Connect Savannah April 21-27, 2021

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SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS TAKE HOME GOLD AT CONFERENCE

BEACHY HEAD TO RELEASE NEW SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM

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INTERNATIONAL VISIONS UNIQUE DESIGN X SAVANNAH BRINGS GLOBAL ART TO TRUSTEES’ GARDEN

APRIL 21 - APRIL 27, 2021

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SAVANNAH SAVANNAH 27 Bull Street | 912-234-6565 27 Bull Street | 912-234-6565 8201 White Bluff RoadBluff | 912-232-5884 8201 White Road | 912-232-5884 2225 East 2225 Victory Drive | 912-303-9667 East Victory Drive | 912-303-9667

LIVE PERFORMANCES

IN LIMITED-CAPACITY SETTINGS WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASKS REQUIRED. JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA SEPTET WITH WYNTON MARSALIS Sunday, May 23 at 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

PERFORMANCE TODAY’S “PIANO PUZZLER” WITH BRUCE ADOLPHE AND FRED CHILD Tuesday, May 25 at 6 p.m.

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

SPRING SEASON M AY 2 3 – 3 0 , 2 0 2 1

ULYSSES OWENS JR.’S GENERATION Y / CAMILLE THURMAN AND THE DARRELL GREEN QUARTET Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

DAVID FINCKEL, CELLO, AND WU HAN, PIANO Thursday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

RODNEY CROWELL Thursday, May 27 at 8 p.m.

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

AMYTHYST KIAH / JONTAVIOUS WILLIS Friday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden

PAUL HUANG, VIOLIN, AND ANNE-MARIE MCDERMOTT, PIANO Saturday, May 29 at 3 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

JEREMY DENK, PIANO Sunday, May 30 at 3 p.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

DIGITAL CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES FEATURING FOUR EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCES BY SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL ARTISTS. TUESDAYS AT 6 PM FIRST EPISODE PREMIERES TUESDAY, APRIL 27 youtube.com/savannahmusicfestival

TICKETS & INFO S AVA N N A H M U S I C F E S T I VA L . O R G

LIVESTREAMING PERFORMANCES BRINGING THE SPRING SEASON TO YOU.

STAY TUNED FOR THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE! savannahmusicfestival.org/livestream

tree-fifty tuesday tuesday Wine wednesday SIppin TEa Monday tree-fifty all all beer, beer, titos, titos, RBV, RBV, $3 Truly Tea $13 Buckets $3 Truly Tea $13 Buckets

jameson: jameson: $3.50 $3.50

thursdays & Sunday Live dj | 6-9 pm Drink specials Live dj | 6-9 pm Drink specials

Half off Bottles

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*CLOSING HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE *CLOSING HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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AT A GLANCE

APR/

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK TO HAVE YOUR EVENT CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN WEEK AT A GLANCE, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO WAG@CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM. INCLUDE THE EVENT NAME, DATE, TIME, LOCATION WITH ADDRESS, COST, WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, AND A CONTACT NUMBER. THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 5PM EACH FRIDAY BEFORE THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY’S EDITION.

WEDNESDAY 4.21

THURSDAY 4.22

Cocktails for Cause

“A Conversation with the Savannah Landscape” Reception

Join Caroline’s Crusaders at Driftaway Cafe for an event benefitting the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s MWOY Campaign. Enjoy drink specials, appetizers, and chances to win great prizes. Live Music by Chuck Courtney.

5:30 p.m.

Driftaway Cafe 7400 Skidaway Rd.

Drunk Spelling Bee

Join El-Rocko Lounge on Wednesdays for a drunken scholastic event- Drunk Spelling Bee. Enter by purchasing three drinks at ElRocko between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

10 p.m.-1 a.m.

El-Rocko Lounge, 117 Whitaker St.

Green Drinks Savannah

Head to Foxy Loxy to participate in discussions with like-minded people on environmental topics.

6 p.m.

Foxy Loxy Cafe 1919 Bull St.

Legends Live On

Enjoy as a cast of Broadway and Las Vegas singers, dancers and live band perform a 2-hour tribute to pop music legends including Beatles, Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Bruno Mars, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boyz II Men, Celine Dion, Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, Four Seasons and many more in a dazzling Vegas-style production.

8 p.m.

The Historic Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St. $39 for adult, $19.50 ages 16 and under savannahtheatre.com

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The Mansion on Forsyth Park’s Grand Bohemian Gallery in will feature the work of accomplished painter Dottie Turner Leatherwood and other artists in its 2021 Savannah Series. Savannah native Dottie Turner Leatherwood’s paintings will be featured in an exhibit entitled “A Conversation with the Savannah Landscape.” The exhibit will open on April 15 with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. and be on display through May 15.

Every 7 days, 4-7 p.m.

Grand Bohemian Gallery 700 Drayton St.

Salsa Thursdays at Mint to Be Mojitos Join Salsa Savannah on Thursdays at Mint to Be Mojitos for free beginner dance lessons. Enjoy Salsa, bachata music, and dancing.

7:30-10:30 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s, 12 W State St.

FRIDAY 4.23 Bluegrass By The Pint with Swamptooth

Join Service Brewing for Bluegrass by the Pint every Friday featuring live bluegrass from favorite local favorite’s, Swamptooth.

6 p.m.

Service Brewing Company, 574 Indian St.

Potable Gold: Madeira Tradition

Join the Davenport House Museum for their annual celebration of the Madeira TraditionGuests will experience the historic atmosphere of the Davenport House in a socially dis-

tanced format while learning about and tasting a unique and flavorful wine.5:30-6:45 p.m.

Davenport House 324 East State St. $22 info@davenporthousemuseum.org

SAVANNOPOLY

The Location Gallery presents Savannopoly, an art show fundraiser created to aid the work of Habitat Savannah. Over 30 local artists will be creating pieces representative of areas in Savannah.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat Savannah to build affordable houses for future homeowners.

6-8 p.m.

Location Gallery at Austin Hill Realty, 417 Whitaker St.

SATURDAY 4.24 Forsyth Farmers Market

Local and regional produce, honey, meat, dairy, pasta, baked goods and other delights. Rain or shine.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Forsyth Park Drayton St. & East Park Ave. forsythfarmersmarket.com

Islands Farmers Market

Weekly farmers market on Talahi Island highlighting local growers and makers, healthy foods and a positive environment.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Islands Farmers’ Market, 401 Quarterman Dr. facebook.com/ islandsfarmersmarket

King of the Hog BBQ Competition

This 2nd anniversary BBQ competition will include 20 BBQ Competitors facing off at Savannah

Harley-Davidson ® vying for votes to raise money and awareness for the Georgia Down Biker Fund. Cash prizes will be awarded in four categories: Boston Butt, Brisket, Ribs & Sauce. Top winners can take home up to $500 cash and the pride of being “King Of The Hog” for 2021.

Register online to participate.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Savannah Harley-Davidson (Southside) 6 Gateway Blvd. W. $50

Tybee Run & Beach Clean Up

Fleet Feet is headed to Tybee for their Saturday run. Stick around after to volunteer with Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers as they participate in their “Kickin’ Tybee Butts Event at Memorial Park”. Bonus: all participants will receive a cool t-shirt, coaster, and stickers from the event.

6:30-10:30 a.m.

Memorial Park on Tybee Island 403 Butler Ave.

Unearthing the Weeping Time: Charity Fundraiser

Head out to Solomon Temple Church of God in Christ for a BBQ to raise money for West Savannah Weeping Time Archeological Survey. Online donations accepted.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Prayer Temple Church of God in Christ 702 West Victory Dr.

SUNDAY 4.25 Bingo! at Elks Lodge

Join Elks Lodge for Bingo on Thursdays and Sundays. Enjoy great family fun, good food at the snack bar and many chances to win cash.

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Elks Lodge 183 Wilshire Blvd.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

WEEK CONNECT SAVANNAH

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CONNECT SAVANNAH

WEEK

AT A GLANCE

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SAVANNAH’S PULSE NEWS | ARTS | ENTERTAINMENT

Farm Picnic 2021

© 2021, Savannah Media, LLC. 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041

OUR VALUES

Connect Savannah at its core is focused on arts and entertainment and the happenings in our community. We are also a news organization with professional journalists who write about community news and the about the people who live here.

Connect Savannah is dedicated to keeping readers informed and aware of all that goes on in the community.

The presentation of both news and opinion is designed to educate, entertain, inform and foster conversation.

We appreciate and encourage readers to share news tips with us, and to share any criticism and questions.

We are your comprehensive source for the arts, entertainment, music, and community events. We are here to serve you.

We are blessed to be part of the greatest country in the world and the freedom it bestows on its citizens and its press.

Find us on these platforms or reach out to our newsroom at news@connectsavannah.com or 912-721-4378.

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Bunny Ware, Frank Ricci, Lauren Wolverton, Nicole Youngblut, Beth Stewart, Melissa Hayes

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Art by Garance Vallée is on display at the Unique Design X show in Savannah.

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SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS TAKE HOME GOLD AT CONFERENCE

BEACHY HEAD TO RELEASE NEW SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM

19

INTERNATIONAL VISIONS UNIQUE DESIGN X SAVANNAH BRINGS GLOBAL ART TO TRUSTEES’ GARDEN

APRIL 21 - APRIL 27, 2021

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SAVANNAH SAVANNAH 27 Bull Street | 912-234-6565 27 Bull Street | 912-234-6565 8201 White Bluff RoadBluff | 912-232-5884 8201 White Road | 912-232-5884 2225 East 2225 Victory Drive | 912-303-9667 East Victory Drive | 912-303-9667

Head to Forsyth Farmer’s Market’s office in Thunderbolt to grab your plate and take a look at silent auction items.

Online bidding goes from April 1st to April 25th.

4-6 p.m.

2603 Mechanics Ave

MONDAY 4.26 Tybee Island Farmers Market

Weekly market featuring a variety of produce, baked goods, honey, eggs, BBQ, sauces and dressings, popsicles, dog treats and natural body products. Artisans are also featured each week. The market is pet friendly.

4 p.m.

30 Meddin Dr. tybeeislandfarmersmarket.com

COLUMN

TUESDAY 4.27 Stafford’s Tuesday Comedy Open Mic

Head out to the sequel to the open mic Hannibal Buress called “whack” and “please put that phone down”.

8:30-11:45 p.m.

Stafford’s Public House 306 W. Upper Factor’s Walk.

Toddler Tuesday at Oatland Island Wildlife Center

Explore the wonders of nature with all kind of wild fun for your wee ones. This week’s theme is “Eye Spy Bobcat!” Preregistration required.

10 & 11 a.m.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center 711 Sandtown Rd. spsccpss.com/schools/oatland

STAFF NOTES

Best of Savannah buzz

BY LAUREN WOLVERTON lauren@connectsavannah.com

MY FAVORITE CONVERSATION to have with a business owner is telling them some good news. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “Hey good news, it’s going to be a sunny weekend!”

Sometimes, it’s more serious and is good news about how their marketing campaign is going. But, once a year, I get to share the good news that our community has voted them the Best of Savannah. There is nothing better.

For the last couple of weeks, the Connect Savannah marketing crew has been busy and has been loving every second of it. We’ve been working our way through the 2021 Best of Savannah competition winners and visiting them, sharing the results.

Every day, we come back to the office with a feel-good story of someone’s reaction finding out they’ve won a Best of Savannah category. My personal favorite reactions

are when the entire staff of a business says, “Woohoo!” at once - shoutout to you, Ivory & Beau ladies.

This year, the Best of Savannah issue will be out on May 19. It will feature a complete list of winners and finalists. It’s going to be in full glossy, magazine-style format, making it a great keepsake. I can’t wait to see them on coffee tables and in waiting rooms all over town.

The real fun kicks off on May 18 with the Best of Savannah winners’ party. We’ll safely gather at the beautiful Trustees’ Gardens and celebrate local businesses pushing through a rough year. We’ll have local food vendors, music, photos and an open bar.

To me, the Best of Savannah competition is all about supporting all local business and spreading love to people who work their butts off all year. If I’ve learned anything from my career in news and marketing, it’s that a little good news goes a long way. See y’all on May 18!

NEWS

COMMUNITY

SINCE 2001 – BREWING COFFEE & COMMUNITY

THE SENTIENT BEAN

Award-Winning Organic Vegetarian Food + Fair-Trade Coffees & Teas

COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER FOUNDATION

COUNTER SERVICE AND TAKEOUT

Team Forest City Ella Whitley, Gracie Whitley, June McKenzie and Lee Whitley celebrate as the first-place team.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER FOUNDATION

Candler Clays raises over $190K for cancer programs

BY NOELLE WIEHE noelle@connectsavannah.com

CLAY TARGET SHOOTERS and auction participants from across the Low Country had a hand in raising nearly $2K in funds to contribute to services for local cancer patients.

The 19th annual Candler Clays Charity Shoot and Auction raised $190,367 for St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations’ Advancements in Cancer Care in Savannah and surrounding regions, released the foundation.

“Candler Clays enjoys a loyal following of its major sponsors, committee, volunteers and attendees,” said Vernice Rackett, executive director of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations. “The Live Auction and Clay Shoot were executed this year with thoughtful consideration of the safety and wellbeing of all participants ensuring that COVID protocols were in place. People truly gathered in the spirit of gratitude and giving back to support the Nurse Navigation Program and support services for the cancer patients we treat.”

The event benefits the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler and has raised $1.6 million since its inception.

The annual Fund A Need portion of Candler Clays raised a record $47,500 for the Nurse Navigation program. Nurse navigators help cancer patients through their journey by coordinating appointments, keeping

Curt Oelschig, Dee Pinckney, Sales Pinckney and Larry Austin prepare to shoot clays. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER FOUNDATION

up with treatments and communicating.

During the COVID-19 pandemic they have been exceptionally busy. The money raised this year will fund these navigators and help patients through an even more difficult time than usual.

Prizes were presented to the top male and female shooter as well as to first and second place teams and Lewis Class C & B. The first place winning team was Team Forest City, consisting of Gracie, Ella and Lee Whitley and June McKenzie.

The top adult male shooter was Tim Murray, and the top youth male shooter was Drake Cooper. The top adult female shooter was Kathy Warden and the top youth female shooter was Ella Whitley, for the third year in a row, the foundation released.

Each year the event honors a survivor or memorializes someone who died of cancer.

This year’s honoree was the late Carolyn Johnson Trosdal. She was married to her husband, Einer Trosdal, III, for 33 years and had three children, Katherine, Storm and Richard. She died in 2014.

The St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations support vital clinical programs, assist in the purchase of cutting-edge medical technology and enhance outreach programs designed to keep people in our community healthy. This important educational component helps the community be more proactive about their health and disease management.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit sjchs.org/foundations.

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

Paul P. Hinchey, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler; Vernice Rackett, executive director of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations; Anne Bone and Michael Bone, co-chairs of Candler Clays; and Einar Trosdal, III, prepare for the live auction. PHOTO

MON - SUN OPEN 7AM–5PM

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NEWS

LOCAL BEAT

A golfer putts on the green at last year’s event.

Golfers take a break on the course while competing in the third annual Warrior Golf Classic last year. The event this year will be held at Sourthbridge Golf Club. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 135

Members of the American Legion Post 135 celebrate Hooters’ sponsorship of this year’s event.

Spots remain for Warrior Lift Golf Classic

American Legion to host fourth annual golf tournament at Southbridge

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY NOELLE WIEHE

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THE AMERICAN LEGION Post 135 will host their fourth annual Warrior Lift Golf Classic April 24 at the Southbridge Golf Club.

There are still spots open for the tournament, which will be an 18-hole scramble with teams of four golfers.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said James Evans, chairman of the tournament. “It’s not one of the competitive, stressful tournaments that you hear about. People are just out there to have fun, let loose, eat, drink, hang out with friends, meet new friends.”

Evans said last year, the feedback received was that people just had a really good time at the tournament. “… they didn’t show up to play and then go home,” Evans said. “They came, they socialized, they met new friends, they had a fun round of golf, no stresses in the world.

It was just a really fun event to be at and it’s going to keep getting better and better each year.”

The money raised through the event goes to the Post’s elevator fund.

“We’ve partnered with local businesses for three years in a row to raise money for our new elevator for our historic Post home at 1108 Bull St.,” said Jennifer Fortenberry, second junior vice commander for the Post.

The event is sponsored by Hooters, who will supply players with sliders, chicken wings and tater tots, and Greenfire Pizza in Pooler, who will supply players with pizza after the tournament. Service Brewing, Southbound Brewing and Sweetwater Brewing companies are sponsoring the tournament through their beverage contributions.

There will also be a raffle, with prizes such as $200 to Custom Hustle tattoo shop, a beer basket from Service Brewing Company, gift certificates for glass blowing, ghost tours and more.

The raffle will be open from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to anyone who would like to purchase at ticket, even if they’re not

participating in the tournament. The winner also does not have to be present to win.

There will be trophies given our for last place team, first place, second place and third place, the longest drive, closest to the hole on hole four and there will be hole-inone sponsorships on all the par-3 holes.

American Legion Post 135 hosts numerous events in their ballroom space at their location on Bull St. Veterans and community members alike are welcome to rent out the space to gather with their friends, family or host any sort of event which may need a beautiful ballroom setting.

The space had been limited, however, as the Post is accessible via very steep stairs.

Alas, the Post installed a new elevator to alleviate that limitation.

The elevator aids in the ease of access to family members or visitors with disabilities to the post’s ballroom which is rented out for events such as weddings, conferences and community events.

Evans, who is also the Senior Howmet

Veterans Network Chairman and Procurement Operations Manager, has had a hand in helping donate to such veterans organizations as Nine Line Apparel and the Pat Tillman Foundation. He said the event is a good opportunity to support the American Legion and their role in service to the community.

“Come on down, see what we’re doing and be a part of it,” Fortenberry said.

A golfer takes a swing at the Warrior Lift Golf Classic last year.

COMMUNITY

Savannah’s Ghost Coast Distillery wins in gin

BY NOELLE WIEHE

THE BEVERAGE TESTING Institute awarded Savannah’s Ghost Coast Distillery a Gold medal, 93 points for its most popular spirit, Ghost Coast Burl Gin. The judging panel describes Burl as, “complex, fruity, and spicy,” the distillery’s marketing director Kelcie Beausir said.

“It’s amazing how many non-gin drinkers end up loving gin after trying Burl,” says Cory Reuter, Ghost Coast bar manager.

“It’s one of our team’s favorite spirits because of its versatility. We can use it for infusions, timeless classics, fruit-forward creations, or a simple gin and tonic and the Burl shines through without overpowering.”

Ghost Coast named this American-style gin after Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives, “as American as one could be —”… and our favorite snowman,” Beausir said.

The Burl Gin is lighter than traditional London dry gins, and the juniper takes a backseat to other flavors. The gin’s notes of citrus and lavender mingle nicely with the light juniper, Beausir said.

“The craft gin is light, floral, and refreshing, yet it is bold enough to shine through in any flavorful cocktail or creation,” she said.

The Beverage Testing Institute’s

full review stated: “Clear color.

Herbal aromas and flavors of bright pine blossoms, Moroccan orange mint spice cake, Turkish delight, and ginger and rosehips with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, complex, breezy finish with accents of almond powder, powdered sugar, rose water, and earl grey tea. A beautifully integrated nouveau style Gin with a sleek, evocative floral character and restrained juniper presence.”

Tastings, powered by the Beverage Testing Institute, was founded in 1981 with the goal of producing fair, impartial wine reviews for consumers. Tastings is an independent product rating and review company that provides beverage buying guides and education for consumers and the trade. They are a certified member of the American Society of Testing and Materials. To learn about the Beverage Testing Institute, visit tastings.com.

Ghost Coast Distillery first opened its doors in 2017 and has since made over 20 different award-winning spirits. Their recently renovated Cocktail Room is ranked second in Yelp’s “Top Things to Do in Savannah” list and offers cocktail flights, a retail store, free live music and lively events.

They are located in downtown Savannah on Indian St. To learn more about Ghost Coast Distillery, visit ghostcoastdistillery.com.

IMAGE COURTESY OF GHOST COAST DISTILLERY

(912) 459-0065 10086 Ford Avenue Richmond Hill

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

NEWS

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NEWS Savannah Technical College Chapter receives top honors at SkillsUSA Competition Savannah Technical College Chapter was named one of the top 24 programs

BY NOELLE WIEHE

STUDENTS FROM SAVANNAH Technical College earned 22 medals and top honors April 5 during the virtually held 2021 SkillsUSA Postsecondary State Conference.

Students who won gold medals in occupational health, mechatronics and customer service are eligible to compete in the national competition to be held virtually on June 14-18 for the 57th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.

“SkillsUSA is an organization that culminates in the state competition where our students get to showcase their work-ready

skills and this year, the Savannah Technical students came in really high,” said Rushe Hudzinski, faculty member in the department of Business and Human Resources and advisor for SkillsUSA at Savannah Technical GRAPHIC COURTESY OF SKILLSUSA College.

Savannah Technical College students won 12 gold, eight silver and two bronze

medals as they competed against students from colleges all across the state of Georgia. The threeday competition was for career and technical student organizations that study in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs.

In addition to a dozen individual awards, on April 9, the Savannah Technical College Chapter was named one of the top 24

programs in the nation with the receipt of the Model of Excellence Award.

“We are very, very excited about their success,” said Rushe.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs.

SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators.

Protesting with Pastries – Plan C: Cookies for Choice unites restaurants in support of Planned Parenthood

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY MELISSA HAYES

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FOLLOWING THE 2016 ELECTION, bakers in cities around the country took their frustrations to the kitchen with artisan bake sales. From New York to San Francisco, chefs have churned out sweet treats in support of their local Planned Parenthood chapters. Inspired by Atlanta’s Cookie Grab, Natasha Gaskill, pastry chef at The Grey and The Grey Market, teamed up with Planned Parenthood Southeast (PPSE) to pioneer Savannah’s confectionary campaign with Plan C: Cookies for Choice. “I think all of us were grappling with how we could use the resources we have available to us to affect any level of change,” says Gaskill.

Gaskill has been a renowned Savannah baker for 15 years, but she also has a profound interest in social justice. She studied political science and gender studies in college intending to go to law school, but life led her to focus on creative pursuits in the kitchen. Cookies for Choice allows her to combine her passion for activism with her culinary talents.

The 2019 inaugural event, which neighborhood. included 18 bakers, sold out in advance and In a sharply divided world, Planned Parraised over $11,000 for PPSE. Following a enthood has come under fire, but Gaskill says Covid-forced the organizahiatus last tion is deeply year, the event misunderstood returns this and necessary spring just in to the health of time for Mothour communier’s Day and ties. “It’s hard has grown to to know what include nearly people believe 30 local chefs these days, but and eateries.

Planned Parent“People want hood offers so to be supportmuch healthcare. ive of Planned So many people Parenthood,” utilize planned says Gaskill.

Parenthood for “It’s just a sweet all of their regbonus that ular checkups, GRAPHIC COURTESY OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD you get a box their mammoof cookies that you can take to your mom, grams, cancer screenings,” says Gaskill. “It’s your wife, or your friend who’s a mom.” beyond just birth control and reproductive And since 100% of the proceeds go to the rights. They’re a general healthcare provider Southeast chapter, you know your money for so many people, especially in areas where supports programming within your own there’s not much else. They’re essential.”

Each chef will make 250 treats which will be divided among the boxes with an assemblage of 20 offerings per box. The participant lineup includes prominent local bakers like Cheryl Day who, in 2019, created classic lavender shortbread cookies. Award-winning cookbook author Libbie Summers returns this year after adding spicy ginger cookies to the mix in 2019. The array also includes anticipated names like Auspicious Baking Company and Lulu’s Chocolate Bar alongside surprising contributors like Pizzeria Vittoria and Bull Street Tacos. Gaskill plans to make dulce de leche sandwich cookies. “I’m excited and curious to see what other people do.

It’s definitely going to be interesting to see what the mix is,” she says. “It’s a fun way to bring the restaurant community together especially after last year.”

Purchasers can pick up their cookie boxes at two locations on Saturday, May 8 at Ardsley Station (curbside) and the Forsyth Farmers Market. Online sales will open at noon on Monday, April 26 at https://give.classy.org/cookiesforchoice with each box priced at $60.

COMMUNITY

Treats in Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOOF GANG BAKERY

Woof Gang offers pet-owners a vast variety of organic, non-GMO treats, protein and nongrain foods as well as toys, accessories and SINCE OPENING in 2015, Woof Gang Bakery pet supplies. Pet parents to their own 14-yearand Grooming has been providing Savannah’s old Yorkshire Terrier named Lucy, David and furry friends with organic pet foods and gourMichelle are expanding the product line to met treats while expanding into six different include more small dog items such as clothes, locations around the city. New owners, David strollers and carriers. David said that as huge and Michelle Pence hope to continue the pet lovers themselves, they feel lucky to get brand’s success with top notch customer serto work with animals everyday. “We always vice, quality products and expert groomers. laugh when we are in the store with Michelle Under this new ownership, Woof Gang because at any given time she’s got five or six Bakery and Grooming is dogs around her and she proudly now both a locally may be sitting on the floor owned and veteran owned playing with them...for her business. After managing she said ‘It’s my dream the franchises for over 60 job, I get to play with dogs days, David and Michelle all day.’” officially assumed ownerThe neighborhood ship this month and plan pet store will continue to be very hands-on in the to have a strong focus on everyday workings of all the personalized customer stores while expanding on service and community the brand’s positive repuwhile providing gourmet tation and loyal customer treats and skilled groomMichelle and David Pence anbase. “We just want to connounce their ownership of Woof ing care in a boutique Gang Bakery and Grooming. tinue the great service that environment at all of their PHOTOS COURTESY OF WOOF GANG they’ve done for the comlocations in the downBAKERY munity...maybe expand to town and Starland areas, some future branches and Berwick and Pooler. expand grooming services. But the stores were David and Michelle hope that their stores already doing fantastic and we want to concan be a space that brings people within the tinue that success,” said David. community together through their shared The couple is already well-versed in how to passion for animals. “People and their pets, run a business in Savannah. David owns two it’s a unifying condition. We live in a divisive Allstate Insurance agencies and Michelle is society unfortunately...but the thing about pets a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway Home Serand pet people when they come into the store vices, Cora Bett Thomas Realty. “I’ve got such everybody is unified in the love for their pets,” a fantastic team at Allstate and such a fansaid David. “I’ve seen people stand around and tastic team at Woof Gang that it allows me to share pictures...you’ll have these total strangers do both,” said David. Woof Gang Bakery and that’ll be standing in the store showing each Grooming is hoping to hire more reliable and other pictures of their dogs. That’s just so fanenergetic employees who love animals as well tastic...it’s just a great place to be. Come see the as trained and experienced groomers. new Woof Gang”

BY CLAIRE MCMILLAN

12- 8PM Y L I A D O PE N

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

Pup-ular pet store under new management

11

NEWS

COMMUNITY

Customers enjoy the outdoor seating at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island. PHOTO BY MELISSA HAYES

Locals and visitors wait to be seated outside of the Collin’s Quarter. PHOTO BY MELISSA HAYES

Diners in distress

Labor shortages leave Savannah restaurants struggling with uptick in business

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY MELISSA HAYES

12

RESTAURANTS HAVE been put through the wringer for over a year. They’ve endured shutdowns, adjusted their service models, and watched with resignation as colleagues closed doors for good. Things should be looking up now as vaccinations and warm weather inspire hope for a return to semi-normalcy.

People are ready to go out. Business is booming. But restaurants are faced with a new pandemic of their own, not of biological origins but of workforce. There simply aren’t enough people willing to work in service anymore.

Spanky’s in Pooler has been forced to reduce their hours. Sundown Lodge on Wilmington Island temporarily closed their doors.

“We would like to apologize in advance,” wrote Savannah Taphouse on Facebook. “We are doing our best with the limited amount of loyal employees we do have.” “We are grateful for all of our staff that actually does come to work,” wrote Driftaway Cafe. “Please know we are trying our hardest with what we’re working with,” wrote Savannah Seafood Shack.

The problem is much larger than Savannah.

From coast to coast, the Covid-battered service industry continues to limp along. The worker-to-customer ratio is sharply off balance. Diners are getting frustrated. Service workers who remain are exhausted. Those who haven’t returned say they’re exhausted, too, and ready to move on. Long hours and low wages are service industry stereotypes. Throw in a pandemic and alternative options, and furloughed employees are choosing to keep their distance.

“I don’t know if anything will help until they stop getting their unemployment money,” said Jack Flanigan, owner of The Crab Shack. “That seems to be the big thing. But, people have also drifted away from the service industry to do other things now.”

The mega-restaurant reduced its staff of around 150 to “maybe four or five” who stayed behind to sell to-go meals after lockdown forced furloughs in March of last year. As the world slowly reopened, The Crab Shack, known for welcoming tourists and locals in droves, brought back anyone willing to work ... which turned out to be not many.

“Tell anybody who wants to work to come

on,” Flanigan said. “We’ve lost a lot of people. We can get servers, but if you don’t have cooks, you don’t need servers.”

Come Spring Break, one of Savannah’s busiest seasons, The Crab Shack was unable to serve half as many customers as usual. “We seated close to 750 people before this started.

Now, we seat just a little over 300. And when we’re really busy, we can’t even do that. I have one whole side shut down,” Flanigan said.

He’s attempted to incentivize applicants with a $3,000 bonus for new kitchen staff willing to stick it out through the busy season, but no one’s taking the bait.

“I had one applicant who didn’t show up for the interview,” he said. “The situation’s really gonna have to change industrywide because it’s not divided equitably. The kitchen does most of the work and the servers make most of the money.”

Anthony Debreceny, owner of Collins Quarter, Fitzroy, and The Deck on Tybee, shares similar woes. He’s had a $50K management position posted for three weeks and only had four applicants.

“I believe it’s just the perfect storm,” he said.

“You’ve got a combination of Savannah getting busy, everyone looking for employees and then unemployment benefits are kicking in all around the same time.”

“We certainly don’t have the time to train people. If we get someone who wants to be a server, they might get a day’s training, and then

it’s right into it. We are not having our staff trained as well as we’d like because there are so few people and so many tourists in town.”

Many diners just aren’t familiar with restaurant logistics. On the surface, things appear fine. People see empty tables waiting to be seated, other customers mingling, and servers maneuvering dining rooms. But when a kitchen staff drops from seven workers to five, the ripple effect is felt throughout the restaurant.

“If people see empty seats, it’s not because we don’t want to serve you,” Debreceny said.

“It’s because we don’t think we can serve you to your expectations and in a way that represents us and our brand.”

Despite these grim times for restaurants, Debreceny remains optimistic now that Spring Break has passed. For years, he’s kept detailed records of his restaurants’ ebbs and flows.

“I think we have four to six more weeks of Savannah being traditionally busy through May, and then I think we’ll be through the worst of the staffing issue,” he said. “I’m just glad to see that people are happy and healthy. This is a good problem to have because it’d be worse if we were heading in the other direction.”

FOOD & DRINK

COMMUNITY

Samaria Barnes prepares a meal for a customer. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM’S KITCHEN

A meal is prepared for a customer by Sam Barnes. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM’S KITCHEN

KETO or K.O.

BY BRANDY SIMPKINS brandy@connectsavannah.com

WHAT’S BETTER than enjoying a delicious meal? Enjoying a delicious meal that you don’t have to cook.

Samaria Barnes is a selftaught, personal chef who prepares both healthy and hearty food locally. Since December 2020, Barnes has been providing meal preps full-time through her business, Sam’s Kitchen.

Barnes provides keto lunch and dinner for her patrons weekly. Salmon, baked chicken, cauliflower rice and green beans are just a few of the

many, delectable options that you will find on her ever-changing menu.

“I wanted to make a twist on food prepping,” Barnes said.

“So, I put a twist on healthy eating as I specialize in Keto food.

Food doesn’t have to be bland and boring — you can still eat everyday food. It’s tasty, and at the same time you lose weight and save money.”

Barnes prides herself in preparing healthy food that is also affordable.

“My meal prepping starts at $75 a week,” Barnes said. “I have one guy who has already lost nine pounds and he just started last week. He said sometimes he spends $75 in one

Samaria Barnes prepares a dish of shrimp and grits for a customer. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAM’S KITCHEN

sitting at a restaurant.”

Barnes always knew that she enjoyed cooking, and she even shared that she sold dinners as a “side-hustle” while working her full-time job, but it wasn’t until the end of last year that she decided to provide meal preps as a full service.

She said the uncertainty of the pandemic led her to do what she enjoyed doing with her life.

“Due to the uncertainty of last year, I gained the courage to get out there and say ‘life is too short, let me do what I love doing,’” Barnes said. “One day I woke up and realized that I wanted to follow my dreams and my passion and I love food and I love to cook, and I’ve always loved it.”

Barnes said, since a young girl, she has had a passion for preparing delicious meals.

“I remember being 8 or 9-years old watching Julia Childs on TV and saying ‘I want to do that; I want to cook’, and then going into the kitchen and making poached eggs,” Barnes said.

While Barnes does meal prep healthy meals, about twice a month, she also cooks hearty soul food that may lead you to a nap. Barnes said she prepares the dinners to serve about 200 people.

The personal chef also said that she announces when she sells dinners on her Facebook business page, and people

come running.

“Whenever I post a dinner, I sell out within two hours,” Barnes said.

To make it even sweeter, she pairs the dinner up with a free four ounce container of ice cream, which she makes herself, with both traditional and Keto-style options.

“I cook from the heart,” the chef said. “It’s called soul food and I feel like I cook from my soul. I put everything into it, and I love it.”

Barnes’ dinners are also available on DoorDash.

Visit facebook.com/SamsKitchen for details on Sam’s Kitchen services.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

Self-taught personal chef serves up weekly meal preps

13

FOOD & DRINK

Historic District’s new restaurant, bar, brewery, distillery now open, offers drink pairings for every dish

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY LINDY MOODY

14

WITH A NEW SEASON comes a new brewery and local distillery. Monday marked the grand opening for the historic district’s newest restaurant, bar, brewery and distillery: New Realm Brewery & Distillery.

New Realm Brewery first opened its doors in Georgia’s largest growing city of Atlanta. After taking the city by storm with quick success, the brew empire expanded to Virginia. Within two years of its first opening, New Realm Brewery became a multi-state venture.

Now, New Realm is taking over the Low Country. This week marks the grand opening for the newest location right here in the Port City. With the expansion in territory comes an expansion in products; New Realm Brewery started with and is known for its unique craft beer. Euphonia Pilsner, Hoplandia IPA and United Craft Lager are just some of the brewskies that put them on the map.

The Savannah New Realm Brewery & Distillery location will expand the distillery side of New Realm products. Patrons can expect to find liquors like gin, bourbon and vodka.

My personal favorite is the hand-mixed old fashioned with their signature aged bourbon. Co-Founder and CEO Carey Falcone said it best, “We are a brewery and distillery.

The way we ought to think about this location is scratch food, scratch beer and scratch spirits all made locally on site here.”

Because drinks are so much better with a salty pairing, New Realm recognized the ability to create sumptuous food items to with their libations. The New Realm Distillery & Brewery is not just a beer house or bar, but rather a full service establishment in which to sit and enjoy both food and beverage.

“You are going to see a lot of creativity and innovation on the spirits side, on the beer side, as well as on the food side,” Falcone said. “Everything we do here is from scratch, so you are not going to see us defrosting food and heating it up. That is not who we are; [we are] able to pair our food with our spirits and our beer. We will have live music and we have a lot of space for social events.”

Guests are offered deviled eggs during an event April 16 at New Realm Brewing.

A guest enjoys a New Realm Brewing Old Fashioned during a VIP event at their Savannah location. PHOTOS BY LINDY MOODY

Rather than pairing drinks with food, a lot of the innovation starts at New Realm with creative drinks then they figure out how to partner their libations with the fare.

Executive Chef John Cole is the brain behind the new Savannah location’s menu. He brings his roots into the mix, along with local sources.

“Everything we use, as much as possible, is all local,” Cole said. “I make sure we go to the farmers’ markets and local farmers to try and get the best products.”

Everyone I spoke with about the menu

agreed that the Cheddar Crusted Mac & Cheese is Chef Cole’s standout dish. We southerners love a tried-and-true helping of macaroni and cheese as a side, but it is often exhausted by using the same boring ingredients. Cole starts with beer to create his base then layers the southern staple with a punch of cheddar and a Belgian amber glaze.

“One of the things that I love about our menu is that we will do some complex dishes and we will do some simple things,” Falcone said. “Even simple things like a burger — we grind our own meat. We have

several different burgers that we do. We source our cheese locally. So, if you just come in a have a burger and some mac and cheese and some bourbon, it is going to be a very, very unique experience.”

One of those straightforward dishes, the BBQ Half Organic Chicken, has a simple preparation that results in a full-flavored dinner. The chicken is infused with beer to create some of the juiciest roasted chicken out there and comes with a hearty garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The glaze for the full-flavored chicken is the signature Hazy Like A Fox beer.

The She-Crab Soup is anything but shy. New Realm’s house soup is Charleston-inspired, fitting considering a fourth location of New Realm will be opening there soon. The kitchen is heavy-handed with the crab, and the soup is lightly finished with brightening sherry and a basil scallion oil.

Finally, the most talked about dish at New Realm is their New Realm Burger.

The beef is ground in-house from prime beef before it is hand-patted into its saucer-sized round. The finishing touches for the house burger is a melted slice of white cheddar, handmade super sour burger

EPICUROPEDIA

FOR DORA…

I’m COVID vaccinated.

PHOTO BY LINDY MOODY

pickles, a slathering of a special sauce, and a delicate and sweet brioche bun. The best pairing for the juicy burger according to Falcone is “Euphonia and our New Realm burger; it’s amazing. We always have a dark beer on. These guys, what they will do — whether it is their food or our beer or our spirits, they are very disciplined — they start with tradition and they twist the hell out of it. We try to do some things that are very different and very unique.

You will see that we will always be recommending different pairings.”

For the true connoisseurs, the Ultimate Wagyu Burger is the way to go.

It features freshly ground wagyu beef, cheddar fondue, and a Dunkel bacon sauce. For those not fond of beef, the Beyond Burger is the way to order.

To finish, one of New Realm’s signature milkshakes is a must. Classic vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry are the featured flavors and are made with a River Street Sweets’ ice cream base.

Keeping with the theme of infusing their beer into recipes, the Chocolate Stout Bread Pudding is made with house beer and served warm with a heap of vanilla ice cream.

New Realm Savannah opens its doors at 120 Whitaker St. on April 19. Visit newrealmbrewing.com for information.

— Pastor Charles Roberson, Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship

SPREAD THE FACTS NOT THE VIRUS

www.sjchs.org/vaccine

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

A Staff member of the New Realm Brewing offers guests Bourbon Truffles to pair with their drinks at the VIP event held April 16 at the brewery’s new location in the Historic District of Savannah.

“We have a dear member of our church and a few months ago, I was told she had COVID. We prayed for her. We hoped she’d get better. She went into the hospital, didn’t recover, got worse.

We lost her to COVID. Her name was Dora Gowens. By saying her name, I think it honors her. She was a very special lady, and she left us fractured.

We’re at a great loss by losing her.”

15

Spectators view the art displayed as part of a show by Unique Design X in Paris. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIQUE DESIGN X GROUP

A WHOLE NEW WORLD COLLECTIBLE DESIGN NOMADIC BOUTIQUE POSTS IN TRUSTEES GARDEN

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY BRANDY SIMPKINS

16

LIFE AFTER THIS pandemic will look like rainbow colors on skatepark grounds, Alice and the Wonderland Tik-Tokers and glazed stoneware adorned with rope handles.

At least these are the interpretations of some international artists.

The nomadic boutique design fair, Unique Design X Group, will bring these exotic interpretations to Trustees’ Garden for their first show in the U.S. Unique Design X Savannah will post in the Kehoe Ironworks at Trustees’ Garden from April 28- May 2, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Tickets will be sold for $10 - seniors and children will recieve free admission - and will include access to an indoor exhibition, a colorful outdoor skatepark, food trucks and more.

According to the show organizer for Unique Design X Savannah, Morgan Morris, Unique Design X Group is a nomadic boutique platform - which is a commercial platform - that promotes contemporary design, specifically contemporary collectable design.

Unique Design hosted its first show in Shanghai in November of 2019, followed by another successful show in Paris in October of 2020. Now Savannahians get to experience the show before the group continues on to Los Angeles in early 2022 to align with a big art fair there called Freeze LA Art, Morris said.

The show at Trustees’ Garden will include 18 different artists and designers that make collectable design at eight different international galleries.

“France, Italy, Chile, Columbia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Taiwan, China,

all over the world,” Morris said. “Most of them work with pretty important design galleries. The tricky part is that no one could travel this year, so they trusted us to bring this show over and represent them as best as we can.”

Morris said the Unique Design X team requested from the artist’s galleries and representative entities that they come up with a concept whereby they each create a small booth area which is their articulation of what the world will be like when they come out on the other end of COVID. “Most of the designers and artists that are a part of this project are from all over the world and most of them were closed up in small spaces during lockdown, so it gave them a period of reflection,” she said.

Within the booth areas are purchasable, collectable design pieces created

by the artists.

“They are things that really give something special to an interior environment, and I think we can expect to see people have a new perspective on their interior environments after this period we’ve been through with COVID,” Morris said.

The show organizer said she has a passion for art, though she does not create it.

“I don’t create, but I support creators,” Morris said. “I’ve always really enjoyed music, art, and design and I never wanted to be a maker myself, but I’ve always been very inspired by what other people create.”

Morris founded Unique Design X Group in 2019 as the first nomadic platform for the promotion of collectible design and beyond.

“Collectable design is a really

FEATURE

A detailed flower design by Anna Aagaard Jensen is displayed at Trustees’ Garden. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIVER DRIVE CROSSFIT

over between many different things.

Collectable designs are objects which have a function but are made though a very artistic approach,” Morris said.

“You may have a chair that’s made by an artist, or you may have a table that’s made by an architect or you may have a fashion designer who makes a bench, so collectable design is what encompasses that beautiful gray area between architecture, pure product design, contemporary art and fashion. The beauty of that gray area is the cross fertilization because this cross fertilization brings a lot of innovation.”

Morris has worked with contemporary art and design since the early 90s with a special focus on Chinese contemporary art and design culture. She began her art career working at Sotheby’s in London.

Morris studied Art History for undergrad at Tulane University in New Orleans before continuing her studies in Europe, obtaining her Masters at the Sorbonne in Paris.

“All of that opened me up to the big world that’s out there and the very interesting creative platforms that there are around the world,” Morris said. “The different perspectives and not only the history of creativity but the future of creativity.”

The venue’s indoor capacity will be limited and guests will be prompted to enjoy activities outside until they can come in.

Visit Unique X Design Group on Instagram at @unique_design_x_group or their website uniquedesignxgroup.com. for details on the upcoming exhibition.

Art by Chan Chiao Chun is displayed in Trustees’ Garden.

Art by Andreas Angelidakis is displayed at Trustees’ Garden for the show.

Sculptures by Audrey Large are displayed in Trustees’ Garden for the show which depicts an artists’ vision of life after COVID.

A room in Trustees’ Garden displays Garance Vallée, one artist a part of the Unique Design X Group show.

Artist Anaïs Borie’s creations are displayed on the walls at Trustee’s Garden for the show thsi week.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

interesting field because it is a cross-

Art by Théophile Blandet depicts a scene of what life will be like after COVID, as displayed in Trustee’s Garden for the Unique Design X Group show April 28 through May2.

17

MUSIC

Supergroup Beachy Head’s debut album takes shape in Savannah

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY BRITTANY HERREN

18

IN THE MIDST of a pandemic-driven lockdown, Slowdive’s Christian Savill remembers a friend asking him how he was coping with it all and he replied that he couldn’t really notice any difference. While admittedly, that’s not a healthy state of affairs, he was also deep in putting together a new record that would become the debut album for his new band, Beachy Head.

Inspired by the chalk cliff and infamous suicide spot in Sussex, England, Beachy Head comprises Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell and Christian Savill, Flaming Lips drummer Matt Duckworth, Ryan Graveface (Casket Girls, Dreamend) and Steve Clarke (The Soft Cavalry).

“Beachy head is one of my favorite places,” Savill said. “I go there quite a lot. It’s really beautiful and there’s loads of cute stuff around that area, but on the other hand, people go there to

end their lives. When you walk around, there’s always a suicide patrol van going up and down.

It’s kind of a sad and uncomfortable mix.”

According to Savill, the pandemic has been slightly irrelevant to the record.

“I guess there is a theme throughout the album and it’s probably why people could assume it’s influenced by lockdown experiences. All the good stuff is there: Isolation, loneliness, depression, unhealthy distractions, paranoia, confusion.

But actually, it’s not about Covid, it’s just another indie-rock dude got dumped,” explained Savill.

The idea for Beachy Head came in 2019 after Savill started writing and demoing songs while having a year off from Slowdive.

“I was just home on my own going a bit nuts, writing these fragile songs,” Savill recalls.

From his phone, Savill recorded demos of just guitar and vocals, that he then sent to

his friend of two-decades, Graveface. Graveface and Savill really started to build the songs in Savannah right before the pandemic hit in 2020.

“That week in Savannah was where the record took shape,” said Savill.

Clarke, Slowdive’s touring manager and Goswell’s husband, eventually contributed his harmonies and other instrumentation in-between lockdowns from the UK. Before long, Goswell was singing vocals and the legendary Duckworth was topping it off with drums.

“I’m always down to collaborate with friends, and when Ryan brought this project to my attention, I had just seen Slowdive at Desert Days in California and they absolutely blew me away, so obviously I was excited to get to help with the record,” said Duckworth. “I actually recorded my drum parts the day before quarantine started in Oklahoma, and it was kind of an

T b

B H G c i o c

anxious and stressful time, and it was so good for me to be able to focus on some music.”

According to Savill, the band has yet to all be in the same room, although he’s been able to work in-person with Clarke and Graveface.

“I think it’s actually a pretty common way to work these days, event without Covid,” Savill explains. “[I] definitely miss that live-room feeling when something clicks, [but] on the other hand, it’s really exciting to receive files back and hear a song come to life. It’s like opening a present.”

Earlier in April, Beachy Head launched their new project with debut single “Destroy Us” and a second teaser, “All Gone.” “‘Destroy Us’ is a good introduction. It’s a bit different from previous projects we’ve been involved in and ‘All gone’ maybe shows a different side to the album,” explained Savill. “It’s more fragile. Plus, Ryan made a

cool video for it. We do plan to release another song or two and a video.”

The group’s self-titled debut album will be released on April 30 through Graveface’s eponymous record label.

“This album is a dream come true,” said Graveface. “To hear Rachel sing on something I co-wrote has been one of the most inspiring things ever for me. I literally started playing the guitar to Slowdive, and Christian’s style/tone is to this day, one of the biggest impacts on me.

So yeah, needless to say, this is a big deal in my world. Glad people are responding well to the music.”

Despite the formation of Beachy Head, and Duckworth secretly hoping that the band gets to do some live shows in the future, each of the band members continues to work on other, big projects that fans can look forward to. Duckworth is gearing up for another “Space

FEATURE

FOR ALL AFRICAN-AMERICANS The album artwork for Beachy Head’s debut album. PHOTO COURTESY OF BEACHY HEAD

Bubble” concert to perform American Head with the Flaming Lips, Savill and Goswell are working with Slowdive to complete the bands fifth album, and excitingly for Savannah, Graveface is planning on opening a theater/music venue in the city later this year.

I’m getting COVID vaccinated.

“African-Americans are 33% of the population of the state of Georgia but the last statistic I heard is we only made up 13% of those persons who’ve gotten the vaccine. So we’ve got to work to increase that to stem the tide of this pandemic in our community and around the world.”

— Rev. Dr. Da’Henri R. Thurmond, Sr., Senior Pastor at St. Paul CME Church

Savannah’s Oldest

URBAN FARM & PET

SUPPLY STORE

Specializing in

ORGANICS

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307 Carolan St 912.233.9862 Just west of Bay St. Viaduct

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1938

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www.sjchs.org/vaccine

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

HAY•FENCING•TRAPS•PEST CONTROL

19

21-27

SOUNDBOARD

Apr/

WHO IS PLAYING WHERE THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY 4/21 LIVE MUSIC

Driftaway Cafe Chuck Courtenay, 6 p.m.

Mint to Be Mojito’s Lectric Acoustic Xperiment, 5 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m.

The Wormhole Open Jam, 9 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

El-Rocko Lounge Trivia with Jules and Chris Grimmett, 9-11:30 p.m.

Service Brewing Company Trivia Night with Jess Shaw, 6:30 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

Totally Awesome Bar Savannah Comedy Underground, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY 4/22 LIVE MUSIC

Cohen’s Retreat Munchies & Music, 5-9 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES Bar Food Trivia Night, 8 p.m.

McDonough’s Family Feud, 7 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Karaoke Night, 8 p.m.

The Wormhole Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

Totally Awesome Bar Open Mic Comedy, 8:30 p.m.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

DJ

20

Club 51 Degrees DJ B-Rad, 9 p.m.

Top Deck Sunset Deck Party, 6 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS House of Mata Hari Burlesque Cabaret, 1111:59 p.m.

Kehoe Iron Works Taste of The Haunt, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY 4/23 LIVE MUSIC

22 Square Ford Natriboff, 6:30 p.m.

Churchill’s Pub Tyler Roe, Hitman Blues Band, 5 & 8:30 p.m.

Coach’s Corner The Fractions, 7 p.m.

23

FRI// FRI Congress Street Social Club Basik Lee, 10 p.m.

Doc’s Bar Chester Love Band, 8 p.m.midnight Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

River House Roy Stalnaker, 8 p.m.

Service Brewing Company Bluegrass By The Pint with Swamptooth, 6 p.m.

The Shrimp Factory Austin Neal, 6 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

The Wormhole Neighborhood Pub & Music Venue The Dead See Prophets back at The Wormhole, 10 p.m.

The Warehouse Joe Wilson, At Sundown, 2 & 6 p.m.

Wild Wing Cafe Sarah Poole, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

PS Tavern Beer Pong Tournament, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE

Bay Street Blues Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Blueberry Hill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

JODYJAZZ TRIO @ RANCHO ALEGRE , 6:30-9:30 P.M.

Nickie’s 1971 Karaoke Night, 9 p.m.

Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

COMEDY

The Wormhole WOW: A Really Good Comedy Show, 8 p.m.

DJ

Club 51 Degrees DJ Fer, DJ Emalo, DJ Lil G, DJ BRad, 9 p.m.

VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar DJ Primal, 9 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m.

House of Mata Hari Burlesque Cabaret, 1111:59 p.m.

SATURDAY 4/24 LIVE MUSIC

22 Square Eric Clark, 7 p.m.

Churchill’s Pub Chip Staley, Kyle Yardley Band, 5 & 8:30 p.m.

Coach’s Corner Jupiter Coyote, 7 p.m.

Elan Savannah SoDown at Elan Savannah (Sat, April 24th), 9 p.m.

Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant JodyJazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

River House Matt Eckstine, 8 p.m.

The Shrimp Factory Joe Wilson, 6 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

The Warehouse Ray Tomasino, Even Pete, 2 & 6 p.m.

Wild Wing Cafe Kenny Munshaw, The Mandrakes, 1 & 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Blueberry Hill Pool Tournament, 2 p.m.

KARAOKE

Bar Food Karaoke Night, 10 p.m.

Bay Street Blues Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Totally Awesome Bar Karaoke, 10 p.m.

COMEDY

VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar Diva Royale Drag Queen Show Savannah, GA Weekly Drag Queen Shows, 6 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Club One Drag Show, 10:30 p.m. & 12:30 a.m.

House of Mata Hari Burlesque Cabaret, 9:3010:30 & 11-1 1:59 p.m .

SUNDAY 4/25 LIVE MUSIC

Collins Quarter at Forsyth Ember City, 2 p.m.

Congress Street Social Club VooDoo Soup, 10 p.m.; Voodoo Soup, 10 p.m.

Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m.

Sting Ray’s Robert Willis, 6 p.m.

Tubby’s Tank House (Thunderbolt) Bucky & Barry, 1 p.m.

The Warehouse Thomas Claxton, 6:30 p.m.

Wild Wing Cafe Ray Tomasino, 1 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Moon River Brewing Co. Trivia, 6 p.m.

KARAOKE

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

McDonough’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

MONDAY 4/26 LIVE MUSIC

Nickie’s 1971 Ray Tomasino, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Club One Super Gay Bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Starland Yard Music Bingo, 7-9 p.m.

KARAOKE Club One

Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

BAR & CLUB EVENTS Fia Rua Irish Pub Family Movie Night, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY 4/27 LIVE MUSIC

Nickie’s 1971 Roy Swindell, 7 p.m.

TRIVIA & GAMES

Basil’s Pizza and Deli Trivia, 7 p.m.

Fia Rua Irish Pub Trivia, 7 p.m.

McDonough’s Trivia Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Oak 36 Bar + Kitchen Trivia Tuesday, 9 p.m.

Savannah Taphouse Trivia, 7 p.m.

Starland Yard Trivia with Chris Grimmett, 6:30 p.m.; Trivia Night With Chris Grimmett, 6:308:30 p.m.

KARAOKE

Blueberry Hill Karaoke, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.

Club One Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Wet Willie’s Karaoke, 9 p.m.

COMEDY

Stafford’s Public House Stafford’s Tuesday Comedy Open Mic, 8:30-11:45 p.m.

SOUNDBOARD IS A FREE SERVICE - TO BE INCLUDED, PLEASE SEND YOUR LIVE MUSIC INFORMATION WEEKLY TO SOUNDBOARD@CONNECTSAVANNAH.COM. DEADLINE IS NOON MONDAY, TO APPEAR IN WEDNESDAY’S EDITION. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR CUT LISTINGS DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS.

THE BAND PAGE

BASIK LEE @ CONGRESS STREET SOCIAL CLUB

LAX @ MINT TO BE MOJITOS & BITES

Musicians Jeri Boxx and Larry Broussard have a lot in common. Both fronted bands in their youth playing in bars in Florida. Now a part of Acoustic duo LAX - Lectric Acoustic Xperiment - they perform your favorite hits.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 | 5 PM – 9:30 PM

LEVI MOORE @ JAZZ’D

Levi Moore is a Georgia-born, award-winning country/Americana singer and songwriter. He has multiple nominations for both Artist of the Year and Vocals of the Year with the Georgia Country Awards. Moore’s music is introspective, yet straightforward and he smoothes you over with his baritone voice.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 | 7 PM

THE DEVS WITH GUESTS LILAKK @ THE WORMHOLE

The Wormhole is hosting a special, early show this Wednesday with the touring band, THE DEVS. The hard rock/metal band hails from Orlando, Florida, and will be joined by local favorites, and fellow female-lead band, LILAKK. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 | 8 PM

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

DJ-ing, rapping, beatboxing and even break dancing hip-hop artist Basik Lee does it all to represent the culture. His rich baritone voice and diverse music inspired by everyday life have become a staple in Savannah’s music scene. If you’re looking to party this weekend, then look no further than Congress Street Social Club on Friday night with the man of Savannah hip-hop.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 | 10 PM

21

CULTURE

VISUAL ART

Location Gallery hosts Savannopoly Art Fundraiser Proceeds to benefit the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY NICOLE YOUNGBLUT

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LOCATION GALLERY at Austin Hill Realty will host an experiential monopoly-inspired art exhibit featuring thirty local artists from Savannah called Savannopoly. Opening Friday, April 23 from 6–8 p.m. at their newly relocated space in the heart of downtown Savannah at 251 Bull St. Profits raised from this event will benefit the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity.

Art work displayed in Savannopoly will feature local places from Jones to Gaston St., beautiful Spanish moss squares, and other various Savannah landmarks laid out like a Monopoly board game with color-coded mortgage tag cards. Local ceramicist Derek Larson created iconic red houses and hotels for the event.

“I’ve always wanted to do Monopoly as Savannah properties, and we had a very good connection with Habitat for Humanity through photographer and board member Joy Donigan, so it made sense thematically. To form uniformity, we knew we would have to provide the panels, so everything was laid out as a faux monopoly board but in our own style,” explained Gallery Director Peter Roberts.

Savannopoly will include works from 30 local artists, including Stacie Jean Albano, August Alderman, Randy Akers, Lino Azevedo, Andre Bertolino, Angela Burson, Lennie Ciliento, Antoine de Villiers, Joy Dunigan, Tate Ellington, Jenny Eitel, Maggie French, Mary Hartman, Robin Johnson, David Laughlin, Heather MacRae, Michael Mahaffey, Patricia Harper Mathews, Rubi McGrory, Bellamy Murphy, Lisa Ocampo, Michelle Perez, Jose Ray, Peter E. Roberts, June Stratton, Bryan Stovall, Sarah Volker, Lisa D. Watson, Heather Young, and Jason Zimmer.

The gallery received an incredible amount of interest from artists in the community from different backgrounds and ages, displaying works across many different mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media.

“Ever since we opened at our original location, our mission has been to raise money for local nonprofits with local artists and art shows,” Roberts said.

Since Austin Hill Realty has opened, they have raised over $400,000 from fundraising endeavors that benefit our local community.

Savannopoly will open Friday 23 from 6–8 p.m. at Location Gallery and benefit the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity. All art work on display will also be available online at locationgallery.net

Local art to be displayed in the “Savannopoly” gallery will feature scenes from Savannah. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOCATION GALLERY

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CULTURE

COMMUNITY

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Savannah College of Art and Design leaders as well as Mayor Van Johnson announce an expansion April 16 at the college. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCAD

SCAD announces expansion of Film Studios

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THE SAVANNAH COLLEGE of Art and Design announced on Friday the expansion of the university’s film and digital media studios. SCAD leaders, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, and students spoke Friday morning, celebrating the expansion with a “3, 2, 1, action!” countdown.

The expansion of the 10.9-acre Savannah Film Studios will include a Hollywood-style film backlot, an XR stage, new soundstages and more.

Andra Reeve-Rabb, Dean of the School of Entertainment Arts and Director of the SCAD Casting Office, said Savannah Film Studios will soon be the largest and most comprehensive university film studio in the entire country.

“This is going to be such a game changer,” Reeve-Rabb said.

Phase one of the expansion is expected to be complete in Fall 2021, and two other phases will be complete by 2023.

The Hollywood-style backlot is similar to iconic movie backlots like Paramount, Pinewood, and Universal, said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. The backlot will include scenes from Savannah’s historic district, an urban city scene including alleyways and a gas station, a suburban backdrop of a town hall and homes of all different architectural styles.

“As a Film and Television major, we are always looking for sets and a way to make a space our own,” said Olivia Schneider, student. “This is such an

incredible opportunity to take the cross-collaboration of all the different majors we have at SCAD and help build a world of our own. I’m very grateful that I go to a school that gives us these kinds of opportunities.”

In addition to the backlot, the expansion will include a 2,000-squarefoot XR stage for AR/VR programming. The XR stage will allow students to shoot in a totally controlled environment. They’ll be able to make the perfect sunset last for hours at a time, or film at a farmhouse in 1940, then go to Mars, all in one day.

“It is what’s next,” Reeve-Rabb said.

“We are always about what’s next, and we know from seeing productions like ‘The Mandalorian’ this summer, that this idea of virtual production is what’s next.”

Reeve-Rabb said one of the coolest things about the XR stage is that it will allow students from all different departments to collaborate on projects, preparing them for a “real world” work environment.

Overall, Reeve-Rabb says the expansion will only further strengthen the bridge between SCAD classrooms and jobs for students.

“It’s all about giving students all the tools they need both creatively and physically so that they are prepared,” ReeveRabb said. “There’s nothing like it.”

Adding to the excitement, Variety named SCAD as one of the top film sc0hools in the world just last week.

To learn about the Savannah Film Studio, visit scad.edu.

CONNECT SAVANNAH

21-27

ART PATROL In Countdown, a major commission of new works by Rose B. Simpson, the artist surpasses the signature human scale typical of her figurative sculptures, bringing bodily forms to an unprecedented totemic stature. $10 general admission June 26 scadmoa.org SCAD Museum of Art 601 Turner Blvd.

Dottie T. Leatherwood - “A Conversation with the Savannah Landscape”

The Mansion on Forsyth Park’s Grand Bohemian Gallery in Savannah, Georgia, will feature the work of accomplished painter Dottie Turner Leatherwood and other artists in its 2021 Savannah Series, an annual presentation of art exhibits and artist talks showcasing talented local artists as well as the region’s inspiring landscapes. grandbohemiangallery.com/.

The Grand Bohemian Gallery, 700 Drayton St.

‘Star Tap’ by Emily Furr

‘Star Tap’ by Emily Furr.

Furr paints celestial visions that place cool, hard-edged objects within weightless, star-filled voids. Furr’s artwork plays with a codex of motifs, exploring their potential formations through a process of repetition.

The artist’s serialized tropes take the shape of tongues laden with hallucinogenic sugar cubes, sloping conveyor belts adorned with astral points, rocket engines with acutely sharp, almost erotic edges, tubes, chains, and myriad metal hardware. Furr’s paintings can be positioned in relation to postmodern artists such as Lee Lozano (American, 1930–99) and Forrest Bess (American, 1911–77), whose depictions of archetypal shapes, colors, and quotidian objects sought to challenge prescribed notions of gender identity. $10 general admission May 9. scadmoa.org/.

SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd.

brush@gmail.com or visit corkhousegallery.com. corkhousegallery.com CorkHouse Gallery, 230 West Bay Street.

YOUNG ARTISTS: Call for Youth Artwork K-8 for CorkHouse Gallery Exhibition

Complex Uncertainties: Artists in Postwar America is an evolving exhibition grounded by works in Telfair’s modern and contemporary collection. This presentation brings forth undercurrents that permeate artmaking from the global eruption of World War II until today—events that challenge artists to explore unknowns, react to power, and construct narratives. ongoing. telfair.org/ jepson/. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St.

CorkHouse Galleries and Rocking Chair Media will present a Youth Art Exhibition, which will reflect Spring Awakening, inspired by music, with “We Hear Our Earth Sing”. Choose one of four songs, create an original work of art inspired by that song & submit your original artwork.

Deadline for submission of your artwork will be: Friday April 23.

The exhibit will run from May 3rd to June 27th.

Free to enter. musicinmypaint-

American Gullah Caribbean, Latin American, and African Art from the 1980s and 1990s

Featuring some of the best known Haitian artists of the day, including Denis Smith, Fortuné Gérard, and Prospère Pierre-Louis.

“Hoppin’” John Martin Taylor is offering part of his collection of folk art as he prepares to move overseas again.

Exhibit is ongoing.

414 Whitaker St.

Complex Uncertainties: Artists in Postwar America

If These Walls Could Talk: 200 Years of William Jay Architecture

Jay delivered the luxurious showplaces they desired and also

elevated Savannah’s civic life with a new theater, a design for the Savannah Branch of the Second Bank of the United States, and a new Customs House.

Exhibit is ongoing. telfair.org Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, 121 Barnard St.

Interregnum by Daniel E. Smith

This is a series of new works by longtime Savannah artist Daniel E. Smith that seek to define the transitive relationship of change.

Reflecting the show title, the work is about the chaos and order that existed within a regime to elicit a change, but also brings its’ own balance of chaos and order.

This perception of hierarchies is thoughtfully evoked by Smith’s use of bold color, experienced brush work and precise handling of wax technique. Gallery profits from show are donated to Savannah LGBT Center.

Exhibit is ongoing.

Location Gallery at Savannah LGBT Center, 1515 Bull St.

Jean Claude Roy

Jean Claude Roy was born in Rochefort-sur-Mer on the west coast of France in 1948. He knew from the age of seven that he wanted to be an artist, and was encouraged by his grandfather, a farmer of modest means who occasionally bought paintings at auctions.

Jean Claude recalls attending early-morning produce markets with his grandparents and making his first “sculptures” from the colored paper used to wrap apples and oranges. ongoing. grandbohemiangallery.com/. The Grand Bohemian Gallery, 700 Drayton St.

Neosublime at Sulfur Studios

Sulfur Art Services debuts “Neosublime”a solo exhibition by Kathy Varadi. The exhibition is on display at The Sentient Bean and will be available for view during the shop’s operating hours. April 27. fb.me/e/20inqdQ78. sentientbean.com. The Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave.

Savannah Eclectic and More

The art presented by Marty Fall will include an eclectic group of popular local area artists, including watercolors, pastels, acrylics, prints, and more. Most art presented is private collection, some will be available for purchase. ongoing.

La Terra Natural Oils, 1520 Bull St.

Monthly Photo Group Critique

Join Sulfur Studios for a monthly gathering of photographers / photo-based artists who are interested in cultivating a photo community in Savannah. Sulfur aims to provide a forum for

artists at all levels, digital or analog, to receive critical feedback. All who wish to provide a safe but challenging environment to grow with input from a group of peers are welcome. Hosted by Bridget Conn & Emily Earl.

Third Wednesday of every month, 6 p.m. sulfurstudios.org.

Sulfur Studios, 2301 Bull St.

Art Classes on Tybee

Tybee Arts Association offers a variety of art classes every week: acrylics, oils, watercolors, stained glass, mosaics, jewelry-making and more. See website or Tybee Arts Facebook page for up to date schedule of classes.

Classes are ongoing. tybeearts.org.

Tybee Arts Center, 7 Cedarwood Dr.

Couples Band Workshop

Make your wedding bands extra special by creating them together! Choose from our textural designs, hand-stamping tools, and various widths to make your rings uniquely represent your personalities.

2-3 hours Ongoing please contact Christina to schedule varies Ongoing. 912-289-8337. dreamcatstudio.com.

Dreamcat Studio, Hover Creek RD.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

‘Count Down’ by Rose Simpson

APR/

25

CULTURE

PERFORMING ARTS

Carver Blanchard, lutenist and musical director of “A Coffin in Egypt” stums ahead of the play to open next Friday. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOVETAIL PRODUCTIONS

Maude Mitchell looks forward to performing in the production “A Coffin in Egypt” to open next Friday. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOVETAIL PRODUCTIONS

Themes of reflection make ‘A Coffin in Egypt’ right play at right time

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

BY FRANK RICCI

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LAST MONTH, the Wall Street Journal reported that worldwide subscriptions to online video streaming services reached 1.1 billion. Given our recent history, few statistics can indicate how important stories are to people.

With theaters, concert halls and production of filmed entertainment heavily curtailed or completely shut down over the last year, television reigned supreme more than ever. As we inch closer to normal, an inspiring sign of improvement and normalcy is the return of the stage play. While we

need stories, we also need to be around each other far more than we have been. Live theater is the fusion of these human essentials.

The upcoming production of “A Coffin in Egypt” incorporates themes that are exquisitely timely to our circumstances.

Written by the playwright and screenwriter Horton Foote, winner of two Academy Awards for the screen adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1963, and the original screenplay of “Tender Mercies,” 1983, as well as a Pulitzer Prize in 1995 for “The Young Man From Atlanta,” “A Coffin in Egypt” pays homage to his muse, writer Katherine Ann Porter. The haunting

drama tells the tale of Myrtle Bledsoe, born into wealth in Egypt, Texas, in 1880. The mythical “Queen of Egypt” looks back on a life of frequent strife, immersed in class, race and gender issues of 20th century America. Seeking redemption as she approaches death’s doorstep, Myrtle reveals family secrets of sexual betrayal and murder.

“It speaks to us right now,” said producer Sharon Levy of Dovetail Productions. “After a year of so much reflection for everybody, the play is about thinking back on time, on our place in the world, on death, on how we’ve lived, where we’ve been, and where we want to

go. We felt this is something we’ve all been facing and thinking about in our own ways this past year.”

Myrtle’s reckoning is ingeniously portrayed by Obie-winning actress Maude Mitchell, who deftly carries the narrative through brushstrokes of humor, horror and surrealism, three things many of us have felt over the previous 12 months. The play was originally staged by Mitchell’s late husband, the legendary director and Chevalier and MacArthur Fellow Lee Breuer, who founded the experimental theater collective Mabou Mines in 1970 with several artists including storied film composer Philip Glass. Due

to his passing in January, Breuer protege and three-time assistant director Dana Greenfield will direct the Savannah production.

The story of “A Coffin in Egypt” coming to Savannah is nearly as interesting as the play itself. A co-production of Carver’s Barn, Dovetail Productions and Mabou Mines, the play was first presented as a reading version in 2017 at Horton by the Stream, a small summer festival dedicated to the author held in upstate New York at Carver’s Barn arts center. Over the following years, Carver Blanchard relocated to Savannah. Last year, he suggested bringing “A Coffin in Egypt” to his new city in an

PERFORMING ARTS

Maude Mitchell will perform in the upcoming play “A Coffin in Egypt.”

PHOTOS COURTESY DOVETAIL PRODUCTIONS

Carver Blanchard and Maude Mitchell work together to perform in “A Coffin in Egypt.”

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

outdoor venue. By that time, Blanchard met frequent Lee Breuer collaborator and fellow New York-Savannah time splitter, Levy.

“When Carver reached out to Maude and Lee, who I’ve produced for numerous times, they knew I’d been coming to Savannah for years and had an excellent design partner here, Jeroy Hannah,” Levy said. “We realized we could make it a real New York-Savannah production, which was very appealing to all of us.”

Since the cast is only Michell — who has played the role for years — and three musicians, it was easier to set an opening date sooner than later. The New York contingent visited Savannah in September to check out locations and consider logistics. There was a bit of wait-and-see, given fluctuating covid numbers and the lack of a vaccine at the time. By February, they felt conditions were right to proceed.

“With the small cast and outdoor venue, we decided to go for it,” Levy said.

The three musicians sharing the stage with Mitchell include Carver Blanchard, lutenist and musical director of the show. A Louisiana native now living in Savannah, Blanchard kept the Carver’s Barn arts center open in New York after relocating here. He is joined by Alex Breuer, Lee’s son, who studied under Blanchard and plays percussion, guitar and provides the Foley —sound effects.

The third of the trio, Texas native George Hummel, plays flute and also worked previously with Blanchard.

A sentiment shared by the producers, performers and crew was summed up by Levy as she discussed the final decision to move forward.

“We were all anxious to get back to live performance,” she said.

The camaraderie of live performers on stage and an appreciative audience is something most of us want back, too.

See Horton Foote’s “A Coffin in Egypt” April 30, May 1 and May 2, 5 p.m. nightly, at 14 S. Rockwell Ave., in the Vernonburg neighborhood of Savannah. General admission tickets are $25 and student tickets are $10, available at coffininegypt. eventbrite.com or at the venue before the show. Parking is available on site.

Following strict safety protocols, all members of the cast and crew have been vaccinated. The outdoor show will be socially distanced, and masks will be required.

27

JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

BY MATT JONES ©2021

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Georgia Southern University invites applicants for the following vacancies on the Armstrong campus:

28

IT Service & Delivery - Audio Visual Technician - JOB ID 225212 Sous Chef - Armstrong-Galley - JOB ID 225916 Please visit the Georgia Southern University employment website and complete the application process at https://apptrkr.com/2220042 The application process must be completed by the deadline to be considered. Georgia is an open records state.

Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the ADA to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947. Georgia Southern University is an EEO/AA/ADA/Veteran employer.

ACROSS 1 Hummus scooper 5 Snarls, like traffic 11 Pistachio, e.g.

14 Counting Crows singer Duritz 15 Prompt 16 “Suits” airer 17 Item of Mario Bros. lore where you can see the angle in the NW corner 19 Dose, informally 20 Covered with grime 21 Hummus brand 23 Liam Neeson film franchise 26 ___ folklÛrico (traditional Mexican dances) 28 Pol. entity that lasted from 962 to 1806 29 “That was my best effort” 33 Country singer Paisley 36 Frigid 37 “My kingdom for ___!”

(Richard III) 38 Mount in Greek myth 39 Apprehends 41 Sharp-toothed spur wheel 42 Lo ___ (Chinese noodles) 43 Just had a sense 44 Ab ___ (from the beginning) 46 ___ deferens 47 Level-headed 48 Optician’s wares 49 Part of the psyche 50 In the wee small hours of the morning 52 Nattered away 54 Slash on a bowling scoresheet 56 Dispatched, as the

Jabberwock 59 Sculpture, paintings, etc.

60 Intro to a certain cipher that resembles the angle in the SE corner 66 Homer Simpson outburst 67 Ferret’s cousin 68 Word before ringer or tired 69 Music with confessional lyrics 70 “Interview With the Vampire” vampire 71 Birds with dark green eggs DOWN 1 Dog’s foot 2 William McKinley’s First Lady 3 “Que ___?” (“How’s it going?”)

4 Cause laughter 5 Like most restaurant orders, lately 6 “Put a sock ___!”

7 Website for craftwork 8 Word usually put in brackets 9 Actress Thurman 10 Drink with a red, white, and blue logo 11 On a calculator, it looks like the angle in the NE corner 12 Manufacturer’s target 13 Exclamation after a big finish 18 Region conquered by Alexander the Great 22 “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” author Mitch 23 Speculates 24 Tarot deck grouping 25 Where to find the letter

that looks like the angle in the SW corner 26 Surrounds 27 Antarctic penguin 30 Adrenaline rush 31 Mara of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” 32 Late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve 34 Cheese in some bagels 35 Ted of “Mr. Mayor” 40 Pinky ___ 45 “Hamlet” courtier who oversees a duel 51 Push away 53 Pole on a battery 54 1993 hitmaker with “No Ordinary Love” 55 Dance with a lot of rentals 56 Roasting stick 57 “Girls” creator Dunham 58 Perform without ___ 61 Vexation 62 Ball club VIPs 63 On the left, for short 64 It might be free at a French restaurant 65 Mobile game interruptions

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Mother’s Day Dinner / Sunday, May 9 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Live Gospel Sunday Brunch Every Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Regular Dinner Service & live Music Thursday-Sunday

LIVE MUSIC: Good Times All-Stars Teddy Adams, Cynthia Utterbach, Aaron Jennings, Robert Saunders, Eric Jones, Erez Dessel, Marc Chesanow, Calvin Barnes

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PHOTOS FROM LOCAL EVENTS

Photos by Bunny Ware

View more photos online at connectsavannah.com/connected

Bagel lovers celebrate Big Bon Bodega on second anniversary with jam-packed day Food loving community members join Owner “Mama Kay” Heritage of Big Bon Bodega as they commemorate the wood-fire bagel restaurant’s second year in Savannah April 10 at their location at 2011 Bull St. The celebration began at 7:30 a.m. with balloon installations by Pop Squad Balloons and continued all day with bagel sandwiches at the restaurant, a children’s book signing by “ABC Delicious” author Natalie Broulette and illustrator Christy Plummer, a STUMP plant pop-up, paintings being sold by Cute Tomatoes , Big Bon family pizza and Korean food in the evening and an illumination of the parking lot by Advance AD in the evening.

Kay Heritage and Bree Stanfield appreciate the balloon installations at the Big Bon birthday celebration.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

Christy Plummer, Kay Heritage and Natalie Plummer commemorate Big Bon Bodega’s second anniversary.

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Rowan and Vivienne Benson-Jaja, Kay Heritage and Sydney and Nate Williams celebrate at Big Bon Bodega.

Brian and Emily Kellett enjoy the Big Bon Bodega second anniversary day with Kay Heritage, owner.

Community members praise the local bagel shop under the balloon archway set up by Pop Squad Balloons April 10 at the Big Bon Bodega anniversary on Bull St.

Sam Koppelman, Melissa Cohen and Jen Pentreath celebrate the Big Bon Bodega anniversary all day with Big Bon family food and events at their Bull St. location.

Alex Neumann provides drone footage for Owner Kay Heritage at the Big Bon Bodega anniversary celebration April 10 at the restaurant.

PHOTOS FROM LOCAL EVENTS

Photos by Corey Brooks

View more photos online at connectsavannah.com/connected

Cheese Steak Factory food truck workers serve community members April 10 during a local spring festival.

Area school children perform at the AMC Theatres 11 and ALM Sports, LLC., during the Community Spring Festival.

Community members honor local frontline workers April 10 during the Community Spring Festival.

Community Spring Festival honors frontline workers Savannah community families rendezvous April 10 at AMC Theatres 11 and ALM Sports, LLC . for an event to honor and recognize frontline workers and their families who have made significant contributions to the community during the pandemic. Representative Carl Gilliard presented awards of appreciation as musicians performed, children played and community businesses served food.

Children play April 10 during the Community Spring Festival held at AMC Theatres 11 and ALM Sports, LLC.

Cpl. Rebekah Helmick with the Savannah Police Department participates in the Community Spring Festival.

Savannah area children socialize safely with McGruff the Crime Dog April 10 at the Community Spring Festival.

Local officials gather with frontline workers as they are recognized April 10 during a Community Spring Festival.

Band members perform as part of the Community Spring Festival April 10 at AMC Theatres 11 and ALM Sports, LLC.

Local performers contribute to the Community Spring Festival celebration April 10, honoring and recognizing local frontline workers who have made significant contributions to the community during the pandemic.

CONNECT SAVANNAH | APRIL 21-27, 2021

A local family joins the festival to honor and recognize area first responders April 10 in Savannah.

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After having three lovely children, Allyson was struggling with chronic bladder leaks. She went to see her gynecologist and was diagnosed with having urinary incontinence, a result of childbirth. Allyson’s gynecologist told her further treatment may be necessary and referred her to Dr. Joseph Stubbs, a urogynecologist.

LIVING. UNTETHERED.

Allyson Gatlin - Savannah, GA

After a pelvic ultrasound and urodynamic testing at St. Joseph’s/Candler, Dr. Stubbs discovered Stage 3 Uterovaginal Prolapse, Stress Urinary Incontinence and Adenomyosis. He recommended a minimally-invasive surgery via da Vinci robotics. The surgery was a success, and Allyson is back to crafting custom wreaths for her family and friends.

“I was very thankful for Dr. Stubbs and the St. Joseph’s/Candler team at the Pelvic Floor & Continence Center. Their experience and knowledge made the process smooth and comforting.”

THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER Joseph T. Stubbs, M.D. - Urogynecologist

SJCHS.ORG 912-819-4870