Connect Savannah | September, 2023

17 FREE SHOWS

4 TICKETED SHOWS AT GREAT PRICES!

MOVIE NIGHT.

BLUES NIGHT.

LATIN DANCE PARTY.

RANKY TANKY.

JAZZ IN THE PARK 2 DAYS!

ADMINISTRATIVE

ERICA BASKIN PUBLISHER erica@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4378

ERICA LANG DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT elang@connectsavannah.com

WENDY WICKHAM BUSINESS MANAGER wendy@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4373

CONTENT

CHRISTOPHER SWEAT CREATIVE | CONTENT DIRECTOR christopher @connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4358

CHANTEL BRITTON MANAGING EDITOR chantel @connectsavannah.com

MCKENNAH DRURY GRAPHIC DESIGNER (912) 721-4354

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

Jesse Blanco, Beth Logan, Bunny Ware,, Alan Sculley, Lauren Wolverton, Kareem McMichael, Travis Jaudon

ADVERTISING

INFORMATION: (912) 721-4378 sales@connectsavannah.com

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DISTRIBUTION

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

DEAR CONNECT SAVANNAH READERS:

Dive into the September issue as we delve into the realm of gameday fashion just in time for the kickoff of football season.

The spotlight is on the Georgia Bulldogs as they strive for a remarkable national championship three-peat. Not to be outdone, local favorites like Georgia Southern, Savannah State, and an array of neighboring teams are on a mission to surpass last season's performance.

In the spirit of football, Jesse Blanco unveils a curated selection of top-notch local venues that are perfect for indulging in delectable gameday grub while catching the excitement of the games.

And that's not all – an exclusive interview

ON THE COVER

awaits you with none other than Gus, the beloved GSU Eagles' mascot, offering a behind-thefeathers glimpse into the world of spirited team representation.

Beth Logan invites you to explore the artistry of Henry Dean, a journey that will leave you awe-inspired by his incredible creations.

Shifting gears, the musical spotlight falls on the electrifying band Nude Party, who are set to take over Over Yonder.

As always, stay up-to-date with our comprehensive calendar of events and more.

Remember, we're just a click away – whether it's day or night – at connectsavannah. com, ensuring you're alwlays in the loop.

ERICA BASKIN, PUBLISHER

OUR VALUES

Connect Savannah is an arts, entertainment and news magazine, focused on Savannah and the Coastal Empire life and experience. We strive to feature stories that impact our community and the people who live here— to educate, entertain, inform and foster conversation.

We appreciate and encourage readers to share news and information with us, and to share any criticism and questions. We want to be your comprehensive source for what happens in our community and beyond. We are here to serve you. Find us on the following social media platforms or reach out to us at news@connectsavannah.com or 912-721-4378.

© 2023, Savannah Media, LLC. 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041

L-R: Lauren Wolverton, Hannah Garcia, Brooke Jensen, and Alexia Meadows photographed at Daffin Park by Adriana Iris Boatwright

southeast georgia leadership forum in the boardroom series

“In the Boardroom” facilitates the exchange of ideas by gathering local leaders together. We as humans learn primarily through stories and shared experiences. Both of these elements are highlighted in these sessions.

TUES., NOVEMBER 14

CHARLES MORRIS CENTER

10 E BROAD STREET SAVANNAH

NOON - 2:00 P.M.

Kareem Weaver is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate (FULCRUM) which partners with various stakeholders to improve reading results for students. He is the Oakland NAACP & #39;s Second Vice President and Chair of its Education Committee; his advocacy is featured in the upcoming film The Right to Read. Mr. Weaver previously served as New Leaders’ Executive Director of the Western Region, and was an award-winning teacher and administrator. He has undergraduate degrees from Morehouse College and a master’s in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina. He believes in the potential of all students, the brotherhood of man, and the importance of service above self. His educational heroine, for literacy instruction, is the late Marva Collins.

find the leader in you.

The annual Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum will be held February 26 – 27, 2024 at Kehoe Ironworks Building at Trustees’ Garden in Savannah southeastleadershipforum.com

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE $45 PER PERSON

february 26 - 27

trustees garden, Savannah

Kareem Weaver Speaker

CONNECT SAVANNAH

SEPTEMBER

AT A GLANCE

FAREWELL TO SUMMER

LABOR DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION

Sept. 1 - 4

Plant Riverside District Free and Open to the Public The four-day event will offer free live music, arts and crafts activities for kids, dance parties at Electric Moon, a splash fountain along the riverfront as well as food and drink options for all ages. plantriverside.com

LABOR DAY FESTIVAL

SEPT, 2

Fort McAllister, a 1,725-acre Georgia state park, will host an educational and fun-filled Labor Day event suitable for the entire family. Delve into the crucial role played by tradespeople during the Civil War, aiding both the Confederate and Union forces in maintaining a well-supplied and equipped military. Immerse yourself in the rich history of 19th century trades, such as wheelwrights, blacksmiths, tanners, rope walkers, railroad conductors, laundresses, and factory workers. Explore. gastateparks.org

REWIND! AT THE SAVANNAH THEATRE STARTS SEPT. 6

Rewind back to the first time that you pushed play!

A high-energy cast and live band perform a fast moving production that features 2 hours of the music of your lifetime! Whether you heard it first on vinyl, 8-track, cassette or cd, the award-winning Savannah Theatre performs some of your favorite music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. It’s sure to be the most fun that you have in Savannah! (Runs Sept 6 – Nov 4) savannahtheatre.org

LA FETE DU ROSE POOLPARTY AT THOMPSON SAVANNAH SEPT. 2

Join us poolside and sip signature cocktails by La Fete du Rose with Tunes by DJ Miss Paradise! This event is free for

hotel guests and the public is welcome to join with the purchase of a daypass.thompsonsavannahhappenings.com

SAVANNAH CULTURAL

FESTIVAL

SEPT. 3

Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of cultures, featuring captivating performances, interactive art installations, diverse vendors, and mouthwatering food trucks. SavannahCulturalFest@beapillar.org.

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

SEPT. 3

The Doobie Brothers are bringing their 50th Anniversary Tour to Enmarket Arena on September 3. Enmarketarena.com

BOURBON & BITES

SEPT. 7

Join Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum for an evening of indulgence at Bourbon & Bites and celebrate the finest bourbon and delectable bites! Delight your palate as you mingle with fellow bourbon enthusiasts and foodies. This community event promises laughter, great conversations, and the chance to discover new flavors that will inspire your palate. Taste 9 different luxurious bourbons with distilling experts. A chef-curated appetizer and hors d’oeuvres menu will accompany the tasting. Search eventbrite.com for info.

PATRIOT RUN

SEPT. 9

Run to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The Patriot Day Run is a 5K Memorial Run that will take place at Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah. eventbrite.com/e/ patriot-day-run-tickets

DINNER DETECTIVE INTERACTIVE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW

SEPT. 9

Unlike a typical murder mystery dinner theatre performance, you won’t be watching a handful of actors stiffly reciting

lines in front of the room. The action happens all around you, and any person in the audience can end up being a part of the show, even YOU! Throughout the night, you’ll find yourself wondering if what just happened was scripted or real! .thedinnerdetective.com

SAVANNAH PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS 9/11

MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB

SEPT. 10

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is to honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We lost mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles on that tragic day. First responders, military, civilians, children, and all of those affected by this heartbreaking event 22 years ago are encouraged to join us. /runsignup. com/Race/GA/Savannah

SECOND SUNDAYS SCAD

MUSEUM OF ART

SEPT. 10

SCAD MOA welcomes our Savannah community to enjoy free admission on the second Sunday of every month. Residents of Savannah or any of its surrounding counties (Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Beaufort, and Jasper) are invited to visit free of charge. scadmoa.org

ESTUARY TRAWL

SEPT. 15

Climb aboard our 43-foot trawler, the R/V Sea Dawg, for a memorable scientific collection trip. Sample the aquatic communities found in tidal rivers and sounds, then identify, sort, count and record species and environmental data. Educators will provide information about the natural history, diversity and ecological significance of animals collected during the trawl. Gacoast.uga.edu

BILLY JOEL VS ELTON

JOHN TRIBUTE

SEPT. 15

The Ultimate Billy Joel and Elton John tribute. Don’t miss this get-up-and-dance show

ESTUARY TRAWL

as two of the best musicians come to life on the Tybee Post Theater show.

From the fancy fingers to the amazing costumes, the tribute show will have you singing all night long. Of course all of the big hits will be played…Piano Man, Rocket Man, River of Dreams, Circle if Life, Just the Way You Are, Your Song and so much more! ci.ovationtix.com

PAINT THE STIGMA RUN IT BACK

SEPT. 16

Veterans and supporters are invited to have fun and come play paintball with like minded individuals. Enjoy yourself, some camaraderie, while relieving some stress. We’re bringing awareness to Veteran mental health, suicide awareness, and working to build connections in the local veteran community. Feel free to bring your own equipment or utilize the rental equipment provided by the field. eventbrite.com/e/paintthe-stigma-2023-run-it-backtickets

STREET FOOD & POETRY FESTIVAL

SEPT. 17

We would like to welcome you to our 2nd Annual Street Food & Poetry festival! Bring your lawn chairs and amazing energy as we vibe to a number of different musical artist as well as some of the best talented spoken word artist in our area! While you enjoy the show, indulge in our various delicious food and drink vendors. This event is for the whole Community! sisternaturals@gmail.com

BEER, CIGARS, GOLF & CASINO

SEPT. 17-18

The Annual Beer, Guys, Cigars, Golf & Casino will be held at The Golf Club at Savannah Harbor! This two-day affair will kick off on Sunday evening with the addition of a “Vegas in Savannah” Casino style event. Enjoy Beer, Guys & Cigars with Sunday Night Football, gourmet food, and of course….cigars.

craft beers

rmhccoastalempire.ejoinme.org

42ND SAVANNAH

JAZZ FESTIVAL

SEPT. 19 - 24

The Savannah Jazz Festival is an annual music event that celebrates the rich heritage of jazz music. Showcasing a diverse lineup of talented musicians, this festival offers a vibrant atmosphere where jazz enthusiasts and music lovers can come together to enjoy soulful performances and immerse themselves in the captivating rhythms of this iconic genre. savannahjazz.org

TASTE OF POOLER

SEPT. 21

Whether you’re trying out some traditional Southern cuisine, snacking on exotic treats, or indulging in something sweet, the Taste of Pooler will have something for everyone. Come join us and enjoy the delicious tastes that Pooler has to offer! It’s sure to be an exciting and happy event for food lovers everywhere. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience all of the amazing flavors that Pooler has to offer. Join us for the Taste of Pooler and let your taste buds go wild. Members.poolerchamber.com

SUPERSTAR COMIC CON

SEPT. 23-24

Superstar Comic Con is bringing you the star power of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow! Come celebrate your favorite fandoms with Special Celebrity Guests, Comic Book Creators, Voice Actors, Cosplayers, Gaming, Panels, Contests, and much more! Superstarcomiccon.com

WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL

SEPT. 23

Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. Magical nights in cities across the U.S. include food, games, activities, vendors, music and the beauty

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS MONTH

To have your event considered for inclusion, please visit connectsavannah.com and enter your event in our online calendar. There, you can manage your entries, change and add dates, times, etc.

PLAN YOUR SEPTEMBER NOW:

Visit ConnectSavannah.com to find our 24/7, comprehensive list of all the things to do in Savannah this month. From theater performances to live music shows, art exhibitions to food festivals, Connect Savannah has got you covered. So, check out the website now and start planning your perfect month in the Hostess City today!

of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope and dreams reflected upon the water. waterlanternfestival.com

MAMMA MIA DISCO NIGHT

SEPT. 28

Get ready to party Mamma Mia style! Groove to ABBA’s greatest hits while unleashing your creativity at Syd Nichole’s disco ball flower workshop! Don’t forget to dress up in your

wildest Mamma Mia-inspired outfit! Sip on our specialty island cocktail from the Cocktail Boys and savor Mediterranean appetizers from Shuk. Snap a fun pic by a themed backdrop from Bach Behavior. Then get your glitter on with Glam Strands from 7-8pm. Let’s dance, sing, and create memories that will have you saying “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” all night long! Events.connectsavannah.com

SAVANNAH TATTOO ARTS FESTIVAL

SEPT. 29

This event brings together tattoo artists, enthusiasts, and curious individuals to appreciate the beauty and creativity of tattooing. With live tattooing, tattoo contest, interactive sessions, and a showcase of tattoo culture, the festival offers an engaging experience for all. villainarts.com

Taste

supplied by Southern Crown Partners, sample specialty cocktails, bourbons, wines, and more.

GUS

INTRODUCTIONS: MEET GUS

CAN YOU TELL THE FANS A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACK STORY?

I hatched out of a massive egg in Hanner Fieldhouse January 30,1982. Originally a gift to the university from Delta Chi, I was born/given to the community officially. Now yes I looked a little different… We all have our glow ups. I feel as if my name speaks for itself. GUS…GSU… yeah we’re on the same page.

DO YOU HAVE A PRE-GAME RITUAL IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

My game days usually all start the same way. I wake up to Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I get to the stadium fairly early (time depending of kickoff) and scout out the energy. I drive past our tailgate areas and scout out who is here early and who is already partaking in tailgate festivities. After I walk in the gates, i’m locked in. Some stretching takes place, a little pregame run, slam down a couple of electrolytes while blasting a good game day playlist. If im not 1000% fired up, i've started my gameday wrong.

DO YOU LIKE MUSIC? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG? WHAT GETS YOU PUMPED UP FOR GAMES?

My music taste varies from week to week. Some days i’ll listen to nothing but Cole Swindell and it will get me in the right mindset. Other days my playlist will jump from every genre under the sun and back.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY AND HOW DOES IT ALIGN WITH THE TEAM’S SPIRIT?

Menace. 100%. After gaining sentience it was Georgia Southern vs the World. Came here with a chip on my shoulder and wanted to make a name for myself. Sometimes I believe mascots are too nice, we had to throw a little spice in there. Although I have a sarcastic approach to life, when it comes down to it I try to be a nice guy overall. Greeting visiting fans (and sending them off with a loss), interacting with all my lovely GS fans, etc.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT ATTENDING THE GAMES, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

Eating.

TEN QUESTIONS WITH GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY'S FUN, FEATHERD MASCOT

DO YOU HAVE A NEMESIS IN THE MASCOT WORLD? OR ANOTHER MASCOT YOU CONSIDER TO BE A FRIENDLY FOE? TELL US ABOUT INTERACTIONS WITH THEM.

All the other Sunbelt mascots are the main foes in my world. In typical fashion there’s a good rivalry between Yosef from App State and I. I wouldn’t call Pounce from Georgia State a rival, he’s barely a mascot.

ABOUT HOW MANY APPEARANCES DO YOU MAKE A YEAR? DO YOU MAKE ANY APPEARANCES OUTSIDE OF ATHLETIC FUNCTIONS? TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THOSE.

Easily 200+. I'm at as many athletic events as possible. Every single football game (home and away), every home basketball game for both men’s and women’s, most home baseball games, and I visit soccer, softball, swimming, and rifle a few times a season. Outside of athletic events, I visit Greek Row a good bit to stay involved with sorority life when they need me for events. I head over to all major campus events to see the lovely GS students on campus. Off campus, I am involved with many school visits, marketing shoots for sponsors, and weddings. I love weddings. So if you’re reading this and need a professional wedding guest, call me.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FAN INTERACTION OR MEMORY IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

All of them. I try to treat each fan interaction as important as the next one.

EVERY MASCOT HAS SIGNATURE MOVES OR GESTURES. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOURS, AND HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THEM?

I just do whatever dances my brain tells me to do.

FINALLY, WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES’ MASCOT?

All of it. I have the honor of being the face of this amazing university. I lead the spirit for all these amazing athletic teams. I meet so many people each and every day whether thats on campus, on the golf course, at events, or even on Twitter. (follow me @gustheeaglegs thx).

game on!

The most wonderful time of the year is now upon us. That’s right, football season in Georgia has arrived, and we’ve rounded up everything you need to have a winning season at your tailgate this Fall.

By Lauren Wolverton

GAME DAY IS ABOUT SUPPORTING YOUR TEAM, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN STYLE HAS TO RIDE THE BENCH!

If you prefer a traditional game day look, your instinct may be to throw on a team T-shirt or a jersey and jeans. This look will always be classic, but with some simple styling, you can elevate it. If you’re going with a jerseytry an oversized fit, paired with bike shorts or tucked into denim shorts. Instead of sneakers, try tall white or black cowboy boots. A T-shirt can be styled the same way.

Preppy fashion was the cool girl look of the summer, and it perfectly translates to game day- especially if you want to wear a T-shirt or hoodie. Style your team tee or sweatshirt with a tennis skirt or pleated shorts, some white sneakers and some square sunnies for a trendy, comfortable, athleisure look.

Branching out from T-shirts and jerseys on game day is a cool thing for a few reasons. First, you’ll likely rewear these looks several times a year. For example, you probably won’t wear your football jersey to your sister’s bridal shower (but if you do, we’re not judging!). However, you would wear a breezy mini dress. A classic mini dress in your team’s colors- blue, red, orange, whatever- can be worn to a football game with sneakers and a hat, then worn to other parties and events with a pair of heels or sandals.

Dressing up for game day also opens the door to express yourself through your style a little bit more. Do you feel your best wearing something sparkly? Wear a red sequin top and jeans to the next UGA game you go to. Are you always wearing a dress and heels out with your friends? Try a neutral colored dress and sneakers and accessorize with a Georgia Southern button and a navy headband. If you aren’t into sporty attire in your day-to-day life, you don’t have to force it on game day.

Overall, game day attire should be fun and comfortable for you. As long as you have a touch of your team’s colors on- or even just black, white, or denim neutrals- your outfit will be a touchdown.

THESE LOOKS FINISH THE DRILL

Whether you’re looking for sparkles and leather or fringe and cowboy hats, Savannah boutiques have you covered on game day. Spend the day visiting local boutiques and thrift stores and you’re sure to find something awesome.

PHOTOS: Red leather dress, denim mini skirt set, bedazzled cowboy hats, white fringe dress, orange button down, gold rhinestone tank top, black leather shorts and earrings from Morgan Rae Boutique (301 B W Broughton Street).

Photos by Adriana Iris Boatwright

A FEW LOCAL STORES WE LOVE FOR GAME DAY FASHION AND TAILGATE ACCESSORIES:

• EMILY MCCARTHY SHOPPE (2428 ABERCORN ST)

• THE PRINTED PEACH (417 WHITAKER ST)

• MORGAN RAE BOUTIQUE (301 W BROUGHTON ST)

• THE POSH LOFT (317 W BROUGHTON ST)

• THE FANCY PHEASANT (TRUSTEES' GARDEN)

• THE SAVANNAH STATE UNIV. BOOKSTORE (3219 COLLEGE ST)

• THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIV. BOOKSTORE (FIRST FLOOR, STUDENT UNION (11935 ABERCORN ST.)

• HOUSE OF STRUT (20 W STATE ST)

• RED CLOVER (244 BULL ST)

• J. PARKER LTD (20 W BROUGHTON ST)

• EAST & UP (6 E LIBERTY ST)

PRO TIP: FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANTS, BARS, SHOPS AND ARTISTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA. EVERY NOW AND THEN, SOMEONE UNEXPECTED MIGHT RELEASE A COOL GAME DAY SHIRT, HAT, KOOZIE, ETC!

THE FANCY PHEASANT

J. PARKER LTD

Adriana Iris Boatwright

BURGERS, BEERS AND CHEERS: THERE ARE PLENTY OF LOCAL SPOTS TO GET YOUR FOOTBALL AND FOOD FIX

B&D BURGERS ON CONGRESS STREET

By Jesse Blanco eatitandlikeit.com

I call it the most wonderful time of the year, even if it is still 135 degrees in the shade right now.

We’ve all been there, those first two or three football games on the schedule don’t exactly look all that appealing to attend in person because it is still just morbidly warm outside.

If your favorite college team is cursed with a dreaded ‘noon game in September’ it is enough to make you re-think that trip between the hedges or anywhere else in the South for that matter.

The die hards will always endure that muggy discomfort, but if you are looking to keep it close to home for your game watches, then it is always good to know that Savannah’s scene has evolved nicely when it comes to find a comfortable spot to watch toes meeting leather.

Before writing this piece, I pulled up a similar list from way back in 2014 just for comparison’s sake. Some of the spots I listed that year are gone. A couple of others are still steady as she goes and qualify as Savannah’s classic game watch spots.

(Photo Above) I think it is fair to call this Savannah’s ground zero for game watching, particularly if you are a Georgia Bulldogs fan. When the Dawgs are playing, that’s the only game you will find on a TV there, including their projected image on the wall of the business next door.

During a particularly big game, you will likely hear the party before you see it. The variety in burgers is good. That includes veggie burgers as well as turkey burgers and bison.

DUB’S PUB

There are a lot of good choices in Savannah, and I rarely play favorites, but if I had to pick one in this particular department, then it is Dub’s Pub.

Located in the shadow of the very popular Plant Riverside Disrict on River Street, Dub’s has been doing great bar food for years. The burger is underrated on the food scene, the spicy bloody mary’s are fire. Most importantly, there are an absurd amount of televisions. How many? I can’t tell you, but the historic brick walls are covered in them. One thing I particularly enjoy about Dubs is if you are in the back of the room, there are no windows.

It’s a little on the dark side which makes game watching a little

PRESENTED BY SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

easier. The bar is a nice size, the scene is perfect for a game watch.

SAVANNAH TAPHOUSE

This is probably downtown Savannah’s most legit ‘sports bar.’ I’ve always been amused when a bar throws a TV in a corner or two and then labels themselves a ‘sports bar.’

Taphouse is the antithesis of that. There are wall to wall televisions on both levels of this former theater on Broughton near Abercorn. My go-to here for food are probably the chicken wings.

MCDONOUGH’S

Savannah’s Best Karaoke Bar should not be overlooked for a spot to watch games. Saturdays or Sundays. The food is good (wings are the way to go here) and the beer is always cold.

There is plenty of space for everyonebefore the crooners roll in. McDonough’s is a popular spot with the downtown crowd because parking is much easier to find on that end of the “district” than anywhere near city market. That said, it’s also a great place to park for a game or two.

ELECTRIC MOON AT PLANT RIVERSIDE

If you have a passing interest in the games of the day and enjoy a jello shot or two in between touchdowns, then you should consider Electric Moon rooftop bar at Plant Riverside District.

There are large screens everywhere and the views of the Savannah River are pretty spectacular. If you want some Savannah flavor while enjoying a game on a Saturday afternoon, you might enjoy this. To be fair, I don’t love the food here, but I do enjoy the bar and the scene. Grab a pre-game burger somewhere and make your way to the Moon.

OTHER GAME WATCHING SPOTS TO CONSIDER:

STARLAND YARD

OAK 36

POE'S TAVERN

WORLD OF BEER

THE WAREHOUSE ON RIVER ST.

Does your favorite team/group have a specific gamewatching location? Make sure you enter your events on our online calendar at connectsavannah.com or scan the code to enter and manage your event!

Starland Yard is the official game watching spot for the University of Georgia Alumni Association's Savannah Chapter.

OAK 36

POE'S TAVERN

ELECTRIC MOON

MCDONOUGH'S

by Bunny Ware

CRAB SHACK'S 40TH ANNIV. AND CAPTAIN JACK'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

The iconic Crab Shack on Tybee Island played host to Captain Jack Flanigan's 90th birthday celebration on August 8. This event marked not only a milestone in his life but also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the establishment where “the elite eat in the bare feet”.

Scan the code to read about the night and see more photos.

PHOTOS FROM LOCAL EVENTS

View more photos online at connectsavannah.com/connected

FOLLOWING THE PATH OF TOTALITY

WITH HENRY DEAN

By Beth Logan CULTURE COLUMNIST

Tall, lanky, and softly spoken, Henry Dean has been a professor in the School of Foundation Studies at SCAD since 1999. He recently received a 2023 Presidential Fellowship and a 2024 Sabbatical Award from the university; we meet in his Talahi Island studio to discuss the project he plans to complete during the upcoming sabbatical.

With his slight, but distinctive, English accent, Dean tells me, “I was born in the UK in County Kent. My mother was from Houlton on the Canadian border of Maine, and my dad was from Manchester, England.” The family moved to the United States when he was ten, but he later returned to the UK to attend the University of St. Andrew’s, graduating with an MFA in Fine Arts and Geography in 1980. He says of this unusual coupling of subjects, “Geography is very much art. It’s an interest in landscape and landscape processes.” And indeed, as we will see, his art today is “interested in the way things form and erode, are created, and are destroyed.”

Following graduation, Dean received a job offer at a Shaftesbury Avenue theater in London where he planned to pursue his passion for directing and acting. However, he says, “I just had this epiphany when I was reading the acceptance letter. I suddenly realized that all I was doing was drawing, drawing, drawing, and thinking about visual art all the time. So, I went off to London and embraced being an artist. It was tough; I was living in Brixton during the civil unrest of the early 80’s and barely making it, but I started carving stone and having exhibitions.”

Four years later Dean moved back to America to be with his brother who was just finishing medical school in Philadelphia. He continued as an artist, painting in his Roxborough, Philadelphia studio four days a week and supplementing his income through carpentry work on the other three days. He says, “1993 was a big year for me. It was the end of a big relationship, and I had to decide what I was seeking. The answer was to go out on long three-month drive-arounds throughout the US. I’d teach workshops at a friend’s art school in Telluride, and travel through Texas and New Mexico absorbing lots of different landscapes.”

In 1999, Dean came to Savannah to show a sculpture he had worked on with his friend and Philadelphia studio partner, Alan Greenberg. It was installed as part of the city-wide show ‘Functional Follies: 20 Architectural Objects of Delight’ celebrating SCAD’s first twenty years. [I remember Patrick Dougherty’s building of maple saplings constructed in Forsyth Park.] Greenberg’s piece ‘Shelter’ was displayed on the bluff on Turner Street. Based on a demonstration Dean gave during that visit, and of course based on the strength of his portfolio, he was invited to interview with the university and was offered a position. He began teaching drawing in the School of Foundation Studies in the fall of that same year, and gradually fell in love with our landscape of tidal creeks and marshlands.

Eventually, Dean became the coordinator of the SCAD Drawing Minor, earned an MFA in Painting in 2003, and was granted a Sabbatical Award on the Isle of Skye in Scotland in 2014. Drawing, journaling, and sketching are the foundation of his creative process, and over the years he has shown his multi-media work extensively.

One of his early projects, ‘Dig,’ was a performance piece where he excavated a half-buried canvas by hand and by machine after it had spent 18 months degrading in an earth mound he built on DeSoto Row, before the construction of Starland Yard. Works he created on the Isle of Skye were shown at Savannah’s Cultural Arts Gallery along with ten canvases he had immersed on easels in the marsh on the Chechessee River in Beaufort County. Over a two-month period the panels were often fully submerged and were eventually “painted” by the tides. This curiosity of how nature and geography intersect through such site-specific ephemeral installations informs his art practice…

…Savannahians may remember his ‘Margins’ solo show at Sulfur Studios in early 2018 or recall his participation in the ‘Making Waves: A Collective Perspective on the Pollution of Our Waterways’ exhibition at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum later that year. There, along with such local artists as Charlie Ellis, Harry Delorme, Cynthia Knott, and Lisa D. Watson, he again explored the comingling of artistic process and landscape.

Much of Dean’s time-based work is available to view on his website, henrydean.com, and usually comes with the descriptor “Harvested from Installation.” I am particularly intrigued by a six-foot piece hanging in his studio entitled ‘Mud Shroud, year 20’ as it was first created back in 2003. In collaboration with SCAD ceramic arts professor Yves Paquette, the large unstretched canvas has, over time, incorporated spiders and their delicate

OPPOSITE: "Mud Shroud" 2003, 28x71x3 inches, co-created with Yves Paquette. Spiders, time, red and white clays, organics on unstretched canvas. ABOVE: "Tilt, panel 3" 2017, 27x31x2 inches. Wood, canvas, gesso, bentonite, hematite, rust, organics.

webs into the cracked and strangely beautiful remnants of red and gray clays.

Such a comingling of art and landscape is at the crux of his next project to be completed during his 2024 sabbatical. Entitled ‘Then and Now,’ it incorporates a series of art installations that will follow the total solar eclipse occurring on April 8, 2024, when the moon’s shadow traces a line across North America. As much as four-minutes, 27-seconds of totality will be visible from a narrow path through Mexico, 14 US states, and Canada.

Dean’s idea is based on a previous pop-up installation he created on August 21, 2017, during the total eclipse so many of us experienced [remember buying eclipse glasses?!]. He drove to Elloree, South Carolina to install reflective panels, which were filmed during the eclipse, and resulted in a five-minute, 55-second real time video capture entitled ‘Crescent Sun’ shown during his 2018 Sulfur Studios show.

Dean has already driven the route of the coming eclipse’s 60-milewide path of totality and has identified six or seven locations from Texas to Maine at which to install site-specific sculptures. Each sculpture features a starburst design on a tripod easel, and each will be filmed to document the stages of the eclipse: the arrival time, enveloping shadow, totality, return of light, and passing shadow. Interestingly, he tells me the umbra (the darkest part of the moon’s shadow within which the entirety of the sun’s face is blocked) will move at 1,000-miles-an-hour. Finding locations, getting permission, and partnering with the local community is, by necessity, a large part of Dean’s process. He recently received permission from the tribal chief of the Houlton Band of the Maliseet in Maine to build installations on their reservation along the banks of the Meduxnekeag River. Three sculptures in Vincennes, IN, on a former golf course transformed into a nature park, have already been installed over the course of an 18-days visit. QR codes will be installed at each location to explain the project and its scope to passers-by.

We go out to his yard to look at a prototype of the mixed media radial starburst sculptures that he fabricates on-site with local materials. As in his 2017 eclipse installation, he has added gold leaf, this time on

to what he calls the “fins” so that, depending on the time of day and the season, light will reflect differently, altering the appearance of the sculpture.

Interested readers can celebrate Henry Dean’s spiritual exploration of the connection between sun, moon, and earth by following his (eventual) Instagram posts @nowandtheneclipse24. And surely his ambition to have a gallery or museum grant him a retrospective of his fascinating full body of work will be realized soon. He is most definitely a thoughtful and important conceptual artist worthy of our attention.

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Dean stands in his yard with a prototype radial sculpture for his current project.June book launch.

ANNOUNCING OUR 2023-24 SEASON

Performances by the 2023 winners of the Mark Berry Scholarship for Young Artists

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 5:00 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

SPOTLIGHT SERIES AT 6 EAST STATE: Gregory Hamilton, Baroque Lute and Theorbo

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 7:30 PM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 7:30 PM

6 East State

Screening of the Director’s Cut of the 1984 Academy Award-winning Film, AMADEUS.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 6:00 PM

Ascension Crumley Hall, Ground Floor

Atlanta Baroque Orchestra Returns: English Baroque Music

Julie Andrijesky, Artistic Director

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 6:00 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

SPOTLIGHT ON SAVANNAHIANS

Sinisa Ciric, Violin

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 7:30 PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 3:00 PM

6 East State

Jacob Fuhrmann, Harpsichord

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 7:30 PM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 7:30 PM

6 East State

Parker Ramsay, Harp and Harpsichord, and Arnie Tanimoto, Viola da Gamba

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 7:30 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

Third Annual Bach Marathon

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 11:00 A.M.

UNTIL ??

Ascension Sanctuary

Astralis Ensemble Presents “Baroque Legends”

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 7:30 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

Astralis Ensemble: A Baroque Brunch

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 11:00 AM

An Evening with Jory Vinikour, Harpsichord

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

PRE-CONCERT LECTURE, 7:00 PM

RECITAL, 7:30 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

Bach Society Houston

Rick Erickson, Artistic Director

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 6:00 PM

Ascension Sanctuary

Sponsored by Diana Langer Jones

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Reservation links available online one month prior to each event.

Savannah’s Independent Bookstore since 1975 offering a selection of fiction, nonfiction, regional, and children’s books

CULTURE

WHAT ARE WE READING?

PRESENTED AND CURATED BY E.

SHAVER, BOOKSELLER

As summer winds down, we've handpicked a trio of captivating reads that will transport you to enchanting worlds, make your heart race, and leave you pondering life's profound questions.

Buckle up for a spellbinding ride with the latest offering from the incomparable V.E. Schwab. In "THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER," Schwab weaves a tale of magic, politics, and power struggles that will leave you utterly entranced. Set in a realm where magic is both a gift and a weapon, this novel introduces us to characters whose destinies are entwined in ways they couldn't have fathomed. Schwab's masterful storytelling and intricate world-building create a vivid tapestry that will keep you spellbound until the final page.

For fans of urban fantasy with a twist of mystery and a dash of wit, "DEAD WITCH WALKING" by Kim Harrison is an absolute must-read. Delve into the life of Rachel Morgan, a witch and bounty hunter in a world where supernatural beings coexist with humans. But when Rachel decides to walk away from her job with a powerful agency, she quickly realizes that escaping her past won't be so simple. With sharp dialogue, a vividly realized world, and a heroine you'll root for from the first page, this book is a roller-coaster ride of magic, danger, and unexpected alliances.

In a world where hope and resilience shine even in the darkest of times, "THE FIRST BRIGHT THING" by J.R. Dawson is a luminous debut that will tug at your heartstrings. This novel introduces us to a young girl named Bernadette, who lives in a city beneath the earth's surface, where light is scarce. When she discovers a mysterious book, it sets her on a journey that will challenge her beliefs and bring her face to face with the unknown. Dawson's lyrical prose and the tender exploration of human connections make this a truly unforgettable read. As you accompany Bernadette on her quest for truth and understanding, you'll be reminded of the beauty that can be found in even the most unlikely places.

THE NUDE PARTY @ OVER YONDER

MONDAY, SEPT. 11

THE NAKED TRUTH: NUDE PARTY'S 'RIDES ON' PROPELS A BOLD RESURRECTION OF SOUND

By Aaron Irons

Rock n’ roll is a hairy wheel, tangled and greasy, fragrant from seven decades of viscera, cactus’d by snapped guitar strings, scarred by glass, smoldering with distorted legends and hot ash, stripped to the steel belt by burn-outs to the point no reasonable sentient should even feign consideration… But then a band like the Nude Party emerges to heroically cut through the myth, expose fresh tread, and make the whole machine go ‘round once more.

Battling out of Boone, North Carolina, where the band earned its name (and reputation) performing au naturel, the Nude Party landed a stiff right with its 2018 eponymous debut that offered

Stones-y, garage-heavy tunes that stuck to the ribs and banged around the skull. The follow-up, 2020’s “Midnight Manor,” emerged in the first dawn glow after a six-month darkness of COVID-19 lockdowns that shuttered the live music industry and pressed pause (reset) for a generation of emerging artists. Like its predecessor, “Midnight Manor” exploited the sweet spot between vintage rock n’ roll of the filthy-toned variety and ripe 21st Century perspective.

“Rides On,” the Nude Party’s latest effort, is a glorious leap in the same direction– higher octane, self-reliant, and tough to ignore. Produced by the now seven-member strong outfit at its converted barn studio in upstate New York, there’s no posturing or reinventing of the wheel, just the tamper-proof formula of rock n’ roll resistant to banality and hearty enough to thrive beneath the ice until called.

“We put out the previous record, and then we didn't tour it because touring was kind of impossible at that time, so we were at home a lot,” Nude Party frontman Patton Magee recalled in a recent interview. “We all live in the same house, so I think we were getting pretty antsy about doing something. We'd been building the studio and at a certain point, it was just like, “Okay, it is time

to make a record. We did the last one, we're not going to tour it— it just is what it is, kind of a bummer— but it's time."

Though they had the space, time, and inclination, what the band didn’t have was the necessary equipment. So enter Tampa-based engineer Matt Horner.

“We called my friend and engineer way down in South Florida to come up and bring a bunch of cool gear, and we just set up in [the barn] for 14 days and all the songs that anyone had been kicking around, we just made a big ol’ pile of them,” said Patton. “Some were full-on songs, some were just riffs or grooves, and we just went through them and saw what sticks. Some things changed, got some different ideas together, and ran through them until we had arrangements that we were excited about and were fun to play.”

Mixing country honk, British Invasion-filtered blues, and transitional late ‘60s/early ‘70s psychedelia that threatens all-out punk, “Rides On” is evocative but nevertheless revels in immediacy.

“We'd write songs and add them to our set during the touring of that first album. When we came to do the second album, we'd already been playing those songs a lot together, so it was a lot easier to just set up, hit record, and do it the way we did it [on stage],” Magee said. “This process was a lot more broken down to base elements because none of us had heard each other's ideas. It was all new to everybody. There was no falling back on what you were used to playing, you had to figure it out on the spot. I think in a lot of ways, that makes it stand out from the previous records... It's a little bit of an outlier. It doesn't sound as much like a set. It sounds more like an album to me.

Having previously enjoyed working with producer Oakley Munson (The Black Lips), Patton and the rest of the Nude Party chose to helm the project collectively in order to meet the challenge of writing and arranging on their own terms.

“It didn't feel like every song necessarily had to [have] a full drum kit with electric guitars. It didn't feel like every song had to have the same instrumentation. It was cool to get it down to brass tacks of rhythm and bass and see where it might go. Maybe a Wurlitzer would be cool? But maybe piano, a honky tonk piano? Or a sweet piano? We need to put some tacks in there? No, a tack piano's too high-end-y, go back to the other thing. Oh, that sounds cool— what is that, the Rhodes? It's just having time to mess around with the songs and taking it in different directions, that's all.”

For the “Ride On” music video, the band donned wide brims and six-shooters for a Peckinpah-ish romp through the Catskills, matching the song’s VU pace with bunkhouse tussles and black powder montage as Magee stoically croons, "I'd rather die than be another what-if,” a simple but timely update to Neil Young’s “better to burn out than to fade away.”

“I'm mostly ever thinking about today and tomorrow. People are oftentimes like, ‘Are you excited for this thing? Are you excited to go to this thing?’And I'm not not excited about it, I just don't really think about it at all. I'm pretty much only aware of what's going on today and what should be done by tomorrow,” Patton said. “I don't really think about what success has to mean or look like. Whether it comes or not, I still have to do the same thing. I don't really have anything else that I'm being driven to do.”

Magee, who currently makes his home in Brooklyn, New York, was raised in a large family – one of nine brothers and sisters – and credits that upbringing with the ability to communicate with his

many bandmates on stage.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I was riding around in my mom's big bronze GMC Savana van with a ton of people next to me. I don't know if it's normal, but I do feel like at a young age, I was desensitized to being hyper-socialized — and to being in a van with way too many f***ing people. No one else has seven people,” Patton said. “The only other band that has as many people as us and tours in the rock n' roll world that I know of is King Gizzard. I think about them every day and I wonder how they do what they do. I think the way they do it is just by being the hardest-working band in show business. And I feel like we're probably the second hardest-working band in show business.

“The band sounds so f***ing good right now. Honestly, that's how I feel,” he said. “Maybe that sounds egotistical, but we were rehearsing the other day — and we don't live together anymore. We're spread out a little bit geographically, so we don't come together as often, and there was a point where I was playing along and looking around, and the band has just gotten so much better at getting together and picking it up and just being musicians. I looked around, and I was like, ‘This is the best f***ing rock n' roll band in the world.’ That's how it feels.”

SAVANNAH JAZZ: 'MILES

DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL' FILM AND TALK WITH DIRECTOR AND PRODUCERS

LUCAS THEATRE SEPTEMBER 18 | 7:00 PM.

The annual Savannah Jazz Festival is set to commence with a special opening event: the screening of "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool." This documentary delves into the life and artistry of the renowned trumpeter and bandleader, Miles Davis, showcasing his music, live performances, and untold stories.

Directed by Stanley Nelson, the film features interviews with notable figures like Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, and Wayne Shorter, shedding light on Davis's impact across musical genres. Nelson's knack for revealing the African-American experience through storytelling adds depth to the narrative.

Vince Wilburn, Jr., Miles Davis's nephew and leader of 'M.E.B. - Miles Electric Band,' and Erin Davis, Miles's son heading the Miles Davis Artists Group, will also be present, sharing personal insights.

The documentary's acclaim includes a GRAMMY nomination and two Emmy Awards. As the Savannah Jazz Festival kicks off, "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool" promises to captivate audiences and honor the enduring legacy of a jazz icon.

42ND SAVANNAH JAZZ FESTIVAL SET TO KICK OFF WITH REKNOWNED WORLD-CLASS MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Savannah Jazz, in partnership with the City of Savannah and other sponsors announces that the 42nd Savannah Jazz Festival will take place September 18 – 24.

Free events are supported by the City of Savannah. And this year, four ticketed performances are sponsored by Roger Wood Foods, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, Spyhop Media, and Mr. Colin Schofield, and Mr. Robert Faircloth.

“We are beyond grateful that the City of Savannah will continue their presenting partnership to deliver more free shows during the Savannah Jazz Festival than any other music festival in our region,” says Paula Fogarty, Executive Director. “The demand for the in-person festival is still tremendous and we anticipate more people than ever to visit Savannah for this iconic community event. We estimate hosting over 40,000 people.”

The organization’s mission is to deliver world class music for free to a large and diverse listening audience. Although

the festival events in Forsyth Pare are free, there are tickets for purchase in the Patron’s Tent with seating and refreshments for those who do not want to bring their own seats and they can be purchased at savannahjazz.org.

See the full event list above, and visit connectsavannah.com for up-to-date coverage of the performances and events.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

by Matt Jones ©2023 | Matt Jones

rapper 4. “Iliad” warrior god

8. Comprehend

13. Doofus

14. Prom ride

15. Lessen

17. Picnic invader

18. Brilliant feat

20. 2023 Ali Wong show

22. Dish from a crockpot

23. Pretend

24. Riff’s partner?

27. Pine (for)

29. Part of mph

30. Breakfast cereal

33. Workers on sets, ships, or construction sites

35. Place to see animals in southern Australia

37. Food fight noise

38. “Ode ___ Nightingale”

39. Bond backed by the govt.

43. Golden Globe winner for “Lady Bird”

46. User of recycled material?

49. Qatar, for one

50. Stayed in first

51. Squeaked (out)

53. Makes the decision

54. Tough task

56. General ___ chicken

58. :// preceder

61. “No way!”

65. Outrage

66. Clean out, as a river channel

67. Automated prefix

68. Pool room tool

69. “August: ___

County” (2013 film)

70. Hit the water

71. Any of about 8 characters in the “Barbie” movie

DOWN

1. Utah city named for a Biblical kingdom

2. Sugar source

3. Nevertheless

4. Space bar neighbor

5. ___ Grande

6. Flightless birds

7. In a sense

8. “Well, golly!”

9. U.K. fliers

10. Beginning on

11. Blanketlike shawl

12. React to citrus fruit, maybe

16. Jury members

19. Wane

21. Enthusiastic group

25. Filmed material

26. Reason to get a shot

28. Heady activity?

30. MLB execs

31. Workout unit

32. Pretension

34. Head toward a pole, maybe

36. Usually partnered conjunction

40. Like corn dogs

41. Ink

42. Ethyl ending

44. Acorn source

45. Like some broody teens

46. Reason for sandbags

47. Brad of “Sleepers”

48. Elicits

52. Action takers

55. Airline freebie

57. Winter blanket?

59. “Right you are!”

60. Ball-___ hammer

62. Australian boot brand

63. “Madama

Butterfly” sash

64. Cruise of the “Mission: Impossible” series

“TWISTING APART”--YES, I ACCEPT COOKIES.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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DOKI DOKI? OKEY DOKEY.

Doki Doki is a Japanese term which references the sound of a heart beating. Doki Doki offers both ice cream as well as gelato. Probably more than a dozen flavors of each and two flavors of soft serve ice cream. The flavor choices range from more traditional Cookies and Cream and Mint Chocolate Chip to some more progressive flavors you won’t find anywhere else in Savannah like Black Sesame, Vegan Chocolate, Chipotle Brownie and Yoghurt Peach. Read more about the new spot's opening on Bull St. at connectsavannah.com

PHOTO BY JESSE BLANCO

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