ATHENS Magazine Winter 2023

A DA MN GOOD DAWG A PL ACE OF MIR ACL ES GI V ING GU IDE

Holiday

WINTER 2023

$3.95

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Photo by Matheus Bertelli

C A L E N DA R

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Shakey Graves

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Tortoise. An instrumental quintet that plays dub, rock, jazz, electronica and minimalism. 40 Watt Club, 8 p.m.

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Faculty Jazz Ensemble. Eight members of the UGA faculty cover the “Birth of the Cool” by Miles Davis.

UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

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Shakey Graves. The singer, songwriter and guitarist plays a smoky fusion of blues, folk and rock. Georgia Theatre, 8 p.m.

UGA Football vs. Missouri. The Dawgs take on the Missouri Tigers.

Sanford Stadium, TBD.

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9–10, 12, 15–19 “Mother Courage and Her Children.” Bertolt Brecht’s timeless

critique of war, capitalism and values.

UGA Fine Arts Theatre, 8 p.m.

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Jon Langston. This self-taught guitarist and singer is a native of Loganville, GA. Georgia Theatre, 7 p.m.

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UGA Football vs. Ole Miss. The Dawgs take on the Ole Miss Rebels.

Sanford Stadium, TBD.

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The Fixx. ‘80s sensation and popular New Wave band. Georgia Theatre, 8 p.m.

Tortoise

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African American Choral Ensemble Fall Concert. A program

piece by Aaron Copland.

of spirituals, hymns and gospel music

by African American composers. UGA Performing Arts Center. 7:30 p.m.

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“Quiet City,” UGA Wind Ensemble. Faculty artists take on this

Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet. The seven-time Grammy Award winner is one of jazz music’s most esteemed trumpeters. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

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“Pretty Woman: The Musical.”

Based on the movie of the same name, with an award-winning creative team.

The Classic Center, 8 p.m.

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“Flow,” UGA Glee Clubs. An

Rubblebucket. A duo that delves into pop, funk, dance and psychedelia.

Georgia Theatre, 8 p.m.

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Marcus King and Joshua Ray Walker. Get ready for a night of Americana and rock ‘n’ roll. Georgia Theatre, 8 p.m.

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UGA Football

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Photo by by Andrew Paynter

Photo by Alden Bonecutter

Wynton Marsalis

Photo by Frank Stewart

NOV E M BE R

evening that explores the flow of the natural world in the water, the air and the mind. UGA Performing Arts Center.

7:30 p.m.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays. Marsalis returns to Athens in this soulful holiday classic. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

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Hugh Hodgson Annual Holiday Concert. Features several UGA ensembles on one program. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

UNTIL DECEMBER 2.

Umphrey’s McGee. Plays a mix of funk, metal, progressive rock, electronic, jazz and folk. Georgia Theatre, 8 p.m.

Photo by Hugo Glendinning

DE C E M BE R

Angel Olsen

Photo courtesy of www.johnberry.com/tour

The Wood Brothers

Photo by Luke Rogers

Photo courtesy of The Wood Brothers

The Tallis Scholars

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The Mountain Goats.

Christmas with John Berry. The

takes the ice against Oklahoma State University. The Classic Center, 7:30 p.m.

Acclaimed roots trio with a flair for folk, blues, gospel and jazz.

Georgia Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Georgia Theatre. Literary, surreal, impressionistic vignettes by John Darnielle & company. 8 p.m.

Grammy Award-winning country star returns in his 27th- annual holiday tour.

The Classic Center, 7 p.m.

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takes the ice against Alabama.

The Classic Center, 7:30 p.m.

songwriter brings out vulnerability in her music. 40 Watt Club, 8 p.m.

musical written by Tina Fey. The Classic Center, 7:30 p.m.

UGA Ice Dawgs. The team

UGA Ice Dawgs. The team

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A Celtic Family Christmas with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Join the award-winning fiddlers for unique Christmas concert. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

The Wood Brothers.

Angel Olsen. Indie singer/

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The Tallis Scholars. Brings a program of 16th-century sacred music to Athens. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.

“Mean Girls.” An irreverent

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Handel’s “Messiah.” The majestic holiday classic is performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

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Balsam Range. A traditional bluegrass band known for its tight harmonies and upbeat melodies. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

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The Nutcracker. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs this beloved holiday fairy tale. The Classic Center, 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday.

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Paws and Purrs Winter Gala

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels

J A N UA RY

Georgia Bridal Show

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new works for voices and instruments by living composers.

UGA Performing Arts Center, 5:30 p.m.

of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music. UGA Performing Arts Center. 7:30 p.m.; preperformance talk at 6:45 p.m.

Soloists were selected in a rigorous competition. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Humane Society of Morgan County. The Sixty-Two, 6–9 p.m.

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the wedding professionals under the same roof on one day. The Classic Center, 12:30-3 p.m.

takes the ice against Clemson.

The Classic Center, 7:30 p.m.

“Awakening” UGA Choral Project. This concert features

Georgia Bridal Show. Meet all

UGA Ice Dawgs. The team

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Georgia Bulldogs Basketball.

Faces off against the Missouri Tigers. Stegeman Coliseum, TBD.

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Dover Quartet. Named one

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WSA Georgia 2024 Cheerleading Competition.

The Classic Center, TBD.

Concerto Winter Concert.

Dance Theatre of Harlem.

A multi-ethnicity company with a forward-thinking repertoire. UGA Performing Arts Center, 10:30 a.m.

UNTIL 27 UGA Ice Dogs. The team takes the ice against Auburn. The Classic Center, 7:30 p.m.

Paws and Purrs Winter Gala. Fundraiser for the

Classic City Marathon, Athena Half Marathon and Marathon Relay. 124 E. Hancock Ave., 7:30 a.m.

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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of the world’s most open-minded and accessible orchestras. UGA Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Rocsana Nicoleta Gurza on Pexels

Dover Quartet

Photo by Jesse Holland Photo

Photo by Gusat Silviu on Pexels

UGA Ice Dawgs

SEEN

Photos courtesy of Athens Area Chamber of Commerce

BOYS & GI R L S C LU B

C H A M BER A M BA S SA DOR S

Robert Finch, CEO of Boys and Girls Club, and Carol Williams, board member, cut the ribbon for the new location at Parkview along with other board members, community members and elected officials.

Lynn Hughes (Branch Environmental), Melonee Evans (DAP Athens), Kristi Patrick (Travelmation), Leah Brevard (Nothing Bundt Cakes), Jamie Lowe (Lowe Insurance Agency - COUNTRY Financial) and Robin Welch (Lamar Advertising) at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q.

E X T R A C R EAT I V E AGE NC Y R I BBON C U T T I NG Charlotte Varnum, Executive Director, cuts the ribbon for EXTRA, The Red & Black Creative Agency. Chamber Ambassadors Bridget Burke (Urban Sanctuary), Robin Welch (Lamar), Alix Flanagan (Dye Sheet Metal), Paul Skinner (Athentic Brewing), Philip Bruce (Visit Athens), Alison Melvin (The Classic Center) and Janet Estrada (JanPlan Properties) celebrated along with The Red & Black team.

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H TA M A RT I A L A RTS HTA Martial Arts Academy owner Justin Buccichia cut the ribbon along with his students. Chamber Ambassadors Thelma Collins (ABB), Zander Mason (Raymond James), Jake Blickenstaff (Virtual Properties Realty), David Chance (ServPro), Holly Fields (BasKat Catering), Alix Flanagan (Dye Sheet Metal) and Jamie Lowe (Lowe Insurance Agency - COUNTRY Financial) were in attendance.

J I M ’ N N IC K’ S BA R-B - Q Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q welcomed a large crowd of Chamber Ambassadors and community members to their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on October 11th.

BU BBLE S & BU R LE SQU E

BR A NC H E N V I RON M E N TA L

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women Who Work in partnership with Women Owned Athens hosted Bubbles & Burlesque at Athens Studio for Performing Arts. Attendees had the opportunity to network and experience a burlesque class taught by the studio’s owner and artistic director, Grace Bagwell Adams.

Evan Elder (Synovus) and Develon Davis (Peach State Federal Credit Union) represented the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Division along with Seth Bagwell, Chamber Membership Sales Representative. Lynn Hughes, Business Development Director for Branch Environmental, received the Chamber’s September Small Business of the Month Award along with her colleagues.

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SEEN

MC R A E FA M I LY DEN TA L

NOT H I NG BU N DT C A K E S

Develon Davis of Peach State Federal Credit Union, chair of the Chamber Membership Division, and Marissa Chastain, Director of Marketing & Membership for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce presented the October Small Business of the Month Award to Matthew “Trai” McRae and members of the McRae Family Dental staff. McRae Family Dental celebrated their 50th year in business in October.

Develon Davis (Peach State Federal Credit Union) and Evan Elder (Synovus) represented the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Division along with Seth Bagwell, Chamber Membership Sales Representative. Leah Brevard, Marketing Manager for Nothing Bundt Cakes received the August Small Business of the Month Award.

SERV PRO OF AT H E NS David Chance and the ServPro team were recognized as the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce’s July Small Business of the Month.

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Photos by Georgia Lingerfelt

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BRIGHTPATHS’ CONCERT ON THE LAWN 1. Kinchafoonee Cowboys playing Brightpaths’ Concert on the Lawn 2. Committee Chair Anne Hopkins and husband Hunter Hopkins 3. Brightpaths Executive Director Sallie Starrett and Committee Chair Anne Hopkins 4. Julia Wolfe and Elin Eckles 5. Luke and Kelsie Cross (Royal & Cross Law) with Sallie & Brad Starrett 6. Sallie Starrett, Mandy Pityard, Anne Hopkins, Caroline Baker, Mallie Bragg, Elin Eckles, Caroline Copeland, Abigail Brannen

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RECONSTRUCTED REBEL

A RADICAL HOPE

Image by wirestock on Freepik

By Ma c Mc Ca l l

So why do people living such violently bland lives insist upon repeating this phrase ad infinitum?

Because there is a core truth to this snippet of evangelical dogma. Jesus’ prescriptions for life cut directly against fundamental self-preservative impulses common to both Roman-occupied Palestine and modern America. He consistently taught that his followers were to part ways with their earthly possessions1, and that it was spiritually challenging for a rich person to successfully follow him.2 He taught we were not to seek repayment from people who owe us money.3 Nonviolence seemed to be among his tenets, even in self-defense: “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.”4 Don’t tell me you don’t feel a stab of primeval fear in your gut when you think about living life this way. It certainly scares me. What happens the day after we give away everything we own?

What happens if we refuse to participate in our civil religion of militarized violence? We see discomfort, social ostracization and uncertainty. It can’t be allowed to happen. Still, we can’t deny the power of the holy man’s teachings.

So, what are we to do? Atheism is one solution.

But many of us still fear death too much to take the plunge into eternal darkness without any reassurance that there’s something else out there.

We could turn to other religions. But these may

“Jesus’s teachings were radical,” intoned a neatly groomed accountant type wearing unfunctionally soft khakis and a pastel-colored button-down.

Yes, this too is truth, I thought, sitting in the velvet morning light of our classroom. Various incarnations of this uniformed little man would repeat that axiom as I wound my way through Sunday school classes in churches scattered across the southlands. None looked like they had done anything more “radical” in their entire life than write a sternly-worded letter to the editor about how the country had strayed off the straight and narrow after hearing a few raised teenage voices after midnight.

The churches changed up their aesthetics sometime during my middle school years. Now, the same words came from bearded youth leaders in blocky buildings with exposed roof piping. My interpretation of the said radical teachings were, in short, be polite and don’t party too hard. Keep living your life, just now on nice mode. The Son of God had descended from the heavens with the sole purpose of codifying bourgeois etiquette into religious law.

I eventually realized that none of this made any sense. The churches that preached this “radical” message were simultaneously well-attended and financed by seemingly every member of the local political, business and religious elite. I don’t have an exact definition of radical, but it certainly does not describe these kinds of establishment types.

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be a little too eastern for our manicured western sensibilities. Thankfully, however, there is still a solution for those of us with less existential and societal courage – domestication. The message must be distorted and trivialized until fit for mass consumption. Queue the doctrinal gymnastics.

Being wealthy isn’t the problem; it’s becoming overly focused on one’s possessions that becomes problematic. And even Jesus practiced righteous anger when flipping over the money-maker’s tables in the temple.5 But we look for anything to render the scriptures more palatable for us. Once the message has been sufficiently watered down, we can go on living comfortably and also have a promise that there’s something beyond the great, looming escarpment at the end of our lives.

If, however, we strip away the frantic attempts to domesticate Jesus’s message, it regains its inherent power. He proposed a life which rejects our most fundamental self-preservative impulses; a clean break from the endless human cycle of selfish accumulation, inequality and violence. A brave new world predicated upon the idea that every human is a child of the Creator. That’s a radical message.

Powerful enough to threaten the rulers of this world and to get the son of a carpenter executed.

Powerful enough for us to still celebrate the birth of a commoner born in a barn on the other side of the world more than 2000 years ago. Merry Christmas to all who commemorate the arrival of that message of hope on this weary earth.

Luke 12:33 and Mark 10:21 (NIV). 2Matthew 19:24 (NIV). 3Luke 6:34-35 (NIV). 4Matthew 5:29 (NIV). 5Matthew 21:12-13 (NIV).

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