Connect Savannah, December 14, 2022

SAT 4/1

4:30 & 7:30 PM

6 & 8:30 PM

Church

VIVIAN LEVA & RILEY CALCAGNO/ THE FOREIGN LANDERS

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

CAJUN DANCE PARTY: THE LOST BAYOU RAMBLERS

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum 8 PM

TERENCE BLANCHARD FEAT. THE E-COLLECTIVE & TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET

Lucas Theatre for the Arts

NOON30: PASQUALE GRASSO TRIO

12:30 PM

4:30 & 8 PM

5 & 8:30 PM

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

ALEXA TARANTINO QUARTET / PASQUALE GRASSO TRIO

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

STANTON MOORE TRIO / ROOSEVELT COLLIER

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum 6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS III DOHNÁNYI’S DELIGHT

Trinity United Methodist Church 8 PM LOS LOBOS Lucas Theatre for the Arts

SUN 4/2 4 PM

GALACTIC / CORY WONG / NATE SMITH + KINFOLK Trustees’ Garden TUE 4/4 5 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS IV THE FINALE Trinity United Methodist Church 7:30 PM GER MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA Trustees Theater WED 4/5 6 PM REGINA CARTER: GONE IN A PHRASE OF AIR Trustees Theater 7:30 PM

SAM BUSH PLAYS JOHN HARTFORD / THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND Lucas Theatre for the Arts

AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY 12/14 SONGS AND STORIES IN THE SQUARES

Enjoy a holiday installation of “Songs and Stories in the Squares” starting at Telfair Square. Presenters from the Historic Savannah Foundation will share about the history of Telfair and Ellis Squares before ending in City Market with a special collaboration between Savannah VOICE Festival artists and the Esther F. Garrison School Choir. Hot chocolate will be served by Wright Square Cafe at Telfair Square. This event is free and open to the public. 4PM savannahvoicefestival.org

SAVANNAH

CHRISTMAS MARKET

The third annual Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District will offer a wide range of holiday-themed events as well as a dazzling European-style outdoor holiday market, live performances, children’s activities, gingerbread house, photos with Santa and more. The Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside District blends the best of European and Southern holiday traditions into a festive, inclusive, family-friendly celebration. Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River St.

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR LIVE ON STAGE

The Historic Savannah Theatre presents its 20th Annual musical production “A Christmas Tradition” which features a live band, singers, and dancers performing holiday favorites with comedy, aerial artistry and appearances by Frosty and Santa with his dancing reindeer! It’s fun for the whole family. 222 Bull Street Wed., Dec 14, Thurs Dec 15, and Fri., Dec 16, at 8pm, Sat., Dec 17, at 3pm & 8pm, Sun., Dec 18, at 3pm, Tues, Dec 20, at 8pm savannahtheatre.com

THURSDAY 12/15

DECEMBER/14-20

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK

To have your event considered for inclusion, please send an email to happenings@connectsavannah.com. Include the event name, date, time, location with address, cost, website address for additional information, and a contact number. The submission deadline is 5PM each Friday before the following Wednesday’s edition.

HOLIDAY FEST AT EASTERN WHARF

Join us for Holiday Fest at Eastern Wharf! Featuring Savannah’s 10-piece Naughty or Nice Holiday Band, local food trucks Bow Tie BBQ, Pie Society and Starship Ice Cream, as well as rescheduled appearances for Mamie Ruth’s face painting booth, a holiday photo booth, and photos with Santa!

This event is FREE and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. 6-9PM

FRIDAY 12/16

BLUEGRASS BY THE PINT WITH SWAMPTOOTH

Join Service Brewing for Bluegrass by the Pint every Friday featuring live bluegrass from local favorites, Swamptooth.6 p.m. Service Brewing Co., 574 Indian St. servicebrewing.com

SATURDAY 12/17

TRUSTEES’ GARDEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Trustees’ Garden presents our third annual Family Holiday Event--crafted for our community--that brings together our neighbors and visitors in celebration...with 100% chance of SNOW! The Christmas Festival at Trustees’ Garden will be a safe, fun event filled with activities for all ages!

Santa will be in attendance from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There are rides, food trucks, Christmas vendors, activities and--of course--SNOW SLEDDING! eventbrite.com

HOLIDAY DE SOTO STREET MARKET

@Two Tides. It’s back baby! The Holiday DeSoto Street market co-hosted by Two Tides Brewing and Superbloom. Saturday, December 17th, 11am-5pm. We have a hellova vendor line-up

SUN/18 CHANUKAH AT FORSYTH PARK

In partnership with the City of Savannah and the Savannah Jewish Federation, Chabad of Savannah will be hosting the 5th public Hanukkah celebration, this year at Forsyth park. The event will feature the lighting of the giant Menorah by Mayor Johnson as well as traditional Hanukkah foods and treats, Hanukkah crafts and inflatables. New for this year, acclaimed Jewish rapper Nissim Black will be pumping up the crowd with his songs of hope and unity. jewishsav.org

and our neighbors at Starland Strange will be participating with even more cool stuff as well. You don’t want to miss this chance to shop small and handmade for the holidays! Beer, special holiday drinks, eats, chill De Soto hangs. 11AM-5PM

FORSYTH FARMERS MARKET

Local and regional produce, honey, meat, dairy, pasta, baked goods and other delights. Rain or shine. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Free to attend. forsythfarmersmarket.com

FIRE & WINE

Enjoy half off bottles of wine and fire pits in the courtyard. Purchase one of our s’mores kits (marshmallows included) for the

ultimate fall experience. 6-9 p.m. Foxy Loxy Cafe, Bull St.

SUNDAY 12/18

CHANUKAH AT FORSYTH

In partnership with the City of Savannah and the Savannah Jewish Federation, Chabad of Savannah will be hosting the 5th public Hanukkah celebration, this year at Forsyth park. The event will feature the lighting of the giant Menorah by Mayor Johnson as well as traditional Hanukkah foods and treats, Hanukkah crafts and inflatables. New for this year, acclaimed Jewish rapper Nissim Black will be pumping up the crowd with his songs of hope and unity. jewishsav.org

SUNSET PARTY SUNDAY

Wrap up the weekend with a Sunday Funday Sunset Party on the roof. Local DJ Doc Ock, an amazing view, Long Drink and Herradura specials, and $3 Rosé all day. 6 - 9 p.m. Top Deck, 125 W. River St

TUESDAY 12/20

HOLIDAY CABARET WITH THE SCAD HONEYBEES

Join the SCAD HoneyBees, the university’s elite performance ensemble featuring American Idol winner and SCAD grad Candice Glover, for carols and good cheer. The HoneyBees will be joined by members of the newest SCAD vocal group, the Bee Sharps, and surprise special guests. scad.edu

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INTRODUCTIONS: MEET SHERRILL MILNES A

minor opera houses in the world where I didn’t sing,” said Milnes.

Milnes has performed in opera houses all over the world including The Metropolitan Opera in New York and Moscow’s Bolshoi.

He has won three Grammy awards and is among the most recorded American singers of his time.

Throughout his illustrious musical career, he has performed with some of the best musicians and composers in the world. Milnes’ exceptional talents have taken him very far, and now he uses his wealth of knowledge and experience to train up the next generation of singers through the VOICExperience foundation, which he and his wife, Maria Zouves, founded in 2000.

Milnes’ extraordinary career arose from humble beginnings. He was raised on a small dairy farm in Northern Illinois, and he remembers music being a part of his life from the start.

“My mother was a piano teacher and a church choir director, so I was brought up in church music. . . Church taught me the great Protestant hymns, of course. But then we’re talking Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn, the giants of the past. That was her kind of music, so I was brought up singing in choirs constantly,” Milnes recalled.

From childhood, the seed for music was planted, and Milnes aspired to teach music, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. But his career ended up taking a different direction.

“I took out 42 years to sing around the world in opera . . . and I was lucky in my career. I don’t think there’s any major or

Milnes’ career is filled with many highlights that he looks back upon fondly. Among them are his debut at The Met and his European debut at The Vienna. He also recalls perform ing the opera “Luisa Miller” early in his Met career.

“The rest of the cast were acknowledged big stars at the time and I was ‘the kid.’ I was the young one in the cast, and I succeeded in doing what needed to be done. It was a big boost in my career,” he recounted.

Milnes spent 32 years at The Met in total, also performing internationally throughout his career. He recalls gracing the front cover of Hamburg, Germany’s “Abendblatt,” which was the local evening paper, when he debuted there.

“Was that a thrill? Duh! Of course,” he laughed. “It was great! I wanted to yell out, ‘hey folks! Take a look!’ but I didn’t. It was very exciting,” he continued.

Another international performance Milnes remembers with pride was when he performed in Russia.

“I sang at the Bolshoi in Moscow way back when it was still the USSR. . . I walked up the stage and I had a big success. A little piece of me was saying, ‘hey folks! This is what the United States can produce! Take that, boom!’ . . . I had pride in being American and singing for the Russians at the Bolshoi. . . . I had great pride in being the only American in the cast. . . Those experiences are wonderful,” he recalled.

With so many noteworthy performances under his belt, Milnes has cultivated a deep passion and appreciation for the art of performing.

“[I love] the sensation of singing, the resonance, the buzz. . . It’s really resonance, that feel. And of course, I love the applause. If you do well, you get great applause and in general, I did that well,” he expressed.

Tantamount to his love for performing is his love for teaching, and through his foundation, Milnes has been able to fulfill his initial dream of music education.

“Now I’m doing what I trained to do. Teaching. And I love that. Coaching, as we say. . . It’s styles and better sound, breathing and the physicality of singing. All of that. So I dreamed to do what I’m doing now,” he said.

What he loves most about coaching is “feeling, seeing and hearing improvement.” For Milnes, he enjoys being able to develop talent and train up and coming vocalists.

The VOICExperience Foundation is active in New York, Iowa, Florida and Savannah. The Hostess City is their major output, with Milnes and his wife having launched the Savannah VOICE Festival in 2013. The Savannah VOICE Festival is a two-week celebration of concerts, events and educational presentations, bringing classical voice excellence to the Savannah area. Milnes and his wife expanded into Savannah because they thought the city was well suited for their vision.

“Savannah had the music festival and

they had the Philharmonic. . . They have music, but they didn’t have opera or Broadway training. You could do performances, but did you go away learning things? Hopefully, that’s what I do,” Milnes explained.

The Savannah VOICE Festival will take place August 6-20, 2023. Milnes encourages the community to come out and enjoy everything the festival has to offer.

“[People will] love it, even if they don’t think they will. They will find some part of their soul is reached. . . It fulfills them,” he stated.

The Savannah VOICE Festival is a while away, but Milnes and his wife hold events in Savannah regularly. They have an upcoming collaboration with the Historic Savannah Foundation called “Songs and Stories in the Squares.”

“We go to various squares . . . and somebody tells the story, the historic story of that square, and then we add music to that. We love doing that,” Milnes explained.

On Wed., Dec. 14 at 4 p.m., guests can enjoy a holiday installation of “Songs and Stories in the Squares” starting at Telfair Square. Presenters from the Historic Savannah Foundation will share about the history of Telfair and Ellis Squares before ending in City Market with a special collaboration between Savannah VOICE Festival artists and the Esther F. Garrison School Choir. Hot chocolate will be served by Wright Square Cafe at Telfair Square. This event is free and open to the public. To learn more about this event or Savannah VOICE Festival, visit savannahvoicefestival.org

Read the full story at connectsavannah. com

-Chantel Britton

Sherrill Milnes is a universally acclaimed operatic baritone known for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence.

BY TRAVIS JAUDON Sports Columnist @JaudonSports

Just as Christmas represents the “unofficial start” of each NBA season, the Savannah Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament has become a sort-of benchmark on the high school sports calendar here. It means the high school football season is over and basketball is the sport getting the time and attention of every multi-sport student athlete in the area.

The multi-venue, multi-bracket and multi-day event is hosted and organized by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) Department of Health, Physical Education & Athletics. It might just be the thing that the school system does best here. Starting on Thursday (Dec. 15) and ending on Saturday (Dec. 17), 29 prep basketball teams (17 boys, 12 girls) will compete at five different venues across the city to determine the area’s hardwood hierarchy.

It’s the seventh year of the tournament, and it might just be the most anticipated edition to date. The sixth edition of the tournament came three years ago, in 2019, just a few months before COVID-19 arrived at our doors. So in 2020 and again in 2021, the Holiday Classic was canceled as the district continued to rebound (pun intended) from the pandemic’s impacts on travel and crowd control.

For the casual hoops fan in the area, the Holiday Classic has always been an opportunity to see unique cross-city matchups that aren’t typically going to show up on a regular season schedule. Savannah’s smallest schools versus its biggest. The city’s bluebloods versus its up-and-comers. Its supported and its neglected. All competing on the same floor. All for a “best in the city” title that is much more important than it is real. It comes with 365 days worth of bragging rights, after all.

Five boys teams from Savannah were ranked in Kyle Sandy’s Top-10 polls this week. All five are in the field at the Classic. Johnson (Class 3A No. 3), Beach (No. 4), Windsor Forest (2A No. 9) and Woodville (1A DI No. 8) in Crawford Square while newly ranked Calvary Day (3A No. 7) battles the likes of Jen-

kins, Benedictine, Memorial Day, Savannah High and others in Washington Square.

And since we’re talking Savannah high school hoops, we might as well talk coaches. This city has had a knack for churning out boy’s basketball coaches with big personalities who produce big results. That’s what we’ve got nowadays, at least.

Lenny Williams (Woodville), Chuck Campbell (Johnson), Simon Heyward (Beach), Kevin Evans (Groves) and Aaron Clark (Windsor Forest) have been known to show plenty of personality while coaching in a gym or while speaking into a media day mic. All of them are coaching in the same bracket this weekend, all vying for a title over a brief 72-hour period.

Even the brackets themselves are named in a uniquely Savannah manner. Each of the four are named for the city’s downtown squares. Crawford Square and Washington Square are the boys’ brackets. Columbia Square and Chippewa Squares will house the girls’ brackets.

Only two out-of-state teams are in the field, which only serves to strengthen the idea that this is a makeshift Savannah City Championship. Hilton Head Prep (SC) and SLAM (Fla.) are in the Crawford Square bracket. The latter is a tuition-free public charter school in Tampa, and the Spartans play Thursday at Johnson versus the Atom Smashers with tip-off set for 8:30. For those of you wondering, it stands for “Sports Leadership, Arts & Management.”

Hosting schools are: Jenkins (Thursday-Saturday), Johnson (Thursday/Friday), Woodville-Tompkins (Thursday/Friday), Beach (Thursday/Friday) and New Hampstead (Saturday only).

For more information on the Savannah Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament, including brackets, schedules and more,

SPORTS NOTES

The Benedictine Cadets did indeed finish the job on the football field in Atlanta last Friday. BC (13-2) beat previously unbeaten Cedartown in a 14-13 thriller to win its second straight GHSA Class 4A state championship and its fourth in the last nine seasons under head head coach Danny Britt. Benedictine finished the season on an 11-game winning streak and Britt should have enough talent in his 13th year at the helm to warrant three-peat chatter next fall.

Savannah native Mills Lane died last Tuesday (Dec. 6) in Reno, Nevada after entering hospice a week earlier due to his declining health. One of Savannah’s most recognizable names, Lane joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956 and was a boxer while serving. He went to the University of Nevada, where he won the 1960 NCAA welterweight title, turned pro afterwards, and compiled a 10-1 record before hanging up the gloves. As a boxing referee in his post-fighting days, Lane truly became famous. He was the referee who disqualified Mike Tyson in the infamous 1997 heavyweight “Bite Fight” against Evander Holyfield at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Over his 34-years as a professional referee, Lane was in the ring for more than 100 world championships. Before each of those fights came his signature command: “Let’s get it on!” Lane was 85.

Test your college football knowledge by joining the Hot Grits Podcast 2022 Bowl Mania group this week. Pick a winner for every bowl through ESPN’s Bowl Mania site and submit your entry by searching HOT GRITS PODCAST 2022 and use the password HGP when prompted. Enter before the first bowl game on December 16. Find more information on the Hot Grits Podcast Facebook page, or on Twitter (@PodcastGrits) and Instagram (@thehotgrits).

visit PrepSportsReport.com and follow the action all weekend long by following me on Twitter @JaudonSports.

Alfonzo Ross of Woodville-Tompkins High. Photo by SCCPSS

SAVANNAH AGENDA: PROPERTY MATTERS

By Eric Curl savannahagenda.com

BREWERY OWNERS LOOKING TO EXPAND INTO WAFFLES, & OTHER DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The city is moving forward with long-needed restoration plans for three of its historic downtown buildings, while a long vacant commercial building in Midtown could be getting a new use. In addition, another apartment complex is under construction in an area that is seeing increasing commercial investment in recent years. Read all about it in the latest edition of Property Matters.

Stay engaged Savannah, Eric Curl

ment site. In addition, a parking lot is being developed on two parcels across 39th street and some on-street parking will also be provided for a total of 44 spaces.

TWO TIDES BREWING OWNERS PLANNING DINER IN MIDTOWN

The owner of a Savannah microbrewery is planning to open a restaurant at a recently renovated building at 1401 Paulsen, which once served as a dry cleaners and laundry business.

Two Tides Brewing owner Liz Massey said that she is planning to open an “American-style diner”, similar to Waffle House, at the location. Two Tides beer will also be brewed at the site, but at a greatly reduced scale, Massey said.

“This project is going to look vastly different from Two Tides ,” she said via email on Dec. 8. “Right now we’re thinking we’ll have 1 year-round core beer, and release 1-2 other seasonals each year at the diner.”

For comparison, she said Two Tides releases more than 100 new beers a year.

Built in 1955, the former dry cleaners and laundry business on the southwest corner of Paulsen and Anderson sat boarded up and vacant for many years. Vintage Home Restoration’s owner Michael Condon acquired the building in Sept. 2018 and subsequently renovated the structure.

The diner concept is in its early planning stages. Massey said she will have to get approval from the Metropolitan Planning Commission and Savannah City Council since the current zoning doesn’t allow for microbreweries. The building also needs some additional work, including the installation of windows, electric, restrooms, air-conditioning and a staircase to the second floor.

The concept comes more than four years after Massey and her husband, James

Massey, opened Two Tides Brewing in March of 2018. The brewery and bar is located at 12 W. 41st St. in the Streetcar Historic District – also branded as the Starland District – south of downtown.

The properties are part of a planned urban development that also includes the Hop Atomica microbrewery and restaurant across East Broad, in addition to an apartment building catty corner to the planned multifamily housing complex.

Construction is expected to take about 16 months and the rental rates will be in line with the market once the units are ready to lease, according to Peter Procida, Procida Development Group project manager.

City planning restoration of three historic buildings

The city is moving forward with plans to restore three historic buildings.

On Thursday, the Savannah City Council approved contracts related to the restoration of city hall, the Gamble Building, and the Savannah Police department’s headquarters.

WORK BEGINS ON APARTMENTS AT EAST 39TH & EAST BROAD

New York-based Procida Development Group recently began clearing the site for a 3-story apartment complex at 601 East 39th St, following the city’s issuance of a building permit for the project.

Located on the southeast corner of 39th and East Broad streets, the planned 38-unit apartment development consists of three buildings with some street-level retail on the westernmost building adjacent to East Broad.

The plan includes the demolition of a single-family home and one-story commercial building on two adjacent parcels east of a vacant lot that is also part of the develop-

Ethos Preservation was awarded a $$490,395 design contract for the restoration of city hall, which has had no interior restoration beyond regular maintenance and the installation of some modern systems since it was built between 1904-1906, according to city officials.

The contract comes about four years since an analysis by Lominack Kolman Smith Architects reported issues such as cracked mosaic tile, damaged wood trim, damaged columns, altered window sashes, missing brass door knobs, active water intrusion and electrical deficiencies. The restoration will focus on portions of city hall’s front facing the public, including the council chambers, the rotunda, the main stairwell and the entrance lobby.

POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Savannah’s 153-year-old police headquarters at 201 Habersham St. will undergo

exterior and interior renovations following the council’s award of a $7.8 million contract to Johnson-Laux Construction.

Since about 100 employees will need to be relocated during the project, the city council approved a 3-year lease agreement for use of an office building at 6600 Abercorn St. The initial annual rent will be $414,550, and this base rental rate will increase at 3% per year.

After the renovations are completed and police department employees are back downtown, the space will be used to accommodate other employees who are currently working in substandard conditions, according to city officials.

GAMBLE BUILDING

The city council also approved a $960,833 contract with Johnson-Laux Construction for interior demolition work in the Gamble Building, as part of a plan to once again use the building for employee offices.

Built in 1877, the city had vacated the building in recent years as part of the past administration’s plan to sell the property. Preferring to retain ownership, the current council abandoned that plan after a previously approved sales agreement fell through. The city expects a full renovation contract to go out to bid in the fall of 2023.

The owners of Two Tides Brewing hope to open a diner and second microbrewery at this building at 1401 Paulsen St. Eric Curl/Dec. 8, 2022

Rendering of the proposed development viewed from 39th and East Broad streets. Rendering courtesy of Procida Development Group.

The Gamble Building next to City Hall. Eric Curl/Savannah Agenda photo archives

SAVANNAH HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

UNIQUE FINDS, SHOPPING AND EXPERIENCES FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

Savannah is pretty famous for shopping, so it should come as no surprise that folks come into town from all around to buy gifts for the holiday season! While you can stroll the malls (in person and online) and look for the perfect finds yourself, we thought we’d put together an abbreviated gift guide, filled with presents that say “HO, HO, HOSTESS CITY,” all wrapped up with a perfect Savannah bow! Here are a few of our favorite finds this year, and visit connectsavannah.com to find even more!

SHOP AND STROLL DOWN

BROUGHTON STREET:

This has been Savannah’s shopping avenue since anyone can remember. And there are lots of local finds all up and down the street.

CAPITAL BEE CO., doesn’t just have the best honey gifts in town, they also have tons of Savannah-centric items that say “I’m a local.” They are also the only spot in town to find that Biscuits and Honey scented candle everyone talks about! Right across the street is JAVA BURRITO, and if you’ve been there at any point in the day, you know how popular they are. Pick up a gift card for someone who needs a coffee/burrito fix. By the way, have you had their brownies? Easily the best in town. Farther down the street and crossing over Bull is J. PARKER LTD. It’s our favorite menswear store, but there’s something for everyone, especially if you’re looking to celebrate the Georgia Bulldogs’ success on the gridiron with some keepsake clothing or items. Specialty chocolates? CHOCOLAT BY ADAM TURONI. Nothing else needs to be said. And Savannah’s favorite

pamper-me store has to be THE SOAPERY SAVANNAH. Follow the bubbles to find handmade bath bombs, sugar scrubs and soaps made right here. Peppermint marshmallow lotions? Put it in my stocking, please.

SHINY THINGS:

Jewelry is always the best gift at Christmas, right ladies? So check out local offerings at ATELIER GALLERY, SAVANNAH JEWELRY GALLERY AND HARKLEROAD DIAMONDS. You can’t go wrong with any of those.

GOT PETS?

We can’t leave out the furry family members. Make sure you check out WOOF GANG BAKERY AND GROOMING. There’s so much! From pet toys to that table full of cookies to gift cards for grooming. You can’t go wrong. Let’s face it, that phone full of photos of Rover and Fluffy aren’t cutting it. They want a full-on modeling session with Savannah’s premier pet photographer PHOTOS BY BECKY. That 36x40 canvas print of your chihuahua is exactly what you need for over the fireplace.

NEW BOOKS/COOKBOOKS WITH REGIONAL TIES:

RISE AND SHINE!: A SOUTHERN SON’S TREASURY OF FOOD, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS by Johnathon Scott Barrett

THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH by George Dawes Green

THE SALTWATER TABLE: RECIPES FROM THE COASTAL SOUTH by Whitney Otawka

Adriana Iris Boatwright

2023

SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL

POSTER BY CHARLIE DAVIS Order at savannahmusicfestival.org While you’re there pick up tickets for next year’s shows as gifts!

GET CLASSICAL:

Got friends with musical vibes? There are so many tickets already available for 2023 festivals: THE SAVANNAH MUSIC FESIVAL, SAVANNAH JAZZ FESTIVAL, SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC all have packages available on their websites now!

GET YOUR GROOVE ON:

Tickets to all the shows coming to ENMARKET ARENA, JOHNNY MERCER THEATER, DISTRICT LIVE, TYBEE POST THEATER, VICTORY NORTH and more are all great gift items. (Janet Jackson/ Ludicris were just announced and tickets go on sale Dec. 16!)

EXPERIENCE IT:

A great gift would be a membership to a local museum that could be enjoyed all throughout 2023. THE TELFAIR MUSEUMS, SHIPS OF THE SEA MUSEUM, SAVANNAH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, SAVANNAH AFRICAN ART MUSEUM and SCAD MUSEUM OF ART are great choices. How about the gift of learning an artform? HOSTESS CITY HOT GLASS offers classes in glassblowing. So does the CULTURAL ARTS CENTER in lots of subjects like pottery and painting. Cooking? Check out CHEF DARIN SEHNERT’S classes and learn to make a Lowcountry feast. PORTMAN’S MUSIC offers classes for all ages in just about every musical instrument imaginable. Also make sure you get tickets to the SAVANNAH GATSBY GALA for next April!

TIS THE SEASONING:

Savannah is definitely known for our food culture. And THE SALT TABLE is on top of all things spicy (and mild). The local company ships all over the world! Pick up some Peach Bourbon BBQ sauce from SAVANNAH SAUCE CO. And if coffee is your thing, you should check out BOSTON COFFEE TRADERS. Don’t let the name fool you, these are local beans! Also check out some authentic Italian items at FRALI GOURMET

PUT IT ON THE CARD: Sometimes the best way to give a little bit of Savannah is through a gift card. Here are a few that we would definitely like to receive!

MCDONOUGH’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

THE CRAB SHACK BARNES FAMILY RESTAURANT VEL- PREMIUM WORK CAFE COACH’S CORNER

WATER WITCH TIKI BAR

THE PRINTED PEACH - LILY PULITZER CBD - COASTAL VIBES

AUSPICIOUS BAKERY COHEN’S RETREAT

SAVANNAH’S CANDY KITCHEN OAK 36 BAR + KITCHEN

THE BLACK RABBIT

TOP DECK ROOFTOP AND BAR

Again, this is just a short list of gift ideas. Visit connectsavannah.com as we add more leading up to the holidays! Share your favorites and tag us on social media!

REP THE HOME TEAM We’ll bet everyone on your list (even if they don’t live in the 912) have been wanting some merch from one of our sports franchises. The Savannah Ghost Pirates are hot right now, as are the world-famous Savannah Bananas! And don’t forget about the Clovers Soccer Club! While you’re at it, pick up some Savannah State Tiger gear to round out the wardrobe of your favorite fan!

IN THE KNOW: THE SAVANNAH GIFT GUIDE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE LOW

The holiday season is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking about gift shopping. If you can, start shopping early to take advantage of seasonal specials, sales and discounts. During the festive season, we give gifts to our loved ones to show appreciation for their roles in our lives. Rather than give something basic that anyone can get from anywhere, step up your gift-giving game with a present that’s uniquely Savannah. If you want to set yourself apart this holiday season, here’s a brief guide to local gift giving.

CHOCOLAT BY ADAM TURONI

There’s nothing like a sweet treat to enjoy during the holidays. Give the gift of velvety smooth, delicious artisan chocolates handcrafted in the Hostess City by local chocolatier Adam Turoni. With a wide variety of decadent bars and bites to choose from, there’s something for every chocoholic at Turoni’s shops. There are two locations in Savannah, The Chocolate Dining Room on Broughton and The Chocolate Library on Bull. Stop by one of them to see their sizable selection of satisfying chocolates yourself.

MARY KAY ANDREWS NOVELS

Is there a voracious reader on your holiday shopping list? Gift them with a page-turner from lauded local author Mary Kay Andrews. A Tybee Island resident, Andrews often tells intriguing stories about life in the Southeast. Her latest novel, The Santa Suit is a perfect read for Christmastime. Celebrating the magic of the holiday season, the novel follows a newly-divorced woman who buys an old farmhouse in North Carolina and discovers mystery, family and a second chance at love. Andrews has a collection of more than 30 titles, so there’s plenty of books to choose from. (Most are available at our friends at E. Shaver Bookseller)

STARLAND STRANGE & BAZAAR

If you’re shopping for someone with a quirky sense of style, get them a cool tee from Starland Strange. All of their tees are locally made and exclusively designed, so they’ll definitely make wearers stand out in a crowd. Their unique tees are available online and in-store, so check out their stash and find something superb for the fashionista on your list.

THE HIPSTER HOUND

Of course, you can’t forget about your furry friends during the holiday season. You can find something Fido will love at The Hipster Hound. Their products include toys, treats, food and accessories, so there’s a wide variety of goodies to choose from. With two locations in Savannah, The Hipster Hound is ready to serve you and your pup (or kitty) this Christmas.

While you’re shopping around, give yourself a little Christmas gift for FREE! Sign up for THE LOW, and fill your inbox weekly with everything you need to be a Hostess City expert! Visit getthelow.com

- Chantel Britton

Record labels have been busy this year digging through the vaults to assemble dozens of box sets and deluxe reissues. They make great Christmas gifts for family, friends – or yourself. Here are my top picks for 2022.

THE BEATLES: “REVOLVER” – “Sgt.

Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is the Beatles album that revolutionized rock, but the album that preceded it, “Revolver,” was also stellar and provided a bridge between the band’s earlier impeccably crafted but more basic pop and the creative leap that was to come. This new six-disc set shows how songs like “Got To Get You Into My Life,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Yellow Submarine” were built over multiple takes, revealing musical elements within these songs that were buried in the final mixes. Along with the original album, this box has a mono version of “Revolver” and stereo mixes of a few songs.

WILCO: “YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT” (Super-Deluxe Edition) – This superb eightCD includes four discs – each essentially an

alternate version of the album – that explore the many iterations the “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” songs went through during the sessions. The alternate versions are often markedly – even radically – different and just as valid, as the album versions. The filler-free set also includes an informative radio show and full concert from St. Louis.

NORAH JONES: “COME AWAY WITH ME” 20TH ANNIVERSARY

EDITION – Jones’ blockbuster debut album gets an extensive expansion in this three-CD set. Disc one is the original album, followed by a disc of demos and early takes and a third disc that is the first version of the album she recorded with producer Craig Street, but shelved. Many of the unreleased songs were easily good enough for release.

BLONDIE: “AGAINST THE ODDS: 1974-1982” – This 128-song box includes all six albums from this vital original period

MUSICAL TASTE

of Blondie plus lots of alternate takes that offer interesting contrasts from the album versions.

JOE STRUMMER: “THE MESCALEROS YEARS” – The late rocker will justifiably always be seen as having done his best and most important work in the Clash. But this four-CD set demonstrates Strummer’s later stint fronting the Mescaleros produced some strong, thought-provoking and very diverse music, too. All three of Strummer’s albums with the Mescalaros are included, but the real find is the fourth disc of demos and unreleased outtakes.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “POP AID” – Earlier this year, the great power pop label Kool Kat Musik and many of the best power pop acts worldwide united to assemble this three-CD, 63-song set to raise funds for the Ukraine. Rockers by Deadlights, Arvidson & Butterflies, Thrift Store Halos and Lolas, along with Beatles-esque pop from Rogers & Butler, Richie Mayer and The Overtures, are among the many gems on “Pop Aid.”

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “TALES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN UNDERGROUND 1976-1989” - This punk/alt-rock-leaning set offers songs mainly from Australian acts that never made waves beyond their home country, but showed the country was deep in quality music acts.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “BUBBLEROCK IS HERE TO STAY VOLUME 2 – The British Pop Explosion 1970-73” - This three-CD set examines what was a musically diverse and rich early 1970s British pop scene with mostly pleasing results.

Some other worthy box set reissues include: Elton John: “Madman Across The Water” (adds demos, BBC concert); Guns N’ Roses: “Use Your Illusion” and “Use Your Illusion II” (adds 2 concerts); The Cure: “Wish” (adds demos, remixes); Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers: “Live at the Fillmore 1997” (4 discs of live performances); Flaming Lips “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” (adds outtakes, 2 radio concerts and more); Tragically Hip: “Fully Completely” (vinyl, adds 1993 outtakes, 1992 concert); Little Feat: “Waiting For Columbus” (adds 3 full 1977 concerts); Queen: “The Miracle” (adds unreleased tracks, numerous alternate tak es) - Alan Sculley

DECEMBER

10-22, 2022

Get ready for the 12 Days of Giftmas! We’re partnering with Savannah businesses to bring you great prizes for the holiday season. Make sure to visit the sweepstakes page at the QR code below every day from 12/10 - 12/22 and enter to win up to 12 different sweepstakes! All winners will be announced on 12/23. Merry Giftmas! Scan the code to enter!

THE SALT TABLE

SPICE GIFT SET

Dozens of holiday gift sets featuring local food products priced from $18.95 to $120.

912.988.1154 190 W. Bryan Street

SALTTABLE.COM

Locations: Pooler, Savannah Airport, Jekyll Island

BOSTON COFFEE TRADERS

COFFEE-FILLED GIFT BASKET

Our 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans are one of our most sought after coffee origins and we offer the perfect roast. Our beans have balanced, deep chocolate notes and a rich aroma. We offer wholesale small batch roasted, 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain whole bean coffee for retail and wholesale purchase. 770-722-9580

BOSTONCOFFEETRADERS.COM

NECKLACE AND EARRINGS

Ginko leaves necklace and earrings made of niobium are timeless, graceful and elegant. Each color on the leaves is created a different voltage of electricity.

150 ABERCORN STREET 912.233.3140

AGSAVANNAH.COM

WOOF GANG BAKERY & GROOMING

FULL GROOM WITH UPGRADED SPA PACKAGE

PHOTO SESSION + GIFT

If you are looking for a dog groomer near Savannah, Ga, then look no further than Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. Our Professional pet groomers deliver exceptional service with a delicate touch to have your pet looking their finest. We offer tidy, safe, and pleasant place to freshen up your dog. $150 Value

141 BULL STREET, (912) 358-0537

BULLSTREET@WOOFGANGBAKERY.COM

SAVANNAH JEWELRY GALLERY

OPAL AND PERIDOT LILY RING

THE SOAPERY SAVANNAH

LUXURY BATH SET

1 Pink Plush Cozy Robe, 1 Pair Of Cozy Slippers, 5 Assorted Bath Bombs, 1 Sugar Scrub, And 1 Lotion From The Soapery Savannah. $250 value

(912) 999-8696

320 W BROUGHTON ST

THESOAPERYUSA.COM

WATER WITCH TIKI

TIKI GIFT SET

tiki mug,$50 gift certificate, tshirt, and Tiki water bottle 2220 BULL STREET (912) 201-3164 WATERWITCHTIKI.COM

THE PRINTED PEACH

STONEY

CLOVER LANE POUCH

This ring features a stunning gold vermeil sculptural Lilly with jelly opals and peridots all set in sterling silver. It currently is a US size 7 1/2, but we can resize it in house if need be. It is valued at $95.

SAVANNAH JEWELRY GALLERY (912) 777-2223

307 W BRYAN STREET

SAVANNAHJEWELRYGALLERY.COM

Enter to win a stylish prize from Savannah’s Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, The Printed Peach!

417 WHITAKER ST SAVANNAH, GA 31401 912-233-6375 THEPRINTEDPEACHSAVANNAH.COM

Pet+People modeling session, and a free 8x10 print OR pack of 24 custom note cards! Nobody gets your furry (or scaly or slithery) friends to shine in front of the camera like Photos by Becky!

(912) 655-5032 7805 WATERS AVE STE 1B PHOTOSBYBECKY.NET VEL

12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION

The Winner will receive a year’s worth of access to our app which includes advanced booking for seating & advanced mobile ordering. They will also have access to VEL’s secure rapid wifi and other benefits. Value of $120

VEL • 1508 BULL ST • MYVEL.COM

SAVANNAH

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

FULL YEAR FAMILY MEMBERSHIP to the Savannah Children’s Museum, which includes unlimited access to all 6 Coastal Heritage Society museums and attractions!

CHSGEORGIA.ORG

By Jesse Blanco eatitandlikeit.com

BROCHU’S FAMILY TRADITION BEGINS DINNER SERVICE

Last week in this space we told you about a new restaurant set to open in Downtown Savannah called Folklore. That is definitely one we are looking forward to. The other big opening in Savannah this year, just happened last weekend in the Starland District.

Brochu’s Family Tradition began a very slow ramp up ‘soft open’ dinner service last weekend. The family friendly ‘casual

throwback’ restaurant at Bull and 40th Street opened a few seats for reservations late last week. The seats were gone in under an hour.

A peek at an early menu featured seafood-including fish, oysters and peel and eat shrimp, fried chicken, a burger and more. A ‘Whole Chicken Dinner’ is also offered including fried thighs, charred breast, chicken salad, chamomile spice, sunchoke hot sauce, biscuits and pickles.

They plan to do it again this weekend. The best way to try to grab one is to wait for an announcement via social media that the reservations have opened. Instagram is probably your best bet. They will undoubtedly go quickly.

THE COLLINS QUARTER ICE CREAM AND COFFEE

Meanwhile, construction has finally begun (above) on the latest project from Southern Cross Hospitality, owners of The Collins Quarter family of restaurants.

Iro Iro will be a Japanese-themed ice cream shop that will also serve coffees. It is going into a space a few doors down from The Collins Quarter flagship location at 151 Bull Street between Oglethorpe and State Streets.

Southern Cross has occupied the space for quite some time but now it is being built out as the ice cream shop. Already known for their fantastic coffee service, now you can add ice cream shop to their resume.

We should mention that an Italian concept from Southern Cross is on the way as well, on Broughton Street near Bull Street. That is expected to be ready in the Spring.

THE LAUNDRY

Still in the ‘hopeful’ phase, is an American Style Diner at the corner of Paulson and Anderson Street in Savannah.

The Laundry project is in its infancy, with efforts underway to get some zoning

adjusted. Two Tides Brewing Company is leading the charge to open the 3,800 square foot diner, but they need Savannah’s MPC and City Council to share in the vision.

Current zoning in that area doesn’t allow for microbreweries. From my seat, it’s a no-brainer. Let’s hope some people a lot smarter than me agree. We will keep you posted.

EAT IT AND LIKE IT HOME AND GARDEN SHOW COOKING STAGE

It’s not too soon to put a weekend of good nibbles on your calendar. Make plans to join us at next month at the Lowcountry Home and Garden Show at the Savannah Convention Center.

Eat It and Like It is the title sponsor of the cooking stage once again this year. We are currently recruiting chefs from both sides of the Savannah River to put on some cooking demos and pass out some samples.

The show runs January 20-22 next month. We will have a running list of confirmed chefs next week on eatitandlikeit.com

Of course, the best way to find out what’s up is by signing up for our newsletter. Once a week on Thursdays, no spam. Just all the news that fit to eat. You can do so right now at eatitandlikeit.com

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK

POE’S PUNCH

ENJOY AT: POE’S TAVERN

7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

MADE WITH:

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, Apricot Brandy, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Cranberry Juice, Splash of Grenadine

Poe’s Tavern is a relative newcomer to Savannah’s downtown dining scene, and they’ve quickly gained a following for tasty food and inventive drinks. Their cocktail menu features a few signature drinks that are fun and flavorful.

One such cocktail is Poe’s Punch. Combining fresh, fruity juices with rum and brandy, this cocktail is approachable and enjoyable. With its tropical flavors, Poe’s Punch will transport you to paradise, making it the perfect cocktail to enjoy after a hard day’s work. It’s garnished with pineapple, orange and cherry, adding extra sweetness to this palate-pleasing punch.

FOOD TRUCK OF THE WEEK

by Chantel Britton

STARSHIP ICE CREAM

Starship is a local food truck delivering cold, creamy sweet treats to customers throughout the Coastal Empire. They are known for their delicious homemade ice cream made with premium ingredients and lots of love.

Starship has a rotating menu that features bold, creative flavors like Exxpresso and Raspberry Dark Chocolate Pomegranate. They also have classics like Rocky Road and Chocolate Brownie. For something sweet and savory, try their famous Rosemary Pecan Caramel. It’s a unique combination of flavors that’ll leave a lasting impression. If you’re craving some quality ice cream, Starship doesn’t disappoint. Give them a try soon.

by Chantel Britton

THE CREATIVE CHEF: LAUREN TEAGUE

By Beth Logan ART COLUMNIST

Lauren Teague, the DeSoto Hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Chef, is ebullient, vivacious, full of laughter, and deeply creative.

“Many years ago, when I was a younger woman, I wanted to be a star!” she begins. “And like all stars you go to New York City. Eventually you realize you’re just one of thousands of girls auditioning. And what do you do? You wait tables. And then one day, you stop going to dance class and auditions.”

Really enjoying her work in restaurants, the would-be professional ballerina regrouped and enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America “because it was the first time they were going to have a four-year Food & Beverage Manager program.” As part of her course requirements, she had to take culinary courses. “My mother laughed,” she says, “I could not boil water!”

It was 1996, and she was one of two girls in her class of 150, and there were no women chefs in the school. But thanks to an inspirational professor who taught a course on butchery, the trajectory of her studies shifted from front-ofthe-house management to cooking. “He put this half pig in front of me, and it was the most amazing day ever. I loved it!”

Following an externship in Arizona where she met her husband, also a chef, Teague graduated with High Honors, and together, their careers took them all over the States. Ten years ago, they came to Savannah for Chef Lauren to accept her first Executive Chef position at the Andaz Hotel, and her creativity flourished…

Andaz means “personal style” in Hindi.

Teague and two other executives were charged with creating the story and style for the hotel – the vision for the china, rooms, food, artwork, and the fabulous – and sorely missed – art salons where local artists, theater companies, musicians, and other creatives would be celebrated and introduced to both hotel guests and locals.

“My General Manager at the time (now the GM at The Thompson) was the most open, forward-thinking person.”

These immersive, fun salons featuring Teague’s themed food and drink pairings became true Savannah legends.

Chef Lauren left the Andaz when given the opportunity to start a neighborhood restaurant from the ground up. Working with Ida Rush George and Jason and Jennifer Restivo, they created the incredible, and again, sorely missed,

ABOVE: Chef Lauren Teague, Photo by Jesse Blanco. HRH The Duchess of State and her table. OPPOSITE: Jessica Lebos and Chef Lauren.

After two years she moved home to help her dad in Pennsylvania —her mom had recently passed away and he had fallen and broken his shoulder—returning after several months to take the Executive Chef position at the Kimpton Brice Hotel.

“I was very blessed. I had a great GM, and it was so tiny there were only about ten of us; It was family.”

With just a 40-seat restaurant and one small banquet room, she had the creative freedom she craved.

After COVID hit, Teague was extremely grateful that she and four others were kept on (she worked in the laundry for a while), but after a new management company took over she made the decision to move to the “old battleship” of the historic DeSoto Hotel.

Originally opened in 1890, “she is a big old beauty,” she says. “She has some challenges. No one loved this building for a long time, but we are going to leave it better than we found it.”

And in a full circle moment, Mitch Linder, her old GM at The Brice, became GM in August, allowing her artistry and imagination to again be given free reign.

In order to attract excellent chefs and staff, Chef Lauren had to sell her vision for the hotel. She tells me the story that inspired the cuisine in the main restaurant, The 1540 Room: “In 1540 DeSoto came to America. He would have sailed the world and acquired saffron and turmeric and all these beautiful spices. So basically, we do this melding of Mediterranean, North African and Asian food with foods from the South. It’s delicious! Chef Collin Clemons uses 920 Cattle & Company, Gannon Organics, Vertu Farms, and other local purveyors. And then I have Andrew Noye, our sommelier, who gets wines from Armenia and other obscure places where DeSoto would have travelled.”

Chef Lauren now oversees 62 employees, creates food for Edgar’s Proof & Provisions (“the best burger in town”) and the lobby’s Buffalo Bayou coffee shop and, of course, caters numerous events for the hotel’s busy banquet department.

On December 4, her hallmark innovation and originality shone at a private event hosted by the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau on Madison Square. Fifty East Coast meeting planners were invited to explore the city for four days, and Chef Lauren had the privilege of organizing the first gathering.

“I love throwing a party,” she exclaims. “ It’s like hosting a salon! I started thinking about people I know and how I could create a Savannah garden book party.” She envisioned guests entering the square through white doors to visit book-inspired stations where themed food and beverages would be served.

One part of the square was reserved for the author of High Drama Tablescapes, famed hostess Alexandra Trujillo de Taylor, HRH the Duchess of State (who I wrote about on October 5).

Showcasing her expertise and flair, Alexandra set an exquisite table for 20 guests, and befitting the Duchess, Chef Lauren served champagne, deviled eggs and a divine seared scallop with caviar on a potato pancake.

SCAD President Paula Wallace’s memoir, “The Bee and the Acorn,” was on display directly in front of SCAD’s buildings – the Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory, now Poetter Hall, and the 1926 Scottish Rite building.

“My brain thinks fusion when I think SCAD,” Chef Lauren says, “so I prepared this purple tequila passion fruit drink, chicken and chorizo meatballs, and a black bean burger” to riff off their artschool-vibe.

Another area of the square was inspired by books about Savannah native and Girl Scouts of America founder, Juliette Gordon Low.

Here Teague served braised lamb while attendees participated in an activity – writing cards to servicemen and women which will be included with the thousands of boxes of cookies Girl Scouts annually send to overseas miliary members. (Who knew?)

Local author Jessica Lebos, who will soon publish her second collection of Savannah Sideways tales in The Camellia Thief and Other Stories, inspired Chef Lauren to create food and drink that was “old fashioned with a splash of panache.”

A surprisingly delicious sardine with saffron aioli and roasted tomato on grilled bread was accompanied by the BEST old fashioned cocktail crafted by Proof and Provisions’ mixologist Shannon.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the William Jasper monument

at a station dedicated to Savannah baker Cheryl Day, author of The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook and the Treasury of Southern Baking, Teague served braised southern pork belly with smoked apple butter on Day’s famous fresh baked biscuits, along with her bacon jam and cheddar empanadas.

Sweet tooths were satisfied at the final station of the night which highlighted the Savannah Ghost Pirates and Savannah Bananas. While picking up copies of Bananas owner and marketing guru Jesse Cole’s “Fans First,” guests enjoyed banana cream sodas and banana splits made with (what else?) Leopold’s ice cream … Surely by now the event planners have pieced together some of the elements that make Savannah so unique!

Disappointed you could not attend? Locals are encouraged to participate in Chef Lauren’s latest creative endeavor – the Twelve Days of Christmas at the DeSoto, which started December 12.

“On the first day, Twelve Drummers Drumming, I’m going to have our own drumline marching around the hotel…For Seven Swans-A Swimming, we’ll throw a pool party with inflatable swans…For Two Turtle Doves, Chef Collin will teach a couples’ cooking class,” Teague enthusiastically explains. (Find full details on the DeSoto’s website.)

These are the types of events that fill Chef Lauren with joy. While she recognizes that “This hotel has a reputation for being very traditional” she has the creative vision to affirm, “We’re going to be the cool kids on the block again.”

What an absolute pleasure to meet this warm and genuine woman who inspires fealty and devotion to such a degree that three quarters of her staff have worked with her in the past.

“Someone once told me, ‘Rule the day. Don’t let the day rule you,’” she tells me. “The way that you are is the way that the people who work with you will be. We just need to relax and have a good time.”

Atlantic Neighborhood Eatery.

CULTURE

LOVE, JOY AND LAUGHTER SPIRITS THE SCAD HONEYBEES HOLIDAY CABARET FEAT. AMERICAN IDOL WINNER CANDICE GLOVER

By Kareem McMichael Arts & Entertainment Writer

It’s beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas all around, and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) HoneyBees are joining in the holiday cheer with their Holiday Cabaret on December 20 at 7 p.m. and 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lucas Theatre.

This is the second year they are doing this holiday performance which brings the audience on stage and the uses the house as the backdrop for an intimate show that transforms the stage Lucas into a holiday delight.

“We’re very excited and it was the team’s decision to produce this show with the audience at tables on stage. An intimate setting is where a lot of my inspiration as far as direction and producing this content came from. Putting the artists right there close with the audience,” said Mike Evariste, a Broadway Tony Award-nominated producer, actor, and SCAD senior executive ensemble director.

Evariste also directed the show last year and looks forward to creating this show that is full of music and dance because of the warmth and theme of the holidays that brings people together.

“It’s about love, joy, laughter, and family. The goal is to make the audience feel familiar and at home,” said Evariste.

The Honeybees feature American Idol winner and SCAD alumnus Candice Glover, along with members of the SCAD Bee Sharps. Glover was featured in the show last year as well and has enjoyed bringing this show together in the unique way it is presented.

“Intimate shows make me a little more nervous because of the small setting, I try to just center myself and perform,” said Glover.

The SCAD HoneyBees are the university’s elite alumni vocal ensemble.

“We have so many talented people in the Honeybees, and then our undergrad group The Bee Sharps are also going to be a part of it as well. Having them on stage with me makes me feel better as we perform together,” said Glover.

The show is being staged and choreographed by SCAD ensemble manager Hannah Chiclana. Glover and Evariste worked together on the set list of songs to help tell a story and bring the theme of the night together.

“Coming up with a good way for all the songs to kind of mesh together and go one after the other is one of my favorite things to do and people are engaged, the entire time for sure. That is also one of the reasons I love working with Candice is because she knows music and how to arrange songs well,” said Evariste.

The show has a story narrative it will follow and during the show audiences will get to enjoy songs as they classically know them and other songs that have been arranged differently for this show. Some presented as solos and others as group numbers.

Both Glover and Evariste highly compliment each others’ skills when it comes to staging, storytelling, and music.

“Mike knows that’s one of my favorite things to do. Just kind of put songs together and see what fit. See what doesn’t, and what I love about the Honeybees, and Bee Sharps is they are good at those harmonies, which is also one of my favorite things about music in general,” said Glover.

Joining the show as a special guest is SCAD alumnus George Lovett.

Lovett, a “Showtime at the Apollo” winner, has also appeared on American Idol and more. Lovett has performed at various SCAD event over the years.

“George is one of my good friends. We met on American Idol, and he was the one that got me into SCAD. He is very talented, and I love when he comes down to SCAD. People will be really excited to hear his voice,” said Glover.

For the show, guests will enter through the stage door and be seated on the Lucas Theatre’s historic stage, against a scenic backdrop of the auditorium ornamented out in its festive finery.

Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. To purchase tickets or for more information visit lucastheatre.com

BOOGIE ON DOWN: SAVANNAH CABARET HOST ‘VIVIAN & BILL’S 1970s CHRISTMAS PARTY’

By Kareem McMichael Arts & Entertainment Writer

All Vivian and Bill want for Christmas is for you to come to their Christmas party.

The Savannah Cabaret is back with ‘Vivian & Bill’s 1970s Christmas Party,’ the immersive theatrical cabaret experience.

“I’m really proud of the fact that we have created a group where like-minded people just want to come together, have fun and put on a really good show for people,” said Rick Garman, writer, and producer of the show.

With over ten shows under their belts, the Savannah Cabaret have produced an impressive body of work ranging in themes and various genres of music.

This all-new production features Disco-era costumes, sets, and characters singing classic versions of beloved holiday tunes.

There will be three performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 16-18 at 7:30pm at Club One’s Bay Street Theatre.

“Last year’s show took place in the 1960’s. This year, we wanted to jump forward and set it in the disco era and have it in the 1970’s as 70’s themed Christmas party,” said Garman.

In this year’s show, Vivian and Bill have moved to a new house, and they use their annual Christmas Eve party to get to know the new neighbors including an uptight married couple, a pair of lounge singer “identical” sisters, a Disco-obsessed couple, the nosy head of the neighborhood watch, and a flamboyant bachelor.

As Vivian and Bill are getting to know their neighbors interesting things unfold and they wonder are these people who they say they are, or is one of them harboring an earth-shattering secret?

“This show has it all, including live performances of beloved holiday tunes, a hilarious script, zany characters, 1970s-inspired costumes and sets, an out-of-this-world secret, scandalous behavior, and more than a few surprises. If you think your family’s Christmas celebrations are hard to believe, wait until you meet this group,” said cast member Justin P. Kent.

The show will bring joy to the world with its characters and witty dialogue, and it is the casting and music that really shines in their shows.

“Rick is really good at pairing people together. He is also good with songs and character choices that every casting decision and pairing and song choice brings out everyone’s talents to their best,” said cast member Drew Hillis.

The talented cast includes Travis Cheek, Travis Harold Coles, Hannah Dodson, Drew Hillis, Justin P. Kent, Valerie America Lavelle, Gwen Leahy, Taylor Mercier, and celebrated drag performers Sallie Just Sallie and Treyla Trash.

The production features more than two-dozen holiday favorites sung live including “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Silent Night,” “White Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Joy to the World,” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “The Christmas Song,” and many more.

“Rick has done a great job curating a production that has all of the music that you want to hear, that pulls the heartstrings for the traditional holidays but has also breathed new life into traditional tunes and give them a new spin in a way that you would not expect,” said cast member Travis Cheek.

If you love those songs, then you will enjoy the part in the show where there is an epic “Jingle Bell Battle” where the characters face off against each other with different versions of “Jingle Bells” from pop to rock to country to hip-hop to Disco and beyond. There will even be a disco version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

“We put all these shows together and we just have fun. If they’re not perfect, then they’re not perfect. The audiences still eat them up and we’re all having fun,” said Garman.

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend and the production is intended for mature audiences. There will be three performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 16-18 at 7:30pm at Club One’s Bay Street Theatre. Visit SavannahCabaret.com

Take a journey back in time through the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Learn fascinating history through stories, art, and artifacts while exploring the historic mansion.

BOOKS

WHAT ARE WE READING?

BOOKS WHAT ARE WE READING?

PRESENTED

AND CURATED

PRESENTED AND CURATED WEEKLY

E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER WAHALA

DEAD MAN’S HAND

BY NIKKI MAY

BY JAMES J. BUTCHER

BY

WEEKLY BY E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER

DINOSAURS

BY LYDIA MILLET

THE GUNCLE

BY STEVEN ROWLEY

The story of a man named Gil who walks from New York to Arizona to recover from a failed love. After he arrives, new neighbors move into the glass-walled house next door and his life begins to mesh with theirs. In this warmly textured, drily funny, and philosophical account of Gil’s unexpected devotion to the family, Millet explores the uncanny territory where the self ends and community begins―what one person can do in a world beset by emergencies.

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

A novel that asks: In the shadow of existential threat, where does hope live?

With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.

On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is…not one of those witches.

Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her “urban vibe.” Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.

After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as “not Department material,” Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can’t help hoping he’ll somehow, some way, get another chance to prove his skill. That opportunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered, and Grimsby becomes the number one suspect.

When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Shanghai! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.

SIRENS & MUSES

LORD OF THE FLY FEST

BY ANTONIA ANGRESS

BY GOLDY MOLDAVSKY

Rafi Francisco needs a splashy case to put her true-crime podcast on the map. Her plan? Land an interview with Fly Fest headliner River Stone, who rocketed to stardom after his girlfriend’s mysterious disappearance―and expose him as the killer she’s sure he is.

But when Rafi―and the hordes of influencers―arrive at Fly Fest, the dreamy Caribbean getaway they were promised turns out to be a nightmare. Soon, Rafi is fighting for her life against power-hungry beauty gurus and spotty WiFi. And, as she gets closer to River, she discovers that his secrets might have even bigger consequences than she suspected.

It’s 2011: America is in a deep recession and Occupy Wall Street is escalating. But at the elite Wrynn College of Art, students paint and sculpt in a rarefied bubble. Louisa Arceneaux is a thoughtful, observant nineteen-year-old when she transfers to Wrynn as a scholarship student, but she soon finds herself adrift in an environment that prizes novelty over beauty. Complicating matters is Louisa’s unexpected attraction to her charismatic roommate, Karina Piontek, the preternaturally gifted but mercurial daughter of wealthy art collectors. Gradually, Louisa and Karina are drawn into an intense sensual and artistic relationship, one that forces them to confront their deepest desires and fears. But Karina also can’t shake her fascination with Preston Utley, a senior and anti-capitalist Internet provocateur, who is publicly feuding with visiting professor and political painter Robert Berger—a once-controversial figurehead seeking to regain relevance.

ART PATROL

“TWO ROADS”: TOM CURRAN

Cedar House Gallery

DECEMBER 14-20, 2022 Enjoy a local art show focused on natural forms created with pencils and paint.

“LOOK!” Sulfur Studios

Through December 17 This show brings together many of Savannah’s local artists under one roof for an unforgettable art experience!

PETE SCHULTE

Laney Contemporary Fine Art

through January 14, 2023 Visitors will enjoy a thoughtful drawing exhibition focused on abstract ideas such as time, perception, and thought.

8 Laney Contemporary Fine Art November 4, 2022 through January 14, 2023

Viewers will experience a philosophical contemporary art exhibition created by a group of female artists.

SHIN JINSONG: “WAITING FOR A RESPONSE WHICH WE MIGHT NEVER GET”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through January 2, 2023 Experience a thoughtful exhibit on the rapidly changing world in the modern age through fascinating sculptural work.

SEHER SHAH AND RANDHIR SINGH: “STUDIES IN FORM”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through December 26, Viewers will take in an exhibit focusing on architecture using cyanotype, “an early photographic process and precursor to the blueprint.”

“THE DOG SHOW”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

A great exhibition for Savannah’s dog lovers! This art collection focuses on the characteristics of our canine friends in a variety of mediums.

ROXY PAINE: “SEDIMENTARY LENS”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Jan. 2, 2023

Roxy Paine displays her large scale sculptures that dive into topics such as the natural world and human actions.

MARIA NEPOMUCENO: “DENTRO E FORA INFINITAMENTE”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

Experience sculpture derived from traditional Brazilian straw weaving techniques combined with other materials including beads, ceramic, and more.

“STUDIES

IN FORM”

Seher Shah and Randhir Singh

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 26.

Viewers will take in an exhibit focusing on architecture using cyanotype, “an early photographic process and precursor to the blueprint.”

ANNA PARK: “LAST CALL”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Jan. 2, 2023

Experience Anna Park’s large scale charcoal drawings that exist in a blended style of abstraction and figuration.

“AARON

DOUGLAS: SERMONS”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Dec. 31.

The exhibition looks at celebrated artist, Aaron Douglas, from the Harlem Renaissance era and displays modern artists’ work alongside his to display his lasting influence.

GISELA

white etchings after finding that he was colorblind. This is an amazing opportunity to step back in time and view a celebrated artist of the 19th century.

ELEGIES: STILL LIFES IN CONTEMPORARY ART

A group exhibition bringing together an international collection of artists who have disrupted or extended the traditional presentation of still lifes. The artists have appropriated the genre in order to create works within a framework of Black diasporic identities, histories, and collective experiences. Jepson Ctr.

“FEELS LIKE FREEDOM”: PHILLIP J. HAMPTON

Jepson Center

Through January 29, 2023 This exhibition takes viewers through the entire career of the late painter Phillip J. Hampton. The varied work includes everything from abstract to illustrative realism, many of which were created in Savannah.

PHIL MUSEN @GALLERY ESPRESSO

The work features whimsical canvases that show cats doing very “un-catlike” things such as riding dragons, fighting with lightsabers, and going on martini dates.

“DAWN

ON OUR DARKNESS”

COLÓN:

“THE FEMINIST DIVINE”

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Jan., 2023

A perfect exhibition for 3D art enthusiasts. The work showcases invented design features and construction of sculptures influenced by the natural world.

ALLISON SCHULNIK: “OMINOUS, CRUDE BEAUTY’’

SCAD Museum of Art

Through Jan. 16, 2023

A truly unique claymation based exhibition that will fulfill any macabre art lover’s interests.

GOTHIC SOUL: CHARLES MERYON

Jepson Center, Through Jan. 8, 2023. Come see the revealing exhibit that focuses on the art and life of Charles Meryon, a French artist who specialized in black and

The Hidden Life of Christ from the Annunciation to the EpiphanyArtworks by Ivanka Demchuk St John’s Church - Arts + Faith. This outdoor exhibition is open all day and features prints of six of Demchuk’s works: a striking, minimalistic take on traditional eastern iconography. Come by the arches between St John’s Church and the Green-Meldrim House and take in engaging artwork. Free through Jan. 6. St John’s Church, 1 Macon St.

TYBEE ISLAND TOUR DE ART BIKE & WALKING ART TOUR

Saturday, Dec. 17, 12 to 5 p.m., This inaugural event showcases the talent & craftsmanship of artisans & makers from our area. Everything from stained glass, paintings, cosmetics, pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, sustainable goods. FREE 12-5 p.m.. tybeearts.org. North Beach Tybee Island, Railwood Ave.

BETH LOGAN’S ART PATROL RECOMMENDATIONS:

A holiday art showcase featuring Savannah’s Shannon Lancaster’s (nom de plume, Lady Lancaster) will be held Thursday, December 15 from 4-5:30pm at the Oaks at Habersham, 5200 Habersham Street. Proceeds from sales of Lancaster’s watercolors, photographs, and writings from her future book, “Finding the Joy in Cooking and in Life” will go toward her medical care expenses. A graduate in historic preservation and architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design, the vivacious Lancaster says she has been creating art since she was able to hold a crayon. She currently resides at the Oaks assisted living facility while recovering from several illnesses.

Saturday, December 17, between noon and 5pm, the second monthly Tybee Tour de Art will take place at various north end shops and restaurants. Find full details at tybeetourdeart.com. Parking for the December market is free when using the PARK TYB app. Maps are available at Tim’s Bikes where you can receive a 15% discount on bike rentals. Or better yet, for $5, Breezy Riders will run a bus between all locations. Follow @tybeetourdeart for in-depth artist spotlights.

To submit an ART PATROL listing, please enter an event at connectsavannah.com

Compiled by Joshua Alexander

By Joshua Alexander

Levi Moore embodies the image of traditional country music.

Growing up in the South, he was raised on the blue collar hard work of ranching where traditional country and folk was an ever present part of his life.

“My dad and mom both had a great love for music. I grew up listening to some of the world’s best storytellers like Gordon Lightfoot and Bob Dylan,” he explains.

He didn’t play music as a child, but was introduced to the concept during his time at the University of Missouri where he attended on a football scholarship.

His roommate and teammate was a talented self-taught musician and began teaching him to play guitar.

“He taught me three chords, but it kind of fell flat. I learned two of them pretty well, but I was hoping to unlock some latent magical ability, but, unfortunately, I didn’t,” he remembers.

It wasn’t until his junior year that he began to really focus on music and hone the skills that he relies on today.

“I was struggling with school and football. I saw that old guitar sitting there, one day, and thought ‘I’m gonna learn to play.’ I refreshed my memory on what I already learned and taught myself the rest of it,” he says.

Lyricism came quickly to Levi.

“I was always a natural writer and storyteller.”

His work is often autobiographical and philosophical and is delivered in his unique baritone voice. He gained early performing reps at college functions but soon graduated to open mics.

After college he pushed further west, taking up work in the Arkansas and Oklahoma oil fields. That being said, he never lost sight of his music goals. He kept the dream alive during those times by writing music and performing when he could, but his career really took off after his return home to Georgia.

Today, Levi Moore is an award-winning artist.

He was nominated for the Georgia Country Awards Male Artist of the Year in 2020 and was a top-six finalist. In 2021, he followed that honor by winning the award outright in 2021.

His audiences experience a blend of

both his original work and his takes on classic and modern Americana songs.

Not one to be constrained by musical norms, Levi also blends in his own recreations of popular top-40 radio hits.

For fans of Levi’s music, much of his library of work is available on his website, and he can be seen performing around the Savannah area at some of the local music hotspots including Jazz’d Tapas Bar, Edgar’s Proof & Provisions, and more.

While he is primarily a local performer, he has his eyes set on expansion.

“Soon I will be returning to Nashville to do some work, but I’d like to push this as far as it can go,” he says.

While he has one EP already produced, available for purchase at his live shows, Levi is also looking forward to an upcom-

ing recording project in the works with another local musician.

“I moved back down here six years ago, and the Savannah music scene was extremely welcoming. Everyone is very gracious in helping share ideas and performing together. It is just a great community.”

This sense of community is one often echoed by Savannah musicians and will shine through in Levi’s upcoming project.

For locals or visitors interested in catching a Levi Moore show, his next booking is on December 18 at Jazz’d Tapas Bar.

That being said, he is extremely active around the area and can be seen playing in a variety of spots.

Visit levimooremusic.com to keep up with show dates and music announcements.

By Frank Ricci

TIS THE SEASON

@ BILLY’S PLACE

Two veterans of the local music scene team up for a festive evening of jazz interpretations of Christmas and holiday standards. Vocalist Roger Moss’ rich baritone is well complemented by the piano mastery of Kim Steiner. Smooth your way into the holiday spirit.

SUN DEC 18 | 7 PM

DRAG BINGO @ CLUB ONE

HQIC Blair Williams and co-host with the most Treyla Trash might go on for an hour with prolapse jokes or they might get really blue. Either way, dollar schnapps opportunities abound while you compete for ridiculous prizes playing the Catholic church’s favorite gambling game.

MONDAYS | 6:30 PM

VINCENT BRYANT & MANDAL

@ THE WORMHOLE

Don’t let the casual delivery and comity fool you. Vincent Bryant will get dark AF, take you with him, and make you laugh non-stop. Mortality, infidelity and other comedy hellscapes are explored to the audience’s benefit. Atlanta’s bombastic, hilarious MANDAL opens.

SAT DEC 17 | 8 PM

RON HELMAN JAZZTRIO

@ JAZZ’D

TAPAS BAR

Savannah’s hometown

trumpet Daddy-O doesn’t swerve or fuse. it’s strictly straight-ahead classic jazz that swings. Enjoy this Thursday night treat in one of the most amorous rooms in town.

THUR DEC 15 | 6 PM

By Dave Gil de Rubio

Holidays are a time for loved ones to come together. For Andrea Bocelli, it’s enough of a touchstone to have inspired him to invite his 24-year-old son Matteo and 10-year-old daughter Virginia into the studio to record “A Family Christmas,” the trio’s first-ever album together.

Recorded over the summer, this project features an assortment of solo tracks, duets and trios that include everything from old favorites like “Feliz Navidad,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Joy To the World” to a pair of originals – “The Greatest Gift” and “When Christmas Comes to Town.” And while the project was suggested by the elder Bocelli’s label Capitol/Decca, Bocelli embraced the idea, particularly when given the chance to sing with his children -- a constant occurrence around their household.

“We were very excited about the opportunity as it would involve the whole family,” Andrea Bocelli said. “We started with recording the vocals, which was done in our home recording studio. At home, music is part of our everyday lives and we always find moments to gather around our piano, to play or sing. This year, with “A Family Christmas,” we wanted to give each other a special ‘Christmas gift’ -- recording these songs together.”

This current project is the successor to Bocelli’s first

holiday album, 2009’s “My Christmas.” In choosing material for “A Family Christmas,” he wanted the selections to resonate beyond how well-known they might be.

“We looked at a variety of Christmas songs, while not all those we chose may be the most popular, but rather were the most compelling to my family and I,” the patriarch said. “Selections that would allow for Matteo and Virginia to shine their light on the album, and felt most exemplary for their vocals, of which, of course, as a father, I am so proud of. It was also wonderful to have my wife, Veronica, and my eldest son, Amos, also participate in choosing the songs. And the selection that emerged is very dear to my heart. We chose songs that we think are ones that would ignite the Christmas spirit in the hearts of others, a feeling that is special to this specific season.”

For as gratifying and satisfying as heading into the recording studio with his offspring was for Bocelli, taking the next step of bringing it on the road to the masses is no less of a thrilling experience for the Italian classical music icon. And when asked what fans can expect when the Bocelli brood comes around, he promises the magic they captured on the record will translate well on stage.

“The concert format will begin with the first part centered on well-known and loved operatic pieces and be followed by a second part tied to songs of romance and ballads from my catalogue,” he explained. “Then, of

ANDREA BOCELLI

@ ENMARKET ARENA

Bocelli makes his first ever appearance in Savannah at Enmarket Arena just in time for the Christmas season. Visit ticketmaster.com for info.

FRI DEC 16 | 8 PM

course, the second half will also include selections from the new Christmas repertory of “A Family Christmas.” I’m excited to say that Matteo and Virginia will be beside me onstage performing together as a family. We look forward to sharing the warmth and love of our family on stage with the extended family of the audience through the divine power of music.”

And while singing with their father is something both Bocelli children have been well familiar with throughout their lives, the siblings are equally over-the-moon about having the opportunity to do this night after night.

“Growing up, I remember that my dad would always play Christmas songs around the holidays and we would sing together,” Virginia said. “This is our first family Christmas album together and it’s so fun because I remember recording this together back in July. Now the songs are finally out there and I’m excited to get to share the stage with my dad and brother and see the fans react to these special songs we’ve recorded together.”

Matteo added, “We had so much fun in the studio recording the music, that it will be incredible, especially at the time of year with the holidays, to see the joy in our audiences as we share our family traditions with theirs.”

Having had a front-row seat for the global success his father has experienced as one of music’s foremost tenors has provided plenty of inspiration for Bocelli’s son to start his own career. His move into the family business will pick up considerable speed as work begins on Matteo’s debut album in January.

“Music has been a part of my life since I was in my mother’s belly,” he said. “I’ve always heard my father sing and I feel as though I’ve been singing with him since I was a very small child. I started piano at the age of six and that’s when things really picked up. My father has always been so supportive of my desire to sing and starting my own solo career.”

But for now, the Family Bocelli will be tapping into the unique energy produced by bloodlines and love of each other and what the holiday season represents. This accomplishment that lands high on Andrea Bocelli’s already large array of milestones.

“Having part of the family on stage with me is an extraordinary feeling,” he said. “It’s a dream come true -the best Christmas gift I could ever receive. I will thus be on stage, but at the same time, literally ‘with the family,’ while the audience will be our ‘extended family,’ with which to celebrate Christmas through music. I hope it will be a pleasant surprise for everyone, an evening that will give us fond memories. If members of the audience return home even just a bit more serene, with a smile on their faces, then my mission is accomplished.”

LYN AVENUE @ BARRELHOUSE SOUTH

THE DOG APOLLO + FRIENDS @ THE WORMHOLE

The wife-husband country and Americana duo graced Savannah stages at the Stopover Festival in early 2022 and at the Homegrown Summer Jam. They’re headlining a Friday night blowout, bringing big rhythms that carry the stories and melodies they’re known for.

Get your Halloween weekend going with four bands that rock. The headliners play a strange mix of post-punk, shoegaze and roots. BAS Music uses two drummers to reach new psychedelic heights. The Maxines are grungy hard rock bordering on punk, and Xuluprohpet jam funk, reggae and rock. Like a pillowcase full of candy from strangers, there’s something for everyone.

FRI DEC 16 PM | 9 PM

FRI OCT 28 | 8 PM

HALLOWEEN HAVOC @ THE WORMHOLE

PASTOR TROY @ ELAN SAVANNAH

He generated beef with Master P 20+ years ago and as recently as 2020 with Lil Nas. In that span, Pastor Troy has released product relentlessly until his “retirement” in 2017. Two albums later, see just how not retired this gangsta rap survivor is.

FRI DEC 16 | 10 PM

Lots of bands, so note the decidedly un-spooky daylight start time. Hard rockers Kamenar (pictured) headline with support from Kill the Sound, The Dood, Once Kings, Hassleinone, and Losing Daylight. That’s six!…six!!…six!!! live bands to rock that ass on a Halloween weekend night. $300 in cash prizes for best costumes, so get creative and go home with the munny.

SAT OCT 29 | 6:30 PM

THE BAND PAGE

THE BAND PAGE

THREE EASY PIECES + ABREVITY @ THE WORMHOLE

156/SILENCE @ LODGE OF SORROWS

By Frank Ricci

By Frank Ricci

Extended jams with a power-trio sensibility explains TEP long enough until you just float away on a six minute solo with a happy face on, relieved from the duty of hearing words. Abrevity does a strange shoegaze-hard rock combination that works. The bands pair well and perform together often for a reason.

The Pittsburgh-based metalcore act headlines the loudest Halloween party in Savannah. Bang your head bloody with these yinzers and fellow metalcore madmen Circle Back (Charleston) and If Only (Augusta). Local beatdown specialists Omenkiller get the carnage splattering early. Finish your trick-ortreating, eat a razor blade apple, and mosh into the void.

SAT DEC 17 | 9:30 PM

MON OCT 31 | 7:30 PM

NORDISTA FREEZE @ EL ROCKO LOUNGE

BLURRY + GARLANDS @ EL ROCKO

A modern interpretation of grunge with more 70s hard rock and heavy metal influence that the original, Atlanta’s Blurry carves out a unique space in alternative with a potent edge. Steffan Rost’s Garlands is experimental but approachable, running from dreamscapes to dance pop.

FRI DEC 16 | 8 PM

The hardest working man in indie pop returns to Savannah for the fourth time in the last 12 months. As cliché as it sounds, the shows keep getting better. If you’ve seen the relentless Freeze and his band in action, you already know this. If you’ve managed to miss the last three, prepare for Friday Night Rectification. A guaranteed monster show.

FRI OCT 28 | 9 PM

SOUNDBOARD

DECORATE

Our Christmas tree is looking a little bare! Use your crayons, markers, construction paper, glue, glitter, or craft supplies! Decorate the tree so it’s fit for the Christmas Festival!

You may even win a gift card to BARNES RESTAURANTS and have your photo featured in Connect Savannah!

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES

You can mail your entry or drop it off at: 611 E. Bay St.

ATTN: Decorate the Tree Contest Savannah, GA 31401

(Do not deliver your entries to Barnes Restaurants)

CONTEST RULES

• All fields on entry form must be completed to be considered valid.

• Only one entry per person.

• Artwork must be created by name on entry.

• No adult’s work will be accepted.

• Original work only.

• Entries will not be returned.

• The judge’s decision is final.

• All entries become property of Connect Savannah.

• Winners agree to allow publication of their name, and, if necessary, their likeness in Connect Savannah and connectsavannah.com.

Acceptance of any prize indicates acceptance of this clause.

• Employees of Barnes Restaurants, Connect Savannah or Morris Multimedia and their immediate families are not eligible to win. ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE DOWNLOADED AT CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM

COMMUNITY

INAUGURAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS GALA

BUNNY IN THE CITY

By Bunny Ware

Kicking off a week full of galas, Habitat Savannah hosted their inaugural Home for the Holidays Gala at the Savannah Marriott on December 7.

Sneaking into the Simply Savannah Marketing team green room to catch Marianne Ganem Poppell, Danom Dunagan and Dru Usry before they greet 250 Habitat supporters, I find the trio printing up bid cards for six live auction items. Just wait! I’m going to win that Hershey, Pennsylvania, getaway!

Out in the lobby, volunteers and Habitat employees are greeting sponsors from Carver State Bank, Choate Construction and WJCL while I snap pics of Savannah Chamber of Commerce’s lovely Conni Reynolds and the smartest computer coding dude I know, Sean Murphy.

Next up is the gorgeous Ariel Daniels and Miquan Green’s bestie, Javonte Middleton. The Devetter Law Firm paralegal is also the Sports Coordinator for Chatham County Parks and is the owner of Middleton Roadside Assistance. I remember meeting the Citadel grad when he was a young pup and it makes my heart happy to see him thriving!

With the lobby full of elegant gowns, three ladies stand out! Hello Moya Campbell, Nancy Karp and Christi Kempf! Knowing that I can get a minimodeling session from the ladies, I pose the colorful characters then head over to snap a pic of Ray Gaster and Dakota Anderson followed by a fun pic of my Step One Auto family, Jonathan Oppenheimer and Chelsea Altman.

Approaching me is the indomitable Annette Oglethorpe-McDougal. The Habitat for Humanity Vice President tells me that she is in grad school, is an avid runner and is easily convinced to pose with her husband Reginald and fellow fierce female Corine Ackerson-Jones and her husband Bobby.

Denise Knowles, Chelsea Altman, Jay Wilson, Marianne Ganem Poppell

Ariel Daniels, Javonte Middleton

Dakota Anderson, Ray Gaster

Crystal Brooks, Cecilia Arango, Jim Collins, Jennifer Roach

Next up, International Paper Mill Manager and incoming United Way Board President Jay Wilson waves me over for a pic with his son Grant, daughter-in-law Alison and wife Alicia. Giggling when Jay gets a little bit amped when he says his guest is none other than Envirovac’s Kevin Jackson, then I share that Kevin is a favorite of mine because the University of Georgia football royalty loves documenting an event with a photo.

With the lobby filling up with local legends like Libbie Summers, Mayor Edna Jackson and Alton Smith, I give away hugs, then get one from the nicest guy in television, Jason Usry. Knowing he is on vacation this week, I tease him because I know he will answer the work phone calls and emails even though he is supposed to be chilling.

Hitting warp speed, I snap pics of Downtown Business Association Executive Director Brooke Goth with her hubby Paul, admire Jennifer Graham’s glowing skin and Cecilia Arango’s red, layered Christmas tree dress, then commend Courtney Ganem for being the first sponsor to sign up for this inaugural gala.

Sneaking in before the program kickoff is City of Savannah Mayor Van Johnson; emcee for the night is WJCL’s marvelous Marvis Herring, and setting the standard for future auctions is Chatham Parkway Lexus and Toyota’s Winston Pittman donating $10,000 in the paddle raise. Cue a standing ovation for this unexpected gift.

The man of the hour is in full force! Habitat CEO Zerik Samples waves me over for a pic with his parents Linda and Koshie Samples, family members Jonathan and Jasmine Manning and close friends Courtney Prince and Chris Middleton. Dressed in a navy blue tuxedo, Zerik pauses to give me a quick sound bite.

”I’m proud of the diversity and status in this room. Every color, creed and culture representing universities, real estate, financial institutions, news stations, school students and builders has shown up to support us. I was worried that people would not show up for a Wednesday night event, but we sold out our first gala,” shares the elated nonprofit leader.

Surpassing their goal of $110,000 for future development projects, Habitat for Humanity’s quest to build communities and reignite hope is off to smashing success and I am personally thrilled to see so many people participate in the biggest rock, paper, scissors competition in my history of events. What an ice-breaker and energy-producing activity for a gala! Well done y’all!

Rickay Graham, Ava Claire Mattox, Bruce Bissett

Macey Fordham, Zelonia Williams, Kyle Smiley, Courtney Ganem, Kate Blair Zerik, Linda and Koshie Samples

Christi Kempf, Nancy Karp, Moya Campbell

Brooke and Paul Goth