The Pulse 12.02 » January 8, 2015

The Pulse

CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

january 8, 2015

WARUM GIBT ES DIE DEUTSCHEN UBERALL? And they’re not just on Germantown Road RayTerry takes an in-depth look at Germany's influence on Chattanooga

MUSIC

arts

screen

progressive pop

and brews

a walkabout

step sisters books

the wild

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A new year brings new opportunities.

And opportunity is knocking right now.

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The Pulse is looking for a Media Sales Professional to represent Chattanooga’s Alternative Weekly.

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2 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

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Contents

The Pulse CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor Gary Poole

January 8, 2015 Volume 12, Issue 2

Contributing Editor Janis Hashe Contributing Writer Madeline Chambliss Contributors Rob Brezsny • John DeVore Janis Hashe • Matt Jones Sandra Kurtz • Marc T. Michael Ernie Paik • Rick Pimental-Habib Gary Poole • Ward Raymond Alex Teach • RayTerry Cartoonists & Illustrators Rick Baldwin • Max Cannon Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow

Features

Founded 2003 by Zachary Cooper & Michael Kull

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales Mike Baskin Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Julie Brown Angela Lanham • Rick Leavell Chester Sharp • Stacey Tyler

CONTACT

Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Fax 423.266.2335 Website chattanoogapulse.com Email info@chattanoogapulse.com BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II 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 © 2015 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.

honest music

8

Warum Gibt es die Deutschen Uberall?

The Germans are coming the Germans are coming! Well, actually—they’re already here, as you know unless you’ve been living under a stein for several years. It’s not a hostile invasion; it’s a financial bonanza of mega-investment into the Volunteer State and especially the Scenic City area.

10

What’s Progressive Pop?

Remember Adam Swafford? He’s the bass player for Shark Week who was quoted 11 months ago as saying, “No one ever remembers the bass player…” Well, I remember Adam and what I didn’t know at the time was that he and drummer Nate Smith were working on a side project called The Volts.

16

Raise Your Glass and Your IQ

What kind of beer would a reader of Clyde Edgerton prefer?

How about a fan of Katori Hall? Roy Blount Jr.? Natasha Trethewey? If you’d like to rub elbows (and bend elbows) with Chattanooga’s literary and libation lovers, drop in for “Books & Brews” on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. at Heaven & Ale tavern.

4 BEGINNINGS: How I learned to drive….again.

4 shades of green: Things you can do to care for Mother Earth.

12 MUSIC CALENDAR 14 REVIEWS: The basics of Beefheart, Mary Timony wakes up.

15 consider this 15 JONESIN’ CROSSWORD 18 ARTS CALENDAR 20 SCREEN: Reese Witherspoon shines in poignant “Wild”.

22 on the beat: In which Officer Alex grosses out his partner…again.

23 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

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chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 3

news • views • rants • raves

BEGINNINGS

updates » CHATTANOOGApulse.com facebook/chattanoogapulse EMAIL LOVE LETTERS, ADVICE & TRASH TALK TO INFO@CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM

Taking on Shifting Priorities How I learned to drive….again

“

A manual transmission concentrates you on the car and your driving. It’s a daily lesson in driving mindfulness.”

“Do one thing every day that scares you,” said one of my all-time idols, the indomitable Eleanor Roosevelt.

As I sat in the potential new car, feeling the fight-or-flight reflex kicking in, I suddenly thought of ER’s famous remark.

Though I learned to drive on a manual transmission and drove them exclusively for…well, let’s just say a very long time…my current car was an automatic. And I had had it for ten-and-a-half years. What was I thinking, going back to a shift at my age?

The salesman was not helping.

He was a well intentioned but anxi-

ety-inducing front-seat driver. “Just drive it down to that cul-de-sac and we’ll see how you do,” he said.

“We’ll see how you do???” I’ve driven a manual transmission on the hills of San Francisco and the freeways of Los Angeles.

Wait just a minute here, buddy. In janis hashe fairness to him, when I first sat down in the driver’s seat I was a tiny bit mystified about that third pedal. I’d nearly forgotten the whole two-footed driving thing. Was I, in fact, being stupid?

The original reason for considering the 6-speed car was, of course, cost. It was cheaper. By quite a bit.

But now my thinking had morphed into a whole new sphere. I knew how to drive a shift and had always been proud of it. A manual transmission concentrates you on the car and your driving. It’s a daily lesson in driving mindfulness. And yes, it’s a step backwards from what I regard as the serious creepiness of the driverless car.

I don’t want a driverless car. I believe in the idea that, as Thich Nhat Hanh puts it, “Driving in the car/The car and I are one/ If the car goes fast/I go fast.” I repeat that verse to myself in times of driving stress.

However, I could see that I might be repeating that mantra quite a bit as I tried to

Views

4 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

re-master an old skill. It would be so much easier just to stay on automatic, wouldn’t it? Stay on automatic everything. Let the car do the thinking for me.

Let the phone do the thinking for me. Even my refrigerator has some characteristics that are a bit too Hal-like for comfort…Wouldn’t you like just a few more ice cubes, Dave?

No. It’s always been part of my life not to back away from a challenge. Keep the mind moving. Reactivate the muscle memory that allows you to shift, literally and figuratively.

Court and embrace change.

So I bought the 6-speed car and have been valiantly driving it around town, having some big anxious moments but feeling proud when I conquered them. The first time from a standing start on the hill at McCallie and Central raised the old blood pressure (and was a bit shaky), but I didn’t roll back and I didn’t stall. Thank you, person behind me who stayed tactfully away from my back bumper.

And thank you, Eleanor.

We Are Saving Mobile Lives

EdiToon

by Rick Baldwin

1906 Gunbarrel Rd. 423-486-1668 (Next to GiGi’s Cupcakes)

5425 Highway 153 423-805-4640 (Next to CiCi’s Pizza)

Come See Thousands of Wings in Flight The winter months are typically when we start seeing our feathered friends take flight for warmer weather—but it’s not often we get to see them take a stopping point for a little rest and relaxation.

If you’re looking for an awe-inspiring way to start your new year, then plan to take one of the Tennessee Aquarium’s Eco-Cruises on the River Gorge Explorer in January, and see

the annual Sandhill Crane Migration.

Described as “one of the greatest spectacles of nature in the Southeast,” those aboard should be prepared to witness anywhere from 15,000-20,000 Sandhill cranes, among other birds like the bald eagle, snow and white-fronted geese, Ross’s geese, white pelicans, and whooping cranes on the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.

IN THIS ISSUE

RayTerry Our cover story this week on the influnce of German culture on Chattanooga is by a new writer for The Pulse, RayTerry. A Chattanooga native and graduate of Central High School, Ray has worked throughout the country for five different railroads. A world traveler, he

Led by a team of Aquarium naturalists, each cruise is approximately two hours long. In addition to bird watching, those aboard will learn about the history of the river during the past 1,000 years and the people that once inhabited the area.

Cruises are scheduled for January 9-11 and January 16-19, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $38 for adults, and can be purchased online at tnaqua.org Grab your binoculars and your birdwatching guides, and get ready for the view of a lifetime.

— Madeline Chambliss

cellphonerepair.com/chattanooga

This could be yours...

Matt Jones has been to Mexico, South America, Europe and several times to the Middle East.

Currently he is the owner of RayTerry Productions in Collegedale, where he works with local musicians, as well as being a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians, Tri-State Musicians’ Union, Local 80. He keeps up with the latest regional music news and events on his Facebook page, facebook. com/RayterryProductions

Longtime crossword creator Matt Jones' first crossword appeared in the New York Times two decades ago, all the way back in 1994, making him one of the first teens published by legendary editor Will Shortz. Since then, his puzzles have appeared

in print and online, and he has created almost 700 crosswords for the weekly syndicate Jonesin' Crossword.

He's most recently finishing up a crowdfunded book of freestyle crosswords with barred grids instead of black squares. He's published two other compilations, "Jonesin' Crosswirds" in 2004 and "Jonesin' for Crosswords" in 2009, which holds a perfect five-star rating on Amazon.

He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Buy. Sell.

Trade.

ChattanoogaHasCars.com

chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 5

Resolutions For A Living Planet Things you can do to care for Mother Earth this year

“

Can we envision a planet where the human species is in harmony with the natural interdependent web of life supporting all life?

It is vital that we do.”

Sandra Kurtz is an environmental community activist and is presently working through the Urban Century Institute.

Visit her website at enviroedu.net

cle. That’s you. Now draw Greetings to those who another, then double and made it to 2015! You are double until no other circles not alone. In fact, there are can fit. That’s the Earth and 7 billion people living on our growing population. At Earth with a new birth evsome point Earth’s carrying ery 15 seconds in America. capacity can no longer supBecause it’s the beginning ing: Ten American Species Our port all humans, much less of a new year, it’s time for Children May Never See. The the biodicontemplatones listed we can see in versity of ing the fuTennessee are the monarch ture.

Shades of Green life in the butterfly (a 90 percent deecosystem What are pletion) and the little brown SANDRA KURTZ that susthe paths in bat. Thirty percent of all tains us.

2015 to asfrogs and most bumblebee That’s what’s happening sure quality of life for huspecies are threatened, too. now. We are crowding out mans, and in the big scheme The polar bear, beloved by wildlife due to our growof species and planetary children, made the list. ing demands for energy and existence? In my January The one process now going on space. Scientists are call2014 column, I looked at that will take millions of years ing this the sixth mass exthis same question. Those to correct is loss of genetic and tinction and it is driven by words provide a good framespecies diversity by the destrucover-population and overwork for helping determine tion of natural habitats. This consumption. It contribwhat to do individually and is the folly our descendants are utes to our environmental collectively this year, too: least likely to forgive us. — problems, including climate Because all life on Earth E.O. Wilson, Biophilia change, habitat loss, ocean depends on a suitable habitat Can we envision a planet acidification and resource and a healthy ecosystem, what where the human species is depletion. In our own hucan be done to guarantee susin harmony with the natuman interests, we must tainability now and in the fural interdependent web of share the planet! ture? Keep in mind four other life supporting all life? It is The Coalition for Endanthings as you ponder: 1) As vital that we do. There are gered Species issued Vanishpopulation increases there is numerous possibilities, but growing demand on a resourceconstrained planet. 2) We live How you can help make the planet better: on a planet with ever-changing • Share space. consumption. climate patterns (whether our • Plant native trees.

• Buy local products, fault or not) and that fact re• Use less energy. recycle. quires adaptation for species • Eliminate paving, save • Refuse plastic bags; use survival. 3) The most biodimore greenspace tote bags. verse ecosystem is strongest. 4) • Plant milkweed for • Walk and/or bike more.

Energy is required for life (ulmonarchs.

• Drive highest-mileage timate source is sun).

• Install bat houses. car possible.

Try this: On a round • Reduce meat • Support local farmers piece of paper, draw a cir-

6 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

we must rethink our present cultural system at all levels. Time is of the essence.

Many actions can make our air and water cleaner and preserve space for wildlife. For example, TVA is already closing coal-fired power plants and the solar industry was the fastest growing in Tennessee.

Industry magnates may not yet know it, but we are moving beyond fossil and nuclear fuels as energy sources. With some ingenuity, we can reject the Keystone pipeline or fracking for energy. We can slow climate disruption by leaving fossil and nuclear fuels in the dust and accelerate carbon capture primarily through global reforestation. The 2015 climate change talks will be in Paris.

Stay tuned.

markets.

• Garden without pesticides.

• Compost.

• Empower women for population control.

• Vote for candidates with positive environmental platforms.

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COVER STORY

Warum Gibt es die Deutschen Uberall?

And they’re not just on Germantown Road

By RayTerry

“

Perhaps you have wondered, while perusing the aisles of the fabulous Aldis in Brainerd and Hixson, ‘What is the deal with all this German food?’”

T

he Germans are coming the Germans are coming! Well, actually—they’re already here, as you know unless you’ve been living under a stein for several years. It’s not a hostile invasion; it’s a financial bonanza of mega-investment into the Volunteer State and especially the Scenic City area.

Some quick facts about Deutschland...

In the European Union (EU) of which Deutschland is a member, the Federal Republic of Germany is the economic juggernaut of them all. As in the U.S. with our 50 states, Germany is made up of 16 states. Most of the recent investment here comes from the prosperous state of Bavaria.

Germany has the largest population of the 29 country-states of the EU, with more than 80 million people. Just recently, Germany became the world’s number-two location for permanent migration (the U.S. is first).

Germany introduced the common European currency, the euro, on Jan. 1, 2002. The European Central Bank sets the monetary currency policy for the EU and is located in Frankfurt, Germany. The euro is second only to the U.S. dollar as the world currency on the global market. Countries in the EU look to the Germans for loans when in financial distress. Remember bankrupt Greece?

Why Chattanooga?

How did we become the recipients of German investment? One of the larger reasons here in Chattanooga was that strange and rare thing happened: political bipartisan cooperation. Several individuals from different parties

8 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

painstakingly worked out the huge investment potential for Volkswagen and others in our area. With an offer of over $577 million in incentives from federal, state and local officials, Volkswagen received the most generous government aid package ever offered to an auto manufacturer in the U.S. Construction started in 2008 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion for building the site, which produces the Passat sedan. In November 2014, the announcement was made that expansion of the plant will include production of a new SUV, with an additional $900 million investment. Assembly is expected to begin in 2016 and will include the hiring of an additional 2,000 workers to join the already 2,400 employees working now at the plant.

Naturally, the Volkswagen plant has also brought additional supplierindustries to the area to service it, and of course, that means even more jobs.

The appproximate number of jobs created by this collective outreach is expected to be 12,000-plus, according to volkswagengroupamerica.com Bradley County now has the Wacker (Vah-ker) Co., which builds polysilicon products for a growing green energy industry hungry for more solar-powered technology. The initial investment of $1.8 billion by Wacker has been a shot in the arm for Charles-

ton and Cleveland, with many hi-tech jobs added.

When completed, the plant in Charleston will be larger than the home plant located in Berghausen, Germany. The city of Berghausen has a population of approximately 20,000 people, of whom 10,000 are employed at the Wacker plant.

Founded on Oct. 13, 1914 and celebrating its centennial in 2014, Wacker is a well-established global company.

When operational, employee numbers at the Charleston plant are expected to be 600 to 650 at the Charleston plant.

About all that German food in Aldi Perhaps you have wondered, while perusing the aisles of the fabulous Aldis in Brainerd and Hixson, “What is the deal with all this German food?”

Aldi has been here since October 2005 as part of Aldi Sud (south).

Aldi is a grocery store chain started in Essen, Germany by the reclusive Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946. The brothers took their Mothers store, originally formed in 1913, and created Aldi. “Aldi” stands for “Albrecht Discount.” (Fans of Trader Joe’s know that that much-desired chain was purchased in the 1979 by Theo Albrecht.)

Aldi has grown globally to over

9,000 stores and is in 18 countries.

With an estimated income of over 50 billion euros, Aldi is one of the world’s largest privately owned companies.

Karl and Theo were actually the first and second richest men in Germany, respectively, until their deaths.

The nature of the Aldi brand is an overall 50 percent savings on regular groceries for the consumer. With over 1,400 stores in the US, Aldi is expanding westward into Southern California with a projected 650 new stores soon to be built across the country. They hope to have over 2,000 stores in the U.S. by 2018.

Chase Gilbert, district manager, Mt. Juliet Division office for the region’s stores, told us that to work at Aldi, one must have a high school diploma, be hard-working, and have a smile. Aldi, he said, has a very caring attitude toward its employees, which is the greatest asset of the company.

U.S. sales are consistently reinvested back into the U.S. market thus making this company a substantial power in the consumer groceries market. Our recommendation: Try one of the German products you may not recognize. Lots of yummy stuff there!

More German food, and, naturally, bier Chattanooga’s German-American restaurant is the Brewhaus. Located at

224 Frazier Ave. on the Northshore, Brehaus is a gastro-pub, serving everything from schnitzel to bratwurst. There are also many beers to choose from. With a wide variety of Germanstyle beers and American craft beers to select from, the 12 taps are ever changing. On Monday you can get $3 half liters all the tag (day) long! Beer tastings on Thursdays…sehr gut!

Can we really say too much about beer, the international mediator that breaks all cultural boundaries? Many restaurants cater to the German niche of fine beer drinking. In 2014, the Chattanooga Market extended their Oktoberfest celebration from two days to five days, including more polka bands and more…beer! Rock City hosts a Rocktoberfest lasting five days also. Several restaurants in the area do Octoberfest specials during the month to add a touch of Munich to the occasion.

At Cambridge Square in Ooltewah, they even have a Novemberfest on the first day of the month extending the festivities. Southern Burger Co., with 14 taps, frequently has German bieren (beers) at their establishment.

For the purist who wants as authentic as it gets, you must come to Maifest (May) in Cleveland. Started in 2006, this event has actual German chefs preparing traditional Bavarian dishes, such as

real Kartoffel salat (potato salad), pretzels and schnitzels. Es Ist gut, Ja! The one-day event has grown exponentially every year since its introduction. All proceeds earned go toward the Montessori’s Kinder School. (Our English word, kindergarten, comes from two German words: kinder-child, gartengarden.)

Just south of here in Atlanta, there is a place with lots of German brew called Der Biergarten. Rumor has it that they are thinking about coming here to Chattanooga and opening an establishment in 2016…all I can say to that is, Willkommen und Prost!

Der IT und der consulting We can’t have all this massive new technology located here without a modern IT connection. Enter the Honigsberg & Duvel Corporation, founded by President & CEO Heiko Juerges. Started with only two employees in 2007, the company has already grown to employ 120 employees. It’s located at One Central Plaza, Suite 302, 835 Georgia Ave. Heiko is a former tank commander with the Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces) on the Leopard 2 battle-tank. No doubt much of his formal computer knowledge came from his

military training on the technology built into the all modularly designed battle-tanks. Thankfully, this knowledge is now being used in the development of international commerce between our two countries and other nations as well.

But how does all of this bilingual business come together? It requires a mediator who translates cultures and speaks both languages. Christian Hoferle (pronounced: hoo-fer-luh) of Hoferle Consulting is fluent in both German and English. Hoferle Consulting bridges the gap between native or foreign investor, whether it is Deutsch to English or vice-versa.

Hoferle is also activities director for the German-American Chambers of Commerce (GACC), Southeast Tennessee Chapter, headquartered in Atlanta. They meet in Chattanooga on the third Tuesday of the month at Big River Grille, Hamilton Place, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Come on out and get your Deutsch on with local German entrepreneurs who work at many of the German businesses here.

Our area has benefitted greatly from the German influx. Next time you run across a German, just say a few worten (words) that you learned here. Tell them danke (thank you). They will appreciate it—just like we do them for being here and bringing us the Deutsch.

chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 9

MUSIC SCENE

What’s Progressive Pop? Listen Up. New EP from new project Step Sisters worth waiting for and coming soon

First Class Axe-Kicking Show Warm, cuddly night with KOZA and friends at JJ's Ears are gonna bleed this Saturday, Jan. 10 at JJ’s Bohemia as KOZA takes the stage with special guests Skinwalker and Lost Limbs. What’s absolutely certain is that the audience is going to witness a first-class axe-kicking.

The hardcore quartet featuring drummer Matt Reynolds, bassist Arettie Ford, guitarist Russ Cannon and vocalist Brooks Rose are celebrating one year together this month. Self-described as a mix of psychedelic, stoner/sludge metal, hardcore and punk, the band’s sound is positively savage with an intensity that dials it up to eleven, breaks off the knob and makes sweet love to the amplifier before pulverizing it. They’re pretty nasty

in all the best ways, is what I’m saying.

If you can’t make that show, the band has a follow-up gig a week later on the 17th at Sluggo’s where they’ll be welcoming Frankie Teardrop and RMG III. Be sure to check out KOZA’s soon-to-be-reviewed debut EP, available now via bandcamp.com for a mere $5.

If hardcore is in your blood, if you have a passion for weaponized music or if you just enjoy music that makes you feel like you could smash through a brick wall, you CANNOT miss KOZA. Somewhere in a dark, festering place Oderus Urungus is looking down and nodding in approval.

— Marc T. Michael

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10 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

R

emember Adam Swafford? He’s the bass player for Shark Week who was quoted 11 months ago as saying, “No one ever remembers the bass player…” Well, I remember Adam and what I didn’t know at the time was that he and drummer Nate Smith were working on a side project called The Volts.

Music marc t. michael

“

There is a lovely balance between technicality and listenability that ought to allow them broad audience appeal while simultaneously earning the respect of their peers.”

A musician’s life is an odd thing, though. Often you don’t wind up where you were meaning to go, but frequently you wind up where you needed to be (thank you, Douglas Adams, I miss you). The point is that whatever The Volts started to be, somewhere along the way they morphed into Step Sisters, a band whose debut EP will be ready for release any day now and, in the words of the legendary Maya Angelou, “it totally kicks ass.” (Citation needed.)

Smith and Swafford (who is playing guitar for this project) are joined

by Matt Johansen on bass and Clint Wilson on guitar. The three nondrumming members share vocal duties. You know the players; you know the instruments; now the $3.50 question is: What do they do? That’s the tricky part.

Some bands I can pin down less than a minute into their first song.

Other bands require a great deal more thought and Step Sisters is definitely the latter. I’m going to tell you what I call them, then I’m going to spend too much time explaining why I call them that.

“Progressive pop.”

Those two words don’t even look

right next to each other, but that’s how I’m calling it. There is a definite prog-rock feel to what they’re doing, but they aren’t quite “out there” enough to be prog-rock. Certainly they are more accessible than much of that genre tends to be for the uninitiated.

On the other hand, the tunes I’ve heard are, well, catchy, with nice hooks. Simply put, there is a lovely balance between technicality and “listenability” that ought to allow them broad audience appeal while simultaneously earning the respect of their peers.

Having listened to the EP several times and given a good deal of thought to it, three influences come to mind, in this order: Weezer in the early ’90s, The Police and Robyn Hitchcock. Weezer makes sense, given that the fellas are all essentially ’90s kids and, say what you will, Weezer’s first two albums (although the second was a commercial failure at the time) are now commonly re-

garded as two of the best albums of the ’90s.

I reference The Police specifically for trying to capture the “prog” feel of a band that isn’t actually prog.

Step Sisters doesn’t (yet) feature a bunch of odd time signatures and weird key changes, but the chord progressions are sometimes surprising and the melodies frequently venture (to great effect) into unexpected territory.

Robyn Hitchcock is a very specific reference to some of the guitar work. If the guitarists aren’t Robyn fans, they ought to be.

As usual, there’s no space left to talk about the songs on the EP. Fear not, I intend to take a close look at the EP itself in next week’s sidebar.

It absolutely merits the extra attention.

In the meantime, satisfy yourselves with Step Sisters’ Facebook musings, upcoming schedule and info on when said EP will be available.

German-American BrewPub

224 Frazier Ave • brewhausbar.com

Featured: Spaetzle entrée with vinegar slaw and brussels sprouts w/bacon marmalade

Thursday, January 8 @ 7pm: Lagunitas Pint Night & Tasting Thursday, January 15 @ 7pm: Old Shed Pint Night & Tasting Friday, January 16 @ 7pm: New Belgium Pint Night & Tasting

chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 11

LIVE MUSIC JANUARY

8 SEVEN HANDLE CIRCUS FRI 9:30p 9 SLIPPERY WHEN WET SAT 10p 10 FRI LAZY HORSE 9:30p 16 SAT CHIG MARTIN 9p 17 PACK OF WOLVES THU 8p 22 BACKUP PLANET FRI 9p 23 JESS GOGGANS BAND THU 9p SOULFUL AND FUNKY ORIGINALS

PRESENTED BY FLY FREE FESTIVAL

A TRIBUTE TO BON JOVI

A TRIBUTE TO NEIL YOUNG

THE ALABAMA OUTLAWS

with JOSH BUCKLEY BAND

with DREW STERCHI & BLUES TRIBE with HANK AND CUPCAKES

1.24 OF MONTREAL with HANK & CUPCAKES 1.28 SIMO 1.29 SOUTH SOUL DANCE FAMILY

COMING SOON

THE MEGAPHONES

SAT

with SOUTH SOUL DANCE FAMILY 9p

DANK

WED

UNOFFICIAL UMPHREYS AFTER PARTY 11p

31

4

ALL SHOWS 21+ UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED • NON-SMOKING VENUE

221 MARKET STREET

HOT MUSIC • FINE BEER • GREAT FOOD BUY TICKETS ONLINE • RHYTHM-BREWS.COM

MUSIC CALENDAR

CHATTANOOGA

Kansas

thursday1.8 Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m.

Ringgold Nutrition Center 144 Circle Dr. (706) 935-2541 Feel It Thursday Open Mic 7 p.m.

Mocha Restaurant & Music Lounge 511 Broad St. mochajazz.net Bluegrass and Country Jam 7 p.m.

Grace Nazarene Church 6310 Dayton Blvd. chattanoogagrace.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7 p.m.

Mexi Wings VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. (423) 296-1073 Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m.

Las Margarita's 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Shabti, Charles and The Head 9 p.m.

The Honest Pint 35 Patten Parkway

12 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

thehonestpint.com Jess Goggans Band 9 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Open Mic with Hap Henninger 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191 Prime Cut Trio The Palms Lounge 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com

friday1.9 Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats

Pulse Pick: Jess Goggans A powerful vocalist with amibitious ideas, Jess Goggans has made a name for herself with constant touring throughout the Southeast, bringing her mix of soulful Americana mixed with funk and blues.

Jess Goggans Saturday, 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191

5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Chattanooga Acoustic Showcase 7 p.m.

Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse 105 McBrien Rd. christunity.org Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com

River City Sessions 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd. thecamphouse.com Kansas, Arc & Stones 8 p.m.

Track 29 1400 Market St. track29.co Rosedale Remedy 8 p.m.

Sky Zoo 5709 Lee Hwy. chattazooga.com Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Jocelyn Arndt 9 p.m.

Sugar's Downtown 507 Broad St. sugarschattanooga.com The Sun The Moon 9 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191 Larry Fleet Duo 9 p.m.

World of Beer 412 Market St. worldofbeer.com Seven Handle Circus, Nick Lutsko 9:30 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews

MUSIC CALENDAR

7 Handle Circus 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com

saturday1.10 Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats 5 p.m.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 1400 Market St. choochoo.com Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 2204 Hamilton Place Blvd. elmesonrestaurant.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Rough Work 8 p.m.

Sky Zoo 5709 Lee Hwy. chattazooga.com Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers 8:30 p.m.

The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Tyler Porch Band 9 p.m.

World of Beer 412 Market St.

worldofbeer.com 8 Ball, MJG, DJ Dolla Bill 9 p.m.

Mocha Restaurant & Music Lounge 511 Broad St. mochajazz.net Slippery When Wet: A Tribute To Bon Jovi 10 p.m.

Rhythm & Brews 221 Market St. rhythm-brews.com Jess Goggans 10 p.m.

The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. (423) 634-9191 KOZA, Skinwalker, Lost Limbs 10 p.m.

JJ's Bohemia 231 E. MLLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com

sunday1.11 CSO: Basically Baroque 3 p.m.

The Read House Historic Inn & Suites Silver Ballroom 827 Broad St. chattanoogasymphony. com Sunday Night Irish

Music Jam Session 5 p.m.

Grocery Bar 1501 Long St. grocerybar.com Acoustic Gospel Jam 6 p.m.

Brainerd United Methodist Church 4315 Brainerd Rd. brainerdumc.org 9th Street Stompers 7 p.m.

The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com

monday1.12 Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m.

The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com

tuesday1.13 Derek Martin, Jamie Morgan, Alli Dozet Frederick, Anthony Quails 6:30 p.m.

Heritage House Arts and Civic Center 1428 Jenkins Rd. chattanooga.gov

Rick’s Blues Jam 7 p.m.

Folk School of Chattanooga 1200 Mountain Creek Rd. chattanoogafolk.com

wednesday1.4 Eddie Pontiac 5:30 p.m.

El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonrestaurant.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m.

The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Dan Sheffield 7:30 p.m.

Sugar’s Downtown 507 Broad St. sugarsdowntown.com Open Mic with Ryan Oyer 8 p.m.

The Honest Pint 35 Patten Parkway thehonestpint.com Prime Cut House Band 8 p.m.

The Palms Lounge 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

901 Carter St Inside City Cafe (423)634-9191 Thursday, January 8: 9pm Open Mic with Hap Henninger Friday, January 9: 9pm The Sun The Moon (from Muscle Shoals) Saturday, January 10: 10pm Jess Goggans Tuesday, January 13: 7pm Server/Hotel Appreciation Night $5 Pitchers $2 Wells $1.50 Domestics ●

●

All shows are free with dinner or 2 drinks!

Stop by & check out our daily specials!

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri: 4-7pm $1 10oz drafts, $3 32oz drafts, $2 Wells, $1.50 Domestics, Free Appetizers

Join us on Facebook

CheCk out the Cat in the hat

Follow us on Facebook (we’re quite likeable) facebook.com/chattanoogapulse

chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 13

Record Reviews

ernie paik

Classic Hobo Blues, Happy Chiseled Punk The basics of Beefheart, Mary Timony wakes up rugged precision of “Lick My Decals Off, Baby,” with John French’s distinctive busy-bee drumming, where the emphasis is never quite where you expect it to be.

Bill Harkleroad’s guitar work resembles diamond-cut shards of notes, and Beefheart’s vocals just ooze with his distinguished hobo-blues wild-eyed singing style, resonating deeply in a space only he can occupy.

M Captain Beefheart Sun Zoom Spark: 1970 to 1972 (Rhino)

“T

here are better Captain Beefheart albums”— this tidbit from a friend years ago stuck with me, after I had mentioned that I was most familiar with the canonized Zappa-produced 1969 album Trout Mask Replica.

1967’s Safe As Milk, featuring guitarist Ry Cooder, was canonized for contemporary audiences in the film High Fidelity, with Jack Black sadistically dangling his copy of it in front of an envious and obsessed record collector.

The idea of an artist’s canon is fine, to gel critical consensus in order to help the uninitiated; however, sometimes the existence of a canon can stop a person from exploring beyond it, which is unfortunate.

Ex Hex Rips (Merge)

Some might consider this heresy, but today, this writer wouldn’t even put Trout Mask Replica in his personal top three for Beefheart, as fantastic an album as it is. The albums that really click for him are 1980’s Doc at the Radar Station and the three from the early ’70s which are conveniently compiled on the new boxed set Sun Zoom Spark: Lick My Decals Off, Baby (1970), The Spotlight Kid (1972) and Clear Spot (1972).

Fans might moan about having to re-buy The Spotlight Kid and Clear Spot (already widely available on a 2-on-1 CD), but they will definitely want the remastered Decals (after being outof-print on CD for years) and the fourth CD of alternate versions, rehearsals and outtakes from

14 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

1971 and 1972.

The CDs come in miniature album replica paperboard sleeves; the accompanying 7-inch-by-7-inch booklet is a bit scant on artwork and photos, but it features a well-written essay

by Rip Rense and a new poem

by Tom Waits.

Sun Zoom Spark actually wouldn’t be a bad purchase for brave newcomers, if they listened to it in reverse chronological order, going from relatively accessible moments (like the horn-enhanced soul-pop of “Too Much Time”) to more strikingly jagged and radical material.

The transformation is startling when comparing a smooth, pacifying number like “My Head Is My Only House When It Rains” from Clear Spot, to the bustling,

ary Timony’s ’90s band Helium was subjected to two Beavis and Butthead critiques, and in the one for the music video “XXX,” Butthead says, “I think this chick just like woke up or something,” commenting on the groggy, lumbering pace of the song and her wandering and wilting vocal delivery.

“She probably doesn’t start really rocking until later, like in the afternoon or something,” says Beavis.

It’s officially the afternoon for Timony, figuratively speaking, with her new band Ex Hex, which shares its name with her 2005 solo album. With drummer Laura Harris and bassist Betsy Wright, Timony is going for a more straightforward, hooky and upbeat rock sound with Ex Hex, bringing to mind mid-to-late ’70s American punk acts like The Runaways and Richard Hell.

Actually, it’s perhaps most similar to Timony’s first band from 25 years ago, Autoclave, an all-woman quartet with a small, yet potent discography of powerpop/rock nuggets. Timony’s new

direction is simple, if less ambitious and distinctive than certain previous outings, and this writer would like to plug Helium’s 1995 album The Dirt of Luck as a career highlight.

On the debut album Rips, recorded with esteemed producer/ engineer Mitch Easter in North Carolina and in Timony’s D.C. basement, Ex Hex sounds like it is always in control with its delivery, without the threat of becoming unhinged.

Its production style has a certain sheen to it, a bit chiseled rather than raw; Timony’s singing is more urgent and engaged than before, with punk inflections. It was odd to learn that she had recently taken voice lessons; in an interview with The Washington Post, Timony said, “It’s not the ’90s anymore and you can’t get by with whining on stage.”

All things considered, Ex Hex consistently hits the new target that Timony has put in place, blasting through garagerock stompers like the opener “Don’t Wanna Lose,” with a couplet that is perhaps a nod to “Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five. On paper, “Hot and Cold” sounds like a trifle, with big dumb chords and a “Crimson and Clover vibe,” but it is surprisingly infectious.

Is Timony’s talent and creativity wasted here, playing fairly basic, yet above-average punk?

This writer just shrugs, and he can’t discount the feeling that Timony has never sounded happier in her music than with Ex Hex.

Consider This with Dr. Rick

Jonesin’ Crossword

matt jones

by Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D. “The word ‘loneliness’ expresses the pain of being alone. The word ‘solitude’ expresses the glory of being alone.”— Paul Tillich Certain times of the year can really bring to the forefront feelings of loneliness—the holidays, for instance. Valentine’s Day. Birthdays. Anniversaries of times gone by, or times spent with people we’ve loved and lost.

Certain situations can bring about loneliness. Have you ever been in the midst of crowds of people—at a party, on the bus, in a busy city—and still felt lonely? The philosopher Osho says that loneliness is thinking of the other, missing the other. While aloneness is the presence of oneself and is a very positive state. One is an absence, the other, a presence.

So maybe it becomes a question of focus. Of shifting focus from what’s missing, to being absolutely present and mindful with yourself.

In the zone, as I like to say. Breathe, meditate, pray…sit quietly somewhere, surrounded by Mama Nature, becoming one with everything… and witness what happens to the loneliness.

ACROSS 1 Mix those ingredients 5 Carried 10 Totally dominates 14 Holder of scoops 15 County of New Mexico or Colorado 16 Go on a rampage 17 Turing played

by Benedict 18 “The Last Supper” city 19 ___ Romeo (nice car) 20 Proof you paid 22 Frying pan 24 Palindromic girl’s name 25 King, in Quebec 26 Extremity 27 “Lost” actor Daniel ___ Kim 28 PBS painter known for “happy little trees”* 30 Crack-loving exToronto mayor * 32 Insect that sounds like a relative 33 Leaves for the afternoon?

34 Student loans, for instance

37 Start 41 Minivan passengers 45 Social networking site in 2014 news 46 Exploding stars 47 Gaelic music star 48 On the edge of 50 Greek consonants 51 “Melrose Place” actor Rob 52 Low limb 53 Part of a yr.

55 Its symbol is its first letter with two lines through it 57 Magazine inserts 58 Prime minister from 2007-2010* 62 Chatty show, with “The” 64 Most of the Earth’s surface 65 Affixes 68 Plot of land, often 69 Rows on a chessboard 70 Michael of “Superbad” 71 Word often misused in place of “fewer” 72 Rough weather

73 Sign, or an alternate title for this puzzle?

DOWN 1 Beetle-shaped amulet 2 Ohio city 3 Riding with the meter running 4 Descartes or Magritte 5 He played George Utley on “Newhart”* 6 Inflammation of the ear 7 ___ Aviv 8 Blackboard need 9 “The Andy Griffith Show” co-star* 10 Like some vaccines 11 “Sure thing!”

12 What a hero has 13 Put into words 21 Make a shirt look nicer 23 “___ delighted!”

29 Tell the teacher about 31 Forgeries 34 Find a way to cope 35 Magazine with a French name 36 Post-industrial workers?

38 Like shrugs and nods, as signals go 39 “Law & Order” spinoff, for short 40 Early oven manufacturer?

42 Working together 43 Applied henna 44 Answer with an attitude 49 “Paradise City” band, briefly 51 “Music for Airports” composer Brian 54 Dumpster emanations 56 Bond foe ___ Stavro Blofeld 59 Has to pay back 60 “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” star ___ Leakes 61 1993 Texas standoff city 62 Kilmer who chunked out in the late 2000s 63 Word in cheesy beer names 66 Beats by ___ (brand of audio equipment) 67 ___ Bernardino

Copyright © 2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 0709 chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 15

ARTS SCENE

Raise Your Glass and Your IQ

“Books & Brews” is a fun new event from the Southern Lit Alliance for 2015

W

They Are A Camera Contest seeks young people’s photo skills Are you parenting a budding Edward Steichen or Annie Leibovitz?

The Photographic Society of Chattanooga is accepting submissions for its 9th annual Youth Photography Showcase through Feb. 28. Designed to attract a younger audience to the world of photography, organizers say the goal of the showcase is to “highlight outstanding photographs from high school age students in grades 9-12 in public, private and home schools, as well as in youth groups.”

Interested students may submit up to eight images in each of the two divisions, digital and print. Within each division are six categories: Architecture, People/Animals, Scapes, Pho-

tojournalism, Color Photographer’s Choice, and Monochrome Photographer’s Choice.

All images must be submitted by Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. at St. John United Methodist Church.

Time for the young ones to forget selfies and turn their shutterbug skills on the world.

For detailed contest rules, entry forms, and more information visit chattanoogaphoto.org/Activities/Contests/Youth_Photography/ youth.php St. John United Methodist Church is located at 3921 Murray Hills Dr., or reached at (423) 892-2257.

— Madeline Chambliss

fri1.09

sat1.10

sun1.11

fun the sun

"hey now!"

classical fun

“Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition”

Tommy Jett Book Signing-“The Jett AgeFlying with Tommy Jett”

CSO: Basically Baroque

Come learn all about the wildlife of our not-todistant neighbor to the South in this information documentary film.

7 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com

The legendary Chattanooga disc jockey will be signing his fascinating autobiography.

Noon The Dinner Bell Restaurant 3258 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, Ga. (706) 820-9072

You know the old saying, "If it ain't baroque, don't fix it." Sorry, we couldn't resist...but we promise the music is much better than our sense of humor.

3 p.m.

Sheraton Read House 827 Broad St. (423) 266-4121 thereadhousehotel.com

16 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

hat kind of beer would a reader of Clyde Edgerton prefer? How about a fan of Katori Hall? Roy Blount Jr.? Natasha Trethewey? If you’d like to rub elbows (and bend elbows) with Chattanooga’s literary and libation lovers, drop in for “Books & Brews” on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. at Heaven & Ale tavern. Oh, and be sure to bring a book you like for someone else to take home. The four luminaries mentioned above all abide in the Fellowship of Southern Writers pantheon; they’d be excellent suggestions for this book exchange.

Arts ward raymond

“

Everyone who likes to read and drink fine brews can bring a book they like and tip a growler or two with new friends who share an interest in literature.”

Books & Brews represents a foray into “ever-evolving and creative events,” says Rhett Reeves, newminted program director for the Southern Lit Alliance, the people who have brought to Chattanooga, long time passing, the Celebration of Southern Literature. “The Alliance has a wonderful following and support system, and we have consistently sponsored the Celebration every other year, and book clubs every few months. We want to throw in a different line of events that don’t have a set shape or specific audience.”

The rubric “South Bound” is an umbrella covering the new lineup from the Alliance. For this inaugural event, Books & Brews, everyone who likes to read and/or to drink fine brews can bring a book they like and tip a growler or two with new friends who share an interest in literature.

Before the evening’s out, you’ll write a note on a 3”x 5” card about your book, leave it as a treat for someone else, and select another tome from the treasure trove.

Reeves’ goal for the Alliance is to

embrace a broader audience for literature and readership in the Chattanooga area. “The demographic for the biennial Celebration of Southern Literature is somewhat more mature, people 45 to 60,” says Reeves. “As I was imagining this event, I wrote in the margin of my notes that I wanted to get younger people involved in the Alliance’s mission and program. Many people my age [she’s a 2012 Sew a n e e graduate] are avid readers— t h e r e ’s Garden & Gun, Oxford American, all sorts of material and tastes—and we’re hoping to provide a space for people to get together and chat about what they’re reading.”

Of course, Books & Brews is sponsored by the Southern Lit Alliance, and “it’s fun to talk about regional identity in books and magazines, but it doesn’t have to be just about Southern literature,” Reeves adds. “I’m going to bring something by Ron Rash—I just love him. But there may be copies of Gone Girl out there because it’s a crazy popular book. Somebody could bring Twilight and I’d be OK with that.

Books & Brews is a litmus test event, kind of a gamble to see what’s going to be on the table.”

And who will attend? Specifically, will guys come to an event with a book-clubbish whiff if it’s not about, say, the Civil War or sports trivia or something nonfictionish?

“That’s where the beer comes in,” says Reeves. “Reaching out to men has a lot to do with space and context, and Heaven & Ale is a super chill bar with great beer.” The tavern has more than two dozen brews on tap at any given time, and the stock is rotated continually. Reeves also brainstormed with two friends, Tim Laramore and Sam Currin, local high school English teachers who lent their masculine perspectives. “ L o t s of men out there read,” Reeves says, “and there are wonderful writers who appeal to men. On numerous occasions I’ve been at a bar and talked all night about Cormac McCarthy, a mind-blowing writer.”

Among the Alliance’s other diversified offerings, Sam Currin will be leading a discussion of Ron Rash’s gritty novel Serena, a South Bound book club event at Brix Nouveau, also on Cherokee Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The actual Celebration of Southern Literature on April 16-19 will include a South Bound soirée at the Bessie Smith Hall, with Chattanooga author Jamie Quatro and Roger Hodge of the Oxford American; a spoken-word performance on Sunday, April 19; and a hands-on workshop on traditional printing at The Open Press facility at Market and 14th streets.

•••• Books & Brews, 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, Heaven & Ale, 304 Cherokee Blvd.

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5 1-HoUr sessions $599.95

Plus bonus 1-hour session free and another bonus 1-hour session free when you return from your ski vacation!

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423.892.6767•dodgecityski.com chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 17

ARTS CALENDAR

Tai Chi Classes

thursday1.1 Art + Issues: “Desegregation vs. Integration” 6 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Ambi Artist Meeting & Craft and Crop 6 p.m.

Heritage House Arts and Civic Center 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 chattanooga.gov

friday1.2

for more info call 706.820.2531

See RockCity.com

World of Wheels All day event Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 worldofwheels.net Unite. Wear White.

9 a.m.

Double Tree Hotel 407 Chestnut St. (423) 756-5150 doubletree3.hilton.com River Gorge Explorer Sandhill Crane Crusies 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Sale Creek Marina 3900 Lee Pike, Soddy-Daisy (423) 785-3007 tnaqua.org Camp Chair Cinema:

18 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

“Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition” 7 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com River City Sessions 7:30 p.m.

The Camp House 149 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 702-8081 thecamphouse.com Rob Schneider 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

saturday1.3 World of Wheels

Pulse Pick: Rob Schneider From "Saturday Night Live" to a solid film career, Rob Schneider has been in the public eye for the past two decades with his popular combination at self-deprecating humor and goofball antics.

Rob Schneider The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

All day event Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 worldofwheels.net Guided Hike at Little Cedar Mountain 9:30 a.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Tai Chi Classes 9:30 a.m.

Northgate Public Library 278 Northgate Mall Dr. (423) 970-0635 chattlibrary.org St. Alban’s Hixson Farmers’ Market 10 a.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike

(423) 842-1342 facebook.com/ StAlbansFarmersMarket River Gorge Explorer Sandhill Crane Crusies 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Sale Creek Marina 3900 Lee Pike, Soddy-Daisy (423) 785-3007 tnaqua.org Tai Chi Classes 11 a.m.

Eastgate Public Library 5705 Marlin Rd. (423) 757-5310 chattlibrary.org Brainerd Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (423) 698-0330 facebook.com/ BrainerdFarmersMarket Tommy Jett Book Signing“The Jett Age-Flying with Tommy Jett” Noon The Dinner Bell Restaurant 3258 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, Ga. (706) 820-9072 Artful Yoga: Reflecting On the New 1:30 p.m.

Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Interscholastic Climbing League 6:30 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St.

ARTS CALENDAR

Learn To Ride A Bicyle (423) 643-6888 Rob Schneider 7:30, 9:45 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

sunday1.4 World of Wheels All day event Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 worldofwheels.net Author Rachel Held Evans 9:15 a.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 305 W. 7th St. (423) 266-8195 stpaulschatt.org River Gorge Explorer Sandhill Crane Crusies 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Sale Creek Marina 3900 Lee Pike, Soddy-Daisy, (423) 785-3007 tnaqua.org CSO: "Basically Baroque" 3 p.m.

Sheraton Read House 827 Broad St. (423) 266-4121 thereadhousehotel.com Rob Schneider 7:30 p.m.

The Comedy Catch 3224 Brainerd Rd. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com

monday1.5 Learn to Ride a Bicycle 6 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Author Richard Louv 7 p.m.

Baylor School 171 Baylor School Rd. (423) 267-8505 baylorschool.org Auditions for CTC’s Festival of New Plays 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com

tuesday1.6 South Bound Hosts Books & Brews Book Swap 6 p.m.

Heaven & Ale 304 Cherokee Blvd.

(423) 602-8286 heaven-and-ale.com Chattanooga Writers Guild 6 p.m.

Chattanooga Public Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 757-5310 chattlibrary.org Shakespeare for the Elizabethan Impaired: “Twelfth Night” 6:30 p.m.

English Rose Tearoom

142 Market St. (423) 622-2862 englishrosetearoom.net Rapid Learning Intro/ Roll Kayak Class 7 p.m.

Outdoor Chattanooga 200 River St. (423) 643-6888 outdoorchattanooga.com Auditions for CTC’s Festival of New Plays 7:30 p.m.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 400 River St. (423) 267-8534 theatrecentre.com

wednesday1.7 Main Street Farmers Market 4 p.m.

325 E. Main St. mainstreetfarmersmarket.com Introduction to Buddhism and Zen 7 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church 3224 Navajo Dr. (423) 622-2862 uucc.org

ongoing “New York Times Magazine Photography Exhibit” Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org “Light , Shadow & Color” River Gallery

400 E. 2nd St. river-gallery.com “New Year: New Art“ In-Town Gallery 26A Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9241 intowngallery.com “MSA Select: A MidSouth Sculpture Alliance Member Show” AVA Gallery 30 Fraizer Ave. (423) 265-4282 avaarts.org “Member’s Choice” Gallery At Blackwell 71 Eastgate Loop (423) 344-5643 chattanoogaphoto.org “The Female Form: Raphael Soyer and Harold Cash” Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org “Pioneering Pulpits: The First Ocoee Churches” Museum Center At Five Points 200 Inman St. E (423) 339-5745 museumcenter.org “Blood Rhythms, Strange Fruit ” Bessie Smith Cultural Center 200 E. MLK Blvd.

(423) 266-8658 bessiesmithcc.org Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com

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chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 19

SCREEN SCENE

On The Trail of Self Discovery Witherspoon shines in poignant “Wild”

A

French Rebellion and Censorship

new year often reminds us of what we are not. Many times we start the year with false hopes only to end it with rumination on missed opportunity. Healthy or not, many people suffer from an idealized version of what we are to be based on what we see as others’ expectations.

Jean Vigo's "Zero For Conduct" fights authority In 1933, legendary French director Jean Vigo filmed a 41-minute short about four boys in a repressive boarding school who rebel against the administration of the school during a year-end celebration.

“Zero For Conduct” was, however, immediately censored by French film authorities for its “anti-French spirit” and did not see the light of day until finally being released in the United States in 1947.

Vigo took the plot of the movie from his own experiences growing up dealing with the rigid rules of boarding school, and populated the

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film with anti-authoritarian characters, which led to the censors’ ire.

And while his works were suppressed for years, when finally released, they directly influenced noted directors such as Francois Truffaut, Lindsay Anderson and Martin Scorsese, who admired his poetic realism.

"Zero For Conduct" Thursday, Jan. 15 2, 7 p.m.

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Taken 3 Beloved Sisters Ex-government operative Bryan Mills The aristocratic sisters Charlotte and is accused of a ruthless murder he Caroline both fall in love with contronever committed or witnessed. Mills versial young writer Friedrich Schilbrings out his particular set of skills to ler. Defying conventions, the sisters find the true killer and clear his name. decide to share their love.

Director: Olivier Megaton Director: Dominik Graf Stars: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Stars: Hannah Herzsprung, Florian Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen Stetter, Henriette Confurius 20 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

Screen JOHN DEVORE

“

The film’s narrative tracks Strayed’s difficulties in the wild while interspersing the structure with flashback, revealing the motivations and complexities of a damaged woman hoping to become someone better.”

We compare ourselves to neighbors and friends and judge our own merits through a forced outside perspective.

Or, we live in fear of not meeting the expectations of those we hold in high regard. These feelings of inadequacy can be more than wistful pondering; they can be damaging and debilitating.

“Wild” is the story of a loss and turbulence, of how the summation of a person is found in all experiences, not simply the achievements and successes.

It’s not a story of redemption so much as one of acceptance. On the surface, it’s the type of film that could easily be derided as being overly sentimental. It is not. Instead, it is willful and simple, unique and justified, powerful and well done. Film interpretation will always reflect the audience—it’s the nature of art to reveal to us ourselves. “Wild” is an example of a film that will only elicit the emotions the audience brings with them.

“Wild” is based on a memoir by American author Cheryl Strayed, detailing her 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The film is unique in showing a singularly female perspective on such an endeavor, as well as remaining tightly focused on the main character, Strayed herself. Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) leaves a life of self destruction and divorce in Minnesota following the death of her mother.

The damage from losing her stron-

EAT. SLEEP. INDULGE. REPEAT.

gest beacon of support is manifested in drug use and wanton promiscuity, culminating in an unwanted pregnancy with an unknown father. In an effort to break the spiral of grief and become the woman she “was raised to be,” Strayed spends the last of her money to buy the supplies needed to spend three months alone in the wilderness.

The film’s narrative tracks Strayed’s difficulties in the wild while interspersing the structure with flashback, revealing the motivations and complexities of a damaged woman hoping to become someone better. The film is not unlike “Into the Wild,” but while Christopher McCandless sought solitude to drive life into a corner and examine it, Cheryl Strayed sought to rearrange her decision-making and sort through the clutter of a lost sense of self.

As I mentioned, the film is unique in its strong female perspective. As the story continues, we become acutely aware of how alone Strayed is and that the biggest danger faced is not large predatory animals or harsh environments, but men under an open sky with no one else for miles.

Many of the men (and there are almost only men) Strayed encounters along the trail are helpful and friendly, but there is a constant undertone of sexual tension, a tension commented on near the end of the film. It seems

that a woman can never escape the wandering male eye, even hundreds of miles from the nearest bar.

When a film is packed with this amount of depth and dejection, a certain amount of levity is needed to ease the audience through the experience. Luckily, the screenplay is by Nick Hornby, author of books like “High Fidelity” and “About a Boy.” Hornby is my favorite living author and his touch can be seen throughout the film by making the heavy subjects a little lighter.

Of course, with Hornby involved, the soundtrack to the film is topnotch as well; many scenes are tinted with the poetry of Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen. Witherspoon is excellent in the role, likely reaching for an Academy Award in a year with fairly slim pickings. She has nothing but herself and a canvas of empty landscapes to react to, and shows her talent by remaining understated and tranquil throughout the film.

There are multitudes of films and books focusing on the redemptive power of nature. However, Cheryl Strayed was not redeemed by her journey. Her mistakes were not erased by the time she reached Oregon. Instead, her travels led her to accept the person she always was. Nature was the quiet force that revealed a simple truth: We are all merely the culmination of our experiences.

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chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 21

Bagging Another Official First In which Officer Alex grosses out his partner…again

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Everything was normal. Seed burns on the seats to match the seeds in the ashtray, no current proof of insurance, a wrinkled paper grocery sack in the back seat filled with giant rubber %$#@s…”

When officer Alexander D. Teach is not patrolling our fair city on the heels of the criminal element, he spends his spare time volunteering for the Boehm Birth Defects Center.

The gentleman was in It was late and we were his late 50s and had trouble ready to go, really ready, we standing, but he made up for were in overtime, but it was this impairment by being revoluntary for once so there ally unpleasant in general. was no one to blame but ourWhich, it turns out, is a bad selves. DUI reduction…how approach desperate to take we were for when you’re money at the c a u g h t moment.

ALEX TEACH speeding I’d pulled while drunk and you have off the highway for a Break18.9 grams of cocaine, seven fast of Champions (a day-old grams of weed, paraphernalia roller-dog with spicy mustard for both, and $4,020 cash in and sauerkraut, two things your pockets incident to arthat cannot go bad, thererest (refusal to take any tests fore adding to the shelf life of inexorably leading to this). both myself and the dog they Rick called a supervisor adorned) when I heard my out so that the gentleman in partner get out with a cusquestion (let’s call him “Mr. tomer two exits north.

Henderson”) could count I packed up my intended the money with us on video meal in its clear plastic palon the hood of the car (lest ace of a hot-dog carrier and the drunk guy carrying weed topped off my coffee mug and coke who happens to be before heading out the door, living with his mom at age because you could always eat 57 cast aspersions upon our later, but you couldn’t go back character), while I started to in time if you were late as inventory his vehicle before it back-up for your bro. was towed off.

I had eased up to the GMC Everything was normal.

Yukon and checked its conSeed burns on the seats to tents out from rear to front, match the seeds in the ashmaking mental notes of what tray, no current proof of inI saw while actually just looksurance, a wrinkled paper ing to make sure there was grocery sack in the back no one crouched down with seat filled with giant rubber a handgun or a broadsword %$#@s, an aluminum ball bat or anything, and I continued with…wait, what? towards the front after the In law enforcement, there sweep to stand aside while the are so many horrible things arduous task of explaining soto deal with I’m not sure if I briety tests to a clearly intoxicould list them in a single day, cated man got underway.

On The Beat

22 • The Pulse • january 8-14, 2015 • chattanoogapulse.com

much less a single newspaper column. Blood? Feces? Decayed animals, decayed owners of animals? Animals filled with decayed owners?

Check, check, check, check and check.

But of all the things we hate to find and deal with, a used sex toy is at the top of the list.

And what’s worse than a used sex toy? A whole bunch of the bastards.

I backed out of the vehicle with a frown etched onto my face, and I wordlessly reached for the back of my utility belt to get my gloves out.

Mr. Henderson noticed this while leaning against my partners Crown Vic, obscenities still flowing from his mouth about his inconvenience. “How can you be upset?” I asked. He looked and mumbled “What…?” “You. How can you be upset? You should be the most relaxed man I’ve ever met. All these neck massagers in here, the weed, a pocket full of cash… what the hell can you be upset about? Unless that’s what the coke’s for?”

He was puzzled.

“The %$#@s, bro. You have a sack full of %$#@s back here.” He was quiet, thinking of a response, so I reached into the bag. “Here, this one.

What is this? My God, am I the King of England now for pulling this out? Rick. Look at this thing!” I helicoptered it a moment for effect.

“That’s not mine,” Mr. Henderson mumbled, suddenly regaining his composure.

“Wait, what? You claim the weed, the coke, the cash…but you’re shy?”

My partner put his hands up, palms out. “STOP. Just stop right there. Please just count the %$#@s in the bag and roll. Thanks, man but… oh God.” He had a point.

Seventeen. I’d gone years without seeing one, and tonight I had to count, by hand, 17 big rubber %$#@s. “Put this in the recruiting literature,” I thought.

I looked over in my passenger seat, and there was my abandoned meal…a hot dog.

I paused. “What the hell,” I thought, and opened it up.

Free Will Astrology CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Songwriter RB Morris wrote a fanciful poem in which he imagines a smart mockingbird hearing rock and roll music for the first time. “When Mockingbird first heard rock / He cocked his head and crapped / What in the hell is that? / It sounded like a train wreck / Someone was screaming / Someone’s banging on garbage cans.” Despite his initial alienation, Mockingbird couldn’t drag himself away. He stayed to listen. Soon he was spellbound. “His blood pounded and rolled.” Next thing you know, Mockingbird and his friends are making raucous music themselves—”all for the love of that joyful noise.” I foresee a comparable progression for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn. What initially disturbs you may ultimately excite you— maybe even fulfill you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do you recall the opening scene of Lewis Carroll’s story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?

Alice is sitting outside on a hot day, feeling bored, when a White Rabbit scurries by. He’s wearing a coat and consulting a watch as he talks to himself. She follows him, even when he jumps into a hole in the ground. Her descent takes a long time.

On the way down, she passes cupboards and bookshelves and other odd sights.

Not once does she feel fear. Instead, she makes careful observations and thinks reasonably about her unexpected trip. Finally she lands safely. As you do your personal equivalent of falling down the rabbit hole, Aquarius, be as poised and calm as Alice.

Think of it as an adventure, not a crisis, and an adventure it will be.

rob brezsny

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are positively oceanic these days. You are vast and deep, restless and boundless, unruly and unstoppable. As much as it’s possible for a human being to be, you are ageless and fantastical. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could communicate telepathically and remember your past lives and observe the invisible world in great detail. I’m tempted to think of you as omnidirectional and omniscient, as well as polyrhythmic and polymorphously perverse. Dream big, you crazy wise dreamer.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In his novel Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut describes a character, Ned Lingamon, who “had a penis eight hundred miles long and two hundred and ten miles in diameter, but practically all of it was in the fourth dimension.” If there is any part of you that metaphorically resembles Lingamon, Aries, the coming months will be a favorable time to fix the problem. You finally have sufficient power and wisdom and feistiness to start expressing your latent capacities in practical ways…to manifest your hidden beauty in a tangible form…to bring your purely fourth-dimensional aspects all the way into the third dimension.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Novelist E. L. Doctorow says that the art of writing “is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” This realistic yet hopeful assessment is true of many challenges, not just writing. The big picture of what you’re trying to accomplish is often obscure. You wish you had the comfort of knowing exactly what you’re

doing every step of the way, but it seems that all you’re allowed to know is the next step. Every now and then, however, you are blessed with an exception to the rule.

Suddenly you get a glimpse of the whole story you’re embedded in. It’s like you’re standing on a mountaintop drinking in the vast view of what lies behind you and before you. I suspect that this is one of those times for you, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Most people have numerous items in their closet that they never wear. Is that true for you?

Why? Do you think you will eventually come to like them again, even though you don’t now? Are you hoping that by keeping them around you can avoid feeling remorse about having wasted money? Do you fantasize that the uncool stuff will come back into fashion? In accordance with the astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to stage an all-out purge. Admit the truth to yourself about what clothes no longer work for you, and get rid of them.

While you’re at it, why not carry out a similar cleanup in other areas of your life?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Nothing was ever created by two men,” wrote John Steinbeck in his novel East of Eden.

“There are no good collaborations, whether in music, in art, in poetry, in mathematics, in philosophy. Once the miracle of creation has taken place, the group can build and extend it, but the group never invents anything. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind of a man.” In my view, this statement is delusional nonsense. And it’s especially inapt for you in the coming weeks. In fact, the only success that will

have any lasting impact will be the kind that you instigate in tandem with an ally or allies you respect.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I live in Northern California, where an extended drought led to water rationing for much of 2014. But in December, a series of downpours arrived to replenish the parched landscape. Now bursts of white wildflowers have erupted along my favorite hiking trails. They’re called shepherd’s purse. Herbalists say this useful weed can be made into an ointment that eases pain and heals wounds. I’d like to give you a metaphorical version of this good stuff. You could use some support in alleviating the psychic aches and pangs you’re feeling. Any ideas about how to get it? Brainstorm. Ask questions. Seek help.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Actress Uzo Aduba’s formal first name is Uzoamaka.

She tells the story about how she wanted to change it when she was a kid. One day she came home and said, “Mommy, can you call me Zoe?” Her mother asked her why, and she said, “Because no one can say Uzoamaka.” Mom was quick to respond: “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Michelangelo, they can learn to say Uzoamaka.” The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: This is no time to suppress your quirks and idiosyncrasies.

That’s rarely a good idea, but especially now. Say NO to making yourself more generic.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Doug Von Koss leads groups of people in sing-alongs. You don’t have to be an accomplished vocalist to be part of his events, nor is it crucial

that you know the lyrics and melodies to a large repertoire of songs. He strives to foster a “perfection-free zone.” I encourage you to dwell in the midst of your own personal perfection-free zone everywhere you go this week, Libra. You need a break from the pressure to be smooth, sleek, and savvy. You have a poetic license to be innocent, loose, and a bit messy. At least temporarily, allow yourself the deep pleasure of ignoring everyone’s expectations and demands.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I dream of lost vocabularies that might express some of what we no longer can,” wrote Jack Gilbert in his poem “The Forgotten Dialects of the Heart.” Judging from the current astrological omens, I’d say that you are close to accessing some of those lost vocabularies. You’re more eloquent than usual. You have an enhanced power to find the right words to describe mysterious feelings and subtle thoughts. As a result of your expanded facility with language, you may be able to grasp truths that have been out of reach before now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “If you have built castles in the air,” said philosopher Henry David Thoreau, “your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” That may seem like a backward way to approach the building process: erecting the top of the structure first, and later the bottom. But I think this approach is more likely to work for you than it is for any other sign of the zodiac. And now is an excellent time to attend to such a task.

chattanoogapulse.com • january 8-14, 2015 • The Pulse • 23

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