The Pulse 14.5 » February 2, 2017

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

COVER STORY

dancing

like

everyone is

watching COMMIX DANCE CREW CONTINUES STRONG IN CHATTANOOGA

ARTS

plein air painting MUSIC

soundcorps rocks

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VOLUME 14, ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2, 2017

CONTENTS 4

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER COMES TO CHATTANOOGA

20,000 screaming fans will fill Finley Stadium this Friday at 7 p.m. as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) takes on Jamaica in an International Friendly.

12 14

BEWARE THE SLENDERMAN

Humans are a species of myth-makers and storytellers. Every society on Earth has created some supernatural tale stemming from their environments, tales that answer questions or give purpose, legends that teach lessons or offer warnings.

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH NATURE THROUGH ART

The Plein Air painting movement is becoming increasingly popular in Chattanooga art circles, a development that makes perfect sense for one of America’s best outdoor cities.

20

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MUSIC

If I had a nickel for every time someone said to me, “You never write about my band,” I’d have a sock full of nickels with which to beat the next person who said that same thing.

ALSO INSIDE

8

Dance Like Everyone Is Watching A frosty rain is falling. It’s Dec. 4 and the tenth, undeveloped floor of the Edney Innovation Center is chilly, dusty, but bustling with purpose as members of Commix Dance Crew shoot a music video.

“We’re not smiling?” “We’re not smiling.”

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

5

CONSIDER THIS

24

RECORD REVIEWS

6

SHRINK RAP

26

DIVERSIONS

13

NEW IN THEATERS

27

JONESIN' CROSSWORD

16

ARTS CALENDAR

29

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

19

MIXOLOGY

29

THE LIST

22

MUSIC CALENDAR

30

GAME ON!

Jenn Webster is a dancer and technical writer by trade who has also written for marketing, educational, and consumer publications.

She’s an Army veteran and a member of WEAVE: A Conceptual Dance Company.

Brandon Watson has been on the gaming scene since first dropping coins in an arcade cabinet many moons ago.

When not leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, he is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE

International Soccer Comes To Chattanooga In Style The U.S. Men’s National team takes on Jamaica in a “friendly”

By Alex Plaumann Pulse contributor

BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole gary@chattanoogapulse.com Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Rob Brezsny • Matt Jones Tony Mraz • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib • Michael Thomas Brandon Watson • Jenn Webster Editorial Interns Addie Whitlow • Alex Plaumann Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

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Offices 1305 Carter St., Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse Email info@chattanoogapulse.com THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue.

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Contents Copyright © 2017 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

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0,000 SCREAMING FANS WILL fill Finley Stadium this Friday at 7 p.m. as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) takes on Jamaica in an International Friendly.

This will be the first time Chattanooga fans get to see the USMNT in person, and to add to the excitement, fans will get to see new and former USMNT manager Bruce Arena at the helm.

This is a moment many soccer fanatics have been waiting for. After getting to see the USWNT in 2015, fans throughout Chattanooga will get to witness a manager and team, trying to build some continuity and momentum, that could help spur this squad toward the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Although we won’t get to see wonderkid Christian Pulisic, and many others playing overseas, the USMNT coming to Chattanooga is filled with many roster mainstays, including Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Alejandro Bedoya, among others. With the January camp coming to a close in Chattanooga, it will be interesting to see if the USMNT can close out camp with a big win against Jamaica.

As an avid soccer fan and a die-hard patriot, this is an opportunity to see an immensely talented group of guys represent our country. It’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often, and for a city that has shown a lot of soccer support and knowledge; this is something to get excited about.

After Sunday’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Serbia, we can anticipate Arena and company putting together an intense 90 minutes in hopes of getting a win. Arena has taken over the USMNT after the departure of Jürgen Klinsmann, due to his mixed

4 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Jozy Altidore

bag of results.

This is Arena’s second time in charge of the USMNT, and he will be anxious to get a positive result in Chattanooga. Will we see Arena line up in the same 4-2-3-1 formation as he did against Serbia, or will something new be in the cards? We know Arena wants to be more offensive than previous USMNT’s, so I wouldn’t expect a formation change.

But with the recent news that midfielders Jermaine Jones and Sacha Kljestan won’t be making the trip to Chattanooga, one thing is for sure, the lineup will not be the same against Jamaica as it was against Serbia.

Arena has claimed that his second time as coach “hasn’t been that different,” and he knows dealing with controversy is always part of a manager’s job descrip-

tion. So it’s not to surprising that Arena hasn’t addressed the team in regards to the recent words circulating through the media about foreign raised Americans by Tim Howard and Jermaine Jones.

During an ESPN interview with Taylor Twellman, Arena said, “The games in November were not good defensively,” so its clear he was happy not conceding a goal to Serbia, but Arena also said that part of what he wants from these friendlies is to win.

So the question is, will the USMNT qualify for the World Cup? “Yep, that’s why I am here, we are going to qualify, I’m working on my Russian,” said Arena.

USA’s qualification for the World Cup is still some time away, but one thing is for certain, winning Friday against Jamaica would be a step in the right direction.

Consider This with Dr. Rick

EdiToon

by Rob Rogers

“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” — summersaldana.com

Throwing It Back At The Hunter Museum Contrary to popular belief, Throwback Thursdays aren’t just for social media, and the Hunter Museum is a fine example of that. Since January 2016, the Hunter has been hosting a unique monthly event, appropriately titled “Throwback Thursday,” that allows visitors to the museum to view the permanent collection free of charge instead of the regular $15 for non-members. The Hunter also offers guests the throwback price of $5 to view special exhibitions on Throwback Thursday.

“Thursday evenings at the Hunter are a great time to relax and recharge af-

ter a long week and browse the collection at your own pace,” explained Cara McGowan, Director of Marketing and Communications.

This month’s Throwback Thursday will

honor Black History Month by offering tours of several of the works created by artists of color. McGowan said that the goal of February’s Throwback Thursday is to offer new perspectives of viewing these featured pieces. Tours will be held at 5 and 6 p.m. and led by Adera Causey, the Curator of Education.

Throwback Thursday will start at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Hunter Museum. So if you’re looking for something interesting to do, be sure to stop by the Hunter and check out the museum’s permanent collection and honor Black History Month. — Addie Whitlow

It starts in childhood: the layering on of protection—coping mechanisms— to help us travel our journey the best we can. Sometimes the journey includes abuse of one kind or another.

Perhaps it involves poor relationship choices, poor life choices, or struggles that, no matter how hard you try, continue to mystify you. “I just can’t catch a break,” you believe.

Let’s begin here: What’s in your baggage that you no longer need, that simply isn’t working for you?

Drugs, alcohol, relationships, fear, depression, anxiety, illness?

Do you need help shrinking that unhealthy baggage and increasing your bag of tools? Let’s kick shame out of the way so you can ask for help.

In your heart of hearts, who are you meant to be?

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

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COLUMN ∙ SHRINK RAP

Resolutions vs. Intentions How are those New Year’s resolutions working out for you?

Dr. Rick

Pulse columnist

W

ELL, WE’RE A MONTH INTO the New Year and this is around the time that resolutions are either working out well, or biting the dust.

As regular Shrink Rappers know, I advocate intentions rather than resolutions, and there is a difference. Conscious, mindful intentions create change from the inside out, as they help you in your becoming— becoming the person you wish to be. Resolutions are usually about changing an outer behavior, which is starting from the outside in.

It’s the difference, for example, between “I’m giving up sugar” (resolution)…versus “I’m becoming someone who is vigilant about her health” (intention). Resolutions work fine for some people. But it’s very hard to change a behavior with little or no means of a structure to support it for the long run.

And what’s really not helpful is falling into that annual cycle of making a promise to yourself, failing, beating yourself up, then doing the whole thing again next January.

That’s hard on a person’s self-esteem.

I believe that one of the best ways to proceed when wanting to create healthy, real change is to set your intentions on small changes. The ones that have a high probability for success, and that can become habitual. Change happens by creating a habit that fits into your life on a daily basis…something that can be sustained for-

ever, or for as long as you wish. If you ponder it, write about it in your journal, discuss it with friends, and practice it daily, within a month you will have made the lasting shift into being a better you. And you don’t have to wait until January to do this!

As I was pondering these kinds of internal shifts recently, I came across several articles that were written from older folks who wanted to pass along their wisdom. If you are having a hard time maintaining your New Year’s goals, one of these may be just the ticket for you. Remember: real, permanent change happens when it is sustainable, you have support, and you can make it habitual.

Here are some of the gems from these older folks that I want to share with you. Perhaps you can ponder/meditate on them, and see if any inspire you toward becoming the person you want to be.

• Look people in the eye, and always wish them well.

• Don’t give up on anyone. Miracles happen all the time.

• Be brave. Even if you have to pretend. No one can tell the difference and it will help you become brave for real.

• Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of your happiness or your misery.

• Make kindness a habit, and give strangers a smile.

• Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.

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• When playing with children, let them win.

• Give people a second chance, but probably not a third.

• Become the most positive person you know.

• Relax. Everything’s going to work out whether you are calm or anxious.

• Be a gracious loser … and winner.

• Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.

• When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.

• Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

• Once in a while take the scenic route.

• Treat the janitor the same way you treat the CEO. • Count your blessings. Start and end your day with gratitude.

• Pay for the toll (or the coffee or the parking meter) for the person behind you.

• Buy yourself flowers now and then, for no reason.

• Don’t expect life to be fair. You get what you create.

I hope you’ve found some of these resonating with you. Change is only scary when we focus on what we’re giving up. If we focus on what we’ll gain, it becomes much more manageable. Until next time, one more bit of wisdom: “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, author, minister, and educator in private practice in Chattanooga.

Contact him at DrRPH.com, visit his wellness center at WellNestChattanooga.com

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

Dancing Like Everyone Is Watching The Commix Dance Crew continues strong in Chattanooga 8 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Jenn Webster

A

Pulse contributor

FROSTY RAIN IS FALLING. It’s Dec. 4 and the tenth, undeveloped floor of the Edney Innovation Center is chilly, dusty, but bustling with purpose as members of Commix Dance Crew shoot a music video.

“We’re not smiling?”

“We’re not smiling.”

Laughter echoes off the open ductwork, contrasting with the dancers’ professional quickness of thought and movement. The stripped-down concrete floor mirrors the iron sky and outside. The photographer,

sporting a furry eared headband, circles the five dancers, snapping repeatedly.

The women—Imara Young, Sara Dean and Amy Durham—wear crazy tall heels for the shoot, paired with camo and denim. The men—Kenny Keawekane and Damien Chaney— strike tough poses, only to melt into friendly smiles. (A sixth dancer, Ryan Deshawn Roberts, is absent this day, but an integral part of the group.)

It’s the typical atmosphere for working artists, jokes and chatter quick, but subdued—nothing holds up the mission.

Adam Nies, the videographer, Jesse Hulse, the photographer and

COVER STORY Kenny’s partner, and Dutchess Miller, support crew and Damien’s mother, are businesslike as well.

A shoot for a single dance video might take an hour and a half, Adam tells me, while editing in Premiere Pro typically takes a couple more hours. “If the dance is prepared, my work is easy.”

Commix Dance Crew is definitely prepared.

Winner of the Bella Vita nightclub’s 2016 contest for house dance crew, Commix regularly performs at clubs and charity events in Chattanooga. This was their second professionally produced video, they tell me. Make no mistake, dance is work.

This video shoot was sponsored by Rezli, a software technology company helping artists, creative IT professionals, and game developers share their work with potential clients and employers.

“We were looking for talent for a largescale video, and we connected with Commix,” explains Cassie Courtney, director of operations at Rezli.

As Adam and I discuss his videography method—a handheld gimbal-controlled via a phone app—the dancers finish the photo shoot, women swapping their heels for boots or sneakers. They block their formation against the bright, concretecolored light.

“Face this way…face me…”

Amy and Imara give quick notes on the opening series of Vogue-style poses, correcting each dancer’s stance or alignment relative to the rest of the group. Typically, Amy tells me, one or two members of Commix will choreograph a dance, or they’ll parcel the entire number out in chunks. It takes three or four rehearsals to completely set a dance.

Hip hop has its own styles—popping and locking, for instance—its own moves—a Charlie Brown, a six-step turn, and hundreds of others. Still, compared with the regimented vocabulary of ballet, there’s a lot of freedom to improvise. Communication means demonstration. Imara tweaks the opening poses again.

“You can do levels, but keep this [a

“Hip hop has its own styles—popping and locking, for instance—its own moves—a Charlie Brown, a six-step turn, and hundreds of others.” swooping gesture] motion, just the rise and fall.”

The dancers change poses in unison, on the beat, each pose unique, but the swooping transition clearly matching the others in style. Improvisation within structure. Unity in diversity. That’s hip hop.

Performing “for the camera” sharpens focus.

“Perfect. Take one. Let’s see it on 1…2…3…action.”

“Can we hold the first one?” That is, stay still on the first count, swerve into pose on the second.

“Yeah.”

“Everyone ready? Take two. Let’s

see it in 3…”

They’re gathered close, moving from pose to pose, then into the quick footwork. They gather around, looking at the first take on Adam’s camera.

“You were too far back.”

“Guys, that looked awesome.”

Another take.

Jitter back, shuffle forward, squatstep-ball-change.

The movements are crisp, almost robotic in their precision, yet delivered with a cool, stylish ferocity.

Their faces are serene and intent, neither smiling nor scowling. Pantherlike.

They check the video again.

“We look good!”

“Are we using this song?”

They’re dancing to Formation: My daddy Alabama Momma Louisiana You mix that negro with that Creole Make a Texas bama They may swap out another song when the video is edited; even so, their moves seem to track the lyrics: Earned all this money but they never take the country out me I got hot sauce in my bag—swag Another take. This time, Adam circles the dancers.

“I’m gonna keep orbiting, so you do your thing.”

“Full out?” Not marking, but performing full-strength.

“Full out.”

A dance crew isn’t a class or a company: while some members of Commix seem to continued on page 10

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COVER STORY

play organizing roles, and some choreograph more than others, a crew functions as a collective. Unlike a studio company, there’s no teacher, no artistic director.

Crews come together to rehearse with an eye toward performance, and they perform to be in the public view, preferably facing off against other crews. Like a boxer, everything you do in the gym is about the fight.

Since the days of New York’s Rock Steady Crew and California’s Electric Boogaloos, hip hop crews have brought together breakdancing, funk dance, and capoeira, developed new moves, and met to compete in dance halls and on public streets.

Later, hip hop expanded into party and social dance styles, and still more recently, YouTube gave rise to a new form of competition: making innovative videos and collecting “likes” (and gigs and sponsorships). Yet the inwardly democratic, outwardly competitive, “neighborhood” feel of the crew remains. Each has its own flavor.

Commix dancers all young, but they’re not kids. Amy’s a nurse; Kenny’s a teacher. Ryan works at Amazon. Imara runs a fitness business.

They’re diverse in almost every way possible—race, gender, sexuality, profession.

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Their body types run the gamut from soft to ripped, towering to tiny.

Yet they’re united in an energy that’s distinct: they’re street-savvy but laid back, Gig City smart but touched with a sweetness.

Jesse the photographer, Kenny’s partner, is still wearing his Muppety ears. Their name, as defined on their Facebook page, could belong to a Chattanooga start-up: Com-mix, to mix together, blend.

The cluster around the camera to see the final take.

“DAY-um.”

Outside, the fog deepens.

Inside, we move down a few floors, out of the cold, to Rezli’s built-out office space. The crew discusses why they came together; their motives vary from fame to friendship. For those most interested in choreography, it’s the bricolage, the bringing of diverse elements from different styles.

Amy “We’ve been together for a year.

My favorite things…the ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ video. We invited all our friends! The Bella Vita competition was great, too—super-hard. We performed three 15-minute sets. We grew together and created a lot of dances.

“I work as a nurse, but I’m still the

COVER STORY

“Their body types run the gamut from soft to ripped, towering to tiny. Yet they’re united in an energy that’s distinct: they’re street-savvy but laid back, Gig City smart but touched with a sweetness.” least busy of us by far. Our biggest challenge is getting everybody together. We are all grown people, and some of us have three jobs! It’s hard to dance together when we’re living life!”

Damien “I’ve been with Commix from the beginning. I met Imara at a class she was teaching at Scenic City…we created our first video from her choreography for that class. My favorite things about Commix are shooting video and teaming up with local companies who want to work with us and realize they can use our talent.

“I get my creative input from my mom and sister, Dutchess Miller and Cierra Chaney. That’s where I get my creative eye. “[In Commix] we all have each other’s best interests at heart. At the end of the day, we want everyone to look good.”

Imara “I choreographed a dance for a class I was teaching…and wanted to make a video. I reached out to my dance friends. At the shoot, we decided we wanted to be a crew. We dance really well together. Also, we love each other.

“I love all styles of dance, and I like to mix up styles. I trained in an Atlanta studio, and I picked up popping and my animation style from Atlanta street dancers. It’s ‘hip hop fusion.’ I like to make it different from what everyone else is doing. I mix all styles together—sassy, tutting, popping, house, whatever the songs tells me to do.”

Kenny “I teach at Tullahoma Dance Company and Murfreesboro Fitness and Dance. I’ve been with Commix since the beginning. I think I bring some performance tips; I help with the choreography sometimes. I’m not really into the ‘tough guy’ attitude; I can throw it for a piece, but really I’m warm and fuzzy. I love to have fun.”

Ryan (who spoke with me via email) “What drew me to COMMIX? I wanted to expand my dancing by performing on stage and different events around Chattanooga, and also I wanted dance with my friends.

“We are going to be in a new music video soon, shoot date TBA.” Sara “I graduated from college in 2014, and I teach fitness at Pure Barre Chattanooga. I’ve danced my whole life, so when I saw Kenny posting on Facebook about Commix, I reached out to him. Now, they’re my closest friends!

“I’m trained in modern dance, ballet, jazz, and majorette dancing—I was on the Elite Dance Team at UTC. I’m very well rounded in all types of dance, but [hip hop] is not what I’m originally trained in.

“I hope we can get some bigger gigs, travel, and start getting paid!” ···· To find out where Commix Dance Crew is dancing next, visit facebook. com/commixdancecrew.

Their Rezli video is at vimeo. com/195146859. Sure enough, they changed the music.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 11

FILM & TELEVISION

Beware The Slenderman Documentary looks at how Internet myths can lead to homicide...and the consequences of those actions

Come Discover The Ghost In The Shell Ghost in the Shell is one of the pioneering films in anime history. It has influenced a number of popular films such as The Matrix, Avatar and AI: Artificial Intelligence.

Complex, resonant and astonishingly animated, it is the film that redefined the cyber-punk genre. It’s quiet visual beauty, emphasis on atmosphere and doses of symbolism elevates Ghost in the Shell not only to quintessential anime status, but as a masterful piece of cinema.

Timed approximately 45 days before the new live action Ghost in the Shell film hits movie theaters, a special twonight screen on the legendary anime gives fans a chance to re-experience GITS on the big screen along with bringing new audiences to movie theaters, thanks to the increased awareness of this ground breaking film.

The story is relatively simple: a cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master. However, there is much more going on. Based on the manga comic by Masamune Shirow, GITS looks at the results of an increasingly datadriven and informational-overloaded society and how criminals will use ever more sophisticated technologies to achieve their nefarious plans.

Screenwriter Kazunori Itô and director Mamoru Oshii have created a richly detailed and profoundly deep world where nothing is ever quite what it seems. If you've never seen GITS on the big screen (or at all), this is one experience you definitely do not want to miss.

— Michael Thomas Ghost in the Shell Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Carmike East Ridge 18 5080 South Terrace (423) 855-9652 www.carmike.com 12 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

H

UMANS ARE A SPECIES OF MYTHmakers and storytellers. Every society on Earth has created some supernatural tale stemming from their environments, tales that answer questions or give purpose, legends that teach lessons or offer warnings.

In a recent documentary found on Netflix, Werner Hertzog examines spiritual practices surrounding volcanos, ideas which stretch around the world and reflect the people who tell them. There are tales of gods and their siblings in Indonesia, of power manifest and bestowed on the Dear Leader of North Korea, of a religion based around an American G.I. named John Frum in Vanautu.

Each of these myths are related to a very real, very dangerous presence in the lives of those who

believe them. It’s easy to assume that this type of backwards spirituality has been eliminated from enlightened America—although there are shades of the exact same thing found in the shadows of churches across the country.

Despite our lofty notions, Americans are still storytellers. We still create myths, myths that take on a life of their own, and spread like wildfire.

A new HBO documentary takes on this modern mythmaking in Beware the Slenderman. The documentary tells the story of a brutal crime committed by two young girls in the heart of Middle America, all to appease a mythical bogeyman created in the labyrinth of information that is the Internet.

The Slenderman is an internet meme that started in 2009 during a paranormal picture photoshop contest. The goal was to create something that looked very real out of existing pictures, and one of the users of this specific website added a

FILM & TELEVISION

“Despite our lofty notions, Americans are still storytellers. We still create myths, myths that take on a life of their own, and spread like wildfire.” tall, faceless stranger in a suit lurking in the background of black and white photos of a playground. Text accompanying the photos said “We didn’t want to go, we didn’t want to kill them, but its persistent silence and outstretched arms horrified and comforted us at the same time…”

With that, an internet legend was born.

It has spawned a variety of stories, games, and media. It’s especially popular on websites like the creepypasta wiki, which is an encyclopedia of scary stories that have been copied and shared (pasted/pasta) over and over. These stories were discovered by twelve-year-old Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, who became so obsessed with the myth that they believed it to be real.

In order to become servants of the Slenderman, the girls lured their friend Bella into the woods where Gey-

ser stabbed her nineteen times. They then left their friend for dead. Bella survived and crawled to find help. The girls were arrested and charged with intentional homicide, the question being whether they should be charged as adults.

Much of the documentary is spent interviewing the parents of the accused, who claim that their daughters were just normal little girls, well supervised and raised according to conventional means. Interjected into these discussions are interviews with a variety of experts on the prevalence and power of internet memes, alongside creepy pictures and videos involving the Slenderman.

Details that might be expected in a case like this are outlined—the girls didn’t have many friends, Anissa especially suffered from bullying and loneliness. Morgan’s father was diagnosed years ago with schizophrenia and likely passed it on to his daughter.

There are any number of explanations for why the girls attempted to murder their friend—whether any of them are satisfying is another conver-

sation.

The film, however, does not spend much time on the victim. Likely, her parents weren’t interested in participating in the documentary. The film does tend to empathize with the girls, though it never trivializes their crime.

Where the film misses the mark, however, is that it misses the opportunity to discuss the ramifications of extreme punishment for such young offenders. If tried as an adult, the girls face up to 65 years in prison for a crime they committed at twelve.

While the crime is especially heinous, is that type of punishment justified or does it remove the possibility of reform, the chance at being good citizens? Just what is the purpose here? Had the documentary addressed this, it might have been more thought provoking.

The existence of scary internet memes is far less interesting to me than the justifications for harsh punishment. Beware the Slenderman doesn’t quite rise to the occasion.

✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴

The Space Between Us The first human born on Mars travels to Earth for the first time, experiencing the wonders of the planet through fresh eyes. He embarks on an adventure with a street smart girl to discover how he came to be.

Director: Peter Chelsom Stars: Britt Robertson, Asa Butterfield, Janet Montgomery, Carla Gugino

Rings A young woman finds herself on the receiving end of a terrifying curse that threatens to take her life in 7 days.

Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez Stars: Vincent D'Onofrio, Laura Wiggins, Aimee Teegarden, Johnny Galecki

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Getting In Touch With Nature Through Art Plein Air painters capture nature in the great outdoors

“Art to Hart” Shows Off The Heart Of Chattanooga A special event starts this Friday at 5 p.m. when the InTown Gallery begins their month of love celebration with the “Art to Hart” campaign. There aren’t many events that show the true heart and soul of a city, but this is an event that does just that.

“Art to Hart” gives the opportunity for Chattanooga residents to donate supplies to The HART Gallery, a gallery that’s main purpose is to give an artistic outlet to Chattanooga’s homeless.

This is what Chattanooga is all about, unity and creativity. During a political time when some people are feeling a bit overwhelmed, this is the perfect opportunity for Chattanooga residents to make a difference locally.

In-Town Gallery artists are donating art supplies, and are inviting the public to help donate and make an impact on the lives of Chattanooga’s homeless. The HART Gallery is a non-profit organization that gives homeless artists and non-traditional artists the opportunity to create, and sell their artwork.

The HART Gallery has a goal of establishing “a relationship with our artists that will help them help themselves to a life of stability and self-worth.” In-Town Gallery’s “Art to Hart” couldn’t better represent the city of Chattanooga.

— Alex Plaumann Art to Hart Opening Reception Friday, 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 www.intowngallery.com 14 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Tony Mraz

Pulse contributor

T

HE PLEIN AIR PAINTING MOVEMENT is becoming increasingly popular in Chattanooga art circles, a development that makes perfect sense for one of America’s best outdoor cities. Plein Air, from the French “Open Air,” has its roots in mid-19th century Europe and America, with the Impressionist and Hudson River schools.

It is a means of experiencing nature while creating art, making it a desired approach for outdoor enthusiasts and artists alike.

Leah Salerno is a new oil painter who wanted to try all aspects of oil painting (Plein Air is traditionally done with oils). “The charm of plein air

painting is that it’s fresh and spontaneous. The very first time I was painting outside, I just loved it so much. Not only was I getting to paint, which I love, but it was outside—I’m a gardener and an outdoors person, so it was the best of all worlds.”

Leah’s husband, David Salerno, has been painting outdoors for five years. “I painted landscapes for a long time from photos. To really learn outside colors and values, you have to go outside and paint. The photos are so misleading—the shadows are black; the sky is white. To get it right, to be a landscape painter, you need to do some of your work outside, to understand what it really looks like. Some of the challenges are temperature, wind, bugs, the sun moving, and spectators.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“It is a means of experiencing nature while creating art, making it a desired approach for outdoor enthusiasts and artists alike.”

David explains the technique he uses for his plein air paintings. “I usually start with a thin mineral spirit wash of warm color, like a red oxide, because most landscapes are cool, with lots of blues and greens, so it warms up the painting a bit. Then I make a quick sketch and go.”

He further explains, “I set my goal at a reasonable level so I can finish in a couple of hours. I usually stick to 11x14 or smaller, but there are people who go back day after day to paint larger. I limit my colors, usually only taking 8 or so tubes of paint. I do everything in 2-3 hours, blocking out all of the shadows and dark areas within the first fifteen minutes. Though the light changes, I stick with my first observations.”

Another one of Chattanooga’s Plein Air painters, Brett Weaver, started his career fifteen years ago. “I decided to

paint landscapes because I loved the outdoors. When I would ask the older painters, especially the ones out west for advice on how to get started, almost all of them said to paint outside from life. That’s what they did back before they really even referred to it as ’plein air’. That’s where they got their information and ideas.”

Speaking of the benefits of the art, he says “Plein air painting has really helped me to learn to see. It also helped me to paint faster, bolder and more expressively. It is certainly not the only way to paint, but it’s definitely the best place to start.”

Telling us of his process, he says “I use a pretty minimal approach, breaking down the big elements into simple basic shapes and values of light and shadow. And I use a pretty limited palette with a warm and cool of each primary color. The light is moving so rapidly that you have to paint pretty fast in order to get anything good.”

“Sometimes I’m just collecting information and then finish up the painting back in the studio, or maybe just plan to use it for a larger painting.”

He expands on the impact of Plein Air, saying “Plein Air usually makes people see the place in a way they’ve never seen it before. So many people just never stop to look at what’s around them—I guess we often just can’t see the forest for all the trees. I am very blessed to have been able to go out and paint the landscape for the last fifteen years.”

You can find Brett’s work locally at Gallery 1401. He has a few plein air workshops scheduled for later this year, one at the Booth Art Academy at the Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, GA on September 30-October 1, and one at Townsend Atelier later in the year.

Leah and David Salerno will be displaying some of their works along with other Plein Air artists at the Artists on the Loose opening this Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The In-Town Gallery will also be displaying Plein Air work at their opening reception this Friday, with works on display all month.

THU2.2 Southern Insecurities Comedy Tour

Comedians Krish Mohan and David Coulter headline a night of comedy fun.

8:30 p.m.

McHale’s Brewhouse 725 Ashland Terrace (423) 877-2124 mchalesbrewhouse.co

FRI2.3 First Friday

New mixed media works from local artist Kim Printz highlight the monthly reception at the Southside's most ecletic art gallery.

5:30 p.m.

Area 61 Gallery 61 E. Main St. (423) 648-9367

SAT2.4 Extreme Weather

A play reading direct from Paris COP21 Negotiations to Chattanooga.

7 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga 3224 Navajo Dr. (423) 624-2985 uucc.org

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

THURSDAY2.2 Paw Pals Storytime 1:30 p.m.

McKamey Animal Center 4500 N. Access Rd. (423) 305-6500 mckameyanimalcenter.org Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket. com Throwback Thursday 4 p.m.

The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Open Figure Drawing Studio 6 p.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Southern Insecurities Comedy Tour with Krish Mohan and David Coulter 8:30 p.m.

McHale’s Brewhouse 725 Ashland Terrace (423) 877-2124 mchalesbrewhouse.com

16 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

FRIDAY2.3 Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m.

Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com Art to Hart 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com Open Studio NightsArt is for Lovers 5:30 p.m.

Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 822-5750 chattanoogaworkspace.com First Friday 5:30 p.m.

Area 61 Gallery 61 E. Main St. (423) 648-9367 Photographic Society of Chattanooga Spring Show 6:30 p.m.

Gallery at Blackwell 71 EastGate Loop (423) 344-5643 Opening Reception with Anna Marie Pavlik 6:30 p.m.

River Gallery 400 E. 2nd St. (423) 265-5033 river-gallery.com USA vs. Jamaica 7 p.m.

Finley Stadium 1826 Carter St. (800) 745-3000 ussoccer.com The Snow Queen 7 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT: TENNANT & WARD It's a double-dose of comedy as former athlete Derrick Tennant and U.S. Army vet Jamie Ward team up for a night of clean comedy with some unusual twists.

Derrick Tennant and Jamie Ward The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8538 theatrecentre.com Seize the Laughter 7:30 p.m.

The Colonnade Center 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000 colonnadecenter.org Derrick Tennant and Jamie Ward 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

SATURDAY2.4 Homebuyer Workshop 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise 1500 Chestnut St. Suite 102 (423) 756-6201 cneinc.org St. Alban’s Hixson Market 9:30 a.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303 Northside Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-7497 Brainerd Farmers Market 11 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 Seize the Laughter

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Valentine's Dinner Train 1, 7:30 p.m.

The Colonnade Center 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000 colonnadecenter.org Celebrating Black Creativity Through The Hunter’s Collection 1:30 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org The Snow Queen 2:30, 7 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8538 theatrecentre.com Interscholastic Climbing League Meet 5, 7 p.m.

High Point Climbing and Fitness Riverside 1007 Appling St. (423) 475-6578 highpointclimbing.com Art to Hart 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com Valentine’s Dinner Train 5:30 p.m.

Tennessee Valley Railroad 4119 Cromwell Rd. (423) 894-8028 tvrail.com Big Bids Auction Party 7 p.m.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chattanooga Downtown 407 Chestnut St.

(423) 756-5150 jachatt.org Extreme Weather 7 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga 3224 Navajo Dr. (423) 624-2985 uucc.org Derrick Tennant and Jamie Ward 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Dave Chapelle 9 p.m.

Tivoli Theatre 709 Broad St. (423) 757-5580 tivolichattanooga.com

SUNDAY2.5 Seize the Laughter 2:30 p.m.

The Colonnade Center 264 Catoosa Cir. (706) 935-9000 colonnadecenter.org The Snow Queen 2:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8538 theatrecentre.com Art to Hart 5 p.m.

In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com

Wish Bowl XIII 6 p.m.

Stratton Hall 3146 Broad St. (423) 667-4332 strattonhall.com

MONDAY2.6 Red Bank Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Red Bank United Methodist 3800 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 838-9804 800 Collective: The Harlem Renaissance Effect 6 p.m.

Jazzanooga Arts Space 431 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 402-0452 jazzanooga.org City Council Forum 6 p.m.

Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church 1734 E. 3rd St. (423) 624-0950 First Monday Improv Comedy 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org

TUESDAY2.7 Drawing Essentials 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com

Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Rapid Learning Intro To Kayaking Pool 7 p.m.

Hulsey Wellness Center 4870 University Dr. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com

WEDNESDAY2.8 Drawing Essentials 9 a.m.

Townsend Atelier 301 E. 11th St. (423) 266-2712 townsendatelier.com Middle East Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Main Street Market 4 p.m.

325 E. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com “Creating a Side Hustle: eBay” 6 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 17

18 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

FOOD & DRINK ∙ MIXOLOGY

Is Gin The Next “Up And Comer”?

A once favorite spirit is beginning to make a tasty comeback

By Alex Plaumann

G

Pulse contributor

IN HAS A WILDLY UNIQUE history. A history that includes gin’s debated origin of Holland, the gin acts that started the gin riots of London, and the distillation of gin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is not debatable; gin’s history is part of liquor lore.

Since the 1800’s, gin has had a place in many homes, for many different reasons.

Gin was first used in Holland as medicine, being a common treatment for gout, gallstones and stomach discomfort. This was before the gin craze broke out in England, where it became immensely popular. But over time, the juniper flavored liquor lost its popularity to it’s much simpler cousin, vodka.

As a drinker who in recent years has shied away from gin, I decided to embark on a tasting to see if a somewhat critical diner and drinker, myself, could reevaluate a liquor that I have clearly overlooked.

Gin has a never-ending list of registered cocktails, and has pushed the boundaries of the alcohol industry. But I thought it would be best if I tried a few different kinds straight, so I could get the full flavor.

I went to The Social bar at Public House, and asked Assistant Bar Manager Josh Rosa to walk me through a few different kinds of gin. We started with a commonly found gin in most bars, Imported London Dry Tanqueray. The Tanqueray is where I believe most people go wrong.

Your choice of gin is much different than your choice of vodka. While the differences between vodkas will be a bit subtler, the differences between varying gins are vast.

Tanqueray is cheap, typical and light. It does have a hint of citrus, but it is mostly

used for mixing. This is your basic, run-of-the-mill gin. It’s not bad, but typically not a gin you want to drink straight (this is also the only gin of the tasting I did not finish).

Next, I tried a distilled Scottish gin, Hendricks. Hendricks was a step up from the Tanqueray; Hendricks was smooth in its smell and taste. It has prominent floral, rose, and cucumber notes with a strong backbone that lingers on the palate. According to Rosa, Hendricks can also be found at most bars and is a common choice for a gin and tonic.

St. George Botanivore Gin was next, and it was different from both previous gins. A gin I would describe as a go-to drink for someone wanting a smooth, but juniperheavy flavor. St. George Botanivore botanicals shine through with a bright taste containing hints of cinnamon, orange, and ginger that excites the taste buds. It has a typical gin smell, but the prominent botanicals create a clean and light French 75 (courtesy of liquor.com) • • • •

1/2 oz Lemon juice 1/2 oz Simple syrup 1 oz Gin 3 oz Champagne

Directions: Mix all ingredients except Champagne in a shaker and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a Champagne flute. Top with

taste, making it one of the easier gins to drinks.

Finally, we have my favorite of the four: the barrel aged Bols Genever. Coming out of gin’s birthplace of Holland, this uniquely malty and diversely flavored gin was vastly different than what I expected.

Rosa said this was (arguably) how gin started, and described Genever as what would happen “if gin wanted to be moonshine.”

Champagne and a lemon twist.

Ramos Gin Fizz (courtesy of liquor.com) • • • • • •

2 oz Gin 1/2 oz Heavy cream 1/2 oz Fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice 3/4 oz Simple syrup 3 dashes Orange flower water

This is not your typical London dry gin; it has a fruity nose, with a touch of honey and diverse notes that hit your palate easily, giving it a clean finish.

Of course there is a time and place for each gin, rather that be straight or in a cocktail. But this tasting showed how gin has fought its way back due to its versatility, and in my opinion, is one of the most underrated liquors.

• 1 Fresh egg white • Club soda Directions: Put all the ingredients (except the club soda) into a shaker and shake aggressively without ice. Open shaker, add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass. Pour a little bit of club soda back and forth between the empty halves, and then pour into the glass.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 19

MUSIC

How To Make The Most Of Your Music

Dynamic Artists Eighth Blackbird Dazzle At UTC Four-time Grammy award winners Eighth Blackbird are preparing to dazzle the UTC Fine Arts Center this coming Monday. The sextet, which has been referred to as “super-musicians” by the Los Angeles Times, combine the exquisite talent of a string quartet with the enthusiasm of a rock band; they even have the visual appearance of a theater company.

With all of these elements put into one six-piece package, the magic of Eighth Blackbird is definitely a show you don’t want to miss.

Eighth Blackbird was formed in 1996 by six undergraduates studying at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.

However, the group didn’t begin receiving widespread recognition until they won the Concert Artists Guild Competition in 1998.

Since then, they have won four Grammys, the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, Chamber Music America’s Visionary Award and Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year (2017).

The group’s sound is a hauntingly beautiful mix of the elements of a symphony paired with the vibrancy of a rock band. The combination of flute, clarinet, violin and viola, cello, percussion and piano emphasizes the sheer brilliance of each note performed by the group.

With the breathtaking sound of each instrument that creates the alluring melodies that are Eighth Blackbird, this is a show you won’t soon forget. — Addie Whitlow Eighth Blackbird Monday, 7:30 p.m.

UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. (423) 425-4269 www.utc.edu/fine-arts-center 20 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

There are many resources to reach new audiences with your music...be sure to take advantage of them all

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

I

F I HAD A NICKEL FOR EVERY TIME SOMEone said to me, “You never write about my band,” I’d have a sock full of nickels with which to beat the next person who said that same thing. I have been told that I only write about my personal friends (not true), that I must be getting paid off somehow (not true), and once I was even accused by an angry young man of sleeping with the lead singer of a band I had written about the week before because, “everybody else is!” Also not true (the bit about me sleeping with the singer, I can neither confirm nor deny the other part.)

In response to this I eventually wrote a piece in which I pointed out what I really am to musicians here in the area: I am a resource. That’s a mighty important word, consider it again; a resource.

In the struggle to get your band out there in the public eye, to let people know who you are and

what you do (beyond the scope of your immediate friends and family) I am just one more tool (heh, tool…) in your bag of tricks to help make you successful.

I’m not saying the money, hot cars and monstrous respect and power I gain writing for The Pulse isn’t a consideration, but my main motivation is, and always has been, to help grow the music scene I have come to love in a town that didn’t really have one when I came here 24 years ago.

What I’m on about this week is that as much as it seems like the odds are stacked against you with bar owners who try to stiff you, complacent crowds, and rival bands that trash talk you when you aren’t around, there are people who want to help and those people should be rightly considered resources and you should be using them to change the odds a bit and give yourself an edge.

A particularly huge resource in Chattanooga right now, and one I feel is probably being underutilized, is SoundCorps Chattanooga.

MUSIC

Get Out Of The House

“Lighting, sound, recording, engineering, venues, legal advice, professional advice, and a host of other useful things that were once hard to come by, all gathered together under one tent.”

It has only been 14 months since Stratton Tingle announced, “Our mission is to make the market bigger and stronger from within and without,” and he and the other behindthe-scenes crew at SoundCorps have been working tirelessly ever since to make that mission a success. It’s a resource, kids, and a particularly broad and useful one.

Whether you’re looking to hire a musician or a musician looking to get hired, SoundCorps is a one-stop shop for all things music in the Scenic City. Lighting, sound, recording, engineering, venues, legal advice, professional advice, and a host of other useful things that were once hard to come by, all gathered together under one tent.

Some upcoming events worthy of note: · February 4th is the deadline to sign up for this year’s Road to Nightfall competition, a cherry gig with fantastic exposure. Go to gigcityproductions.com today to put yourself in the

running. · The next Craft Masters class is scheduled to commence on February 13th. Craft Masters is an eight-week course on the music industry and let me tell you, from an (ahem) older gentleman’s perspective, week after week I see incredibly talented younger musicians who haven’t yet caught on that the music business is a business and that all the effort and talent on the stage is only half the picture. This course can give you a jumpstart on an education too many us spent 20 or 30 years learning the hard way. Go to the SoundCorp page to get signed up now. · Likewise, TakeNote Volume 6 will be happening at Granfalloon at 5 p.m. on Feb 27. A panel of industry experts will answer questions and offer advice for taking your act to the next level. · Finally, Sidewalk Stages auditions will be held on March 25th at the Brewhaus side patio at noon. Sidewalk Stages has been one of the most successful and popular programs to hit Chattanooga’s music scene since…ever. Change your strings, shake off the dust and get out there and be heard.

It’s another great couple of weeks for Chattanooga music with plenty to see and do.

The legendary Milele Roots is throwing their annual celebration of Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash at Granfalloon this Friday. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. and if you’ve been to a Bob’s Birthday show and remember it, you haven’t been to a Bob’s Birthday show. Tickets are available now at ticket.niteoutsite. com.

The Mike Dillon Band and Trade Day Troubadours are rockin’ the Honest Pint on Tuesday, Feb. 7th.

This is an 18+ show.

Subkonscious is playing Mayo’s on Feb. 3rd. As revealed in last week’s feature, Mayo’s is back in the music game with a vengeance and this will be a powerhouse performance. In fact, Mayo’s will be hosting PLVNET and Sam Killed the Bear a week later on Feb. 10th, another impressive lineup.

Also on February 10th, Mark Holder’s MPH is playing Tremont Tavern at 9 p.m. This is the day

their new album drops, though the actual album release party will be the following week at J.J.’s Bohemia.

Genki Genki Panic will be releasing their latest album on Feb. 11th at J.J.’s Bohemia. Look for that album review in next week’s feature. That same night the Obliviots make their triumphant return to the re-vamped music side of Ziggy’s.

It’s a good time to be a music lover in Chattanooga, kids. Unwind your mind from the nasty political climate and enjoy some great tunes with good friends at the watering hole of your choice.

We’ve got this.

— Marc T. Michael

THU2.2

FRI2.3

SAT2.4

Legends of Jazz: Charlie Parker

The Howlin’ Brothers

Bessie’s Big 9 Revue

The quarterly series with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to the great Charlie Parker.

7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theatre 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org

Do you like the Old Crow Medicine Show? Then you'll love the dusty Americana sounds of The Howlin' Brothers!

10 p.m.

Clyde’s on Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com

It's a Valentine’s Day Luther Vandross Tribute with Danny Clay. Get a head start on the season of love at the Bessie Smith Hall.

7 p.m.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. bessiesmithcc.org

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 21

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Big Something

THURSDAY2.2 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John's Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Rick Rushing Blues Jazz N’ Friends 6 p.m.

Bluewater Grille 224 Broad St. bluewaterchattanooga.com Open Mic with Megan Saunders 6 p.m.

Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m.

Motley’s 320 Emberson Dr. Ringgold, GA (706) 260-8404 Dan Landrum & Stephen Humphries 7 p.m.

Covenant College 14049 Scenic Hwy. covenant.edu Bluegrass Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Feed Co. Table & Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7:30 p.m.

Mexi-Wing VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. mexi-wingchattanooga.com Legends of Jazz: Charlie Parker

22 • THE PULSE • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

7:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theatre 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m.

The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com Big Something, Opposite Box 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Vita and the Woolf 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

FRIDAY2.3 Teddy Lewis 7 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Bob Bovee 8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Live Music 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Cody James Harris 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/Chattanooga

PULSE SPOTLIGHT: BOB BOVEE Authentic cowboy songs, ballads, blues & ragtime, square dance tunes, sentimental songs, novelty numbers, yodels, to Tin Pan Alley favorites, Bob does it all.

Bob Bovee 8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org

Papadosio, Backup Planet 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Superbody, Kindora, bbymutha, Koda, Rock Floyd 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Milele Roots' Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash 9 p.m.

Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Subkonscious 9 p.m.

Mayo’s Bar and Grill 3820 Brainerd Rd. mayosbarandgrill.com Courtney Daly Band, Jimmy Dormire 9:30 p.m.

The Brew & Cue 5017 Rossville Blvd.

(423) 867-9402 The Howlin’ Brothers 10 p.m.

Clyde’s on Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com One Night Stand 10 p.m.

Bud's Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SATURDAY2.4 Benefit for Morris ‘Riki’ Birdsong with Dr. Vibe, Focus

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Papadosio Showband & many more 2 p.m.

Rumors 3884 Hixson Pike (423) 870-3003 Opera Tennessee in Concert 2 p.m.

First Christian Church 650 McCallie Ave. firstchristian-chat.com Teddy Lewis 7 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Valentine’s Day Luther Vandross Tribute with Danny Clay 7 p.m.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd. bessiesmithcc.org Buddy Mondlock 8 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Virginia Ave, Midnight Promise, Cheering Tokyo, The Borderline Something 8 p.m.

Ziggy’s Bar & Grill 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net Gino Fanelli 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com/Chattanooga Hatestomp, Roger Alan Wade 9 p.m.

JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd.

jjsbohemia.com The Groove Orient 10 p.m.

Clyde’s on Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Kara-Ory-Oke! 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com One Night Stand 10 p.m.

Bud's Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com

SUNDAY2.5 Nick Lutsko 11 a.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Jack Endelouz & Rye Baby 1:30 p.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775

MONDAY2.6 Open Mic Night 6 p.m.

Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com

Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Eighth Blackbird 7:30 p.m.

UTC Fine Arts Center 752 Vine St. utc.edu/fine-arts-center Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com

TUESDAY2.7 Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m.

Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com String Theory: Avi Avital, Mandolin & the Dover String Quartet 6:30 p.m.

Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. stringtheorymusic.org Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Harbor, Sinai Vessel, Lions

JJ’s Bohemia 9 p.m.

231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Mike Dillon Band, Trade Day Troubadours 9 p.m.

The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com

Used Books, CDs, Movies, & More

7734 Lee Highway • McKayBooks.com Mon-Thu 9am-9pm • Fri-Sat 9am-10pm • Sun 11am-7pm

WEDNESDAY2.8 No Big Deal 6 p.m.

SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Ben Friberg Trio 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Joel Clyde 8 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m.

Las Margaritas 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Prime Cut Trio 9 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 23

RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ERNIE PAIK

Macula Dog Why Do You Look Like Your Dog?, Kelly Moran Optimist

Macula Dog Why Do You Look Like Your Dog? (Wharf Cat)

T

he NYC outfit Macula Dog has a wholehearted embrace of music absurdity and a selfawareness of its own weirdness, as opposed to outsider-type intrinsically inspired wanderings off the beaten path. Perhaps acting like a low-budget robot-obsessed Kraftwerk, posing the “Man or machine?” question, Macula Dog is a “4-person electronic duo,” which is pulled off by two (human) members Bruce Brothers and Mark Brothers, using the Ramones-style adopted surname, wearing masks and life-size puppet torsos on their own shoulders while performing.

Coming after the cheerful insanity of Macula Dog’s self-titled mini-album on Haord Records is the fulllength Why Do You Look Like Your Dog? that continues the group’s chimpy, circus-music style that is simultaneously gleeful yet disquieting, with a bizarre playfulness that helps to set it apart from more “serious”

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idiosyncratic non-conformist acts.

The album seems to pelt the listener with a jumble of bits, including synth or artificial drum fragments; then the pieces of shiny junk on the floor are rolled up into a ball and held together precariously with duct tape.

The four “Dog Food” tracks are brief bursts of madness, holding onto small yet penetrating motifs until they spontaneously combust, and offer the greatest “weirdness per second” concentration.

The vocals work best when they are severely warped beyond recognition, like on the glossy and obnoxious “Lawnmower” or “Work Friend,” which uses pitch-shifting and heavy treatments, infused with a Residents-esque vibe. “New Boys Club” channels Devo’s “Jocko Homo” with its offbalance meter and unsettling call-and-response, sounding like a disturbed person’s idea for the music for a children’s television show.

Macula Dog isn’t lowfidelity, but there’s a sort of scrappy aesthetic to it, sometimes using cheapsounding keyboards and beat generators; however, everything is tweaked and processed without restraint or mercy, perhaps like financing an Ed Wood movie with the majority of the funds going toward post-production. This is love-it-or-hate-it music; if you’ve read this far

and haven’t cringed, then you just might love it.

Kelly Moran Optimist (kellymoran.bandcamp.com)

K

eyboardist and composer Kelly Moran isn’t one to be pigeonholed, having been a member of the unclassifiable doom-folk-rock group Voice Coils and a bassist for the feral no-wave band Cellular Chaos, but on her new, fourth solo album, Optimist, she seems to gravitate toward the minimalism that she studied during her formal classical training but gladly embellishes it.

Any use of repetitive piano patterns is going to garner comparisons to Philip Glass, but here, Moran adds a few more dimensions, using synthesizers and prepared piano—the technique of adding objects to piano strings to alter their sounds, most notably used by John Cage—as enhancements.

“In Symmetry” opens the album with piano cascades and weaving melodies, atop a bed of synth tones, and it’s pleasant without prodding too much. It’s followed

by the dreamlike “Strangers Are Easy to Look at, Loved Ones Are Museums of Brutality” (with a title borrowed from poet Abeer Jay), using chords drenched in thick reverb, mirrored with synth counterparts, conveying a shimmering yet eerie beauty.

The album’s title track is one of its highlights, with Moran’s prepared piano yielding percussive sounds—comparable to the sounds of a hammered dulcimer—that give the notes interesting textures and an insistent propulsion.

At first, “Glacial” perhaps resembles the sound of wind chimes, and individual notes echo with their own rhythms rather than adhering to a strict beat; it’s an interesting way to convey disorder without actually being disorderly, and Moran also uses an EBow—typically used by guitarists—to generate piano string vibrations, adding to the haunting atmospherics.

The mood-setting “Nyght Spel” has a cinematic feel to it and would make a great soundtrack to some chilly, intense domestic drama.

Ingmar Bergman wannabes might want to commission Moran for their next masterpieces. (You read it here first.)

Optimist is not riotous avant-garde nor catatonic and insipid blandness, but it occupies its own cozy postminimalist space somewhere between those two extremes.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 25

OPINIONS & DIVERSIONS

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JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES

“Exaggeration”—way more than necessary.

ACROSS 1 Contacts electronically, in a way 4 They’re the result of extracted genes 8 Chunks of fairway 14 Buck’s counterpart 15 “___ that a kick in the pants?”

16 Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny 17 “Friends” costar Courteney 18 Falco of “Nurse Jackie” 19 Kitchen protectors 20 Theme park chain, grossly exaggerated?

23 French realist painter Bonheur 24 “Conjunction Junction” conjunction 25 Chef DiSpirito 28 End of many failed ‘90s businesses?

31 Autumn mo.

33 “The Fault in ___ Stars” 34 “Wayne’s World” actress Carrere 35 Feeling of amazement 36 Caricatured 37 Morris’s favorite cat food, wildly

exaggerated?

41 Green dip, for short 42 Tats 43 Eden matriarch 44 Adjective for 2017 (but not 2018) 45 Enjoy brunch, for instance 46 Rabbit relative?

50 “Sons of Anarchy” extra 52 For emus, it’s greenish 55 Negative in Nuremberg 56 “Gone with the Wind” plantation, insanely exaggerated?

60 Duke University city 62 “___ Jury” (Spillane detective novel) 63 Architect I.M. ___ 64 Beezus’s sister 65 Group led by Master Splinter, initially 66 “Wow,” when texting 67 Like beer or bread dough 68 They may have polar bears and giraffes 69 Why the

exaggeration?

Because it’s this number raised to the nth power DOWN 1 It usually includes a photo 2 Cow sound in “Old MacDonald” 3 Like some illegal hiring practices 4 “Mozart in the Jungle” star ___ Garcia Bernal 5 Computer music format 6 Big Mac ingredient 7 “Mad Men” pool member 8 Twofold 9 To a certain extent 10 Leo follower 11 Doctor’s earexamining tool 12 Camel tone 13 Draft lottery org., once 21 Milk-related 22 “Eh, I’m not buying it” look 26 Helps with lines 27 Chicago airport letters 29 Contents of a cruet 30 Sasha’s sister

32 “E! News” subject 35 Astronaut affirmative 36 Johnson & Johnson skin care brand 37 Car on the Autobahn 38 Result of evil acts, supposedly 39 “___ Inside” (computer slogan) 40 Apple Chief Design Officer Jony ___ 41 One of the Bluth brothers on “Arrested Development” 45 Given to traveling 47 Drink container 48 “Black ___” (historic 1961 book) 49 Lieutenant’s underling 51 Community character 53 Glamor partner 54 Controversial naval base in Cuba, informally 57 “If ___ be so bold ...”

58 “I don’t believe this!”

59 Barclays Center squad 60 Martini preference 61 Abu Dhabi loc.

Copyright © 2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per3minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 817 CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 27

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY contrived. The release and relief it triggers won’t be trivial and transitory, but will generate at least one long-lasting breakthrough.

ROB BREZSNY AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Who would have guessed that Aquarian Charles Darwin, the pioneering theorist of evolution, had a playful streak? Once he placed a male flower’s pollen under a glass along with an unfertilized female flower to see if anything interesting would happen. “That’s a fool’s experiment,” he confessed to a colleague. “But I love fools’ experiments. I am always making them.” Now would be an excellent time for you to consider trying some fools’ experiments of your own, Aquarius. I bet at least one of them will turn out to be both fun and productive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Shakespeare’s play MacBeth, three witches brew up a spell in a cauldron.

Among the ingredients they throw in there is the “eye of newt.” Many modern people assume this refers to the optical organ of a salamander, but it doesn’t. It’s actually an archaic term for “mustard seed.” When I told my Piscean friend John about this, he said, “Damn! Now I know why Jessica didn’t fall in love with me.” He was making a joke about how the love spell he’d tried hadn’t worked. Let’s use this as a teaching story, Pisces. Could it be that one of your efforts failed because it lacked some of the correct ingredients? Did you perhaps have a misunderstanding about the elements you needed for a successful outcome? if so, correct your approach and try again.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Once upon a time, Calvin of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip made this bold declaration: “Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!” Given your current astrological aspects, Aries, I think you have every right to invoke that battle cry yourself. From what I can tell, there’s a party underway inside your head.

And I’m pretty sure it’s a healthy bash, not a decadent debacle. The bliss it stirs up will be authentic, not

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to ask for favors. I think you will be exceptionally adept at seeking out people who can actually help you.

Furthermore, those from whom you request help will be more receptive than usual. Finally, your timing is likely to be close to impeccable.

Here’s a tip to aid your efforts: A new study suggests that people are more inclined to be agreeable to your appeals if you address their right ears rather than their left ears. (More info: tinyurl.com/intherightear) GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here are your five words of power for the next two weeks, Gemini. 1.

Unscramble. Invoke this verb with regal confidence as you banish chaos and restore order. 2. Purify.

Be inspired to cleanse your motivations and clarify your intentions. 3.

Reach. Act as if you have a mandate to stretch out, expand, and extend yourself to arrive in the right place.

4. Rollick. Chant this magic word as you activate your drive to be lively, carefree, and frolicsome. 5. Blithe.

Don’t take anything too personally, too seriously, or too literally.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The 17th-century German alchemist Hennig Brand collected 1,500 gallons of urine from beer-drinkers, then cooked and re-cooked it till it achieved the “consistency of honey.”

Why? He thought his experiment would eventually yield large quantities of gold. It didn’t, of course. But along the way, he accidentally produced a substance of great value: phosphorus. It was the first time anyone had created a pure form of it. So in a sense, Brand “discovered” it. Today phosphorus is widely used in fertilizers, water treatment, steel production, detergents, and food processing. I bring this to your attention, my fellow Cancerian, because I suspect you will soon have a metaphorically similar experience.

Your attempt to create a beneficial new asset will not generate exactly what you wanted, but will nevertheless yield a useful result.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the documentary movie Catfish, the directors, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, present a metaphor drawn from the fishing industry. They say that Asian suppliers used to put

Homework: Even if you don’t send it, write a letter to the person you admire most. Share it with me at Truthrooster@gmail.com live codfish in tanks and send them to overseas markets. It was only upon arrival that the fish would be processed into food. But there was a problem: Because the cod were so sluggish during the long trips, their meat was mushy and tasteless. The solution? Add catfish to the tanks. That energized the cod and ultimately made them more flavorful. Moral of the story, according to Joost and Schulman: Like the cod, humans need catfish-like companions to stimulate them and keep them sharp. Do you have enough influences like that in your life, Leo? Now is a good time to make sure you do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The city of Boston allows an arts organization called Mass Poetry to stencil poems on sidewalks. The legal graffiti is done with a special paint that remains invisible until it gets wet.

So if you’re a pedestrian trudging through the streets as it starts to rain, you may suddenly behold, emerging from the blank grey concrete, Langston Hughes’ poem “Still Here” or Fred Marchant’s “Pear Tree In Flower.” I foresee a metaphorically similar development in your life, Virgo: a pleasant and educational surprise arising unexpectedly out of the vacant blahs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When he was in the rock band Devo, Mark Mothersbaugh took his time composing and recording new music.

From 1978 to 1984, he and his collaborators averaged one album per year. But when Mothersbaugh started writing soundtracks for the weekly TV show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, his process went into overdrive. He typically wrote an entire show’s worth of music each Wednesday and recorded it each Thursday. I suspect you have that level of creative verve right now, Libra. Use it wisely! If you’re not an artist, channel it into the area of your life that most needs to be refreshed or reinvented.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many vintage American songs remain available today because of the pioneering musicologist, John Lomax.

In the first half of the 20th century, he traveled widely to track down and record obscure cowboy ballads, folk songs, and traditional African American tunes. “Home on the Range” was a prime example of his many discoveries. He learned that song, often referred to as “the anthem of the American West,” from a black saloonkeeper in Texas. I suggest we make Lomax a role model for you Scorpios during the coming weeks. It’s an excellent time to preserve and protect the parts of your past that are worth taking with you into the future.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The mountain won’t come to you.

It will not acquire the supernatural power to drag itself over to where you are, bend its craggy peak down to your level, and give you a free ride as it returns to its erect position. So what will you do? Moan and wail in frustration? Retreat into a knot of helpless indignation and sadness?

Please don’t. Instead, stop hoping for the mountain to do the impossible. Set off on a journey to the remote, majestic pinnacle with a fierce song in your determined heart. Pace yourself. Doggedly master the art of slow, incremental magic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Who can run faster, a person or a horse?

There’s evidence that under certain circumstances, a human can prevail.

In June of every year since 1980, the Man Versus Horse Marathon has taken place in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells. The route of the race weaves 22 miles through marsh, bogs, and hills. On two occasions, a human has outpaced all the horses.

According to my astrological analysis, you Capricorns will have that level of animalistic power during the coming weeks. It may not take the form of foot speed, but it will be available as stamina, energy, vitality, and instinctual savvy.

Rob Brezsny is an aspiring master of curiosity, perpetrator of sacred uproar, and founder of the Beauty and Truth Lab. He brings a literate, myth-savvy perspective to his work.

It’s all in the stars.

The List Favorite Burger Toppings

Americans have long had a love affair with the burger. Whether beef, turkey, bison, or whatnot, we love to slap some meat between two buns and chow down.

But what do we love to top our burgers with?

Our friends at the Statistic Brain Research Institute were curious as well and conducted a poll to find the favorite toppings: 1. Cheese: 27% 2. Bacon: 25% 3. Special sauce: 12% 4. Tomato: 11% 5. Lettuce: 5% 6. Sprouts: 5% 7. Pickles: 3% 8. Mustard: 2% 9. Ketchup: 2% 10. Onion: 1% 11. Mayo: 1% As you can see, the bacon cheeseburger is, by far, the American favorite, which is not all that surprising.

And the favorite way to have a burger cooked? 38% say medium-rare, while 31% like theirs medium.

Source: statisticbrain.com/favoritesandwhich-or-burger-topping-poll/

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • THE PULSE • 29

COLUMN ∙ GAME ON!

A Break From The Video Arms Race Unplugging from electronic gaming has never been better

Brandon Watson Pulse columnist

I

T’S OVERWHELMING TO HEAR THE lamentations of my girlfriend and my bank account as I start making my videogame wish-list for the year. Considering we barely survived the Steam Winter Sale of 2016, most of my consolations go ignored.

To prepare for the inevitable nervous breakdown of financial indecision that will consume my life during this year’s videogame arms race, I’ve decided to cleanse the spirit and renew the mind by embracing the budget friendly alternative of tabletop games.

And thanks to Infinity Flux cards, comics, and games, I’ve gotten to taste three hot titles sure to balance the Chi as well as the pocketbook.

Bézier is known for the successful Suburbia and One Night Ultimate Werewolf games and their latest release appeals to veteran table-top gamers and newbies alike. In Colony, two or four players are tasked with leading an enclave of apocalypse survivors by making tactical choices and management decisions.

Players can attack, trade, or steal each other’s resources until one of them reaches the endgame point threshold. Game sessions run about an hour and usually start off casual then progress into an intense race to the finish as resources dwindle and action cards are burned off.

Although Colony lacks an aesthetically pleasing style compared to other games, there is so much going on that the artwork will stand sidelines to the fun game mechanics. Those who enjoy resource wran-

gling and frantic dice rolling will love this smart, challenging, yet casual game.

If the post-apocalyptic vibe isn’t your jam or maybe you have an acute phobia of dice which doesn’t have an official name believe-itor-not. Then maybe the familiar feel of cards will “suit” you better.

Kickstarter campaigns have brought us amazing games in the past and Hero Realms is one of those sweet things that went from concept to shelves almost overnight. This Tolkienesque adventure game plays similarly to Magic: The Gathering without the steep learning curve. Hero Realms is amazingly approachable for beginners or inherently terrible deck builders like myself.

The vibrant and cartoony artstyle of Hero Realms is nothing that will inspire you to quit your day job and become a full-time artist, but it’s just right to give the cards a unique soul of their own.

The feature I love about Hero Realms is unlike traditional deck building games you just need to purchase the core game pack for two to four players to start smashing each other.

Additional expansion packs add flavor by cultivating more roleplaying aspects and introducing various game modes such as solo and co-op challenges.

Yes, it’s a deckbuilding game with solo and co-op!

For just under $20, you’re definitely getting more bang for the buck in terms of replayability and casual fun.

Matago created a game that feels like a mixture of Monopoly,

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Samantha Doss Photography

Risk and Texas Hold’em all colored up with gorgeous Celtic inspired imagery that quite honestly steals my heart every time I open the box.

It may look complicated at first but once Inis gets up and underway the player will find a mystical world of tribal exploration, mythological legends and political intrigue easy to get a handle on.

As an Irish chieftain, the goal is to rule by exploring an everchanging landscape, spreading your influence and clashing or making peace with other players with the same goals. Inis shines as a game that encourages player interactions by debating, bluffing, and schmoozing their way to victory rather than overpowering with aggressive force.

Besides the breathtaking artwork, my favorite aspect of Inis is how the game map expands as the game progresses giving this an authentic feel of conquest and exploration similar to the fog-of-war of the Civilization franchise.

My verdict? Hero Realms simply

has it all for the price. You get everything you need straight out of the box and it’s easy to learn so it’s great for beginners. With relatively cheap expansions and future co-op scenarios it definitely has the longevity you’d want in a deck building adventure game.

Of course, I am not saying one should swear off videogames because of a market saturation that may cause consumer anxiety, but for a gamer it’s nice to see the dollar go the distance in terms of replayability and fun.

Most tabletop games typically retail cheaper than new triple-A titles so they become a sensible choice to scratch that gaming itch while taking a vacation from the digital mayhem that’s become the videogame world.

Avid gamer and closet technophile, Brandon Watson has been on the gaming scene since first dropping coins in an arcade cabinet many moons ago. When not vaporizing zombies or leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, he is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists.

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