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Table of Contents November 9, 2017
Building a project of love Page 22 EDIT
CREATIVE
Amanda Main
Joshua Bailey
Joe White
amanda@themetrospirit.com
joshua@themetrospirit.com
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Arts Editor/Production Director
Lead Designer
Stacey Eidson stacey@themetrospirit.com
SALES
Publisher
circulation manager
jdbeckworth@gmail.com
Joe White Publisher
joe@themetrospirit.com 706-373-3636
Contributors Jenny Wright, Austin Rhodes, Kris Fisher, Michael Johnson
4 9 10 14 22 28 30 31 32 40 44 45 47
BUSINESS
Johnny Beckworth
Staff Writer
Insider Jenny is Wright Whine Line Feature Studio 285 Fanny’s Augusta on Ice What’s Up Calendar Nightlife The Eight Sightings Austin Rhodes
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.
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Mayor davis is ‘martyred’ in Augusta? Not even close. AugustA MAyor HArdie dAvis is once again throwing up his hands and blaming others throughout the city for his own actions. But folks aren’t buying these poor excuses anymore. The mayor is not new to his position, and he’s definitely not new to politics. In fact, he’s up for re-election next year, and there are more and more people throughout Augusta that are ready for a change come 2018. Folks are sick of Davis pointing fingers and playing the victim, especially when he’s the one stirring the pot. During a speech before the Rotary Club of Augusta this week, the mayor waited until the very end of his talk to discuss the controversial proposal to build a new $120 million arena at the abandoned Regency Mall site in south Augusta. With several prominent community leaders in the audience, it was clearly a topic he wasn’t eager to discuss. “And so, it brings me to the thing that is on most of your minds. ‘Mayor, you can’t leave if you don’t say something about the James Brown Arena,’” Davis said. “I know. I know. That’s why I waited until the last few minutes.” It was time for the mayor to face the music. “There is a conversation going on in our community that has, in fact, become divisive,” the mayor said. “There is a conversation in our community that, again, is very painful. I did not know that I would be 48 years old and on the verge of being martyred in my own city.” Cue the violins. The mayor is laying it on thick. “I did not know that because I thought about something differently than other people thought about it, not only did I think about it differently, but I asked the question and I said, ‘What are the possibilities if we did this?’ Little did I know... that there would be a variety of conversations that happened as a result of that and I would be written about for 60 days in both The Augusta Chronicle and the Metro Spirit, not once, but oftentimes twice a week, sometimes three times a week,” the mayor said. “Little did I know that.” Little did the mayor know that if he surprised the entire city with a brand new proposal to build a $120 million arena with taxpayers’ money on an abandoned piece of property that the city does not own that people might have a strong reaction? Really?!?!? Come on, mayor. But then Davis’ speech began to take on a different tone. One of blame. He began implying that anyone who did not support the Regency Mall proposal was not being “inclusive” of all residents of Richmond County. The mayor said he believed former city leaders, the media and business people in Augusta over the years when they said they would focus significant “effort and energy” on reconnecting Gordon Highway with downtown. “Somewhere along the way, I read it. I believed it,” Davis said. “Augusta is more than downtown. Augusta is more than just one thing. A city that we live in is a city that, again, should provide opportunity for all of our residents.” The mayor then suggested that those who are questioning the Regency Mall proposal are the ones dividing the city. “It does not have to be an us versus them. It does not have to be west Augusta versus south Augusta. And even if you don’t like my slogan, ‘One Augusta,’ at the end of the day, we are all Augustans,” Davis said. “We are all Augustans who care about this city. We are all Augustans who are passionate about this city. That matters to me.” All of that sounds wonderful, but a city leader also must 4 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
be wise and use his or her due diligence when it comes to taxpayers’ money, especially when the price tag is more than $120 million. The mayor should know that fact. However, Davis suggested that the Regency Mall proposal would be successful because he has done his homework on the location. “If I don’t know about something, I won’t talk about it,” Davis said. “But if you hear me talk about it, particularly publicly or even privately, I have done my research and I know, at least part of what I’m talking about.” As far as the Regency Mall project, Davis said “there is a moment in time” that a city must be bold and act even if there are differing opinions about the proposal. But for Davis, this speech wasn’t about facts because those are difficult to explain. Instead, the mayor avoided any facts and stuck to emotions. “As your mayor, you expect me to be forthright and you expect me to be honest,” Davis said. “I will do that every day.” That is, except when dealing with all of the members of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority, especially Chairman Cedric Johnson and Vice Chairman Brad Usry. Isn’t that right, Mr. Mayor? He also said that the four authority members who supported the Regency Mall site shouldn’t face public criticism. “That is OK that if we say four of the six voting members voted and said, ‘We like this site and there are reasons why we like this site,’” Davis said. “That is OK. That is what makes
Augusta who she is. And that is OK.” The mayor should have stopped there. He was already behind, but then he began digging himself in a hole. He began using odd comparisons that not only didn’t make any sense, but caused people’s stomachs to turn. Davis used the example of one golf fan not being excited about Tiger Woods returning to play the Masters, while he, on the other hand, would be happy to see that happen. “If you tell me that you are not happy that Tiger Woods is coming back and going to play possibly in the Masters, and I say, ‘Well, absolutely, I’m excited about it.’ That is OK,” Davis said. “At the end of the day, what matters most is that when we have these big issues that turn divisive, what we should do as a community, what we should do as a city is stop and remind ourselves, just like the good Texans in (Sutherland) Springs.” Did the mayor really just compare a horrific and violent shooting that murdered 26 churchgoers in a small Texas town to the city’s dispute over the Regency Mall proposal? “They were church members together; they were neighbors together; they were co-workers together; they were friends, school members, partners, parishioners and they stood together in that church,” Davis said. “May we also stand together as Augustans beyond this decision. Beyond where we are around this issue and the divisiveness of it.” Close the book on Mayor Davis. He is done. 9NOVEMBER2017
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Clay Boardman: the Voice of Reason On the same day that Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis posted a 15-minute video on Facebook defending his proposal to build the new $120 million arena at the former Regency Mall site, another prominent Augustan reached out to the mayor and offered him some advice. Local developer and businessman Clay Boardman tried to explain to the mayor, in the most honest and sincere way possible, why he thought building the new arena at the Regency Mall location would be “disastrous.” Boardman said he contacted the mayor because this issue is “too big to stand on the outside looking in and then waking up to an untenable outcome.” For those Augustans who might have missed Boardman’s email to the mayor, here it is in its entirety. It’s worth a read. Hardie, As a friend, I want to express my opinion and every other person’s opinion I have talked to, about your proposal. Your proposal is wrong, bad for the City, disastrous for the Arena, attempts to undermine the Authority and the powers granted to the Authority and is highly ill-advised. The Arena should stay downtown in either one of the two proposed locations. To lose N. Augusta, Aiken County and Columbia County spectators will doom the Arena. Moving it to your proposed location could bankrupt our community. Attendance will fall, which will lead to the inability to obtain artists and the death spiral will begin. There is no infrastructure in the way of bars, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other co-tenancy needs to support the success of an arena in this location. The demographics in that area will not support an arena and most people will choose not to patronize the arena. There are alternate users for that piece of property once Cardinale decides to mark the property price to market price. I am very familiar with distressed mall pricing having underwritten many distressed malls throughout the eastern USA. As an example, we bought an operating, and cash-flowing, mall in NC recently that included 225,000 sf of retail and 32 acres of entitled land and paid $2.4mm for the property that once supported debt of nearly $50mm. The prices Cardinale are asking are absurd and insulting. To engage in talks with them for a land lease, tax abatements and improvements that they should have already made is ill advised and unfair to the tax-paying citizens of Augusta. To completely disregard the findings of a highly reputable study and good people on the Authority is insulting and yet another waste of an expensive study in Augusta. There are so many studies that have been bought, paid for and completely disregarded by the Mayor and Commission. They sit on a shelf unused as a testament to the poor leadership our City has endured over the years. If I was in a leadership role in Columbia County, I would engage my own study in hopes of finding a suitable location there and sweep the rug out of Augusta generally and downtown and District 1 specifically. An arena in Columbia County would gut downtown and further shift the center of gravity and population to the west. Downtown, which has had much success over the last years in spite of little help from the public sector, will go down. Further development will slow, interest will wane and the Miller, Imperial, Bell and hotels and restaurants will suffer and stagnate and momentum will be lost. We have waited over 40 years for downtown’s revival. We are now experiencing it and you propose, without going through the established process, to gut it and imperil our teetering credit rating. This is ill advised, poorly processed, poorly thought out and researched and simply the wrong decision. It is my hope that you will back off, let the process progress through the normal channels and respect our established form of government. Thank you for reading. Clay
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There are many Augustans who feel exactly the same way. They couldn’t help but stand up and cheer when they read Boardman’s email to the mayor. Mayor Davis, please listen to what Boardman is trying to tell you. It’s time. It’s time to step away from this deal. It’s time to “move on,” as your friend and colleague, Commissioner Sammie Sias has said over and over again. It’s time to keep the James Brown Arena downtown.
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the good old days Jenny is Wright Editor’s note: This Jenny is Wright column originally ran Nov. 14, 2013. What’s your thanksgiving routine? Everyone’s set in their ways. Some always eat at 3 p.m. There are people who have rice instead of mashed potatoes (they are crazy, BTW). Big families gather, and others of you sit at a table of four, enjoying the peace. However you do it, it probably includes your loved ones. I overheard a discussion the other day regarding Thanksgiving, and a girl said, “GREAT. It’s just another excuse for Americans to get fat and celebrate a fake holiday.” I don’t mind spending one day eating good food and lazing by the fire with family. It’s tradition. The Gap, JC Penney, Macy’s, Kohls, Sears, Target, Walmart, Best Buy and many more are open on Thanksgiving Day. I often have mixed emotions about things, always trying to see both sides of the equation, but not this time. I do not like it. Not one bit. “But people NEED to work, Jenny.” Okay. Maybe the time and a half per hour paycheck is enticing. I hear ya. Money talks, loud and clear. We just bought a car, and for the first time in 11.5 years, we have the dreaded car payment. Not only that, but our gas bill is about to shoot through the roof. We’ve got to keep the kids warm, I suppose. Is it fair that employers dangle a higher than usual hourly rate in the faces of their workers? Who’s going to decline such a deal, with Christmas and Hanukkah knocking at the door? The businesses need workers, and the workers need money. Capitalism at its best. I get it. However. I’m not suggesting we make it mandatory or anything, but what if no one worked? Back in the dark ages of my childhood, if you forgot green beans or butter for the potatoes, you were out of luck. No one was open. You could call the neighbor, but that’s about it. Burn the turkey? Get on your rotary phone and call the Butterball hotline. On Thanksgiving Day, I’ll bet no one answered. They were at home eating their Butterball. With family. Speaking of burned, we caught our turkey on fire last year. I’m sure I told y’all about it. The fire was epic. We opened the grill to find the entire bird in flames. While it was nice to know that Walmart was open, we scraped the burned part off and ate the rest. It was one of our better turkeys. You call it
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burned; we call it blackened. Smoked, even. We didn’t need Walmart or any other grocery store. If there isn’t enough money, instead of working on a day that’s supposed to be a holiday, lower your budget. It’s simple. Don’t let everyone pressure you to buy more. Gift buying should be fun. I like to think it’s purposeful. There’s nothing worse than ambling through a store, hoping you find something, anything, to wrap and give to Aunt Madge. Aunt Madge doesn’t want the picture frame, candle or lotion set, so there’s zero joy in giving it to her. “But we have bills to pay, Jenny.” Sure you do! We all do. If you have bills to pay, and Christmas or Hanukkah gift-buying is sending you into a tailspin, please, forthelove, re-evaluate. I promise your kids will survive without Under Armor this Christmas. Look, I’m all for finding a good deal. I grocery shop like the best of them. I don’t want to go every day, though. We all need a break. We need the downtime. I don’t know about you, but I need time with my family and friends. “But my employer told me I have to work that day. I’m in retail, Jenny.” This is the worst reason of them all. Employers are requiring everyone to be there, no excuses, during the holiday season. If you don’t want to lose your job, you’re stuck. It ain’t cool. I live in a dream world. I wish we could go back to the day when everyone took holidays at regularly scheduled times. Unfortunately, we live in a money-driven society, where a family set of iPads might seem more important than a quiet day home with family and friends. If you can help it, stay home this Thanksgiving. If shopping for good deals is part of your tradition, save it for Friday, at least. Eat turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes. If you must, have rice. It’s one day. Be thankful. Stay home with your people this year. It’s tradition. Cheers! JENNY WRIGHT’S humorous observations on marriage, motherhood and living in Augusta have earned her a devoted following, both in print and on Facebook. When she’s not spying on other parents in the carpool line at school, you’ll probably find her with either a camera, tennis racquet or wine glass in her hand.
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I can’t wait till Hardie Davis announces he’s running for mayor again. Now we know what we’re getting; and, we don’t want it again.
All you whiners should whine about something that matters like, the massive influx of communist in our country!!! Also, the civic center should be placed in Columbia county; if left in Richmond county it will fail.
Hey crossword puzzle boy...go away. Thank you bye-bye. Scott Johnson needs to be charged with theft of public money for using his county assistant on county time to plan a private birthday party for his wife. Hollywood scandel, so what, nothing new, except now they are out. buy and sell morals, money, fame and fortune. There are no inocents.
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.
Will somebody in the city clarify what city entities are supposed to follow for senior ages? The senior center will not let you take part in activities or classes unless you are 62 years old. But they are so overly eager for you if you are 55 and over to volunteer to do things for up to 20 hours per week. So which way is it? If you want SENIOR volunteers, why set them as age 55 and up? Otherwise, won’t don’t you let people 55 and up be seniors to use the center? What is with the prepubescence talking heads on the local news? Any remaining professionals are just waiting for the other shoe to drop and that pink slip to arrive. Just another example of business putting cheap ahead of quality. And if the kids think their job is secure, just wait until the Kindergarteners graduate.
Seems like the only commissioners against our first African American sheriff trying to make a difference are the African American ones. If we don’t pay these cops for doing triple the work of surrounding counties we aren’t gonna have anyone left in Augusta to enforce the law and it’s gonna get real real bad. When you wait for a waiter in a restaurant, aren’t you the waiter? From a Christian LADY. Boys pull up your pants. We Southern ladies aren’t impressed. Grow up and quit looking like hoods and punks. Do some serious research on where and what this action means.
And here we go again for demands of gun control. These same demanding people drive as speeders, texters and drive under drugs and or alcohol! These same people contribute to over 40,000 road deaths. Where is the demand for control on all vehicles to limit speed, detection on all vehicles to block drivers with alcohol or even a blood tap to check for drugs before the vehicle is started? The technology exists for all these of these. Also over 40,000 suicides per year and where is device to stop it? The problem is people, not the device! So the Richmond County Sheriff advises his Deputies and Staff need a raise. I agree but, he will not mention this. Every person in Staff position drives a car home. Those waiting to Retire and just hanging out at the office drives a county vehicle. But, here is the one taxpayers need to know. Majority of Sheriffs Office people work Specials. Very nice hourly wage, non taxed, drive county owned vehicles. Gas, Insurance paid for. Big Perk? Hell Yes! To many vehicles keeping his budget out of control. My water bill in Columbia County takes a dolly to wheel it to my out house!
Richmond County rape friendly? It’s the whole CSRA! Try getting them to arrest an ex-boyfriend who refused to leave and molested you. Try getting them to do something about a drunken husband keeping you from leaving the house to get away from him. THEY DO NOTHING. Serve and protect? Bah. Only if you’re a man.
I don’t care what political party you are, please plant native trees, not cig factories. Thank you! Wow, I can’t keep up with all the recent sexual allegations made against male Hollywood celebrities. I would name some of them, but there’s too many! And don’t forget, the “cherry on the top” will be if Corey Feldman starts naming names. Looks like there’s going to be a lot of coal in celebrity fireplace stockings this Christmas. Ho-ho-ho, Merry Christmas! You ever see those girls on Facebook that blast a guy for treating them sooooo bad and cussing them out and yet they get back with them like 4 or 5 times and say we had a change of heart? Man I wish I was that girls mama, she’d have a broom upside that head. $10.00 for parking at the Border Bash this year? Get real! Bring it back to Augusta, where you can park for FREE! Go DAWG’s!! Can anyone explain what this so called tax plan is supposed to do for the United States of America? Reduce the deficit? Stimulate the economy to create more jobs? Help raise more people form the ranks of poverty? From what I have read and according to the many and varied resources I have consulted the answer to three of the four questions above is a resounding NO. So back to the first question, what positive thing does this tax cut/plan do for America? 10 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
9NOVEMBER2017
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THE MILLER: IT’S REALLY TIME In less than two months, the historic Miller Theater will once again come alive and host an opening night gala By Stacey Eidson on Jan. 6 to a packed house
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WHEN LOCAL BUSINESSMAN and philanthropist Peter Knox IV purchased the historic Miller Theater on Broad Street back in 2005, the much-beloved building was in extreme disrepair. The abandoned theater’s roof was literally about to cave in on itself, there was no working ventilation system and the owner at the time was facing delinquent taxes on the building. For many Augustans, the project seemed utterly hopeless. It was a money pit that no one wanted to touch. But Knox couldn’t just let it go. “The theater was up for sale, and the talk on the street was that the building was going to be auctioned off on the courthouse steps,” Knox said, standing out in front of the historic Miller Theater more than a decade after he purchased the property. “It just sounded so dramatic. The Miller was right here on Broad Street and had always been here, so I decided to buy it, and I put over half a million dollars into the building.” Knox said he didn’t want to see the theater continue to bounce around from owner to owner without any real direction. “All the prior owners had these grandiose ideas, like making the theater into a bachelor pad or a night club, something that was not keeping with what it actually was from the start,” Knox said. “So, I bought it and saw what was really needed. The least glamorous aspect of the building turned out to be the most essential thing, which was a new roof. So, that’s where I started.” Knox repaired the roof, removed the moldy carpet and seats and installed a proper ventilation system in the building. After purchasing the property, Knox said he knew there was a lot of curiosity about the elegant Art Moderne style building that was founded by Frank Miller back in 1940. Frank Miller and his company, Augusta Amusements, owned and operated five downtown theaters and was known as one of the top entertainment promoters throughout the country. In fact, The Miller remained one of Augusta’s most popular downtown theaters for more than 40 years, until finally closing in 1984. “People cared about it,” Knox said. “We gave tours to all kinds of people who had fond memories of the theater, way back when it was thriving.” In the very beginning, Knox had high hopes for the theater. “I remember when I wrote, ‘It’s Time,’ on the marquee. I was trying to play off the ad slogan, ‘It’s Miller Time,’” Knox said, chuckling. “But after a while and a lot of effort to spark some public interest in restoring the theater, I became frustrated and decided to make a public statement. So I added the word, ‘Not’ in red letters with a little arrow. The marquee then said, ‘It’s Not Time.’ I was telling people, Augusta is not ready for something like this.” Knox said it was difficult to hear so many people in the community say how much they loved The Miller, but no one was willing to step up to the plate and restore the historic building. “So I began pitching a fit,” Knox said, laughing. “I was publicly stamping my feet because I was so frustrated. I was trying to make a statement.” He was fed up with Augusta’s lack of initiative to save its own history. “I have a tendency to be sort of pessimistic,” Knox said. “So that probably led me to feel like the glass is half empty and assume the worst.” By 2008, Knox generously offered the historic theater to the Symphony Orchestra Augusta. While the symphony was honored by the offer, it wasn’t until the fall of 2011 that the Board of Directors for Symphony Orchestra Augusta unanimously voted to accept the gifted building. Back then, the symphony’s board realized that a restoration project like The Miller was a massive undertaking. The symphony eventually determined it would cost more than $20 million to properly restore the historic structure, as well as purchase and renovate the former Cullum’s department store next door to the theater at 710 Broad Street. But the symphony had the patience and vision to make the project a success, Knox said. 9NOVEMBER2017
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“I remember when I wrote, ‘It’s Time,’ on the marquee. I was trying to play off the ad slogan, ‘It’s Miller Time.’ But after a while and a lot of effort to spark some public interest in restoring the theater, I became frustrated and decided to make a public statement. So I added the word, ‘Not’ in red letters with a little arrow. The marquee then said, ‘It’s Not Time.’ I was telling people, Augusta is not ready for something like this.” — Peter Knox IV
“I was like, ‘Take this off of my hands,’” Knox said. “And I’m so glad that more optimistic people took over and took it off of my hands. I knew it was going to cost a lot of money to restore it — way more than I could have done on my own or would have wanted to do on my own. I guess I didn’t have the energy and the patience to build a team and the coalition to make it happen.” In 2011, a capital campaign was launched to save the 1,300-seat theater, and by June 2016, through generous donations from community and local foundations, coupled with more than $5 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and federal and state historic preservation tax credits, enough money was raised to break ground. “I’m just glad that the people who took ownership of it, the symphony, and everybody who gathered to be a part of the project, they knew the right people and they were committed to doing it,” Knox said. “They did the planning and all the hard work because it is a tremendous amount of money they needed to raise.” The biggest driving force behind the restoration of the historic theater came from the dedication of the Board of Directors for The Miller, particularly the project chair, Levi Hill IV. “Levi is the passion behind the project,” said Anne Catherine Murray, executive director of Symphony Orchestra Augusta. “He just kept pushing the big boulder up the hill. Every time that there has been some kind of obstacle since 2008, Levi has stayed the course and just never given up. He’s been amazing. He’s literally unflappable. It has been his passion and leadership that has really made this a reality.” Now that the restoration of the historic theater is almost complete, Murray said it’s hard to believe how far the symphony has come in the past decade. “We are nearing the finish line,” Murray said, smiling. “My deadline is Dec. 1, and I can tell you that I slept until about 2:30 a.m. this morning and have been up ever since then. It’s nerve-wracking, but most of the pressure is now on the construction guys (from Christman Company), and SMG, the management company. But I still wake up in the middle of the night with a bunch of thoughts racing through my head about the project.” Earlier this year, the symphony and The Miller’s board of directors agreed to a five-year management contract with the Pennsylvania-based company, SMG. “One of the reasons we hired SMG is they tell these stories about one theater they worked for that they were hired a month before the opening. Talk about a quick turnaround,” Murray said, laughing. “There wasn’t even an act planned for the opening. They didn’t have anything ready and SMG pulled it together. They always say, ‘It is going to be OK. We are going to help you through this.’ And they really have. They’ve done an amazing job.”
“I began pitching a fit. I was publicly stamping my feet because I was so frustrated. I was trying to make a statement.” — Peter Knox IV In addition, the board hired Marty Elliott as its new general manager of The Miller. With more than 25 years in venue and event management, Elliott heads The Miller after leading the Fifth Third Bank Stadium and the Sports and Entertainment Park at Kennesaw State University. “The Miller Theater is a compelling project and I have an exceptional opportunity here to help this stunning theater reach its potential for SOA and for the community,” Elliott said, after being hired as the new general manager of The Miller. “It is evident that a lot of love and hard work have gone into every detail of the renovation and now we get to work together to reanimate the theater by bringing diverse and engaging events to life.” 16 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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Murray said Elliott has been an incredible addition to the team and her management experience has been invaluable over the past few months. “When we hired Marty, I had no idea how much we didn’t know about how to run a theater,” Murray said. “Sure, we know how to program symphony concerts and we had all the finest consultants tell us how we should design the theater for the symphony, but it quickly became obvious all the things we didn’t know about managing a theater, like how to show the theater to promoters.” Depending on the type of show, there are hundreds of different questions and concerns that need to be addressed to sell a venue to a promoter, Murray said. “When Marty gives a tour, the promoters want to know about things like shore power, which I didn’t even know what shore power was,” Murray said, laughing. “Well, shore power is the place in the back that they plug in their tour bus or their trucks. And they wanted to know, did we have the right amount? Thanks to Marty, we do now.” There are also assets to The Miller that Murray said she didn’t realize were such selling points in a historic theater. “When we gave Marty a tour of the theater, the first thing she said was, ‘You have a basement!’” Murray said, chuckling. “Now, it is not the most beautiful basement, but, according to Marty, it is all about storage and she was so thrilled to see that we had a basement. She also could immediately
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walk into the theater and say, ‘You need an extra ice maker and you don’t have enough bars. We have to make sure we have enough rolling bars.’ She thinks about the theater in a way that she is looking at revenue generation and that’s what we really needed to make this sustainable.” By hiring Elliott, it also gives Murray much more time to concentrate on the upcoming symphony season. “The reason for us being here at The Miller is, it’s the new home of the symphony, so no detail has gone overlooked in terms of the theater’s acoustics,” Murray said. “People are absolutely thrilled about our new home. We have our last concert on Friday, Nov. 17, at First Baptist of Augusta. It is sort of a goodbye to First Baptist because they have been such a great host to us for so long. But our opening night here for the symphony at The Miller is Jan. 20. But the
“I was like, ‘Take this off of my hands.’ And I’m so glad that more optimistic people took over and took it off of my hands. I knew it was going to cost a lot of money to restore it — way more than I could have done on my own or would have wanted to do on my own. I guess I didn’t have the energy and the patience to build a team and the coalition to make it happen.” — Peter Knox IV 18 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
symphony will also be there for the gala on Jan. 6.” The black-tie, opening night gala on Jan. 6 at The Miller featuring Tony award winner and television star Sutton Foster is already completely sold out. It will truly be an extraordinary night, Murray said. “We are going over all the details,” Murray said. “For starters, this whole zone out front of the theater will be painted loading zone, so it will be just a drop off for the night of the gala and there will be valet parking for the higher priced tickets.” Those guests not using valet parking will be offered shuttle service from the parking deck next to the Richmond County Board of Education building. The Miller is also directing patrons to nearby public parking lots and planning for easy access for Uber and Lyft drivers that night. “I’m really excited,” Murray said. “It has been a long time coming.” Following the opening gala, Elliott has a number of shows and events already planned for the beginning of year at The Miller, Murray said. For instance, Henry Rollins’ spoken-word performance will be featured at The Miller on Jan. 8 followed by the band, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, on Jan. 12 and soul singer Lyfe Jennings on Jan. 13. There are tickets available for shows throughout the year such as the D.L. Hughley Family and Friends Tour on Feb. 10; a concert by jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall on Feb. 16; a concert by legendary singer Ronnie Milsap on Feb. 17; and a show by “Weird Al” Yankovic on April 14. “Marty has already got about 20 events scheduled and lots of stuff that she hasn’t announced yet,” Murray said. “People are just so excited about it. They have been looking for
something like this for a long time.” The Miller along with the Imperial Theatre across the street on Broad, as well as the existing Bell Auditorium, will truly promote downtown Augusta’s theater district, she said. “We work very closely with the Imperial and its executive director, Charles Scavullo,” Murray said. “We are going to funnel shows their way that don’t fit here in The Miller, and I know they are going to do the same for us. We have even applied for grants together, so we definitely see each other as partners in this.” Knox said he was extremely pleased to see the positive energy and partnerships that are being established in downtown Augusta. “That’s what it is going to take,” Knox said to Murray. “I’m tickled to death that you guys pulled it off.” To see money raised by private individuals throughout the community, as well as more than $5 million in SPLOST funds and federal and state historic preservation tax credits, Knox acknowledges that the restoration of The Miller has been well worth the wait. “Raising that money was huge,” Knox said. “The fact that so many people gave a damn and pitched in, in whatever way they could, is so incredible. That’s what I’m so tickled about. To somehow be a catalyst for what came after I donated the theater has been remarkable. I’m certainly pleased and, most definitely, I’m pleasantly surprised.” People from all over the community really stepped up and made this project happen, Murray said. “Somebody asked me the other day, ‘How many 9NOVEMBER2017
“Levi (Hill) is the passion behind the project. He just kept pushing the big boulder up the hill. Every time that there has been some kind of obstacle since 2008, Levi has stayed the course and just never given up. He’s been amazing. He’s literally unflappable. It has been his passion and leadership that has really made this a reality.” — Anne Catherine Murray Executive director of Symphony Orchestra Augusta volunteer hours have been logged by how many people over the years?’ and I had no idea,” Murray said. “I guessed at least 20,000 hours, but someone said it was much more than that. And then we had Levi and the entire Miller Board donate so much of their time and attorneys donated their fees to make this all happen. And of course there were the monetary donations. Whether it was $25 or $2.5 million, everybody has been so dedicated to getting the theater open and restored.” Standing outside The Miller on Broad Street, both Murray and Knox said it is hard to believe that that the opening night gala is less than two months away. “I remember the first time I came in this building was when I had my very first job here in Augusta back in 1996,” Murray said, laughing. “I worked for Historic Augusta’s Main Street program. And, I swear, Erick (Montgomery) and I came through this building and a guy answered the door, packing heat. He lived in there somewhere up at the top.” Knox immediately remembered that individual was Dave Day, who bought The Miller at an auction in the mid-1990s. “He had a bachelor pad up near the top,” Knox said. “I remember the roof was leaking really bad, even back then. I can’t believe how time flies by.” It’s been almost 10 years since Knox donated The Miller to the symphony and he’s proud to see the opening of the newly restored theater just around the corner. “I’m tickled to death, and I’m proud to be associated with it,” Knox said to Murray. “But you guys are the ones who really deserve the credit. Sure, I’m associated with The Miller, but my part ended back in 2008.” Murray said Knox has always played a significant role in the restoration of The Miller. “Well, I don’t think your part ever ended,” she said, smiling. “You’ve always been a huge supporter of the project since you donated it. And I think, in the past year alone, what has happened downtown is what we’ve all been hoping and praying for for so long. We’ve really turned a corner, and it’s truly exciting for everyone.”
“Raising that money was huge. The fact that so many people gave a damn and pitched in, in whatever way they could, is so incredible. That’s what I’m so tickled about. To somehow be a catalyst for what came after I donated the theater has been been remarkable. I’m certainly pleased and, most definitely, I’m pleasantly surprised.” — Peter Knox IV
WInter Wonderland on Its Way to augusta
It’s comIng! Fifty days of ice skating — yes, on REAL ICE — and more will be at the Augusta Common starting on Nov. 17. There will be tons to do at Augusta on Ice, like an ice slide (again — real ice), train rides, live entertainment and more. Passes to all activities cost $20 for one day or $50 for a season pass. General admission for those who just want to watch the skaters, enjoy the entertainment and visit the Elves Lounge (aka alcohol tent) can pay $5 for a day or $20 for the season. Kids under 3 get in free! Visit augustaonice.com to buy your passes, and keep up with the Metro Spirit in coming weeks for more information.
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Building a project of love After loss, sisters pour their hearts into Studio 285
By Amanda Main
IT TOOK A TRAGEDY for two sisters to dream up and follow through on their biggest venture ever. Amber Harrington Carraway, 35, first met her husband, Dennis Carraway, during an Augusta State University study abroad trip to Europe in May 2004. Amber and Dennis — who stood at a towering 6 feet 4 inches tall — were drawn to each other. She wondered how they had never met until that trip, as she was a graduate of Lakeside High School in 2000, and he graduated from Evans High School in 2001. That trip would become a defining moment for their relationship, cut short too soon. After dating for a couple of years, he asked Amber to marry him in May 2006. They married in November 2008. Dennis was an eighth-grade history teacher at Columbia Middle School, where he also was the head football coach. His stature made him seem intimidating, but Amber and her younger sister, Brittany Harrington (a master hairstylist and owner of Studio 285), describe him as one of the sweetest guys they’d ever known — Amber said he was “just a mush of feelings.” “He was bigger than life,” Brittany, 32, said. “And his students called him ‘Care Bear.’ He looked scary, but he was really sweet. It sounds so cliché when people say, ‘Oh, he was the best person ever,’ but he really was. He had a specific relationship with every one of his students.” Amber’s relationship with Dennis — as with her sister — could be described as a ying and a yang. Brittany grew to be very close to Dennis, who wanted to be called her “brother” rather than “brother-in-law.” After a full day of work and coaching at school, Dennis often showed up at Studio 285 to take out the trash. While he was there one day, she found out just what he felt about the words “brother-in-law.” “He was so sensitive; one time he came in, and one of my clients was like, ‘Is that your boyfriend,’ and I was like, no!” Brittany said. “It was too hard to explain, like we called each other brother and sister, but I wasn’t gonna sit there and go, ‘That’s my brother,’ so that they thought that my mom birthed him. I just said, ‘That’s my brother-in-law,’ and he heard me as he was walking out, he was taking out the trash. And he came back in and he goes, ‘Britt, come here!’ And he calls me outside onto the sidewalk, and when I turn and look up at him, he’s crying! And I was like, what is wrong with you? And he goes ‘Don’t you ever let me hear you call me your brother-in-law again. I’m your brother.’ I was like, ‘No, I was just trying to explain like you didn’t come out of my mom.’ And he was like ‘I am your brother!’” Dennis and his wife were opposites in many ways — and it worked well for them. “He was the type of person that if he saw you, he was gonna speak to you,” Amber said. “Going to Walmart was a three-hour venture because he had to stop and talk to every single person that he saw, and I’m just trying to get some groceries and get out of there. I don’t know of anyone who ever hated him, or had a problem with him at any point. He was effortlessly kind, whereas I always feel like I have to work every day like, ‘(sigh) — that person’s so irritating’ or trying to always do the right thing. Like I have to try at it, where he effortlessly always did the right thing; he was so sweet to so many people and so many kids.” Amber and Dennis had dreams of growing old together. He was furthering his schooling and had been planning to go for a Ph.D. in education, hoping to one day become a principal. Meanwhile, Amber had been helping Brittany with Studio 285, handling the business side of things for the salon Brittany had started in 2009. But the plan was for Amber to stay at home or scale back working once Dennis had reached his career goals. That plan would never happen. One night, on April 2, 2014, Amber came home pretty late. Dennis had cooked her dinner, and it was waiting for her in the microwave. “He had cleaned the whole house; he was really excited about that, and he 22 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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showed me,” Amber said. “And then he sat down (to watch TV), because he loved history, and he loved World War I, World War II — and he was watching a World War II documentary. And I did not want to watch that. I said ‘It’s 11:44, you’ve got to be up at 5 a.m., we’ve got to go to bed.’ And he said ‘OK, I’ll be in there in just a second.’ And I said, ‘OK.’” Amber woke up around 4 a.m. and noticed that Dennis had never come to bed. When she went out to the living room, he was still lying on the couch. The words she spoke to him before going to bed was the last conversation they’d ever have. “So, he was a big guy. And he’d had stress,” Amber said. “He had been to the doctor the week before, had blood work done, and everything checked out. But that night, in his sleep, he’d had what is called an aortic rupture, or an aortic aneurism. He apparently had a bulge on his aorta, which is the part of the heart where it pumps the fresh blood up. “And just that night, for whatever reason, it busted, and I’ve been told by
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several doctors, if you’re on an operating table and it busts, you’ve got about five seconds to live,” Amber said. “And so it’s immediate, it’s fatal.” The whole family was devastated by the 31-year-old’s death. Amber said the biggest thing Dennis wanted to be in life was a father. That never happened — but he did have about 800 kids show up to his funeral. “He never got to be (a father),” Amber said, “but when I saw all those kids whose lives he’d touched, I was like, ‘He was a father to so many kids.’” One of the reasons Dennis made such an impact on kids at his school was because he had been a part of a divorced-parents family and could relate to a lot of kids going through a tough time. Every once in a while, one of Dennis’ former students will come up to Amber, almost star-struck, because they recognize her as THE Mrs. Carraway. “Apparently, he would tell stories about me in the classroom like that I had devil horns and a tail, so he made me into this character for his students, and then he had pictures of me on his desk and so forth, so I think my image is burned in their mind,” Amber said. “But yeah, he made me into quite the character, every single year that he taught.” Growing a business In the years preceding Dennis’ death, Brittany had been growing more and more successful in her hair business. She started in the business when she was barely a teenager — at 14, she started working as a personal assistant to a stylist and three years later became her apprentice. After graduating from the Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, Brittany opened her first salon. After about three years, she knew she was ready to grow, and that’s when Studio 285 came about. (She named it that because she didn’t want the word “salon” in her business name, and 285 comes from her birth date — February 1985.) Studio 285 was in its first location for three years. After outgrowing that location, Studio 285 moved and was in its second location almost seven years. During that time, Amber had quit her job as a nurse manager for Augusta Urology — where she had worked for eight years — and came in to help Brittany with the business side of things. “She’s the artsy one,” Amber said, “and I’m the paper and business one. So when I came in, in 2012, it was not a ‘low-end’ operation, but it was a very simple operation. She had three people working with her, and I came in and I revamped everything from hiring to firing to a computer system to a credit card system.” Brittany is a rising star in the world of hair. Throughout time, her client list has grown to include reality TV stars. One of her proudest moments in her career was working with celebrity hairstylist Susan Lipson. “So I just happened to be watching TV one day, and it was on E News or something, and this woman Susan Lipson came up, who is a celebrity hairstylist, and she was talking about extensions,” Brittany said. “And at the time, I was really getting into doing extensions a lot. That’s what I’m known for is extensions.” Brittany found Lipson on Facebook and discovered she does a class every year called On Set Hair Productions out in Los Angeles. “I applied to her class; I didn’t get called for like six months,” Brittany said. “And then like in April, someone called me from her office and said that I could come to the class. And it was really expensive, so I scrounged up every drop I had and paid for it, and I was gonna be out there for 12 days, so because I was paying for it all and scrambling up all this money, I was calling the school one day to like make my last payment on it before I flew out there. And when I called, Susan Lipson had forwarded the calls to her cellphone. So when she picked up the phone and said who she was, I was starstruck on the phone. And I told her who I was and where I was and when I was coming. And she said, ‘Where did you say you were?’ And I said, ‘I’m in Augusta,’ and she said, ‘I’m in Atlanta. How far is that from you?’ And I totally played it off like, ‘Oh, only like an hour.’ And she said, ‘I’m doing a movie up here, why don’t you come up here and help me?’ And she was like, ‘It’ll give you a head start on the class.’ So I literally dropped everything I was doing — I had a full book — and I drove up there as fast as I could. I acted like it took an hour; it really took me two, and then I was like lost when I got up there, and I ride right up into this movie set.” So after she got there, Brittany helped Lipson do hair on the Lifetime movie 24 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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“Ring of Fire,” starring Jewel. After that, she went to Lipson’s class in L.A., where Lipson ended up offering Brittany a job three times on the spot. “She sat me down and was like, ‘I’ll do anything to have you out here; you can come live with me, I’ll get your feet off the ground, this is where you need to be,’ and I was like, ‘No, I’ve got to go back, I’ve got to run my business.’ So that’s when we really got hungry and started growing.” Her client list grew to include reality stars from a show she and Amber loved, back when they say they had the time to be reality TV show junkies. The show was called “Big Rich Atlanta.” It turned out, one of Brittany’s clients was the sister-in-law to the sisters on the show. (Amber and Brittany were especially drawn to the show because it was about two sisters about their age who were trying to build a jewelry company.) Brittany’s name has grown in the industry because the stars’ fans ask them who does their extensions when they see their photos on Instagram. More growth Brittany figured Studio 285 would stay in the second location forever — but life had different plans for their future. After the death of Dennis, Amber took a six-month break, spending some of those weeks by herself in Europe. During the trip, she visited places she and her husband had been together, and also some places Dennis had been without her. Amber was blown away by the architecture she saw there. “While in Europe, I found my new self, and wanted to bring parts of what I experienced back home with me,” Amber said. “One of the things that fascinated me was the infrastructure of London, and it made me crazy thinking, ‘Why don’t we have this in Augusta?’ When I returned to work, I had new inspiration, and together, Brittany and I came up with the idea of Carraway Crossing, which would be an all-inclusive shopping experience.” Out of Dennis’ death came this new dream that the sisters built from the ground up all on their own, and it’s all dedicated to him. Outside is a magnolia tree, chosen for the property because “Steel Magnolias” was his favorite movie. 9NOVEMBER2017
Studio 285 is now in a 4,100-square-foot location on Trade Center Drive, off Evans to Locks Road in Evans. It opened up in July, about three years after Amber first had the vision. The outside of the building — which totals 7,200 square feet and houses other businesses — is based on what Amber saw in the Hampton Hill neighborhood in London. “It’s all white townhomes, beautiful — that’s what this is made to be like,” Brittany said. “And then the inside of the salon is meant to be like Rush in Piccadilly Circus in London. That’s why it’s quirky and weird and eccentric. But that’s also what I am.” Brittany’s vision for the inside of her salon is based on what she’s seen in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. But her personality also comes into play. “I like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. I want every room to have its own feel,” Brittany said. There’s a UFO-themed wall, plants above the shampoo bowls that are inspired by Rainforest Cafe, and the sisters’ favorite locations are represented throughout the salon. “Everyone knows that my favorite place in the world is Jamaica, so in my private room, I have the western end of Jamaica, and then down the middle is the islands of the Bahamas, and then we have Cuba towards the front (my boyfriend is Cuban).” The floor even represents the ocean — the design was based on a picture of ocean on Google earth. Dennis may be gone from this Earth, but he’ll always be a part of the sisters’ hearts. Even their new logo is a tribute to him. “The ‘D’ is for Dennis in ‘Studio,’ and it has an arrow pointing up to heaven,” Amber said. “So on everything we have now, the ‘D’ points to him.” The new Studio 285 is at 2549 Trade Center Drive in Evans, in Carraway Crossing. Visit studio285inc.com or call 706-945-0175. The sisters also have opened up 285 Too in Atlanta as a destination for their Augusta hairstylists to work and train in Atlanta. It’s at 3210 Roswell Road, Atlanta, 30305. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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THE FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS
December 1, 2, 8, 9 December 10 8:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
ADULT DINNER MENU
Fresh Mixed Green Salad accented with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Croutons and Cranberries Choice of Italian or Ranch Dressing Roasted Turkey Breast Carving Station with Dressing and Cranberry Sauce • Sliced Roast Beef with a Baby Portabella Brown Gravy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese • Southern-Style Collard Greens • Honey Glazed Carrots • Cornbread with Sweet Butter
Dessert Station with Holiday-Themed Desserts
YOUTH DINNER MENU
Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce • Mini Corn Dogs • Cheese Quesadillas • Macaroni and Cheese • Tater Tots Hot Chocolate with Mini Marshmallows • Assorted Cookies and Candy Canes
ADULT TICKET PRICES
Off Post Civilians: $53.00 | Seniors (65+), Military Retirees, DA Civilians, Active-Duty E7 & Above: $50.00 Active-Duty E6 & Below: $40.00 | Dessert, Coffee and Show: $35.00
YOUTH PRICES
(Prices apply to Youth Menu) Grades K-5: $20.00 | Grades 6-8: $25.00 | Grades 9-12: $30.00 | Show Only: $15.00
MATINEE PRICES
Adults: $28.00 | Youth (17 & Under): $15.00
For reservations, please call 706-793-8552 (SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE)
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Dancing through photographs
aU professor’s play coming to life starting thursday, nov. 9 Bringing a photo to life through a stage show. That’s what Augusta University assistant communications professor Melanie Kitchens O’Meara set out to do, and her work will go live this week, with the play “Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic.” Honestly, it’s hard to explain what exactly is going on in this play. Part of that comes from it being based on a series of photographs. The play’s writers had to work to come up with a story that would keep the audience engaged, and ultimately, it’s a story about how diversity in life is a good thing. “Basically the idea of the play is, it’s through diversity that we find more happiness, more joy, through working together with other people who are different from us,” O’Meara said. O’Meara wrote the play with Ruth Laurion Bowman, her former professor at Louisiana State University. But the work really started before O’Meara graduated with her Ph.D. in 2008, with her dissertation. “I was writing about how photographs perform, and partnering them with different theater and performance methodologies, to talk about how photographs perform, and then to perform them,” O’Meara said. “And this particular idea, one of series of photographs that I wrote about in my dissertation was ‘The Chromatic Diet.’ … (Then, this summer Bowman and I) wrote the play that’s actually going to get staged at the Maxwell Theatre. We’d been talking about it for about the past year and a half. So we split up the work basically and split up the scenes, and then she came here for a full week in the middle of the summer, and we worked out all the details. We still had a few things to do once she left. We’ve been working together collaborating for a long time now — we work pretty well together, so that distance really wasn’t an issue for us.” The play is based on French photographer Sophie Calle’s series of photographs called “The Chromatic Diet.” The photographer was inspired by her friend, Paul Auster, who had written a novel called “Leviathan,” with a character based on Calle — a fictional photographer named Maria who ate monochromatic meals. Calle brought the idea to life for a photo project during which she ate monochromatic meals for a week. Monday is orange, and the photo has an all-orange set-up: orange plates, utensils, napkin, plus six boiled prawns, pureed carrots, sliced cantaloupe and orange juice. Each day is a different color, leading up to Sunday, in which the photograph is a smorgasbord of all different colors. So, how does all that translate to a play? Well, in O’Meara’s and Bowman’s play, there is a young girl named Fanny, and she’s all gray. She’s dressed in a gray smock dress, leggings and sneakers. Her mother points out how incredibly gray of a day she had been having (for several days, really) and suggests her daughter try a little variety and tells Fanny about the photography project — so, through the play, Fanny eats monochromatic meals. “The first performance that we wrote was really abstract, and we knew we needed to have a story that the audience could grab onto,” O’Meara said. “So we created this young girl who is having a gray day, and her mom 28 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
introduces her to Sophie Calle’s photographs and says ‘Hey, look, you’re all one blah, gray color. What if we took these meals and try them on, could you become multiple shades of gray?’” O’Meara said one of the biggest challenges in writing a play is making people want to sit and watch the whole thing. “I think the hardest part is trying to figure out how you’re going to keep your audience interested and not turn them off, especially when you’re dealing with something that is potentially as abstract as this play sounds,” O’Meara said. “So for us, it was really figuring out how do we make this play to more than just an academic audience? When I was writing about it for my dissertation, it was for an academic audience. So how do we change this into something that any and all people will enjoy?” She describes “Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic” as a spectacle, with the photos coming to life through dance, vibrant colors and storytelling that keeps the audience in the know on what’s going on, on stage. For one thing, the shrimp that are in Calle’s orange-Monday photo end
By Amanda Main
up dancing around on stage. Orange pool noodles — something you probably typically wouldn’t see as a prop in a play — also get used in the scene. “I think it really is a spectacle,” O’Meara said. “So sort of like ‘poor theatre,’ basically drawing on Jerzy Grotowski and some other practitioners, it was more about like what can our bodies do on stage, and how can we use a bunch of cardboard boxes and make them into something that’s really cool to look at? I make it sound like it’s gonna look like a B-movie production or something, but it’s a spectacle and figuring out how to make different types of materials that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see on the stage work on the stage.” The play is appropriate for all ages, but O’Meara does point out that in the yellow scene, there is a lot of word play with the Perrier fizzy drink called Pschitt. “The whole scene, we play with ‘Pschitt’ (the P is silent) — I mean, we’re not saying ‘shit,’ but we play with the Pschitt in that scene. So I mean yes, it’s for all ages, but there is a little bit of Pschitting that happens,” she said with a laugh. 9NOVEMBER2017
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“Also on that yellow day, Sophie Calle played around on her dessert plate with what she called ‘a young girl’s dream,’ which is two scoops of mango ice cream and a banana protruding from the two scoops becomes a phallus in one of her photos, so we kind of play around with that in an artistic way.” O’Meara’s degree is in performance studies, meaning she specializes in adapting plays from texts, like when she did a Maxwell Theatre production based on “The Little Prince.” Performance studies is a little bit different from theater, in that almost anything — newspaper articles, photographs, literature — can be turned into a play. It’s also part of what she teaches Augusta University students. If you’re intrigued by the idea of someone taking seven photographs and turning it into a stage production, then go see “Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic.” “Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 and 11; 3 p.m. Nov. 12 $10, general; $7, alumni, military and seniors; $5, students, children and AU faculty and staff; free, AU students 706-667-4100 augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre
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Rehearsal for “Fanny’s Fantastic Food Frolic”
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week of Thanks aT augusTa on ice The firsT week Augusta on Ice is open will be a Week of Thanks — with free general admission for different participants! (The free general admission discount, worth $5, may be applied toward the $20 activity pass.) Here is the schedule:
Nov. 17-25: Free general admission for anyone who brings two cans of food Nov. 18: Free for military and families Nov. 19: Golden Harvest Day Nov. 20: Free for educators and families Nov. 21: Free for city/county employees and families Nov. 22: Free for first responders and families Nov. 23: Free for seniors Nov. 24: Free for health care professionals and families Nov. 25: Shop Local Day: Free with receipt from any business in the CSRA Visit augustaonice.com for more information.
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WHAT’S UP
Calendar: 32 | Music Listings: 40 If you have any questions, or would like to submit an event to our calendar, please email Amanda Main at amanda@themetrospirit.com.
LOTS OF RESPECT FOR VETERANS THIS WEEK THE FIRST-EVER Veterans Day Tribute Concert in Evans will be happening at Evans Towne Center Park on Veterans Day — featuring the likes of Shooter Jennings, Beth Spangler, Johnny Rodriguez, Rachel Lynn and Jordan Brower. Gates for the concert will open at 2 p.m., and the live entertainment will start at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $40, with kids 12 and under getting in free. Along with music, the family can enjoy inflatables, vendors, facepainting and more. Headliner Jennings gets started at 8 p.m. Visit freshtix.com or buy tickets at any Security Federal Bank. Visit evanstownecenterpark.com or call 706-650-5005. Columbia County Library on Thursday, Nov. 9, also will be hosting a Veterans Day-inspired event. Local Vietnam Convoy Truckers group will present a documentary film based on local author Bill Patterson’s book “Vietnam Convoy Truckers” at 4 p.m. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org. And over at Augusta University’s Summerville Campus, the 24-hour Walk 2 Remember walkathon is meant to honor the nation’s veterans. The walk kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and ends at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. It costs $25 for adults and $15 for students. Call 706-729-2255 or email mvs@augusta.edu.
See Shooter Jennings live at Evans Towne Center Park as part of the Veterans Day Tribute Concert on Saturday, Nov. 11.
THURSDAY, NOV. 9
SUNDAY, NOV. 12
TUESDAY, NOV. 14
THURSDAY, NOV. 16
The artwork of a retired Georgia teacher and Thomson resident, Melanie Miller Stokes, will be having a free opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Her exhibit “Back Roads, Back Yards, Back Home” will be on display at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center through Dec. 22. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
It’s your last chance this fall to get out to the Augusta Common for the Fall Concert Series! This Sunday evening event starts at 6 p.m., and cost is $8. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets to hear live music including R&B, jazz, old school and reggae. And if the weather’s bad, it will move to May Park Community Center. Call 706-821-1754.
Support local artists! Augusta University is having its Mad Potters End of Semester Sale, starting at 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and running through Thursday, Nov. 16, at AU’s Jaguar Student Activities Center. The pottery is crafted by students of the ceramics program. Visit augusta.edu.
Yes, we started hearing Christmas music playing in stores the day after Halloween. So we guess that’s the signal to start going shopping for the winter holidays. The Sacred Heart Cultural Center will help you do that, with its annual Gift Shop Holiday Open House this coming Thursday, with a bake sale, holiday decorations, and home and gift items, and more. The day kicks off at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
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For more information on these events, see our calendar of events on page 32.
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10am Camera Part I Columbia County Library Learn the basics of photography and of using a digital camera. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.
1:30pm Camera Part II Columbia County Library Learn how to import, edit, print, organize and back up digital photos. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl. org.
Sat Nov 11
9am Financial Education Class Kroc Center An EmpowerU class from Fifth Third Bank that includes information on budgeting, saving for a house, building your credit and more. Held the second Saturday of each month. Call 706-3645762 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org/kroccenter/.
11:30am The Other Tubmans 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 admission. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Noon - 4pm Over There: Augusta and the Great War
Canal Trail Talks Savannah Rapids Regional Visitor Information Center 3pm Sun Nov 12 Free discussion on what trees give the best fall colors. Meet at 3 p.m. in front of the Lock Keeper’s Cottage at Savannah Rapids Park. Email jgshurtleff88@gmail.com or call 706-868-3373.
Morris Museum of Art This symposium featuring presentations by Dr. Russell K. Brown, Dr.James Garvey, and Dr. Hubert P. van Tuyll focuses on Augusta’s involvement in World War I. $30 registration; optional lunch is an additional $10. Register by Nov. 9 by calling 706-828-3867.
Mon Nov 13
5:30pm Beginner Spanish Class
ARTS Fri Nov 10
10am - 1pm Alcohol on Tile Class Harlem Arts Council Class with Jeanne Stanford. $30; minimum of three students. Register at least 24 hours in advance. Call 330-592-2256.
Mon Nov 13
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 Nov 14
9am - 4:30pm Mad Potters End of Semester Sale AU’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Work for sale by students of the ceramics program. Sale continues 9 a.m.-4:30 p. m. Nov. 15 and 16. Visit augusta.edu.
2pm - 5pm Acrylic Painting for Beginners 32 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Aiken Public Library A class that meets Tuesdays through Nov. 28. Pre-registration required. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1131, or visit abbe-lib.org.
Ongoing
$200 and Under 4P Studios and That Place Coffee Starting Friday, Nov. 10, more than 60 artists will have original works priced at less than $200 for the next two months. Receptions will be held at each location from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 10. Call 706267-6724 or visit 4pstudiosart.com.
DANCE Ongoing
“The Nutcracker” Imperial Theatre A Colton Ballet Company of Augusta production that will show at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 and 1 and 4 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26. $17-$40. Call 706722-8341 or visit imperialtheatre.com.
EDUCATION Thu Nov 9
Friedman Branch Library An adult class led by Edwin Perez of the Asociacion Cultural Hispanoamericana. Preregistration required. Call 706-736-6758 or visit arcpls.org.
networking and college visitation. Registration required. Visit calendar.augusta.edu.
6pm Tertulia: Spanish Conversation Group Headquarters Branch Library A group for beginner to intermediate Spanish speakers. Call 317-695-4748.
Thu Nov 16
11:30am - 1pm Third Thursday Business Builder Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Presentation will be “The Ins and Outs of Cash Flow: Best practices to manage and improve your cash operations” with speakers Bobby Smith, Ben Braxton and Sharon Blitch. Free, chamber members; $15, nonmembers. Pre-registration required by Nov. 13. Visit augustametrochamber.com.
1:30pm Camera Part III Columbia County Library Learn how to remove blemishes from digital photos, print gift items and create virtual scrapbooks. Pre-registration required. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Ongoing
Women in Business Luncheon Legends Club An Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce event on Nov. 21 that will begin with networking at 11:30 a.m. and will continue with the luncheon and “Destination Augusta: Creating the ultimate tourism and lifestyle experience,” a talk by Barry White, president/CEO of Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Stacie Adkins, CEO of Augusta Sports Council. $30, members; $40, nonmembers. Deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 17. Call 706-821-1300 or email Sabrina. Balthrop@augustametrochamber.com.
James Brown Family Historical Tour
Columbia County Library All levels welcome. Email boassma@gmail.com or call 706-863-1946.
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 803-640-2090 or visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn. org.
11am - 12:30pm Homeschool Hub
Guided Tours
Tue Nov 14
10:30am - noon English as a Second Language
Aiken Public Library Homeschool kids of all ages can read any fiction or nonfiction book about animals and then share it with the group. Bring a lunch. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1141, or visit abbe-lib.org.
Wed Nov 15
8am - noon Future Georgia Educator’s Day Augusta University High school students considering career in education will take part in professional learning,
1797 Ezekiel Harris House Offered by appointment only Monday-Friday 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 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, 9NOVEMBER2017
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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 706-7240436 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.
1 Million Cups theClubhou.se Held from 8-9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month is an opportunity for two earlystage start-ups to present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisors and other entrepreneurs. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a Q&A. Coffee and doughnuts are provided. To apply, visit 1millioncups.com/augusta. Visit theclubhou.se or call 706-723-5782.
ELSEWHERE Sat Nov 11
10am - 3pm “I’d Rather Be In Tignall” Fall Festival 190 Independence Street, Tignall 17th annual free festival includes arts and crafts, old photos, a veterans display, live entertainment, cake walk, door prizes and food. Call 706-285-2736 or visit washingtonwilkes.org.
EXHIBITIONS Thu Nov 9
5pm - 7pm Exhibit Opening Reception Sacred Heart Cultural Center Featuring works by Melanie Miller Stokes. The exhibition will remain on display through Dec. 22. Reception is free and open to the public. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
5pm - 7pm Fall Into Art Show and Sale Opening Reception Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta Featuring work from 40 members of the North Augusta Artists Guild. The reception is free, and the exhibit will hang through Dec. 15. Call 803441-4380 or visit artsandheritagecenter.com.
6pm - 8pm Gallery Opening Reception Aiken Center for the Arts Featuring Marissa Evans, Betsy Wilson Mahoney, Judy Adamick, Anne Rauton Smith and Joy in the Journey. Call 803-641-9094 or visit aikencenterforthearts.org.
Ongoing
Augusta Museum of History 9NOVEMBER2017
Includes the following: “The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown; “Celebrating a Grand Tradition, the Sport of Golf”; “Augusta’s Story”; “A Community That Heals”; “Into the Interior: A History of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company”; “Local Legends”; “One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage”; “A Quilt Journey”; and “Canteens to Combat Boots”. Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
A Celebration of Our Own Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art This exhibition features recent, various media works by Augusta University art and design faculty including Kristin Casaletto, Tom Crowther, Carrie Dyer, Philip Morsberger, Jennifer Onofrio, Randy Pace, Raoul Pacheco, Brian Rust, Chadwick Tolley, Julie Sibley and Janice Whiting. On display through Dec. 1. Call 706-993-6719 or email bmeagher@augusta. edu.
FLIX Thu Nov 9
1pm “The Big Parade” (1925) Imperial Theatre Silent film set in the World War I era. Free, but ticket required. Visit imperialtheatre.com or call 706-722-8341.
7pm Cinema Series at Augusta University AU’s Maxwell Theatre Free movie screening as part of the Cinema Series at Augusta University. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre/schedule.
Thu Nov 16
AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.
Wed Nov 15
5pm Breastfeeding Class University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7742825 or visit universityhealth.org.
6:30pm “Woman in Gold”
6:45pm Childbirth Tour
North Augusta’s Nancy Carson Library Call 803-279-5767 or visit abbe-lib.org.
AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.
HEALTH
Thu Nov 16
Thu Nov 9
6:30pm - 9pm Your Amazing Baby Augusta University Medical Center Pre-registration is required for this baby care class. Call 706-721-8283 or visit augusta.edu.
7pm - 8:30pm Babies, Bumps and Bruises Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
7pm Women’s Center Tour
6:30pm - 9:30pm Breastfeeding Class Doctors Hospital Pre-registration required. Call 706-651-2229 or visit doctors-hospital.net.
Ongoing
Meditation Sessions 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.
University Hospital Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7742825 or visit universityhealth.org.
HOBBIES
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Sat Nov 11
7pm “Wings” (1927)
AUHealth Call 706-721-2273 or visit augusta.edu.
Helms College Part of the Saturday Chef series. $75; preregistration required. Call 706-651-9707 or visit helmscontinuingeducation.com.
6:30pm “The Glass Castle”
Imperial Theatre Silent film set in the World War I era. Free, but ticket required. Visit imperialtheatre.com or call 706-722-8341.
Fri Nov 10
Noon “All Quiet on the Western Front” Morris Museum of Art Part of the Films on Friday series that includes a discussion afterwards. Participants are invited to bring lunch. Free. Call 706-724-7501 or visit themorris.org.
Sat Nov 11
3pm “Mary Poppins” Saturday SingAlong Series
10:30am Childbirth Tour
Mon Nov 13
4pm Breast Self-Exam Class University Hospital’s Breast Health Center Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Nov 14
7pm - 9pm Breastfeeding Class Augusta University Medical Center Free, but pre-registration required. Call 706-7219351 or visit augusta.edu.
7:30pm Childbirth Tour
Sat Nov 11
10am - 12:30pm Desserts
Sun Nov 12
2:30pm Daylily Society of Greater Augusta Meeting Lake Park Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Speaker Campbell Vaughn, Richmond County Extension agent, will talk about landscaping with daylilies. Visit ahsregion5.org/augusta.html.
Mon Nov 13
3pm Genealogy Club Columbia County Library A group for those of all abilities. Call 706-8631946 or visit gchrl.org.
Aiken Public Library Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
Tue Nov 14
5:30pm - 8pm Tuesday Night Movie Series Headquarters Branch Library Eclectic variety of films. Visit arcpls.org or call 706-821-2600.
Wed Nov 15
1pm Cinema Series at Augusta University AU’s Maxwell Theatre Free movie screening as part of the Cinema Series at Augusta University. Call 706-667-4100 or visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre/schedule. AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
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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; preregistration required. Call 706-828-7768 or visit jessyenormanschool.org.
Sat Nov 11
9:30am - 11am Children’s Hike with Story Time
Headquarters Branch Library Learn about online access to genealogy. Preregistration recommended. Call 706-826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
Thu Nov 16
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 706-826-1940 or visit booktavern.com.
Ongoing
Basic Genealogy Tutorials Headquarters Branch Library’s Georgia 34 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Heritage Room Free sessions offered by appointment. Call 706826-1511 or visit arcpls.org.
KIDS-TEENS Fri Nov 10
10am - 12:30pm Story Time Fridays Aiken Public Library Stories, songs and interactive activities. Story time for babies (0-23 months) begins at 10:15 a.m., toddlers (2-3 years) at 11 a.m. and preschoolers (4-5 years) at 11:45 a.m. Participants and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib. org.
10:30am - noon Super Awesome Story Time The Book Tavern Juice and cookies provided by New Moon Cafe. Call 706-826-1940 or email superawesomestorytime@booktavern.com.
Columbia County Library Experiment with crafting materials and art supplies. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Wed Nov 15
10am Story Time Maxwell Branch Library Pre-registration required. Call 706-793-2020 or visit arcpls.org.
11am “A Loud Winter’s Nap” Story Time
10:05am Toddler Story Time
Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 0-3. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls. org. Appleby Branch Library This is a program best for children ages 18 months-3 years. Call 706-736-6244 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Jr. Lego Club
10am Wacky Wednesday Story Time
Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 2-4. Legos provided. Preregistration required. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls.org.
10:30am Preschool Story Time
Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Columbia County Library For kids ages 2-6. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
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.
Tue Nov 14
Thu Nov 16
Headquarters Branch Library For those ages 3-6. Pre-registration recommended. Call 706-821-2623 or visit arcpls. org.
Aiken Public Library Family event includes board games and refreshments. Children must be with an adult. Call 803-642-2023 or visit abbe-lib.org.
10am Preschool Story Time
Ongoing
11am Morris Museum of Art Program
2pm - 4pm A Legacy Family Tree Webinar
4:30pm Arts & Crafts Buffet
10am Story Time for Tots
Mon Nov 13
Wed Nov 15
Weeks Center, Aiken A free book will be given to each family, and refreshments will be served. For ages 8 and under. Call 803-642-7631.
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Story time and nature hike designed for kids from toddler age to age 8. Pre-registration required. Free, members; $2, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1428 or email info@phinizycenter.org.
Barnes & Noble Call 706-737-0012 or visit bn.com.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Bell Auditorium 7:30pm Thu Nov 16 $60-$81. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
4pm Thanksgiving Story Time
10am Big Kid 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 arcpls.org.
10am - 11:30am Puddle Ducks: Kids & Caregivers Club Phinizy Swamp Nature Park Stories and hands-on fun. Free, members; $5, nonmembers. Call 706-396-1424 or email info@ phinizycenter.org.
4pm Beginner Guitar Class Columbia County Library A class for those ages 11-18 in which space is limited to eight students. Pre-registration required. Call 706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl. org.
6pm - 8pm Family Game Night
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. 9NOVEMBER2017
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706-863-1946, ext. 4, or visit gchrl.org.
Justice League After-Hours Event Aiken Public Library All sorts of superhero-themed activities are planned 7-8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 for teens in grades 6-12. Must register by Nov. 13 to attend. Call 803-642-2020, ext. 1141, or email jennifera@ abbe-lib.org to register.
LITERARY Sat Nov 11
1pm - 3pm Meet the Author The Book Tavern Featuring Deborah Dixon, author of “Why Settle?”. Call 706-826-1940, or visit booktavern.com or facebook.com/ events/231596927370537.
6:30pm - 8:30pm Poetry Matters Project Open Mic The Book Tavern The subject of this discussion and open mic will be race and military life. Email poetrymattersproject@gmail.com or visit csrapoetrymatters.wordpress.com.
Sun Nov 12
2pm National Novel Writing Month Writing Meet-Up Columbia County Library Gather to write for NaNoWriMo, with writing tips discussion. Pre-registration required. Call
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door. Visit equalityclinicaugusta.com or call 762-218-2226.
$29.50-$54.50. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
Thu Nov 9
7:30pm Almost Elton John & The Rocket Band
4pm Bruce Xu, Organist
Columbia County Library A club for experienced guitar players. Call 706863-1946 or visit gchrl.org.
Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center Featuring Craig A. Meyer as Elton John. $49.50. Visit AugustaAmusements.com or call 706-7260366.
MUSIC 6pm - 7:30pm Adult Guitar Club
7:30pm The Music of Journey Bell Auditorium Symphony Orchestra Augusta presents The Music of Journey. $16-$66. Visit soaugusta.org or call 706-826-4705.
Fri Nov 10
7pm Chris Tomlin: Good Good Father Tour James Brown Arena With special guest Matt Maher. $25-$75. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
7pm Equality Clinic Benefit Concert Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta The Equality Clinic of Augusta, the region’s only LGBTQ medical clinic for those in the CSRA who are under- or uninsured, is holding this benefit concert featuring Japanese-born composer, acoustic guitarist and singersongwriter Hiroya Tsukamato. Includes silent auction of local artists’ work and an intermission featuring refreshments. $15, advance; $20, at
Sat Nov 11
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.
2pm - 10pm Veterans Day Tribute Concert Evans Towne Center Park Inaugural tribute concert 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 706-6505005.
Sun Nov 12
3pm Straight No Chaser Bell Auditorium
Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church Free organ recital by 14-year-old Bruce Xu from New York. A reception will follow. Call 706-733-2275, ext. 315, or email recook@ reidchurchaugusta.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. $8. Call 706-821-1754. In the case of inclement weather, it will move to May Park Community Center.
Mon Nov 13
7:30pm - 9:30pm Youth Orchestra of Greater Augusta AU’s Maxwell Theatre Performance showcases middle and high school string players. Free. Visit augusta.edu/ maxwelltheatre or call 706-667-4100.
Tue Nov 14
7:30pm Jimmy Heath Quintet AU’s Maxwell Theatre Reception in the Fine Arts Center at 6 p.m., then concert at 7:30. $25, concert and reception; $15/concert, adults; $5/concert, children and
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Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History 10am - 5pm Thu Nov 16, thru Nov 26 Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds benefiting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours through Nov. 26 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org. students; free, AU and EGSC students. Visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre or call 706-6674100.
O Sole Trio consists of soprano Erin Shields, baritone Giuseppe Spoletini and pianist/violinist David Shenton. $40. Visit apagonline.org.
games, food, shows, a demolition derby and more. Runs daily through Sunday, Nov. 12. Visit columbiacountyfair.net.
7:30pm Kicks 99 Guitar Pull
Ongoing
4pm Veterans Day Event
James Brown Arena 19th annual Kicks 99 Guitar Pull lineup includes Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brett Young, and Big & Rich. Tickets are sold out, but there are still some ticket stops across the area. Visit kicks99guitarpull.com for details.
Thu Nov 16
7:30pm Augusta University Choral Ensembles AU’s Maxwell Theatre Concert featuring AU’s University Singers and Chamber Singers. $5, general; free, AU and EGSC students, faculty and staff. Call 706667-4100 or visit augusta.edu/maxwelltheatre/ schedule.
7:30pm Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Bell Auditorium $60-$81. Call 877-4AUGTIX or visit georgialinatix.com.
7:30pm O Sole Trio “Bravissimo Broadway” AECOM Center for the Performing Arts, Aiken 36 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Counting Down to Christmas Holiday Concert Church of the Holy Comforter The Augusta Broadway Singers will present this event at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 with holiday stories and songs from “Elf,” “White Christmas,” “A Christmas Story” and more, along with desserts. $20, ages 13 and up; $10, kids ages 5-12; free, kids under 5 with an adult. Visit tabsaugusta. com or call 706-831-8876.
SENIORS Thu Nov 16
1pm - 1:30pm Got 30 Minutes? 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 706-922-0171 or visit salvationarmyaugusta.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thu Nov 9
All day Columbia County Fair
Columbia County Fairgrounds An annual event featuring carnival rides and
Columbia County Library Local Vietnam Convoy Truckers group will present a documentary film based on local author Bill Patterson’s book “Vietnam Convoy Truckers.” Veterans Affairs representatives also will be there. Call 706-863-1946 or visit gchrl. org.
6pm - 10pm Saratoga WarHorse Fundraiser Newberry Hall, Aiken Benefit for Saratoga WarHorse includes a barbecue menu, cash bar, a “Horse Race of a Different Kind” event (bring cash for betting), a wine pull, shag demonstration and silent auction. $50 tickets may be purchased at Lionel Smith and Plum Pudding in downtown Aiken. Call 803-306-6400 or email marykatherine@ saratogawarhorse.org.
8pm The Amazing Johnathan’s Big Bang Variety Show Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Hosted by comedian Key Lewis, the Big Bang Variety Show features a Las Vegas revue-style show, cirque-style acrobats Duo Enchantment and contortionist Vida Radionova. Infants and
kids under 12 not permitted. $28, VIP; $20, reserved seats. Call 706-793-8552.
Fri Nov 10
11am - 5pm Holiday Market Columbia County Exhibition Center, Grovetown A Junior League of Augusta event that includes vendors, a community stage with local entertainment and photos with Santa. Continues 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 11 a.m.-4 p. m. Nov. 12. General admission tickets, $10, daily; $35, photos with Santa. Free for children 12 and under. Call 706-736-0033 or visit jlaugusta.org.
12:30pm CSRA Veg Monthly Meet-Up Humanitree House Meet plant-centric people for a great lunch — veg-curious people welcome. Find out more at meetup.com/csravs.
6pm - 8pm The Songs of World War I Morris Museum of Art Joined by singer Cindy Miller and pianist Alan Jones, music historian and producer and host of NPR’s Peabody Award–winning program “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” Michael Lasser devotes an evening to the songs of World War I, revealing the values and beliefs of the time. Free; supported by a grant from Georgia Humanities. Call 706-724-7501or visit themorris.org.
7pm “Wines of the Piedmont” Italian 9NOVEMBER2017
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Wine Tasting Seminar Wine World $18, members; $25, nonmembers. Pre-paid reservations required. Call 803-279-9522 or visit wineworldsc.com.
Sat Nov 11
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.
8am - 1pm Craft Bazaar and Attic Treasures Sale Christ the King Lutheran Church, Evans An event featuring items for sale including handmade American Girl doll clothing, jewelry, kitchen accessories, gift baskets, baked goods, household items, lawn and garden tools, furniture, toys, books and more. Call 706-8637189.
9am - 3pm CanalFEST Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Free festival includes 5k/Fun Run, guided bike rides, fly fishing, kayak fly fishing, archery, food trucks, live music and entertainment and more. VIP tickets are $45 and include reserved parking, free food and beer and no fees for any activities including canal boat tours and foot races. Proceeds support projects in the Augusta Canal NHA. Visit augustacanal.com/ festival or call 706-823-0440.
10am - 3pm Santa Paws: Pet Photos and Bake Sale Pendleton King Park Fundraiser for rescue organization That’s What Friends Are For includes pet photos with Santa, bake sale with human and dog treats, adoptable animals and raffles. $10 donation. Visit onemoreglance.com/Santapaws or facebook. com/events/218707455322073, or call 706-4146231.
11am - 4pm St. John Towers Family & Community Day St. John Towers This event includes food, games, numerous prize giveaways and more. Call 706-722-2096 or visit wesleywoods.org.
6pm “Defying Gravity: It IS Rocket Science!” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-6413654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu.
7pm “Seven Wonders” Dupont Planetarium, Aiken Weather permitting, the observatory, housing the Bechtel Telescope, will be available for viewing after each show. $2-$6.50. Call 803-6413654 or visit rpsec.usca.edu. 9NOVEMBER2017
Sun Nov 12
8am - 4pm Holiday Market at the 5th Street Marina 5th Street Marina Vendors will sell homemade craft items and treats for the holidays. Call 912-225-6165 or join the Augusta Vendor Connection group on Facebook.
4pm - 8pm National Happy Hour Day and World Record Attempt World of Beer Join Augusta Sports Leagues, the Social Sports Network and more than 5,000 people from 70 cities around the country in an attempt to break the world record for the Largest Group of People Giving High Fives at the Same Time. Event includes games, prizes, food/drink specials and more. Visit augustasportsleagues. com.
Tue Nov 14
9:30am - noon Aiken Newcomers’ Club Luncheon Newberry Hall, Aiken Doors open at 9:30 a.m., with a business meeting at 10:15 a.m. and then lunch at 11:30 a.m. $15; pre-registration was required by noon Nov. 9. David Jameson, president and CEO of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, will speak about chamber activities and the Aiken Renaissance. The Community Service group will collect for military families for the Aiken/ Augusta Warrior Project. Call 803-502-4933 or 803-648-1570; email newcomers29803@gmail. com; or visit aikennewcomers.com.
Thu Nov 16
10am - 5pm Gift Shop Holiday Open House Sacred Heart Cultural Center An annual event that includes shopping for holiday decorating accessories, home and gift items, as well as a bake sale. In addition, Peter Vossenberg of Edgar’s Grille & Helms College will lead a cooking demonstration at 1 p.m., Pat and John Curry of Buona Caffe will host a coffee bar at 12:30 p.m. and Sid Mullis will sign copies of his book “Sid Sez: Grow It in Augusta,” from 10 a.m.-noon. Call 706-826-4700 or visit sacredheartaugusta.org.
10am - 5pm Holiday Gingerbread Village Augusta Museum of History Each historic-themed gingerbread creation in this annual exhibit will be available through silent auction, with proceeds benefiting museum programs and exhibitions. The display and the opportunity to bid on the structures are free to the public during regular museum hours through Nov. 26 (closed Thanksgiving Day). Call 706-722-8454 or visit augustamuseum.org.
Ongoing
Annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway Dyess Park
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To take part in this community tradition, the last day of registration will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Dyess Park. To register, bring a current, valid state ID, a power bill in the registrant’s name dated within the past two months, or a current signed lease agreement. The giveaway will take place at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Dyess Park. Call 803-640-2090 or email info@jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org.
Holiday Pop-Up Shop theClubhou.se theClubhou.se on Telfair Street will transform into a local market from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 21, featuring baked goods, canned items, fresh produce, handmade decorations, beauty and bath items, artwork, garden art and other gift items. Vendors may register for a 6-foot by 6-foot spot; Augusta Locally Grown and theClubhou. se members may register as vendors for $20 by Nov. 14 and $30 after. Nonmembers’ vendor registration is $30. Register online at cognitoforms.com/FieldBotanicals/ HolidayPopUpShopRegistration. Call 706-7235782.
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.
SPIRITUAL Sat Nov 11
9am - 4pm Sow a Seed of Faith Day 319 Telfair Street This day of faith includes giveaways and a yard sale, spiritual guest speakers, performances and more. Email a.edwardscooper@yahoo.com or call 706-383-2280.
4pm - 5:30pm Why the Baha’i Faith West Town Market Square Free discussion is a brief introduction and discussion of the Baha’i Faith’s teachings on the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Humanity and the Oneness of Religion. Visit facebook.com/pg/ augusta.bahais.
Thu Nov 16
7pm - 8:30pm Waging Peace in Troubled Times Congregation Children of Israel Leaders from six faiths will address issues of tragedy in modern times. Visit interfaithaugusta.org/iffa-events.html or email IFFAugusta@gmail.com.
SPORTS-OUTDOORS Fri Nov 10
All day Walk 2 Remember AU’s Summerville Campus Augusta University hosting 24-hour walkathon to honor nation’s veterans, starting at 10 a.m. 38 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Friday and ending at 10 a.m. Saturday. $25, adults; $15, students. Call 706-729-2255 or email mvs@augusta.edu.
Sat Nov 11
9am - 11:30am Historic Stable and Barn Experience Aiken Training Track A tour offered by the Aiken Training Track and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame that will meet at the Rye Patch Parking Lot at 8:45 a.m. $30; pre-registration required. Visit cityofaikensc.gov or call 803-642-7631. If rained out, date will change to Nov. 18.
Sun Nov 12
3pm Canal Trail Talks Savannah Rapids Regional Visitor Information Center Free discussion on what trees give the best fall colors. Meet at 3 p.m. in front of the Lock Keeper’s Cottage at Savannah Rapids Park. Email jgshurtleff88@gmail.com or call 706-8683373.
Ongoing
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.
SUPPORT Thu Nov 9
6pm - 7:30pm Cancer Survivor Support Group Augusta Oncology Associates Call 706-651-4567.
Mon Nov 13
6pm Pink Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group University Hospital’s Breast Health Center Call 706-774-4141 or visit universityhealth.org.
Tue Nov 14
10:20am Moms Connection Augusta University Medical Center This free weekly support group for new mothers meets in the Terrace Dining Dogwood Room on the second. 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 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 or call 706-798-5515.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) GA, 110 Augusta St. Alban’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall The group meets Mondays, with weighin beginning at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 706-790-0391 or visit tops.org.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Pine View Baptist Church The group meets Tuesdays, with weighin beginning at 4:45 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 5:15 p.m. Call 706-481-0529 or visit tops.org.
La Leche League 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. Pre-registration required. Call 706-721-5160 or email nawilliams@gru.edu.
assault, incest, rape or childhood sexual abuse. Call 706-724-5200 or visit universityhealth.org.
Alcoholics Anonymous Holds several meetings locally. For a current schedule, visit augustaaa.org/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 706-855-8636.
THEATER Sat Nov 11
7:30pm “When Push Comes to Shove” Imperial Theatre This Raisin AJ Production drama/comedy by Miss Monique of Power 107 will allow the audience to interact with cast members. $22. Visit imperialtheatre.com or call 706-722-8341 or 601-299-0782.
Ongoing
“The Giver” Aiken Community Playhouse Showing at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 11 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 12. An Aiken Youth Wing production. $20, adults; $17, seniors and active military; $12, students; $7, children. Call 803-648-1438 or visit aikencommunityplayhouse.com.
“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.
“It Can’t Happen Here” Le Chat Noir Showing 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18. $25. Visit lcnaugusta.com or call 706-722-3322.
“A Dog’s House” Le Chat Noir Showing 8 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16. $25. Visit lcnaugusta.com or call 706-722-3322.
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 706-8639534 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 9NOVEMBER2017
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8th Street Plaza - Saturday Morning Swing at the Augusta Market on the River The Backyard Tavern - Chris Ndeti Coyotes - Tim Wood Evans Towne Center Park - Veterans Day Tribute Concert w/ Shooter Jennings and more Shannon’s - Perfect Picture Sky City - False Flag w/ Pussy Launcher, Bullmoose The Stables Restaurant (Aiken) - Bobby Mason Stillwater Taproom - Dewayne Brock and the Luckky Bastards Wild Wing - Just Sweet Karma The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
Upcoming Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
- Bell Auditorium November 16 Sabo and Dave
- Wild Wing November 16 MIdgets With Attitude
- Country Club November 16 The Reality
- Southbound Smokehouse November 16 Atomic Road
- Shannon’s November 17 Caleb and the Gents
What’s Tonight?
Fox’s Lair - Karaoke w/ John Barry Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Karaoke Sally’s - ‘90s Party
Nevernauts (pictured), False Flag The Highlander 10pm Fri Nov 10 $3; pubhighlander.net, 803-278-2796
Sunday, November 12 Live Music
Augusta Common - Fall Concert Series Bell Auditorium - Straight No Chaser Capri Lounge - Vivian Valium & the Lounge Lizard Divas Southbound Smokehouse - Phillip Lee Jr. Wild Wing - Jukebox Robocop The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ Mike Johnson
Monday, November 13 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
Straight No Chaser Bell Auditorium 3pm Sun Nov 12 $29.50-$54.50; 877-4AUGTIX, visit georgialinatix.com Thursday, November 9 Live Music
The Alley (Aiken) - The Kenny George Band Bell Auditorium - The Music of Journey (performed by Symphony Orchestra Augusta) Fox’s Lair - Open Mic Jam w/ Thomas Langley Mellow Mushroom (Evans) - Tom Reed Sky City - SIMO w/ Phillip Lee Band Southbound Smokehouse - Brian Herrington Wild Wing - R3 The Willcox (Aiken) - Thursday Night Jazz w/ 4 Cats in the Dog House
What’s Tonight?
Helga’s Pub & Grille - Trivia The Highlander - Butt Naked Trivia Pizza Joint (Downtown) - Trivia w/ Mike Sleeper Shannon’s - Karaoke w/ David Doane That Place Coffee - Open Mic w/ J. Martin-Moses
Friday, November 10 Live Music 40 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
Tuesday, November 14 Live Music
Country Club - Chuck Courtenay Coyotes - Tim Wood Fox’s Lair - Old Man Crazy The Highlander - Nevernauts, False Flag James Brown Arena - Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher Metro Coffeehouse & Pub - Village Sticks w/ The Woofs, Jordan Brower Shannon’s - Preston and Weston Sky City - Palace Doctor w/ TV Jetset, Televangelist, Subutech The Stables Restaurant (Aiken) - Keith Gregory Stillwater Taproom - Finnegan Bell Wild Wing - Sabin Sharpe World of Beer - Tom Reed The Willcox (Aiken) - John Vaughn
What’s Tonight?
The Backyard Tavern - Karaoke Sally’s - Sally’s Drag w/ Jesse Lovebug, Alexiya St. Martin and Brody Armstrong
Saturday, November 11 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
What’s Tonight?
The Highlander - Game Night Soul Bar - Soul Night World of Beer - Karaoke
Wednesday, November 15 Live Music Wild Wing - Jeff Lucero Duo
- Stillwater Taproom November 17 Tokyo Joe
- Wild Wing November 17 Phillip Lee
- The Highlander November 17 J.B. Crockett
- Country Club November 17 The Mantras
- Southbound Smokehouse November 17 Vicky Grady Band (CD release party)
- Metro Coffeehouse & Pub November 17 Nathan Angelo
- Sky City November 18 Brit Floyd — Immersion World Tour
- Bell Auditorium November 18 Hooker Bros
- Wild Wing November 18 Anybody’s Guess
- Shannon’s November 18 Calimino
- Stillwater Taproom November 18 Holman Autry Band
- Country Club November 18 Shep Duo
- Wild Wing November 19 Ying Yang Twins
- Country Club November 24 “The Nutcracker” by Colton Ballet Company
- Imperial Theatre November 24-26 “The Nutcracker” by Columbia County Ballet
- Imperial Theatre November 30, December 1 Lanco
- Country Club December 2 Rick Springfield, Richard Marx
- Bell Auditorium December 6 Granger Smith
- Country Club December 8 Henry Rollins
- Miller Theater January 8 “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”
- Imperial Theatre December 8-10 An Evening with Molly Ringwald
- Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center January 13 Diana Krall
- Miller Theater February 16 Ronnie Milsap
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
- Miller Theater February 17 “Weird Al” Yankovic w/ Emo Philips
- Miller Theater April 14
Elsewhere Primus
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 9 Bon Iver, Aero Flynn
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 9 Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
- Fox Theatre, Atlanta November 11 9NOVEMBER2017
V28|NO45 John Cleese
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta November 12 Tegan and Sara
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta November 13 Jay-Z
- Philips Arena, Atlanta November 14 Modern English
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta November 16 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
- Music Farm, Columbia November 16 The Shins, BAIO
- The Roxy Theatre, Atlanta November 17 Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant
- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta November 25 Lady Gaga
- Philips Arena, Atlanta November 28 98 Degrees
- Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta November 29
REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN.
Luke Combs
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta December 1 Gwar, He is Legend, Ghoul, U.S. Bastards
- Heaven at the Masquerade, Atlanta December 3 Seether, Shaman’s Harvest
- The Tabernacle, Atlanta December 5
Try FREE: 706-434-0108 More Local Numbers: 1-800-926-6000
Luke Combs, Josh Phillips, Faren Rachels
Ahora español Livelinks.com 18+
- Township Auditorium, Columbia December 7 Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Infinite Energy Center, Atlanta December 9 Gin Blossoms
- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta December 14 Michael Carbonaro
- Township Auditorium, Columbia December 16
9NOVEMBER2017
Meet sexy new friends
FREE TRIAL
706-434-0112
Book your holiday party with us! 1204b Broad St. Augusta, GA 30901
For inquiries email: megan@froghollowgroup.com
Photo by Lauren Carnes
V28|NO45
THE EIGHT
BOX TOPS RANK TITLES
WEEKEND GROSS TOTAL GROSS WEEK # LAST WEEK
1
THOR: RAGNAROK
$122,744,989
$122,744,989
1
-
2
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS
$16,759,161
$21,285,267
1
-
3
JIGSAW
$6,558,146
$28,694,617
2
1
4
TYLER PERRY’S BOO 2!
$4,541,190
$42,849,613
3
2
5
GEOSTORM
$3,194,031
$28,929,372
3
3
In Theaters November 10
COMEDY
“Daddy’s Home 2,” rated PG-13, starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, John Cena, John Lithgow and Mel Gibson. The feuding fathers are back, and this time they’re dealing with their own dads during the holidays. As expected, Dusty’s father (played by Mel Gibson) is super-masculine, while Brad’s dad (played by John Lithgow) is superemotional. This probably won’t be a modern Christmas classic like “Elf,” but it might be good for a few laughs. 44 METROSPIRIT AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
THRILLER
“Murder on the Orient Express,” rated PG-13, starring Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr. and Johnny Depp. Based on Agatha Christie’s classic novel, a group of 13 strangers traveling aboard the famed Orient Express find themselves in the midst of a murder mystery. Simply put, it’s a good old-fashioned whodunit. Director Kenneth Branagh plays the iconic detective Hercule Poirot and leads a star-studded cast. 9NOVEMBER2017
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SIGHTINGS
Michael Johnson | mejphoto.photoreflect.com
Cyndi Nava, Gay Morris and Loy Butler at Music Monday at Forest Hill Golf Club
Dan Elliott, Sarah Money, Jake Wood and Brooke Welsh at Music Monday at Forest Hill Golf Club
Barbara Dickerson, Philomena Mooney and Noreen Reese at Music Monday at Forest Hill Golf Club
Stacey Tiee, April Groomes with the UGA mascot “Hairy Dog” and Dee Groomes at Border Bash at the Hippodrome Events Complex in North Augusta
UGA Cheerleaders Chip Chambers, Deja Jackson, Justin Williams and Meredith Hunnicutt at Border Bash at the Hippodrome Events Complex in North Augusta
Denise Mitchell, Kayla Koon and Sherry Koon at Border Bash at the Hippodrome Events Complex in North Augusta
Annalisa Bodie, Jay Adkins, Amber Thomas and Dennis Morris at the Jamey Johnson Concert at the Country Club
Becky Moore, Kelly Mcllvried, Cody Borden and Taylor Corley at the Jamey Johnson Concert at the Country Club
Bradley and Angela Avant, Christa Lemmona and Brian Timmons at the Jamey Johnson Concert at the Country Club
9NOVEMBER2017
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 45
Austin Rhodes
Austin Rhodes still writes for the Metro Spirit — we promise! He was working hard on a column this week, but a piece of evidence never came through by press time …
9NOVEMBER2017
AUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
METROSPIRIT 47
Jade BLACK
COLLECTION
2635 Washington Road, Augusta, GA | Mon - Sat 9am - 9pm | Sun 1pm - 6pm 706.738.7777 | www.windsorfinejewelers.com