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MARCH 27, 2024 · VOL. 38 · NO. 12 · FREE

49th Juried Exhibition Works by Over 100 Artists p. 10

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

this week’s issue

contents

JAMIE DEREVERE

SPONDEE - album release show -

HENDERSHOT’S Local Grassland String Band will be bringing its signature “Amerigrass” sound, crossing generations and genres, to the Georgia Theatre Rooftop on Mar. 28. For more info, visit georgiatheatre.com.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Commission Civility

Jesse Houle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 School Vouchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

District 6 Commission Candidates

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FOOD & DRINK: Grub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Travel-Worthy Ice Cream

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Friday, March 29th feat. special guest

LIZ FARRELL DOORS 7 MUSIC 8 $10

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Hey, Bonita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

South by Southwest

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

COVER ART “The Painter” by R.B. Pruett (see Art Notes on p. 10) STREET ADDRESS: 220 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: 706-549-9523 · ADVERTISING: 706-549-0301 CLASSIFIED ADS: class@flagpole.com ADVERTISING: ads@flagpole.com CALENDAR: calendar@flagpole.com EDITORIAL: editorial@flagpole.com

LETTERS: letters@flagpole.com MUSIC: music@flagpole.com NEWS: news@flagpole.com ADVICE: advice@flagpole.com

Flagpole, Inc. publishes Flagpole Magazine weekly and distributes 8,500 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $110 a year, $55 for six months. © 2024 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 38 ISSUE NUMBER 12

PLEASE VAX UP SO WE DON’T NEED TO

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Local Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SAVANNAH COLE

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Fabienne Mack, Jessica Pritchard Mangum CITY EDITOR Blake Aued ARTS & MUSIC EDITOR Jessica Smith EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene CLASSIFIEDS Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CONTRIBUTORS Bonita Applebum, Hillary Brown, Chris Dowd, Stanley Dunlap, Gordon Lamb, Ed Tant CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip, Joey Weiser CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe EDITORIAL INTERNS Mary Beth Bryan, Xinge Lei PHOTOGRAPHERS Mason Pearson, Jake Zerkel SPECIAL AGENT Pete McCommons

Buvez

online exclusive When home.made, a longtime Athens restaurant with a serious following, closed permanently in February, it was a major bummer as yet another small business went belly up in an economy that favors scale and extractive values. But chef/owner Mimi Maumus has landed on her feet and is now running the food program at Buvez.

See “home.made Might Be Closed, but Mimi Maumus Is Cooking Again at Buvez” at flagpole.com.

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news

city dope

Angsty Clarke County Commission DO YOU TRUST YOUR GOVERNMENT? ONE COMMISSIONER THINKS YOU DON’T

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission gathered at City Hall Mar. 19 ostensibly to discuss next year’s county budget, but Commissioner Dexter Fisher had other things on his mind.

Toward the end of the meeting, Fisher made a motion to add a discussion about “community engagement and civility” to the agenda, which passed. He then proceeded to give his colleagues a come-toJesus talk about divisions within the city and the unpopularity of Athens’ elected officials—mainly driven by the murder of college student Laken Riley, allegedly by Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra, which triggered a political firestorm around federal border policy as well as the local government’s stance on immigration.

“I’m very disturbed by how divided this particular community is right now over things that have happened in our community,” Fisher said. “We as leaders and elected officials need to start the healing process.

“When I talk to people, my constituents… they don’t trust our government.

They don’t trust us,” he said.

The commission’s Mar. 5 meeting featured dueling rallies outside City Hall, with one side expressing support for immigrants and the other accusing Athens-Clarke County of being a “sanctuary city” (which local officials contend is false). Pro-Palestine activists have also been urging the commission to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza—another hot-button issue.

“I went home after that meeting feeling defeated, and I actually thought about resigning,” Fisher said. “Because I thought about, how can we continue to operate in this environment when we have a community who don’t trust us?

“On both sides, they don’t trust us,” he said. “We can’t be perfect, but we are not well liked by our community, and we’ve got to do something about that.”

Comparing his work on the commission to his days playing college football, Fisher said the commission should be working as one. Commissioner Carol Myers gently pushed back against that notion.

“We’re not quite a team, because we do represent different points of view at times,” she said. “I think the challenge there is to do so respectfully and thoughtfully.”

Myers asked Fisher for specifics. He cited an email Girtz sent to commissioners regarding the Palestine resolution that one commissioner forwarded to an activist group, as well as disagreements regarding revenue splits within tax allocation districts and Girtz’s discussions with an organization relocating refugees to Athens.

Girtz said the reason he put the TAD revenue splits on the agenda for a commission vote was so the commission could weigh in. And the commission ultimately voted on a 70/30 revenue-sharing agreement that tilted toward East Athens over downtown that was the opposite of what Girtz proposed.

As for refugee resettling, Girtz said that a U.S. State Department-backed group wanted to resettle “a few dozen families”

4

in Athens, and he sent them a letter of reference. The number of people is small compared to the 1,000 or so who move to Athens every year, and the refugees are vetted by the Department of State and have skills that local employers need, he said.

Still, “I truly believe this will create a problem for us,” Fisher said, asking where the refugees will be housed. “When we bring people in from war-torn countries, we’re dealing with mental health issues, we’re dealing with language issues, we’re dealing with a lot of stuff,” he said. “It’s more than just adding to the people who are coming in.”

Commissioner Jesse Houle owned up to forwarding Girtz’s email about the Gaza resolution. “Anytime someone asks me for something that’s in my inbox, I just forward it, if it’s not attorney-client privilege,” they said. “I don’t feel like that needs to be an open records request.”

Houle added that they felt the mayor acted appropriately in the situations raised

by Fisher, noting the 2019 resolution that has caused such a furor lately among conservatives who didn’t notice it at the time.

“We formally said we want to be a welcoming community for people from all over,” Houle said.

Commissioner Ovita Thornton defended Fisher and called for better communication.

“I think he was just suggesting ways that we can do better, because people are talking,” she said.

Earlier, Manager Blaine Williams walked commissioners through the budget process during an annual “big rocks” meeting where officials discuss overarching trends and issues, as opposed to May hearings when they dig into minutia. “A budget, y’all, is really an expression of priorities,” he said.

“You have a limited amount of resources.

There are so many great things to do, and unfortunately you have to choose between them.”

Recruiting and retaining employees in a tight labor market is a top priority for Williams. Raises last year lowered the ACC government’s attrition rate, and Williams is recommending 4% raises in fiscal 2025 at a cost of $3.9 million. In addition, Williams wants to continue using leftover funds from last year’s budget to address a backlog of maintenance and capital projects like replacing vehicles.

Overall, Williams is projecting a $191 million operating budget for the next fiscal year, up 2.6% from 2024. The property tax digest as of Jan. 1 had risen by 8%, according to early estimates, generating $7 million in additional revenue. Sales taxes that go into the general fund are projected at $37.4 million, up $3.7 million—a good sign for local retailers. Those are the two main sources of revenue for the local government, totaling about three-quarters of the budget.

Eastside Development Debate Commissioners will vote next week on an Eastside townhouse development on

F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

a site where neighbors have been fighting proposals for more than a decade.

The oddly-shaped five-acre parcel in front of the Green Acres subdivision has been difficult to develop because it lacks access to Barnett Shoals Road. The most recent proposal was for a Kroger fuel center in 2016, according to ACC Planning Department documents.

Now, applicant Frank Pittman has filed plans for 28 two- and three-bedroom townhouses on a cul-de-sac and requested a rezoning from RS-25 (half-acre lots) to RM-1 (multifamily). The commission is expected to vote on the request Apr. 2.

About two dozen residents spoke to commissioners about the development at their Mar. 19 agenda-setting meeting, with many raising concerns about traffic, runoff and students living there, but others in favor of it because of a housing shortage in Athens. Although the developer said the proposal would fill a need for “missing middle” housing—affordable townhouses and small apartment buildings—county planners said it doesn’t fit that label and recommended denial. However, the ACC Planning Commission did not buy the traffic and student-housing arguments and unanimously recommended approval.

Perhaps the decision would be easier, several county commissioners suggested, if the project had a better design. “Right now the Eastside business corridor is covered in fast-food restaurants, curb cuts and asphalt parking lots,” said Commissioner Carol Myers, who represents Green Acres.

“Residents just off that corridor have the right to ask for something more than the same old for this property.” She noted that residents have suggested doctor’s offices, assisted living, senior housing or

micro-cottages.

Myers said she doubts that increasing the supply of housing will actually lower prices. But Commissioner Jesse Houle said there is ample evidence that the main driver of Athens’ high housing costs is a lack of supply. “We’ve got to build it somewhere,” Houle said.

Commissioner Melissa Link said Green Acres residents shouldn’t fear a little more density. In neighborhoods like Normaltown and Five Points, “We have fairly dense multifamily garden apartment buildings and here and there a couple of townhome communities, and it fits into the neighborhood just perfectly,” she said. Link did raise environmental concerns, though, noting a lack of greenery and criticizing the development for having too much pavement.

Other items under consideration include requests to build a fraternity house on Wilkerson Street, in what’s left of the Potterytown neighborhood near downtown; a gas station and convenience store on Moss Road; funding for local nonprofits through the new Community Partnerships Program; an updated policy on crosswalk construction; and an additional $100,000 for Family Promise to run an eviction prevention program, which will keep an estimated 35 families in their homes.

How and Where Should Athens Grow?

Athens-Clarke County is gathering public input on a new future land use map that will guide growth for the next 20 years—a period when the city is expected to add about 30,000 new residents. Six more public hearings are scheduled for March and April: Mar. 27 from 6–8 p.m. at Whitehead Road Elementary School; Mar. 28 from 6–8 p.m. at Fowler Drive Elementary School; Apr. 10 from 6–7:30 p.m. at Hilsman Middle School; Apr. 11 from 5:30–7 p.m. at the Heard Park community center; Apr. 15 from 5:30–7 p.m. at the ACC Extension Office; and Apr. 18 from 5:30–7 p.m. at the ACC Library. An online survey is available at accgov.com/surveys. f

street scribe

news

pub notes

Women in Journalism

Your Legislators at Work

By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com

By Pete McCommons pete@flagpole.com

OVER 100 YEARS OF CRUSADING FEMALE REPORTERS

March is Women’s History Month, an annual observance of the courage, commitment and contributions of women worldwide. Though American women did not get the right to vote nationwide until 1920, in the last century they have excelled at professions from astronaut to zoologist. In the world of journalism, women have made their mark for decades, and the crusading female reporter is a part of American popular culture.

H.J. MYERS

10 days inside the walls of a New York asylum that she called “a human rat trap.”

Her reporting led to reforms in the state’s treatment of the mentally ill. In 1889 she wrote a happier story when, pre-airplane, she traveled around the world in 72 days, beating the record achieved in the fiction of Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days.

“I was too impatient to work at the usual duties assigned to women in newspapers,” said Bly. “I have never written a word that did not come from my heart. I never shall.”

Her journalistic contemporary, Ida Tarbell, would agree. Tarbell (1857–1944) was a pioneer of investigative journalism who exposed the rapaciousness of plutocrat John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil corporation. She was a tenacious writer and researcher who said, “Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it, none exists. With it, all things are possible.”

Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) was born into slavery during the Civil War. She earned her greatest fame by exposing the epidemic of lynching in 19th century America. “The people must know before they can act, and there’s no educator to compare with the press,” she maintained.

Nora Sayre (1932–2001) was a prolific writer for newspapers and magazines whose 1973 book, Sixties Going On Seventies, is an insider’s Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, aka Nellie Bly, was a pioneeraccount of the hopes and fears of ing investigative journalist. a tempestuous time in America.

Sayre embedded herself in protest From 1940–2011, the adventures of marches and rallies, and her accounts from “Brenda Starr, Reporter” were featured on inside those events brought the smell of the comics pages of 250 American newspatear gas and the sight of bloody streets onto pers. Created by cartoonist Dalia Messick, the printed page. “There’s no choice but to Starr was a glamorous, red-haired reporter give the whole picture,” she wrote. who used her looks and street savvy to Helen Thomas (1920–2013) was the first chase criminals and expose corruption. In female member of the White House press the fictional newsroom of The Daily Planet, corps. She covered every president from Lois Lane was a reporter alongside Clark John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. An Arab Kent. Though she had a nose for news in American, she angered the George W. Bush her role in comic books, movies and TV administration with her opposition to the shows, Lois never noticed that “mild-manIraq war, and in 2010 she resigned from her nered reporter” Clark Kent was actually post after her comments against the Israeli “the man of steel”—Superman. government ignited a firestorm of protest.

Television drama entered the newsroom “Every president hates the press,” she said. in the series “Lou Grant,” which ran on Molly Ivins (1944–2007) also sparred CBS from 1977–1982. Ed Asner played with Bush, her fellow Texan. “Keep fightthe part of a gruff editor at a Los Angeles ing for freedom and justice,” she said, “but newspaper. Robert Walden was cast as a don’t forget to have fun doing it.” young reporter with both ego and accomCelestine Sibley (1914–1999) was an plishments who sparred with his coworker, icon of Atlanta journalism who wrote that Billie Newman, an able and ambitious “Being a reporter is one of the noblest newswoman who chafed at the lingering things you can do in life.” sexism in newsrooms. “Lou Grant” should Here in Athens, Conoly Hester (1934– be required viewing for journalism classes 2021) brought nobility to local journalism today. during her decades of service at the Athens In real life, women journalists have been Observer and the Athens Banner-Herald. role models for all news writers. Nellie Bly When she died, longtime local reporter Lee (1864–1922) was one of the original muckShearer said that she had “intelligence, courraking journalists whose work led to muchage and heart, and was meticulous in her needed changes in the Gilded Age. In 1887 craft.” Indeed, Hester earned her place as a she posed as a mentally ill person and spent pioneering journalist in search of truth. f

SLICED AND DICED: AN EARLY TIMELINE OF LOCAL REDISTRICTING Author’s Note: In this Mar. 28, 2012 Pub Notes, I found the early chronology of “our” Republican legislators’ manipulations to deprive Athens of representation.

Combined with their recent rape of the ACC Commission and their tweaks to make their districts safer, this makes up a longstanding record of democracy denial. Surprising how much they or their predecessors had already accomplished by 2012.

the existing districts. A second committee of local citizens appointed by the mayor determines that the existing districts are not racially discriminatory.

2005: State Senate District 46 encompasses all of Athens-Clarke County, all of Oconee County and part of Oglethorpe County—a loose community of interest which includes The University of Georgia.

2006: The Georgia legislature splits Athens-Clarke County into two senatorial districts. Half of ACC goes into State Senate District 46, which now includes all of Oconee County plus a wide swath of rural Walton County. The other half of ACC goes into District 47, where ACC is a minority part of a large rural district including all or parts of Elbert, Jackson, Madison and Barrow counties. This is done by the Republican legislature to dilute the Democratic vote in Athens-Clarke-County, but Republicans call it a great advance for Athens-Clarke and the University of Georgia.

Instead of only one state senator, ACC and UGA will now be served by two state senators, who will also be busy serving their farflung rural districts.

2012: The Georgia legislature overrides the work of the mayor’s redistricting committee and the charter of the unified government, and imposes a totally new 10-single-member-district, jerry-rigged around the residences of the present commissioners, lessening by half each citizen’s representation. The reason given for the takeover by the legislature is that Athens-Clarke County will now be able to elect more minority citizens, including (nonpartisan) Republicans.

Local citizens are expected to welcome this power play because all our senators and representatives consider it to be in our best interests. Rep. Chuck Williams is not really in favor of this takeover, but he lacks the PETE McCOMMONS

news

2010: Athens-Clarke County But Cowsert, Ginn, Gaines, Wiedower and Rhodes could care includes two complete State less about your vote.

House of Representative districts, one of which traditionally has been the home district of the University guts to block it by withholding his consent of Georgia. A third district includes a small to let it go forward as local legislation. Rep. part of ACC and all of Oconee County.

McKillip pushes it as part of his demonstration of just how much of a Republican he 2011: The Georgia legislature carves out a has become. Rep. Keith Heard goes along part of Athens-Clarke County and joins it because he has been gone from Athens for to portions of Oconee, Walton, Barrow and so long he thinks he’d better do something Jackson counties to construct a House of local attorney Ken Dious tells him would Representatives district having absolutely be even better for Black people than selling no community of interest whatsoever out the Colima Avenue neighborhood for a except the House speaker’s interest in Racetrac gas station. Sen. Frank Ginn is for electing new Republican Doug McKillip. The it because it’s a minor part of his district, leftover part of Athens-Clarke is joined to and he’s not really for local control, as he Oconee to form another district. first said he was; and Sen. Bill Cowsert pushes it because the people in the pines of 2011: Athens-Clarke County has, since Walton County provided his election marlocal citizens ratified its charter in 1990, gin last time, and he’s got to show them he’s been governed by a mayor and 10 commisnot as much of a city slicker as he looks like sioners from eight single-member districts in his expensive suits and tassel loafers. and two “superdistricts,” each comprising four of the single-member districts. In 2012: In the July 31 primaries, local accordance with legal requirements to attorney Regina Quick is running against redistrict the county after each census, the McKillip. Local nonprofit director Spencer mayor appoints a committee and the state’s Frye is running against Heard. Candidates top redistricting consultant to hold public have yet to oppose Williams, Ginn and hearings and redistrict the county. Hearings Cowsert—candidates who believe that are held during the summer, and in the fall “government of the people, by the people, the committee comes up with a redistrictfor the people shall not perish from the ing plan that equalizes the populations in earth.” f

M A R C H 2 7, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

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internal auditor.

Johnson was criticized for poor management skills and low productivity, especially in the later years of her appointment.

Johnson’s employees in the ACC Office of Operational Analysis regularly complained about her management style, saying that she was extremely disorganized, spent

By Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com very little time in the office, often belittled her employees and denied reasonable Editor’s Note: Leading up to nonpartisan inside the mall, the larger businesses are requests for time off, according to an indelocal elections and partisan primaries May gone, but the smaller businesses are still pendent investigation paid for by the ACC 21, Flagpole will be publishing features on there.” government. each of the contested races in Athens.

Johnson also wants to prioritize ecoACC Human Resources was unable to nomic growth, but she’s primarily running take disciplinary action against Johnson hen Commissioner Jesse Houle on a platform of government transparency due to her status as a charter officer. As decided not to run for re-elecand increasing community involvement in Johnson’s employees continued to comtion, it left an open seat on decision making. She has expressed concern plain about a hostile work environment, the ACC Commission in District 6, which with some government spending that she Mayor Kelly Girtz stepped in and placed covers Atlanta Highway and most of west considers wasteful, and she’s frustrated Johnson on a performance improvement Athens. Two candidates—Rashe Malcolm by rising tax bills that she feels have been plan in 2019. and Stephanie Johnson—are now stepping pushed on the community with little notice.

Johnson says that Girtz took disciup to fill that gap in what could be the most “Many local people just don’t feel complinary action, not because of problems competitive commission contest this year. fortable being engaged,” Johnson said in her office, but rather out of retaliation Malcolm and Johnson are both promiat her campaign kickoff event on Mar. 4. for an open records request she filed in nent Black women in the community who “There’s not a lot of communication to 2018. Johnson is currently suing the local vote Democratic but otherwise have difbring people out. There are many last-mingovernment about this supposed retaliaferent backgrounds. Johnson has worked ute decisions that are made that affect peotion, alleging that Girtz and ACC Manager primarily in the public sector ple, everyday working people.

Blaine Williams discriminated against her. during her career, including in We have to figure out how to The internal investigation found no evithe ACC Finance Department afford [increased taxes] now, dence for that claim, and the federal Equal and as the ACC internal after it’s gone up, because the Opportunity Employment Commission auditor. Malcolm is an entrevote has already happened.” dismissed a complaint she filed. A federal preneur best known for her The local government has judge last fall dismissed part of Johnson’s Jamaican restaurant, Rashe’s cut tax rates significantly lawsuit while allowing part of it to move Cuisine. Malcolm is also the in recent years, and voters forward. founding director of two approved a larger exemption Johnson stayed on as auditor for several Athens-area nonprofits: Farm for homeowners in 2022 that more years, but her productivity plumto Neighborhood, which seeks the ACC Commission and meted after all three of her employees quit Rashe Malcolm to expand access to nutritious state legislators placed on or transferred and she did not hire replaceand affordable food, and the the ballot. Nevertheless, the ments. As the Audit Committee pushed Culinary Kitchen of Athens, which provides tax bills many homeowners pay have gone her to complete long-delayed projects, she shared kitchen space for local food trucks at up rapidly due to rising property values received another disciplinary action in a reduced cost. determined by market forces. As required 2021, which included a plan for monthly As the chair of the ACC Industrial

by Georgia law, the local government holds check-in meetings with the commission.

Development Authority and a member of three publicized taxpayer bill Johnson failed to attend these the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce of rights hearings every year meetings, which led to her board of directors, it’s not surprising that before setting tax rates. unanimous termination in Malcolm’s top priority is economic growth.

At her kickoff event, September 2021.

She told Flagpole that she wants to help the Johnson echoed a common If elected, Johnson would Atlanta Highway corridor become a powersentiment of residents living be empowered to vote against ful economic driver again by making it more outside the Loop that they Williams’ reappointment as walkable. don’t receive a fair share of ACC manager, something “When Atlanta Highway was vibrant government resources comrecently advocated by local and growing, people worked on Atlanta pared to those in the city Republican Party members.

Highway, we fought to get housing nearby, center. “District 6 has been Johnson is supported by and we played a lot. We shopped there. We ignored far too long,” Johnson Stephanie Johnson a diverse coalition, including did everything right there in our district, said. She said she supports anti-government Republicans and we didn’t have to go far. We were able increased infrastructure investment in her like former mayoral candidate Mara Zúñiga, to walk out our door and catch a bus, and district for things like streetlights, sideand also some leftists who have a similar if we wanted, we could walk. That is somewalks and road repaving. distrust of the local government. Malcolm, thing I would like to see brought back,” Johnson has ample experience in local on the other hand, is hoping that the center Malcolm said. government. Then known as Stephanie will hold and that she’ll also have support Malcolm might get the chance to realMaddox before marriage, she worked in from voters of both parties. ize her vision for Atlanta Highway in this the ACC Finance Department for over four “We need to get back to listening to each decade. A massive redevelopment of the years before then-mayor Nancy Denson other,” Malcolm told Flagpole. “We really do Georgia Square Mall is on the way that appointed her internal auditor in 2015, have more in common than our differences. will include greenspace, walking trails, a position she held until 2021. She told I’ve been told I can’t take pictures with peobike lanes and an Athens Transit transfer Flagpole that she hopes to use her “extenple who are Republicans. And then if I take station. The redevelopment could be transsive experience and knowledge of how local pictures with certain Democrats, it will hurt formative for the corridor—not only will it government operates and how it could betme. That’s just not how I feel about things. help to increase walkability, but it will also ter operate to serve our residents in a more We need to get back to thinking about what provide some affordable apartments for the profound way.” is best for our community and how to get area.

Yet, Johnson’s experience may not be past our differences.”

Malcolm stressed that promoting the kind voters are looking for. Johnson Malcolm said she is happy to work and developing Athens’ small businesses had a rocky tenure as auditor, often clashwith people of all ideologies and party should be top priority during this transiing with the chair of the Audit Committee affiliations to make Athens a better place. tion. “I would like us to remember that the at that time, Commissioner Allison Wright.

For example, she worked with Republican strength and the backbone of what we’ve Wright voted against Johnson’s reappointstate Rep. Houston Gaines on a food truck been able to maintain in that area has conment as auditor in 2017, along with the late reciprocity bill which allows food trucks to tinued to be the small businesses. They are Commissioner Jerry NeSmith. It’s rare for work in any county in Georgia with only the ones who have stayed and remained any commissioner to vote against the reapone license. The bill finally passed in 2022 loyal to us,” she said. “Even when you go pointment of a charter officer such as the after several years of advocacy. f

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feature

Houle’s Errand

DEPARTING COMMISSIONER EXPLAINS WHY THEY HATE THE JOB

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

A

thens-Clarke County Commissioner Jesse Houle is stepping down at the end of the year after a single term representing District 6. Houle—who has a background in organizing and activism—recently sat down with Flagpole to discuss their decision, what they see as dysfunction on the commission and the anger directed at elected officials from the left and the right.

Flagpole: You pretty much had your mind made up that you weren’t going to run again a few months ago. What was your reasoning?

Jesse Houle: I spent most of 2023, honestly, thinking about not running, really wrestling with it. Why? So many reasons. If I could summarize concisely, it became clear to me that this job is unhealthy for me. It just feels at odds with my well-being, my soul.

There’s an element to this job that many people seize on, which is performance or theater. I’ve realized that not only do I not personally enjoy it, I have a really low tolerance for seeing it in others. How that plays out most often in the debates and discussions that we have, when the cameras are rolling, do not include people’s real reasons for doing things. I thought I could be a person in the room who could force people to share their real reasons by asking questions and sharing my real reasons, and I discovered that is not effective. Instead, I get really… anxious and frustrated and exhausted and disheartened, every Tuesday, and sometimes Thursday and Friday, too.

It’s just not the way I want to spend another four years of my life.

It was very clear to me that if anyone stepped forward who I felt at least OK about, that I would definitely not [run]. With each passing week, it becomes clearer and clearer to me that I made the right decision. I feel like I’m completing my sentence instead of my term.

angry, swearing or whatever, when you’re trying to stop people from being killed [in Gaza], versus being angry and swearing and asking for [immigrants] to be killed. My experience is that most of what we might call leftist activists are generally saying, ‘Hey, we don’t like genocide, we don’t like war or murder.’ Then, it might be unfair to lump everyone on the right together, but people with these more neoconservative views are saying, ‘Give these people the death penalty and deport them.’ Aggression for the purpose of stoking violence is very different from aggression to bring about peace.

FP: You posted a pretty thoughtful statement about Laken Riley’s murder on Twitter [now X] and wound up dealing with a lot of trolls and deleting your account. Did that reaffirm your decision? And how do you feel about the way social media has changed how politics are conducted?

JH: It’s a mix of good and bad. From my perspective, in this role as a public figure, I’m stuck between deciding not to use it at all and forgoing an opportunity to use Jesse Houle this tool that lots of people see value in and some people rely on to get their information. I can’t block people. I can’t delete comments. It’s considered a First Amendment Like, I don’t like that people marched on the mayor’s violation. house. I’m hesitant to critique people’s tactics, [but] I didn’t But I was getting death threats. I was getting people think that was a good one. I also felt like I understood why wishing death upon my baby. My address is public. I was they thought it was, but now, looking at this… nightmare getting people emailing me screenshots of my family—all circus of anti-immigrant craziness, people on the right this stuff that was vague enough that you can’t go to the will point to the Palestinian folks marching on the mayor’s police. You know, 99.9% of them are just trolls or bots, or house and say, ‘We should go to his house, too.’ So it has people letting out their frustrations into the ether of the made me think a lot more about being ultra-careful and internet, but 0.1% are people with guns looking for a way to ultra-strategic about which tactics we employ. cement their legacy as the savior for their cause by murdering a bunch of people.

FP: You gave me the opening earlier, so I’ll ask, who is the It’s also wild because I noticed over time that fewer and candidate you think is at least OK? fewer people were engaging with my social media, even JH: In my mind, there is a clear better choice. I will be though more and more people were engaging with me outvoting for Rashe [Malcolm]. I also want to be clear that I side of it. It was clear that I had built good rapport with all think both people running are quite different from me in a sorts of people from District 6, including people that are lot of ways. different from me, ideologically. I feel like we’ve had real Rashe, she’s done a lot of great work for the community human connections and been able to talk through what we for a long time, so I very much trust her heart, and I think agree on and disagree on, and at least take each other serishe’s a really smart person, and I think she’ll take the job ously and treat each other respectfully. seriously. But she’s not a very political person, so what I don’t know is how she’ll apply that to policy. That ambiguFP: Not to both-sides it, but this happens on the left, too. ity gives me some ambivalence, but I feel unambiguously These pro-Palestinian groups have been making a lot of noise that she is the clear better choice. lately. Five years ago, you probably would’ve been one of them, so how does it feel from behind the rail?

FP: What’s next for you once you leave office?

JH: First of all, what you do matters. Why you do it JH: More humor. More music. More joy and appreciaalso matters. I think there’s a big difference between being tion. I don’t know. Not this. f

feature

food & drink

grub notes

Voucher Bill Passes

All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Steakhouse

By Stanley Dunlap news@flagpole.com

By Hillary Brown food@flagpole.com

CRITICS SAY ‘SCHOOL CHOICE’ TAKES MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

F

ollowing five years of unsuccessful attempts by Georgia Republican lawmakers to expand the state’s school voucher program, GOP senators last Wednesday cast enough votes to send the latest version of the controversial plan to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk.

Several Republican House members joined their colleagues in the Senate chamber to celebrate the so-called Georgia Promise Schools Act’s passage by a 33-21 party-line vote. The measure allows families with students enrolled in Georgia’s K-12 public schools to remove $6,500 of state funding provided to local school districts in order to attend private schools or to homeschool.

Critics of the vouchers continued to question whether $6,500 would be enough for cash-strapped families to afford the cost of tuition at many of the state’s better private schools. Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) said that $6,500 is close to the state’s median private school cost,

STANLEY DUNLAP / GEORGIA RECORDER

to ensure vouchers are available to students from low-income families and hold private schools accountable by reporting to the state how those students are performing academically. According to the bill, private schools must administer standardized tests to students enrolled in the program. In addition, vouchers will be prioritized for families with household incomes under 400% of the poverty level, amounting to about $120,000 for a family of four.

If signed into law, the promise scholarship vouchers would first be available in the fall 2025 school year. Gov. Brian Kemp said earlier this year that the voucher program was a top legislative priority.

The bill caps the state’s investment into the program at 1% of the Quality Basic Education budgeting formula for K-12 public education, which now comes out to $141 million annually to cover tuition for about 21,500 students.

The program would have a 10-year window before it expires. Any student enrolled in the program when it ends will keep receiving the payments until they graduate from high school.

Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) compared the $6,500 voucher to a shiny object to misdirect attention away from how the legislature has failed to provide many school districts across the state with the financial resources they need to succeed.

“If you want to talk about real school choice, let’s put our Sen. Greg Dolezal, the primary force behind SB 233. money where our mouth is,” Parent said. “Give every kid which should entice parents of students $20,000, give $25,000, then we’d actually attending low-performing schools to send be talking about real school choice.” their children to a private school. According Cobb County Republican Sen. Ed Setzler to Private School Review, the average prisaid the notion of school choice is often vate school tuition in Georgia is $11,893 exercised by his fellow legislators and many per year, and tuition in the state ranges other Georgians who have enough money from $1,042–57,500. to attend a strong academically performing Dolezal praised the GOP leadership in public school or be able to afford homesthe House and Senate, as well as Kemp, for chooling or private school tuition. fighting to get Senate Bill 233 across the “Senate Bill 233 is for those single moms finish line ahead of the Mar. 29 deadline out there working two jobs to keep the for this year’s legislative session. “I rememlights on who wants school choice for their ber my freshman year 2019, when this bill kids,” he said. “They can’t afford to move to failed on the floor of the Senate,” Dolezal a neighborhood in an area that has a sucsaid. “It means the world to me that five cessful public school. They can’t afford to years later we united around this tailored move and sell their house because they’re bill that we can all agree is a step in the upside down in their mortgage.” right direction.”

Sen. Nabilah Islam-Parkes said private Different versions of so-called school schools’ autonomy in choosing which types choice proposals failed in recent years as a of students they want to accept likely number of Republican legislators joined the means many students who might benefit majority Democratic lawmakers to block a most from being in a new environment plan they contend would divert taxpayer would be left behind. funding crucial to public schools to cover “This bill is a thinly veiled effort to segprivate schools. Several conservative state regate and discriminate, under the guise of lawmakers from rural areas in the past have choice. Private institutions free to pick their criticized the expansion of a voucher prostudents will inevitably leave behind those gram that local school officials contend will who perhaps need the most support, like cost them funding that will be hard to cover our special needs kids, our struggling learnwith local money. ers,” said the Duluth Democrat. f Senate Bill 233’s notable changes this Ross Williams contributed to this report, which origiyear are intended to address recurring critnally appeared at georgiarecorder.com. icisms of voucher programs by attempting

PLUS, ICE CREAM WORTH A DRIVE OUT OF TOWN

FLAMA BRAZILIAN STEAK HOUSE through Thursday, 12–10 p.m. Friday and (1550 Oglethorpe Ave., 706-850-8299, Saturday, 12–8 p.m. Sunday. @flamaathens on Instagram): This new Brazilian steakhouse is owned by the same CAST IRON CREAMERY (35 N. Broad St., folks who ran Sabor Latino in the same in Winder, 470-209-7050, castironcreamspot. The interior has changed hardly at ery.com): Am I about to encourage you to all, with the same brightly colored pendant drive to Winder to get some ice cream? Lord lamps, the same random wall of beer steins, help me, I am. I’ve had Cast Iron Creamery the same generic wrapped canvases on the on my list for a while now after hearing it walls, but now there’s a large salad bar and a was good, and it turns out it’s more than place to step up and order sliced meats from that. Michael Kakhikina, the owner and the sweet young fella who spends a lot of founder, worked on the West Coast as a time misting the air of his rotisseries. chef after attending the Culinary Institute Like most Brazilian steakhouses, Flama of America, and he’s got an eye for qualis an all-you-can-eat-meat model, hence ity ingredients and a fun sense of how to the preponderance of trucks in the parking assemble them. lot. For $25 (lunch) or $30 (dinner), plus whatever drinks you want, you can keep going back to the salad bar and the meat window for as long as you like. In practice, that’s not such a great deal for some of us. Let’s start with the best stuff: Sirloin, common as it is as a cut, and lamb are the tastiest, with beef tenderloin close behind. The brisket has some flavor, but it’s too tough and too dry, something that can be said of Flama Brazilian Steak House most of the offerings: chicken wrapped in bacon (roughly nugget-sized chunks of meat that There’s vanilla and chocolate, but also benefits hardly at all from its fatty, salty strawberry malted, a chai latte ice cream accent), pork tenderloin, chicken wings and that is impressive and pineapple upsidechicken hearts (credit for offering them at down cake ice cream that you can also get all, cooked to order, and just… fine). If you assembled into an ice cream pie in a crostick to the first three, maybe adding a pork nut-type mish-mash that is delicious. It’s sausage and some grilled pineapple, you all good. The sorbets are equally impressive, might be fairly happy, but if you’re deternot too sweet, with a beautiful texture mined to eat a wide variety of the menu, and intense flavors. The cucumber-basil you may be disappointed. The other major tastes like real cucumber and real basil, feature of the restaurant is its “salad bar,” not like a pale imitation. The mint mojito which deserves those quotation marks. is lovely and refreshing. The mango tastes Sure, there’s a tub of Caesar salad, and you like a perfectly ripe fruit. I didn’t even get can assemble yourself a plate of greens, around to the waffles or the wide array of but it also features ribs (tough and with toppings in apothecary-style big glass jars a sticky, sweet sauce that feels designed on shelves behind the ice cream counter: to camouflage rather than accent), steak lots of classics like rainbow sprinkles and empanadas (not impressive), feijoada (not Oreos, but also pecans, almonds, walnuts, much more than black beans, and under toffee bits, gummy butterflies, coconut and flavored), decent pinto beans, mashed feuilletine (bits of toasted crêpe). Pretty potatoes (too loose), white rice, a chicken much everything is made in small batches, and chipotle stew that’s worth a second and the prices aren’t bad ($4.50 per slice of helping, potato salad with peas and carrots, wonderful ice cream pie). Kakhikina’s mom, a goopy coleslaw, a pile of pães de queijo who runs the shop with him, says they’ve (small cheesy rolls, sort of like gougères in been looking for an Athens location, and it France), hunks of French bread, compound feels like it would be a lovely fit here. butters presented in large water goblets, Cast Iron Creamery is open 1–8 p.m. maduros (sweet plantains), fried yuca, Wednesday and Thursday, 1–9 p.m. Friday acceptable steak fries and loads of sauce and Saturday, and 2–7 p.m. Sunday (closed options, including guacamole and chimichMonday and Tuesday). urri. Again, you can pick and choose your way to an OK meal, but I’d generally be hap- WHAT’S UP: Winifer Rodriguez and her pier ordering something along the lines of family are close to opening the Food Truck a bandeja paisa in a non-AYCE restaurant, Station on Tallassee Road. The plan is to getting the variety and making myself over- have three food trucks, all owned by the full, but with a higher batting average and a restaurant, set up in the parking lot. Keep lower cost. an eye on the Grub Notes blog at flagpole.

Flama is open 12–9 p.m. Tuesday com for the latest restaurant news. f

M A R C H 2 7, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

9

SAM LIPKIN

news

arts & culture

art notes

The 49th Juried Exhibition LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER PRESENTS OVER 100 ARTISTS

By Jessica Smith arts@flagpole.com As an anchoring event of the Lyndon House Arts Center’s programming each year, the 49th Juried Exhibition offers a time capsule of the current arts scene in Athens.

Reflecting a myriad of talents, styles and ideas, the works span across painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, fiber art, metalwork, woodwork and mixed media.

This year’s guest juror was Jen Sudul Edwards, chief curator and curator of contemporary art at The Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC. Challenged with the task of reviewing a total of 722 artworks submitted for consideration by 265 Athens-area artists, Edwards selected 162 works by 111 different artists for the exhibition. In her essay for the exhibition’s catalog, she notes how many of the artworks can be viewed as responses to the state of the world, with observable threads of absurdity and a rediscovery of calming, joyful comforts.

Exhibition. These included 10 merit awards as well as 10 awards representing artist organizations or designated for specific media. Alec Weeks received the Lyndon House Arts Foundation Award for Excellence for his oil painting, “St. Elsa,” a surreal figure whose face appears to melt into drapery-like folds. Abraham Tesser received the Ridley M. Glover Excellence in Wood Artistry Award for “Visible Works,” an exquisite side table with curious mechanisms. Samantha Lee received an award from the Athens Metal Arts Guild for a statement necklace with red enamel accents that take on new meaning with the title “Blood Splatter.”

The Arts Center Choice Award, an honor that extends an invitation to return to the LHAC and present a solo show, was awarded to Jaci Davis for her portrait “Let’s Just Call it a Breakthrough.” Davis, who graduated from UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art with a BFA in drawing and painting last year, explores the complexities of having a biracial identity in the South through figure paintings influenced by disrupted realism. “‘Let’s Just Call it a Breakthrough’ all started when I felt I was struggling to balance realism and abstract painting,” says Davis. “I needed the figureto-ground relationship to feel more harmonious. I wanted it to seem as though the figure was emerging from once being a part of the space. I was also feeling very down at the time of this painting, I hit a point of mental exhaustion and was trying to come out of that. The title of the piece is a play on the word breakthrough, whereas the figure is breaking through the background, and the piece itself is a breakthrough for me as it helped me begin to find the balance I was looking for.”

“Let’s Just Call it a Breakthrough” by Jaci Davis Artist talks will be held every Thursday evening through April at On the cover of Flagpole this week, R.B. 6 p.m. The lineup includes Mark Cooney, Pruett’s portrait “The Painter” nods to Zachary Decker, Sarah Glass and Levon the idea of an artist as a conduit. Pruett, Register on Apr. 4; Peggy Des Jardines, who received an MFA in painting at East Adam Houston, Vyvyan Hughes, Izzy Tennessee State University after earning Losskarn and Erin McIntosh on Apr. 11; BFA degrees in both art education and Adam Bennion, Frances Hughes, Aaron painting and drawing at the University of Joslin and Ethan Snow on Apr. 18; and Georgia, uses a unique process of “canniNat Blooming, Caitlin La Dolce, Hannah balizing paintings” through which pieces Reynoso-Moller and Alec Weeks on Apr. 25. of “failed” paintings are collaged into new The Juried Exhibition will remain works full of layering and texture. on view through May 4, and three addi“‘The Painter’ depicts the angst of the tional exhibitions are scheduled to open artist, and the heaviness of the visions he during its run. On view Mar. 30–May 10, must carry,” says Pruett. “It is about the dif- “Linnentown Then and Now: Paintings ficulty of attempting to make contemporary by Caroline Ford Coleman” is a collection meaningful art or the frivolity of calling of portraits depicting neighborhood resiyourself an artist. Self-doubt hovers over dents displaced by urban renewal. Running him like a cloud. In this painting, the idea Apr. 2–25, the annual juried “Green Life of artists as modern day medicine men who Exhibition” presents student artwork made are obligated to expose society’s sickness is in response to the prompt “The Climate is alluded to. ‘The Painter’ has multiple eyes Changing, How Can We?” On view Apr. 6– looking inward and outward at the same June 15, “Rescue: Waste and Redemption” time. He has forewarnings of things to presents the works of over 20 artists, come, but nobody looks and nobody wants selected by guest juror Lizzie Zucker Saltz, to listen.” who transform industrial byproducts into A total of 20 awards were distributed works of art. Check out accgov.com/lyndonto recognize artists at this year’s Juried house for correlated events. f

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

arts & culture

calendar picks

MUSIC | THU, MAR. 28

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

Georgia Theatre • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $17 (adv.), $20

After growing up cutting his teeth on the classic rock catalog in Guitar Hero and steeping in the Nashville honky-tonk scene, musician Daniel Donato has stepped up as the next big thing in country and bluegrass.

Donato also takes profound inspiration from the jam band improv ethos of acts like The Grateful Dead, even referring to his own fans as DD Heads. He is currently on tour supporting his 2023 album, Reflector, under the moniker Cosmic Country, a name meant to encapsulate the sense of truth and soul that the music conveys. Music journalist Neil Ferguson writes for Glide Magazine, “The hallmarks of a Daniel Donato show include a setlist packed with songs, no shortage of tasteful covers, the occasional guest, and plenty of musical peaks that keep the crowd dancing.”

[Mary Beth Bryan] MUSIC | FRI, MAR. 29

Kurt Vile and the Violators 40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors) • $35

(Gutter Boys) and cartoonist Abby Kacen (Mild Pain), will be hosted at BizarroWuxtry on Mar. 29 from 6–9 p.m. and will feature live comic readings by Eleanor Davis, Pat Rooks, Joey Weiser, David Caldwell, Victor Alpi and more. [MB]

Kurt Vile’s laid-back indie-rock sound has made him a staple of the genre. The former guitarist of The War on Drugs has collaborated with many other musicians, including a full album with Australian musician Courtney Barnett, 2017’s Lotta Sea Lice. He draws inspiration from a varied set of artists, from the indie sound of Pavement to the folk stylings of John Prine to the primitive style guitar work of John Fahey.

Pitchfork writer Daniel Bromfield says that his sound on his newest release, Back to Moon Beach, “consists largely of gold-hued guitar jams,” though this time his perspective Kurt Vile “seems less content, less satisfied, less serene” than on his previous MUSIC | SUN, MAR. 31 works, adding a curious new element to his discography. The show will be opened by Weak Signal, a band from the NYC underThe World Famous • 8 p.m. • $10 suggested ground scene. [MB]

Slow Parade donation

EVENT | SAT, MAR. 30

FLUKE Mini-Comics Festival 40 Watt Club • 10 a.m.–5 p.m. • $2

The 21st annual FLUKE Mini-Comics Festival cultivates a conversation between comic artists, underground publishers and their enthusiasts. It is a zone of discovery for those interested in mini-comics, zines and independent publications, functioning as a platform for sharing ideas rather than simply advertising or merchandising.

The festival will feature material to suit all interests, from children’s works to more serious narratives. Its sponsors include Bizarro-Wuxtry, Inch-High Button Guy, JOKERJOKERtv, Mystic Punks and The Sequential Artists Workshop. Masks are required for all attendees at this year’s FLUKE. A free pre-party for the festival, hosted by podcaster Cam del Rosario

Atlanta-based roots rock band Slow Parade is celebrating the release of its third record, Maybe You’ll Come Around, which was recorded over the course of just three days in order to capture its lushness and twang in their most natural light. This relatively stripped-back album is reminiscent of Harvest-era Neil Young and The Band’s Music from Big Pink, and its characters are intriguingly lackadaisical, “low on gas, incurious of redemption, and probably high on something,” as described by Slow Parade.

Its founder, Matthew Pendrick, developed his musical prowess by busking around Atlanta and sharing stages with musicians such as Daniel Romano, CW Stoneking, Israel Nash and T. Hardy Morris, but now seems to have found his artistic identity via Slow Parade. The show will also feature Los Angeles shoegaze act Houston in the Blind and Athens act Bronze Brain. [MB] f

music

threats & promises

Kuroma Releases The Color of Heaven PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com WELCOME HOME: Parker Gispert (The Whigs) will play a full-band Athens show at Paloma Park Saturday, Mar. 30, and his set will reportedly be filled with both solo and Whigs material. Also on the bill is the brand-new group The Mountain of Youth, composed of Hunter Morris (Blue Blood, Gift Horse), Drew Beskin (District Attorneys, The Sunshine, Broasis), Nick Robbins (Palace Doctor, Velveteen Pink) and Phillip Brantley (Modern Skirts, Terminally Phil). This combination of players is something like a Pro Bowl team of Athens songwriters, so I’m pretty excited to hear what they’ve come up with. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show is free.

HELLO, AGAIN: This is the first week, probably ever, that two ex-Whigs members have something going the same week in this column. But Hank Sullivant (also of MGMT), who has released music under the name Kuroma since 2007, has a new album out named The Color Of Heaven. All the music was written and performed by Sullivant, and the album was recorded, produced and mixed by Nate Nelson. Within the Kuroma confines of the record itself, it’s difficult to top the majestic title track, which features a piano backbone that’s both thrilling and percussive. But it’s also nice to relax into the familiar and sweet pop garden that Sullivant is so good at tending (“Rid You”).

Mostly, the album is plaintive and thoughtful, and makes for a nice headphones listen.

Find this at kuroma.bandcamp.com.

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’, PLEASE: About once a year I start to bemoan in my heart that there’s no new music from Love My Truck.

Then, nearly without fail, some new tunes show up. A mere handful of weeks ago the duo released a new five-song EP named SnowedInn. Typically, the band has shifted between lightly psychedelic Americana and futuristic electro sketches. This new record finally blends the two into a tasty concoction that feels neither forced nor out of place. Opening with a lullaby of a melody in “Intro,” then immediately dropping into the meditative Daft Punk dreamscape of “Stand,” this thing goes for the emotional throat right out of the gate. By the time it winds through its final track, the electronic jog of “is that pørq?,” it’s not only defined itself but placed another well-earned badge of achievement upon the group. Find this at lovemytruck.bandcamp.com.

INFORMALLY YOURS: If you’ve been paying even casual attention to the Athens scene over the past five years or so, it’s been clear that there’s a new generation of bands that have planted their big pop flag in the ground. Not the underground indie pop or even pop-punk, but huge sounding,

arena-ready pop. The latest of these is Casual Americans. The band just released its self-titled debut album after releasing singles for a few years. Working in a crystalline production environment worthy of The Jonas Brothers or 5 Seconds of Summer while sounding like neither, the band ushers taut melodies through a trove of radio tropes. The effect is such that when listening to the album, it’s easy to think you’ve heard several of these songs before, even though you haven’t. The band is at its best when squeezing out 1970s musical touchstones, such as those on the piano-centric “Hold On,” and comes up shorter when pulling wildcards from the ’90s/2000s, such as opening track “Somebody Famous.” The one track here that stands above all the others is the slightly bitter “Do Better,” and it’s also the most solidly of its time. Find this on streaming services including casual​americans.​bandcamp.com, and for more information, please see casual​ americans.com.

STYLE IS FOREVER: Hiphop ambassador and Athens hero Montu Miller will host a special event titled “Fresh Dressed Like a Million Bucks” at the next instance of Ciné’s Roc Doc Bloc. This happens Saturday, Mar. 30, and the film is 2015’s Fresh Dressed. The night begins at 8 p.m. in the Ciné Lab with a fashion and artist panel featuring BYV_Trubb, Zorae Dunn, LB and Amun-Ra. After the panel is a pre-movie performance showcase featuring DJ Kountry setting the mood, after which Farin, Cardynal and Nony1 will perform. The film starts at 10 p.m. and is an exploration of the deep historical ties between hip hop and fashion going back to the 1970s. Ciné’s Roc Doc Bloc also includes Athens, GA: Inside/Out on Mar. 29 at 7 p.m., Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back on Mar. 30 at 2:30 p.m., Amy on Apr. 5 at 10 p.m., We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen on Apr. 6 at 2:30 p.m., The Elephant 6 Recording Co. on Apr. 6 at 10 p.m. and Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed on Apr. 7 at 7:15 p.m.

Tickets are available at athenscine.com.

SATURDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT: Are you looking for a show that’s got two rock bookends and a folk palate cleanser in the middle?

Well, buster, have I got news for you. On Saturday, Mar. 30, you can catch garage rockers The Grawks with folk-punk Here Be Monsters and sludgy metallers Rosie & The Ratdogs at Nowhere Bar. That should be all the information you need, but before you go I’d encourage you to check out The Ratdogs’ newest single “Peench,” as well as The Grawks’ new music video for the latest single, “Without You,” directed by Erica Strout. You can find the catalogs of all three acts via rosieandtheratdogs.bandcamp.com, thegrawks.bandcamp.com and herebe​monsters​official.bandcamp.com. f

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music

feature

South by Southwest 2024 TURN AND FACE THE STRANGE CH-CH-CHANGES

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

F

or the second year in a row, Austin’s formidable and Similar was the talk between John Oates of Hall & culture-shaping South By Southwest continued to Oates (which he made clear is a colloquialism, as they’ve show that while we may be done with COVID, it is always insisted on being billed as Daryl Hall & John clearly not done with us.

Oates) and Alex Heiche, founder of music financing firm The big money, and a large amount of attention, surSound Royalties. Oates talked about how he’s been living rounding the nine-day conference seemed to swirl around in Nashville for a good while, and that particular environartificial intelligence, and there were fully 67 different conment caused him to kick up his game regarding not only ference events concentrated on AI, including panels, talks songwriting, but playing itself. His music has experienced and book signings. a renaissance of sorts due to lucrative licensing agreements Film was still both a priority and highlight for SXSW, as well. Oates shares concerns about the presence of artialthough the marketing efforts of specific studios and disficial intelligence in music, too, and said, “Once the genie’s tributors felt more concentrated and specifically earmarked out of the bottle, that’s it, folks. It’s going to be a very interfor individual projects rather than projects as such. esting period of time… I’m interested in it, and I hate to be The music portion of the conference was shortened morbid, but I’m old enough to not have to worry about it, by a full day. Although official live performances did con’cause I’m not gonna be around when it takes over.” Even tinue through Saturday, Mar. 16, there were no conference so, he recognized the possibility of a coming flood of fakes, sessions that day. Further, there were a minimal amount or even well-intentioned tributes, altering the landscape of music participants in the Exhibition Hall (essentially of what we know as catalog artists. “What’s to prevent a trade show) this year, and the ones that did catch my AI from extrapolating from this incredible body of work eye were all focused on music produced by generative AI. and creating new David Bowie songs with David Bowie The one old-school exhibitioner I talked with was Pollstar, singing?” Oates asked. “Pretty much nothing can stop that which has been the touring industry’s bible for over four unless there’s either legislation or people just don’t want it decades. There may have been more, but I crawled every to happen.” row of exhibitioners and didn’t find any.

Even as attendees listened carefully and attentively to The economic impact of 2020–2021, a loss Pollstar estiOates, there was a lot of space left in the room. The major mated at $30 billion in 2020 alone, is still reverberating music keynote this year was hosted by The Black Keys, who strongly across the music industry even as the huge operwere in attendance for the documentary This Is A Film About ators like Live Nation, Spotify and Apple Music are experiThe Black Keys. I didn’t attend this one, though, and it may encing record profits. They also like to bet on sure things, have been packed for all I know, but evidence from the lesswhereas any traditional arts-focused organizations know than-full Oates and other sessions makes me doubt it. well that nothing is assured.

But it’s more than this, though.

In the 2010s, SXSW had reached such dizzying heights of hype and attention that it became one of the world’s most do-not-miss events for both fans and the industry at large. In 2024, a huge amount of music-focused publications, smaller labels and associated ancillary services seemed to remember they had options and decided not to spend advertising and promotional dollars in Austin this year.

Final attendance numbers won’t be released until this fall but, based on last year’s numbers, it is estimated that SXSW drew approximately 300,000 people to Austin. To put this in perspective, that would be about 235% of the population of Athens, but most of the time Human Rights Campaign Panel it didn’t feel that way on the street at all. The only events that experienced non-stop demand and had folks waiting in The wildest case of overestimating audience demand was line for hours were highly anticipated film premiers. For the the panel hosted by the Human Rights Campaign called most part, navigating music showcases was a breeze.

“When Beer Goes Viral: The Role of Brands & Media in I’ve always found a lot of value in the SXSW conferFighting Hate.” It featured Human Rights Campaign presience itself, and this year was only slightly different. The dent Kelly Robinson, deeply creative advertising executive talk between A&R veterans Paula Moore and Randy Aaron Walton (CEO of Walton Isaacson), Jo Yurcaba (NBC Jackson (you may know him from “American Idol” and Out), and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Given that the relaunched “Name That Tune”), both now of Greater Mulvaney has been essentially ever-present for the past Than Distribution, was informative and entertaining in a couple of years, it was not unreasonable to anticipate that way I’d not anticipated. Jackson is charming and funny, this would draw a sizable crowd, and anticipation for it in but when he gets right down to it, he makes it clear that the weeks leading up to it was strong. But then… nothing. nothing in the world we call the music industry matters if And it’s not to do with anything that was said, as there were it’s not backed up by good songs. It was refreshing, too, to multiple cogent and relevant points made across the entire hear each of them reiterate a commitment to artist develpanel, my favorite observations and comments coming opment, which has basically disappeared in any formerly from Walton. To me, the rows upon rows of empty seats recognizable form. in Ballroom D (capacity 2,408) of the Austin Convention

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Center had more to do with public exhaustion, or outright disinterest, over Mulvaney as a personality and not any anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. In some ways, I feel bad for Mulvaney, as I don’t believe they ever desired to be cast in the role of public spokesperson for the entire transgender community. Even a cursory glance across their presence on social media makes it clear: Dylan Mulvaney is in the Dylan Mulvaney business. Which is totally fine and not at all unlike most celebrities and pretty much all influencers.

But clearly something was amiss here, and it wasn’t the strong numerical data presented by Walton, the support and advocacy of Robinson, nor the newsroom-education points made by Yurcaba. Literally the only thing I could surmise is that a swath of the public at large, or at least those inclined to attend events like SXSW and pride themselves on being forward-thinking and inclusive, are just tired of Mulvaney, whose appearance was promoted above the others. Everything has a cycle, and celebrities are no different.

Speaking of celebrities, I managed to catch panels with Mark Cuban, Sydney Sweeney, Tim Ferriss and Brooke Shields, but there’s already been more than enough coverage of these folks’ appearances elsewhere, so I’m not going to go into these any further.

That said, there was no controversy with regard to the above mentioned panel. Instead, that came from over 100 bands and musical artists dropping out from their official showcases due to SXSW’s being sponsored by the United States Army, as well as some defense contractors including RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon. While I can imagine that these artists would be against such associations in a general sense, this particular action was undertaken with the express purpose of showing solidarity with Palestine. These included basically all acts from Ireland, including the buzzy Kneecap; Santa Cruz, CA hardcore band Scowl; and Fairfax, VA artist Okay Shalom. Trust me that this is a truncated list, and there were more who boycotted SXSW over these entanglements. Readers are free to agree or disagree with this action, but I can tell you this: Each of these artists has real skin in this game. Especially the overseas artists, many whose visas and travel expenses are paid for by their home governments and could, conceivably, find themselves ineligible for future support. The artists who had already made landfall in Austin before dropping out hurriedly put together alternate showcases, and many wound up performing in a non-official capacity.

However, the net effect on the conference itself and other attendees was basically zero. Outside of a few demonstrations—the one I checked out was woefully under-attended—no one on the street was talking about this at all. However, I did see multiple bands that delivered statements of solidarity from the stage even while still performing at their scheduled, official showcases. There did seem to be some virality to the boycott (i.e. we’re not doing it because so-and-so isn’t doing it, etc.) but, in any case, the artists involved experienced actual financial loss, and when someone is willing to put their money where their mouth is that’s a reason to pay attention.

All the above criticisms and observations aside, SXSW music was still a captivating and entirely worthwhile experience and one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed for many years. I’m not going to break this down day-by-day, so some items will appear out of order from their actual occurrence. Let’s start with the bad, though.

Houston rapper Dende experienced multiple technical problems getting started, and his performance at Palm Door was not only shortened, but suffered from a lack of momentum due to these delays. Ontario’s Pony Girl was listless and unentertaining in nearly every respect.

Similarly, Vancouver’s Babe Corner exhibited none of the

sharp, smart pop of its recordings and left my eyes drooping. Tokyo’s Ako (a子) seems to have a perfectly charming personality, but her faceless, bland pop couldn’t even be saved by her picking up an electric guitar toward the end of her set and trying to really rock it out.

Now, on to the good! The only film I saw all week was the premier of the first episode of “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.” Before the screening, the band arrived in a caravan of huge black SUVs, but then approached the huge crowd gathered outside the Paramount Theatre and signed autographs, took selfies, etc. It was easily the most populist moment I saw all week between some bona fide rock stars and their audience. After the screening, there was a brief Q&A among the band, director Gotham Chopra and—wait for it—his father Deepak Chopra. Of all the things I could never imagine seeing was the boys from Jersey onstage with Deepak Chopra. But it happened, and I was there for it.

The Waco Brothers played a dependably blistering set at Palm Door that even included a punchy cover of The Undertone’s “Teenage Kicks.” Austin’s own Tony 22 played an uplifting and joyous set at Stubb’s, and his blend of R&B and hip hop was only made sharper by the inclusion of his acoustic guitar playing which figures prominently in his recorded tunes. Austin’s Pedal Steel Noah, a 16-year-old pedal steel prodigy, was fantastic at Palm Door and also a total surprise in the best way: I went in not having a clue who he was and walked out a fan.

Music education charity The Give A Note Foundation and talent/marketing agency Artist for Artist joined hands for a damn solid showing at Mohawk.

Meteor Airlines Hosted by Peppermint Patti Collins, who would eventually introduce her husband the legendary Bootsy Collins so he could come out, wave and say hey, this night was just pure joy. Although Collins didn’t perform, he was gregarious and friendly. The utterly legendary Slick Rick did play, though, and his set was tight, full of expected hits, and it was undeniably cool simply to be mere feet from him while he performed.

Athens had a particularly strong showing this year and, while I had to miss their actual performance, I overheard a woman speaking before the set from Pylon Reenactment Society at Cooper’s BBQ, and she said, “I just read a book on Athens music and these guys are, like, one of the founders of that whole scene!” Immediately preceding PRS’s set was the R&B icon Swamp Dogg. Now quickly approaching age 82, Dogg was still full of vinegar and smart comments even while competently plowing through a set of solid numbers backed by his crack team of players. At the New West Records showcase at Antone’s, The Howdies ushered in their particular brand of honky tonk to wonderful reception and, even after going on at 1 a.m., The Pink Stones maintained its reputation as one of Athens most reliable exports. Other specific highlights from New West that night were Luther Dickinson (ex-North Mississippi Allstars) and Nashville’s Emily Nenni.

One of the most wonderful surprises this year, and there were many, was seeing the U.S. debut of Stockholm’s Waterbaby. Set in the spectacular Central Presbyterian Church, I was unprepared for how much her music, sometimes so light it felt like it might float away, would touch me. With only a five-song EP under her belt, her set was not very long but every note of it was memorable and, indeed, special. Michigan’s Brie Stoner was effusively thankful from the stage at Cooper’s BBQ for fashion house Ralph Lauren placing her song “Hungry” in its Spring 2024 collection promotions. It used to be that the word chanteuse got thrown

around a lot no matter its accuracy. Well, Stoner would be an accurate recipient of this tag. She moved only slightly slower onstage than Stevie Nicks in her heyday, and her theatrical, multi-layered and self-described “indie dream rock” was well-received and wonderfully played.

I was so psyched to see Morocco’s Meteor Airlines I could barely get myself to Flamingo Cantina with any semblance of calm. Mostly singing in their native North African Amazigh language, the group’s music was a distillation of American rock music filtered through their own musical traditions. On paper this might not sound like it would work, but it did and, as their set went on, increasingly so.

Brooklyn’s Razor Braids has a phone book full of hooks, many of which are subtle and sneak up on you, but were delivered to uproarious applause. Also, the group’s set at Elysium was just chock full of rock and roll stage stances,

head banging and other markers that said, “Hey, we’re here to rock you.”

Montreal’s Alix Fernz channeled the best of late 1970s punk à la very early Adam Ant, and his set at Swan Dive was propulsively enthusiastic. He did his best to stay relatively glum looking throughout, but there were definitely a few smiles from him as his audience hung on every note. In similar fashion, Atlanta’s hard punk/goth rockers Psychic Death laid waste to the Chess Club in the middle of the afternoon.

Los Angeles’ producer and composer Johnny Jewel, known for his soundtrack work, was enigmatic and darkly compelling especially as he performed his work which was featured in the “Twin Peaks” revival series complete with his screens displaying poignant clips. I briefly caught Atlanta super producer Jermaine Dupir and Miami’s rap legend Uncle Luke (AKA Luke Skyywalker from 2 Live Crew) when they hosted the release party for the Hulu documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, and then caught about half a set of Ying Yang Twins. Mostly for this I was corralled smack dab in the middle of a packed backyard at Stubb’s. I didn’t attempt to move closer because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you absolutely do not try to wiggle your way forward at any rap show in Austin, and presumably all of Texas. These audiences in particular have real territorial behavior, and I’ve seen fights break out over even the smallest of imagined slights.

It was cool seeing El Paso’s Defacto who had not played live in two decades. I never cared about them before, and have never been a fan of the group’s core of Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zaval’s other band The Mars Volta. But this show was special and occasionally mesmerizing in its intensity. And speaking of intense, Mogwai blew the figurative roof off the Moody Theatre when they followed. Their whole set was wave after churning wave of

their swinging from their gentlest, most delicate tunes, to unbelievably loud and pummeling guitar thunder. It was positively majestic.

Summerland, CA’s Emi Grace was personable and enthusiastic at Palm Door, but her live set was markedly less techy than her recordings. Not so much that the tunes were completely unrecognizable, but close. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country was tipped to me and, being previously unfamiliar with Donato and his music, I left his show at Antone’s sold on his psychedelic country. And that’s actually a very weak and kind of obvious categorization and over-simplification of his patently American music, which was easily among the most noteworthy surprises I had this week.

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen, or at least not recently, an artist as thoroughly convinced of their own photogenicity than Fool’s Gold recording artist Shallowhalo. The pair, Allyson Camitta and Ezra Tenenbaum, didn’t stop moving and posing for even a moment during their entire set at Elysium.

Frontwoman Camitta, especially. But this was part and parcel of their presentation and actually was a strong contributing factor to their overall delivery of the group’s tight, synth-based electropop.

Manchester, England’s Porij played multiple shows this week, but I only caught the one at Valhalla. At the time, they were enjoyable and I was glad to have caught them but afterward, when listening to the band’s recordings, their live show felt less than, and I found myself wishing it had sounded more like their dreamy records.

As a lifelong dance music fan I was completely thrilled to catch the powerhouse bill of Denver’s Kumarion, Prague’s Rido and N:Force at Kingdom. This showcase was presented by “the world’s leading drum and bass festival” Let It Roll. My sole regret was missing Houston’s Reaper who, as best I can tell, played out of the previously announced order and went onstage while I was busy seeing other acts elsewhere.

Italy’s Orion brought her Italo-disco best to the stage at Elysium complete with sharp visuals. So, too, did New York’s Vitesse X deliver her multi-instrumentalist electronic explorations to the same stage. This particular night, though, I was most pleased to catch up with former Athenian Vaperror (Jeff Cardinal) who now lives in Brooklyn. He has expanded his sound quite a bit since being a dedicated vaporwave artist, and now features guest vocals, some live bass guitar, and—at the very end of his set—utterly brutal heavy metal and associated sampled vocals which was quite jarring for those of us not expecting that.

One major overarching thought that kept returning to me was, “This year actually feels like a music discovery festival and not simply a checklist of brands, hype, FOMO, etc.”

Which made me think of all the years of people bemoaning that SXSW had gotten away from its roots. It may not have happened the way it was desired, and it remains to be seen if music industry expenditures will return to their previous highs. But, for now, in my best and most honest estimation, SXSW music is closer to “the old days” than at any point in the past decade.

And as someone who spends a week in Austin each year searching the nooks, crannies, empty bars and clubs, reading every flier possible, and trying my absolute best to see acts I’ve never heard of and will likely never see again, I found myself quite pleased by the way the week shook out and thrilled to have uncovered for myself so much music I didn’t even know was out there. f

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EXPERIENCE MUSIC AT UGA

TICKETED PERFORMANCES $15; $3 with UGA student ID TUES 4/2 7:30 p.m.

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UGA Symphony Orchestra presents “From the New World” Works of Dvořák The program includes works by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák including the Carnivale overture, American Suite, and his Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.”

(Formerly listed as “French Masterpieces.”)

Concert Band presents “Dragonfly” University Band presents “From Darkness to Light” Shared concert featuring Redcoat Marching Band performers. Free performance.

Southern Wind Quintet

The SWQ represents some of the finest instrumental musicianship on campus, featuring graduate students on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn.

Free performance.

UGA Jazz Ensembles I & II

The bands performs music of a variety of styles, including swing, be-bop, Latin, and contemporary jazz. Concerts often feature Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Oliver Nelson and more. Free performance.

Faculty and Guest String Quartet “Levon and Friends”

Levon Ambartsumian, violin, Guest Artist Oliver Yatsugafu (pictured), violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola; David Starkweather, Cello . Free Performance.

Latin American Music Ensemble presents “Años de soledad”

This ensemble, conducted by Iris Marcipar, will feature music from the northwest parts of Argentina that speak to a yearning for connection. Free performance.

Don Gillespie Memorial Concert

The Contemporary Chamber Ensemble celebrates the life of UGA HHSOM Alum Don C. Gillespie, who worked for music publishing house C. F. Peters for 31 years and championed 20th Century composers. Free Performance.

Chinese Music Ensemble

Featuring guest artists Spring Yang, Huang Rong Fu, and Ying Chenas well instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, and the yangqin. Conducted by Vicki Lu. Free performance.

FOR TICKETS: Scan the QR code | music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400 UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road, Athens, GA 30602

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

Dahl worked extensively in Hollywood during the golden age of film. Also featuring Ellen Zwilich’s “Bassoon Concerto” with soloist Professor Amy Pollard and the WORLD PREMIERE of “Recuerdos Perdidos”

by Sierra Wojtczack.

CONNECTION SERIES: FREE CONCERTS, NO TICKETS NEEDED WED 3/27

Quitting is hard... hard... but it’s NOT impossible!

UGA Wind Ensemble presents Ingolf Dahl’s Sinfonietta

3/21/24 3:25 PM

live music calendar Tuesday 26

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com SECOND NATURE Athens-​based three-​piece alternative rock band whose sound is self-​described as “psychedelic beach rock.”

HAIL GAIL Self-​described “babes in a band” from Atlanta.

SEVENTH SON New Athens-​based indie band.

Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com KENOSHA KID Instrumental adventure-​jazz group centered around the rollicking compositions of Dan Nettles and featuring Josh Allen, Seth Hendershot and various guests.

Madison-​Morgan Cultural Center 22nd Annual Madison Chamber Music Festival. 7 p.m. FREE! (students), $20. www.mmcc-​arts.org MORGAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND The combined jazz band performs under the leadership of directors Jeffrey Rowser and Karisa Seymour.

Rabbit Hole Studios 8–10:30 p.m. www.rabbitholestudios. org IMPROVS AND ORIGINS Musical experiments, originals and improvisations.

Ramsey Hall 5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu GEORGIA BRASS QUINTET Featuring Philip Smith and Brandon Craswell on trumpets, Jean Martin-​ Williams on horn, Joshua Bynum on trombone and David Zerkel on tuba.

Wednesday 27 Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m.

FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket. net MRJORDANMRTONKS Tommy Jordan and William Tonks’ collaboration features rootsy guitar picking and paired vocal melodies. (6 p.m.)

Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring pop, rock, indie and more.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $12 (adv.), $15. www.georgiatheatre. com LIGHTHEARTED Local alternative folk rock band anchored by the gorgeous harmonies of twin sisters Eliza Lemmon and Gracie Huffman.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu CONCERT BAND Ensemble made up of UGA’s most talented non-​ music majors.

UNIVERSITY BAND Open enrollment ensemble that provides fellowship and creative self-​expression through large concert band performances.

Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu THE BEST OF CLARINET A recital by the UGA Clarinet Studio.

Nowhere Bar 8 p.m. (music). www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens THE LOW WHITES New project led by Neal Fountain.

LEAH CALVERT Singer-​songwriter, fiddler and vocalist who has played with the Zac Brown Band, The Dappled Grays and many others.

Ramsey Hall 5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA TROMBONE CHOIR & ENSEMBLES The choir and ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire including arrangements and transcriptions by studio members.

Thursday 28 Ciné 7:30 p.m. (doors), 8:30 p.m. (show). $10. www.athenscine.com SEVEN YEAR WITCH Rock and roll band from Anderson, SC formed in 2018 by brothers Seth and Spencer Burden.

FORREST ISN’T DEAD Atlanta-​ based alternative and pop band inspired by The Cure, My Chemical Romance and Prince.

SLEEPER CELL Local collaborative recording project.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $17 (adv.), $20. www.georgiatheatre. com DANIEL DONATO Singer-​songwriter who blends the Nashville country style with a spirit of improvisation. He is touring his first full album of original songs.

Georgia Theatre Rooftop 7 p.m. FREE! www.georgiatheatre.com GRASSLAND Local seven-​piece that describes its music as “Amerigrass,” a mixture of jazz, folk, pop and bluegrass-​inspired music.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com BIG BAND ATHENS 18-​member Athens band whose swinging tunes consist of cover music from the ’40s to the ’70s.

Hotel Indigo Live After Five Series. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/Aubrey EntertainmentAthensGA STRATTON JAMES Georgia singer-​songwriter playing originals and covers.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $10 (w/ UGA ID), $35-​55. pac.uga.edu DERVISH Group formed 25 years ago that is now one of the most celebrated bands in Irish music for its striking interpretations of traditional Irish songs.

Live Wire UGA Tri Delta’s Deltapalooza. 6 p.m. (doors), 6:30 p.m. (music). $30. www.livewireathens.com PATIO A wild concoction of rock, blues and funk.

MARS HILL Athens band blending rock, post-​punk, ska and reggae.

JAMESON TANK A high-​energy mix of rock covers and originals led

by Jameson Tankersly.

THE ASYMPTOMATICS Post-​ punky, rather funky indie band based in Athens.

WIM TAPLEY & THE CANNONS Local alternative, folk-​pop song-

writer and his band rooted in Americana and neo-​soul sounds.

Madison-​Morgan Cultural Center 22nd Annual Madison Chamber Music Festival. 7:30 p.m. $75. www. mmcc-​arts.org GALVIN CELLO QUARTET With members from China, Brazil, South Korea and the U.S., the quartet brings together new works from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Nowhere Bar 8:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ nowherebarathens BLUES JAM Bring an instrument and join host Big C and The Moonshynes for an open blues jam. The house band includes Scott Nicholson, Derek Warren, Brent Davenport and Bo Hembree.

Rialto Club Kevn Kinney & Friends Residency. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. bit.ly/KevnKinneyMarch 28 KEVN KINNEY The Drivin N Cryin frontman performs a set of his solo material for a monthly residency.

ABE PARTRIDGE Gritty folk singer-​songwriter and visual artist from Mobile, AL. Southern Brewing Co. 6–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com KARAOKE NIGHT Every Thursday evening.

Friday 29 1818 Brewing Company 6:30–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/theluckyjones THE LUCKY JONES Old school rockin’ rhythm and blues on the patio.

40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $35. www.40watt.com KURT VILE AND THE VIOLATORS Psych-​pop musician with his accompanying band from Philadelphia.

Athentic Brewing Co. 8–11 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com PERRENGUE BRASIL Ensemble recreating the exhilarating sounds of a summer night party in Brazil through samba, bossa nova and more.

Buvez 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/buvezathens ELECTRIC GEMINI Heavy Atlanta trio alternating between slow hypnotic grooves and fast shredding.

NEAT FREAK New five-​piece band from Athens.

FOUR FLAT TIRES Punk band from Atlanta.

BEER PISS Athens hardcore punk group.

Ciné 9 p.m. $10. www.athenscine.com ANCIENT INFANT Athens indie-​ sleaze and gritty rock and roll band.

EP release show!

HATCH Psych-​tinged garage rock led by songwriter Garett Hatch.

Celebrating the release of a new album, Amachi!

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com DQE Slacker rock band first formed in Atlanta in 1986.

DIM WATTS Psych-​folk project led by Jim Willingham (Ham1, Old Smokey).

LEMONMNM Bubblegum pop band from East Point.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com SPONDEE Improvised electro-​ acoustic duo of Marc Gilley on saxophone and Louis Romanos on drums. Album release show!

LIZ FARRELL Jeff Buckley-​ inspired vocals accompanied by intricate ukulele and backing band.

Normal Bar 7–10 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www.athenspride.org QUEER KARAOKE Athens Pride Queer Collective hosts karaoke spotlighting queer musical artists and iconic anthems that have shaped the community.

Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. (show). www.facebook. com/NowhereBarAthens GROUNDSCORE Featuring Damian Kapcala and members of Frankly Scarlet and Dotline.

Oak House Distillery 3:30–6 p.m. www.oakhousedistillery. com THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ STOMPERS New Orleans style music played by members of The Dixieland Five.

Saturday 30 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. (doors). $16 (adv.), $21. www.40watt.com INDIE SLEAZE NITE Dance the night away to indie rock, indietronica and garage rock.

Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmers market.net JIM COOK High-​energy solo blues, classic rock and roots music. (8 a.m.)

TRACY & JEFF Jazz, blues and new and old classics from the voice of Tracy Brown and the guitar and harmonica of Jeff Lustig. (10 a.m.)

Boutier Winery & Inn Latin Dance Night. 8–11 p.m. $20. www.boutierwinery.com WILLIE ZIAVINO & THE COT BAND Atlanta group performing salsa, rumba, merengue and more.

Ciné Best Dressed Pre-​Movie Music Showcase. 9 p.m. www.athenscine.com DJ KOUNTRY DJ who started out by putting Athens artists on the map through an Athens Cypher series on YouTube and putting out mixtapes.

FARIN Hip hop and reggae dancehall artist who moved to Athens after 20 years in Chicago.

NONY1 Athens rapper and entrepreneur with a dynamic rap style and captivating lyrics.

CARDYNAL Multi-​faceted producer, rapper, songwriter and bandleader with a wide range of influences and a hard-​to-​define but easy to catch on to sound.

Flicker Theatre & Bar Kid’s Matinee. 3 p.m. (doors), 4 p.m. (show). $10. www.flickertheatre andbar.com THE PG SHOW A campy, creative rock and roll band with songs about topics like veggies and exercise that make kids want to dance.

8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com LO TALKER Lush, intricate and psych-​tinged folk rock led by Andrew Shepard (Roadkill Ghost Choir).

ALL GODS New local band playing catchy, melodic post-​punk.

TELEMARKET Driving, angular indie-​rock band from Athens.

Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $39.50. www.georgiatheatre.com BLUE OCTOBER Alternative rock band formed in Houston, TX in 1995.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com BICHOS VIVOS Local band playing forró, accordion and triangle-​driven country music from Brazil.

The Little Farm in Greshamville Greshamfest 2024. 1–9 p.m. $20, $30 (VIP). 678-​576-​9635 SAM BURCHFIELD AND THE SCOUNDRELS The Atlanta-​based singer-​songwriter plays a set of his folk-​pop tunes.

THE MIKE KINNEBREW BAND Atlanta singer-​songwriter with a pop take on folk and Americana.

ERIKA JANAE No info available.

Nowhere Bar 9 p.m $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens THE GRAWKS Punk and garage-​ infused local rock and roll band.

HERE BE MONSTERS Folk-​punk solo act with history-​laden lyricism atop melodic guitar wizardry.

ROSIE AND THE RATDOGS Sludgy, hardcore, heavy-​psych band based in Athens.

Nuçi’s Space 3:30 p.m. (doors), 4 p.m. (show).

FREE! www.nuci.org CAMP AMPED AFTER SCHOOL SPRING FINALE #2 Campers show off what they’ve learned.

Paloma Park 8 p.m. FREE! www.palomapark.com PARKER GISPERT Full band performing a mix of songs by The Whigs and Gispert’s solo project.

THE MOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Hunter Morris leads a new band with Drew Beskin, Nick Robbins and Phillip Brantley.

DJ PHILTHROTTLE Phillip Brantley of Terminally Phil, Modern Skirts and Athens meme fame.

Sunday 31 Oconee Hill Cemetery 7 a.m. FREE! www.firstbaptistathens. org TOM GRANUM Joined by a festival brass ensemble from First Baptist Church, Granum will perform at an Easter sunrise service held at the Wingfield Chapel.

The World Famous 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www. facebook.com/theworldfamous athens SLOW PARADE Atlanta-​based music collective headed by Matthew Pendrick, who mixes roots, blues and country into his songwriting.

HOUSTON IN THE BLIND Experimental indie rock and shoegaze outfit from Los Angeles.

BRONZE BRAIN Music by Patrick Morales of Mothers and Viking Progress.

Monday 1 Flicker Theatre & Bar Art Opening for Jill Carnes and Hannah Jones. 6 p.m. (reception), 8 p.m. (music). FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com

BILL TAFT Member of W8ing4UFOs, Smoke and The Jody Grind.

DON CHAMBERS Longtime local favorite who delves into pastoral folk and experimental rock with equal passion.

BURLY IVY Parlor psychedelic lounge music featuring Jim Willingham, Dain Marx, Ryan Bousquet and Bryan Poole.

Tuesday 2 Ciné 8 p.m. FREE! www.athenscine.com KARAOKE WITH THE KING Show off your pipes to the world. Every first, third and fifth Tuesday.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com SCHMOOZE Athens alternative rock trio.

THE GRINGOS Covers and originals with a gravelly, powerful voice.

PATIO A wild concoction of rock, blues and funk.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu UGA WIND ENSEMBLE Sinfonietta performing the work of Ingolf Dahl, a prominent German-​Jewish composer in Hollywood during the golden age of film.

Ramsey Hall 3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA CLASSICAL GUITAR ENSEMBLE Classical guitar compositions performed by Hugh Hodgson School of Music students.

5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu SOUTHERN WIND QUINTET Graduate chamber music ensemble that represents some of the finest instrumental musicianship on campus.

WUOG Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE www. wuog.org SEX CELL Local alternative band influenced by grunge, garage and indie rock. Visit the station or tune in to 90.5 FM.

Down the Line 4/03 The Humdingers (Creature Comforts Brewery) 4/03 UGA Jazz Ensembles (Ramsey Hall) 4/03 Halogenic, Cam Norton (40 Watt Club) 4/03 Josiah and the Bonnevilles (Georgia Theatre) 4/04 UGA Jazz Combos (Hugh Hodgson School of Music) 4/04 Michelle Moeller (Ramsey Hall) 4/04 Rick Fowler Acoustic Band (Athentic Brewing Co.) 4/04 Alejandro Escovedo, James Mastro (40 Watt Club) 4/04 An Evening of French Masterpieces (Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall) 4/04 The Electric Nature, Magic Tuber Stringband, Joseph Allred, Kelby Clark (Flicker Theatre & Bar) 4/05 Hana Beloglavec (Ramsey Hall) 4/05 Mixed Media Recital (Dancz Center for New Music) 4/05 Country River Band (VFW Post 2872) 4/05 Dylan Gossett (40 Watt Club) f

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Wednesday 27 ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-​in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (Starland Lounge & Lanes) Join SALSAthens for Cuban salsa lessons that meet a variety of dance abilities, including beginners. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/ intermediate). $10. SALSAthens Dancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com COMEDY: Patton Oswalt (40 Watt Club) The well-​known stand-​up comedian and actor is returning to spread laughs. Mar. 26–27, 7 p.m. (doors). $35. www.40watt.com FILM: España en Corto (Georgia Museum of Art) This is the 11th anniversary of the two-​day festival of awarded short films from Spain.

6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (showing). FREE! www.facebook.com/ EspanaEnCorto FILM: The 1619 Project (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) View episodes of the Hulu series “The 1619 Project,” and discuss issues it raises around the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans.

6:45 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga. org/1619uufa FILM: Ghastly Horror Society (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 2024 horror film Systems Research. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com FILM: Silent Films and Cocktails (Hendershot’s) Settle in with a drink for a night of silent film showings. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist.

New players welcome. 12 p.m.

FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Water Trivia (Saucehouse) Test your H2knOwledge with water-​ themed goodies in recognition of World Water Day. 7 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com GAMES: Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Tournament (Wonderbar) Play the newest edition of a modern classic game for a chance to win prizes. 10 p.m. FREE! www. facebook.com/wonderbarathens KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: Parachute Playtime (Oconee County Library) Join the librarians for engaging parachute activities followed by open play.

11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. com/oconee

F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

of art history at John Hopkins University, will present on “Plato’s Polychrome Pharmacy.” 5:30 p.m.

FREE! art.uga.edu CLASSES: Free Apple & Android Training Class for the Blind (Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living) A comprehensive seminar is focused on sharing essential skills for seamlessly and efficiently navigating devices. Registration required. 10 a.m.​​–2 p.m.

FREE! 706-​850-​4025 CLASSES: Classic City Squares Dance Lessons (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) Beginner square dance lessons for singles, couples and children. Ages 12 & up. Thursdays, 2​​–4 p.m. $5.

LAMAR DODD SCHOOL OF ART

COMEDY: Patton Oswalt (40 Watt Club) The well-​known stand-​up comedian and actor is returning to spread laughs. Mar. 26–27, 7 p.m. (doors). $35. www.40watt.com FILM: España en Corto (Georgia Museum of Art) This is the 11th anniversary of the two-​day festival of awarded short films from Spain.

6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (showing). FREE! www.facebook.com/ EspanaEnCorto GAMES: Lunch and Learn New Games (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and try out some new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong.

Tuesdays & Fridays, 1​​–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Tuesday Night Shenanigans (Southern Brewing Co.) Play board games and arcade games on site, bring your own games or even your D&D group. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com GAMES: Dirty South Trivia (White Tiger Deluxe) Test your trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 6 p.m. www. facebook.com/DirtySouthTrivia GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens LECTURES & LIT: Edenfield Jurist in Residence Lecture (Hatton Lovejoy Courtroom, UGA School of Law) U.S. Court of Appeals Senior Judge M. Margaret McKeown will discuss her book Citizen Justice. 2 p.m. FREE! calendar.uga.edu LECTURES & LIT: Women’s History Month Keynote Speech (UGA Special Collections Library) Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson will give a talk called “We Refuse: Black Women and a History of Resistance.” 4 p.m. FREE! willson.uga. edu LECTURES & LIT: Monthly Book Swap (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse free books to take home or settle in to read in the front lounge.

Donating books is encouraged but not required. 5–10 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com LECTURES & LIT: Mystery Book Club (Bogart Library) Join Dr. Penny Mills to discuss Peter Heller’s novel Celine. 5:30​​–6:30 p.m.

FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk & Book Signing (Avid Bookshop) Garrard Conley will discuss his book All the World Beside. 7 p.m.

FREE! www.avidbookshop.com MEETINGS: Future Land Use Public Input (Creature Comforts Brewery) The public is invited to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback on future land use efforts.

5:30–7 p.m. FREE! www.accgov. com/compplan PERFORMANCE: Rabbit Box Storytelling: Better Late Than Never (VFW Post 2872) This month’s sto-

KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials.

All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: Teen Anime Club (Oconee County Library) Meet with other fans of anime and manga to discover books, shows, movies, snacks, art and Japanese culture.

Grades 6–12. 7–8 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.com/oconee LECTURES & LIT: Book Discussion (Unity Athens Church) Join the group meeting led by Sharon Duncan and Martha Cook to discuss the book A Course of Love.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. FREE! www. unityathens.com

rytelling theme is “Better Late Than Never” about stories of redemption, perseverance and breakthroughs.

7–9 p.m. $10. www.rabbitbox.org

UGA alumna Natalie Beall will be giving a Visiting Artist Talk about her paper collages and mixed media wall sculptures on Mar. 29 at the Lamar Dodd School of Art. LECTURES & LIT: Book Party with Gen Z Authors (ACC Library) Teen entrepreneurs Fenley Scurlock and Jason Liaw celebrate the release of Down to Business: 51 Industry Leaders Share Practical Advice on How to Become a Young Entrepreneur. 7–8 p.m. FREE! www.avidbookshop.com MEETINGS: Film Athens (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Meet and network with others in the filmmaking community (actors, directors, etc.) during happy hour. 5 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com MEETINGS: Future Land Use Public Input (Whitehead Road Elementary School) The public is invited to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback on future land use efforts. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/compplan

Thursday 28 ART: Artist Talk (Georgia Museum of Art) Multi-​faceted artist Gregor Turk will discuss his “Welcome” installation of 77 security cameras in the museum’s lobby in the greater context of his work. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org ART: 2024 Shouky Shaheen Lecture (Lamar Dodd School of Art) Jennifer Stager, assistant professor

www.facebook.com/groups/classic citysquares CLASSES: Boots & Brews Line Dancing (Athentic Brewing Co.) Learn the line dancing basics from hosts Becky and Patty. Fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com COMEDY: Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) This week Athens Comedy presents touring comedian Joe Pettis. Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 p.m. $8–12. www.facebook.com/ athenscomedy EVENTS: Coffee and Tea at No. 3 (No. 3 Railroad Street) The Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library are hosting a coffee shop featuring beverages for sale, Wi-​Fi, games, crafts and creative activities.

Thursdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www. oglethorpefol.org EVENTS: BFK Presents Reading Is Reading (The Foundry) A community-​led showcase where five presenters get five minutes each to demonstrate how reading shows up in their life. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $15. www.booksforkeeps. org GAMES: Adult Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) A gaming session for players of all skill levels.

Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart

GAMES: Thursday Trivia (Johnny’s New York Style Pizza) Test your trivia knowledge with host Jon Head.

6:30 p.m. www.johnnyspizza.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Foundry) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens KIDSTUFF: Open Play (Oconee County Library) Drop in for bubbles, playtime, children’s music and companionship. Ages 5 & under.

Thursdays, 11 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee KIDSTUFF: Homeschool Club (Oconee County Library) Drop in to meet other homeschool families and enjoy an educational topic, a craft and/or game. Ages 8–12.

Every other Thursday, 2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee KIDSTUFF: LEGO Club (Oconee County Library) Drop in to free build and create, or do one of the fun LEGO challenges. Ages 5–12.

Thursdays, 3:30–5:30. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee KIDSTUFF: Chapter Chat (Bogart Library) This month’s chat will feature City Spies by James Ponti with quizzes, trivia, snacks and more.

Ages 8–12. 4:30​​p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Athens Science Cafe (Little Kings Shuffle Club) Mackensie Minnear presents “Counting the Multiracial Population: How the U.S. Census Perpetuates Misconceptions and Marginalization.” 7 p.m. FREE! athenssciencecafe@gmail.com MEETINGS: Coffee Hour (Oconee County Library) Drop in to drink some coffee, while supplies last.

Thursdays, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee MEETINGS: KnitLits Knitting Group (Bogart Library) Knitters of all levels are invited to have fun, share craft ideas and knit to their hearts’ content. Thursdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Future Land Use Public Input (Fowler Drive Elementary School) The public is invited to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback on future land use efforts. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/compplan SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org

Friday 29 ART: Visiting Artist Talk (Lamar Dodd School of Art) UGA alumna Natalie Beall will speak on her work that invents new forms containing traces of functionality and fantasy.

10:30 a.m. FREE! art.uga.edu COMEDY: Flying Squid Improv: Tricycle (work.shop) Three person improv performed in the round featuring Jade Fernandez, Brittany Brown and Kelly Petronis. 8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: One Night Stand: A Sexuality Powerpoint Party (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) A monthly edu-​taiment event with micro talks by experts and enthusiasts about anything within the realm of sexuality. 5:30–7 p.m. $10 donation. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com

EVENTS: Comics Reading: FLUKE Pre-​Party (Bizarro-​Wuxtry) Hosted

by Cam del Rosario and Abby Kacen with live comic readings by Eleanor Davis, Pat Rooks and more.

6 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ mild_pain EVENTS: TEDxUGA 2024: Snapshot (Morton Theatre) An independently organized TED event that highlights the UGA’s community involvement in experiences, research and more.

7 p.m. $15​​–35. www.tedxuga.com FILM: Rock Doc Block: Inside/Out (Ciné) Enjoy viewings of documentaries and music videos chosen by Athens musicians with this week’s feature of Athens, GA: Inside/Out presented in 16mm by Heather McIntosh. 8 p.m. $8​​–11. www. athenscine.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong.

Tuesdays & Fridays, 1​​–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Join others for a weekly chess competition. Fridays, 6–10 p.m. FREE! www.winterville center.com GAMES: Friday Night Initiative (Online: Tyche’s Games) Learn how to play a RPG game with others on Discord. New players welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com KIDSTUFF: Meet & Play (Bogart Library) Drop in for facilitated open play with age-​appropriate toys. Best for ages 6 & under. Every Friday, 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: Fantastic Friday (Bishop Park) An instructor supervises while a parent/caregiver leads their little ones through obstacle courses. Ages 1–4 years. Register online. 10–11:30 a.m. $7.50 (ACC residents), $11.25 (non-​ACC residents). www.accgovga.myrec.com

Saturday 30 ART: Family Saturdays: Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) A drop-​in family-​oriented series of art projects that are inspired by current exhibitions. 12​​–2 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com CLASSES: Dancefx Community Classes (DanceFX Athens) Explore different styles of dance at different levels with a day full of trial classes.

Registration for individual classes suggested. 10:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

FREE! www.dancefx.org COMEDY: Comedy Night (Foxglove Plantbar) Performances by a variety of local comedians hosted by Lanny Farmer. 8 p.m. $10. www.foxglove plantbar.com EVENTS: Breakfast with the Bunny (Memorial Park) Create a take home craft, enjoy a biscuit breakfast and chat with the Easter Bunny. Registration required. 9 a.m. & 10 a.m. $5 (ACC resident), $7.50 (non-​resident). www.accgovga.myrec.com EVENTS: “Adopt a Stream” Workshop (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Join in chemical and macroinvertebrate workshops to learn more about the qualities of clean water. Ages 13 & up. Registration required. 9 a.m.​​–5 p.m. FREE! www.accgovga.myrec.com EVENTS: Easter Egg Hunt (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Bring a basket and participate in a fun filled

egg hunt. Ages 12 & under. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.gastate parks.org/WatsonMillBridge EVENTS: FLUKE 2024 (40 Watt Club) The mini-​comic festival organized by Athens-​area comic artists, underground publishers and their enthusiasts. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $2. www.flukeisawesome.blogspot.com EVENTS: Easter Egg Hunt (Memorial Park) Bring a basket and participate in the annual 5 Points egg hunt. Ages 10 & under. 11 a.m.

FREE! info@friendsoffivepoints.org EVENTS: Small Town Saturday (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse local vendors with live music and food for sale. 2–8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com FILM: Rock Doc Block: Don’t Look Back (Ciné) Enjoy viewings of documentaries and music videos chosen by Athens musicians with this week’s feature of Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back hosted by Dottie Alexander. 2:30 p.m. $8​​–11. www. athenscine.com FILM: Rock Doc Block: Fresh Dressed (Ciné) Enjoy viewings of documentaries and music videos chosen by Athens musicians with this week’s feature hosted by Montu Miller featuring a fashion panel (8 p.m.), pre-​movie music showcase (9 p.m.) and screening of Fresh Dressed. 10 p.m. $8​​–11. www. athenscine.com GAMES: Board Games (Bogart Library) Meet new friends or make new ones while playing a variety of games. 2​​–4 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: Easter Egg Hunt (Mack & Payne Funeral Home) Enjoy holiday-​themed games, music, food and fun with age group divided egg hunts. 12 p.m. FREE! www.multiple choices.us

Sunday 31 CLASSES: UGA Salsa Club (UGA Memorial Hall) Learn foundational movements of salsa with no partner or experience required. 3:30 p.m.

FREE! Experienced salsa dancers will learn a new style and more advanced techniques. 4 p.m. $5. www.ugasalsaclub.com/sunday-​ class EVENTS: Easter Sunrise Service (Oconee Hill Cemetery) Oconee Hill Cemetery will hold a service with Matt Marston of First Baptist, Athens officiating and music by Tom Granum and a Festival Brass ensemble. 7 a.m. FREE! sharon@ firstbaptistathens.org FILM: The 1619 Project (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) View episodes of the Hulu series “The 1619 Project,” and discuss issues it raises around the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans.

9 a.m. FREE! www.uuathensga.org/ 1619uufa GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org

Monday 1 ART: Opening Reception (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Artists Jill Carnes and Hannah Jones will have art on display with live music following the opening. 6 p.m. www.flickertheatre.com

GAMES: General Trivia with Erin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Erin.

Mondays, 7–9 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Dooley’s Bar and Grill) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (LumberJaxe) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens GAMES: Team Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Team Trivia. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.sobrewco.com KIDSTUFF: Monday Funday (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for songs, fingerplays, storytelling and STEAM activities. Ages 3–7 years. Registration suggested. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (Athentic Brewing Co.) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com THEATER: On Your Feet! (The Classic Center) The original music is based on the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, who became an international sensation. 7:30 p.m. $25–87.25. www.classiccenter. com

Tuesday 2 CLASSES: iPhone Basics (ACC Library) Learn the basics of navigating your device. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org CLASSES: ESOL (Bogart Library) Learn or polish your English skills using Mango languages online and in-​person basic conversation and vocabulary. 12:30 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart GAMES: Lunch and Learn New Games (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and try out some new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Mahjong Club (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn to play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong.

Tuesdays & Fridays, 1​​–4 p.m. $1. www.wintervillecenter.com GAMES: Tuesday Night Shenanigans (Southern Brewing Co.) Play board games and arcade games on site, bring your own games or even your D&D group. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com GAMES: Dirty South Trivia (White Tiger Deluxe) Test your trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 6 p.m. www. facebook.com/DirtySouthTrivia GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici Athens) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddogathens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox.

7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7–9 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens LECTURES & LIT: Bogart Bookies (Bogart Library) Pick up a copy of Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore and discuss it with the group. 1–2 p.m.

FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Book Swap (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse free books to take home or settle in to read in the front lounge. Donating books is encouraged but not required. 5–10 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com MEETINGS: Knot Just For Knitters (Oconee County Library) Bring your own crafting project to work on

while chatting with fellow crafters.

Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee MEETINGS: Silent Book Club (The Foundry) Settle in with some food and beverages, then enjoy an hour of quiet reading time. Registration required. 6–8 p.m. FREE! linktr.ee/ silentbookclubathens OUTDOORS: 5K Guided Walk (Dudley Park) Southeast Striders Walking Club leads a round-​trip walk from Dudley Park to the Firefly Trail and North Oconee River Greenway. All fitness levels welcome.

9 a.m. FREE! www.southeaststriders walkingclub.org SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@petanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org

Wednesday 3 ART: Curator Talk (Georgia Museum of Art) Kathryn Hill, associate curator of modern and contemporary art, will give a gallery talk about the exhibition “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines.” 2 p.m. FREE! www. georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (Starland Lounge & Lanes) Join SALSAthens for Cuban salsa lessons that meet a variety of dance abilities, including beginners. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced), 7:30 p.m. (beginner/ intermediate). $10. SALSAthens Dancing@gmail.com COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions to help create improv magic. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1985 horror film Formula for a Murder. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker theatreandbar.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Come down with your lunch and play Shadowfist.

New players welcome. 12 p.m.

FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo KIDSTUFF: Busy Bee Toddler Time (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for rhymes, songs, puppets and a story. 10 a.m. & 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart KIDSTUFF: LEGO & Builder’s Club (Bogart Library) Drop in to use LEGOs and other building materials.

All ages. 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Book Discussion (Unity Athens Church) Join the group meeting led by Sharon Duncan and Martha Cook to discuss the book A Course of Love.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. FREE! www. unityathens.com LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (ACC Library) Author Elizabeth Barks Cox will discuss her book Reading Van Gogh: An Amateur’s Search for God. 7 p.m. FREE! www.avidbookshop. com/event/elizabethbarkscox MEETINGS: Avid Writers’ Collective (Avid Bookshop) Members critique each others’ pre-​submitted writing of all forms. First Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. FREE! events@ avidbookshop.com OUTDOORS: ‘Normal’ Run (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join the Athens Road Runners for a 1–3 mile run that starts and ends at Athentic Brewing.

Every other Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com f

advice

hey, bonita…

Exploring A Sober Sex Life ADVICE FOR ATHENS’ LOOSE AND LOVELORN

By Bonita Applebum advice@flagpole.com Hey Bonita, Now that I’m a year sober, I’ve had the horrible realization I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed having relations with my partner unless it was drug-fueled fun. It’s not really about what they’re doing; I think it’s just them. We’ve been together for years. What do I do?

Anonymous Hey there Anon, If sobriety has revealed to you that you’re not actually attracted to your partner, then I’d recommend that you end your relationship if attraction and intimacy are non-negotiable aspects of relationships for you. You’re allowed to need those things to be with someone. I support you going out and finding those things instead of languishing because of expectations. It’s a simple answer, I know, but attraction is a simple issue to me. Either it’s there or it’s not, and the lack of it will wreck a relationship. Go ahead and get it over with now before you’re put in the awful position of having to answer the question, “How long have you felt this way?”

I don’t think you have to share exactly what the issue is, though, at least for the sake of your partner’s feelings. You can say that you want to focus on sobriety, or that your druggy past with this partner is hindering your path to staying clean. All of that is true, and, perhaps most crucially, it sounds nothing like, “Now that I’m sober, I don’t find you hot, and it’s possible that I never have.”

I used to need to be intoxicated in order to really “let go” during sex, and speaking with a counselor friend of mine illuminated the issue for me. I was not present during those intimate moments, and I didn’t want to be. Being wasted meant that I didn’t have to accept the fact that I only went after losers who didn’t have a handle on what

consent is, or that I never asserted myself in terms of my own desires and pleasure.

Being drunk made all of that easy to ignore, including ignoring the person I was with at the time. Drunk sex and chem sex are rosetinted glasses for those of us still working up the nerve to put our pleasure first, or at least on the same level as the pleasure of our partner. Honestly, I’m excited for your romantic future—now you have the clarity of mind needed to be intentional in bed and in love. Now you can be present with your partner when you’re being intimate, and that will lead to better sex and deeper intimacy that should hopefully snowball into an even bigger love.

I also want to run this by you: Perhaps that lack of presence never allowed you to really see your partner, and now that you can see them, you don’t want to do the hard work of getting to know them all over again. I believe you when you say that you no longer desire sex with them now that you’re sober, but I encourage you to interrogate that feeling further. Is it really because of them, or are you intimidated by the blinding intimacy of sober sex with them?

Maybe starting fresh with someone new sounds easier than starting back at one with someone with whom you literally needed to be trashed in order to start undressing.

Sharing and intimacy are so much harder to do when you’re aware of the fact that you’re sharing and being intimate. It takes work to get to that natural place of collaboration with a partner, and you no longer have the balm of booze and/or drugs to make it easier. Consider that as you go forward and make your decision, and I promise that the decision you make will be the best one for you. f Need advice? Email advice@flagpole.com, or use our anonymous online form at flagpole.com/get-­ advice.

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bulletin board Deadline for getting listed in Bulletin Board is every THURSDAY at 5 p.m. for the print issue that comes out the following Wednesday. Online listings are updated daily. Email calendar@flagpole.com.

Art AAAC QUARTERLY GRANT (Athens, GA) The Athens Area Arts Council offers $500 grants to visual and performing artists in any medium to support specific projects that enrich the culture of Athens. Rolling deadlines are June 15, Sept. 15, Dec. 15 and Mar. 15. Apply online. www. athensarts.org/support CALL FOR ART (Winterville Cultural Center Gallery) The gallery’s grand opening exhibit will have the theme “New Beginnings: Works About A New Beginning.” Submissions accepted Apr. 1–27. www.winterville ccgallery.com CALL FOR ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS (Stan Mullins Studio) The Georgia Museum of Art Student Association is seeking artists and musicians for its 8th annual pop-​up market. Contact for submission form link. Deadline Apr. 1, 12 a.m.

Market held Apr. 27. FREE! gmoa student@gmail.com CALL FOR COLLECTORS (Lyndon House Arts Center) The LHAC’s “Collections from our Community” series features unique collections of objects found in the closets, cabinets and shelves of Athenians.

Email if interested in displaying your collection. shelby.little@acc gov.com CALL FOR EXHIBITION PROPOSALS (Lyndon House Arts Center)

Artists, artist groups and curators can submit original exhibition proposals for consideration in the arts center’s gallery schedule. Arts can also submit images of their work for consideration in larger group or themed shows. Deadline Apr. 20, 11:59 p.m.. https://www.accgov. com/6657/Exhibition-​Proposal-​ Form EMERGING BLACK ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP (Athens, GA) The Athens Area Arts Council will award a $500 scholarship annually to one Black artist from a Clarke County high school who is attending, or has been accepted to, a college or university to study the arts. Deadline June 30. www.athensarts.org/ support JOKERJOKERTV CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKERJOKERtv is actively accepting proposals for collaboration from visual, musical and video artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can also submit music videos, short films, skits and ideas to share with a weekly livestream audience. www. jokerjokertv.com/submit OPEN STUDIOS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Studio members have access to spaces for painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber and woodworking.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $65/month. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-​Studio-​ Membership

art around town ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1500) Jason Thrasher’s exhibition of photographs, “Kashi Washi,” documents his return to a specific street corner in Benares, India 25 years after his first visit in 1998.

Through May by appointment.

ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) “Confluence 2: Eastside & Westside” is a pop-up exhibition celebrating National Youth Art Month through works by students in the Clarke County School District. Through Mar. 27.

ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) Christina Habibi shares a collection of large abstract paintings incorporating architectural and structure elements juxtaposed with single words. Through Apr. 25.

BOGUE GALLERY AT ACC LIBRARY (2025 Baxter St.) The 38th annual “Georgia Artists with DisAbilities Art Show and Tour” presents over 50 works by members of GAWD ranging from pottery, painting and sculpture to wood carving, photography and weaving. Through Apr. 21.

CIRCLE GALLERY AT UGA COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT & DESIGN (Jackson Street Building) Atlanta artist and National Geographic photographer Peter Essick presents “Work in Progress,” a collection of images offering a bird’s eye view of construction sites. Closing Reception Apr. 17, 4:30 p.m.

CLASSIC CENTER (300 N. Thomas St.) In Classic Gallery I, “Spotlight” features works by painters William Ballard, Jaci Davis and Ella Hopkins. • In Classic Gallery II, Kristin Roberts’ “The Fables” illustrates Aesop’s Fables with detailed works that are both whimsical and dangerous.

CREATURE COMFORTS BREWING CO. (271 W. Hancock Ave.) Asheville artist Jack Snider of Dirt Wolf Dyes presents a collection of vibrant, framed textiles combining traditional and alternative dye techniques. Through March.

DODD GALLERIES (270 River Rd.) “CCSD Youth Art Month Exhibition 2024” showcases creativity and talent of young artists. Through Mar. 31.

FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Sam Granger, selftaught artist behind the World Famous SamG Land roadside attraction in Clarkesville, presents bright, often funny paintings. Through March. • Neil Hayden makes mixed media assemblages incorporating found objects.

Through March. • Artwork by Jill Carnes and Hannah Jones. Opening Reception Apr. 1, 6 p.m.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” is a mid-career survey demonstrating the artist’s progression from

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PUBLIC ART SELECTION PANELS (Athens GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking community members to participate in upcoming public art selection panels. Panels review, evaluate and select from submitted proposals for ACC-​funded public art commissions. www.accgov.com/9656/ Public-​Art-​Selection-​Panels SEEKING ACAC MEMBERS (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking three candidates to fill three-​year volunteer positions. The ACAC meets the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m. Application deadline Apr. 14, 11:59 p.m. Tatiana.veneruso@ accgov.com, www.accgov.com/ acac STUDENT ART COMPETITION (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Selected original artwork will be used for items in the garden’s gift shop, such as note cards, T-​shirts, scarves and mugs. Students attending ninth grade and above in Georgia (including college students) are eligible. Cash prizes awarded.

Deadline Mar. 31. botgarden.uga. edu

Classes ACCA CLASSES (Athens Community Council on Aging Center for Active Learning) “Qigong for Vitality with Anna DiBella” includes

gentle movements to help improve balance, coordination and the mind-​body connection. Mondays, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. $20–25/five week series. “Feel Better Yoga with Elizabeth Alder, CYT” is a slow-​ going yoga class for all abilities.

Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m. $20–25/ five week series. abarefoot@acc aging.org A COURSE OF LOVE (Unity Athens Church) Learn a positive path for spiritual living based on A Course in Miracles. Wednesdays, 10–11:30 a.m. FREE! www.unity athens.com ART CLASSES (K.A. Artist Shop) The shop offers a range of fine art classes and workshops for adults, private classes and parties, summer camps, and art clubs for youth.

Topics include acrylic, aqua oil, bookmaking, calligraphy, gouache, printmaking, and watercolor. Register online. www.kaartist.com BACHATA WORKSHOPS (YWCO) Join TIMBAthens for a bachata workshop led by Terri Ann Feliciano, a founder of Atrevidos Dance Company. Workshops include basic styling technique (1 p.m.), body movement and sensual bachata drills (2:15 p.m.), social combo partner work (3:30 p.m.). Feb. 6, 1–4:30 p.m. $25/workshop. bit.ly/ bachata2024 BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “Basic Tong Making” (Mar. 30), “Forge a Firepoker with Decorative Handle” (Apr. 6, May 11 or June 14), “Forge Grilling Tools” (Apr. 13 or June 1), “Forge a Three Hook Rack” (Apr. 26 or May 25), “Forge

drawing into digital works of art in augmented reality. Through May 19. • “Richard Prince: Tell Me Everything” includes a suite of works based on the joke archives of comedian Milton Berle. Through June 16. • “Decade of Tradition: Highlights from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection.”

Through July 3, 2024. • “Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun” uses photography to examine the intergenerational trauma of nuclear disaster and the possibilities of healing and reconciliation. Through July 14.

GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Zane Cochran presents “Aurora,” a sculptural interpretation of the aurora borealis using 3D geometric figures and lights.

HENDERSHOT’S (237 Prince Ave.) Nirvinyl Album Art presents “Nirvinyl For Sale” featuring vintage album cover art. Through mid-April.

JUST PHO… AND MORE (1063 Baxter St.) Susan Pelham’s collages are inspired by Magic Realism, Surrealism, nursery rhymes, fables and more.

Through March.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) “Soft Trap” is a site-specific installation by Katie Ford created for “In Case,” a new annual series that utilizes the lobby case as an installation space. Through Mar. 28. • Collections from our Community presents Ikla McConnell’s collection of Pyrex casseroles and dishware. Through Apr. 9. • The 49th annual Juried Exhibition features 160 works by 111 local artists. Artist Talks held Apr. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 6 p.m. Through May 4. • “Linnentown Then and Now: Paintings by Caroline Coleman” is an exhibition of portraits telling the story of her family and other Linnentown community members. Reception Apr. 9, 6–8 p.m. On view Mar. 30–May 10.

MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 S. Main St., Madison) “John Lewis Series: Painting by Benny Andrews” features 17 paintings

by Andrews depicting the life of late U.S. Congressman John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement. • In celebration of National Women’s History Month, the gallery shares 13 photographs by Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864–1952) taken in Madison in 1939 of seven antebellum homes and one church as part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South.

Through May. • Photographer Emily Jenkins Followill shares images that capture an appreciation for the beauty of the past and an eye for the present in “Enhancing History: The Beauty of Land & Spaces in the South.”

MANHATTAN CAFE (337 N. Hull St.) “Concrete Shoes & Neckties: High Art for Low People and Low Art for High People” shares works by Gary Autry, Sam Balling, AM Rodriguez and Jeff Rapier. Through March.

MASON-SCHARFENSTEIN MUSEUM OF ART (567 Georgia St., Demorest) “Barq’s Root Beer: A History of Design” showcases Barq’s design objects from its earliest incarnation to its most recent rebranding. Through Apr. 2.

Garden Tools” (Apr. 27 or June 8), “Forge a Railroad Spike Knife” (May 3 or May 24), “Forge a Tomahawk” (May 4), “Forge a Spear” (May 31) and “Forge a Bottle Opener” (June 7). Classes run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www.greenhowhandmade.com/ blacksmith-​classes CLASSES (Winterville Cultural Center) “Chair Yoga” promotes deep breathing, mindfulness and inward listening. Mondays, 9:10–10:10 a.m. $12/drop in. “Botanical Sketchbook” explores drawing techniques like shading, perspective and light. Mondays, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. $12/drop in. wintervillecampus@gmail.com, www.winterville center.com COOKING CLASSES (Athens Cooks) “Sushi and Sake” will be held Apr. 3, 6–8 p.m. $103. “French Bistro Basics” will be held Apr. 6, 6–8 p.m. $103. “Taste of Thailand” will be held Apr. 18, 6–8 p.m. $103.

Register online. www.athenscooks. com PÉTANQUE CLUB OF ATHENS (5 Alumni Dr.) Learn to play Pétanque.

RSVP for a free Wednesday introduction. athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING (Nuçi’s Space) Nuçi’s hosts free monthly QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention sessions for anyone interested, not just mental health professionals.

Nuçi’s also offers free training for businesses and organizations. A public trainings will be held Mar. 28 at 9:30 a.m. qpr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org/qpr SKETCH WRITING WORKSHOP (work.shop) This six-​week class covers polishing your writing, creating interesting scenes, giving constructive feedback and collaborating with others. Thursdays, Mar. 28–May 2, $100. www.flyingsquid comedy.com SPANISH CLASSES (Multiple Locations) Casa de Amistad offers

beginning and intermediate GED and ESL classes in-​person and online. An eight-​week course to learn Spanish meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. $60. www.athensamistad.com SUPPLY CHAIN AND WELDING TRAINING CLASSES (Athens Career Center) Goodwill of North Georgia is offering no-​cost job training and support programs.

Both programs begin in April. www. goodwillng.org TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES (Live Oak Martial Arts) Traditional and modern-​style Taekwondo, self-​defense, grappling and weapons classes are offered for all ages. Classes in Jodo, the art of the Japanese staff and sword, are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Visit the website for a full schedule. liveoak martialarts@gmail.com, www.live oakmartialarts.com YOGA AND MORE (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) Revolution is a multipurpose mind-​body wellness studio offering yoga and therapy with an emphasis on trauma-​informed practices. Check website for upcoming classes and programs. Guided Meditation with Sarah Head held Mar. 26, 6 p.m. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com YOGA CLASSES (Let It Be Yoga Studio, Watkinsville) Classes are offered in Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, beginner, gentle and other styles.

Check online calendar for weekly offerings. www.letitbeyoga.org

Help Out SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc., is seeking new members for its board of directors. Brochures and applications are available online. scncinc@gmail.com, www. sandycreeknaturecenterinc.org/ board-members

OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville) “Youth Art Month 2024” features artwork by students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending Oconee County schools. Through Apr. 6. • “Explosive Encounters: Where Paint Meets Thread” features over 20 art quilts by Laura Leiden. Through Apr. 6.

PORCELAIN AND DECORATIVE ARTS MUSEUM (2450 S. Milledge Ave.) Two new collections celebrating the connection between art and nature include a complete Jasperware tea set from Wedgewood in England and a series of hand-carved coconut vessels.

THE ROOK & PAWN (294 W. Washington St.) Painted wood cutouts by Marisa Mustard. Through Apr.15.

SPACEBALL BAZAAR (130 N. Church St., Bogart) “In Like a Lion” is a group exhibition featuring regional artists. Closing Reception Apr. 6.

STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA (2450 S. Milledge Ave) Judy Bolton Jarrett presents “ART and SOUL,” a collection of paintings depicting landscapes and flowers in textured acrylics as well as mixed media works featuring collage techniques. Closing reception Apr. 28.

STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Peace in Our Time: Steffen Thomas Meisterwerke from the Lowrance Collection” shares works collected by Marjorie and Richard Lowrance over the span of 60 years. Through July 23.

UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOBBY GALLERY (230 River Rd.) The new gallery debuts with large-scale paintings from Margaret Morrison’s “Paradigm Shift,” a series created after Morrison began questioning historical aspects of her closely held Mormon faith. Through July 26.

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “Paving the Road to Progress: Georgia Interstate Highways” traverses the rocky path of the interstate system’s development through maps, reports, correspondence and legislation. Through Apr. 24. • “HBO at 50: The Rise of Prestige Television” highlights some of the groundbreaking programming created by and aired on HBO with items selected from the Peabody Awards Archive. Through May 2024. • “Legacy: Vince Dooley, 1932-2022” celebrates the life and career of the late UGA football head coach and athletic director through photographs and artifacts. Tours held before home games on Fridays at 3 p.m. Through spring 2024. • Developed by James W. Porter, Meigs Professor of Ecology emeritus at UGA, “Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs” explores the marine lives of coral through specimens and photographs. Family Day Apr. 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Through July 3.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS CLEMENTS GALLERY (780 Timothy Rd.) Paul Hartman presents “A Lightmonkey Show,” a collection of photographs. Through March.

“Kei Ito: Staring at the Face of the Sun” is currently on view at the Georgia Museum of Art through July 14.

Kidstuff ATHENS FOREST KINDERGARTEN (Sandy Creek Park) Now enrolling children ages 3–6. AFK is a cooperative preschool that aims to develop initiative, persistence, interdependence, and empathy. www.athensforestkindergarten.org FARM CAMP (Sweet Olive Farm) This all-​outdoor camp for ages 6–12 includes caring for and interacting with the animals, creek time in the woods, outdoor crafts, games, music, art-​making, writing and exploring the farm. Mondays– Fridays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. during the summer. Register online. www. sweetolivefarm.org GROUPS AT REBLOSSOM (ReBlossom) A variety of classes, playgroups and support groups are offered for parents and young children. Topics include birth and breastfeeding, prenatal and parent-​baby yoga, instrument play, maternal mental health and more.

Check website for a schedule. www. reblossomathens.com LEARN TO SWIM (Multiple Locations) The ACC Leisure Services Department offers swim lessons for children ages 3 and up at Heard Park, Lay Park, Memorial Park and Rocksprings Park including “Swim School” and “Parent/Tot Swim School.” $33 (residents), $50 (non-​residents). The department’s Kinderswim program is offered to five-​year-​olds at no cost. www.acc gov.com/myrec LIBRARY STORYTIMES (ACC Library) Storytime for preschool aged children and their caregivers is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. www.athens library.org LUTHEROAD DAYCAMP (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) Camp for rising 1st–6th graders runs June 24–27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and June 28, 9 a.m.– 12 p.m. www.holycrossathens.com/ lutheroad SUMMER ART CAMPS (K.A. Artist Shop) Art Camps for Promising Young Artists are offered for half or full days Mondays–Fridays during the summer. Activities range from drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, illustration, calligraphy and character design. www.kaartist.com SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services Department offers camps highlighting art, nature education, sports and theater. Now registering. www. accgov.com/myrec TREEHOUSE SUMMER CAMPS (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Camps are offered in a variety of themes including “Camp Swiftie,” digital art

illustration and animation, “Mouse Palace,” “Craft Inc. Business,” fairy tales, “Crafty Carnival,” “Mini Museum” and more. Visit the website for details and to register. www. treehousekidandcraft.com UGA SUMMER ART CAMP (Lamar Dodd School of Art) High school students with a passion for the arts are invited to participate in a four-​ day camp featuring drawing, painting, printmaking and photography.

June 24–27. summerartcamp@ uga.edu, art.uga.edu/programs/ community-​programs/uga-​summer-​ art-​camp WILD EARTH CAMP (Piedmont Preserve) Wild Earth Camp offers spring break camp (Apr. 1–5), summer camps and homeschool programs for ages 4–13. Participants explore the natural environment through games, storytelling, free play and teaching earth skills.

Register online. www.wildearth camp.org

Support Groups BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP (St. Mary’s Hospital, 5th Floor Therapy Room) This support group for survivors of traumatic head injury, their families, friends and caregivers offers friendship, information about resources and opportunities for advocacy. Every third Monday, 4:30–6 p.m. Contact Floretta Johnson, 706-​353-​1892, floretta. johnson@stmarysathens.org NEW PARENTS AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP (BYL Family Resource Center) Come as you are for community, snacks and feeding advice from professionals.

Babies and children of all ages are welcome. Second and fourth Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

FREE! www.byyourleave.org PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP (First Baptist Church) This group is to encourage, support and share information with fellow sojourners who manage the challenges of Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders. Second Friday of the month, 1 p.m. gpnoblet@ bellsouth.net POLYAMORY SUPPORT GROUP (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) This open support group for adults practicing or considering polyamory or nonmonogamy discusses navigating jealousy, polysaturation, relationships with metamours and polyamorous parenting. Thursdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. $10 donation. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com PROJECT SAFE (Family Protection Center) Project Safe hosts a support group for survivors of domestic vio-

lence. Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m. www. project-​safe.org RECREATE JOY (Sunny Days Therapeutics) Nuçi’s Space hosts a recreational therapy support group.

Improve coping skills and self esteem while reducing depression and anxiety through adaptive yoga, games and leisure education. Six-​ week sessions. Wednesdays, 5–6 p.m. tinyurl.com/rnvuhesa RECOVERY DHARMA (Athens Addiction Recovery Center) This peer-​led support group offers a Buddhist-​inspired path to recovery from any addiction. Visit the website for details. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www.athensrecoverydharma.org SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE (Nuçi’s Space) SOS is a support group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Meets the third Wednesday of every month, 5:30–7:30 p.m. www.nuci.org

Word on the Street ATHENS VEGAN CHEF CHALLENGE (Multiple Locations) This monthlong challenge hosted by Vegan Outreach and Farm of the Free encourages diners to try featured vegan menu items and vote on their favorites. Visit the website for participating restaurants. Apr. 1–30. www.veganchefchallenge. org/Athens BIKE REPAIR STATIONS (Multiple Locations) Over 15 free bike repair stations are located across Athens with tools, an air pump and a QR code for quick guides on basic bike repairs. Visit the website for participating locations. www.accgov. com/10584/Bike-​Repair-​Stations DIAMOND HILL FARM CSA (Athentic Brewing Co.) The Community Supported Agriculture program offers a variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits and/or flowers directly to consumers each week. Check website for weekly pickup locations, home delivery details and to register. $15 (flower share), $25–35 (farm box). www.diamondhillfarm athens.com FREE THE TAPES: HOME MOVIE EDITION (Multiple Locations) The Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection is offering free digitization of audiovisual materials. Drop off up to five items Mar. 28, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the ACC Library or Mar. 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the UGA Special Collections Library. A celebration of home movies will follow on Apr. 20. libs. uga.edu/events/free-tapes-homemovie-edition MACORTS 2050 PLAN (Athens, GA) The Madison Athens-​Clarke Oconee

Regional Transportation Study is currently developing a Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Take an online survey to share your experience about walking, biking, driving and riding around. Deadline Mar. 31. www.macorts.org PSCOB COMMUNITY SURVEY (Athens, GA) The Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board is seeking feedback on the perception of law enforcement officials. www.aad movement.org PUBLIC COMMENT ON POLICE COMMUNICATIONS (Athens, GA) The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) is currently receiving comments regarding the Police Department’s Central Communications Division, which is responsible for 9-​1-​1. Deadline Apr. 3. cimrs2. calea.org/338 RABBIT BOX THEMES (Athens, GA) Seeking storytellers to share true short stories on stage. Upcoming themes include “The Story of Your Name” on Apr. 23 and “With This Ring” on May 28. Visit website to apply. www.rabbitbox.org/tell RABBIT HOLE EVENTS (Rabbit Hole Studios) Weekly events include Open Mic (Tuesdays, 7–11 p.m.), Acoustic Song Circle (Thursdays, 7–11 p.m.) and Drumming and Song Circle (Sundays, 3–5 p.m.).

Wednesday Yoga (5 p.m.) is followed by Meditation and Integration (6 p.m.). Events are free or donation based. www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar SEEKING CANDIDATES (Athens, GA) ACCGov is seeking qualified candidates to fill volunteer positions on a number of policy-​making boards including the Airport Authority, Classic Center Authority, Hearings Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Human Relations Commission, Join Development Authority of ACCGov/Winterville and Planning Commission. Applications accepted through Apr. 5. www.accgov.com/boards SEEKING COMMUNITY INPUT (Athens, GA) ACCGov seeks input on desired growth and future land use planning. A series of eight public input events will be held now through Apr. 18. Additionally, community members can fill out the online survey. www.accgov. com/compplan SEVENTH GENERATION (Multiple Locations) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts gatherings on Sundays at 11 a.m. at Rabbit Hole Studios. Men’s Group meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Healing Path Farm. www.seventhgenerationnativeamericanchurch.org SPRING ACTIVITIES (Athens, GA) ACC Leisure Services will offer a variety of arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events this spring for all ages. Now registering. www.accgov.com/ myrec VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA) Brad Staples (of the Athens GA Live Music crew) is seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC or DVDs to digitize and archive on his YouTube channel, vhsordie (@vhsordie3030). Original recordings will be returned, and credits and dates will be included in the online video description. Digitization services are free. Contact for details and to coordinate shipping. bradley.staples88@gmail.com VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE (Athens, GA) The voter registration deadline for the May 21 General Primary/Nonpartisan Election is Apr. 22. Verify voting status, change your name or address, or register to vote online. www.mvp. sos.ga.gov f

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM flagpole is fighting to continue bringing you the most up-to-date news. Help us keep our weekly print and online versions FREE by donating.

DONATE IT’S AS EASY AS YOUR SPOTIFY SUBSCRIPTION! Just set up a recurring donation through PayPal (https://flagpole.com/ home/donations) or mail in a check.

flagpole , P O BOX 1027, ATHENS, GA 30603

M A R C H 2 7, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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classifieds Place an ad anytime, email class@flagpole.com or call 706-549-0301



BASIC RATES: Individual $10/week • Real Estate $14/week • Business $16/week • Online Only $5/week Indicates images available at classifieds.flagpole.com • Deadline to place ads is 11 a.m. every Monday for the following Wednesday issue

REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT 2BR garage apartment for rent. Pulaski St. HVAC and W/D. $1100/mon incl. water.

Avail. August 1. Text or call: 706-588-5252.

HOUSES FOR RENT House, 3BR/2BA in Normaltown. Central heat/air.

Apartment, 2BR/1BA. Furnished. Washer/dryer. Wi-Fi. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505

HOUSES FOR SALE

Business Water Solutions offers the cleanest drinking water available through innovative bottle-less water coolers and ice machines.

Call 706-248-6761 or visit www.businesswatersolutions. com to set up a consultation.

MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Nuçi’s Space is always accepting and selling used gear and instruments. All profits go toward our mission of ending the epidemic of suicide. Visit nuci.org/rewired.

MUSIC SERVICES

Looking for a house or a home? Condo or land? Call Daniel Peiken. REALTOR 5Market Realty. Selling in and around Athens for over 20 years. 706-296-2941

Instant cash is now being paid for good vinyl records & CDs in fine condition. Wuxtry Records at corner of Clayton & College Dwntn. 706-369-9428

FOR SALE

SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS Need old papers for your garden? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll have a crate ready for you. 706-549-0301

CLEANING Peachy Green Clean Cooperative, your local friendly green cleaners! Free estimates. Call or go online today: 706-248-4601, www. peachygreencleancoop.com.

HEALTH MINDFULNESS RETREAT HOSTED BY MINDFUL BREATH SANGHA OF ATHENS/OCONEE June 6 – June 9 1241 BRITAIN ESTATES DRIVE, WATKINSVILLE GA OVERVIEW: This Retreat will be led by monks and nuns from the Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville, Mississippi.

Magnolia Grove Monastery is a Mindfulness Practice Meditation Center practicing in the tradition of Plum Village, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, who was nominated for a Noble Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is one of three Buddhist Monasteries in the U.S. which practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. FEE: $285.00(includes 9 meals).

Half of the fee($142.50) is due with registration.

To request a registration form, or more information, email Claire Bolton at cbolton08@gmail.com or Becky Lockman at becky lockman@gmail.com.

Advertise your service in the Flagpole Classifieds.

ADOPT ME!

Visit www.accgov.com/257/Available-Pets to view all the cats and dogs available at the shelter

Darlene (55538399)

This sweet senior is ready to leave her kennel! She likes treats and snuggles, and loves being held. She’d do well in a home where she can enjoy short walks and lots of lap time and love.

Buccee (55556131)

Looking for a handsome, mildmannered and good-natured buddy? Then Buccee is your guy!

He’s part Beagle so he loves to sniff all the things but he’s also responsive to commands.

Bruno (55556562)

According to the shelter volunteers, Bruno is pretty amazing. He knows all basic commands, is gentle despite his size and is very treat motivated.

He loves attention. Adopt this good boy!

These pets and many others are available for adoption at:

Athens-Clarke County Animal Services 125 Buddy Christian Way · 706-613-3540 Call for appointment

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · M A R C H 2 7, 2024

Pain? Depression?

Insomnia? Call us today to find out how we can help you using natrual plant medicine. 888-4203848. Use coupon code “Athens24” for 15% off your first order.

HOME AND GARDEN Woman-Run Gardening Services: Prep for spring!

We offer garden clean-up/ maintenance, invasive plant removal, raised beds, personalized native/edible gardens for home/business and more! Call/Text: 706395-5321.

JOBS FULL-TIME A. La Fera is Now Hiring: Licensed Hair Stylist, Fulltime or Part time. Located at 600 Oglethorpe Ave. Great products and beautiful space. Send your resume or portfolio to a.lafera@gmail. com.

Find employees by advertising in the Flagpole Classifieds. 706-549-0301

Athens Bagel Company is seeking awesome early risers to staff the freshly renovated downtown bagel shop! Bakers, cooks, counter staff. Apply online www.athensbagel.com/jobs.

White Tiger is now hiring for BOH positions at the Athens and Watkinsville locations!

No experience necessary. Email work history or resume to catering@white tigergourmet.com.

Summer Seasonal (May-Aug) Classic City Installation: Starting @ $20–25/hr. Assistant Manager and Manager roles performing furniture installation on college campuses.

Great benefits, travel as a team w/ food stipend and lodging 100% covered.

Email: caswall@classiccity installation.com or 706-3407694.

NOTICES

PART-TIME Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 16–40 hours, Mon–Fri. NEVER be called in for a shift you didn’t sign up for.

Must type 55+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction.

Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes. com Flagpole ♥s our advertisers, donors and readers!

MESSAGES All Georgians ages 6 months & up are eligible for COVID vaccines, and ages 5+ are eligible for boosters! Call 706-3400996 or visit www.public healthathens.com for more information.

Darlene would like to wish everyone a Good Friday and Happy Easter. April Fools!

MISCELLANEOUS Get Flagpole delivered straight to your mailbox!

Weekly delivery straight from the source. Makes a great gift! Only $55 for six months or $110 for one year. Purchase online at www.flagpole.bigcartel. com, call 706-549-0301 or email frontdesk@flagpole. com.

SUDOKU

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

1

2 9

3 1 8

3 5

9 4

6 4

CORD SIBILSKY 8 2

6 5 8 9 6

VOTED ATHENS FAVORITE REALTOR 2015-2024

FIVE STARS ON ZILLOW WITH OVER 500 HOMES SOLD

5 1 5 9

8 1

O:706-510-5189

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C:706-363-0803

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CSG-GAP.COM

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain theofnumbers 9.

Week 3/25/241Ͳ to 3/31/24

The Weekly Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

Solution to Sudoku:

1 4 2 5 3 6 8 9 7 5 3 9 7 1 8 2 4 6 6 7 8 9 4 2 5 3 1 3 5 7 2 6 4 9 1 8 8 9 4 1 5 3 6 7 2 2 1 6 8 7 9 4 5 3 7 8 3 6 9 5 1 2 4 9 6 1 4 2 7 3 8 5 4 2 5 3 8 1 7 6 9

ACROSS 1 Much-used pencil 5 Drive off 9 Contemplate 13 Polk's predecessor 15 Lowly laborer 16 Himalayas' home 17 Pontificate 18 What moms-tobe are 20 Famed Ottawa chief 22 To some, it's golden 23 Beautiful, in Barcelona 25 ___-than-life 26 Blacken a bit 28 Weepily sentimental 30 Granola grain 31 An "M" in MGM 32 Photo finish 36 Burger topping 38 Good for nothing 40 Big name in copiers 41 Like some fans 43 Motorist's aid 44 It may be guided 46 Light-footed

Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 2 - 5 p.m.

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

47 Spot 50 Verbally abuse 52 Uniform shoulder piece 54 Fresh start 57 Rejected 59 Coeur d'Alene locale 60 Tooth trouble 61 Natural emollient 62 Establish 63 Part of YTD 64 Make (one's way) 65 1990 World Series champs DOWN 1 "That's enough!"

2 Beginner 3 Mongolia's capital, formerly 4 Wager maker 5 Grandstand group 6 Curse 7 "My bad" 8 Former House Speaker Tip 9 Kind of instinct 10 With the help of

We Run T his Town

11 "___ when?"

12 Thirsty 14 Pull (in) 19 Had rights to 21 Prepared to shoot 24 Lord's Prayer starter 26 Gently urge 27 Suffer from 29 Oboe, e.g.

31 Upper jaw 33 Mild, weatherwise 34 Old autocrat 35 Take notice of 37 Dell product 39 Colander kin 42 2023 Matt Damon movie 45 Plaything for two 46 Patio door 47 Dental woe 48 Speedily 49 Bygone Turkish title 51 Heron's cousin 53 Flooring choice 55 Impact sound 56 Brewers' needs 58 Slip on

Medical Services Building - 3rd Floor - Piedmont Athens Regional 242 King Avenue, Athens GA Female runners and walkers – please join us as we gather together to discuss how we can safely run this town. Participate in a panel discussion with local law enforcement, prepare yourself in a self-defense class; and purchase your running and safety gear from local businesses. Light refreshments provided.

We Run This Town is a free event but registration is encouraged: www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4AAFAB29ABFC1-48380523-werunthis Piedmont Athens Regional thanks the following community partners for their support and participation.

The McLeroy Family Foundation

For more information, contact Tammy Gilland, Director of Community Relations, 706-475-7025 or tammy.gilland@piedmont.org

Puzzle answers are available at www.flagpole.com/puzzles

M A R C H 2 7, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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Here are restaurants that are open and waiting for your order!

Online Ordering • Curb-side pick-up • Box catering Homemade Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, and Desserts

SPRING into action this March by eating right at Em’s Kitchen.

Breakfast and Lunch

JOIN US FOR

FRIDAY DINNERS

975 Hawthorne Ave • 706-206-9322 JRB I AD for Flagpole 3.1875" X 3.125" emskitchenathawthorne.com

Inside or On the Patio CASUAL & SOCIAL • BEER & WINE FAMILY FRIENDLY • NEW KIDS MENU Locally Sourced Goodness Every Day !! OPEN ‘TIL 9PM ON FRIDAYS !!

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LUMPKIN & CEDAR SHOALS 706 -355-7087

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CAROLINA, PREPARING FISH TACOS FOR A PRIVATE PARTY!

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS

CUBAN SANDWICH • TOSTONES • QUESADILLAS • TACOS • BURRITOS •

LOMO S A LTA D O • W I N GS • E M PA N A DA S • S H A K E S • M A D U RO S •

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Y’ALL COME EAT!

Flagpole Favorite Lunch & Sandwich 4 years in a Row!

M A R C H 2 7, 2024· F L A GP OL E .C OM

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DO YOUR PART. PROTECT YOURSELF. PROTECT OTHERS.

675 College Ave. • 402 McKinley Dr • 706-546-5526