The Pulse 14.26 » June 29, 2017

VOL. 14, NO. 26 • JUNE 29, 2017

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5348 Highway 153 at Hixson Pike MarshalMizeFord.com 2 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

VOL. 14, NO. 26 • JUNE 29, 2017

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IMPROV CHATTANOOGA FINDS A HOME

Come one, come all! Improv Chattanooga’s co-founders, Kevin Bartolomucci and Steve Disbrow, announce the opening of their home theater, First Draft Theater.

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GOING BEHIND THE MODERN IRON CURTAIN

Last week was the summer solstice, officially the longest day of the year. We are now on the downward slide, each day shorter than the last, as the season slips slowly behind us.

COMBINING ART AND FILM INTO ONE UNUSUAL SPACE

Seven years ago, the Mise En Scenesters film club started doing pop-up movie screenings here in Chattanooga. At the time, the organizers noticed that the bulk of the club’s supporters were from the art and music communities.

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THEY'RE STILL SMOKIN’ IN THE GIRLS’ ROOM

Chattanooga Girls Rock is a non-profit group that sponsors a weeklong summer day camp in which girls age ten to seventeen are given instruction in all aspects of rock music.

ALSO INSIDE

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Homeboy Makes 30 Years Of Good The oldest things in “Thrill After Thrill: 30 Years of Wayne White,” opening Friday at the Hunter Museum, are White’s comic books, created during his New York years. One of them, “Bad News,” is a story based on his boyhood in Hixson. Then there are series of little “zine” comics, called things like “Geeder.”

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS

5

CONSIDER THIS

20

MUSIC CALENDAR

7

DAY TRIPPIN'

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MUSIC REVIEWS

11

NEW IN THEATERS

24

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

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ARTS CALENDAR

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JONESIN' CROSSWORD

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ART OF BUSINESS

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GAME ON!

Janis Hashe has been both a staff editor and a freelance writer/editor for more than 25 years. She has a master’s degree in theatre arts, is the founder of Shakespeare Chattanooga and a member of the Chattanooga Zen Group.

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.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 3

BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE

Improv Chattanooga Finds A Home On The Southside A longtime dream becomes a reality for local improv group

By Jenn Webster Pulse contributor

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

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Rob Brezsny • Janis Hashe Daniel Jackson • Matt Jones Tony Mraz • Ernie Paik Rick Pimental-Habib • Michael Thomas Brandon Watson •Jenn Webster Editorial Intern Lauren Waegele Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

ADVERTISING Director of Sales Mike Baskin

Account Executives Brittany Dreon • Rick Leavell Libby Phillips • John Rodriguez Danielle Swindell • Logan Vandergriff

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse 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.

The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

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

C

OME ONE, COME ALL! IMPROV Chattanooga’s co-founders, Kevin Bartolomucci and Steve Disbrow, announce the opening of their home theater, First Draft Theater at 1800 Rossville Avenue, Ste. 106, right beside Wayne-oRama. June 30th is the magical night when the doors will open.

If you don’t yet know what improv theater does, imagine an episode of Whose Line Is It Anyway, where comedians show off their chops during fast, rule-based games.

That’s just the beginning. Improv comedy also includes longer-form pieces where actors may extemporize on a running storyline all evening.

No two shows will ever be the same, because the actors create their material anew each time. Lots of shows feature audience interaction, whether selecting teams for competition night or tossing out comedy suggestions.

Nooga!, an improv soap opera set in Chattanooga, will open this August for the first of two six-month seasons. Set in famous buildings around town, episodes will build an ongoing plotline, “similar to a tele-novella,” Steve says.

Comic Entrepreneurs First Draft Theater has been changing quickly since Steve found the location in mid-May. Terry Cannon, former proprietor of the Loose Cannon, has been exceptionally supportive. Steve and the company have completed theater construction and are busy with finishing touches. They’ve also built two ADAcompliant bathrooms.

“We’ve always been looking for a space,” Steve says. “We had the First Draft Theater

4 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

“Stretch goals for First Draft Theater range from getting a beer license to hosting an improv comedy festival, where troupes from all over the country can play and compete.” name ready to go. It was a nice happenstance to find this. It’s a location where people will be able to see our signage from their cars.

Come on by and see us!”

Improv Chattanooga has only just started building its future.

Stretch goals for First Draft Theater range from getting a beer license to hosting an improv comedy festival, where troupes from all over the country can play and compete.

Come Early, Come Often Improv Chattanooga will be offering four shows a week: “Improv Showdown” on Fridays at 8 p.m., and then “The Long Game” at 10 p.m., followed on Saturdays witn the “Saturday Night Long Form” at 8 p.m. and the “Good Ol' Fash-

ioned Improve Show” at 10 p.m.

Other performances and special events will be announced throughout the season.

Rates: $10. Existing passes will be honored. CFC season passes: $3. Discount phrase: I love the science column in The Pulse: $3.

Rent the Space First Draft Theater is available for rent, with sound and light support available. Featuring a moveable 8- by 16-foot stage, First Draft Theater is suitable for weddings, dance shows, burlesque performances, musical events and more. The space holds about 80 people and has plenty of parking nearby.

To learn more, visit facebook. com/FirstDraftCHA.

Consider This with Dr. Rick

EdiToon

by Rob Rogers

“Over 130 tribes in every region of North America performed same-sex marriages for hundreds of years. Your ‘homosexual’ was our ‘Two Spirit’ people…and we considered them sacred.” — Native American Chief, Black Elk

Celebrating Freedom With Music And Fireworks It’s that time of year again, folks.

Time for fireworks, friends, family, food, and fun.

While many Americans celebrate Independence Day by barbecuing in their backyards and shooting off their own fireworks, Chattanooga has a much better way to celebrate freedom and patriotism.

On Monday, July 3, the City of Chattanooga and ArtsBuild, along with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera will be hosting a FREE (pun intended) event at Coolidge Park.

Like all Independence Day celebra-

tions, there will be great food and awesome fireworks. However, this celebration is special in that its entertainment especially influential, particularly to those who have served and are serving in our military.

Beginning at 5 p.m., Operation Song will be presenting a special tribute to our veterans that allows them to tell their stories and perform songs that they have written. It seems fitting that a day celebrating independence would honor those that have fought to preserve it.

The celebration will continue with a patriotic concert from the CSO and a firework show that is guaranteed to be better than the fireworks from your backyard. So, bring your family, friends, and sense of freedom to Coolidge Park for an all-American celebration.

— Lauren Waegele

Last week in this column you read of two very supportive moms regarding their gay kids coming out to them.

As LGBTQ+ Pride and Unity month comes to a close, I want to share a brief story.

A dear friend of mine recently attended a wedding where two women got married. The service was small, attended by just close family and friends.

The reception, however, was filled with 250 friends and relatives who were there to show their love and support for these women.

One of the brides is my friend’s daughter, and she told me that the only problem that day was an argument over who would get to give the toast.

Consider This: It’s just love. Support it, delight in it, share it.

— Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 5

6 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

COLUMN ∙ DAY TRIPPIN'

Explore Outer Space In Huntsville Blast off for summer fun with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Daniel Jackson Pulse columnist

T

HE FIRST THING YOU SEE OF THE U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the spire of a Saturn rocket rising up over the trees.

For the past two hours, my wife and I rolled through the flat farmland along U.S. Route 72, which follows the Tennessee River as it flows into Huntsville, Alabama. We passed a handful of firework stores, and even a hand painted sign: “Fireworks, buy one get one free.”

Seems the good nerds at NASA aren’t the only ones who like rockets. What’s the difference between a backyard pyro and someone at NASA anyway? Advanced math and government funding?

We were on our way to see the ultimate rocket, the Saturn V, powerful enough to carry man to the moon. But our pilgrimage was for more than just a relic of the space age, for the Space Center is an attraction, a hands-on experience and living history museum all rolled into one.

Today, the Space and Rocket Center shows the evolution of the nation’s reach for space, beginning with the rockets developed by the U.S. Army that morphed into something more peaceful. It’s located in Huntsville because that’s where many of these fire tubes were developed and manufactured.

We paid for our tickets—$48 for two adults. And when we returned to our car with sore feet and sunburned faces, we agreed: it was worth every penny.

First, the hands-on displays geared for kids encourages experimenting, feeling, experiencing.

The tactile learning teaches visitors in a way that static displays cannot convey.

For example, the amusement park rides. The G-Force Accelerator—basically the carnival ride that spins you around in a dark chamber—allows you to feel 3 G’s of force, enough to pin your legs to the wall and press your throat against the back of your head.

Secondly, with so many museums full of reproductions and simple photos, it was refreshing to see actual artifacts. Altogether, the center displays 27 rockets. In the rocket park, they point straight into a sun-soaked sky.

Some were developed so the U.S. Military could pack them with nuclear warheads. They looked like tin cans, tall, heavily-painted and their fuel was liquid oxygen and kerosene.

They even crammed a man on top of one or two of them. Lit the fuse and boom! Space program.

World’s greatest redneck ride.

But the most awe-inspiring artifacts are found in the Saturn V Hall, where the 365-foot, actuallyable-to-fly Saturn V rocket fills the cathedral of a room. At the end of hall, we found the priceless artifacts, at least according to the center: a small chunk of basalt rock plucked from the moon’s surface.

But the best part of the trip was the men in white lab coats standing around the center, part of its

NASA Emeritus Docent Program.

They were former members of NASA who worked on the orange fuel tank for the Space Shuttle, for example. They were a greater treasure than a moon rock.

They could explain the past, present and future of the space program in full color. Just what was the equipment on the rocket designed to withstand? What was it like to work through the Challenger Disaster?

Altogether, we walked away from the museum with a multi-dimensional understanding of this nation’s aspirations for space.

The primary goal of the museum, it seems, is to excite kids about science, so that someday they will set a goal of colonizing mars. The center’s cafeteria is named Mars Grill. In a small section of the Saturn V hall, in the shadow of the rocket, sits a themed playground built to resemble some conceptual

model of a colony on mars. On the wall, it was written, “Your future on Mars.”

“This is what your grandfathers achieved,” the center seemingly says. “Go forth. Build something greater. Go pack a rocket full of potatoes and Matt Damon.”

If stepping out onto the moon was “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” as Neil Armstrong said, what would it mean to establish a colony on Mars?

Leaving the center, it felt like anything was possible. That man could build something that reached the heavens. And to think it started with kerosene, liquid oxygen and a bunch of mad scientists down in Alabama.

Daniel Jackson is an independent journalist working in the Chattanooga area. He studied Communications at Bryan College and covered national events at the Washington Times.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 7

COVER STORY

By Janis Hashe

Pulse contributor

T

HE OLDEST THINGS IN “THRILL AFTER THRILL: 30 Years of Wayne White,” opening Friday at the Hunter Museum, are White’s comic books, created during his New York years. One of them, “Bad News,” is a story based on his boyhood in Hixson. Then there are series of little “zine” comics, called things like “Geeder.”

“I was finding my voice with these,” White said, as Hunter staff and volunteers bustled around the two large rooms, setting up the exhibit. “Everything you try as an artist stays with you.”

And it’s apparent, seeing the huge variety of his work cohering as a retrospective, that from those early comics, to the Emmy-winning production design work for Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, to the abstracts, “history paintings,” “word paintings,” and giant puppets, that he means what he says. Ideas, shapes, and archetypes are revisited and reimagined.

But the strongest overall impression is of a truly “thrilling” creativity that can’t be contained by one medium.

From the tiny, robot-like toys made from scraps of leftover materials, to

the towering puppets, a sly wit is as work, poking and provoking—even if the aim of the provocation is sometimes just a good belly laugh.

Even after many years living in Los Angeles, White remains a true Southern boy. The Confederate flag pops up as an icon; the “history paintings” examine the Civil War. One the exhibit’s most astounding pieces are the giant puppets of the Lubin Brothers, Charlie and Ira, and their instruments.

Thrown into the mix, though, are cowboys, Indians, talking floors, squiggly space aliens, a small puppet used for White’s acclaimed Smashing Pumpkins video that he says was inspired directly by the classic animated short A Trip to the Moon, and an Altoids box whose cover art White de-

8 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

signed.

Fans of any aspect of White’s work will find something to be thrilled by in this exhibit. “Pee-Wee” designs are well represented, and White’s series of “word paintings,” which he is still doing, include the actual “Maybe Now I’ll Get The Respect I So Richly Deserve.”

(For those not familiar: White takes found still life, landscape and seascape prints, purchased in thrift stores, and paints words over them. Figuring

out what the chosen words have to do with the original images—if anything— is part of the fun of these paintings.)

The Hunter has also scheduled an impressive list of White-related events during the exhibit’s run, including screenings of the documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing, music, lectures and cocktails. (See sidebar for details.)

You’ve got until Oct. 1 to be thrilled

by Wayne White. Honestly, you’ll kick yourself if you miss this one.

COVER STORY

Thrill After Thrill Events At The Hunter Saturday, July 1; Saturday, Sept. 23 11:30 a.m.

Beauty is Embarrassing Screening A film about Wayne White and his work.

W

A Few Choice Moments With Wayne White

AY BACK IN JULY 2009, THE Pulse did a cover story on Wayne White at the time of the release of his book “Wayne White: Maybe Now I’ll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve.”

At the end of this interview, we asked him, “Would you like to see a show of your work here, in your hometown?” He replied, “Yes! I’d love to have a show at the Hunter. Call them for me, would you?”

Be careful what you wish for.

A mere eight years later, “Thrill After Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White” opens Friday, June 30 at the Hunter and runs through Oct. 1. We caught up with Wayne by phone in his Los Angeles studio to see how he feels about all this.

The Pulse: When you were a kid growing up in Hixson, did you ever visit the Hunter?

Wayne White: I do remember a fourthgrade school field trip to the mansion and seeing some modern art which perplexed me.

TP: Given the diversity of your work, how did you decide what to include in the exhibit?

WW: It was a little daunting. There are the “hits” that everyone wants to see: the Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Smashing Pumpkins, Peter Gabriel, the pop culture stuff. But I also wanted to find the most representative pieces from each period, the early cartooning, video and TV work, the “word” paintings, the giant puppets, the early paintings…some stuff that

never gets shown. I also wanted the exhibit to be about process, so I reserved one area where there’s a reproduction of my studio.

TP: Given your own experiences visiting the museum as a kid, what have you done to make the exhibit accessible for kids?

WW: Kids will love the giant puppets, and we included the early cartoons, sketches and paintings for the kids’ sake. There’s also a workshop area where they can build masks and puppets. [Writer’s note: The Hunter has also scheduled three special events, one for children and two for teens. See schedule listed above.]

TP: After the Wayne-O-Rama year is over, would you like to see the celebration continue somehow?

WW: I’d love to keep the art ball rolling.

I’d love to see the Wayne-O-Rama exhibit [ongoing Rossville Ave. installation] extended, and I’m working on a permanent piece of outdoor public art. The whole thing has been a bit of a miracle, really.

TP: So, the really key question: Has this year made you feel you’ve now achieved the respect you so richly deserve?

WW: It has. It totally has. It’s like a 12-year-old boy saying, “One day I’ll come back and be really famous.”

And so he did.

And so he is.

So there.

— Janis Hashe

Saturday, July 1, 8 and 15 2 p.m.

Weekend Wayne Docent Training Attend three training sessions, and give tours of Thrill After Thrill to museum guests on Saturdays.

Thursday, July 6 6 p.m.

Bands on the Bluff: Nick Lutsko and Friends Celebrate the art of Wayne White with a kaleidoscope of music through a performance by Nick Lutsko.

Thursday, July 13 6 p.m.

Thrill after Thrill with Local Artists Inspired by Wayne White Explore Wayne’s work with a cooperative of local artists, who will first speak about a work in the exhibit that inspired them, then invite the audience to help create a kinetic, interactive work inspired by Wayne White.

Thursday, Aug. 3 Bands on the Bluff: End of Summer Dance Party 6 p.m.

Performance by the Pop-Up Project, costumes by local artists, music from Carl Caldwell and Josh Green of Summer Dregs.

Thursday, Aug. 17 6 p.m.

Cocktails in Color: Funhouse With technicolor gallery experiences and a surprise specialty cocktail curated by Flying Squirrel mixologists, guests are in for a funhouse of a night.

Saturday, Aug. 19 Artful Yoga: The Meaning of Color 1:30 p.m.

“Southern Soul” yoga instructor Sarah Brogden leads a practice that incorporates the inspiration of art.

Thursday, Aug. 24 6 p.m.

Art Wise: Distinguished Speakers at the Hunter Presents Wayne White Wayne discusses his work and his Chattanooga roots.

Thursday, Aug. 31 Passing Notes: Translating Your Teen Experience into Comics 5:30 p.m.

First of five-session workshop inspired by the storyboarding of Wayne White guiding teens through the fundamentals of creating comics.

Sunday, Sept. 17 2 p.m.

Family Fun Day: Wayne’s World Fun-filled afternoon for kids of all awges will include puppetry, dance, music, games, crafts and all kinds of color.

Thursday, Sept. 21 6 p.m.

Faculty Dialogues: The South of Wayne White Explore Wayne White’s South during an in-gallery walking dialogue with UTC’s Dr. Jennifer Beech.

Thursday, Sept, 28 6 p.m.

Teen Thrills Teens only on this special night of creating art and an over-the-top play inspired by Thrill after Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 9

FILM & TELEVISION

Going Behind The Modern Iron Curtain A fascinating look inside daily life in North Korea

Out Of The Shadows, Into The Spotlight Just 20 feet from stardom, these “First Call” musicians live and breathe music, and for the first time ever, they share their experiences with playing next to some of the world’s most famous musicians.

In the documentary Hired Gun: Out of the Shadows and Into the Spotlight , you'll see and hear incredible stories from Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch), Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Justin Derrico, Mark Schulman (P!NK), Ray Parker Jr. (Ghostbusters), Jason Newsted (Metallica), Eric Singer (KISS), John 5 (Rob Zombie), Glen Sobel, Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper), Steve Lukather (Michael Jackson, Toto), Steve Vai (David Lee Roth), Paul Bushnell (Katy Perry), Jay Graydon (Steely Dan), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Chris Johnson (Rihanna), and music producer David Foster.

Yeah, that's a whole lot of amazing talented people.

Get to know the elite, A-list musicians who play backseat to iconic artists in the world premiere of Hired Gun: Out of the Shadows and Into the Spotlight at the Hamilton Place 8 theater for a special one-night event.

Following the feature will be an exclusive Q&A with members of the cast. And, don’t forget to arrive early to catch red carpet footage and interviews from the LA Premiere. It's almost as good as being in the front row.

Hired Gun: Out of the Shadows and Into the Spotlight Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Hamilton Place 8 2000 Hamilton Pl. Blvd. www.fathomevents.com 10 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor

L

AST WEEK WAS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, officially the longest day of the year. We are now on the downward slide, each day shorter than the last, as the season slips slowly behind us.

That’s less time for beach trips and days by the pool, for late night fireflies and grilling out with friends. If you haven’t started on your summer reading, you’re definitely behind.

I finished my first book of the summer earlier this week, some light reading about the oppressive regime of North Korea entitled “Without You, There Is No Us” by Suki Kim. Kim spent two semesters teaching English at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, a school founded by evangelical Christians who are forbidden from discussing Christ, and was fully immersed in the everyday lives of the all-male student body, sons of the privileged North Korean elite.

The book is unsettling to say the least, but fascinating in a way that leaves the reader craving more stories from above the 38th parallel. As luck

would have it, 2015’s Under the Sun, available on Netflix, is an exceptional companion to the book, as a well as a disturbing introduction to tightly controlled flow of information that is the source of power in the country.

The film is a documentary of a different sort, one that tells the truth in spite of several challenges presented. Originally meant to document a day in the life of a North Korean child, the documentary evolved into something quite different as the filmmakers encountered creative opposition at every turn.

After nearly two years of negotiations to be allowed to film in the country, Russian director Vitaly Mansky opens his film by stating: “The script of this film was assigned to us by the North Korean side. They also kindly provided us with an aroundthe-clock escort service, chose our filming locations and looked over all the footage we shot to make sure we did not make any mistakes in showing the life of a perfectly ordinary family in the best country in the world.”

In order to make the film, he had to follow their rules. But Mansky challenged this by leaving the

FILM & TELEVISION

“Originally meant to document a day in the life of a North Korean child, the documentary evolved into something quite different.”

✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴

camera on at all times and the soon the film became about what happened behind the scenes rather than the propaganda narrative that the regime hoped to create.

While those in charge wanted the world to see a young girl named Zin-mi become a member of the Children’s Union on Kim Jong-Il’s birthday, what the film shows are the machinations of the handlers, the terrifying conditioning of the North Korean mind, and the conspicuous poverty creeping around every corner.

Each scene in the documentary reveals more about the barely hidden nature of the country. The religious fervor surrounding the Il family is absolute and unquestioned, which is hard to reconcile for any audience that has experienced a free society. According to interviews, even Mansky, who was

born into the former Soviet Union, was taken aback by the overwhelming control of the government.

The audience sees Zin-mi attend school, where she is taught a history lesson about Kim Il-sung throwing boulders at Japanese imperialists and landowners as they relaxed on a boat. The details of the story are recounted over and over, with the children in the classroom responding robotically and without critical thought.

We see Zin-mi struggle to remain awake during a lecture by an elderly general, hunched over from age and weight of the medals on his uniform, telling stories about American bombings and how the cowardly Americans targeted women and children.

We see scenes set in factories with workers dressed in clean, crisp uniforms congratulating each other on exceeding government quotas by 150 percent during one take and 200 percent during the next.

In each scene, we hear notes given by

Despicable Me 3 Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.

Directors: Eric Guillon, Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin Stars: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove

the handlers to the actors exhorting them to be more joyful or more patriotic. The truth holds no sway in the country, only the will of the party. And yet in spite of the artificial, the audience can’t help but notice the dark hallways, the empty streets, and imposing gray buildings.

Mansky raises questions about North Korea, but it’s not necessarily anything beyond what most already know about the country. However, while we watch the North Korean regime wag the dog to distract from the poverty in the background, Under the Sun leads to other thoughts, thoughts about our own country.

Much of what we see in the U.S. media is similarly, albeit more competently, produced. Is our reality any less constructed? Of course, it is. We are still a free society.

But right now, there’s more than a simple difference in perspective being distributed from our top levels of government—there’s genuine misinformation on a wide variety of issues. The distance between North Korea and the U.S. isn’t as great as it should be.

The truth isn’t always what we’re shown and that should be as unsettling as anything found in this film.

The House A dad convinces his friends to start an illegal casino in his basement after he and his wife spend their daughter's college fund.

Director: Andrew Jay Cohen Stars: Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Ryan Simpkins CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Combining Art And Film Into One Unusual Space The errSpace Gallery creates a very unique home

Surviving Tragedy With “Ordinary People” Since its accidental inception in 2011, Back Alley Productions has focused on offering its audiences with a unique theater experience that fosters discussion and growth. However, Back Alley Productions also prides itself in providing its cast with respect, constructive critique, and in-depth character analysis.

This Friday through July 15, audience members are invited to watch, enjoy, and critique the fruits of BAP’s level of dedication and hard work in its latest production, “Ordinary People.”

After the tragic loss of eldest son Buck, the Jarretts struggle to return to normalcy. However, the play dives deeper into each member of the Jarrett family to reveal that each one has his or her own unexposed struggle even a year after Buck’s death.

Director Chris Smith explains, “It’s an absorbing and authentic look at real people trying to survive a deeply painful event, using sometimes healthy and sometimes destructive means to do so.”

An introspective drama that tackles the issues of tragedy, mental health, and family dynamics, “Ordinary People” attempts to touch the emotions of each audience member in a cathartic and comforting way.

Join the cast and crew of Back Alley Productions this Friday to observe and learn from the universal challenges that we all face. — Lauren Waegele "Ordinary People" Opens Friday, 8 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, GA (706) 996-8350 www.bapshows.com 12 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Tony Mraz

Pulse contributor

S

EVEN YEARS AGO, THE MISE EN Scenesters film club started doing pop-up movie screenings here in Chattanooga. At that time, the organizers noticed that the bulk of the club’s supporters were from the art and music communities here in town. They have since been avid supporters of the local arts.

Over the next three years, MES grew into a top-notch film society, becoming the basis for the Chattanooga Film Festival. Last year, the CFF made its home at the Cinerama, an expansive space on Main St. The building was so huge that it had space for a gallery to exist alongside the Arthouse Theater.

The Swine Gallery was born, and for a year it hosted some of the most interesting and memorable art shows in town. Under the direction of curator Aaron Cowan, the gallery was a dedicated academic space, where an artist could do just about anything. It was a project space, an installation space, a 1000 square foot room as a blank canvas.

“I really loved Aaron’s eye and the style of all the art he was bringing in and curating,” says CFF Director Chris Dortch. “He helped set the tone for the whole space and tied everything together. When we made the move to the Tomorrow Building, there was no reality in which Aaron and the gallery wouldn’t be coming with us.”

Located in the lobby of The Palace Picture House, The errSpace Gallery is a continuation of

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“Instead of always having paintings hanging on a wall, or sculptures on a pedestal, we invite people to play with the unique architecture of the space.” the Swine.

Their goal is to give people an opportunity to show their work and experiment with the space. “The idea behind renaming it errSpace is, this is a safe space to experiment with non-conventional ways of displaying art,” explains Aaron.

“We’ll make use of any available area, any nook, cranny, even the ceiling. So instead of always having paintings hanging on a wall, or sculptures on a pedestal, we invite people to play with the unique architecture of the space. To make mistakes, to fail, to learn, and to grow.”

Aaron’s philosophy of art is open and welcoming. “Not everybody starts out being great artists,” he says. “You have to experiment over and over again before you kind of figure out what works for you,

what you enjoy, what you can practice. We want the space to be inclusive, where we can be approached by someone who has an idea, who wants to do a show here, for people to come, show their work, experiment, share ideas, and grow as an artist.”

The gallery has been booking mostly solo artists, but their first show was a group show with 20 artists showing a few pieces each. In August, they are hosting a sister exhibition to Wayne White’s Hunter Museum show, featuring the work of volunteers who worked with Wayne.

Though more will be added, the list of participating artists is Amy Royale, David Gabbard, Bryan Dyer, Brad Rader, Elliot Cowan, James Bruneau, Matt Dutton, Randy Fairchild, Jason Doan, Stephen Micheal Haas, and

Mont Overton.

In October, the gallery will host a Horror Art show to accompany the MES’s Frightening Ass Film Festival, and will see the return of a local art tradition, Take Art/Leave Art. “Take Art/Leave Art is an awesome event that brings the community together, and expands the idea that anybody can be an artist, anybody can make something,” Aaron notes. “Maybe some people are more naturally inclined to create, but I believe that everybody possesses that

ability. I want to share that with the community.”

He continues, “It is all about sharing opportunities. I know that Chattanooga likes to talk about how it is a supporter of the arts, but for a bit, it felt like the scene was contracting. For a while there, it was difficult to show.”

Boutique galleries are nice, but Chattanooga has a noticeable shortage of art spaces - galleries that don’t already have art on the walls all the time. This blank slate is what errSpace is offering.

Aaron says, “It is nice when there is a dedicated place for people to show their work.

We aren’t looking for a specific style, that would be boring - we want to show a variety of things. We are looking for exhibitors who have found their stride, their groove, their voice as an artist, confidence, and make work that people can talk about.” errSpace is currently showing the work of Alecia Vera Buckles, and on Friday July 7 will be premiering a solo show by Beizar Aradini.

THU6.29

FRI6.30

SAT7.1

Poetry in Rhythm

Snack Attack

Beauty is Embarrassing

Local author and poet Ray Zimmerman will read selected passages from “The Making of a Poem” by Mark Strand and Eavan Boland.

6 p.m.

Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629

An evening of magic, mystery, and a multitude of delicious snacks served in courses.

10 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

A film about the artist Wayne White, whose work is featured in their newly opened exhibit.

1:30 a.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Yoga on the Square

THURSDAY6.29 Mountain to Town Bike Adventure 2 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanoooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Free Microchipping + Ice Cream Social 4 p.m.

McKamey Animal Center 4500 N Access Rd. (423) 305-6500 mckameyanimalcenter.org Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket.com St. Elmo Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Incline Railway 3917 St. Elmo Ave. (423) 838-9804 lookoutfarmersmarket.com Hope for the Springs 5:30 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Poetry in Rhythm with Ray Zimmerman

14 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

6 p.m.

Star Line Books 1467 Market St. (423) 777-5629 The History of Hip-Hop Part 2 6 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St. (423) 643-6770 theedney.com Thursday Trail Time 6 p.m.

Enterprise South Nature Park 190 Still Hollow Loop (423) 893-3500 hamiltontn.gov/esnp J.B. Ball 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com ‘NOOGA presented by Improv Chattanooga

7:30 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Band Aid 8 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

FRIDAY6.30 Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m.

Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com Waterways: Connecting Communities 2 p.m.

ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT J.B. Ball's talents have landed him appearances on Comedy Central, MTV, CBS, COMCAST, SIRIUS/XM Satellite Radio, and Kevin Hart’s comedy network “LOL”.

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

Museum Center at 5ive Points 200 Inman St. E. Cleveland, TN (423) 339-5745 museumcenter.org Cambridge Square Night Market 5 p.m.

Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. (423) 531-7754 cambridgesqauretn.com The Hero 6 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Yoga on the Square 6:30 p.m.

Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. (423) 531-7754 chattanoogamarket.com Beach House Book Signing with Mary Alice Monroe 7 p.m.

Barnes & Noble 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd.

(423) 893-0186 barnesandnoble.com Grand Opening: Improv Showdown 7:30 p.m.

First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 firstdraftproductions.com J.B. Ball 7:30 p.m.

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

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Butts for Mutts BBQ #2 The Bad Batch 8 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Ordinary People 8 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA (706) 996-8350 bapshows.com Snack Attack 10 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com

SATURDAY7.1 Butts for Mutts BBQ #2 8 a.m.

McKamey Animal Center 4500 N. Access Rd. (423) 305-6500 mckameyanimalcenter.org Homebuyer Workshop 9 a.m.

Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise 1500 Chestnut St. (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 Chattanooga River Market Yoga 10 a.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogarivermarket.com Northside Farmers Market 10 a.m.

Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-7497 Chattanooga River Market 10 a.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogarivermarket.com Brainerd Farmers Market 11 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 Beauty is Embarrassing Screening 11:30 a.m.

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

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Saturday Night Boxing 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (678) 554-7697 chattanoogaboxing.net J.B. Ball 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch

1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com The Bad Batch 8 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Ordinary People 8 p.m.

The Historic Mars Theater 117 N. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA (706) 996-8350 bapshows.com Lake Winnepesaukah’s Independence Day Weekend Fireworks 10 p.m.

Lake Winnepesaukah 1730 Lakeview Dr. (706) 866-5681 lakewinnie.com

SUNDAY7.2 Chattanooga Market 11 a.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com The Bad Batch 2 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Free Fiddle School 2 p.m.

Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 The Hero 6:15 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com J.B. Ball 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Lake Winnepesaukah’s Independence Day Weekend Fireworks 10 p.m.

Lake Winnepesaukah 1730 Lakeview Dr. (706) 866-5681 lakewinnie.com

MONDAY7.3 Red Bank Farmers Market 3 p.m.

Red Bank United Methodist 3800 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 838-9804 Collegedale’s Independence Day Concert and Fireworks 4:30 p.m.

Collegedale Veteran’s Park Apison Pike (423) 802-9130 etsomusic.org Pops on the River & Fireworks 5 p.m.

Coolidge Park 150 River St. (423) 265-0771 chattanoogapops.com Star-Spangled Supper CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Independence Day Fireworks 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com First Monday Improv Comedy 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Lake Winnepesaukah’s Independence Day Weekend Fireworks 10 p.m.

Lake Winnepesaukah 1730 Lakeview Dr. (706) 866-5681 lakewinnie.com

TUESDAY7.4 The Bad Batch 6 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m.

Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Chattanooga Lookouts vs.

Tennessee Smokies 6:15 p.m.

AT&T Field 201 Power Alley chattanoogalookouts.com Chattanooga FC vs Georgia Revolution 7:30 p.m.

Finley Stadium 1826 Carter St.

16 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

(423) 266-4041 chattanoogafc.com The Hero 8:15 p.m.

Palace Picture House 818 Georgia Ave. (423) 803-6578 chattpalace.com Lake Winnepesaukah’s Independence Day Weekend Fireworks 10 p.m.

Lake Winnepesaukah 1730 Lakeview Dr. (706) 866-5681 lakewinnie.com

WEDNESDAY7.5 Middle East Dance 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Chattanooga Market at Erlanger East 10:30 a.m.

Erlanger East Hospital 1751 Gunbarrel Rd. (423) 648-2496 chattanoogamarket.com Main Street Market 4 p.m.

522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Comedy Open Mic 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse. com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

COLUMN ∙ THE ART OF BUSINESS

Inside The Escape Experience Grab your friends and take part in a very unique experience...if you dare

By Brooke Brown

Pulse Assistant Editor

I

F YOU’VE EVER WONDERED WHAT it’d be like to take part in a prison escape, become an expert sleuth, or survive the apocalypse and find a cure, you can do just that at Escape Experience Chattanooga on Rossville Avenue.

As someone who has followed The Walking Dead since day one, I was excited to say the least about taking part in the Vaccine experience with my husband.

Time to find out if we’re calm, cool and collected in the mother of all scenarios: post-apocalyptic survival. Below is a firsthand account of the heart-racing hour spent in the farmhouse.

It’s the year 2035 and 90 percent of the population has been wiped out from a deadly disease. My husband, myself, and two other couples we’ve found along the way are part of the lonely 10 percent of survivors.

We’ve listened to our radio for weeks and weeks to hear nothing but static…until four days ago, when a man’s voice comes over the airway. He claims to have supplies, medicine, and shelter, we just have to make it to his farmhouse in the valley.

It didn’t take long to find it, the old house standing alone in a wide field, the grass blowing violently in the approaching storm winds.

Our group stands outside the door to

Escape Experience Open Daily, 9am to 11pm 1800 Rossville Avenue (423) 551-3306 escapeexperiencechattanooga.com

the farmhouse, white, weathered wood framing the door, paint peeling off in pieces. Above the door in bright red spray paint (we hope), is the word VACCINE, an arrow inviting us in. We open the door to see a pitch black kitchen, periodically lit by lightning flickering outside, thunder and rain beating down on the dilapidated roof.

Each of us armed with a flashlight, we enter, and the door locks behind us. A red timer hangs above the door. It seems we were lied to; there are no supplies, no medicine. Instead we’ve walked into a madman’s lair, a collection of infected bodies filling the walls to serve as experiments.

Why? We have no idea. We only know we have one hour to escape the farmhouse with the vaccine that will cure the remaining population, and, ultimately, save ourselves.

Inside the experience our group scoured cupboards and drawers

for clues and supplies, solved math puzzles, deciphered riddles, but in the end, we succumbed to our infectious surroundings and did not escape in the time allotted.

Going in, I expected it to be a lot simpler that it turned out to be. The set, the sounds, it all makes you feel as if you’re truly in an apocalyptic experience.

You know just as little about your environment when you walk in as you would if you’d actually stumbled upon this house. It’s a challenge, but definitely the most enjoyable way I’ve spent an hour in a long time.

And that’s just one of the currently three, soon to be four, experiences available at Escape Experience Chattanooga. In C-Block Prison Break, you and your group are falsely accused and sentenced to a maximum security prison.

Handcuffed, you and your group have one hour until the guard re-

turns, now is your time to escape.

If living out an hour as Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys sounds like more your style, try your hand at The Inheritance Mystery Room where you and your group must find your uncle’s final wishes and escape with his life’s work before “they” do?

Coming soon is The Bunker.

Final details are still being sorted out, but the idea is an automated nuclear missile system has suddenly entered launch mode and it’s up to you and your group to stop it.

The set for The Bunker looks as if it has been built into the side of a mountain, rocks jutting out around the entrance, which is a steel door designed to survive even the harshest of conditions (or explosions).

Regardless of which one you choose, prepare to be sucked into the most surreal hour of your life.

It’s quite the experience.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 17

MUSIC

They're Still Smokin’ In The Girls’ Room

Chattanooga Girls Rock release a true “must have” album

Studying The History Of Hip-Hop If you have ever wondered how hip-hop came to be and who the influencers, creators, and cultivators were, you’re in luck. This Thursday, the Chattery and Hip-Hop CHA will be hosting the second and last part of their class, The History of Hip-Hop. This class, started by Cameron Williams, or C-Grimey, strives to provide the Chattanooga community with a new understanding of the origins of hip-hop and why it is important to America.

C-Grimey is a Tennessee-based rapper who has a passion for beats, lyrics, and sharing his signature sounds.

Since he started writing rhymes at the age of 12, CGrimey has expanded his horizons and become the cofounder and CEO of Goldfinger Production$, a small but growing entertainment studio.

C-Grimey is determined to educate the public about hip-hop. He states that he doesn’t want people to just know who or what caused hip-hop to spread, but he wants to show why hip-hop spread. He recalls that he “wants to help people understand how the social climate of America shaped the hip-hop subculture of the past and present.”

There is more to hip-hop than our ears can decipher, and C-Grimey along with the Chattery and Hip-Hop CHA are here to reveal the depth and importance of hip-hop in Chattanooga today. — Lauren Waegele The History of Hip-Hop Part 2 Thursday, 6 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St. theedney.com 18 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor

2

016 SAW THE DEBUT OF THE CHATTAnooga Girls Rock project here in the Scenic City. CGR is a non-profit group that sponsors a weeklong summer day camp in which girls age ten to seventeen are given instruction in all aspects of rock music.

The whirlwind curriculum includes instrumental performance, song writing, stage craft, and ancillary topics like promotion, crafting badges, buttons, shirts and fan ‘zines. It’s a one-stop shop for all things rock and roll with the goal of encouraging love for music and performance and, on

a deeper level, fostering confidence, self-reliance, cooperation and empowerment.

Per the group’s website, CGR exists, “to provide the girls the platforms and tools they need to tell their own stories and be heard.”

The first year was an unmitigated success, so much so that the camp is back again this year, bigger and better than ever. As a non-profit the organization’s success is due in large part to the work of dedicated volunteers and community support. Fund raising is a serious matter relying on benefit concerts, donations of time, money and material from individuals and businesses and the general goodwill of the community at large.

This year the group has found a particularly ap-

MUSIC

“Never minding for the moment that the album’s purpose is to raise muchneeded funds for a worthy cause, this compilation stands out as one of the most important albums of the year.” ropos avenue of revenue generation with the release of the Chattanooga Girls Rock compilation album, a collection of twenty years of the very best punk music the area has to offer, described as. “A history of women in the underground music scene in Chattanooga.”

Never minding for the moment that the album’s purpose is to raise muchneeded funds for a worthy cause, this compilation stands out as one of the most important albums of the year.

Nowhere will you find such a definitive look at women in the local punk scene.

Coming in at forty tracks (that’s right, forty) the collection is a who’s who of some very well-known names and some that are perhaps not as wellknown though certainly as deserving and the unifying element through it all is that the album positively kicks ass!

Rag Race, Driller Killers, Possible Side Effects, Rock Paper Stupid, Anna Banana, How to Make a Monster, Young Egyptians, Panty Shanty, Savage

Weekend, Sandal Stomp, and Rowdy Downstairs are just a fraction of the phenomenal acts featured on the disc.

There is a marked variance in sound quality between tracks which, believe it or not, only serves to enhance the overall impact of the album.

Tunes like “Walk the Floors” have a crisp, clean, pro-studio quality which is immediately followed by “Mistakes” which has a perfectly DIY quality. Lo-fi, hi-fi, live performances, open air recordings, it’s all here and it all should be. It is quintessentially punk in execution.

For more reasons than I can enumerate here, this is a must have album. The quality of performances and breadth of performers is incredible.

That the proceeds from the sale of this album go to support Chattanooga Girls Rock is just so much icing on the cake.

The album is available at any CGR event and can likewise be found at bandcamp or by emailing chattanoogagirlsrock@gmail.com

The Art of the Singer/ Songwriter Class Returns Due to overwhelming popularity and demand, vocal coach Trish Ferrell Wileman and singer/songwriter Butch Ross are back with their highly regarded, “Art of the Singer/Song Writer Class.”

The Tuesday night program kicks off on August 1st with a concert (location to be announced) and meets every Tuesday thereafter from August 8th through September 12th at the Mountain Arts Community Center at 809 Kentucky Ave. on Signal Mountain. Class time runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Areas of instruction include vocal performance, songwriting, microphone skills and stagecraft and feature a host of guest speakers and instructors including Ryan Oyer, Amber Fults, Anthony Quails, storyteller Jim Pfitzer and many more.

Trish and Butch use the class to offer a comfortable and non-intimidating environment in which aspiring performers can build confidence, find inspiration and build valuable and rewarding relationships with other artists.

The opening concert is a special

performance by previous students and the workshop culminates with a coffee shop performance featuring the work of the current class, allowing each new student an opportunity to showcase their work and put to practice the skills learned over the course of instruction.

Accompanying instruments are helpful, but not required and tuition discounts are available prior to July 15th. The course is open to artists and performers age 16 and up and space is limited so it is vital to make reservations now. Contact Trish Wileman at tfwileman@gmail.com or call (941) 330-5547.

— Marc T. Michael

THU6.29

FRI6.30

SAT7.1

Robin Grant & The Standard

Rhythm & Brews: An Evening Of Rock-NRoll & Craft Beers

Gig City Sunsets "Blues & BBQ"

Easily one of the best jazz vocalists and bands you'll ever get a chance to see (and hear) in person.

6 p.m.

Barnes & Noble 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. barnesandnoble.com

What goes together better than cold craft beer and hot rock-n-roll? Nothing.

7 p.m.

Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com

Rick Rushing and Dakari Kelly headline this great night of blues, brews and barbecue.

7 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St gigcitysunsets.com CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 19

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Swear and Shake

THURSDAY6.29 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m.

St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Robin Grant & The Standard 6 p.m.

Barnes & Noble 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. barnesandnoble.com Rick Rushing 6 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com The History of Hip-Hop Part 2 6 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St. theedney.com Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m.

Motley’s 320 Emberson Dr. Ringgold, GA (706) 260-8404 Bluegrass & Country Jam 6:30 p.m.

Grace Church of the Nazarene 6310 Dayton Blvd. chattanoogagrace.com 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

20 • THE PULSE • JUNE 29, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m.

The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com Open Mic Night 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Scenic City Super Show 9 p.m.

Music Box @ Ziggy’s 607 Cherokee Blvd. ziggysbarandgrill.net

FRIDAY6.30 Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com

Rachel Solomon 6 p.m.

Cambridge Square Night Market 9453 Bradmore Ln. chattanoogamarket.com Rhythm & Brews: An Evening Of Rock-N-Roll & Craft Beers 7 p.m.

Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Caveman, Okinawa 7 p.m.

Miller Plaza 850 Market St. nightfallchattanooga.com “Sundown at the Creek” with Outlaw 45 7 p.m.

Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson 7720 Lee Hwy. (423) 892-4888 Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

PULSE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Nashville based pianist, vocalist, and songwriter Rachel Solomon has been making a name for herself for over a decade as a unique and powerful songwriter.

Rachel Solomon Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Market First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Pains Chapel 8 p.m.

Mayo’s Bar and Grill 3820 Brainerd Rd. mayosbarandgrill.com Hara Paper 8 p.m.

The Casual Pint 5550 Hwy. 153 hixson.thecasualpint.com Amber Carrington 8 p.m.

Sip Coffee + Kitchen 14 W. Kent St. sipchattanooga.com Wayne-O-Rama All Stars: Frank Pahl, Bill Brovold, Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel 8 p.m.

Wayne-O-Rama 1800 Rossville Ave. wayneorama.com Roughwork 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Chris Ryan 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Swear and Shake, Monday Night Social 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co The Carmonas 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Roshambeaux 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Jordan Hallquist & The Outfit 9 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Sullivan Band 10 p.m.

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

SATURDAY7.1 Three Year Anniversary Bitter Block Party 9 a.m.

The Bitter Alibi 825 Houston St. thebitteralibi.com Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Bluegrass Brunch Noon The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com Jennifer Daniels 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Gig City Sunsets "Blues & BBQ"

7 p.m.

The Edney 1100 Market St. gigcitysunsets.com Throttle 21 with Josh Minchew 7 p.m.

Cambridge Square 9453 Bradmore Ln. prufrockcommunications.com Lumbar Five 8 p.m.

Moccasin Bend Brewing Company 3210 Broad St. bendbrewingbeer.com Roughwork 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Shawnessey Cargile 9 p.m.

Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Diamond Dogs: A David Bowie Tribute 9 p.m.

Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Roshambeaux 10 p.m.

Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Resurrection Mary 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Sullivan Band 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY7.2 Summer Music Weekends 11 a.m.

Rock City Gardens 1400 Patten Rd. seerockcity.com Rachel Solomon 12:30 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Michael Jacobs 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com The Judy Chops 1:30 p.m.

Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Courtney Holder 2 p.m.

First Tennessee Pavilion 1829 Carter St. chattanoogamarket.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m.

Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m.

Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 Nathan Mell 7 p.m.

The BackStage Bar 29 Station St. (423) 629-2233

MONDAY7.3 Dana Rogers 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Collegedale’s Independence Day Concert and Fireworks 4:30 p.m.

Collegedale Veteran’s Park Apison Pike (423) 802-9130 etsomusic.org Pops on the River & Fireworks 5 p.m.

Coolidge Park 150 River St. (423) 265-0771 chattanoogapops.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com “4th Celebration” with John Haynes 8 p.m.

Bud’s Sports Bar 5751 Brainerd Rd. budssportsbar.com Very Open Mic with Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m.

The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com Open Mic Night 6 p.m.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 21

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

Butch Ross Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m.

The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com

TUESDAY7.4 River Moon Express Lunch Celebration 11:30 a.m.

Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace jewishchattanooga.com The Do Rights 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Danimal 6 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m.

Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m.

Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com

WEDNESDAY7.5 Noontunes with Butch Ross Noon Miller Plaza 850 Market St. noontunescha.com

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Julie Gribble 12:30 p.m.

Tennessee Aquarium Plaza 1 Broad St. chattanoogarivermarket.com Toby Hewitt 6 p.m.

Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com The Other Guys 6 p.m.

SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Show 6:30 p.m.

Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd.

(423) 994-7497 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 Alan Wyatt Quartet with Shawn Perkinson 8 p.m.

Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org 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

RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ERNIE PAIK

Modern Cosmology Summer Long (Elefant)

What Cheer? Brigade You Can’t See Inside of Me (Don Giovanni)

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ence that was subtle—most notably, the group adeptly covered the Antônio Carlos Jobim tunes “One Note Samba” and “Surfboard” for the Red, Hot + Rio benefit album—and this collaboration feels like a natural fit for Sadier.

The debut EP release Summer Long shares its name with a Mombojó track from 2014 that features Sadier on vocals, although that track isn’t included here, and the EP is available on 10-inch vinyl or as a digital download from the Spanish pop label Elefant.

The opener, “C’est Le Vent” (“It’s the Wind” in English), immediately hits the listener with a comforting mood set by strings and electric piano, reminiscent of Sean O’Hagan’s arrangements he made as an auxiliary Stereo-

his writer was one of many people saddened in 2009 by the announcement that Stereolab—everyone’s favorite analogsynth-and-Krautrock-loving insider-music plagiarists—would be going on hiatus.

However, despite that, key member Tim Gane has continued on in the excellent group Cavern of Anti-Matter, and co-founder and lead vocalist Lætitia Sadier has had a productive solo career, releasing four charming albums since 2009.

A new collaboration, called Modern Cosmology, pairs Sadier with the Brazilian group Mombojó, which will likely appeal to Stereolab fans despite several stylistic differences.

Stereolab had a Brazilian influ-

lab member. Eventually, the listener may realize that the song’s unusual tug is due to its 5/4 time signature, and Stereolab fans may be reminded of the similar rhythm heard on the track “Percolator”; Sadier sings in French with her always lovely voice about suffering and irresistible forces.

“The Source” (sung in English) is a bit more diverse, ending with a swirling maelstrom of keyboard patterns and vocal chanting, and the cool and tender “Power of Touch” goes into straight-up bossa nova territory with nylonstringed guitars and keyboard accents, behind the male/female vocal duet.

Modern Cosmology’s percussion is the key differentiator between it and Stereolab’s legacy, going for a gentler approach rather than Stereolab’s motorikbeat-obsessed routine.

While the melodies on SSummer Long don’t stick as well as this writer would have liked, the biggest impression is made from the careful arrangements, instrumentation and spotless recordings; he eagerly awaits more from this promising collaboration.

T

he 19-piece brass band The What Cheer? Brigade from Providence, R.I. is known for its frenetic and unforgettable live shows, generating energy and

inspiring dancing with a healthy amount of spectacle, and its albums are understandably overshadowed by the group’s thrilling live experience.

The band’s musicianship has consistently become stronger over the years, which is clearly preserved for posterity on their recordings, starting with the 2008 debut We Blow You Suck and the 2011 follow-up Classy: Live in Pawtucket.

This trend continues with the new 2-CD offering You Can’t See Inside of Me, which is the group’s tightest album so far, marked with thundering drums and nuanced and expressive trumpet solos.

While the band is known for its eclecticism, reflected in its original compositions and covers from a wide array of genres and locations—including Bollywood film music from India, a classical Erik Satie arrangement, or even Lightning Bolt’s intense noise-rock— about half of You Can’t See Inside of Me has a focus on Roma (the nomadic ethnic group) music in Southeast Europe.

(The detailed booklet has a fascinating discussion of Roma music traditions and identities in Serbia—one reason that you’ll have to pry this music critic’s CDs and liner notes from his cold, dead hands, in this age of streaming media.)

The first disc contains the proper album, while the second disc is a bonus remix disc that is somewhat superfluous; nevertheless, it works best when it strays from the “overlay electronic beats on the original track” method and opts for more eccentric manipulations.

On the proper album, the group’s rendition of “You Don’t Want to Go to War” from the New Orleans-based Rebirth Brass Band is a spirited take, using the descending melodic hook and its call-and-response exchanges to great effect, and the original number “Black Cannon” is another highlight, moving from a deep funk backbone to a furious pace in 2/4 time.

The first disc closes with a relaxed-tempo, slowly burning 8-minute version of Brian Eno’s “Here Come the Warm Jets” that eschews the muffled lyrics of the original for wordless vocalizing that comes a little close to the infamous “indie whoa” phenomenon (see the Pitchfork article “Arcade Fire’s Funeral and the Legacy of the ‘WHOA-OH’” for a good analysis of this) but manages to work without sounding like it is blatantly pandering.

On this new recording, without the live spectacle, the What Cheer? Brigade can still impress.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 23

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

ROB BREZSNY CANCER (June 21-July 22): When Leos rise above their habit selves and seize the authority to be rigorously authentic, I refer to them as Sun Queens or Sun Kings. When you Cancerians do the same—triumph over your conditioning and become masters of your own destiny—I call you Moon Queens or Moon Kings.

In the coming weeks, I suspect that many of you will make big strides towards earning this title. Why? Because you’re on the verge of claiming more of the “soft power,” the potent sensitivity, that enables you to feel at home no matter what you’re doing or where you are on this planet.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may not realize it, but you now have a remarkable power to perform magic tricks. I’m not talking about Houdinistyle hocus-pocus. I’m referring to practical wizardry that will enable you to make relatively efficient transformations in your daily life. Here are some of the possibilities: wiggling out of a tight spot without offending anyone; conjuring up a new opportunity for yourself out of thin air; doing well on a test even though you don’t feel prepared for it; converting a seemingly tough twist of fate into a fertile date with destiny. How else would you like to use your magic?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Feminist pioneer and author Gloria Steinem said, “Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.” Is there such an activity for you, Virgo? If not, now is a favorable time to identify what it is. And if there is indeed such a passionate pursuit, you should do it as much as possible in the coming weeks. You’re primed for a breakthrough in your relationship with this life-giving joy. To evolve to the next phase of its power to inspire you, it needs as much of your love and intelligence as you can spare.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One of

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the 21st century’s most entertaining archaeological events was the discovery of King Richard III’s bones.

The English monarch died in 1485, but his burial site had long been a mystery. It wasn’t an archaeologist who tracked down his remains, but a screenwriter named Philippa Langley. She did extensive historical research, narrowing down the possibilities to a car park in Leicester. As she wandered around there, she got a psychic impression at one point that she was walking directly over Richard’s grave. Her feeling later turned out to be right. I suspect your near future will have resemblances to her adventure. You’ll have success in a mode that’s not your official area of expertise. Sharp analytical thinking will lead you to the brink, and a less rational twist of intelligence will take you the rest of the way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The tides of destiny are no longer just whispering their message for you.

They are shouting. And what they are shouting is that your brave quest must begin soon. There can be no further excuses for postponement.

What’s that you say? You don’t have the luxury of embarking on a brave quest? You’re too bogged down in the thousand and one details of managing the day-to-day hubbub?

Well, in case you need reminding, the tides of destiny are not in the habit of making things convenient.

And if you don’t cooperate willingly, they will ultimately compel you to do so. But now here’s the really good news, Scorpio: The tides of destiny will make available at least one burst of assistance that you can’t imagine right now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In my dream, I used the non-itchy wool of the queen’s special Merino sheep to weave an enchanted blanket for you. I wanted this blanket to be a good luck charm you could use in your crusade to achieve deeper levels of romantic intimacy. In its tapestry I spun scenes depicting the most love-filled events from your past. It was beautiful and perfect. But after I finished it, I had second thoughts about giving it to you. Wasn’t it a mistake to make it so flawless?

Shouldn’t it also embody the messier aspects of togetherness? To turn it into a better symbol and therefore a more dynamic talisman, I spilled wine on one corner of it and unraveled some threads in another corner.

Now here’s my interpretation of my dream: You’re ready to regard messiness as an essential ingredient in

Homework: Name your greatest unnecessary taboo and how you would violate it if doing so didn’t hurt anyone.

FreeWillAstrology.com your quest for deeper intimacy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your word of power is “supplication”—the act of asking earnestly and humbly for what you want. When practiced correctly, “supplication” is indeed a sign of potency, not of weakness. It means you are totally united with your desire, feel no guilt or shyness about it, and intend to express it with liberated abandon. Supplication makes you supple, poised to be flexible as you do what’s necessary to get the blessing you yearn for.

Being a supplicant also makes you smarter, because it helps you realize that you can’t get what you want on the strength of your willful ego alone. You need grace, luck, and help from sources beyond your control.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the coming weeks, your relationships with painkillers will be extra sweet and intense. Please note that I’m not talking about ibuprofen or acetaminophen or aspirin. My reference to painkillers is metaphorical. What I’m predicting is that you will have a knack for finding experiences that reduce your suffering. You’ll have a sixth sense about where to go to get the most meaningful kinds of healing and relief. Your intuition will guide you to initiate acts of atonement and forgiveness, which will in turn ameliorate your wounds.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t wait around passively as you fantasize about becoming the “Chosen One” of some person or group or institution. Be your own Chosen One. And don’t wander around aimlessly, biding your time in the hope of eventually being awarded some prize or boon by a prestigious source. Give yourself a prize or boon. Here’s one further piece of advice, Pisces: Don’t postpone your practical and proactive intentions until the mythical “perfect moment” arrives. Create your own perfect moment.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): This is a perfect moment to create a new tradition, Aries. You intuitively know

how to turn one of your recent breakthroughs into a good habit that will provide continuity and stability for a long time to come. You can make a permanent upgrade in your life by capitalizing on an accidental discovery you made during a spontaneous episode. It’s time, in other words, to convert the temporary assistance you received into a long-term asset; to use a stroke of luck to foster a lasting pleasure.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Physicist Freeman Dyson told Wired magazine how crucial it is to learn from failures. As an example, he described the invention of the bicycle.

“There were thousands of weird models built and tried before they found the one that really worked,” he said. “You could never design a bicycle theoretically. Even now, it’s difficult to understand why a bicycle works. But just by trial and error, we found out how to do it, and the error was essential.” I hope you will keep that in mind, Taurus. It’s the Success-Through-Failure Phase of your astrological cycle.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you should lease a chauffeured stretch limousine with nine TVs and a hot tub inside. You’d also be smart to accessorize your smooth ride with a $5,000-bottle of Château Le Pin Pomerol Red Bordeaux wine and servings of the Golden Opulence Sundae, which features a topping of 24-karat edible gold and sprinkles of Amedei Porcelana, the most expensive chocolate in the world. If none of that is possible, do the next best thing, which is to mastermind a long-term plan to bring more money into your life. From an astrological perspective, wealthbuilding activities will be favored in the coming weeks.

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.

JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES “Parts on Back-Order” —it is humanly elbissop.

ACROSS 1 South Beach, e.g.

5 Glide along 10 Get to the end of Julius Caesar, in a way?

14 “The Book of Mormon” location 15 Impractical 17 1999 Drew Barrymore rom-com (and James Franco’s film debut) 19 Kind of board at a nail salon 20 Passover feast 21 Some laptops 22 Have the appearance of 24 Bit of bitters 26 Protection for goalies 28 “You ___ awesome!”

32 Tomato on some pizzas 36 Mo. with both National Beer Day and National Pretzel Day 37 His first public jump in 1965 was over rattlesnakes and two mountain lions 39 Sewing kit staple 41 Nintendo’s ___ Sports 42 “Fidelio,” for one 43 Star of “The Birds” and grandmother of Dakota Johnson 46 Cup lip 47 Effortlessness 48 “Awake and Sing!” playwright Clifford 49 Bi- times four 50 Mitch’s husband on “Modern Family” 52 Tickle Me Elmo toymaker 54 Org. in “Concussion” 57 “Wheel of Fortune” host since 1981 61 Actress Woodard of “St. Elsewhere” 64 “Enough already!”

67 Constitutional amendment that established Prohibition 68 WWE wrestler John 69 “The Bone Garden” writer Gerritsen 70 Online magazine once owned by Microsoft 71 Shoe brand with the old slogan “They feel good” Down

1 Frank Herbert sci-fi series 2 “Big ticket” thing 3 Listens in 4 “___ the door ...”

5 New reporter 6 Washington bills 7 For ___ (not pro bono) 8 Put in the mail 9 Accepts, as responsibility 10 “Pretty sneaky, ___” (Connect Four ad line) 11 1/2 of a fl. oz.

12 He has a recurring role as The Donald 13 “___ Are Burning” (Midnight Oil hit) 16 Apple voice assistant 18 Deli sandwich option 23 Dallas pro baller, for short 25 Get ready, slangily 26 Kindergarten glop 27 Via ___ (famous Italian road) 29 Got hitched again 30 Say “comfortable” or “Worcestershire,” maybe 31 Avoid, as an issue 33 How some daytime daters meet 34 Reason for a scout’s badge 35 Fictional beer on “King of the Hill” 37 Wallace of “Stargate Universe” or Wallach of “The Magnificent Seven” 38 Charged particle 40 Gp. that includes Nigeria and Iraq 44 Respectful tributes 45 Suffix denoting the ultimate 49 Time-based contraction 51 “I don’t want to break up ___” 53 Ex-NBA star Ming 54 No, to Putin 55 Pate de ___ gras 56 Carries with effort 58 “Community” star McHale 59 Tolstoy’s “___ Karenina” 60 Etta of bygone comics pages 62 Kentucky senator ___ Paul 63 Geological time spans 65 Bygone TV taping abbr.

66 Definite article

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. 838.

The Best Sports Coverage in Chattanooga.

Period.

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 25

COLUMN ∙ GAME ON!

The Summer Cure For Idle Hands Three fantastically popular mobile games you need to try

Brandon Watson Pulse columnist

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REETINGS GAMERS! I HOPE the endless slew of summer game sales are keeping you well inside and saving your dollars from the nefarious sunblock companies. Of course, these days you don’t have to stay inside to keep those itchy hands busy this summer. This time I’m setting down the controller and stepping out of my gaming dungeon and into the sunshine of three hot mobile games you need to try right now.

Clash of Clans (CoC)—Finnish game developer Supercell has put together a nifty game that has somehow endured the finicky nature of gamers and stayed on top of the download list for about five years.

CoC is a base building and defense game set in a cartoony fantasy world. You get hordes of minions with their own abilities and strengths to attack other players for glorious loot and spend that loot on equally glorious building and defense items.

A much talked about favorite among my friends, CoC has cultivated a huge fan base and sitting around 38 million active players it’s not surprising that this game has held up since the early inception of mobile gaming programs. CoC boasts a passionate gaming community with multiplayer battle clans and tons of in-app purchases and merchandise.

This game has charm and it’s easy to get into and hard to put down, so if you consider yourself to have an addictive personality, you may need a marriage counselor (or

divorce lawyer) on standby before you press that download button.

Clash Royale—If town building and defense wasn’t enough for Supercell to keep faces glued to millions of cellphone screens worldwide they went and done it again with the release of Clash Royale.

CR keeps the same cartoony fantasy aesthetic, drops the town building and retained the same dosage of gaming crack mixed with a card collecting mechanic.

My table top gaming friends are head-over-heels in love with Clash Royale. What you have here is a wonderful mashup of deck building with time intensive battle strategy that can become crazy frustrating during a bout with a rival gamer. To me it’s a graphical game of rock, paper, scissors with each player taking turns to attack and counter-attack each other.

The cards are used during a match as your fighting force to attack the other player and with new updates and new cards to collect or purchase CR has all the potential to last alongside its big older brother as a companion game. If you are more of a deck builder than a town planner this is a perfect drug to ease your strategy addiction and innate hoarding nature.

Candy Crush Saga—Oh yeah folks, I was just as surprised when I double checked the download rankings to see CCS bouncing around the top three or six on the IOs or Android downloads. This match three digital swipe-fest has

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been a gamer’s long-standing favorite since its release in 2012.

This hyper colorful match-thecandies and win the points has a particularly addicting fidget factor that should appeal to those folks unsure of what to do with their hands while they are waiting for real things to actually happen.

The popularity of CCS may not be as it used to be in the United States but internationally Candy Crush Saga is still insanely popular in places like Hong Kong. CCS was my first glimpse into the future of “freemium” games and I can’t help but admire the staying power of such a wonderfully simple game even though it taxes my annoyance level every time I look at it.

Casual gamers just looking to pass the time will find a lot of time to be wasted with the colorful art design and sleep robbing instant gratification of winning points.

Though you may have grown out of CCS sometime back, it’s still

ranked among the top three downloads across IOs and Android downloads. Maybe a reunion with your digital sweet tooth this summer in a candy filled adventure is just what the doctor ordered.

While the list of fun mobile games are as plentiful as they are innovative the successful attempt to keep things fresh with longevity goes to these three games. In a “here-today-gone-tomorrow” industry it’s surprising to see titles lasting as long as these have in terms of popularity.

With all the millions of mutually addicted gamers out there just waiting to keep your emotions joyfully frustrated and hands strenuously engaged doing what all the cool kids are doing this summer becomes all the more enticing.

When not vaporizing zombies or leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, Brandon Watson is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists.

OPINIONS & DIVERSIONS

CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JUNE 29, 2017 • THE PULSE • 27