A SERVANT LOST
Yvonne Johnson, who became Greensboro’s first Black mayor in 2007, died on December 4, surrounded by family members who asked her constituents, friends, and followers to pray for her in her final hours.
4 A new organization called the PIEDMONT SHAKESPEARE COMPANY will offer live professional Shakespearean theatre at various outdoor venues in the Piedmont Triad beginning in the summer of 2025.
4 High Point University invites the community to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas while driving through campus during HPU’s annual CHRISTMAS DRIVE celebration.
5 The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem will hold auditions for its upcoming production of August Wilson’s acclaimed stage drama “ MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM” from 6 to 8 p.m. at 419 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem.
6 Seven individual artists and one artist duo have been selected for Creative Greensboro’s 2025 GROW RESIDENCY
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Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com
EDITORIAL
Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com
YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR MARK BURGER
KATEI CRANFORD LYNN FELDER
JIM LONGWORTH
MAGGIE MARSHALL IAN MCDOWELL
PRODUCTION
Senior Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com
5 7 9
series. The Greensboro Residency for Original Works provides selected artists free studio space for the creation of new work...
7 THE ORDER, a hard-hitting police procedural based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s 1989 non-fiction best-seller “The Silent Brotherhood” that is certain to reap deserved accolades come year’s end.
9 While not exactly sleigh bells — though the area did just experience a snow dusting (our first in three years?!)
— there’s a RING IN THE TRIAD AIR. And I hope y’all are listening.
12 The Otis & Wawa 9th Annual SANTACON BAR CRAWL will be held Saturday, December 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. Registration and the official kick-off party will be held at downtown Greensboro’s Boxcar Bar + Arcade.
We
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DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
Piedmont Shakespeare Company Established to O er Free Professional Outdoor Theatre in Piedmont Triad
Anew organization called the Piedmont Shakespeare Company will o er live professional Shakespearean theatre at various outdoor venues in the Piedmont Triad beginning in the summer of 2025. Founded by veteran theater professionals and faculty members at UNC School of the Arts and Elon University, the Piedmont Shakespeare Company, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will provide performances at no cost to audiences in an e ort to make Shakespeare accessible to all.
The Piedmont Triad region has a long history of live theatre, but the closures of companies such as the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and Triad Stage have left the area with unmet demand for high-quality theatre for audiences and work opportunities for local professional artists. The Piedmont Shakespeare Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible and helping rebuild the arts ecosystem.
Piedmont Shakespeare Company will o er original productions of Shakespeare’s plays in all their complexity to provide transformative, profound experiences for audiences across the Piedmont Triad. A key mission of the Company is its commitment to connecting Piedmont Triad communities — with an initial focus on summer 2025 performances in Alamance, Guilford, and Forsyth Counties.
The new Company is headed by three veteran produc-
ers of theatre — Carl Forsman, a professor at the School of Drama at UNCSA, and Kim Shively, associate professor of drama at Elon, who will serve as co-artistic directors; and David McGraw, associate professor of arts administration, who will serve as executive director.
“I spent 20 years as a New Yorker, and like many New Yorkers, I have vivid memories of heading to Central Park in summertime and joining people from all over the world at the Delacorte theater and being reminded of our shared humanity by the greatest writer in the English language,” Forsman said. “We can’t wait to bring to the Triad a new theater that carries on the proud tradition established by the N.C. Shakespeare Festival of performing Shakespeare’s works here in North Carolina,
with a focus on making the plays exciting, relevant, and accessible. So many communities across America have summer Shakespeare theaters — we think that our region deserves one, too.”
“I can think of no better catalyst for community connection than the arts,” Shively said. “A fundamental part of Piedmont Shakespeare’s mission is to create a vibrant community atmosphere at each performance, providing free access to high-quality theatre and fostering meaningful connections between local non-profits and the audience, promoting community involvement and support.
“From opportunities to build community organization partnerships to audience engagement and discussion connecting on the production’s themes, Piedmont Shakes will be a place to connect friends, neighbors, and communities,” Shively added. “This initiative will strengthen the ties between the arts and local organizations, fostering a culture of collaboration, support, and shared purpose in the Piedmont region. Together, we can make the performances an artistic experience and a catalyst for positive change within our community.”
Although admission to performances is free, the Piedmont Shakespeare Company will ask for contributions from audiences. In addition, the Company is actively seeking sponsors for its inaugural season.
Piedmont Shakespeare Company will announce dates, venues, and additional details about its summer 2025 production in early 2025. For more information, visit piedmontshakes.org. !
HPU Invites Community to Enjoy Christmas Drive
High Point University invites the community to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas while driving through campus during HPU’s annual Christmas Drive celebration.
The Christmas Drive, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. each night from Friday, December 20, to Friday, December 27. Guests will enter HPU’s campus at the University Parkway entrance and exit at Panther Drive onto Lexington Avenue by the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center.
The Christmas Drive is a fun and festive way for families to enjoy the holiday decorations and sounds of the season from the comfort of their vehicles. This year’s display will feature more than 100,000 Christmas lights, 235 giant nutcrackers, a life-size Nativity scene, large wreaths and
garland, and the state’s tallest Christmas tree at 70 feet. Another Christmas tree outside the arena is 58 feet tall.
Guests should tune in to 89.7 FM while driving through campus to enjoy Christmas carols performed by the talented students and faculty from the High Point University Department of Music.
“Every year, we look forward to welcoming thousands of families and friends to our campus for the Christmas Drive,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “This is one of many ways we celebrate the Christmas season and bring people together for joy and fellowship.”
Last year, HPU welcomed more than 30,000 people to campus for the Christmas Drive.
The community is also invited to a variety of holiday events. For more information about Christmas-themed events at HPU, visit www.highpoint.edu/happyholidays/. !
PRESS RELEASE
From left, David McGraw, Kim Shively, Carl Forsman
Little Theatre holds auditions for August Wilson’s classic
The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem will hold auditions for its upcoming production of August Wilson’s acclaimed stage drama “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” from 6 to 8 p.m. at 419 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem. No appointment is necessary, and all are encouraged to audition. There are roles available for two women (ages 20s-60s) and eight men (ages 20s70s). Additional details and character descriptions can be found at https:// www.ltofws.org/auditions . The story takes place in 1927 Chicago, at the height of the jazz era, and focuses on an eventful and tumultuous recording session with the indomitable and imperious Ma Rainey, known as the “Mother of the Blues,” and her band, during which old grudges and recriminations reach a boiling point between Ma and members of the band, some of whom harbor long-held resentments and jealousies toward her. The play also encompasses themes of systemic racism and simple human drama. The auditions will consist of reading from sides, and those auditioning are asked to bring a calendar and be prepared to list any potential conflicts for the rehearsal and performance period. The first read-through of “ Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30, with rehearsals generally taking place Monday-Friday evenings. This schedule may be adjusted according to cast availability.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” made its Broadway debut in 1984 and was an immediate sensation, earning Tony Award nominations for Best Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play (Charles S. Dutton), and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Theresa Merritt). The 2020 film version won Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling while earning additional nominations for Best Actor (Chadwick Boseman), Best Actress (Viola Davis), and Best Production Design.
Subsequent additions to Wilson’s
“Pittsburgh Cycle” (or “Century Cycle”) were no less acclaimed, with both “ Fences” (1987) and “ The Piano Lesson” (1990) earning Wilson the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Each play also earned five Tony nominations including Best Play, with “ Fences” winning the award. Wilson’s other credits include “Jitney” (1982), “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” (1988), “ Two Trains Running” (1992), “ Seven Guitars” (1996), and “ King Hedley II” (2001) — all likewise award winners. Many of his works were set in Pittsburgh, where Wilson hailed from (hence the term “Pittsburgh Cycle”) .
Had Wilson not died in 2005 at age 60, it’s tempting to wonder what more he could have accomplished in his remarkable career. The year after his death he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. In 2013, the August Wilson House in Pittsburgh was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and 14 days after his death the Virginia Theatre on Broadway was renamed the August Wilson Theatre — the first theater named for an AfricanAmerican.
The Little Theatre’s production of “ Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom ,” which will be directed by Tomeka Allen, is scheduled to run February 14-23, 2025, at the Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem. For more information, call 336-725-4001 or visit the official Little Theatre website: https:// www.ltofws.org/. !
See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies. © 2024, Mark Burger.
2025 GROW Artists in Residence Announced
Seven individual artists and one artist duo have been selected for Creative Greensboro’s 2025 GROW Residency series. The Greensboro Residency for Original Works provides selected artists free studio space for the creation of new work, while o ering opportunities for the public to engage in the creative process.
Residencies have been awarded to the following artists:
• Jackie Spade will bring to life themes of beauty, pain, and personal growth through live music, film, and poetry in his residency “Ugly Rose: An Immersive Experience” (January 14 to February 10).
• Tumaini Johnson will present “The Beat Lab,” an interactive music production studio where visitors can explore beat-making and sound design, as well as collaborate on an original album (February 18 to March 17).
• Keala Rodgers will invite women to share their stories of resilience through poetry and spoken word, accompanied by dance and visual art, in her residency “Overcoming by the (Spoken) Word” (March 18 to April 28).
• LaToya Winslow will blend graphic design, digital illustration, and creative writing, inviting participants to develop their own journals using accessible and low-cost resources (May 6 to June 2).
• Karpagam Palaniappan will apply traditional beading techniques along with the principles
of mechanical engineering to create a line of kinetic mobile earrings, inviting the public to explore the intersection between art and STEM fields (June 9-29).
• Yvonna D. Johnson will guide the community in creating mixed media collages through workshops on printmaking, composition, and art documentation, encouraging participants to explore their personal narratives through abstract forms (July 8 to August 18).
• Brandon Williams will present “The Art of Street Dance with B.T.D.” o ering daily, inclusive lab sessions for all ages and skill levels, promoting awareness and appreciation of hip hop and street dance culture (August 26 to October 6).
• Jennida Chase and Hausson Pitts will combine light, texture, sound, and video projections in an immersive sensory experience, inviting visitors to consider Greensboro’s past and imagine its future in their residency “Gate City: Playable Space” (October 14 to December 15). !
GROW is a flexible creative space, managed by Creative Greensboro, the City’s o ce for arts and culture. Compensated residencies of up to 12 weeks are awarded to Guilford County-based creative individuals and organizations to produce new and original works that encourage visitation and engagement by the public. Each residency includes at least six hours of weekly programming that is o ered to the public free of charge. For more information, visit www. greensboro-nc.gov/GROW.
Mark Burger
Contributor
PRESS RELEASE
It’s long been the conjecture of this critic (and others) that as the weather gets colder, movies get better — as potential awards contenders jockey for position and prestige. So it is with The Order, a hard-hitting police procedural based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s 1989 non-fiction best-seller “The Silent Brotherhood” that is certain to reap deserved accolades come year’s end. In absorbing and assured fashion, the film dramatizes the FBI’s pursuit of The Order, an o shoot of the Aryan Nations, in the 1980s, following a series of daring robberies and the murder of Denver radio host Alan Berg (a well-cast Marc Maron) committed by operatives of The Order. Heading the investigation is veteran agent Terry Husk (producer Jude Law), whose surname is apt. The embittered, chain-smoking Husk, prone to nosebleeds and estranged from his family, is the quintessential burn-out.
His principal quarry provides a fascinating contrast. Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), the leader of The Order, is charismatic, clean-cut, respected, well-liked, and well-loved, with both an adoring wife (Alison Oliver) and a pregnant mistress (Odessa Young). As befits its name, The Order is well-organized and continually able to evade capture, while initially it almost seems like Terry is going it alone. The Order is not without elements familiar to the crime drama, but screenwriter Zach Baylin’s script and Justin Wurzel’s direction bring a freshness to the proceedings. Although the film takes place 40 years ago, the notion of domestic terrorism is, if anything, more relevant and resonant today. Yet this isn’t a cautionary tale, nor does it preach its message. It’s an important movie about an important subject that also happens to be vastly entertaining — an unbeatable combination.
Even for those familiar with the outcome, considerable suspense is generated as the narrative methodically draws Terry
and Bob closer together, building to their inevitable confrontation. There’s a spinetingling scene when Terry happens to encounter Bob, whom he’s never laid eyes on before and who has been trailing him, during a hunting trip, in which they size each other up. Both Law and Hoult are in excellent form here, and both actors — who are British — o er flawless American accents.
The performances are solid down the line, and let’s not overlook Tye Sheridan as Jamie Bowen, the young police o cer who assists Terry’s investigation. The role of an eager-beaver rookie could have been a typical stereotype, but Sheridan nicely conveys Jamie’s growing alarm at just how entrenched The Order is in the community he’s lived his entire life. Jurnie Smollett makes the most of her role as Joanne Carney, a younger FBI agent familiar with Husk’s strengths and weaknesses, and Victor Slezak provides a chilling turn as the real-life Aryan Nations founder Richard Butler.
Jed Kurzel, the younger brother of producer/director Justin, contributes an e ectively propulsive score, and the Canadian locations seamlessly pass for the American heartland, a region of wideopen spaces and breathtaking scenery, as well as some very dark and hidden secrets. ! See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2024, Mark Burger.
Mark Burger
Contributor
[WEEKLY SUDOKU] [KING CROSSWORD]
Like babies who throw tantrums when you try to put diapers on them?
whale, once
Fake identity
Fuels (up)
“It won’t hurt to snoop a little!”?
Body of eau
Kind of acid in vinegar
Architect Saarinen
“Slung” food
St. — (Caribbean getaway)
of building timbers 51 Colon part 52 Communist Joseph 55 Egyptian god of the dead
57 Declaration while pointing at a group of workers on strike?
62 Scent sensor 63 George at Gettysburg 64 Airy melody
65 Statement when you’re nearly ready to complete a collage?
72 The “A” of “A-Rod”
The Triad Rings! Are ya’ll listening?
While not exactly sleigh bells — though the area did just experience a snow dusting (our first in three years?!) — there’s a ring in the Triad air. And I hope y’all are listening. I’m not just talking about Christmas bells. As we lay deep in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and wrap up the end of 2024, I’m poised to reflect on our o erings — and shine a light on those who make merry and music the whole year ‘round.
In that spirit — and for those looking for some jolly sans the holly — the Triad doesn’t disappoint.
First up, the Flat Iron: where music lovers can just about throw a rock and hit a win on their calendar. Looking back on the tenure of owners Josh King and Abbey Spoon, it’s remarkable how integral that little Summit Avenue island of a bar and venue has become to our music community. And sure, they’re building up to a holiday week — but first are o ering a spate of shows: the funk and jams of Underground Springhouse and Jacoozy on December 12; two nights of emo and alt-pop (Lowborn, Galloway, and Blankstate on December 13 and Fifth Floor, Bedroom Division, Moving Boxes, and Nervous Surface on December 14); a heavy psych Sunday with Bask, Nathan James Hall and …of Sinking Ships on December 15; and Abigail Dowd’s last Singer Songwriter Series of the year (featuring Sam Frazier and Jon Shain) caps o the pre-holiday rush on December 17.
From there, the Flat leans heavy on the holiday a airs (see last week’s column) — with one major notable exception: Dance From Above celebrating a ding-dong-dang decade — featuring Marley Carroll and Darklove — on December 21.
“Hard to believe we’re at the end of another ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ year,” said the collective of party purveyors and music lovers who’ve spent the past 10 years proving themselves to be hosts with the most. Truthfully, it’s been a long “blink and you’ll miss it” decade since those early DFA days in 2014 — quite literally dancing above the Carolina Theatre to the beats of world-renowned DJs paired with some of N.C.’s finest.
While the venues have changed, the culture remains: “working hard to bring big city vibes to humble, intimate parties.” With goals centered around, “vitality, joy, and bringing our community closer together through great music,” the group continues to “celebrate underground dance music, art, and culture in accessible and safe spaces by taking it back to its roots.”
“We’re happy to say we’re not quite done,” they continued — honing in on the year. ”We’d love to throw one last party before the holidays settle in; and with this being the end of our 10th year anniversary, we wanted to celebrate with a couple of faces that were there way back from the very beginning.“
With that, they’ve wrangled Darklove and Marley Carroll for the spotlight sets, bookended by B2B2B sets featuring Niervash, Alvin Shavers, and 50ft Shadows. “This is the first time in ages Darklove has joined us,” they said, expressing excitement to “share our dance floor with him again after all these years.”
Carroll, meanwhile, is a DFA veteran and favorite — whose set will help close out a hard year on a high note. 2024 was a roller coaster of a year for the Asheville electronic artist. In early September, he released his latest EP on the new “Explorations” sub-label from the esteemed Anujadeep — and was included on its debut sampler. By the end of the month, however, he witnessed his mountain community wash away around him.
Finished during a “six-week sojourn in Berlin,” Carroll’s aptly titled, “One More Year,” works as prophecy and catharsis. “I o ered myself to the world with no expectations,” Carroll said of the experience. “I was searching for inspiration, exploration, and expansion, hoping to discover what I had been missing.”
“What I didn’t expect,” he continued, “was how this experience would lead me back home with a strengthened internal compass and help me realize that the only thing I truly needed was self-acceptance. This record reflects the pain and heartache of transformation, as well as the profound joy and gratitude found on the other side.” What no one expected is how pertinent those reflections — on grief and loss — would become. As WNC continues to mourn and heal this holiday season, I hope joy comes however it can. I’m personally grateful for the music community — for artists like Carroll, the audience who offered him support; and organizers like DFA
who help bridge the two, while creating a damn good time.
For DFA, “this is a truly special party for us and we want to invite anyone and everyone,” they said. “We’ll even be setting up a bit early and playing records starting at 8 p.m. — so if you want to come hang before it’s too late, come on out a little early.”
On the other end of the Triad, Couldn’t Be Happiers will host their own break from the holidays to host “Monologues and Melodies,” on December 21 at the Camel City Playhouse.
“It’s not a holiday show,” insisted CBH’s Jordan Crosby Lee. Though there is something of a holiday bonus in the premise of the event: a unique monologue performance preceding each song.
“We wanted to do something to honor the past and present,” Lee explained, referencing ways the stage will shed new lights on their material — with monologues from di erent perspectives and o ering enriched context surrounding their catalog. “So instead of just 90 minutes of live music, we’re going to play 10 songs. But before each song an actor, in full wardrobe and lighting, is going to recite a monologue we drafted specifically for the song.” Not to detract from CBH’s sappy love a air or silly songs on serious subjects, but this writer personally hopes there’s at least one Sasquatch that hits the Camel City Stage.
As bells ring amongst the resounding chorus of Triad music, here’s to the year ending on a high note as best we can. Catch y’all on the dance floor. !
KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
Katei Cranford
Contributor
DFA at the Mill 2018
Yvonne Johnson, who became Greensboro’s first Black mayor in 2007, died on December 4, surrounded by family members who asked her constituents, friends, and followers to pray for her in her final hours. Johnson, 82, served over three decades on Greensboro City Council, where she was arguably the most beloved elected o cial in the city’s 21stcentury history.
“She was not only my mother, but my best friend and travel partner,” said Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court Lisa Johnson-Tonkins. “She just loved people, and serving them in public o ce. My mom’s mantra was that service is the rent you pay for living here on this earth, and she took that to heart. She would take people in from time to time, even homeless people, into her home. That shows you that she believed in what she preached.”
“Our city lost one of its champions,”
A Servant Lost: The Triad mourns Yvonne Johnson
said Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who became a council member in 1997, four years after Johnson did.
In the 2007 mayoral race, Johnson defeated developer Milton Kern with 57% of the vote. She lost her 2009 re-election bid to Bill Knight. But Johnson continued to be one of the city’s most influential Black leaders when she returned to council two years after her loss to Knight.
She’d previously made electoral history in 1999 by becoming the city’s first Black mayor pro tem, who performs the mayor’s duties when the mayor is absent. In 2011, Johnson did not seek re-election as mayor, but easily won the pro tem position she held until her death.
Johnson was born Yvonne Je ries in 1942 at L. Richardson Memorial Hospital, Greensboro’s Black medical center at a time when other city hospitals were whites-only. Her uncle, Professor W. L Kennedy, was director of the Dairy Science department at North Carolina A&T State University, and she spent much of her childhood on the A&T farm, then located on East Market Street.
Upon her 1960 graduation from the then-segregated Dudley High School, she chose to stay in Greensboro and attend Bennett College, which had a profound e ect on her political awareness.
In a 2023 profile in Southern City Magazine, Johnson said she’d experienced the full e ects of segregation during her first 20 years in Greensboro. “Colored water fountains, colored bathrooms, sitting in the back of the bus, the whole nine yards.” It was her college classmates and faculty who motivated her to do something about it. “I never had that spark until the spirit of Bennett spurred me.”
The 1960 Woolworth sit-ins occurred in her senior year at Dudley. By 1963, her
junior year at Bennett, the movement was challenging Greensboro’s segregated restaurants and movie theaters. Students from Bennett as well as A&T were on the dangerous front lines of protest.
In a 1999 News & Record interview, Johnson said she protested many times but was arrested only once. She spent three days in Guilford County Jail, where Bennett President Willa Player sent food to arrested students.
“Dr. Player said if she had to hand out diplomas in jail, she would do that. She was saying to us, ‘You are doing the right thing.’”
Johnson participated in the 1963 March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bennett, she married attorney Walter Johnson, one of the first Black men admitted to Duke University’s law school, who later served as the first Black director of Greensboro Public Schools, which he successfully worked to desegregate. He was also the state’s first Black assistant district attorney, as well as the first Black member of the N.C. Bar Association board of governors. Walter and Yvonne Johnson would remain happily married until his death in 2021.
After Walter served in the Air Force, the Johnsons returned to Greensboro and had
Ian McDowell
Contributor
Yvonne Johnson at Bennett College
four children; Lisa, Shannon JohnsonLackey, Vernon, and Walter Jr. After taking a few years o to spend time with them, Yvonne Johnson went to work as program director for the Greensboro YWCA and became the first Black member of the Greensboro Junior League.
In 1976, she became president of the struggling chemical manufacturing company Barjo Inc., which she made successful and ran for five years. In 1978, she earned a Master of Science in Counseling from N.C. A&T. In 1983, she started One Step Further, a nonprofit helping teenagers, adults, and families during times of crisis and conflict. In 1993, she became Greensboro’s first Black city-wide council representative.
She developed a reputation as someone even those who disagreed with her liked, respected, and listened to. “She had a balance between Black and white like I’ve never seen,” her longtime friend, District 1 representative Sharon Hightower, told YES! Weekly. “No matter who you were talking to, when the name Yvonne Johnson was said, people had to smile. She was always wise and often hilarious, but never put on airs.”
She could be fiercely outspoken. According to a 1999 News & Record article by Scott Andron, an angry Johnson told City Manager Ed Kitchen she was tired of learning what he was doing by reading the newspaper. “When that happens, I feel stupid, and I don’t want to
feel stupid.” Andron also described her as the rare elected o cial to criticize Coliseum Manager Matt Brown, after Brown scheduled a news conference to ask for more funding.
In 2006, Johnson took part in a rally of more than 100 Black citizens, who gathered on the courthouse steps to confront what they called the city’s culture of racism. “I did this in the ’60s at Bennett College,” said Johnson, “so I’m used to the street.”
That same year, after the Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Committee issued its final report on the 1979 Greensboro Massacre, Johnson urged her fellow councilmembers to read it and acknowledge the city’s complicity in the murderous events of that day.
Interviewed by Yasmine Register for The Carolina Peacemaker in June of this year, Johnson called closing the White Street Landfill one of her proudest and most di cult achievements.
“I live near the landfill. I smelled it for years. I saw the trash drop o the trucks. [Former city council member] Claudette Burroughs-White and I worked hard on that, convincing council that this was the right thing to do. And when we got an overwhelming majority of the council voting to close it, that was a monumental win for the people of Greensboro.”
“Yvonne was a true servant of the people, whose concern, passion, and love for the city of Greensboro was unparalleled,” said Hightower. “She was our mentor and matriarch, who taught me how to be political without being a politician. It’s a major understatement to say she was irreplaceable and will be missed, not just by me, but so many across the city, state, and country.”
Governor Roy Cooper and 6th congressional district representative Kathy Manning issued media statements praising Johnson and mourning her passing, as did Bennett College President Suzanne Elise Walsh, who called her “the very essence of service and leadership.”
After sending YES! Weekly photos of Johnson at the November 16 installation of Dr. Matthew Brown as the new pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, council representative at-large Hugh Holston called
Hightower “a voice for the voiceless who will always be remembered as a bridge builder turning complex situations into workable solutions.”
One of the most heartfelt and personal tributes is from Ingram Bell, program manager for One Step Further.
“In an imperfect world, Yvonne was our perfect voice. She empowered us to become the next generation of great leaders, guiding us to serve those whom others often overlook. Mama J led by example, o ering unwavering forthright honesty with a heart full of love, pushing us to be powerful, intelligent, and influential while always reminding us to serve with humility and purpose. Her legacy is one of strength, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our community. Her love for us will forever be the light that guides us to continue the work.”
In honor of the late Johnson, the City of Greensboro lowered its flags at facilities have been lowered to half-sta .
Additionally, the Greene Street Parking Deck will be illuminated in purple, commemorating the city’s recognition of Johnson’s lasting legacy and significant contributions to Greensboro.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton released the following statement on Thursday:
“On behalf of Democrats across our state, I want to pay tribute to the life and legacy of former Greensboro Mayor and City Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson. Mayor Johnson dedicated her life to her community and to public service. Her love for her city and her state was undeniable and her constituents know the impact she’s left behind. We honor Mayor Johnson and I want to send my heartfelt condolences to her family and to the people of Greensboro.”
A celebration of life will be held for Johnson this weekend. Visitation will be Friday, December 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Perry J. Brown Funeral Home, located at 909 E. Market St. in Greensboro. Services will be on Saturday, December 14 and will begin with a horse drawn processional by Perry J. Brown Funeral Home at the intersection of Beech and Dudley Streets to the Bennett College Chapel, located at 900 E. Washington St. The family visitation hour will begin at noon and the funeral service will begin at 1 p.m.
The service will be streamed at www. Bennett.edu/live. !
IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.
Yvonne with Hugh Holston & Rev. Michael Brown at Shiloh Baptist Church
Santa Con Bar Crawl heads downtown
One of the Triad’s biggest parties with a purpose is gearing up to sleigh downtown Greensboro this weekend for a cause.
The Otis & Wawa 9th Annual SantaCon Bar Crawl will be held Saturday, December 14 from 3 to 9 p.m. Registration and the official kick-off party will be held at downtown Greensboro’s Boxcar Bar + Arcade, located at 120 W. Lewis St., from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
“This bar crawl is full of holiday spirit and Christmas. Everyone dresses up in their favorite holiday or festival outfit and we bar crawl through downtown Greensboro,” said Mike “DJ Wawa” Wallace. We have costume contests, scavenger hunts, karaoke, and DJs. We even have some fun games at registration before we go bar hopping.”
The bar crawl is also a fundraiser with proceeds and donations benefitting Junior Achievement of the Triad. The organization teaches children “lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship.” The organization’s focus is to ensure that students in grades kindergarten through eighth have the skills needed for “future success in life and career.”
“When we do our bar crawls we always give back to some type of nonprofit. This year the nonprofit is going to be Junior Achievement of the Triad,” Wallace said. “Being that we are entrepreneurs, we wanted to give back to something that we’re passionate about. Learning about money and financial issues is key for kids coming up in this next generation so we wanted to give back in that way along with mentoring.”
Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their favorite holiday costumes and gear while crawling. There will be a costume contest during the event. Attendees are encouraged to post their photos on a public social media account and tag Otis & Wawa or @otisandwawa
Chanel Davis
Editor
on Facebook or Instagram and hashtag #DGSOSantaCon and #OtisandWawa for a chance to win. The winner will receive gift cards totaling $100 to local downtown businesses.
Wallace said if you’ve never been to a bar crawl before, attendees can expect an overall great time. Typically this event garners 300 to 450 people on average.
“We have a little something for everyone. Whether you are really in a party phase, or looking for something calm, we try to pair every hour or two hours with different styles of bars or experiences. It’s fun and energetic,” he said. “For this Christmas one, everyone is always in a good spirit, it’s really festive and everyone is cheering. They really enjoy it.”
Stops for this year include: Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Southend Brewing Co., Vintage to Vogue Boutique, The Bearded Goat, XO Social Lounge, The Quarter, Bourbon Bowl, and Stumble Stilskins.
Wallace said that Triad residents look forward to the annual event, some even making it a 21+ family affair.
“People always look forward to it. It’s
a fun way for families to come out. It is something that they definitely look forward to doing. There’s a group of 50 people who meet up and come to the bar crawl,” he said. “The feedback we’ve received is that people are excited for this event.”
Tickets for the event are $20 and include a Santa Beard and hat, an event mug, a bag, a bracelet, and free admission to all participating bars. To buy tickets visit, www.tickettailor.com/events/ otisandwawa/1384091/r/email. !
CHANEL DAVIS is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.
[SCAN ME]
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets to the Otis & Wawa 9th Annual Santa Con Bar Crawl in downtown Greensboro.
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of December 16, 2024
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Don’t be sheepish about asking more questions before making a major decision at your workplace. Meanwhile, your personal relationships continue to improve.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You might be rushed into renewing an old, cold relationship. But do you really want a reheated romance when there’s a chance to warm up with someone new?
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Someone tells you something that could lead you to rethink your plans for the holidays. Get the full story before you make a decision.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A financial matter that had you in a dither is finally being sorted out as more facts become available. A perplexing personal matter also clears up.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) You face a slew of new tasks at home and work. So, as much as you love being a social Lion, be careful not to overdo it at those preholiday parties.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Unexpected news could cause some minor adjustments in your holiday planning. Defer a decision about a financial matter until you have more facts.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A project might not be bringing you the results you’d hoped it would by now. But stay with it — things will soon begin to turn around.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A budding personal relationship continues to develop. Things also improve in your career, although some problems still need close attention.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Mercury is finally stationing direct in your sign after a few weeks in retrograde. This will give you motivation to take care of any outstanding tasks before the holidays.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Allowing a misunderstanding to go unchallenged could jeopardize the plans you’ve made for the upcoming holidays. Clear the air now.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) While you should be open to suggestions on how to plan for the holidays, you should also be firm in saying “no” to anything you disagree with.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Get out from under all those holiday preparations and immerse yourself in a world of music. You’ll soon feel refreshed, revived — maybe even reborn!
[BORN THIS WEEK: You believe in the truth and have little patience for those who try to hide it. You would make an excellent judge.
©
2024
by King Features Syndicate
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 8
[WEEKLY SUDOKU]
sudoku on page 8
[TRIVIA TEST]
by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. LITERATURE: Which Victor Hugo novel was made into an animated Disney movie?
[2. MUSIC: In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” what was the gift on the eighth day?
[3. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the Kalahari Desert located?
[4. HISTORY: Who was the first AfricanAmerican justice on the U.S. Supreme Court?
[5. BIOLOGY: What is the process called in which a nonreproductive cell divides in two?
[6. MOVIES: In the movie Elf, what is the name of Santa’s sleigh?
[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the largest mammal on Earth?
[8. U.S. STATES: Where did the first organized celebration of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) take place in the U.S.?
[9. ASTRONOMY: Which planet is the smallest in our solar system?
[10. TELEVISION: Which 1980s-1990s TV family sitcom had a holiday episode titled “A Very Tanner Christmas?”
answer
10. “Full House.
9. Mercury.
8. Mobile, Alabama.
7. The blue whale.
6. The Kringle 3000.
© 2024 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
1. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
2. Eight maids a-milking.
3. Southern Africa. 4. Thurgood Marshall. 5. Mitosis.
