the neck of the goose that lays their golden eggs. While they may have the excuse of youth and immaturity to explain their total lack of common sense in choosing the worst possible forum to voice their concerns, the incredibly well-educated and aged executives that run the National Football League damn well should have known better. Truth of the matter is that they did. I have no idea when it was written, but one of their own rules, specifically Rule 5, Article 8, bans all “personal messages,” conveyed in any way, while players are performing team duties, unless specifically cleared by the league. The reason is pretty clear: No one needs, or wants to see, 1,600+ professional athletes spewing individual personal, religious or political views while they are supposed to be doing their jobs. Failure to enforce that rule when San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick made it clear that he was taking a knee in uniform, during the National Anthem, to make a political statement, is what brought us to where we are now. This is NOT a First Amendment issue; this is a workplace issue. An NFL player has no more “right” to express a controversial political or religious opinion, in 28SEPTEMBER2017
This is NOT a “cut and paste” summation, or a quote from social media. This is a screenshot from the league’s own website, NFL.com. This is the rule that Kaepernick, and now many more players, have been violating since the “take a knee” protest began.
uniform, than a mailman, a police officer, or any member of the United States military. The same goes for school teachers (who get in trouble every day all over the country for doing so), McDonald’s cashiers, or Avon ladies. No company, or professional entity of any description, wants their “on-duty” employees sharing opinions that do not reflect the values of the organization. Since it is impossible to know what the employer’s beliefs would be in all such situations, the rule is pretty simple for most, when it comes to expressing controversial opinions. It is certainly the rule of the NFL, DON’T DO IT! The League needs to embrace Rule 5, Section 8, and broadcast its newly mandated enforcement as loudly and clearly as they possibly can. If they do not, there is no doubt we will see the NFL’s value and place in American culture diminished to an incredible degree. On a personal note, as many of you know, I was at the game in Chicago on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers inadvertently became the face of the weekend protest. I will say this as plainly as I possibly can, what the team attempted to do and say, by staying off the field as a unit during the playing of the anthem has been turned about as upside down, and inside out, as any news story I have ever seen disseminated to an international audience. While I believe that making such a bold move without a concise explanation in place beforehand is folly, I completely agree with the sentiment they were attempting to convey. The myriad “fake news” stories that inaccurately depicted their words and intentions were appalling, and as a media veteran I am ashamed to say I share the same profession as those responsible for the lies. This is not hearsay, this is not an opinion, this was what I heard with my own ears in the Steelers locker room after the game, from a collection of players: They do not want to be used as political pawns in other people’s arguments. They resented being put on the spot by the entire series of events, and this was their
way of saying “we refuse to participate.” They did not boycott the anthem, they boycotted the argument, in the only way they knew how. Coach Mike Tomlin used a much more coarse but completely appropriate assessment when he said this: “We’ve got a group of men in there that come from different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, creed, ethnicities and religions, and so forth. That’s football. That’s a lot of team sports. But because of our position, we get drug into bullshit, to be quite honest with you. And so, some have opinions, some don’t. We wanted to protect those that don’t; we wanted to protect those that do. We came here to play a football game today, and that was our intention. Thank you.” And finally this, from Steelers president Art Rooney ll: “The intentions of Steelers players were to stay out of the business of making political statements by not taking the field. Unfortunately, that was interpreted as a boycott of the anthem – which was never our players’ intention.” AMEN.
AUSTIN RHODES A long-time radio talk show host who can be heard weekdays on WGAC from 3-6 p.m. The views expressed are the opinions of Austin Rhodes and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.
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