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Table of Contents October 19, 2017
Insider Jenny is Wright Kris Fisher Whine Line Feature N.A. Gone Country Westobou What’s Up Calendar Nightlife The Eight Sightings Austin Rhodes
4 7 9 10 14 20 22 25 26 34 36 37 39
North Augusta gone country Page 20
FROM THE EDITOR
AS WE COVER North Augusta more and more, you’ll notice less and less of an “us vs. them” attitude in our pages. In a more regional view of the area, the new GreenJackets ballpark is certainly going to be a boon to both cities straddling the Savannah River, and we are excited to see all the additional growth and opportunity this burgeoning project affords. It’s true that the Metro Spirit is an Augusta newspaper, which reached out into Columbia County years ago when the growth hit. The same is now true for North Augusta. With growth comes interest and interesting news stories. We sometimes fall into the trap of “us vs. them” in our coverage of Columbia County vs. Richmond County. We
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 stacey@themetrospirit.com
BUSINESS Publisher
Johnny Beckworth
Staff Writer
SALES
circulation manager
jdbeckworth@gmail.com
Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson
may even find the same to be true with North AugustaAiken County vs. Richmond County and Columbia County. But what we feel is far more important is the rising water raising boats we are all in. The Savannah River is not a divider. It’s an asset to the entire region. We hope you enjoy the article on Project Jackson as well as the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee. Hopefully, you can find time to shoot across the river for the 33rd annual holiday get-together and get a taste of what we can expect in the coming years. As each municipality picks up steam and contributes their own flavors to the quality of life in the CSRA, we’re able to access many more options. It’s always good to have options.
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.© 15 House, LLC. Owner/Publisher: Joe White. Legal: Phillip Scott Hibbard. Reproduction or use without permission is prohibited. One copy per person, please.
Want to advertise in the Metro Spirit? Call or email Joe at 706.373.3636 joe@themetrospirit.com
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hey… Rank this! Despite the faCt that local residents have enjoyed several straight weeks of wonderful family fun and entertainment including Arts in the Heart of Augusta and the Westobou Festival, the Garden City can’t seem to catch a break. Just last month, Augusta was ranked as one of the worst places to raise a family, according to WalletHub, the personal finance website. “Planning to settle down with a spouse and some kids?” a recent article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked. “One study suggests you should think twice before considering Augusta.” In the ranking of the “2017 Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family,” Augusta ranked No. 143 of the 150 most populated cities in country. WalletHub stated that Augusta scored low in the fields of family fun, health and safety, education and child care, and affordability and socioeconomics. Augusta ranked only No. 136 in family fun; No. 132 in health and safety; No. 124 in education and child care; No. 116 in affordability (what?!?) and No. 126 in socioeconomics, according to WalletHub. If nothing else, most people would have thought that Augusta would have ranked a lot higher on the list in terms of affordability. And what about family fun? With all of the festivals lately, Augusta is full of fun. But according to WalletHub, the ranking is based on the number of playgrounds, median family salary, percentage of families living below poverty level and violent crime rates in each city. Well, don’t feel too bad, Augusta. The Garden City wasn’t the only city in the Peach State to score poorly on the list. In fact, Atlanta and Columbus also didn’t have the best of scores. Atlanta ranked No. 124, while Columbus was No. 125. It should be known that WalletHub is a 5-yearold, web-based financial services start-up based in Washington, D.C. To generate web traffic and name recognition, they have decided to rank things. Many things. Don’t worry. If you receive a frownie face, they’ll have another ranking tomorrow that may turn that frown upside down. Our point is, most of these rankings are marketing gimmicks. Let’s not get crazy here. So, what are the best cities to raise a family, according to WalletHub? No. 1 was Overland Park, Kansas (the site of the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi), No. 2 was Madison, Wisconsin (which happens to be a huge college party town), and No. 3 was Plano, Texas (which is located near Southfork Ranch, a site made famous as the setting for the TV series, “Dallas.” You know. Who shot J.R.?) So maybe Augustans shouldn’t feel so bad. After all, WalletHub seems to have a beef with the Garden City. Earlier this year, WalletHub ranked Augusta as one of the worst cities in the country to start a career. 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Not only did WalletHub give Augusta such poor marks, but the fact that several national media outlets picked up the story and ran with it didn’t really help this city’s image. “Of the 150 most populated cities in America, one Georgia city ranked among the worst places in the nation to start a career,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote in May after WalletHub released its list. “In fact, Augusta came in third to last.” Of course, the AJC was quick to point out that Atlanta was ranked very well on the list by WalletHub. “With a total score of 68.72, Salt Lake City, Utah, was named the best city to start a career in 2017,” the AJC wrote. “Atlanta, which ranked sixth on the list, ranked in the top 10 for both professional opportunities and quality of life. But Georgia cities Columbus (No. 133) and Augusta (No. 148) were recognized as some of the country’s worst cities to start a career. Augusta received a total score of 36.03 and ranked 144th for professional opportunities and 143rd for quality of life. The only cities on the list with scores worse than Augusta were Newark, New Jersey, and Cleveland, Ohio.” But the criticism didn’t stop there. “Both Augusta and Columbus were also recognized as one of the 10 unhappiest cities in the country in WalletHub’s ‘Happiest Places to Live’ ranking for factors such as income/employment, emotional/physical wellbeing and community/environment,” the AJC wrote. Using data from organizations such as the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census
Bureau, WalletHub evaluated each city in areas such as depression, poverty rates, weather and employment opportunities. Augusta was ranked No. 148 out of the 150 most populated cities in country as being the least-happiest places to live. Poor Augusta. Our city was followed only by Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit at the very bottom of the list. Our friends over in Columbus came in at No. 145. Unfortunately for them, this wasn’t the first time Columbus made such a list. In 2014, Columbus was also named the seventh most miserable community in the county in a Gallup wellbeing poll, according to the AJC. So where are the happiest cities in the country? Well, pack your bags, because eight of the top 10 happiest cities in America are all the way across the country in California such as San Jose, Irvine and San Francisco. But earning the top spot as the “happiest city in America” was Fremont, Calif., the home of singer MC Hammer, former All-Star baseball player Shawon Dunston, actress Meagan Tandy and Olympic gold medalist and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Not bad. Not bad at all. But Augusta still claims James Brown. So, stealing a phrase from our ol’ pal, MC Hammer, “Yeah, that’s how we’re livin’ and you know, you can’t touch this.” 19OCTOBER2017
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at sea Jenny is Wright It’s been a year since Mom died. In so many ways, it’s been a fast year. My brothers and I have laughed at and cried over the memories. We’ve navigated her estate and started to clean out her house. We divvied up the valuables. There’s one thing we hadn’t done. Mom was not a flashy person. I should rephrase that. She loved glitter, and her favorite color was pink. Bright pink. She sparkled like no other. She wore Christmas sweaters with sequins and had a statue of a butler, tray outstretched, in her house. If you knew her well, you know all of that. If you knew her well, you also know she didn’t want people making a fuss over her. When she was sick, she kept the details private, only telling a few of us the truth. Even then, we had to piece things together and make a plan. She didn’t want us taking time out of our lives to take care of her. We did anyway, but she fought it often. Once, after coming home late on a Saturday, I showed back up early Sunday morning, because Mom needed help. You should’ve seen how mad she was, when she realized I left my family to be with her. She got over it, but it took a minute. When she died, we knew we wouldn’t do things like everyone else. There wouldn’t be a fancy visitation, with lines of people in suits, passing tissues around and exchanging awkward condolences. She would’ve hated that. We couldn’t ever think of the appropriate place to have a funeral. She didn’t have a home church, or any church that mattered much to her at all. We thought about having a gathering at the local pizza place, complete with pitchers of beer, but it never felt like the right time. We weren’t delaying the inevitable. I’m sure she has friends who wondered if we were doing right by her, putting this off until the right time. We didn’t care. My brothers and I knew it’d be right when it was right. Mom loved the beach. Before she died, she asked if we’d all go to the beach with her for a week during the upcoming summer. Unfortunately, we ran out of time.
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I told you we’d know when it was right. We planned one last beach trip with Mom, scheduled around October 10, exactly one year after she left us. We booked a week at a beach front cottage and hired a boat captain for a sunset cruise. Nothing in our family ever runs very smoothly, and there’s always inappropriate humor. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Feel free to reference “The Big Lebowski” if you’re so inclined. We met the boat captain around 5 that day, paid the deposit, and lugged a cooler aboard. It was a beautiful day, and we set sail through the marshes of the Carolina low country. Our captain told us all about the wildlife we saw, from birds to oysters, and pointed out the various grasses and tidal curiosities. He’d mentioned taking the scenic route, but, well, we weren’t just there for the scenery. I called my brother over and asked, “Do you think this guy knows why we’re out here?” Everyone else got a little antsy, and we awkwardly whispered to each other, wondering who would remind him of our purpose. My other brother finally went up to the guy, saying, “Where exactly are we going?” When the captain told us he was taking us to the lighthouse, I piped up with, “Did your boss tell you we are here to scatter our mother’s ashes?” Silence. And then he laughed. He was pretty sure they told him, but he was pretty sure he forgot. Whoops. Believe it or not, we laughed, too. The sun was setting, and there was a gentle breeze. We were the only boat on the water. We let Mom go, into the salty water she loved, surrounded by the people she loved. It was perfect. One year later, it was just right. 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.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Hey, Mr. DJ kris Fisher Most people know by now that my main side-hustle is DJing weddings, parties and events. I was DJing a 15-year-old’s birthday party last weekend and encountered a young man that we DJs talk about from time to time. It’s the over-requester. There are many forms of over-requesters. This kid was an over-requester on several fronts. It’s not his fault. Most people don’t know party etiquette at 15. Some people don’t even know at later ages. So, I figure I’d lift the veil a bit and let you know a few unspoken DJ rules that might help you at the next party, club night or wedding you attend. 1. Most DJs don’t take requests. I do. Maybe it’s the radio DJ in me but, if the song is important enough to you to come up and request it, I’ll do my best to play it. That leads us to No. 2 2. I take requests; it doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll play it. Like I said, I’ll do my best. A DJs job at a party or event is not to keep you happy (unless you’re the one who hired me, of course) — it’s to keep the crowd happy. You may LOVE Slipknot, and I’m a fan of some heavy rock here and there, too. But there’s a time and place for it. Unfortunately, this ain’t the time, and this ain’t the place. You may look cool to the couple of friends you’re hanging out with if you get me to play “Duality,” but it’s most likely going to clear the dance floor. For a DJ, this is like running out of tortillas at Taco Bell. It’s bad. DJs all have a general sense of what is going to keep the dance floor happy, so let us operate. I don’t come to your job and tell you to use a jack-hammer to change oil or to answer all your emails in Arabic. So don’t expect me to play a song that doesn’t belong at the event. 3. The reason we don’t take requests is because we’re pretty in tune to what works for the type of event for which we were hired. More times than not, your request — unless it’s something really obscure — will get played at some point before the night is over without you even asking for it. Just be patient. 4. If we’ve already played your request, we’re not going to play it again. So, don’t ask. We don’t care that you just got there and missed it. You’re going to have a good time with or without hearing that song. Just let it go. 5. We also don’t care that you and your friends are about to leave. So don’t say “Hey, hurry and play my song, ’cause we’re about to leave.” That just means I can cross your song off the request list without playing it. That’s what you get for leaving. 6. If you do happen to get us to play a request, don’t come back to ask for more. Unless you’re the one that hired us, you have a one request limit. 7. Be patient. If you request a song, it’s not going to get played next (if it’s played at all). We’ll have to work it in. Don’t come up after the next song and go “What happened to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’?!” 8. If you do keep coming up asking what happened to your song or re-requesting it like I don’t know that you’ve asked for it four times already, your song gets moved to the bottom of the list each time you come up, if there even is a list. Remember, I’m one of the very few who take requests. 9. If I have to download your song, the likelihood that I’ll play it diminishes greatly. It better be really friggin’ good. If the song you want is only available on Soundcloud or YouTube, save yourself the trip to the DJ booth. 10. And don’t say “this song will set this party off!” Every single time someone has said that to me, they ended up being the only person in the joint who knew the song. 11. No, I will not plug in your phone to play music from it. I get it. I was always the guy requesting stuff from the DJ. I requested really obscure stuff because I thought it impressed the DJ. In fact, it’s my love for music that made me want to be a DJ in the first place (both radio and otherwise). Unfortunately, I can’t play most of the things I want to hear, either. But that’s what the ride home is for. These rules are tongue-incheek anyway. DJs know that people are going to do all the things mentioned above. It’s just a minor work aggravation, like the people who drink the last cup of coffee and don’t refill the pot. We’ll make sure you have a good time. So, just relax and enjoy the night… and don’t bump the table. 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. 19OCTOBER2017
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To he person who keeps whining about the crossword puzzle....buy a crossword puzzle book at the Dollar Store. Please, Thank you and good bye! Columbia County used pressure on a land owner to remove a campaign sign of Pam Tucker. What kind of Nazi behavior do we have in Columbia County? Let’s just let the voters decide who will be the next chairman Either I get the same health care that all members of Congress and their families get-or they get the same health care my family and I get. Anything less is elitism.
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.
The Trump-Pence-Bannon axis proceeds to impose the radical, right-wing, reactionary Republican agenda of Christian Sharia Law upon this nation. Time for hot air and dumber than a rock Scott Johnson to return to the beat cop position that he is barely qualified to do.
There are Harvey Weinstein types in every U.S. city I saw an actual police car parked near the entrance to being protected by likeminded scoundrels. They just the Riverwalk. As it was getting dark, I almost stopped, need to be exposed by someone with courage and but then realized he had a radio to call for a tow. a conscience. I wonder how many pimento cheese sandwiches has Pizza-Gate Harvey eaten at Augusta I’ve lived in Augusta too long. Today I drove by a work National? gang cleaning up beside the highway. My first thought was, “Is the Masters here already?” Please stop with the Charcoal CARBON EMISSIONS! ITS BAD ENOUGH ALREADY IN CALI. After Las Vegas, the mass murder that stands out to and all you eco’s ought to be ashamed of yourselves me is 918 people, US Citizens, died by murder — suicide for allowing this! Drinking cyanide and drug laced Kool Aid, in 1978 at the hands/direction of religious leader Jim Jones. Why is religion still legal? Why is Kool Aid still legal?
I don’t blame WGAC for cancelling Deke’s radio show. It was dreadfully dull. However they could have had more class in the way they ended it. At the very least they should have allowed Deke the opportunity to make an announcement on air that it would be the last week of the show and the guests who had already been booked should not have been given the shaft either. It was pretty cold the way WGAC treated the ex mayor, his on air guests, and loyal audience, as small as it was. Could the Metro Spirit do an update story on the Augusta Innovation Zone? You know the project that was supposed to be a “game-changer” for downtown. The one that all the local media and even Forbes magazine was talking about just 7 months ago. Did that Columbia County politician Mike Sleeper, ever come clean about his military record? “Trying” is a noisy way of doing nothing. Stop trying Congress & start “Doing”. Columbia County Commissioners need to pass a resolution prohibiting Ron Cross from writing his political commentary in a tax-payer document (water bill insert). His last set of editorial garbage shows the exact reason ‘why’ we need new leadership. Austin’s column in your issue “Race for the Chair” was the best one he has ever written.
David Vantrease might have been a liberal, but when he owned the Metro Spirit it was a truly independent news source. He would never have toted Morris’s financial water for him like today’s Spirit does. Witness the joined-at-the-hip positions of the Chronicle and the Spirit on the new Civic Center. “There It Is” with Deke Copenhaver amounted to nothing more than a 3 hour daily infomercial where members of his privileged social clique could promote themselves and their businesses on air for free. It was always the same people over and over. If you were not part of the “in” crowd then you had to buy an ad on WGAC. No wonder paying advertisers got tired of that. The Ron Cross propaganda in the water bill needs obliteration. What an embarassment for our county! The Puerto Ricans (Americans) have no electricity, no water, and no money to rebuild and get it going. donnie boy trump says let ‘em stew in their own juice. What a magnificent leader for all Americans! Don’t he be make you feel so proud? The makers of Ambien must be happy to hear that the Deke Copenhaver show has been canceled 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Bases are loaded in north Augusta the $200-million-plus public-private partnership of the SRP Park and Riverside Village in north Augusta is opening people’s eyes to the economic possibilities across the river
When the AUGUStA GReenJACKetS held their final game at Lake Olmstead Stadium during Labor Day weekend this past September, it marked nearly three decades of baseball being played at the lake. For some diehard GreenJackets fans, saying goodbye to the much beloved Lake Olmstead Stadium was bittersweet. But starting this spring, the GreenJackets are opening an exciting new chapter as they move into their new home at SRP Park in North Augusta along the Savannah River for the 2018 season. And while some longtime local baseball fans may have mixed feelings about the move into South Carolina, GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman insists this new home will ensure that the team will thrive in the Augusta area for many decades to come. “We are proud of being in South Carolina, but we are not abandoning Georgia,” Eiseman recently told the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta. “The key for us and for this project and for the city of Augusta is figuring out, how do we meld 14 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
the opportunity to transport people back to Broad Street to support the local restaurants and bars and everything else that is down there?” There is an opportunity to have an influx of about 1,000 extra people eating, drinking and shopping in downtown Augusta before or after each game held at SRP Park in North Augusta. “This could be a benefit to the downtown businesses that doesn’t exist right now,” Eiseman said of Augusta. “For us, we get to move closer to the heart of the CSRA into Aiken County and be a part of that community. And we will be active in that community.” But in order for SRP Park and the Riverside Village development to be successful, Eiseman said it clearly needs the support of residents on both sides of the Savannah River. “I’m always instilling the fact that North Augusta created the funding. They created the opportunity for it to happen,” Eiseman said, explaining that North Augusta stepped up to the plate and was willing to enter into a public-private partnership to build the ballpark. “But we know our village itself
By Stacey Eidson
doesn’t sustain itself by itself. We know we have to have Georgia license plates coming across that river, and we need to encourage South Carolinians from Aiken County and everywhere else to come down and support the project.” Therefore, Eiseman isn’t playing any political games with municipalities on either side of the Savannah River. “We are a regional baseball team. We are not changing the team’s name,” Eiseman proudly said of the Augusta GreenJackets. “We get some flack from it here and there, but politically we are not bending on that. We never have. People can fight with us all they want. It’s 30 years that the ball club has been the Augusta GreenJackets, and it’s a regional brand.” Ever since Project Jackson was first announced to be built in North Augusta along the riverfront back in 2012, there has been a great deal of interest in the future of the multi-use development next to the Hammond’s Ferry neighborhood. In fact, Project Jackson has always been highly promoted as much more than just the future home of the GreenJackets, Eiseman said. 19OCTOBER2017
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“North Augusta didn’t take the GreenJackets from Augusta. North Augusta did something that is going to have an economic impact on the entire region, and we support what they are doing over there.” — Augusta Commissioner Bill Fennoy
“People can fight with us all they want. It’s 30 years that the ball club has been the Augusta GreenJackets, and it’s a regional brand.” — GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman The estimated $200-million-plus project now known as Riverside Village is expected to include not only a state-of-the-art baseball park, but also a 180-room Crowne Plaza hotel and 6,000-squarefoot conference center; about 90,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants; approximately 280 apartment units along with additional outfield apartments and a fitness area for home and away teams; 36 residential flats; 14 single-family homes along the Greeneway in North Augusta; 125 units of senior living; and about 200,000 square feet of office space with parking decks to meet all of the development’s needs. Just this week, a locally owned restaurant in Augusta plans to announce that it will open its 19OCTOBER2017
second location across the river in North Augusta as part of the new development. But the Augusta restaurant owners didn’t want to comment on the new location and spoil the surprise announcement scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 20. There is no doubt about it, the excitement over the SRP Park and Riverside Village development is contagious, Eiseman said. “This project has been 10 years in the making,” Eiseman said, reminding people that the ballpark was originally proposed to be constructed at the former Augusta Golf and Gardens property on Reynolds Street. Back in 2010, then-Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver was hoping that the Reynolds Street property could be redeveloped as a baseball stadium with the help of then co-owner and baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. However, by 2011, Copenhaver simply couldn’t get the political support he needed to build the ballpark in Augusta. “The property is just in limbo,” Copenhaver said in 2011. That’s when North Augusta decided to look into becoming the new home of the Augusta GreenJackets. “When I was first approached by Jeff Eiseman and someone asked, ‘Would North Augusta be willing to consider this?’ The team was still talking about the stadium being built at the former location of the Augusta Golf and Gardens,” former Mayor Lark Jones told the Metro Spirit. “And I told Jeff, ‘I am not going to talk with you or negotiate with you until Deke Copenhaver lets me know things have
changed for the city or you’ve let Augusta know that you have changed your mind.’” The two cities are good neighbors, and Jones said he never wanted to hurt that relationship. “I’m not going to go behind Augusta’s back and stab them in the back. That is not the kind of neighbor North Augusta wants to be,” Jones said. “We want downtown Augusta, which is several hundred yards away from North Augusta, to be very successful. And people from North Augusta frequent downtown Augusta quite regularly. We want both cities to succeed. So I wouldn’t talk about the ballpark in North Augusta until I knew the negotiations had ended in Augusta.” When the ballpark deal fell through in Augusta, its neighbors across the river in South Carolina immediately got the ball rolling. Today, the dream of a new stadium and multi-use project in North Augusta has become a reality, Eiseman said. “It is happening,” he enthusiastically said. “We are very excited about it, and I think a lot of people don’t always realize that where this is moving to is actually closer to downtown Augusta than where Lake Olmstead is.” The SRP Park and Riverside Village development is a win-win for residents in both South Carolina and Georgia. “What seems to get lost sometimes in all of this is, ‘Oooh, they crossed state lines. They are going over the river. They are traitors.’ Or whatever anybody might feel,” Eiseman said. “But I think we have an opportunity to provide more impact to downtown (Augusta) than we’ve ever had in our past.” The truth of the matter is, Augusta politics kept the ballpark from being built in Richmond County. “We’ve seen the wheels of government on this AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“This isn’t a stadium in the middle of a cornfield someplace that’s like, ‘OK, we need $30 million and the state is going to put in this, and the city is going to put in this and the team is going to put in this, and let’s go build it.’ This was much bigger.” — GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman side of the river,” Eiseman said, referring to Augusta. “However, your downtown is rocking and rolling right now, and that’s good for everybody. And as we’ve always said, a healthy downtown Augusta is great for the entire region. We are Augusta-centric. We are remaining the Augusta GreenJackets. It’s important.” However, the baseball team also recognizes the enormous potential North Augusta has to offer the entire region, Eiseman said. “There is something very special happening over in North Augusta,” he said. “Not only with this project, but elsewhere and throughout North Augusta as well as Aiken County. But we are seeing it throughout the entire region and our job as a baseball team is not here to be partial and say, ‘It’s North Augusta.’
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It’s to bring the community together and bring both sides of the river together and make this one region. What is good for Augusta and what is good for North Augusta is good for everybody.” Augusta Commissioner Bill Fennoy, who represents Augusta’s downtown district, said he couldn’t agree more. He believes when the SRP Park opens next spring, members of all of the local governments including North Augusta, Aiken, Augusta, Aiken County and Columbia County should be invited to the press conference. “North Augusta didn’t take the GreenJackets from Augusta,” Fennoy said. “North Augusta did something that is going to have an economic impact on the entire region, and we support what they are doing over there.” The grand opening of the stadium will happen before you know it, Eiseman said. “We are on pace. We expect we will have a certificate of occupancy here sometime around the end of March,” he said. “This facility is going to be amazing.” The first baseball game that will be held at SRP Park won’t actually be a GreenJackets game. Two major college programs, Clemson and Georgia, will be the first teams to take the field at the new ballpark on April 10. The GreenJackets are scheduled to play their first home opener in the stadium two days later, on April 12. Season tickets and seats for the inaugural season in the new North Augusta stadium are going fast, Eiseman said. He believes local fans understand that this move to North Augusta is a celebration.
“But we know our village itself doesn’t sustain itself by itself.” — GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman “So, for all of you who have spent time at Lake Olmstead and are wondering like, ‘It’s a baseball stadium. How great could this really be?’” Eiseman said, laughing. “No. No. No. This is way more than a baseball stadium. This will be nothing like Lake Olmstead, which is what we were trying to tell the community for 10 years.” The SRP Park will offer fans and visitors a complete experience, not just a ball game, he said. “Lake Olmstead was built in a different time and a different place, not just for the baseball industry, but for sports and entertainment in general,” Eiseman said. “It was put in the wrong location, with poor ingress and egress, with a tight footprint and it didn’t allow any opportunities to really expand and enhance that ballpark.” “But a lot of people are like, ‘Well, but you couldn’t even fill up Lake Olmstead, so what makes you think you are going to be more successful here?’ It’s not a chicken or the egg,” he added. “Lake Olmstead was keeping us from being able to fulfill what we wanted to do, not that the community wasn’t supporting us.” Riverside Village with the SRP Park will be like nothing the Augusta area has ever seen or experienced before, Eiseman said. “This is over a $200 million public-private partnership. It is almost $200 million in private sector alone for this development over here,” he said. “There is a perception out there like, ‘Oh, the taxpayers are paying for bonds for a baseball stadium. This is insane!’” That’s simply not true, he said. “It wasn’t dissimilar to what we were trying to propose here (in Augusta),” Eiseman explained. In the case of the North Augusta development, the city had to get Aiken County and the school board to agree to the Tax Increment Financing for the project. Basically, that the city voted to amend the TIF district, which was created back in 1996, to repay the bonds it issued for Project Jackson. “Yes, we used a TIF district, but the way that generally works is, we are providing the infrastructure — whether it is the hotel, the shops, the retail 19OCTOBER2017
— that mix creates taxes and those taxes are going against the debt service on the bonds,” Eiseman explained. “So it doesn’t become a tax burden on the community.” In addition, the GreenJackets have signed a 20-year lease at the ballpark and expects to pay approximately $500,000 a year in rent, he said. “So this was never meant to be a burden, but this is a big, big, mixed-use project and that’s partially what has taken so long to get it done because it’s complicated,” Eiseman said. “This isn’t a stadium in the middle of a cornfield someplace that’s like, ‘OK, we need $30 million and the state is going to put in this, and the city is going to put in this and the team is going to put in this, and let’s go build it.’ This was much bigger.” There were a lot of moving parts that needed to come together to make the project happen, he said. “You have a hotel that won’t commit until they know the project is going forward,” he said. “You have retail that’s saying, ‘Are you going to build this? Because we are going to open up a location here, here and here, but if this isn’t going forward, we are not going to sign on this.’ And so the challenge is when we try to pull all of this together, making sure that you have the commitments that satisfy the city to keep moving forward to release the bonds.” Fortunately, it finally all fell into place, and the reality is an incredible new development coming to North Augusta’s riverfront that will benefit the entire region. “We anticipate full completion, total buildout by April of 2019,” Eiseman said. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“Lake Olmstead was built in a different time and a different place, not just for the baseball industry, but for sports and entertainment in general. It was put in the wrong location, with poor ingress and egress, with a tight footprint and it didn’t allow any opportunities to really expand and enhance that ballpark.” — GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman “So not everything will be online and operational when we open (the ballpark) in March or April of this coming year. The hotel will be under construction and there will be a lot of construction going on.” But as the community begins to see each element of the project completed, Eiseman believes local residents from both states will fall in love with Riverside Village. “At the restaurant, you will be able to actually eat and look out onto the river, which is something you can’t do anywhere else in town,” he said. “Even at the Marriott (on Reynolds Street), unless you are taking your plate from one of the conference centers and going out on the Riverwalk, you are not in a public space being able to take advantage of the river with retail and restaurants. That is really the key and the magic of what is happening over here in North Augusta.” The riverfront will finally be properly showcased to the entire community, he said. “Water is a draw, and our waterway has been abandoned as a cultural resource to bring this 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
community together for 100-plus years here,” he said. “This is an opportunity to bring that back.” As North Augusta’s riverfront continues to grow and thrive, Eiseman suspects downtown Augusta will also see changes and improvements to the Riverwalk area. “A healthy, vibrant waterfront will be good for this entire metro,” Eiseman said, comparing the riverfront to a Monopoly game board. “And I have a feeling once people see some better ways in which to take advantage of the waterfront, you will start seeing projects with more and more people wanting to be closer to Boardwalk and Park Place.” The future is looking extremely bright for the entire Augusta area with the addition of Riverside Village and the SRP Park, Eiseman said. “We didn’t take the approach of, ‘If you will build it, they will come,’” he said, referring to the baseball movie “Field of Dreams.” “This was a huge investment by the GreenJackets. This wasn’t a gamble because we knew that the demand was here, this market was here. We have survived for 30 years, and it hasn’t been easy at Lake Olmstead. But having the right environment to showcase our product and give people these experiences, we know that this is going to be a game-changer for baseball in this marketplace.” Even though it took about a decade to get this project underway, Eiseman said he couldn’t be more happy with the way things have turned out. “Obviously, the Golf and Gardens site was the place that we originally intended this project to happen. It would have been ideal in a lot of ways,” he said. “But
“So this was never meant to be a burden, but this is a big, big, mixed-use project and that’s partially what has taken so long to get it done because it’s complicated.” — GreenJackets president Jeff Eiseman when one door closes, another one opens.” North Augusta’s willingness to carefully consider the proposal and the city leaders’ determination to make the new ballpark a reality literally saved the Augusta GreenJackets, Eiseman said. “As we started having these conversations with North Augusta early on, it was becoming apparent that this was real,” Eiseman said. “And now we have secured baseball here for generations to come.” 19OCTOBER2017
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North augusta gone country
Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee brings diversity in musical acts EvEr hEard of North Augusta’s Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee festival? Well don’t feel bad… it has sort of been a small-ish community festival for many years. But that is changing with the city recognizing the potential of the annual event. “Todd Glover, the city administrator, has amped up everything (about the Jubilee), and he’s all for giving the city this free event, so forever and always it’ll be the last weekend in October, it’ll always be on Georgia Avenue, and we always want to try to keep it free,” she said. “We work all year trying to get sponsors so we can have a free event for the city.” The 33rd annual Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, a free festival that closes off Georgia Avenue from Clifton Avenue to Jackson Avenue at the end of October each year in North Augusta, will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28. The event planners have really picked up the level and quality of the bands, booking the Charlie Daniels Band (headlining Friday) and Robert Randolph and the Family Band on Saturday. “Known for an adventurous jam-band sound, pedalsteel magician Robert Randolph,” according to Rolling Stone, is a fresh and exciting addition to the already packed lineup. The festival hours are from 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Festival organizers are aiming to keep the Jubilee fresh by bringing in diverse acts each year, said Tourism and Marketing Coordinator for North Augusta Mandy Nelson. Last year, the theme was ’90s bands, and the Gin Blossoms headlined. “It’s definitely a diversity thing going on,” Nelson said. “We did have some other ‘90s bands in mind (this year), but we decided to go with country mainly, and then we picked Robert Randolph to kind of go with that, but next year we’ll probably go back to ‘90s.” Country singer/songwriter Cody Webb, who grew up about 40 miles away from North Augusta in Ridge Spring, S.C., will be performing at the festival for a third time. He’s excited to get back and play the festival and will be on stage at 7 p.m. Friday, opening for the Charlie Daniels Band. 20 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
By Amanda Main
“We played it last year; me and Ray Fulcher played it,” Webb said. “So I’m definitely excited to come back. We had a great time last year, and of course to do it with Charlie Daniels is really neat. I know he’s getting up in age, and he’s definitely one of my influences that I listened to growing up, so it’ll be really neat to get to do a show with them.” Other musical acts on the main stage include the St. Bart’s praise band, Fairview Band, David Bell Band, Scarlet Begonias, Future Birds and No Sir. More than 150 crafts and food vendors will be set up at the festival. Beer and wine also will be available for people to enjoy.
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The Your Pie stage (which is more of a community stage) will close each night of entertainment with an after-party, with local country artist Donna Jo Carroll from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday night and Phillip Lee Jr. during that time on Saturday night. Also on the Your Pie stage throughout the day Saturday will be a Junior Jazzercise group, the North Augusta School of Dance, the RECing crew, a costume contest for humans (and one for dogs) and more. Registration for the costume contests will be at the North Augusta Junior Women’s League booth, next to the Your Pie stage. All kinds of food will be at the festival, including fare from Your Pie, two barbecue vendors, the Fat Man’s Mill Café food truck, Chick-fil-A, fair food (fried Oreos, funnel cakes), and more. Thrills can be found at the festival with rides like the Sizzler and a Ferris wheeltype ride and inflatables such as slides and bounce houses. Parking around the festival is free. Nelson said the parking garage near the municipal building will be available, and it’s just a short walk to the festival. People coming from Augusta on the 13th Street bridge will take a left at the first light to get to the parking garage. People coming down into North Augusta from Martintown Road might want to park behind Grace United Methodist Church or First Baptist Church of North Augusta. You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this super, free festival.
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Visit jackolanternjubilee.com to see a map of the festival, lineups and other information. Georgia Avenue between Clifton and Jackson will be closed from Friday, Oct. 27, until sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29; detours will be in place for people to get through the area on West Avenue.
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Westobou a smorgasbord of the arts
Music, film, dance, visual arts combine for 10th year of festival IN AN HOMAGE to its first year in 2008, the Westobou Festival extended this year from five days to nearly two weeks of arts and entertainment for its 10th anniversary. Among the offerings, spanning from Oct. 3 to 14, were An Evening with Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Sky City; Westobou Central on the Augusta Common (complete with live music, film screenings and a Ferris wheel); actor and comedian Kevin Hart on two nights at the Bell Auditorium; yoga at the Westobou Gallery; soul singer/songwriter Allen Stone at the Imperial Theatre, and much, much more. Two of the highlights during the festival were the screening of “Athens, Ga. - Inside/Out” with a special performance by Pylon Reenactment Society and Hillary-Marie’s Sole Music Collective with special guest Wycliffe Gordon, both on different nights at Augusta University’s Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. Film, Pylon Reenactment Society bring rich musical past to life The night of Oct. 6 saw a must-attend event for anyone who’s ever enjoyed live music in Athens, Ga. The night started off with a Q&A session hosted by Augusta University Department of Communications Assistant Professor Matthew Buzzell. He described the film “Athens, Ga. - Inside/Out as a “beautiful time capsule” and discussed having seen the film at a screening in Los Angeles before a packed house of millennials, who loved it. The discussion included several key figures, such as producer Bill Cody, two
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members of Pylon and others. The 1987 film opens with William Orten Carlton speaking about the music there at that time. He’s better known as Ort in the Athens scene, and he also was present at the Augusta Q&A discussion. Athens became a music mecca in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s with acts such as the B-52s, R.E.M., Love Tractor, Pylon, Kilkenny Cats and more — they are seen in the film with concert footage and interviews. The film also includes footage of several residents in Athens, with one memorable moment featuring man who runs a local barbecue joint recounting a band called the “The Asshole Surfers” (referring to the Butthole Surfers) coming to Athens. Near the end of the film is R.E.M. performing a haunting, hard-to-get-out-of-your-head rendition of “All I Have to Do Is Dream” by the Everly Brothers. When the film was over, the screen went up and punk/alternative band Pylon Reenactment Society was set up on the stage and immediately began playing. The band is headed by Vanessa Briscoe Hay, the singer of the original Pylon, which had disbanded for the first time by the time “Athens, Ga. - Inside/Out” came out in 1987. (They were active from 1979-’83, 1989-’92/’93, and again from 2004 until their guitarist Randy Bewley died in 2009.) Hay formed Pylon Reenactment Society a few years ago, with other musicians from Athens. The band, who performed strictly Pylon songs in Augusta, are working toward creating new songs in the spirit of Pylon. During the concert, just after seeing the film, it
By Amanda Main and Stacey Eidson
was easy to imagine one was watching a Pylon show back in the ‘80s, and trying to imagine what it was like in Athens at the time. About 20 people headed down to the area in front of the stage to dance, and at one point, Hay invited them up to the stage to dance and get on the microphone to sing “Woo, woo!” during their song “M-Train.” Also during the live show, Pylon’s bass player Michael Lachowski got on stage to perform a couple of his old songs with them. Hay described the feeling of being able to play her old band’s songs for people as amazing. “it’s really a good group of players that I have,” she said. “They all really respect and love Pylon. And we just have a lot of fun, and every now and then, I get that feeling — and I had it in Augusta, too — where I just feel like I’m a part of everything. It’s difficult to describe, but it’s almost like you’re outside of yourself, you become a part of the music. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to experience that. And I think the audience, when they’re dancing, sometimes they get that feeling, too, that they’re a part of the music.” She said the last time she had played in Augusta was with Pylon in about 1980 or ’81, and she said she enjoyed exploring the town again, making a stop at the James Brown statue, and also revisiting Pyramid Music, a record store that has been on Broad Street for decades. Pylon Reenactment Society had an EP called “Part Time Punks Session” digitally released the same day as their Augusta show, and it will be available on vinyl Oct. 20. The EP was made as a recording of six Pylon songs last December for the show “Part Time Punks” on a radio station in Los Angeles. Also, what could be considered a sequel to “Athens, Ga. Inside/Out” is being worked on now, a film with the working title of “Athens, Ga. - 30 Years On.” Visit pylonreenactmentsociety.com to find out more. 19OCTOBER2017
Dancer Hillary-Marie creates a beautiful VIBE Hillary-Marie, one of the most accomplished tap dance artists in this country, graced the stage at the Maxwell Theatre last week alongside jazz trombonist and local legend Wycliffe Gordon, and the results were a night filled with high energy and excitement. Through her dance production, Hillary-Marie proved to the audience that music, dance and emotion in the right atmosphere can create a universal energy felt by all in the room. The show called VIBE combined four dancers and four musicians on one stage in an outstanding performance that freely flowed in and out of choreography and improvisation. Ever since she began her dance career at the early age of 5, Hillary-Marie has crafted her skills and truly believes that artists are the messengers of the world. And she knows her craft. From 2007 until 2013, Hillary-Marie was mentored by and assistant to the vaudeville legend Dr. Harold “Stumpy” Cromer, half of the world-famous duet of “Stump & Stumpy,” who shared bill with some of the greatest singers in the world including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. She is also an award-winning, internationally acclaimed soloist and founder of the world-class Jersey Tap Fest in New Jersey. While watching VIBE, the audience couldn’t help but be spiritually and emotionally lifted by the music and dance. Ironically, Hillary-Marie kindly thanked the Augusta audience for attending her show because she told them she was humbled by the opportunity to be able to share her gift with them. But the Augusta audience members were the lucky ones. They were honored to watch such a unique and inspiring show that captured her love of tap as a cherished American art form. This was actually the first time in the past 10 years of Westobou that a tap performance was featured during the festival. Hillary-Marie and the three other incredible dancers of Sole Music Collective — Yoshiko Hida, Corey Hutchins and Liberty Styles — used tap and pure movement to bring the stage alive. Wycliffe Gordon, who grew up in the Augusta area, is always a fan favorite, and he was recently named “Trombonist of the Year” for the 10th time by the Jazz Journalists Association. Gordon took the stage with drummer Andrew Atkinson, keyboardist Enoch Smith and bassist Gabriel Vivas, and the band perfectly played off the dancers, using call and repeat patterns that mesmerized the audience. By combining tap dance choreography and improvisation with live music collaboration, Hillary-Marie and her dancers became unique storytellers throughout the night’s performance. They brought to life modern-day tap and rhythm into a musical dance odyssey. Following the performance, Hillary-Marie described working with her dancers and Wycliffe Gordon and his fellow musicians as the “dream team.” “Thankful to share time and make music with these beautiful artists,” she stated on her Facebook page after the show. “So much love.” Visit hillary-marie.com and wycliffegordon.com for more information. 19OCTOBER2017
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WHAT’S UP
Calendar: 26 | 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.
PARTY ON — FOR THE PETS THE CSRA HAS NOT ONE but two events going on Saturday, Oct. 21, that promise to be a good time while also raising money for animals in need. In the Augusta area, the Backyard Tavern is hosting the Pet-A-Palooza Animal Rescue Benefit Concert. The fundraiser runs from 4-8 p.m. and will feature performances by Bill Tolbert & the BTUs, Blues Hogg, Jaylight Savings Time and Willess. Tickets cost $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Pet-A-Palooza will benefit Hands to Paws Rescue, a group that rescues animals in need, sponsors foster care, finances heartworm treatment and veterinary care to abused and neglected animals in the CSRA. And in Aiken, Barkaritaville will be from 5-8 p.m. at the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare. Attendees (and their dogs) are encouraged to come in costume and take part in a contest to win prizes. Tickets to Barkaritaville are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, and $10 for kids 12 and under; admission includes food and beverages prepped at the competition food booths, live music by DJ Jeff Edwards, carnival games and more. Funds raised will support the SPCA center to help homeless pets in the community. For Pet-A-Palooza, call 706-481-0657 or visit hands2paws. org, and for Barkaritaville, call 803-648-6863 or visit letlovelive.org. Go out, have a good time, and help out our furry friends!
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
THURSDAY, OCT. 26
Southern Suds is back for a third year, and beer fans will want to get their tickets! Even if you don’t drink, there is a special $10 admission price for designated drivers. You’ll learn about the history and future of brewing in Augusta, while eating and listening to music by DJ Matto. Drinkers’ tickets start at $20, and the fun starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
The GreenJackets have played their last game at Lake Olmstead Stadium, but they’re not done with the venue just yet. Their World Series of Chili Cook-Off — a fundraiser for The Family Y’s Camp Lakeside — starts at noon on Saturday. Along with a competition for the best chilis, the fundraiser will have live music, a cornhole tourney, food, drinks and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 4-12 and free for kids 3 and under. Oh, and leashed dogs are welcome! Call 706-736-7889 or email alowndes@greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Two Augusta natives who have moved on to big things in the arts are back home to help put on “Brava, Jessye! A Musical Tribute” — a benefit concert for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts. Russell Joel Brown has been touring with “The Lion King,” and Damien Sneed is an artist-in-residence at Nyack’s Christian College in New York City. The concert is at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Imperial Theatre, and tickets start at $20, with discounts for military, seniors and children. Call 706-722-8341 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
If you’re looking for a safe place to bring your kids to go trick-or-treating, Columbia County has just the place — and it doubles as a charity event to help the community! Admission is one canned good item, which will benefit the Columbia County Cares Food Pantry. The event is from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Evans Towne Center Park. Don’t forget your costume. Visit facebook.com/ ColumbiaCountyEvents or call 706-8683484.
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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 26.
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Thu Oct 26
10am Social Media Columbia County Library Learn the basics of Instagram and Snapchat. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.
Ongoing
James Brown Family Historical Tour Augusta Museum of History Available each Saturday at 11 a.m. and lasting approximately two hours, this bus tour includes Brown’s elementary school, his childhood home, his statue and more. $15 fee, includes admission to the museum, which houses the largest collection of James Brown memorabilia. Reservations 24 hours in advance required. Call 803-6402090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.
Guided Tours
Cirque Spooktacular Bell Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Thu Oct 19; $16-$66 Cirque de la Symphonie’s aerial flyers, acrobats, jugglers and strongmen perform daring feats choreographed to live music by Symphony Orchestra Augusta. soaugusta.org or 706-826-4705
ARTS Mon Oct 23
10am - noon Oil Painting Class Harlem Arts Council Oil painting with Minette Hatcher. $20 per class. Make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Call 706-556-6656.
Tue Oct 24
2pm - 5pm Acrylic Painting for Beginners Aiken Public Library A class that meets Tuesdays through Nov. 28. Pre-registration required. Call 803-6422020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
EDUCATION Thu Oct 19
11:30am - 1pm Third Thursday Business Builder
admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum. org.
5pm - 7pm Beyond the Gravestone Beech Island Cemetery, Redcliffe Plantation Starts at 4:45 and ends at 6:45. A park ranger-led tour that will focus on cemetery architecture, tombstone symbols, interesting individuals buried in the cemetery and more. $9, adults; $6.50 S.C. seniors. Pre-registration required. Call 803827-1473 or visit southcarolinaparks.com/ redcliffe.
Sun Oct 22
3pm - 5pm Gadget Help with Alex Columbia County Library First come, first served. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only MondayFriday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tours of the day begin at 4 p.m. Adults, $2; children, $1. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
North Augusta Driving Tour
2pm - 4pm Microsoft Publisher for Beginners Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-requisite class is Computer for Beginners. Pre-registration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
6pm - 8:30pm One Love Escalation Workshop AU’s JSAC Ballroom Learn the warning signs of intimate partner abuse, with a screening of “Escalation” and a guided discussion. Refreshments will be served. Call 706-737-1735 or visit facebook. com/augusta.dvam.
6pm - 7:30pm SRS Citizens Advisory Board Meeting SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare Meeting on budget and pension, with public comment period. Call 803-952-7884 or visit cab.srs.gov.
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Presentation will be “Managing the Digital Reputation and Maximizing Web Visibility” with speaker Mike Parsons of PowerServe. Free, chamber members; $15, nonmembers. Pre-registration required by Oct. 16. Visit augustametrochamber.com.
Mon Oct 23
Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7366758 or visit arcpls.org.
Wed Oct 25
Sat Oct 21
Tue Oct 24
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation
11:30am A Petersburg Boat Captain Augusta Museum of History Part of the Voices of the Past series of character monologues that also shows at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Free with museum 26 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Class
10:30am - noon English as a Second Language Columbia County Library All levels welcome. Email boassma@gmail. com or call 706-863-1946.
10am Computer Boot Camp: Part II Columbia County Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org. Group Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta Offered by appointment and includes a 30-45-minute guided tour and admission to the center. Self-guided tours are also available through an iPhone downloadable audio tour or a Google Maps-based tour. Guided tours: $5, adults; $3, students K-12. Call 803-441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
Tours Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Guided tours, approximately 45 minutes long, are offered Thursday-Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Group tours are available by advanced reservation. Adults, $5; seniors, $4; kids K-12, $3; under 5 years, free. Call 706-724-0436 or visit wilsonboyhoodhome.org.
Historic Trolley Tours of Augusta Augusta Visitors Center Tours aboard the Lady Libby available at the Augusta Visitors Center with 24-hour advanced reservations. Tickets include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Call 706-724-4067 or visit visitaugusta.org.
Pre-session Legislative Breakfast: Georgia’s 2018 Election Cycle Legends Club This event is at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 7. Chris Clark, president of the Georgia Chamber, will speak. Free, members; $25, nonmembers. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Nov. 1. Call 706-821-1300 or visit augustametrochamber.com. 19OCTOBER2017
ELSEWHERE Sat Oct 21
6pm - 9pm Resthaven Revisited Resthaven Cemetery, Washington Meet some of Washington’s most notable residents in an animated, historic walking tour. $5-$10. Call 706-678-5001 or visitwashingtonwilkes.org.
EXHIBITIONS Thu Oct 19
6pm - 8pm Hattie Saussy preview party Morris Museum of Art Sneak peek of upcoming exhibition “Hattie Saussy: The Rediscovery of an Artist.” Reception follows. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Reserve a spot by calling 706-828-3867 or emailing kara.exum@ themorris.org.
7pm “Hotel Transylvania” Columbia County Amphitheater Movie starts at 7:15. Part of the Screen on the Green series. $1 per person; free, children 3 and younger. Visit facebook. com/ColumbiaCountyEvents or call 706868-3484.
Sat Oct 21
3pm “Grease” Aiken Public Library Part of the Saturday Sing-along Series. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Tue Oct 24
5:30pm - 8pm Tuesday Night Movie Series Headquarters Branch Library Eclectic variety of films. Visit arcpls.org or call 706-821-2600.
Ongoing
Wed Oct 25
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 706-7228454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Augusta Museum of History
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. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool. org.
Exhibit of Robert Amato and Tire City Potters The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta will feature the work of Robert Amato and Tire City Potters (Main Gallery) with Shirley Olson (Balcony Gallery) on display from Oct. 5-Nov. 3. Free. Visit artsandheritagecenter.com or call 803-4414380.
FLIX Fri Oct 20
Noon Art at Lunch: “Jonathan Green’s Seeking” Morris Museum of Art $12, members; $16, nonmembers. Catered lunch included. Pre-registration required by Oct. 18. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
4pm “Halloweentown”
Thu Oct 26
7pm “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
HEALTH Thu Oct 19
7pm - 8:30pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-6512229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Fri Oct 20
6:30pm - 9:30pm Weekend Childbirth Education Class University Hospital Class continues Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Sat Oct 21
9am Walk with a Doc Pendleton King Park The MCG Gold Humanism Honor Society invites people to walk with Dr. Bruce LeClair and MCG students, and learn about preventing high blood pressure. Free blood pressure and glucose screenings will be available. Visit calendar.augusta.edu or call 706-975-7164.
Mon Oct 23
7pm - 8:30pm Happiest Baby on the Block Doctors Hospital An infant care and sleep class for new parents. Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Tue Oct 24
4:30pm Women’s Center Tour University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Wed Oct 25
5pm Breastfeeding Class University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-774-2825 or visit universityhealth.org.
Thu Oct 26
5pm Pumpkin Painting for Teens Aiken Public Library Paint mini-pumpkins, for teens in grades 6-12. Attendance limited to first 10 teens. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
6pm Family Game Night Columbia County Library Board games, card games, puzzles, play for all ages. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl. org.
7pm Terrifying Tales for Teens
University Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-7742825 or visit universityhealth.org.
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Winners of the Ghost Story Contest read their winning entries; others may read their own afterward. Spooky refreshments. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Ongoing
Fri Oct 20
The Yoga Center, North Augusta Led by members of the Southeastern Buddhist Community the first and second Wednesday of each month. Sessions are free and open to the public. Visit sebuddhist.org.
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 803-6422023 or visit abbe-lib. org.
7pm - 8:30pm Infant CPR Class
Meditation Sessions
HOBBIES Thu Oct 19
6:30pm - 9:30pm Augusta Archaeological Society Meeting Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill The meeting’s speaker will be Dr. Al Goodyear, archaeologist, SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, whose talk is titled “Recent Advances in Paleoamerican Research in Florida.” Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; program, 8 p.m. Call 706-8291615.
6:30pm - 8:30pm PWN AUG Chess Club Meeting The Book Tavern A club open to all ages and skill levels that meets the first and third Thursdays of each month. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chess sets. Call 706-8261940 or visit booktavern.com.
Sat Oct 21
8am - noon Knitting/Crochet Class 211 N. Louisville Street, Harlem Drop by for “Stitch and Sip” with Sharon Bell at the Harlem Java House. Free. Call ahead to let her know you’re coming at 301-659-9509.
Ongoing
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 Thu Oct 19
10am - 12:30pm Story Time Fridays
10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
12:30pm - 2pm Mr. Kenny’s Wondrous Stories, Songs and Play 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 and kindergarten children may attend with, or without, a parent or caregiver. $10; pre-registration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
6pm PJ Masks Live! Bell Auditorium $30-$97.50. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Sat Oct 21
11am “Good Day, Good Night” Story Time Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
11am Craft Time Maxwell Branch Library Participants will make a Pokemon Pokeball. Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.
11am - 3pm Family Lego Day
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Diamond Lakes Branch Library A themed program for all ages. Preregistration required. Call 706-772-2432 or visit arcpls.org.
11am Sensory Story Time Headquarters Branch Library Sponsored by Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS), this event is designed to engage kids through movement, music, stories and sensory activity play and is ideal for children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration challenges or children who have trouble sitting still. All ages welcome. Pre-registration encouraged. Call 706-821-2625 or visit arcpls.org.
1:30pm Skulls, Scat and Tracks Reed Creek Park Kids ages 5 and up will learn to identify species based on tracks, skulls and droppings. Free, members; $2 per child, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email reedcreekpark@columbiacountyga.gov.
4pm Amazing Science AU’s Maxwell Theatre A fun with science event for kids and families hosted by the faculty and students of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Free and open to the public. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu.
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arcpls. org.
7pm All About Frogs Reed Creek Park Kids ages 5 and up will learn about and listen to local frogs. Free, members; $2 per child, nonmembers. Pre-registration required. Call 706-210-4027 or email reedcreekpark@columbiacountyga.gov.
3:30pm Spooky Craft Appleby Branch Library Children ages 5 and up will make a spooky craft. Pre-registration required. Call 706736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
4pm Storytime in the Gardens
Sun Oct 22
1pm - 3:30pm Superhero Sensory Sunday Funday Imagination Station Children’s Museum Children ages 0-6 are invited to come dressed as their favorite superhero and learn about their five senses. Free, members; $10, nonmembers. Visit imagineaugusta.org.
Mon Oct 23
10:30am - 11am Sensory Story Time Aiken Public Library For children (ages 3 and up) of all abilities and their caregivers. Call 803-642-2020 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Tue Oct 24
10am Preschool Story Time Diamond Lakes Branch Library A program for those ages 3-5 that includes stories, songs, games, short movies and crafts. Pre-registration required for groups of 6 or more. Call 706-772-2432 or visit
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.
4pm Teen Guitar Club Columbia County Library For those ages 11-18. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
5pm - 7pm Girls Who Code Club Headquarters Branch Library Girls in grades 6-12 explore coding in a fun and friendly way. Call 706-394-2187 or visit girlswhocode.com/clubs or arcpls.org.
6pm - 8pm Hallow-Jamz Halloween Event May Park Free event for those ages 16 and under to celebrate Halloween in a safe environment. Call 706-722-0404.
Wed Oct 25
10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7932020 or visit arcpls.org.
10am Toddler Story Time Appleby Branch Library Beginning at 10:05, this is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
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 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Oct 26
5pm - 7pm Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Headquarters Branch Library Kids under 12 are invited to listen to some not-so-scary Halloween stories, have snacks, and make their own Halloween craft. Registration recommended. Call 706821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
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WWE Presents NXT Live USC Aiken Convocation Center 7:30 p.m. Sat Oct 21; $20-$75 Featuring NXT Champion Drew McIntyre, Ember Moon, Aleister Black and more. uscatix.com or 803-643-6901 5:30pm - 8pm Time to Scare Halloween Carnival & Haunted House
Drew Lanham. Visit augusta.edu, call 706-737-1500 or email jminick@augusta.edu.
Robert Howard Community Center For children ages 12 and under, this event includes a haunted house, a carnival game room, a costume contest and more. Call 803-278-1212.
Wed Oct 25
Ongoing
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 803617-8352 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 Mon Oct 23
1pm - 3pm Sand Hills Writers Series JSAC Coffeehouse Reading and reception with writers Patrick Phillips and 19OCTOBER2017
6:30pm - 8pm Book Club Kroc Center Open to anyone ages 25 and older interested in a fun, dynamic discussion. Books are selected by members and cover a variety of topics. Free. Call 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Thu Oct 26
7pm - 10pm Graphic Novel Discussion The Book Tavern A group open to older teens and up. Call 706-826-1940 or email david@booktavern.com.
MUSIC Thu Oct 19
7:30pm Popular Selections from Opera, Operetta and Broadway AU’s Maxwell Theatre The Augusta University Opera Ensemble presents favorites from opera, operetta and Broadway. $10, general; $5, children and students. Discounts for alumni, seniors, military and AU and EGSC faculty and staff. Free, AU and EGSC students. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu/ maxwelltheatre.
Fri Oct 20
6pm - 7:30pm Music Cruise Augusta Canal Featuring Christian Ndeti. 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.
7:30pm - 9pm 4 Seasons Chamber Jazz Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta Garden City Jazz presents American Jazz Combo. $23, general; $18, senior; $13, student and military. Call 706-7337939 or visit uuaugusta.org.
Sat Oct 21
8am - 2pm Saturday Morning Swing 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.
3pm Haunting Harmony Concert St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, North Augusta A concert presented by Harmony River Chorus and Sweet Adelines’ Quartet 4.0. $15. Call 706-877-2715.
7:30pm An Evening with Jaimee Paul Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center $39.50. Visit AugustaAmusements.com or call 706-7260366. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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7:30pm Carmina Burana
Veterans Day Tribute Concert
Sacred Heart Cultural Center An Augusta Choral Society production featuring the Lyra Vivace Orchestra, chorus soloists and dancers. $35, adults; $30, seniors; $15, students and military. Call 706-826-4713 or visit augustacs.org.
Evans Towne Center Park Inaugural tribute concert at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 featuring Shooter Jennings, Beth Spangler, Johnny Rodriguez, Rachel Lynn and Jordan Brower. $27-$40; free, kids 12 and under. Visit freshtix.com or buy tickets at any Security Federal Bank. Visit evanstownecenterpark.com or call 706650-5005.
7:30pm Sutton Sings Strauss & Gershwin The Etherredge Center, Aiken Aiken Symphony Orchestra presentation features soprano Brandie Sutton. $30-$45. Visit aikensymphonyorchestra.com or call 803-641-3305.
SENIORS Thu Oct 19
1pm - 1:30pm Got 30 Minutes?
6:30pm Natalie’s Light Columbia County Library Program presents the experiences of teen suicides/suicide attempts, with Q&A afterward. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl. org.
7pm - 9:30pm A Taste of Wine and Art Aiken Center for the Arts A fundraiser featuring local cuisine, wine tastings, silent auctions and more. $50 per person. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
7:30pm Cirque Spooktacular
Bell Auditorium $18-$27. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Kroc Center Conducted by the Area Agency on Aging, this workshop provides an overview of services available to caregivers, the aging, and those with disabilities. Call 706-9220171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
Bell Auditorium Cirque de la Symphonie’s aerial flyers, acrobats, jugglers andstrongmen perform daring feats choreographed to live music by SymphonyOrchestra Augusta. $16-$66. Visit soaugusta.org or call 706-826-4705.
Sun Oct 22
Thu Oct 26
Fri Oct 20
Diamond Lakes Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-7722432 or visit arcpls.org.
Aiken Fairgrounds An annual event that runs through Monday, Oct. 30, and includes carnival rides and games, exhibits, shows, food and more. Visit westerncarolinastatefair.com.
8pm Chris Janson
4pm Jessye Norman School Benefit Concert Imperial Theatre “Brava, Jessye! A Musical Tribute” concert features hometown favorites Russell Joel Brown, who is home after touring with “The Lion King,” and Damien Sneed, an artist-inresidence at Nyack’s Christian College in New York City. $20-$40, with discounts for military, seniors and children. Call 706-7228341 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
6pm - 8pm Fall Concert Series Augusta Common Bring picnic, lawn chairs and blankets to this live music event featuring R&B, jazz, old school and reggae. Call 706-821-1754. In the case of inclement weather, it will move to May Park Community Center.
Tue Oct 24
Noon Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Featuring a free concert by Keith Shafer. Lunch afterwards is $12 a person and requires reservation. Call 706-722-3463 or visit tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
Wed Oct 25
7:30pm Kansas Bell Auditorium $45-$95. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
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, 706-3967000 or visit kicks99.com. 30 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
11am - 1:30pm Classic Movie for Seniors
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Oct 19
All day Georgia-Carolina State Fair Exchange Club Fairgrounds An annual Exchange Club event that runs through Monday, Oct. 23, and includes carnival rides, shows, exhibits, food and more. Hours are Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from noon. Advance tickets available. Call 706-722-0202 or visit georgiacarolinastatefair.com.
11am - 2pm Purple Thursday Spirit Day and Donation Drive JSAC Breezeway Wear purple to take a stand against gender-based bullying, abuse and violence in recognition of GLAAD’s Spirit Day and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Purple Thursday. Items also will be collected for SafeHomes of Augusta; accepted items are online at safehomesdv. org/Donation-Days-at-Warren. Monetary donations and gift cards also accepted. Call 706-737-1735 or visit facebook.com/ augusta.dvam.
6pm Women in Business Signature Event Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce presents bestselling author Becky Blalock as the keynote speaker at Women in Business event. $55, members; $65, nonmembers. Pre-registration required at AugustaMetroChamber.com. Email Sabrina. Balthrop@augustametrochamber.com or call 706-821-1300.
All day Western Carolina State Fair
1pm - 3pm Home-Brewed Bitters Workshop White Hills Farm, Dearing Workshop teaches people how to make bitters, all the rage in cocktails these days. Homegrown gifts also will be available for purchase. $5 donation requested. Visit augustalocallygrown.org or call 706-2887895 (text first).
6pm 1 in 8 Let’s Educate about Breast Cancer AU’s Maxwell Theatre Community event to inform about breast cancer and screening guidelines, to recognize survivors and to honor those who died of the disease. Live music and heartwarming stories. Call 706-721-8353 or visit calendar.augusta.edu.
6:30pm Adult Spelling Bee Aiken Municipal Building Presented by Public Education Partners. $25. Tickets available at the door, at Floyd & Green or online at publiceducationpartners.eventsmart.com/ events/pep-adult-spelling-bee. Call 803649-9040 or email pepspellingbee@gmail. com.
6:30pm - 9pm Southern Suds Augusta Museum of History An educational program about the history and future of brewing in Augusta that also includes a beer tasting. Local brewery River Watch Brewery is making a historic brew for the event from a recipe provided by the museum. $20-$45; $10, designated driver. Call 706-722-8454 or
visit augustamuseum.org.
7pm - 11pm The Art of Chocolate The Legends Club A black-tie optional fundraiser for Child Enrichment that includes food, cocktails, silent auctions, music by the South Atlantic Band, chocolate, desserts and more. $75. Call 706-737-4631 or visit childenrichment. org.
Sat Oct 21
7am - 10:30am Fall Farm Fest Aiken County Farmer’s Market A celebration of the fall harvest that will feature children’s crafts, the Aiken Master Gardeners and more. Call 803-293-2214.
8am - 2pm Augusta Market at the River 8th Street Plaza, Reynolds Street The event features vendors of all kinds, activities, live entertainment and more. Visit theaugustamarket.com.
10am - 5pm Colonial Times: A Day to Remember North Augusta’s Living History Park A two-day, free event that includes demonstrations and living exhibits of Colonial life, a Colonial dance and more. Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us.
11am - 3pm Flack Family Fall Festival 4246 Washington Road Games, crafts, antique cars, inflatables, dunk tank, food trucks, hay rides and more. Free admission. All proceeds to support children on a Native American reservation in Montana. Call 706-305-3241 or visit facebook.com/flackfamilychiropractic.
Noon - 5pm World Series of Chili Cook-Off Lake Olmstead Stadium An Augusta GreenJackets event that will raise funds for Camp Lakeside, this event will feature a contest where individual and business teams can win prizes for most unique chili, people choice, most overall creative chili stand and best overall chili. In addition, there will be live music, a cornhole tournament, food and drinks and more. Chili teams can register for $30 (individuals) or $60 (businesses), and admission is $10, adults; $5, children 4-12; free, children 3 and under. Dogs welcome. Call 706-736-7889 or email alowndes@ greenjacketsbaseball.com.
1pm - 4pm CSRA Wine and Culinary Festival West Lake Club House Wine and food samplings, as well as a silent auction. Each attendee will receive a free wine glass. $50; $25, designated drivers. Visit csrawinefestival.com.
4pm - 8pm Pet-A-Palooza Animal 19OCTOBER2017
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Rescue Benefit Concert Backyard Tavern A fundraiser for Hands to Paws Animal Rescue that features performances by Bill Tolbert & the BTUs, Blues Hogg, Jaylight Savings Time and Willess. $8, advance; $10, door. Tickets are available at Backyard Tavern, Graced Kennel/Grooming and Hands to Paws Rescue. Call 706-481-0657 or visit hands2paws.org.
5pm - 10pm Light The Night Fundraiser Evans Towne Center Park Event to raise money for the Georgia chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society includes survivor circle, remembrance pavilion, Light the Night Walk with Lanterns and fireworks. Call 404-720-7830.
for people and pets, live music and more. $20, advance; $25, door for non-walk participants. Call 803-648-6863 or visit letlovelive.org.
6pm “Magic Tree House: Space Mission” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec. usca.edu. Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Also showing at 8 p.m. Oct. 21. Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-641-3654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
5pm - 8pm Barkaritaville SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, Aiken A fundraising event that features food and beverage booths, a costume contest
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Sun Oct 22
7:30am - 2pm MarvinGanza Marvin United Methodist Church An indoor yard sale for crafters and other vendors that will include food and more. Those interested in selling can rent a 10’ square space for $25. Call 706-829-0481 or 706-863- 0510.
10am - 5pm Colonial Times: A Day to Remember
Wed Oct 25
10:30am - 12:30pm MVP Community Awards Celebration Luncheon
Robert Howard Community Center A fundraiser for the Augusta Mini Theatre featuring food from 27 area chefs, caterers and restaurants. $42, adults; $16, ages 2-18; $336, table for eight. Call 706-722-0598 or visit augustaminitheatre.com.
Legends Club Walton Options for Independent Living honors those who have worked to create a more inclusive community for people with disabilities. Hosted by Barclay Bishop of Channel 6 News; guest speaker is Jeff Eiseman, president of the Augusta GreenJackets. $25. Visit waltonoptions. org/2017mvplunch for information. Call 706-724-6262 or visit eventbrite.com to register.
Mon Oct 23
7pm Four-Course Wine Dinner
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Hear stories about popcorn, enjoy a popcorn snack and play some popcorn games. Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib. org.
Thu Oct 26
2pm 16th Annual Alumni & Friends Chefs’ Showcase
7pm “Cosmic Colors”
5pm - 10:30pm Atoms in the Alley The Alley, Aiken Free family-friendly event celebrates Aiken County and the surrounding area’s nuclear history. Includes science demonstrations, live music, vendors and a movie. Visit facebook.com/srs.heritage.
North Augusta’s Living History Park A two-day, free event that includes demonstrations and living exhibits of Colonial life, a Colonial dance and more. Call 803-279-7560 or visit colonialtimes.us.
4:30pm Popcorn Party
Tue Oct 24
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/.
Edgar’s Grille Four courses, four wines. Benefits Goodwill. $69 per person; reservations required. Call 706-854-4700 or visit edgarsgrille.com.
6pm - 9pm Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat Evans Towne Center Park One canned good item to enter event with free food. Benefits Columbia County Cares Food Pantry. Visit columbiacountyga.gov.
6:30pm - 8pm SafeHomes Survivors’ Walk AU Summerville Teardrop Annual ceremony features testimonies
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USC Aiken Convocation Center Featuring NXT Champion Drew McIntyre, Ember Moon, Aleister Black and more. $20-$75. Visit uscatix.com or call 803-6436901.
Sun Oct 22
10am Bike Ride Augusta Canal A Sierra Club event in which participants will ride, take a break to eat downtown and return for a total of about 18-20 miles. Fat tire bikes are recommended, and helmets and water bottles are required. Email larrkomp@gmail.com.
4pm - 6pm Augusta Out of the Darkness Walk Augusta Canal Trail A fundraising walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Preregister at www.afsp.org/augusta. Call 816-646-9833 or email warren.marie.e@ gmail.com.
Ongoing Tuesday’s Music Live Saint Paul’s Church Noon Tue Oct 24; Free concert, with $12 lunch Free concert by Keith Shafer. Lunch is afterward and requires a reservation. tuesdaysmusiclive.com or 706-722-3463 from domestic violence survivors, a balloon release and candlelight walk to honor victims. Wear purple to show your support. Call 706-737-1735 or visit facebook.com/ augusta.dvam.
Ongoing
Marvin Corner Pumpkin Patch Marvin United Methodist Church Pumpkins, gourds, mums and bales of straw for sale to support missions and community outreach. Runs through Oct. 31. Visit marvinchurch.com or call 605-8630510.
Art After Dark Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Coming 7 p.m. Nov. 4 is an evening with the arts sponsored by the Artists Guild of Columbia County that includes entertainment, refreshments and a silent auction. Art will be available for purchase. Free. Visit artistguildcc.org.
Lynndale Advocates Vendor/Craft Bazaar 1490 Eisenhower Drive Coming 9 a.m.-2 p.m Nov. 4, shop for fall and winter decor and holiday gifts. Raffle and refreshments available. $25 for vendor/ craft tables, or $20 for space. Email rosemary@knology.net or call 706-231-2066. 32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
TEDx in Augusta TEDx pre-sale tickets are now available for 10 a.m. Feb. 3 event at the Miller Theater. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Tickets are $50 and include lunch, refreshments and a T-shirt. Visit tedxaugusta.com.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri Oct 20
11am Golf FORE a Smile Gordon Lakes Golf Club Charity tournament 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.
Sat Oct 21
7:30am - 11:30am Miracle Mile Breast Cancer Walk Augusta Common Registration and pre-walk program begins at 7:30 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9 a.m. Visit themiraclemilewalk.org.
9am - 9:30am 4H Yoga in the Park Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Free yoga event outdoors for youths and
adults of all experience levels; bring your own mat or towel. Call 706-821-2349.
9am - 1pm Clean Up Augusta Trash and tire cleanups will be held across the community, including at the following: Lock and Dam Park, Pendleton King Park, Brigham Center, Jamestown Community Center, Butler Creek, Eisenhower Park and Diamond Lakes Community Center. Trash bags, gloves and lunch are provided. To sign up, call 706-826-8991 or visit savannahriverkeeper. org/cleanups.
9am - noon Rivers Alive Cleanup Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Participants will clear trash from Butler Creek and the Mayor’s Fish’n Hole. Lunch will be provided and the first 50 volunteers to sign up will receive a T-shirt. Call 706-796-7707 or email ruth.mead@ phinizycenter.org.
7pm - 9pm Campfire and Night Hike Mistletoe State Park Join the naturalist for a campfire and marshmallows at the nature center, then go for a hike at 8. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes. $5, parking. Call 706-541-0321 or visit gastateparks.org/mistletoe.
7:30pm WWE Presents NXT Live
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 augustasportsleagues.com or call 706309-0280.
Savannah River Dart Association Sign up for 10-week season at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at The Loft, 927 Broad St. All skill levels welcome. $30. Single, double and team formats in cricket and ’01 games. Email thrush@comcast.net.
SUPPORT Tue Oct 24
10am - 11:30am 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 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.
Ongoing
Recovery International Mental Health Support Group 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 19OCTOBER2017
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healthy, productive lives with lower levels of tension, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and other 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 weigh-in beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/ documents/Meetings/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 706-8558636.
THEATER
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
Fri Oct 20
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.
Le Chat Noir $20, advance; $25, at door. Also showing at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Call 706-722-3322 or visit lcnaugusta.com.
La Leche League 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.
Celebrate Recovery 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.
Write to Heal Creative Writing Program Children’s Hospital of Georgia family resource library For patients, family members and caregivers, this program meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Preregistration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.
Diabetes Youth Support Group Meets quarterly. Call for more information. Call 706-868-3241.
Overeaters Anonymous 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 19OCTOBER2017
8pm - 10pm Dirty South Burlesque & Cabaret
Thu Oct 26
7:30pm Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play Etherredge Center, Aiken
The Reduced Shakespeare Company weaves all of The Bard’s famous characters, greatest lines and magnificent speeches into a brand new Shakespearean smorgasbord. $40. Call 803-641-3305 or visit etherredge.usca.edu.
Ongoing
“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight” The Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Showing Oct. 19, 20 and 21. $53, civilians; discounts for seniors, military retirees and others. No kids 12 and under. Call 706-7938552 or visit fortgordon.com.
“Breath of Spring” Aiken Community Playhouse Showing at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 3 p.m. Oct. 22. $20, adults; $17, seniors and military; $12, students. Visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com or call 803648-1438.
“Beware What You Ask of a Fairy” AU’s Maxwell Theatre Storyland Theatre play showing for school groups at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Oct. 24-27 and a family matinee at 3 p.m. Oct. 28. $7; $5 for students. Activeduty military and their families admitted free with military ID. Call 706-736-3455 or email storylandtheatre@gmail.com.
“Once On This Island Jr.” Evans High School This Augusta Jr. Players production is showing at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28; and 3 p.m. Oct. 29. $10, adults; $7, children under 12. Tickets available at the door or at squareup.com/store/ajp. Call 706-826-4707 or visit augustaplayers.org.
“Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic” AU’s Maxwell Theatre Showing at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 and 11 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 12. $10, general; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children and AU faculty and staff; free, AU students. Visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre or call 706-667-4100.
VOLUNTEER Sat Oct 21
9am - noon Volunteer Work Day Icebox Urban Farm, 1736 Fenwick Street Lunch provided to volunteers, who should pre-register by calling 706-288-7895 or visiting augustalocallygrown.org.
PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE DRAFT PARTICIPATION PLAN UPDATE FOR THE AUGUSTA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION STUDY The public is invited to review and comment on the Draft Participation Plan (PP) Update for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS). The plan outlines the process to engage all interested parties in planning the regional transportation network and the development of major transportation studies undertaken as part of ARTS. The ARTS planning area covers the cities and towns in Richmond and Columbia Counties, GA. and Aiken and Edgefield Counties, SC. The Draft Participation Plan is available for public review at the following locations, at local libraries, and on the website http://www.augustaga.gov/2119/Public-Outreach. Comments may be submitted at these locations between October 18, 2017 and December 3, 2017. Augusta Planning and Development Department Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300 Augusta, GA 30901
LOCATIONS Augusta Public Transit – Transfer Facility 1546 Broad Street Augusta, GA 30904
Aiken County Planning and Development Department Aiken County Government Center 1930 University Pkwy, Aiken, SC 29801
Columbia County Engineering Division Columbia County Government Center 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building A Evans, GA 30809
If you need more information about the locations or assistance for persons with special needs related to handicapped accessibility or foreign language, please contact the Augusta Planning & Development Department (APDD) at (706) 821-1796 or visit www.augustaga.gov/arts. Melanie Wilson, Director/ARTS Project Director, Augusta Planning and Development Department (APDD), 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300, Augusta, GA. 30901. "No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights restoration Act of 1987, and any other related non- discrimination Civil Rights laws and authorities under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. (Pub. L. 88-352).t AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 33
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Stillwater Taproom - Jaycie and the Beards Wild Wing - Jake Bartley acoustic The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn World of Beer - Hannah Thomas
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Sally’s - Kings and Queens
Sunday, October 22 Live Music
Chris Janson (pictured), Lewis Brice Bell Auditorium 8 p.m. Sat Oct 21; $18-$27 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com
Augusta Common - Fall Concert Series Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Imperial Theatre - Russell Joel Brown, Damien Sneed (a tribute to Jessye Norman) Southbound Smokehouse - Phillip Lee Jr. Wild Wing - Baideme and Phil The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
Monday, October 23 Live Music
The Highlander - Acoustic Mondays Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Blues Monday w/ Famous Last Words
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane Wild Wing - Trivia World of Beer - Open Mic Night
Tuesday, October 24 Live Music
Fox’s Lair - Irish Music w/ Dr. John Fisher and the Undefeated Army Joe’s Underground - Open Mic The Willcox (Aiken) - Hal Shreck
Kansas Bell Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Wed Oct 25; $45-$95 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com
The Alley (Aiken) - Third Time Charmers Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Soul Bar - Devil’s Cut, Soda City Riots Southbound Smokehouse - Folk You Wild Wing - Sabo and Dave The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
Shannon’s - Atomic Road, Sherry Iles Sky City - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life w/ Michael Mayhem, DJ Streetwerk Soul Bar - (r)evolution The Stables (Aiken) - Gavin Reily Stillwater Taproom - Michael Martin and the Beautiful Mess Wild Wing - Deleveled The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
What’s Tonight?
Thursday, October 19 Live Music
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses
Friday, October 20 Live Music
Country Club - Drivin’ N Cryin’ Fox’s Lair - Finwick The Highlander - Bethany and the Southside Boys
34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke
Saturday, October 21 Live Music
8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Pet-A-Palooza w/ Bill Tolbert & the BTUs, Blues Hogg, Jaylight Savings Time, Willess Bell Auditorium - Chris Janson, Lewis Brice Fox’s Lair - Roger Enevoldson Shannon’s - Shinebox
What’s Tonight?
The Highlander - Game Night World of Beer - Karaoke
Wednesday, October 25 Live Music
Bell Auditorium - Kansas Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - The Royal Hounds Soul Bar - Tongues of Fire Wild Wing - Sabo and Dave
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Bar West - Karaoke Capri Lounge - Game Night Chevy’s - DJ Richie Rich 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
- The Highlander October 27 Red Stone Ramblers
- Stillwater Taproom October 27 Phillip Lee Band
- Wild Wing October 27 Of Good Nature
- Southbound Smokehouse October 27 Disco Hell
- Soul Bar October 27 Unmentionables “Halloween Party”
- Shannon’s October 28 Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Sky City October 28 The Spazmatics
- Country Club October 28 Center Lane acoustic
- Wild Wing October 28 Terri Gibbs and Friends
- Imperial Theatre October 28 Chris Ndeti and Company
- Stillwater Taproom October 28 Kenny George
- Wild Wing October 29 Pumpkinseed
- Soul Bar October 30 Funk You
- Sky City October 31 Chicago
- Bell Auditorium November 1 Justin Townes Earle
- Imperial Theatre November 3 Kenny George Band
- Stillwater Taproom November 3 Jamey Johnson
- Country Club November 3 High Divers
- Southbound Smokehouse November 3 Symphony Orchestra Augusta
- Bell Auditorium November 9 Chris Tomlin
- Evans Towne Center Park November 10 Veterans Day Tribute Concert w/ Shooter Jennings and more
- James Brown Arena November 11 Ying Yang Twins
- Country Club November 24 Rick Springfield, Richard Marx
- Bell Auditorium December 6 Henry Rollins
- Miller Theater January 8 An Evening with Molly Ringwald
- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center January 13 Diana Krall
- Miller Theater February 16 Ronnie Milsap
- Miller Theater February 17 “Weird Al” Yankovic w/ Emo Philips
- Miller Theater April 14
Elsewhere Nick Offerman
- Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta October 19 Spoon, Mondo Cozmo
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 20
Jukebox Robocop
Lil Yachty
- Wild Wing October 26
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta October 20
Bobby Mahoney and The Seventh Son, Bullmoose
The Eagles
- Soul Bar October 26
- Philips Arena, Atlanta October 20 and 21
The Lucky Bastards
Pylon Reenactment Society, Five Eight, Small 19OCTOBER2017
V28|NO42 Reactions
- The Earl, Atlanta October 21 LCD Soundsystem
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 21 and 22 Andrew W.K., Seven Ten Split
- Terminal West, Atlanta October 23 New Found Glory, Roam
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 24 Brand New, Nada Surf
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta October 26 Third Eye Blind, Tigerdog
- Music Farm Columbia, Columbia October 27 The Weeknd, Nav, Gucci Mane
- Colonial Life Arena, Columbia October 28 Living Colour
- The Loft, Atlanta, November 2 Demetri Martin
- Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, November 3 Fall Out Boy, Blackbear
- Philips Arena, Atlanta, November 4 Imagine Dragons, K.Flay, Grouplove
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
- Philips Arena, Atlanta, November 7 Primus
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 9 Bon Iver, Aero Flynn
Try FREE: 706-434-0108
More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 9 Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 11 John Cleese
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta November 12 Tegan and Sara
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 13 Jay-Z
- Philips Arena, Atlanta November 14
19OCTOBER2017
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V28|NO42
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
HAPPY DEATH DAY
$26,039,025
$26,039,025
1
-
2
BLADE RUNNER 2049
$15,492,244
$60,970,631
2
1
3
THE FOREIGNER
$13,113,024
$13,113,024
1
-
4
IT
$6,055,633
$314,935,154
6
3
5
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US
$5,750,951
$20,603,873
2
2
In Theaters October 20
COMEDY DRAMA “Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween,” rated “Only the Brave,” rated PG-13, starring Josh
THRILLER “The Snowman,” rated R, starring Michael
PG-13, starring Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat and Diamond White. In the follow-up to the highly successful 2016 comedy, Madea, Hattie and Aunt Bam travel to a haunted campground with a history of mass murder. When the killings start happening again, Madea and friends must battle a band of bloodthirsty boogeymen. Personally, we’re rooting for the boogeymen.
Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Val Kilmer and J.K. Simmons. Based on the seventh novel in the “Harry Hole” book series, a seasoned detective investigates a mysterious serial killer known as “The Snowman.” This film is helmed by Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, best known for his acclaimed work on “Let the Right One In” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”
36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, James Badge Dale, Taylor Kitsch and Jennifer Connelly. “Only the Brave” is a dramatization about the brave men who battled the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history. Directed by Joseph Kosinksi, who previously directed “Oblivion” and “Tron: Legacy,” this one’s sure to be a tearjerker.
19OCTOBER2017
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Kevin and Mimi Frazier with Phyllis and Wayne Kitchens at the Melissa Manchester show at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center
Jean Bowles, David Volpitto and Donna Adams at the Melissa Manchester show at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center
Paula Dohoney, Jim Nord, Wayne Lord and Nan Restine at the Melissa Manchester show at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center
Stephanie Bowles with Thomas and Persa Rhoden at 2017 annual Fall Greek Fall Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Jane Furmann and Sharon Bosch with singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester (center) at her show at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center
Emily Wallenzine, Toni Peacock and Jill Curry at 2017 annual Fall Greek Fall Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Scott Russell, Lynne Herlihy with CC and John McQuaig at 2017 annual Fall Greek Fall Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Vivian and Michael Rice with Nubia Key at the 25th Annual Hispanic Festival 2017
Ansley Franco, Julie Ovalle, Veronica Perez and Karina Martinez-Resendiz at the 25th Annual Hispanic Festival 2017
19OCTOBER2017
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 37
Conspiracies of silence Create Monsters Austin Rhodes The wiTnesses COnTinUe TO PiLe UP as allegations spanning decades destroy the carefully fabricated image of a man once thought to be a champion of feminism, and a well-heeled benefactor for every left-wing political cause and politician that came down the pike. What makes the horrific list of alleged crimes committed by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein even more unconscionable is the fact that many of his accusers are among the Tinseltown elite — women who collectively have worn their progressive politics on their sleeves like golden chevrons, pushing their female empowerment agenda at every possible opportunity. God bless them, I admire their quest for equality, and I support it without hesitation. Unfortunately, as they breathlessly told the world how “nasty” they were willing to be in the fight against horrible men like Donald Trump, they forgot to get “nasty” when confronted by the very real threat reportedly posed by Weinstein. (See accuser Ashley Judd’s speech of 1-14-2017 for the full “nasty” diatribe.) If Weinstein’s alleged list of victims were secretaries, interns, unsuccessful actresses, and put-upon wannabes, the conspiracy of silence that apparently allowed this guy free reign over countless innocent women would be understandable. Indefensible and horrific, but logical nonetheless. People with no power, particularly the nameless and faceless denizens of Hollywood’s minion class, would stand no chance involved in a legal dispute, or making evidence-free allegations, against a man the likes of Harvey Weinstein. Certainly if he is guilty, that would be the reason he picked the aforementioned nameless and faceless, etc., etc., etc. But wait, he didn’t. The bold executive apparently didn’t limit his prey to the worker bees who would not have had the ability to take him on. Check out the A-list actresses who are now accusing Weinstein, and woefully admitting that they should have taken a stand against him many, many years ago. You have seen the names, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie stand out among them, who continued to make movies with the man who according to their mea culpas, harassed them early in their careers. No lawsuits followed, no calls to the powerful Hollywood unions that wield enormous influence and power, no protests or speeches in front of the studio gates. As much of a hypocritical disconnect as there happens to be in the case of Weinstein and his myriad entertainment industry accusers, perhaps we should step back and acknowledge that the powerlessness and fear women naturally often have in their struggle against such attacks is so overwhelmingly destructive that the expectations of rational thought and logical conclusions have no place in the conversation. As a father/husband/son, I can attest that anger, fear and concern over my own loved ones’ well being and fair treatment in such an atmosphere would transcend any hope for “cooler heads prevailing.” Back in 1969, it was the reason my own Mother opted not to tell my Dad when her middle-aged boss physically assaulted her for “not moving fast enough” on an errand in the office. “Your Dad would have killed him!” she admitted. Had the bastard been alive when I heard about it, there would have also been trouble, but I digress. But here is the thing: No one can ever help, and we shouldn’t expect changes in the aberrant behavior, if the culprit is not aggressively reported and pursued. Sexual predators and abusers continue along their merry way until they are either caught, or they die. Every single time. Longtime area residents learned this the hard way a few years back when a local TV icon was named as one of the worst serial sex abusers ever caught in the area... I wrote about it in this very space: --------------------“As the testimony of several of his victims echoed through the courtroom, the stunned silence of his friends and colleagues was reminiscent of the years of silence 19OCTOBER2017
that came after the described attacks. How did these horrible deeds stay quiet for so long? What I am about to say may sound harsh, but it comes as a most serious admonition: As parents in this society, we must communicate to our children that they have a responsibility to report such horrific activity, not just to punish the guilty, but to protect future victims. There are grown men and women in every corner of this community that were once victims of sexual predators in ways some of us could never imagine. It is imperative that these people report their stories to the proper authorities, and that their tormentors are identified. Had just ONE of the dozens of victims had spoken out decades ago, there is no telling how many innocents would have been spared his disgusting proclivities, and how many lives could have been saved. Victims in such cases have a responsibility to “recover,” and then as soon as humanly possible, report. It may be difficult to put that kind of pressure on a teen, or a child even younger, but certainly as maturity comes and as the birthdays pass, there comes a time when they understand what happened to them was wrong, and the “wrongness” is only compounded by their silence.” --------------------I have no special insight or knowledge of the Weinstein cases, but the pattern of his alleged behavior is a phenomenon with which I am extremely familiar. The above passage was written by me in 2007, in regards to the victims of Ed Meloan. Meloan was better known to generations of young Augusta area TV viewers as Channel 12’s “Shock Theater” host, “Count Justin Sane.” Little did we know, he really was. For decades, the man molested young men in his home, and who knows where else, and he got away with it because his victims all remained silent. Untold dozens of them. For years. In 2007, one came forward. Then came many more. Just like in the Weinstein case. Meloan entered guilty pleas for his crimes that will keep him in prison for the rest of his miserable life, but what a shame that the silence of his first victim, and second, and third, and fourth, etc., was as much an ally in his continued perverted escapades as the depraved wife who assisted him in his acts. While I hope that truth will out, and justice will prevail in whatever Weinstein did, or didn’t do, we must as a society find a way to bring sexual assault victims into the light so their tormentors do not benefit from their collective silence. The fire trucks do not arrive until someone pulls an alarm. No murderer is ever punished until someone reports his deeds. And you better believe sexual predators will continue unabated unless their victims find the strength and will to report their crimes. Just like the notorious British TV personality Jimmy Savile put collective silence to great use, every sexual predator on the planet is empowered by the submission of those they target. It does sound harsh, but it is nonetheless true, that while a victim of sexual assault is never to blame for their own attack, their intentional silence provides cover, assistance and encouragement for the attacks that follow. Blame the victims? No. Remind them that they have a responsibility to their fellow man to warn them of the evil in their midst? Damn straight. Every time. 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.
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 39
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