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The ACC Leisure Services Department celebrated the opening of the next phase of the North Oconee River Greenway at the Carr’s Creek Trailhead on Carriage Lane Tuesday, Apr. 16. The new 0.8 mile section provides better access to the Eastside.

city dope

Homeless Funding

PLUS, MEDICAL SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com

The Athens-Clarke County Commission will vote next month to allocate almost $3 million in funding for homeless organizations, including building a new shelter.

The biggest chunk of the funding— between $1.3 million and $1.5 million— will go to Advantage Behavioral Health Services to open a “low barrier” shelter that, unlike some other shelters, will not turn people away for drug or alcohol abuse. The shelter would be located on Mitchell Bridge Road, where Advantage is also building an inpatient mental health facility, and open in November 2025. Advantage will also receive $200,000 for a crisis response team to rehouse people living in unsanctioned encampments.

Other funding recommendations include: $163,000 for Athens Area Habitat for Humanity to create two shelter units for families; $200,000 for Divas Who Win to prepare homeless women to re-enter the workforce; $200,000 for Family Promise to assist people who are in danger of becoming homeless before they have to enter a shelter; $142,000 for improvements to Project Safe’s shelter for victims of domestic violence; $184,000 for the Athens Wellness Clinic to provide health care for the homeless; and $400,000 for the Economic Justice Coalition to train homeless individuals to work as certified nursing assistants.

The county received 11 proposals for a total of $6.8 million that were scored by a review committee. That committee recommended fully funding seven proposals and partially funding an eighth.

This funding represents the last of ACC’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act that commissioners set aside for homelessness. Previously the commission spent $2.5 million on a since-closed sanctioned homeless camp, $2.5 million on an eviction prevention program, $1 million on a reconstituted Athens Homeless Coalition and $550,000 for improvements at the Salvation Army’s Hawthorne Avenue shelter.

ARPA dollars also went toward starting the ACC police department’s alternative response teams that pair officers with social workers to deal with situations involving mental health. The commission will vote May 7 on spending $155,000 to continue operations through the end of the fiscal year July 1. But Manager Blaine Williams said he will recommend eliminating the $500,000 program in his fiscal 2025 budget proposal. The commission could opt to continue it, but would have to find local funds to replace ARPA.

The commission is also set to approve funding for a new parking lot at AthensBen Epps airport in an effort to attract a commercial airline. Athens has not had commercial air service since 2014, when the city lost federal Essential Air Service subsidies due to low daily boardings. ACC officials recently met with several airlines that expressed interest, but said they need an additional 80–90 parking spaces because those airlines use jets that carry 70–120 passengers, rather than the small 7–12 pas -

senger planes used by previous airlines. The local government will cover the $194,000 cost of designing the parking lot. The Georgia Department of Transportation will pay for 75% of construction, with the other 25% coming from local sales taxes.

Sheriff Candidates

Debate Immigration

Although Athens nursing student Laken Riley’s alleged killer was never booked into the Clarke County Jail until his arrest on murder charges in February, immigration-related policies at the Clarke County Sheriff’s office have come under scrutiny due to Jose Ibarra’s immigration status.

In 2018 Sheriff John Q. Williams’ predecessor, Ira Edwards, stopped holding inmates for Immigration and Customs Enforcement pickup past their release date.

Williams continued that policy because a judge’s order that a person be released supersedes any request from ICE, he said at an Athens AntiDiscrimination Movement candidate forum Apr. 17. “If a judge says a person has to be let go, that’s an order,” he said.

dates, Rashe Malcolm addressed rumors that she is selling property she owns at Triangle Plaza in East Athens for student housing. Malcolm said that she did not sell the property, but transferred ownership of her restaurant Rashe’s Cuisine to a corporation for liability purposes. In 2023, Malcolm’s nonprofit Farm to Neighborhood received a nearly $1 million grant from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office for the East Athens Wellness Project, which will involve redeveloping the parking lot in front of the strip mall that houses her restaurant into a commercial kitchen, community garden and greenspace for recreation and gatherings. Malcolm said that the project has not started yet because the grant only reimburses her expenses, so she has to come up with the money up front.

UGA Breaks Ground on Med School

University of Georgia and state officials broke ground last week on a new building for UGA’s future medical school.

“Today is an exciting and transformational day for the University of Georgia,” President Jere Morehead said at an Apr. 19 ceremony attended by hundreds of people.

“ The fact is, Georgia needs more doctors, and we need them now.

Williams’ challenger, Tommy Dorsey, said he would honor ICE requests to hold inmates. “That’s a 287(g) law,” Dorsey said. “You’re required to contact ICE.”

As Williams pointed out, 287(g) is not a law, but a voluntary federal program that trains local police and sheriff’s deputies to enforce federal immigration law. “287(g) is a program that requires you to devote officers to helping ICE,” he said. “That’s not part of the reporting process.”

Williams said he follows the law regarding contacting ICE when an undocumented person is booked into jail. He also said he would follow a state law requiring local law enforcement to arrest and detain undocumented immigrants if the bill is signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. “I’m a constitutional officer,” he said. “[If] the law says I have to do that, I have to follow the law.”

Williams faces Dorsey in the May 21 Democratic primary. The district attorney’s race won’t be on the ballot until November because Kalki Yalamanchili is running as an independent against Democratic incumbent Deborah Gonzalez, but the two candidates also participated in the AADM forum.

Yalamanchili criticized Gonzalez for releasing a statement when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade that she would not prosecute anyone who violated Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. Gonzalez said she made the statement “so women knew they were safe with me.”

Yalamanchili said Gonzalez’s announcement was an invitation for state officials to come in and prosecute such cases. But “it is very difficult… for me to envision a case that is prosecutable” because it would be nearly impossible to find witnesses or convince a jury, he said.

During a forum for commission candi-

idea, but the controversy seems to have faded. Perdue said the new UGA College of Medicine will have a “synergistic relationship” with the Augusta medical school.

The new school will double enrollment from 60 to 120 over a period of years.

Georgia ranks 40th in number of doctors per capita, and nine counties don’t have any physicians at all, according to Shelly Nuss, who served as dean of the medical partnership and was recently named founding dean of the UGA medical school. “The fact is, Georgia needs more doctors, and we need them now,” Nuss said.

With 171,000 new jobs created in the past five years, adding physicians is critical for Georgia to maintain economic growth, Gov. Brian Kemp said. “One of our top priorities is building a strong health care workforce pipeline,” he said.

The 92,000 square-foot educational and research building will be located on a wooded field near the Foster Road entrance to the Health Sciences Campus off of Oglethorpe Avenue.

UGA has operated a medical school on the Health Sciences Campus in partnership with Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) since taking over the former Navy Supply Corps School in 2010. But earlier this year the Board of Regents approved a medical school solely operated by UGA, and Gov. Brian Kemp and the state legislature included $50 million in the state budget for a new building.

UGA is matching that figure with private donations. “We are well on our way of achieving that goal,” Morehead said.

Current University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue was governor when then-UGA President Michael Adams was pushing for an Athens medical school. It was a contentious issue back then, with powerful figures in Augusta opposed to the

Later, Kemp held a signing ceremony for a bill loosening rules for opening new hospitals and other health care facilities. Some legislators wanted to eliminate the Certificate of Need process—which requires hospitals to show sufficient demand before opening—altogether, but in the end the legislature passed a bill shortening the review timeline and expanding tax credits for rural health care.

Health care was something of a theme for Kemp during his visit to his hometown of Athens. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recorded an episode of its “Politically Georgia” podcast at the UGA Chapel Apr. 18 with Kemp as a guest. During the conversation, Kemp said for the first time publicly that he is opposed to expanding Medicaid, and that he intervened when it appeared a Senate committee might put Medicaid expansion on the floor for a vote. Kemp’s brother-in-law, Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), cast the deciding “no” vote at the committee meeting. On the show, Kemp argued that expanding Medicaid would not insure more people, but would merely move them off of private insurance and onto government insurance rolls. f

Republicans Exploit Free Speech

I wanted to respond to James Cobb’s article “Free Speech on Campus” in the Feb. 21 edition of Flagpole. Cobb’s article does an exceptional job at laying out the modern history of this issue.

C. Vann Woodward, for those that do not know, was one of the most influential and respected historians of the 20th century. Much of his work is still used today by a number of academic historians. He is one of the historians that actually pressed American history into a study that includes far more voices from across the spectrum of race and gender. A man and academic whose work showed he cared about the voices of the oppressed and minorities.

However, there is one incredibly important fact that Cobb left out of his article. A fact that, seems to me, is being left out of nearly every article and discussion I have read or heard in the media surrounding this issue as it applies to the conflict in Palestine/Israel. None of the student groups that the right is calling out for punishment actually called for “a genocide against the Jews.” In fact it has been the complete opposite—they have been fighting to shine light on the State of Israel’s genocidal actions within the occupied Palestinian territories. This fact makes these University presidents’ stumbles over the questions they were asked in front of the congressional committee far more understandable.

The idea that state legislatures and governors, mostly from the GOP, are actually moving to fire university administrators and faculty because they are allowing student groups to air real and important grievances goes against the very fabric of what academia is supposed to teach. We are allowing monied interests, the donor class, to dictate school policy and limit free speech.

Most universities do have language in their policies that try to limit or prohibit any speech that advocates or encourages violence. Even this runs along the edge of our First Amendment rights, yet I do believe most Americans would agree that speech of this nature—screaming fire in a crowded theater—should be prohibited.

Yet what we are seeing today on a num-

ber of issues is the right trying to limit real debate on any number of issues, and then exploiting the First Amendment with inflammatory language on other issues. The left must get better at calling out the blatant lies of the GOP and the far right on these issues and continue to foster true and honest debate.

Sean Gillan Athens

Thanks for Riley Coverage

Many thanks to Blake Aued for his comprehensive article on Laken Riley’s murder (Mar. 6). There is a complex ripple effect happening from her death, and I was so appreciative of Blake’s sensitivity in clarifying several points, including mention of the outpouring of grief also for Wyatt Banks, who died a few days prior. The quotes were helpful in understanding stances being taken, I especially appreciated the statement from the Athens Immigrants Rights Coalition—indeed violence against women is “a continuously present reality in our country and cuts across all ethnic or racial lines.” Thank you for also including the stats on crime in Athens. (In 2023 violent crimes were down 7%). Blake gave me what I needed to know on the national, state and city levels—all this in my neighborhood paper.

Vouchers Are Bad

Public schools promote reason, science and critical thinking to every student regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Private schools, not so much. So here’s my evidence-based counsel: Hey, politicians! Leave our public schools alone!

Duke Geddis Athens

Support Medicaid Expansion

It is a perfect time to let state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) know what a poor choice he made recently for Georgians. Voting against Medicaid expansion keeps many people unable to access health care. Monies are available to insure more people, particularly children. Cowsert does all of us a disservice by not supporting Medicaid expansion.

JR Buffalo Athens

Trump Misunderstands America

For Americans, the future is always coming, shiny, amazing and prosperous. Our Founders were optimists. Every generation of Americans has held onto the idea that we’re getting better, moving toward the music of our better angels, fixing the bugs, hacking the new code and building a better tomorrow.

“ Let’s protect what we love.

Kathryn Kyker Athens

People, let me put you wise about private school vouchers, putting aside euphemisms and the Establishment Clause. Back in the day, I helped many Georgia public high schools with military programs such as ROTC. And I’m a product of 16 years of private (religious) education. So I know what I’m talking about.

Our taxes should not be diverted from public schools to private (mostly religious) institutions. The funds to indoctrinate young trusting minds into the one true faith—whichever one it is—should be paid by the faithful, as our Founders intended.

Donald Trump’s view is fundamentally pessimistic. It’s a picture of America in decline, of evil foreigners beating us at trade, of problems only a strongman can solve, and the idea that the amorphous “left” is winning all the battles. This isn’t Reagan’s sunny optimism; it’s depressingly small and limited in scope. The Trump Train stops in a podunk future that looks like 1930, not 2030.

Big, visionary, prospective leadership has always been informed by the bullheaded optimism that defines this country. We aren’t just passengers; we’re builders, dreamers, doers, fighters. No challenge is too big. No problem is too complex. Every time the world thinks we can’t, we do. “America, heck yeah” has become “Daddy, save us!” in the age of Trump.

Trump has trained his followers to believe in an America that is weaker, sadder and smaller than we really are. President Biden is optimistic about America, our rich talent and our amazing, messy, wonderful, ridiculous, crazy, passionate people. It’s too bad a central tenet of Trump’s view of the

United States is to run down the people of this country and describe a nation so lost and weak it requires an authoritarian strongman. We don’t.

Peggy Perkins Winder

Save the Okefenokee

The Okefenokee Swamp has always held a mythical allure, bolstered by tall tales and folk songs my father used to sing about it. So when my family had the opportunity to visit during the spring several years ago, we set out on a journey to trace our roots south and reconnect with nature.

We hired a guide to take us into the swamp, where we paddled under towering ancient cypress trees, around lily pads and through native marsh grass. A white ibis sailed ahead of us, its black wingtips pointing the way through the maze of veins that carry port wine-colored water to the heart of the swamp. We followed the song of a prothonotary warbler to a hardwood nest, where the pudgy little yellow bird was singing. We were delighted to find this increasingly rare species living alongside huge alligators.

The cycle of life is no more evident than inside the Okefenokee Swamp. Beautiful flora grows out of decay. Saplings spring out of dead trees. No plant stands alone. The swamp showed me that independence is an illusion. Our roots run deeper than our family trees even suggest. If you follow them far enough, you will reach the life-giving source. Mother Nature can be found in the heart of the Okefenokee.

Please protect the beloved Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge by denying permits to any strip mining operation in or around the swamp. Trail Ridge holds the water in the swamp and therefore cannot be mined without impacting its hydrology. The Okefenokee also helps us naturally fight climate change because it is a massive carbon sink. Although peatlands make up just 3% of land on Earth, they store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined.

Now that the Clean Water Act no longer protects wetlands, the decision to allow the Twin Pines strip mine lies solely with Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Jeff Cown. Georgia citizens love the Okefenokee. It is our Yellowstone, and has been nominated as a UNESCO world heritage site. Let’s protect what we love.

Ramsey Nix Athens

Trouble With Gen Z

YOUNG VOTERS AREN’T RIDIN’ WITH BIDEN THIS YEAR

By Jacob Fischler news@flagpole.com

Joe Biden has a problem.

Seven months ahead of the presidential election, some progressives, young voters and Muslim American voters are showing serious reservations about the Democrat’s reelection campaign as his administration backs Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“For some of those people—maybe a critical number—what’s happening in Gaza is so salient and existential that they really see this election as a referendum on that issue,” Larry Jacobs, the director of the Center for the Study of Politics at the University of Minnesota, said in an interview.

The pushback has played out in otherwise uneventful primaries as Biden has clinched the presidential nomination. About 13% of Michigan’s Democratic primary voters cast ballots in February for uncommitted, rather than Biden. In Minnesota a week later, the percentage grew to 19% of the Democratic electorate. Both states have sizable Muslim American populations and progressive activists who oppose Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. And in Wisconsin on Apr. 2, more than 45,000 Democrats voted uninstructed instead of for Biden. That total more than doubled Biden’s margin of victory in the state in the 2020 general election.

The movement has also landed in New Jersey, where in most of the state, Democrats on June 4 will be able to essentially cast an “uncommitted” vote by choosing delegates under the slogan “Justice for Palestine, Permanent Ceasefire Now.”

Recent polling has shown dissatisfaction with Biden among young voters, who skew more progressive than the general electorate, and are demanding a ceasefire to a war that has so far claimed more than 30,000 lives in Gaza, according to health authorities there. Moves the administration has taken that critics claim are meant to appease those voters appear to have had little effect.

“He’s in trouble with young voters and voters of color,” Stevie O’Hanlon, the national communications director for the progressive, youth-led climate group Sunrise Movement, said in an interview.

Jacobs said not everyone who cast a protest vote in a primary election will sit out in November. But the number should be concerning for a Biden campaign that only

eked out a victory against Donald Trump four years ago, Jacobs said.

Anger flared anew after the Israeli military bombing Apr. 1 that killed seven aid workers, including an American, delivering supplies for World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian nonprofit led by Spanish American celebrity chef José Andrés. Andrés has said the workers were targeted; the Israeli military said Apr. 5 two officers have been dismissed and three others reprimanded.

In a written statement to States Newsroom, a Biden campaign spokesperson said the votes for uncommitted were part of the democratic process and said the president was working to find a peaceful resolution to the war. “The President believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans,” the spokesperson wrote. “He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East. He’s working tirelessly to that end.”

Close Election

is not unprecedented. More than 20% of North Carolina Democrats, 14% of Rhode Island Democrats and 11% of Michigan Democrats selected uncommitted over then-President Barack Obama in 2012 on his path to reelection. But in a 2024 race that could again be decided by slim margins in a handful of states, every lost Democratic vote is a problem for Biden, Jacobs said.

“Slivers really matter,” Jacobs said. “These close elections are happening in a period where Arab Americans and voters from Africa are kind of coming into their own. They have a consciousness of themselves. They have a consciousness of their interests. They’re organized politically.”

Muslims Urge End to Support for Israel

Eighty Muslim American groups wrote to Biden Apr. 3 urging an end to military support of Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The groups said Israel’s military action in Gaza was responsible for significant civilian casualties and widespread food insecurity in the territory.

“Risking your presidential legacy and the reputation of our nation around the world to enable the Netanyahu government’s genocide has been a disastrous decision,” they wrote to Biden. “We implore you to reverse course before thousands more die.”

politician who really doesn’t understand the enormous shift in American politics, as you’re getting large groups of voters of color, with a whole variety of kinds of backgrounds and interests, moving into the electorate,” he said.

“What would have worked with blue-collar workers in Detroit in 1970 is just not going to work with Arab Americans. And understanding that, appreciating it, I think is a real barrier for the White House.”

Biden condemned the killing of the aid workers, and told Netanyahu on an Apr. 4 call that further U.S. aid would be conditional on Israel putting in place “a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.”

But while “jawboning from the president” may attract some headlines, it has been insufficient for voters who want to see policy changes, Jacobs said. “These voters are smart,” he said. “They see the 2,000pound bombs are still being sent to Israel.”

Climate Change and the Economy

Even progressive groups that traditionally are not active on foreign policy will evaluate Biden’s handling of the war when deciding how much support to lend the president’s reelection effort. O’Hanlon said whether and to what degree Sunrise campaigns for Biden in the fall will depend in part on the administration’s actions between now and Election Day on climate—and Gaza.

In the 2020 election, Biden flipped five states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—that Trump had won in 2016. Razor-thin margins provided his victories in Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin, which he won by a combined margin of less than 50,000 votes. If those states flipped again in 2024, their 37 electoral votes would be enough to swing the election to Trump.

Additionally, Michigan, which Biden won in 2020 with a margin of 150,000 votes out of about 5.5 million cast, is among the states whose Democratic electorate appears most displeased with the incumbent. More than 100,000 Democrats voted uncommitted instead of Biden in the primary there last month, showing just how little room for error Biden has to win a second term. Democratic primary voters casting protest ballots against an incumbent president

The advocacy for Palestinians comes at a time when Muslim American communities in the U.S., especially Arab Americans outside Detroit and Somali Americans in the Twin Cities, are wielding greater political power, Jacobs said.

A leader among Minnesota’s Muslim American voters, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who represents Minneapolis and the first Somali American member of Congress, said in a CNN interview last month that she would vote for Biden despite her differences with him over Israel. However, she said, “I think it is the responsibility of every citizen of this country that cares for the humanity of all to continue to push this administration to do what it can do to end the onslaught that Palestinians are living through every single day.”

But communicating with those groups generally has proven a challenge for Biden, Jacobs said, despite efforts by the administration and campaign to make inroads. “You’ve got a kind of mid-20th-century

“As a climate group, we’re fighting to make sure that people have clean air, access to clean water, to healthy food, that everyone has safe homes and doesn’t have to fear losing their loved ones to something that they didn’t cause,” O’Hanlon said. “Whether that’s climate change or bombs from the [Israeli military].”

But surveys of young voters also show that, while they are more likely to oppose Israeli military action against Palestinians, there are a host of other issues affecting their votes. Data show that the IsraelHamas war, and the U.S. role in it, may not be the most important issue influencing younger voters, who tend to be more progressive. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted Mar. 30–Apr. 2 found that foreign policy was tied for 13th among voters younger than 30 in a list of 15 issues respondents were asked to select as the “most important issue for you.”

Just 1% of respondents said foreign policy was most important. By comparison, 24% said inflation/prices, 14% said health care, 12% said jobs and the economy, and 11% said abortion. That’s consistent with

President Joe Biden’s stance on Gaza is costing him support among young voters.

GAGE SKIDMORE

MINDFUL BREATH SANGHA

survey data by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE, at Tufts University from last fall that showed 10 issues that voters ages 18–34 ranked as their top three. Cost of living and inflation topped the list, with 53% surveyed including the issue in their top three. Jobs that pay a living wage, gun violence prevention and climate change were between 26% and 28% of responses. Expanding access to abortion was the fifthmost popular response at 19%.

The CIRCLE poll, with questions designed before the Israel-Hamas war and surveys conducted in the early weeks of the war, found that among youth voters who called themselves extremely likely to vote, Biden held a 21-percentage-point advantage, roughly the same margin as he won in the 2020 election.

Other foreign policy crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have not significantly boosted the importance of foreign policy to young voters, according to a follow-up report CIRCLE published in February, though there are signs that the war in Gaza is breaking through more.

Younger voters are more likely to describe Israel’s action in Gaza as “genocide,” according to an Economist/YouGov poll that found 49% of young voters agreed with that description. They are less likely to describe Israel’s reasons for fighting as valid, and more likely to consider Hamas’ reason for fighting valid, according to a separate Pew Research survey in March.

“Beyond any specific data points, our sense is that this issue is certainly important to many young people, and that youth overall do seem to have different views than older Americans,” Alberto Medina, an author of the CIRCLE poll, wrote in an email to States Newsroom.

“That said, as our own poll reveals and as we’ve been tracking in recent election cycles, young people do not tend to be single-issue voters and they have a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues they’re concerned about that may drive their electoral participation this November.”

But as the war has dragged on, Biden has seen a drastic change in support among young voters. A February Economist/ YouGov poll showed his job approval rating with voters ages 18–29 was 20 points higher than his disapproval rating. That was much better than the net plus-four rating voters the same age gave Obama, the last president to win reelection, at the same point in his reelection race. But the more recent data from the same pollster showed Biden’s approval rating had nearly flipped

among young voters in less than two months. In the most recent poll, the percentage of young voters who disapproved of his performance was 18 points higher than those who approved.

Mixed Record

The Biden White House has taken steps in recent months to highlight action on other issues that are important to younger voters, even as that strategy has attracted criticism that the White House is “playing politics” in an election year.

Jacobs, the political scientist, said Biden can rightly tout to progressive voters a highly effective first term of historic accomplishments. “Biden has probably been the most progressive president since [Lyndon] Johnson,” he said. “The administration has done a whole lot and it’s tended to be progressive leaning.”

In February, the Biden administration paused exports of liquid natural gas to certain countries, giving environmental groups a policy win.

The White House deployed Vice President Kamala Harris to North Carolina, a competitive presidential election state, on Apr. 3 to announce $20 billion in grant funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a program created in Democrats’ 2022 climate, taxes and policy bill that Biden championed.

The administration and campaign have continually highlighted Biden’s moves to forgive student debt.

Those moves have opened the administration to accusations of valuing electoral politics over policy. “The White House has gone out of its way to signal that the pause is a political ploy intended to get votes in an election year—it’s all about politics, not economics,” U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin III, a centrist West Virginia Democrat and frequent Biden critic, said of the LNG export pause.

Trump Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tweeted about loan forgiveness that Biden would “stop at nothing to buy votes.”

And even as Biden promotes policies meant to appeal to progressives, that has not been enough to win full-throated endorsements from some on the far left. “His record on climate is mixed,” O’Hanlon, with Sunrise, said. “It’s both true that he’s delivered more on climate than any president in history, and it’s also true that the bar is incredibly low.” f

This article originally appeared at States Newsroom, stateline.com.

A New Sheriff in Town?

FORMER DEPUTY CHALLENGES INCUMBENT JOHN Q. WILLIAMS

By Rebecca McCarthy news@flagpole.com

Athens native Tommy Dorsey is trying to unseat incumbent Sheriff John Q. Williams, who was first elected in 2020. Both have years of experience in law enforcement.

Williams, a native of Gary, IN, moved to Athens in 1997, right before graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in speech and communications (which he later finished online). His married sister was getting a master’s degree at UGA, and he lived with her family and worked several parttime jobs before landing a full-time position in 1998 as a dispatcher with the UGA police department. He stayed there four years before taking a dispatcher job with the Charlotte Police Department, then returned to UGA and transitioned to contract work and helped implement the county‘s new communications system.

Williams spent two years as a dispatcher with the Athens police department, then decided to “be in the field.” He attended the police academy and joined the police department as a sworn officer in 2009, eventually becoming a sergeant. “It proved to be what I wanted,” he says. “I got to knock on doors and learn people’s concerns. As a dispatcher, you never know how things work out.”

When 2020 came around, he decided to run for sheriff, knowing that morale at the jail was low and that employees were unhappy, and believing he “could make a difference in the community.” Almost since the day he put on the sheriff’s badge, Williams has been asking the county commission to increase the salaries of his deputies to put them on par with the police department, and to let him hire more people—right now, he says they need 40 more deputies.

Dorsey, a 1994 graduate of Cedar Shoals High School, attended Middle Georgia College before earning an online degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern. He worked at the Youth Detention Center before moving as a deputy to the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, where he stayed for 20 years. After Williams defeated former sheriff Ira Edwards in 2020, Dorsey left the sheriff’s office and took a job as a resource officer with the Clarke County School District, stationed at Cedar Shoals.

Dorsey believes the jail is so understaffed that it’s not safe for the inmates or the employees. He says he would work with the county commissioners and the county manager to get more money to hire more and better employees, and he would make sure the community knows the role of a deputy sheriff. Having been employed at the sheriff’s office before, he says he knows how it should work. He wouldn’t house inmates for other jurisdictions until there is more staff to handle them.

“I would like everyone to work in the jail for at least a year,” Dorsey says. If he is elected, he says he would first determine the “needs and wants of the deputies and give them a sense of appreciation and comfort.” He would then review the department policies and procedures, changing ones that aren’t beneficial, and he would get a complete understanding of his new role.

Williams says he has received vile and even threatening emails and phone calls from people around the country who have implicated him and his office in Laken Riley’s murder. The undocumented Venezuelan suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was never booked into the jail; he faced a misdemeanor shoplifting charge in 2023. Officials have said it’s not likely ICE would have detained Ibarra because the incidents he was involved in before his recent arrest were minor. Williams says the sheriff’s office is going to keep better records on who the department detains, who is picked up by ICE and who is deported.

Since becoming sheriff, Williams believes morale has improved in the department— he’s tried to show employees that they have a voice. He wants to continue “helping the community” and creating outreach programs. A joint effort with Habitat For Humanity has eight female inmates learning carpentry skills and building tiny houses. Their first building is almost complete, although Williams isn’t sure where it will ultimately be located.

Both candidates are running in the May 21 Democratic primary. There is no Republican candidate in November. f

Sheriff John Q. Williams

Tommy Dorsey

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators greeted President Joe Biden when he recently visited a Wisconsin college.

Battle for Boulevard

DISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONER MELISSA LINK FACES OPPOSITION

By Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com

Downtown business owner Jason Jacobs is challenging incumbent Commissioner Melissa Link in District 2, an area that includes Boulevard, Normaltown and part of inner East Athens.

Link has been an ACC commissioner since 2015, except for a brief hiatus in 2022–2023, when the state legislature placed her in former Commissioner Mariah Parker’s district, causing Link to lose her seat. When Parker stepped down, Link ran again, winning by a large margin in the new district against former school board member Kirrena Gallagher.

On paper, a progressive incumbent like Link should be difficult to defeat in this district, which is among the most liberal of any in Athens. Despite this, Jacobs believes that she’s not as popular in the district as she appears from past election results.

Recently, Link caused outrage among conservatives for a statement she made after the killing of nursing student Laken Riley. While Riley’s alleged murderer is Latino and did not use a firearm, Link criticized “white men with weapons of war” in her speech, calling them “monsters.” In the same speech, she excoriated former President Donald Trump as a “traitorous, insurrectionist, bigoted, lying, cheating, fraudulent, philandering rapist.”

Over the years, Link’s many controversial statements haven’t only offended Republicans. In 2022, she was roundly criticized for an offhand comment in which she accused UGA football players of “raping and murdering.” Alvin Sheats, president of the Clarke County NAACP, called these remarks “outrageous” and demanded that she apologize. Jeremy Longo, a former UGA defensive lineman, even sued Link for slander.

In the uproar over her past comments, Link has been unapologetic. She has refused to back down, particularly when it comes to statements she’s made about Trump and the growing far-right movement in the U.S. “There is a rising movement towards fascism that is documented,” Link told Flagpole. “There is an intention to install autocratic fascism and theocracy in this nation. Women don’t even have control over their bodies in half the states in the union. We’ve got to speak out. We’ve got to fight. Those of us who are able to, we have a duty to.”

When it comes to local issues, Link’s main focus has been on historic preservation and protecting in-town neighborhoods from gentrification. For example, she worked to save the historic Mack-Burney House on Reese Street, which could have been demolished as part of The Varsity redevelopment but was instead kept as permanently affordable housing managed by the Athens Land Trust.

Link was instrumental in the creation of the West Downtown Historic District,

density and help reduce the price of rent. However, Link said at the time that allowing two-bedroom accessory units would be a “betrayal” of her constituents.

“I believe [one-bedroom accessory units] should be perfectly legal in most of our communities,” Link told Flagpole. “The thing that gave me pause with that [two-bedroom] ordinance was that I see what’s happening in our extremely dense in-town communities where we already do allow that kind of multi-unit development… It’s a mess, the parking is a mess. Almost every week, I get a call from some little old lady trapped in her driveway.”

Jacobs said at a recent candidate forum that he supported accessory dwellings, although he was not specific about the number of bedrooms he would want to allow.

ended up resigning after only a few months. In his resignation letter, he explained that the reason he stepped down had to do with Laken Riley’s killing.

“In light of the recent tragedy of the murder of Laken Riley at the hands of someone that was not from Athens and should not have been in Athens, I cannot in good conscience be part of any actions that would welcome another such person into our community,” Jacobs wrote. “I don’t see this work as having any positive effect on Athens.”

Since running for office, Jacobs has moderated his tone. He now says that the Athens Homeless Coalition will do “a good job at bringing a lot of organizations together to work more effectively.” He said that they are “taking some good steps” but still feels that the plan has issues that are “being talked around or swept under the rug.”

Jacobs’ main policy priority is addressing the problem of homelessness in Athens. When his pregnant wife was accosted by an aggressive panhandler back in 2015, Jacobs said he reached out to the local government for help, but to no avail.

“I spoke to the mayor at the time, Nancy Denson, and figured we were going to do something, but I didn’t see a whole lot done,” Jacobs said. “I kept getting told, we can’t do anything about this. We can’t, we can’t, instead of how do we?”

“The language that’s come from my opponent in the past has been more divisive than it has been uniting,” Jacobs told Flagpole. “I’d like to see us become more united. It feels like the extremes on both sides are pushing further and further apart and forgetting about the people in the middle.”

Link was referring to former UGA linebacker Adam Anderson, who recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery, and former UGA wide receiver Akhil Crumpton, who has been convicted on charges related to the murder of a RaceTrac clerk in 2021 and will spend 30 years in federal prison.

which she feels will help to preserve downtown’s unique character. “I advocated for the West Downtown Historic District because in a blink of an eye the rest of downtown could just be covered in student high-rises. That important history of Athens being a music and cultural mecca would be erased,” Link said. “I really believe in protecting these in-town neighborhoods.”

Link’s determination to keep student high-rises contained near campus as much as possible is likely to win her support in the district, but some housing advocates have been frustrated by her protectionist tendencies. In 2022, Link cast the deciding vote against allowing homeowners to build two-bedroom accessory dwelling units such as garage apartments or “in-law suites.”

Advocates see accessory dwelling units as a relatively painless way to increase housing

With the influx of federal funds after the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government has finally gotten serious about the issue. Last year, the commission approved a strategic plan to reduce and prevent homelessness, powered by $5 million in American Rescue Plan funding. As the commission was preparing to vote on the plan, Jacobs spoke up to oppose it. During public comment, he expressed concern that the plan would be ineffective and even potentially dangerous because it would encourage more people experiencing homelessness to come into Athens.

“One of the things that this plan doesn’t talk about are the consequences of what could go wrong with the homeless coming into our town,” Jacobs told commissioners. “I do want to do something with the homeless, don’t get me wrong, but this plan is not it. To me, it’s just throwing money at the wall and seeing what sticks.”

Jacobs later signed up to serve on the board of the Athens Homeless Coalition but

In particular, Jacobs opposes an idea to build a new low-barrier homeless shelter designed to get people off the street as soon as possible and into recovery programs. He is worried that such a shelter would be dangerous to residents and might trigger them to use alcohol and drugs again.

“Low-barrier kind of meant no barrier. There was no requirement for sobriety,” Jacobs told Flagpole, explaining that the proposed shelter was a major reason why he resigned from the homeless coalition. “People who are trying to get sober would then have to be with people who weren’t, and that could trigger them and threaten their sobriety. I also thought the no criminal background check on the low-barrier shelter could be a bit dangerous… Those two things really kind of ate at me and I felt disillusioned in that I didn’t think I would be able to make a difference in changing that.”

Jacobs stresses that he does not oppose the creation of a new homeless shelter, just that he wants treatment for mental health problems and substance abuse to be front and center. “We need to treat that root cause [of homelessness] and not necessarily the symptom of not having a home,” he said.

Studies have shown that the “housing first” approach favored by the homeless coalition is more effective than “treatment first” approaches at stabilizing clients over the long term, especially for those experiencing chronic homelessness.

Link said she strongly supports the homeless coalition’s approach. “How do you sober up on the streets? Let’s get people in a safe, supervised environment where they can gather their thoughts and have some peace and direct access to services,” Link said. “The concept is to have services on site, [to] have counselors on site. To offer people the most easy, convenient and direct access to treatment and support.”

This election will take place on May 21. Early voting starts on Apr. 29. f

Melissa Link

Jason Jacobs

EXPERIENCE AT MUSIC UGA

FREE CONCERTS: NO TICKETS REQUIRED

WED 4/24 7:30 p.m.

RAMSEY HALL 230 River Road

Middle East Music Ensemble

Featuring Special Guest Artist Ali Jihad Racy, Distinguished Professor of Ethnomusicology at UCLA from 1978 to 2021. Free performance.

TICKETED PERFORMANCES: $20; $3 with UGA student ID

uga symphony orchestra and combined choirs over 300 student musicians grant us peace

dona nobis pacem

ralph vaughan williams composed by

friday, april 26 at 7:30 p.m.

hodgson concert hall 230 river road

THEN IN MAY...CELEBRATE MUSICAL EXCELLENCE HERE IN ATHENS

Opening Concert: “History of Tango”

SUN 5/12, 3 p.m.

Guest artists (from left): JP Jofre, bandoneon Itamar Zorman, violin

A celebration of the history of tango, including fiery and colorful chamber works by Luigi Boccherini and Manuel De Falla plus original compositions by JP Jofre

“From Opera to Hip-Hop: A Celebration of American Voices”

TUE 5/14, 7:30 p.m.

Guest artists: (clockwise from left) Joshua Stewart, tenor; Squallé and Lemuel LaRoche

“Dispersions In Watercolor”

New Multi-Disciplinary Music At The Georgia Museum Of Art

THURS 5/16, 7:30 p.m.

A celebration of African-American musical excellence across styles and genres. Free performance. Venue accepting donations. This concert includes three world premieres, and one Georgia premiere of works by living composers. Free performance.

“An Evening in Paris”

FRI 5/17, 7:30 p.m.

Guest artist: Amy Yang piano

Guest artists (from left): Amy Yang, piano Itamar Zorman, violin Melissa Reardon, viola Elizabeth Remy-Johnson, harp

FOR TICKETS: Scan the event QR codes | music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400

chambermusicathens.org

Out-of-Town Eats

MEXICAN-STYLE SEAFOOD AND A VENEZUELAN CAFE

By Hillary Brown food@flagpole.com

Marie Curie Athens Main Library ATHENS

SPRING 2024

SUNDAY APRIL 28TH

Erma Bombeck

29TH

PM

Oconee County Library

COSTA ALEGRE SEAFOOD AND GRILL (2131 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville, 706-705-6333): Once upon a time, there was a lovely Uruguayan bakery known as Panaderia Tacuari on Fritz Mar Lane off Newton Bridge Road. It then moved to Watkinsville, in front of the Publix, changed its name to Sabor Latino and opened a second location on Oglethorpe Avenue. That second location, still owned by the same folks, is now Flama, a Brazilian steakhouse recently reviewed here. The Watkinsville location changed owners and is now Costa Alegre, a Mexican marisqueria, or seafood restaurant. Named for the stretch of coastline near Puerto Vallarta, in western Mexico, the restaurant has a chill, happy vibe, with a cute logo of a nautilus shell. Brightly colored outdoor seating is out back. A margarita machine churns away under two TVs screening Jamie Oliver videos.

TOWN AND COUNTRY KAFE (9 Callaway Drive, Crawford, 706-743-6115, townand countrykafe.com): You might think from its name and location that this new restaurant on the far side of Crawford is a biscuit place or a meat and three, the kind of thing you’d usually find in Oglethorpe County, but you’d be wrong. Walk in the door and discover that, despite the brightly colored crocheted clothing for sale, what we have here is a lovely casual Venezuelan restaurant that also serves a variety of coffee drinks. Order at the counter and grab a seat on a huge, beautiful, brand-new deck, either

The menu isn’t exclusively seafood. There are chicken fingers and salchipapas for the kids, plus a whole page of non-fishy options for those who want steak, chicken or vegetarian choices. When in Rome, though. You can order your tacos “American” (flour tortilla, pico de gallo, lettuce, cheese), Mexican (corn tortilla, cilantro, onions), torito (corn tortilla, Caribbean chili filled with cheese), Baja (battered seafood, slaw), gobernador (shrimp, bell pepper, bacon, red onion) and planchados (cheese crust, pico de gallo). The latter was intriguing, but it’s not such a great pairing with seafood. My bad. Seafood and cheese together can work, but it also sometimes doesn’t, and it’s the latter in an empanada filled with chunks of octopus, cheese and pico de gallo, which could really use some heat. That’s kind of the case throughout, as with the aguachile, a green version of the dish that tends to be a spicier version of ceviche, made with shrimp, leche de tigre (a sauce of cilantro, fish stock, lime juice, ginger, garlic and onion), serrano chiles, red onion, sliced avocado and thinly sliced cucumbers. There’s not a lot of competition with this dish locally, but the version at Lalo’s, also in Watkinsville, is significantly hotter and better for it. It’s still a pleasant thing to eat on a hot day. A tostada topped with cubed raw tuna dressed with lime juice, sesame oil and a mayo dressing has promise, but the latter ingredient dominates. It’s too smooth in the mouth, even if the tostada adds some nice crunch. The appetizer plate seems expensive at $24.95, but it’s big enough for a meal, with fried shrimp, fried calamari and lightly battered and fried chunks of fish and surimi, prioritizing imitation crab in a way that’s both odd and oddly appealing.

The restaurant is pleasant enough, and it’s filling a gap, but it could use more: more acid, more heat, more daring. It’s open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday (closed Monday), 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

in the shade or in the sun. Let your kids play in the field out back. The experience is supremely relaxing.

The menu isn’t huge, but it features empanadas (made Venezuelan style, with a cornmeal-based dough surrounding the filling rather than the usual flaky pastry, then fried), arepas (fried split cornmeal cakes that contain meat or vegetables, plus queso fresco), sandwiches and “TCK Bowls” (rice, beans, protein or veggies, queso fresco). The arepas come out on top, freshly made and available in either a large “regular” size or as mini ones about 2 or 3 inches in diameter. The cornmeal is crisp, and the oil tastes fresh. The empanadas are charming, too. Both of these, plus everything else on the menu, comes with a side of either pink or green sauce, familiar to those who patronize Cali n Tito’s. The sandwiches have nice fillings (ham, egg and cheese!) but the bread is a bit squashy. The rice bowls sound boring, but the veggie version turns out to be lovely and appealing, with garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes in the mix. Coffee is fresh ground, a real step up from the Golden Pantry down the way, and there are homemade pastries in a case on the counter that feature fillings like guava and cheese, a fairly normal combo in the Latin American world but one that’s exotic for Crawford. Worth a trip? Definitely if you live close or can handle a 30-minute drive for lunch.

The restaurant is open 7 a.m.–1 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. It also offers its space for rent for special events and does local delivery. f

NoteByNote:TheMakingofSteinwayL1037

PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

LET GOD BE YOUR GARDENER: Athens rockers Rosie & the Ratdogs just doubled down on their promise to bring more music to their audience. After nothing for four years, the band released the single “Peench” back in February, and just this week it’s releasing another new single named “We Have A Situation.” On this new one, the group is still driving down the same hard ’90s alt rock-grunge-indie-metal road, but with a vigor and dedication that probably could have produced two entire albums by this time. These guys are killer at weaving subtle and thoughtful musical touchstones throughout their brashness. For example, check the vocal melody right at 0:53 seconds, and then listen up for the single-note guitar string bend/howl at 2:05. The song itself is out now, and once Apr. 26 comes along you can catch the accompanying video, too. Find this at rosieandtheratdogs.bandcamp.com, and for more information, please see facebook.com/ rosieandtheratdogs.

THE RESULTS ARE IN: The finalists for this year’s Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Awards show have been announced. They are AmandaGrace Schiano (Clover County), Garrett Boyd (Goodie), Gracie Huffman (lighthearted), Ethan and Sam Caspary (Little Mae) and Spencer Paul (Mannequin Party). This year’s awards event happens Thursday, May 2 at the 40 Watt Club. Tickets are $15 in advance or $12 with a student ID. The Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of The Year Awards is a creation and production of Classic City Rotary and was established in 2016. For more information, please see facebook.com/VicChesnuttAward and/or vicchesnuttaward.com.

EBONY & IVORY: If you didn’t know, UGA’s Performing Arts Center has spent this current season celebrating the Year of The Piano in honor of the center’s purchase of a new Hamburg Steinway grand piano. The center is honored to present highly influential Chinese pianist Lang Lang in concert on the instrument on Saturday, Apr. 27. Two nights earlier, though, on Thursday, Apr. 25, Ciné will screen the 2009 documentary Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037. The film was made by UGA alumnus and director Ben Niles, and this screening is presented by the center in partnership with the UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art and Department of Film Studies. Niles will both introduce the film and participate in a Q&A session after the screening. Lang Lang’s concert is already sold out, but information and tickets to the film can be found at athenscine.com. I’d encourage you to read up on the film, too, as it’s quite interesting and exceedingly well detailed. Find your assignment at steinway.com/ misc/note-by-note.

BELIEVE YOU ME: Although its bouncy intro feels incongruous, by the time Robe really

kicks into its new single “Tunnel Of Love,” it fits like hand in glove. Indeed, with this first song in a year from this project, it’s nice to know there was some actual work happening. Overall, it’s a decently low-slung affair, but one that builds for a solid three minutes before taking a brief reprieve then blasting out toward its end. Not much else to say about this, but if you’re in the market to hear some nicely composed and solidly shoegaze-influenced stuff, check this out at robeathens.bandcamp.com.

SCHOOL’S OUT!: You ever wonder exactly what goes on in the storied UGA Music Business Program? Well, one thing is a whole lot of students record songs and music as part of their final projects. Most of us never get to hear any of these things, but this year there’s a dedicated Spotify playlist featuring them. Notably, it features the debut single “Whirlpool” from Easy Sleaze, as well as tracks from Cannon Cole, Emergency Teleport, Ashtxn, Luka Briglevich, Eonbaer, Marlayna Vonkarpen, JMoney, Dylan Rowen, Annabeth Hatfield and Serendipity. If you want to listen in, head over to Spotify and search for “MBUS Microcosm

Projects 2024.” MBUS will additionally host The Bulldog Boogie, spotlighting several of these acts, at Southern Brewing Co. on Sunday, Apr. 28 from 2–9 p.m.

SLOW DOWN: The next instance of ATHICA’s Sonic Space live music performance series happens Saturday, Apr. 27. This show will feature Cloud Recordings artists The Rishis along with guests Wet Meadows. Doors open at 7 p.m., and The Rishis are slated to play at 8 p.m. with Wet Meadows to follow at 9 p.m. Word is that The Rishis will play with a full band lineup, and will share some new tunes from its upcoming sophomore album. If you want to get up to speed, please see therishis.bandcamp.com and wetmeadows.bandcamp.com. For all other information, please see athica.org. f

feature

Cedric Burnside

NORTH MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BLUES COMES TO ATHENS

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and drummer Cedric Burnside is continuing the legacy and tradition of North Mississippi’s storied Hill Country blues with modern flair and distinction. Burnside is currently touring behind his album Hill Country Love, released Apr. 5, the followup to his 2022 album I Be Trying that won a Grammy Award in the traditional blues category.

Bringing more honesty and vulnerability to this album than ever before in his music, rich history and culture propels the listening experience beyond simple entertainment. At the age of 13 Burnside went on the road to drum for his grandfather, the legendary and pioneering blues artist R.L. Burnside, whom he affectionately calls his “Big Daddy.” Growing up under the influence and guidance of Junior Kimbrough, Jessie Mae Hemphill and Otha Turner is an inseparable part of who the blues musician is today.

“I don’t really write my music for the accolades, you know? I really write my music because I want people to know where I come from, for one. And also, I want people to be able to relate to me. I didn’t just win that Grammy for myself. I thought about my Big Daddy R.L. and all the other old cats that I grew up around that really showed me the ropes,” says Burnside. “So to be able to win that Grammy for the Hill Country area was really a beautiful thing for me, because it’s never been done before.”

great recordings sitting on the porch and sitting in the front room,” says Burnside.

Producer Luther Dickinson, co-founder of the North Mississippi Allstars and son of the legendary Memphis producer and musician Jim Dickinson, set up his recording equipment amongst rubbish in the empty room, and the pair quickly knocked out the album.

“We just got a bunch of snacks and everything we wanted to drink, and we cracked a bunch of jokes and just, you know, the atmosphere was really, really good and rich. Before we knew it, the first day we had laid down about eight tracks, and then the second day we went in and finished the album and had some time to spare to listen to everything,” says Burnside.

Hill Country Love is composed of 14 tracks that Burnside says can appeal to anyone from any walk of life. Personal life experiences and those of family and friends heavily influenced the material, and it gave him a chance to “be more of me,” he says. In addition to better expressing himself, Burnside wanted to show how much his songwriting and guitar playing have grown since his last award-winning album.

Throughout all of his work a connection to the land and people where this style of blues originated is prominently featured, and that sense of place is taken a step even further in Hill Country Love. The entire album was recorded over the course of two days with a makeshift recording setup in an old building that was formerly a legal office in Ripley, Mississippi. The small town of about 5,000 people sits in Tippah County, known as the birthplace of the Hill Country blues. Originally Burnside was looking at this building to open a juke joint, and he discovered it had great acoustics. The idea came to him to record there because he loved the sound.

“To me, growing up just watching my Big Daddy, you know, do his thing. I have heard

The title track “Hill Country Love” expresses the spirit and customs of Mississippi, nodding to the house party tradition in the area—of which L.R. threw many. “Juke Joint” is a tribute to the local nightlife that largely contributed to Burnside’s personal and musical growth in his early youth. Keeping faith through temptation and tribulations is at the heart of “Closer,” something that he feels is a universal experience.

Although he wears his influences close to his heart, Burnside declares he’s an “inheritor” rather than an “imitator” of the blues he draws from. There’s a modern infusion of rock, R&B and hip-hop elements that keep an ear toward the future of blues. However, many agree that much of the music we have today actually owes its history to the genre.

“My Big Daddy would say blues is the root of all music. I didn’t really understand that concept of it for a long time until I got in my older 20s. It really, really hit me that my Big Daddy was right. Blues is the root of all music,” says Burnside. f

WHAT: Cedric Burnside, Scott Low

WHEN: Tuesday, Apr 30, 6 p m (doors)

WHERE: The Foundry

HOW MUCH: $17 (adv ), $20

JIM ARBOGAST

live music calendar

Tuesday 23

40 Watt Club

7 p.m. (doors). $21. www.40watt.com

SUN ROOM Surf rock band from southern California.

EASY HONEY Charleston, SC rock and roll band infused with singersongwriter folk roots and East Coast surf rock.

Georgia Theatre

Rooftop

7:30 p.m. (doors), 8:30 p.m. (show). $10. www.georgiatheatre.com

RAE & THE RAGDOLLS Atlanta rock and rollers blending folky psychedelia and room rattling rock.

FLORENCE CARDIGAN Local “reggae disco dreamy funk pop” trio.

THE DOWNSTAIRS The youth gone wild.

Hendershot’s No Phone Party. 7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com

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

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu

UGA WIND ENSEMBLE “Remixes & Mashups” features a variety of pieces including Holst’s “Suite in E-flat,” Steven Bryant’s “Suite Dream,” Gershwin’s “Preludes,” Bach’s “Menuet and Gigue” and Grantham’s “JS Dances.”

Normal Bar

7–10 p.m. www.facebook.com/ normal.bar.7

OPEN MIC Try out a new tune or sit back and relax. Every Tuesday.

WUOG

Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE! www. wuog.org

BUICE Self-described Atlanta freakcore, conscious prog rock and skronk. Visit the station to watch live or tune in to 90.5 FM.

Wednesday 24

40 Watt Club

7 p.m. $20 (adv.). www.40watt.com

PRÓXIMA PARADA Indie soul group from San Luis Obispo, CA with sunny, mellow tunes.

OLIVER HAZARD Indie folk band from Waterville, OH.

BEN CHAPMAN Nashville-based songwriter with a soulful country blues style.

Creature Comforts Brewery

Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net

MARK PLEMMONS Talented local pianist. (6 p.m.)

Flicker Theatre & Bar

9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com

DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more.

Georgia Theatre

6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $25. www.georgiatheatre.com

CHRIS LANE Multi-platinum artist with “a decidedly more country sound.”

Hugh Hodgson School of Music

Edge Hall. 3 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

STRING CHAMBER MUSIC UGA students perform.

Ramsey Hall

7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

UGA MIDDLE EAST ENSEMBLE

An extension of the musicology/ ethnomusicology program at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

Red Line Athens 7 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/ redline_athens

BURN KIT New Hampshire melodic punk.

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

RUNNING RIOT Punk and powerpop from Atlanta. HERE BE MONSTERS Solo set of acoustic punk.

Thursday 25

40 Watt Club

9 p.m. (doors). $17. www.40watt.com

EMO NITE Dance and sing along to emo and pop punk hits.

Athentic Brewing Co.

5 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com

SOUND INC. Band formed in Duluth, MN in 1966 playing ’60s and ’70s good-time rock and roll. Ciné

7:30 p.m. FREE! willson.uga.edu

THE MASK YOU WEAR Cassie Chantel and Julien Berger perform a new work of the Athens Hip Hop Harmonic and hold a conversation with Nkululeko Zungu.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com

JACKET Electronic pop artist. NEW WEIRDOS Atlanta power pop band with a wide variety of influences.

VILLARREAL Four-piece Atlanta rock band.

Georgia Theatre

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $24 (adv.), $28. www.georgiatheatre. com

ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. Blues rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2007 that delivers funky, jazzy and energetic live performances.

DOGS IN A PILE Eclectic quintet from Asbury Park, NJ that blends funk, jazz, rock and psychedelia. Hendershot’s 8 p.m. FREE! 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

MASON PARKER Outlaw country singer-songwriter born and raised in the mountains of Northeast Georgia.

JOKERJOKER Gallery

LIVE In The Studio. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.jokerjokertv.com/watch

BURN KIT JOKERJOKERtv presents a virtual performance of the New Hampshire melodic punk band.

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 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15

(adv.), $20. www.facebook.com/ AubreyEntertainmentAthensGA

KEVN KINNEY Solo folk set by the lead singer and songwriter of the Atlanta rock band Drivin N Cryin. BOBBY BARE JR. Rock and roll music full of reality checks, clever wordplay and daring arrangements. Southern Brewing Co. 6–10 p.m. www.sobrewco.com

KARAOKE NIGHT Every Thursday evening.

The World Famous 9:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.facebook.com/theworld famousathens

SEX CELL Local alternative band influenced by grunge, garage and indie rock.

LITTLE BLUE HOUSE New rock band.

STARDUST SONATA Four-piece band from Atlanta that pulls in elements of blues, funk, metal and garage rock to craft their own take on guitar-driven rock and roll.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $20. music.uga.edu

UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND COMBINED CHOIRS Over 300 UGA students performing Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem,” which is a call to end all war written from Latin texts, Walt Whitman poetry, a political speech and portions of the Bible.

ATHICA

Sonic Space. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). Donations accepted. www. athica.org

THE RISHIS Psych-folk featuring members of The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power and The Apples in Stereo.

WET MEADOWS Folky, botanical rock inspired by natural forms and rhythms.

Athentic Brewing Co. Normaltown Music Festival. 11:30 a.m. (doors). $15 (adv.), $20, $75 (VIP). bit.ly/NormaltownMusicFest 2024

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ATHENS MUSIC MAKERS Music education program that promotes

COREY PARSONS Singer and guitarist from Banditos.

ZACH BRYSON Americana singersongwriter from Nashville.

Friday 26

40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors). $16–21. www.40watt. com

MO LOWDA Self-produced indie rock band from Philadelphia.

THE BRIGHT LIGHT SOCIAL HOUR Expansive psychedelic blues-rock band from Austin, TX. Athentic Brewing Co. 8–11:30 p.m. $10. www.athentic brewing.com

SALSA NIGHT DJs spin salsa, bachata and merengue during a monthly event presented by SALSAthens and TIMBAthens. Different Latin dance styles will be taught at the beginning of the night.

The Classic Center 6:30 p.m. (picnic), 8 p.m. (performance). FREE! (tickets required). www.classiccenter.com

ATHENS SYMPHONY The Picnic at the Pops Concert features a movie-themed musical program that includes “Mission Impossible,” “Disney Magic” selections from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and more.

Dancz Center for New Music

4 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

STUDENT COMPOSER ASSOCIATION A recital of world premieres by UGA student composers.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com

HATCH Athens-based garage rock band founded by Garett Hatch.

Innovation

Amphitheater

6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $25 (adv). www.innovation amphitheater.com

MAINSTREET Bob Seger tribute band.

SILVER BLUE & GOLD Tribute band for English rock supergroup Bad Company.

Nowhere Bar

9:30 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ NowhereBarAthens

FIVE EIGHT Legendary Athens band known for its boisterous, thoughtful rock and roll. TRYCOH Brawny rock and roll capable of veering into regions of desolation.

Southern Brewing Co.

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. www.facebook.com/ AubreyEntertainmentAthensGA

INTERSTELLAR ECHOES The Southeast’s premier Pink Floyd tribute band performing the staples and the deep cuts.

VFW Post 2872

7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfw2872

JUKEBOX COUNTRY BAND Oldschool country led by Steve Dyer. Line dancing during the breaks.

Saturday 27

40 Watt Club

7 p.m. (doors). $16 (adv.), $21. www.40watt.com

CHICKASAW MUDD PUPPIES

The legendary local “swamp-rock” band reunited last year to release its first album in over 30 years.

SAY ZUZU Alt-country band formed in 1992 known for their unvarnished live performances.

ELIJAH JOHNSTON Emo-influenced singer-songwriter with hooky guitar-driven tunes. (5:30 p.m.)

FISHBUG Local punk band that has recently returned to the live music scene. (6:30 p.m.)

NIGHT PALACE Ethereal dreampop group fronted by Avery Draut. (7 p.m.)

BLACKNERDNINJA Rapper

Eugene Willis delivers explosive rhymes over organic, high-energy beats. (7:45 p.m.)

LUNAR VACATION Atlanta band with dream-pop and surf-rock influences. (8:30 p.m.)

LUXURY VEHICLE Band featuring DJ Reindeer Games and John Swint on drums. Performing for the closing dance party. (9:30 p.m.)

Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmers market.net

JEFF BUCKLEY & FRIENDS

Member of the Red Oaks String Band plays a mix of folk and Americana. (8 a.m.)

38 STRINGS Multi-generational acoustic folk music with 38 strings between them. (10 a.m.)

Boar’s Head Lounge

10 p.m. www.instagram.com/boars

headlounge

CLASSIC CITY JUKEBOX Local rock and roll cover band. Gyro Wrap

12 p.m. www.bootbarn.com

RC OUTLAW COWBOY Country and gospel singer with over four decades of experience. The Classic Center

young people’s natural love for music and helps them build skills on instruments like guitar and drums. (12 p.m.)

EMPRESS MOKAH & FRIENDS Jamaican artists who creates a unique blend of reggae, hip hop, R&B and spoken word in her music. (12:15 p.m.)

KIDS ON THE MOUNTAIN Band that performs tunes from across the pond. (1 p.m.)

HOTEL TONIGHT A band from Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped program. (1:30 p.m.)

THE BONES OF SAINT MICHAEL Veteran musicians performing a cross of Romani and French jazz. (2 p.m.)

THE LUCKY JONES Old school rockin’ rhythm and blues band from Athens featuring Brian Crum on drums and vocals, “Slim” Green on guitar and Dick Daniels on bass. (2:30 p.m.)

MICHAEL WEGNER Local guitarist and member of Abbey Road Live performs a solo set of originals and covers. (3 p.m.)

KINKY WAIKIKI Relaxing, steel guitar-driven band following the traditions of Hawaiian music. (3:30 p.m.)

JAY GONZALEZ Athens songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with an affinity for ’70s power pop melodies. (4 p.m.)

CALL ME SPINSTER Indie-rock trio that combines traditional guitar and bass with banjo and glockenspiel to create bright and airy songs. (4:30 p.m.)

HIBBS FAMILY BAND Quartet of family members combining the textures and rhythms of bluegrass and folk music with alt-rock melodic sensibilities and lyricism. (5 p.m.)

6:30 p.m. (picnic), 8 p.m. (performance). FREE! (tickets required). www.classiccenter.com

ATHENS SYMPHONY The Picnic at the Pops Concert features a movie-themed musical program that includes “Mission Impossible,” “Disney Magic” selections from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and more.

Flicker Theatre & Bar

8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com

COMA THERAPY Muscular dark wave goth influenced by post-punk and no wave.

BASICALLY NANCY Indie Savannah trio whose heavy tones paired with melodic sweetness portrays the experiences of being a young woman.

THE SPORRS Garage rock band with an energetic alt-rock sound and a drop of punk.

Front Porch Bookstore

6 p.m. FREE! Find Front Porch Bookstore on Facebook

SCARLET STITCH Straight-up rock and roll band from Athens.

Hendershot’s 8 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com

WILL SHINE The revered drummer reintroducing himself as a singersongwriter, performing originals and creatively reimagined pop music covers.

PATRICK BARRY Local songwriter weaving stories with his baritone voice and intricate fingerstyle.

Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall

7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT! music.uga.edu

LANG LANG One of the most celebrated figures in classical piano. He has performed everywhere, from public schools to the Beijing Olympics.

Pianist Lang Lang will perform a sold-out concert at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall on Saturday, Apr. 27.

OLAF HEINE

Normal Bar

Normal Bar’s 14th Birthday Bash. 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/normal. bar.7

MOLLY’S LIPS Nirvana tribute band featuring members of The Agenda!, Donkey Punch and Shehehe.

69 DUDES Athens misfits on a mission to write 69 punk songs, each exactly 69 seconds long.

Nowhere Bar

9 p.m. $15. www.facebook.com/

NowhereBarAthens

ELF POWER Longtime fixture on the Athens scene playing crisp, melodic psych-pop. Celebrating the vinyl re-release of the 1997 album When the Red King Comes.

GIANT DAY Duo of Emily Growden (M Coast, The Instruments, Faster Circuits) and Derek Almstead (formerly of Elf Power, of Montreal, Olivia Tremor Control). Athens debut!

Paloma Park

A Real Good Time Fest. 2:30 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/areal goodtimefest

THE TALISMEN Alabama-based band playing soulful, funk-filled originals and a rotation of covers.

THE REGULARS A Southern stew of funk, soul, blues and rock.

JACOOZY Five-piece jam band from Boone, NC blending rock, indie, blues and funk.

CARNIVAL BARKER Local quintet that “spins its savory jams of all original gunk with carnie-like enthusiasm.”

ANOTHER ONE Atlanta Grateful Dead tribute band.

Sunday 28

Buvez

8 p.m. facebook.com/buvezathens

ADAM KLEIN Atlanta/Athens songwriter playing a rustic blend of country, folk and Americana. Duo show with Adam Poulin.

BRIAN REVELS & THE HEAT

LIGHTNING Americana songwriter from Atlanta whose sound harkens back to a bygone era.

SLOW PARADE Atlanta-based music collective headed by Matthew Pendrick, who mixes roots, blues and country into his songwriting.

Ebenezer Baptist Church West Spring Concert. 3 p.m. FREE! www. ebcw.org

ATHENS VOICES OF TRUTH

Directed by co-founder James R. Smith, this choir specializes in traditional choral music including hymns, spirituals, anthems and gospels. They continue to preserve the roots of sacred music, focusing on the traditions that helped African Americans survive slavery.

Morton Theatre

7:30 p.m. $15–25, $50 (VIP). bit. ly/lintc

SANDRA MCCRACKEN Nashville singer-songwriter drawing from folk, gospel and hymn traditions who will perform tracks off of her new album, Light In The Canyon, backed by a bluegrass band.

Oak House Distillery

3:30–6 p.m. www.oakhousedistillery.

com THE HUMDINGERS Acoustic interpretations of pop and soul. Southern Brewing Co.

2–9 p.m. www.sobrewco.com

THE BULLDOG BOOGIE Students of the Music Business Program perform. Proceeds benefit a Music Business Scholarship Fund.

St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church

4 p.m. FREE! www.meridianwomens chorus.org

MERIDIAN WOMEN’S CHORUS

The program “Animals Everywhere” features songs celebrating animals in support on the Athens Area Humane Society.

Monday 29

Hugh Hodgson School of Music

Edge Hall.

4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

STRING CHAMBER MUSIC UGA students perform.

Ramsey Hall

3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

REPERTORY SINGERS A mixed chamber choir directed by graduate student conductors.

7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu

UGA PHILHARMONIA As one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large orchestral ensembles, the Philharmonia is open to all student string players.

Tuesday 30

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.

The Foundry

6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $17 (adv.), $20. www.facebook.com/ AubreyEntertainmentAthensGA

CEDRIC BURNSIDE Grammy Award-winning musician whose blues music incorporates rock, R&B and hip-hop influences. Touring his newest album, Hill Country Love.

SCOTT LOW Singing songs in the American folk tradition.

Georgia Theatre

Rooftop

8:30 p.m. www.georgiatheatre.com

PERVERT Brilliantly wrecked, inner core-heavy rock.

THICK PAINT Omaha, NE-based indie-pop group led by Graham Ulicny (Reptar).

LOOLOWNINGEN & THE FAR EAST IDIOTS Tokyo avant-punk trio.

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.

Normal Bar

7–10 p.m. www.facebook.com/ normal.bar.7

OPEN MIC Try out a new tune or sit back and relax. Every Tuesday.

Wednesday 1

Creature Comforts Brewery

Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.

net

THE VINYL STRANGERS Melodic local folk-rock band. (6 p.m.)

Georgia Theatre

6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $31 (adv.), $36. www.georgiatheatre. com

STEPHEN MARLEY Eight-time Grammy Award-winning reggae soul singer, songwriter and producer touring his new album Old Soul.

Porterhouse Grill

6–8:30 p.m. www.porterhousegrill athens.com

JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens captained by drummer Mason Davis and featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits. f

calendar picks

EVENTS | APR. 26–27

Twilight Criterium

Downtown Athens • Times Vary • Prices Vary

Athens Orthopedic Clinic’s annual Twilight Criterium is more than just a race. The event benefits Community Rocks, whose mission is to educate and empower youth and communities through music, arts and wellness. As such, it also includes an art market, live music and a kids zone in addition to its main races. The Twilight Artist Market will run both days in College Square Plaza and feature a variety of local vendors. Live music on Apr. 26 will kick off at 5 p.m. with performances from Liberty Painting Bikes & Mics Music, then continue on to the dirty, Americana-

MUSIC | SAT, APR. 27

Elf Power Re-Release

Nowhere Bar • 9 p.m. • $15

Longtime local psychedelic folk titan Elf Power has remixed and remastered its mythological 1997 album, When the Red King Comes. The album features a number of other notable Athens music figures, including Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum, of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes and Mercyland’s David Barbe. Elf Power guitarist and vocalist Andrew Rieger says the songs on the re-release version have a “new clarity, though they still retain the warm fuzziness inherent in their home-recorded 8 track cassette conception.” The reissue of the record will be available on limited

FRIDAY 4/26 AFTERNOONSATURDAY 4/27 MORNING

tinged rock and roll of Crenshaw Pentecostal at 7 p.m., the brass and upbeat choreography of Trumpetchics at 8 p.m. and finally local rambunctious funky rockers The Asymptomatics at 9 p.m. Kids activities include an open mic, a T-shirt design contest, bike decorating, sidewalk chalk, bouncy houses and more. Cycling and running races will take place across both days of the festival for all age groups and skill levels. They will be held in the 100 Block of College Avenue and will include a 5K, the Gambler race, amateur racing, the Fat Tyre Time Trial and the Twiathlon. Visit athenstwilight.com for a more comprehensive schedule and race registration information. [Mary Beth Bryan]

MUSIC | SAT, APR. 27

SATURDAY 4/27 AFTERNOON

Normaltown Music Festival

Athentic Brewing Co. • 11:30 a.m. (doors), 12–11 p.m. (music) • $10–15 (adv.), $20, $75 (VIP)

One of Athens’ biggest music festivals is back for its second year, showcasing a diverse lineup of local musicians. The headliner, Lunar Vacation, is an indie band from Atlanta whose debut album is described by The Line of Best Fit writer Wepea Buntugu as being “full of sweet, bubbly indie-pop goodness.” Other performers include BlackNerdNinja, Call Me Spinster, Empress Mokah & Friends, Fishbug, Hibbs Family Band, Jay Gonzalez, Kids on the Mountain, Kinky Waikiki, The Lucky Jones, Michael Wegner, Night Palace and The Bones of Saint Michael. There will also be performances from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Athens Music Makers and Hotel Tonite, a band from Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped program. Luxury Vehicle, which describes its sound as being “like recess at 100 mph,” will perform for the After Dance Party. The festival is a benefit event for Nuçi’s Space and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens, and will also offer $5 Athens Resonates 7” records. [MB]

SATURDAY

edition red vinyl with a bonus 7-inch with two previously unreleased tracks. Many songs from the album will be performed at this celebratory show alongside special guests joining the band on stage. It will be opened by Giant Day, a new outfit formed by former Athenians Emily Growden (M Coast, The Instruments and Faster Circuits), and Derek Almstead (Elf Power, of Montreal, Olivia Tremor Control, Marshmallow Coast, Faster Circuits). [MB]

MUSIC | SAT, APR. 27

Say Zuzu

40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors) • $16 (adv.), $21

Say Zuzu is taking the stage ahead of local rockers Chickasaw Mudd Puppies. Describing itself as “[threading] together a reflective patchwork of folk, rock, alternative, and country powered by lifelong friendships and a collective ambition to ‘carpe diem,’” Say Zuzu was originally formed in the early ’90s and is fronted by Cliff Murphy, now alongside Jon Nolan, Steve Ruhm, Tim Nylander and Jon Pistey. Despite releasing multiple albums and amassing success in Italy and Germany, the band dissolved in 2003 after signing a record deal with George Fontaine Sr. at New West Records that never came to fruition. Two decades later, however, after having a recurring dream where he’d walk into a venue hearing a band he loved that turned out to be Say Zuzu, Fontaine offered the band another contract at New West imprint Strolling Bones Records and the band was revitalized. Say Zuzu has now released and is touring a record of brand new material, No Time to Lose, and its comeback story has even inspired a documentary. Similarly, Chickasaw Mudd Puppies released its first album since the ’90s, Fall Line, last year. Forming members Brant Slay and Ben Reynolds were protégés of Michael Stipe, who produced their albums White Dirt and 8 Track Stomp. [MB] f

Twilight Criterium course map of downtown Athens

CAMILLE HAYES

event calendar

Tuesday 23

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

EVENTS: Torrance Festival of Ideas (Online) Celebrate 40 years of UGA’s Torrance Center for Creativity with three days of inspiring, innovative, thought-provoking discussions. Apr. 23–25, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www.tinyurl. com/2024ideasfest

EVENTS: Publishing Your Book (Oglethorpe Co. Library) An introduction to publishing through Amazon KDP that will teach you how to format your book, how to choose a cover and more. 12:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oglethorpe

FILM: Even Hell Has Its Heroes (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Attaboy Tapes presents a film about the drone metal band Earth that created a subgenre of music and played a pivotal role in the popularization of grunge. 9 p.m. $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com

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

KIDSTUFF: Storytime (Oconee County Library) Join Ms. Jera for crafts, songs, movement and more. Ages 5 & under. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: Crafternoon (Oconee County Library) Drop in for a craft or two. Supplies Provided. All ages. Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

LECTURES & LIT: Mystery Book Club (Bogart Library) Join Dr. Penny Mills to discuss Jane Harper’s novel The Lost Man. 5:30–6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk & Book Signing (ACC Library) Author

Earl Swift will read from his book

Hell Put to Shame: The 1921 Murder Farm Massacre and the Horror of America’s Second Slavery. 7 p.m. FREE! www.avidbookshop.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

PERFORMANCE: Rabbit Box

Storytelling: The Story of Your Name (VFW Post 2872) This month’s storytelling theme is “The Story of Your Name” with eight people sharing the meaning behind their names. 7–9 p.m. $10. www. rabbitbox.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 24

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

ART: Artist Talk (The Athenaeum) Artists featured in the thesis exhibition “Sharpening a Screw” will discuss their work. 6 p.m. FREE! art.uga.edu

ART: Closing Reception (Hendershot’s) The artists behind Mase Pearson Photography and NiwRoc Studio will discuss their works on display, a collaboration of skateboarding photography and skateboard lamps. 7:30–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com

CLASSES: Create Your Death File Workshop (Athentic Brewing Co.) Learn how to convey your end-oflife wishes through an organized death file with all materials provided and access to an End of Life Doula to answer questions. Registration required. 6 p.m. $75. www.athentic brewing.com

CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (El Carretonero) 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

EVENTS: Torrance Festival of Ideas (Online) Celebrate 40 years of UGA’s Torrance Center for Creativity with three days of inspiring, innovative, thought-provoking discussions. Apr. 23–25, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www.tinyurl. com/2024ideasfest

EVENTS: Celebrating Kick Ath Women (Live Wire) Join Women Who Work for a community-focused networking event with pop-up shops and light refreshments. Registration required. 5–7 p.m. $15. www.business.athensga.com

EVENTS: Green Life Awards Ceremony (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Organizations and individuals who go above and beyond in creating a more sustainable tomorrow for all of us will be honored and celebrated. 6 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/greenlife

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: Parachute Playtime (Oconee County Library) Join the librarians for engaging parachute activities followed by open play. 11 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. com/oconee

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: Kids Book Club (Oconee County Library) Celebrate this month’s book Dogman with a party, games, crafts and snacks. Ages 8–11. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

KIDSTUFF: Pancakes & PJs (Oconee County Library) Enjoy pancakes and relax in pajamas or comfy wear while watching a movie that was filmed in Georgia. Grades 6–12. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

LECTURES & LIT: Book Launch (Ciné) Author and UGA writing teacher Leara Rhodes will celebrate the launch of her first novel Spancil Hill with an introduction by Mary Kay Mitchell. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www. leararhodes.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: Community Safety Town Hall (ACC Library) District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez and representatives from the ACC Sheriff’s Office and Police Department will discuss community safety. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org

OUTDOORS: Earth Week Privet

Pull (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Discover Life, a local botanical group, sponsors this volunteer project to eliminate invasive growth at the sanctuary. Apr. 24–26, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.discover life.org

Thursday 25

ART: Artist Talk (Lyndon House Arts Center) Hear a small grouping of exhibiting artists from the “49th Juried Exhibition” discuss their works. 6 p.m. FREE! www.facebook. com/LyndonHouseArts

COMEDY: Bad Ath Babes (Buvez)

An all-women comedy show run by women featuring eight local comedians. 7:45–9:15 p.m. $10. www. instagram.com/badathbabes

COMEDY: Comedy in the Cellar (Onward Reserve) This week Athens

Comedy presents a North Carolina takeover with headliner Carlos Valencia and a group of Charlotte comedians. Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 p.m. $8–12. www.facebook.com/ athenscomedy

EVENTS: Torrance Festival of Ideas (Online) Celebrate 40 years of UGA’s Torrance Center

for Creativity with three days of inspiring, innovative, thought-provoking discussions. Apr. 23–25, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www.tinyurl. com/2024ideasfest

EVENTS: Spring Supper Club (Farmview Market) Celebrate spring with a Southern-style classic supper and a variety of live music. 4:30–7 p.m. $13.99 & up. www. farmviewmarket.com

FILM: Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (Ciné) Screening of the documentary by Lamar Dodd School of Art alumnus Ben Niles with a Q&A to follow. 5:15 p.m. FREE! pac.uga.edu

FILM: Club Ned Anime Society (ACC Library) Join club members to watch and discuss episodes of “Carole and Tuesday,” “My Neighbor Seki” and more. 6:30–8:30 p.m. FREE! www.animefandom.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 learn about polymers by watching a video and doing a craft. 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 How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell with quizzes, trivia, snacks and more. Ages 8–12. 4:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart

KIDSTUFF: Teen Studio: Through Lines (Georgia Museum of Art) View the exhibition “Through Lines,” and make your own work of art inspired by the show. Ages 13–18. Email to RSVP. 5:30–8 p.m. FREE! gmoa-tours@uga.edu

LECTURES & LIT: Across the Board Book Club (Oconee County Library) Discuss this month’s book The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. 11 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (UGA Main Library) Author Nathan Oates will discuss how he wrote his debut novel, A Flaw in the Design 5:30 p.m. FREE! english.uga.edu

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk & Book Signing (ACC Library) Dave “Mac” Marquis, Moira Marquis and Valerie Surrett will discuss their book Books Through Bars: Stories from the Prison Books Movement. 7 p.m. FREE! www.avidbookshop.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

OUTDOORS: Earth Week Privet Pull (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Discover Life, a local botanical group, sponsors this volunteer project to eliminate invasive growth at the sanctuary. Apr. 24–26, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.discover life.org

PERFORMANCE: The Mask You Wear (Ciné) Cassie Chantel and Julien Berger will perform a new work of the Athens Hip Hop Harmonic and hold a conversation with Nkululeko Zungu. 7:30 p.m. FREE! willson.uga.edu

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

THEATER: Finding Nemo Kids (Elberton Arts Center) Encore Junior’s production is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the Pixar film about Marlin the clownfish who sets off on a journey to find his son. Apr. 25–27, 7 p.m. Apr. 28, 2 p.m. $4 (students), $7 (adults). tking@ cityofelberton.net

THEATER: The Addams Family (Athens Academy) Athens Academy presents a production of the spooky classic performed by its upper school drama department. Apr. 25–27, 7:30 p.m. $2 (students), $5 (adults). www.athensacademy.org

Friday 26

ART: Closing Reception (Oconee County Library) The exhibition “Wonders of Watercolor” will be on view with refreshments and live music. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

CLASSES: DIY: Smash Books (Oconee County Library) Create or bring your own expressive journal to write, draw, paint and collage. Registration required. 4:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/

oconee

COMEDY: Yes, And Dungeons & Dragons (work.shop) Members of Flying Squid Comedy will perform a live DnD game on stage with some audience participation. 8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com

EVENTS: AOC Twilight Criterium (Downtown Athens) The annual festival returns with pro and amateur cycling races and activities including kids races, a 5K run, live music, an artist market and more. Apr. 26, 5–9 p.m. Apr. 27, 6:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenstwilight.com

EVENTS: One Night Stand: A Sexuality PowerPoint Party (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) A monthly edu-taiment event with micro talks about anything sexuality related with snacks and drinks. 5:30–7:30 p.m. $15 suggested donation. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com

EVENTS: Salsa Dancing Social (Athentic Brewing Co.) SALSAthens

and TIMBAthens host a monthly get together to learn Latin dance moves and have fun on the dance floor. 8–11:30 p.m. $10. www.athentic brewing.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

OUTDOORS: Earth Week Privet Pull (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Discover Life, a local botanical group, sponsors this volunteer project to eliminate invasive growth at the sanctuary. Apr. 24–26, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.discover life.org

PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Fabulous Friday (Hendershot’s) Enjoy a fabulous night of drag entertainment. Ages 18 & up. 9 p.m. $5. www.athensshowgirl cabaret.com

THEATER: An Evening of One Acts (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Winterville Players present “Fin and Euba” by Audrey Cefaly, “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell and more. Apr. 26–27, 7 p.m. $15. www.marigoldauditorium.com

THEATER: Finding Nemo Kids (Elberton Arts Center) Encore Junior’s production is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the Pixar film about Marlin the clownfish who sets off on a journey to find his son. Apr. 25–27, 7 p.m. Apr. 28, 2 p.m. $4 (students), $7 (adults). tking@ cityofelberton.net

THEATER: The Addams Family (Athens Academy) Athens Academy presents a production of the spooky classic performed by its upper school drama department. Apr. 25–27, 7:30 p.m. $2 (students), $5 (adults). www.athensacademy.org

THEATER: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (On Stage Playhouse) Four actors will weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one fast-paced play. Apr. 26–27 & May 3–4, 8 p.m. Apr. 30, 7:30 p.m. Apr. 28 & May 5, 2 p.m. $20. www.onstage walton.org

Saturday 27

ART: Spring Sale (R. Wood Studio) Seasonal vases and planters will be debuted with discounted pottery for sale. Apr. 27–28, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.rwoodstudio.com

ART: 8th Annual Pop-Up Artist Market (Stan Mullins Art Studio) Browse a variety of art and handmade goods by student and community artists. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. www.georgiamuseum.org

CLASSES: Yoga at the Library (Oglethorpe Co. Library) Enjoy relaxing yoga for all ages and abilities. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oglethorpe

CLASSES: Learn Basic Miniature Painting (Tyche’s Games) Bring your primed miniatures and learn the basics of painting them. Supplies provided. 1 p.m. $5. www. tychesgames.com

COMEDY: Comedy Night (Foxglove Plantbar) Get ready to laugh with a lineup of local comedians. 8–9:30 p.m. $10. www.foxgloveplantbar. com

EVENTS: AOC Twilight Criterium (Downtown Athens) The annual festival returns with pro and amateur cycling races and activities including kids races, a 5K run, live music, an artist market and more. Apr. 26, 5–9 p.m. Apr. 27, 6:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenstwilight.com

EVENTS: Plant 2 Plate (Bishop Park) Browse vegetable, herb and flower plants from local farms to start your garden. Apr. 20 & Apr. 28, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athens farmersmarket.net

EVENTS: Bear Birthday Party (Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park) Join the festivities as resident bears Athena, DJ and Yonah celebrate their birthdays with treats, crafts and more. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/bearhollow

EVENTS: Multicultural Festival (Heard Park) Celebrate and explore different cultures through activities, vendors and live performances. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. FREE! www.instagram. com/athenstogether

EVENTS: Tree Planting & Pruning Talk (ACC Library) In honor of Arbor Day join master gardener Liz Conroy as she talks about tree planting and demonstrates pruning methods. 11 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org

EVENTS: West Broad Farmers Market (Rock Springs Park Pavilion) Vendors will be on site with fresh produce, local fare, rare plants, artisan goods and more. Saturdays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslandtrust.org/wbfm

EVENTS: Festival Day (Athens Academy) There will be inflatables, face painting, sand art, balloon animals, a dunking booth, food trucks and more. 12–3 p.m. $15. www. athensacademy.org

FILM: Walden (UGA Fine Arts Building Room 400) This is a test screening of a new crime antithriller film shot in Athens about a young political extremist hiding in the woods. 7 p.m. FREE!

GAMES: Day of Board Game Demonstrations (Tyche’s Games) Try new games and watch how they’re played. 12 p.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com

KIDSTUFF: Family Day: Earth Day (Georgia Museum of Art) Celebrate and learn about Earth Day while participating in fun Art Cart activities. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www. georgiamuseum.org

LECTURES & LIT: Poetry at the Creek (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Bring verses of poetry to share or listen while enjoying coffee and light refreshments. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. 12:30–2:30 p.m. $5. www.accgovga.myrec.com

OUTDOORS: EECP Philosopher’s Walk (Thomas Farm Preserve) Join for a tour and development talk of the Thomas Farm Preserve. Registration required. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! ced.uga.edu

PERFORMANCE: Tribute Adult Spring Showcase (UGA Fine Arts Theatre) Dancefx Athens presents a dance showcase highlighting the hard work of its students. 3:30–8:30 p.m. $16. www.dancefx.org

THEATER: An Evening of One Acts (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Winterville Players present “Fin and Euba” by Audrey Cefaly, “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell and more. Apr. 26–27, 7 p.m. $15. www.marigoldauditorium.com

THEATER: Finding Nemo Kids (Elberton Arts Center) Encore Junior’s production is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the Pixar film about Marlin the clownfish who sets off on a journey to find his son. Apr. 25–27, 7 p.m. Apr. 28, 2 p.m. $4 (students), $7 (adults). tking@ cityofelberton.net

THEATER: The Addams Family (Athens Academy) Athens Academy presents a production of the spooky classic performed by its upper school drama department. Apr. 25–27, 7:30 p.m. $2 (students), $5 (adults). www.athensacademy.org

EVENTS: Spring Market (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Browse local vendors selling handmade, vintage and children’s goods. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. www. treehousekidandcraft.com

EVENTS: Curation Annex Open House (Georgia Museum of Natural History Curation Annex) Curators and staff will be available for tours of the museum’s collection. 2–4 p.m. Donations suggested. www. gmnhfriends.org

GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Southern Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/baddog athens

PERFORMANCE: Momentum (Morton Theatre) Prelude Dance Ensemble presents its spring showcase featuring pieces of various styles choreographed and performed by its students. 12 p.m. FREE! bit.ly/ pdmomentum

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

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

THEATER: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (On Stage Playhouse) Four actors will weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one fast-paced play. Apr. 26–27 & May 3–4, 8 p.m. Apr. 30, 7:30 p.m. Apr. 28 & May 5, 2 p.m. $20. www.onstage walton.org

THEATER: Menopause The Musical 2 (The Classic Center) This musical sequel is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of or have survived “The Change.” 7:30 p.m. $35–55. www.classiccenter.com

GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Garrett Lennox. 7 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/ ClassicCityTriviaCo

Wednesday 1

PERFORMANCE: Athens Chautauqua Society (ACC Library) In this lecture Susan Marie Frontczak will portray “Marie Curie: A Journey into Radiance.” 3 p.m. FREE! www. athenschq.org

KIDSTUFF: Tween Steam Club (Oconee County Library) Drop in and build your own creations with STEM toys. Ages 8-12. 5 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee

THEATER: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (On Stage Playhouse) Four actors will weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one fast-paced play. Apr. 26–27 & May 3–4, 8 p.m. Apr. 30, 7:30 p.m. Apr. 28 & May 5, 2 p.m. $20. www.onstage walton.org

Sunday 28

ART: Spring Sale (R. Wood Studio) Seasonal vases and planters will be debuted with discounted pottery for sale. Apr. 27–28, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.rwoodstudio.com

ART: Artist Reception (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) This event for the exhibition “The Three Graces” features artwork from Elizabeth Bishop-Martin, Starr Ramsey Helms and Kim Kendall. 12–2 p.m. FREE! www.uuathensga.org

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/sundayclass

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

LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk & Book Signing (40 Watt Club) Authors Xinyue Huang and Hanif Abdurraqib will read from their perspective works of poetry. 7 p.m. FREE! www.avidbookshop.com

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

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

KIDSTUFF: Storytime (Oconee County Library) Join Ms. Jera for crafts, songs, movement and more. Ages 5 & under. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee

THEATER: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (On Stage Playhouse) Four actors will weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one fast-paced play. Apr. 26–27 & May 3–4, 8 p.m. Apr. 30, 7:30 p.m. Apr. 28 & May 5, 2 p.m. $20. www.onstage walton.org

THEATER: Finding Nemo Kids (Elberton Arts Center) Encore Junior’s production is a 30-minute musical adaptation of the Pixar film about Marlin the clownfish who sets off on a journey to find his son. Apr. 25–27, 7 p.m. Apr. 28, 2 p.m. $4 (students), $7 (adults). tking@ cityofelberton.net

Monday 29

GAMES: General Trivia with Erin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host Erin. Mondays, 7–9 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com

MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (Athentic Brewing Co.) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com

PERFORMANCE: Athens Chautauqua Society (Oconee County Library) In this lecture Susan Marie Frontczak will portray “Erma Bombeck: Laughing Through Life’s Challenges.” 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenschq.org

Tuesday 30

CLASSES: Intro to Javascript (ACC Library) Learn how to draw and animate figures in the programming language Javascript. Registration required. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athens library.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

KIDSTUFF: Crafternoon (Oconee County Library) Drop in for a craft or two. Supplies Provided. All ages. Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee

LECTURES & LIT: Open Book Club (Oglethorpe Co. Library) Discuss mainstream fiction, thrillers and mysteries with the group. Last Tuesdays, 1 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oglethorpe

LECTURES & LIT: Sentimental Touring Club (Athentic Brewing Co.) During this graduate reading series, hear works of poetry and prose from graduating UGA PhD students Zack Anderson, Ben Rutherfurd, Sarah Shermyen and Hannah V Warren. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www. athenticbrewing.com

MEETINGS: Knot Just For Knitters (Oconee County Library) Bring your own crafting project to work on. Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee

SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. www.athenspetanque.org

CLASSES: Salsa Dancing (El Carretonero) 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: Pete Davidson (40 Watt Club) New York City comedian and actor known for his role on “Saturday Night Live” returns to Athens on his Prehab Tour. 6 p.m. (doors).

SOLD OUT! www.40watt.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

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

KIDSTUFF: Teen Prism Club (Oconee County Library) Hang out in the library to play games, do crafts and build friendships in an inclusive and welcoming space. Grades 6–12. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee

MEETINGS: Athens Homeless Coalition Board of Directors (Princeton United Methodist Church) Learn more about the coalition and how to get involved. 12 p.m. FREE! www. endathenshomelessness.com

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

MEETINGS: Greater Athens Libertarian Party Meet and Greet (Akademia Brewing Co.) The local affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Georgia hosts a monthly gathering. First Wednesdays, 7 p.m. FREE! greaterathenslp@lpgeorgia.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

Browse or tour the Georgia Museum of Natural History Curation Annex’s collection on Apr. 28 from 2–4 p.m.

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

ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY

(Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons. Visual artists, musicians, actors, writers and other creatives are encouraged to create a free listing. athenscreatives@gmail.com, www. athenscreatives.directory

BIPOC ARTIST/CURATOR PROJ-

ECT OPEN CALL (Lyndon House Arts Center) Seeking BIPOC individuals residing in Georgia to develop an art exhibition to be on display for 6–8 weeks at the LHAC. A stipend of $1500 is provided. www.accgov. com/9799/ArtistCurator

CALL FOR ART (Steffen Thomas Museum of Art) Seeking submissions for the juried exhibition “Queer Perspectives.” Open to Georgia-based, LGBTQ+ identifying artists of all visual media, both emerging and professional. Deadline May 13. Exhibition runs August–December. bit.ly/QPCall

ForArt

CALL FOR ART (Winterville Cultural Center Gallery) Seeking submissions for the gallery’s grand opening exhibitions, “Pen, Pencil, Paper and Ink” (submissions due Apr. 23) and “New Beginnings: Works About

A New Beginning” (submissions due Apr. 27). www.wintervilleccgallery.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

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-StudioMembership

PUBLIC ART SELECTION PANELS (Athens GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking

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.

ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) The MFA Exit Show “Sharpening a Screw” presents works by nine artists. MFA Speaks Apr. 24, 6 p.m. Through May 9.

ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) Curated by Jon Vogt and Christina Habibi, “Parameter” includes the works of Candace Hicks, Claude-Gerard Jean and Timothy McCool. Through May 19.

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.

EARTH FARE (1689 S. Lumpkin St.) Susan Pelham’s collages are inspired by Magic Realism, Surrealism, fables and nursery rhymes. Through April.

FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Whimsical works by Jill Carnes and bright geometric paintings by Hannah Jones. Through April.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Nancy Baker Cahill: Through Lines” is a mid-career survey demonstrating the artist’s progression from 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. • “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.) Mase Pearson presents skateboard photography alongside wall-mounted lamps incorporating skateboards and stained glass by Corwin Weik of NiwRoc Studio. Closing reception Apr. 24, 7:30–9:30 p.m.

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

Auditions

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG (Elberton Arts Center) Seeking six adult men and two adult women for a comedic production. Be prepared to read excerpts from the script.

Open reading held June 5, 5:45 p.m. Auditions held June 17–18, 6–8 p.m. Performances held Sept. 27–29 & Oct. 4–6. tking@cityof elberton.net

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@accaging.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

BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, Washington) A variety of classes include “Forge a Three Hook Rack” (Apr. 26 or May 25), “Forge Garden Tools” (Apr. 27 or June 8), “Forge a Railroad Spike Knife” (May 3, May 24 or July 26), “Forge a Tomahawk” (May 4 or July 25), “Forge a Firepoker with Decorative Handle” (May 11 or June 14), “Forge a Spear” (May 31 or July 27), “Forge Grilling Tools” (June 1), “Forge a Bottle Opener” (June 7) and “Christmas Ornaments in July” (July 13). 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)

“Pinta Chef’s Table” with chef Alejandro Ortiz will be held Apr. 26, 6–8 p.m. $125. “Sushi Basics” will be held May 2, 6–8 p.m. $103. “Miami Nights” will be held May 4, 6–8 p.m. $103. “Chinese Dumplings” will be held May 8, 6–8 p.m. $103. “Fundamentals of Wine & Food Pairings” with Pinta School of Wine will be held May 16, 6–8 p.m. “Not Your Momma’s Cookout” will

JUST PHO… AND MORE (1063 Baxter St.) Oil paintings by Joseph Leone. Through May.

LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) The 49th annual Juried Exhibition features 160 works by 111 local artists. Artist Talk Apr. 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. Through May 10. • The Window Works series presents a site-specific artwork by Atlanta artist Michael Reese that questions the perception of the Black Body against cyanotype photography popular with architectural blueprints. Through spring 2025. • Guest curated by Lizzie Zucker Saltz, “RESCUE: Waste and Redemption” presents 22 artists who transform industrial byproducts into artworks or craft objects. Through June 15. • Collections from our Community presents Nate Mitchell’s 45 record box collection. Through June 22.

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. • 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.” Through May 10. • 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.

OCONEE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION (34 School St., Watkinsville)

“Southeastern Pastel Society: All About Pastels” is a juried members exhibition featuring works from across the region. Through June 1. • “Perspective: A Journey into Mental Health” is a solo exhibition by Bobbi Johnson. Through June 1.

OCONEE LIBRARY (1925 Electric Ave., Watkinsville) The Wonders of Watercolor artist group presents over 80 of their own paintings. Closing Reception Apr. 26, 6–8 p.m.

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

be held May 22, 6–8 p.m. $103. “Making Brunch, Not so Basic” will be held May 25, 9–11 a.m. $75. Register online. www.athenscooks. com

ONLINE CLASSES (Elevate Online

Studio) Michelle Arington teaches a variety of classes. “Core Integrity Pilates” held Apr. 25, 9–10 a.m. $25. “Yamuna Body Rolling” held Apr. 25, 5:30–6:30 p.m. $25. www. elevateonlinestudio.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. qpr@nuci.org, www.nuci.org/qpr

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

WINE CLASSES (J’s Bottle Shop Tasting Room) “Wine 201: Introduction to Wines of France, Italy & Spain.” Apr. 25, May 2 & May 9, 6:30–8 p.m. $80. www.pinta schoolofwine.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. www.revolutiontherapyandyoga.com

Help Out

ADOPT-A-MOM (Athens, GA) The Ark’s 10th annual Adopt-a-Mom

series of hand-carved coconut vessels.

distributes flower bouquets and cards to nursing home patients and single mothers. Donate $25 to “adopt a mom” for Mother’s Day. Proceeds also benefit The Ark’s Single Working Mother’s Fund. Through May 31. www.athensark. org/adopt-a-mom

ADOPT AN ANIMAL (Bear Hollow Zoo) Different sponsorship levels are available to “adopt” a zoo resident. Donations are used for exhibits, food and wildlife education. 706-613-3580

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.sandy creeknaturecenterinc.org/boardmembers

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

BLACKSMITH SUMMER CAMP (Greenhow Handmade Ironworks)

Ages 13 and up can learn basic blacksmithing skills through different hands-on projects like making fire pokers, tomahawks, scrolls, hooks and more. Materials, fuel and tools are included. July 8–12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $525. www.greenhow handmade.com/blacksmith-classes

BRELLA ACTIVITIES (’BRELLA STUDIO) After-school art lessons for ages 6–11 include drawing and mixed media activities and are held Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Family Playgroups are for ages 0–5 and their caregivers. Check website for descriptions and meeting times. www.brellastudio.com/events

CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Treehouse offers a variety of art-centric activities for children, such as “Crafty Maker Mondays,” “Storytime with Mr. Doodles,” “Digital Art Designer,”

THE ROOK & PAWN (294 W. Washington St.) “Serenade” features works by over 20 artists including Keith P. Rein, Sierra Kirsche, Kendall Rogers, Jesse Raven and Delaney Dusch. Through June.

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, 2–4 p.m.

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.

TIF SIGFRIDS (393 N. Finley St.) “Bedroom Furniture” includes artwork by Austin Eddy, Carol John, Albert Mertz, Jorge Pardo and Adrianne Rubenstein. Through May 17.

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.) “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. Through July 3.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF ATHENS CLEMENTS

GALLERY (780 Timothy Rd.) “The Three Graces” is a collaborative art exhibit by Elizabeth Bishop-Martin, Starr Ramsey Helms and Kim Kendall. Reception Apr. 28, 12–2 p.m. Currently on view June 23.

WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Ln., Winterville) The 2024 Marigold Festival Art Show features this year’s winning festival artwork by Mary Ann Cox as well as other entries from the call for art. Through April.

“Baby Artists,” “Toddler Process Art,” “Creative Playtime,” “Saturday Craft” and more. Check website for current schedule. www.treehouse kidandcraft.com

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 parentbaby yoga, instrument play, maternal mental health and more. 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. accgov.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

NATURE AND FARM SUMMER CAMPS (Foxfire Woods and Farm) Offering three weeks of outdoor summer camp, including a half-day camp for preschoolers ages 3.5–6. Themes include survival skills, kinetics and simple machines, and outdoor exploration. www.foxfire woodsandfarm.com

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 “Mini Museum,” “Wonderful Wizards,” “Craft Inc. Business,” “Mouse Palace Camp,” “Camp Swiftie” and more. Visit the website for details, dates 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 fourday camp featuring drawing, painting, printmaking and photography. June 24–27. summerartcamp@ uga.edu, art.uga.edu/programs/ community-programs/uga-summerart-camp

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (Athens

First United Methodist Church) Kids entering grades K-5 in the fall can participate in a summer camp exploring faith and the deep blue sea through various games, music, snacks and activities. June 3–6, 9 a.m.–12:25 p.m. www.athensfirst um.org/scuba

WILD EARTH CAMP (Piedmont Preserve) Wild Earth Camp offers 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

ACA ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS AND DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) This support group meets weekly. Tuesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. annetteanelson@gmail.com

AL-ANON 12 STEP (Multiple Locations) Recovery for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Free daytime and evening meetings are held several times throughout the week in Athens. Tuesday meetings, 1:30–2:30 p.m., are held at Watkinsville United Methodist Church. www.ga-al-anon.org

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call the AA hotline or visit the website for a schedule of meetings in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee Counties. 706-389-4164, www. athensaa.org

ATHENS COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (Athens, GA) Open to people of all ages with vision impairments, their families and friends. Topics include adaptive equipment, social opportunities, and advocacy. 706-4242794, dlwahlers@gmail.com

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

NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP (Oconee Presbyterian Church)

Peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Second Monday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. FREE! joannehnamihallga@gmail.com

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

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (24th Street Clubhouse) Learn to stop eating compulsively or curb other unwanted food-related behaviors. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. Text: 678-7363697

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 violence. 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. Sixweek 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

SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) Athens Downtown SAA offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from a compulsive sexual behavior. Contact for location. athensdowntownsaa@gmail.com

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

ANNUAL SHOAL LILY FLOAT (Broad River Campground) The Broad River Watershed Association hosts a guided kayak trip to see the rare shoal lilies. Bring your own kayak or canoe. A walk to the lilies is also available. RSVP. $25/float, $5/parking. May 18, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (float). 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. (walk). info@brwa.org

ATHENS VEGAN CHEF CHALLENGE (Multiple Locations) This month-long challenge hosted by Vegan Outreach and Farm of the Free encourages diners to try featured vegan menu items and vote on their favorites. Visit website for participating restaurants. Through April. 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

FAMILY MATTERS (Downtown Athens) Family Matters in Georgia, part of UGA CPH, is studying parent-kid wellness. Get involved and help families thrive. Look for the booth at the Twilight Criterium Apr. 26–27. fmig@uga.edu

INTERNATIONAL COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK (Multiple Locations) Various compost workshops, giveaways, sales and games will be held in celebration of ICAW. Check website for schedule of events. May 5–11. www.accgov. com/6542/International-CompostAwareness-Week

MUSIC & MOVIE SWAP (Oconee Co. Library) Buy, sell and trade DVDs, Blu-rays, 4K movies, records, tapes and CDs. Reserve a table by email. Swap held May 4, 4–8 p.m. jmitchell@athenslibrary. org

POP UP BOOK SALE (Oglethorpe County Library) The Friends of the Oglethorpe Country Library are hosting a sale of books, DVDs, CDs and more, with most items $1 or less. Special topic sale tables include romance (Apr. 22–27), Mother’s Day and family (Apr. 29–May 4) and the environment (Apr. 22). Sale runs during operating hours through May 4. www.oglethorpefol.org

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 MUSIC (Athens, GA) Seeking music submissions for the third season of “View Finders,” a locally produced TV series that will air on national PBS. Music can vary from electronic, ambient, hip hop, folk,

Americana, rock, country, blues, classical and beyond. Contact for submission form. chrisgreer photography@gmail.com, www. viewfindersontv.com

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

SILHOUETTES WITH TIM ARNOLD (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Silhouette artist Tim Arnold will offer cut portraits of children, adults and pets. Book an appointment online. May 8–9. www.treehousekidandcraft. com

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

SPRING TIRE ROUND-UP (ACC Landfill and CHaRM) Bring unwanted tires to dispose of at no charge. Limited to six tires per person. May 20–25. www.accgov. com/178/Solid-Waste

TORRANCE FESTIVAL OF IDEAS (Online) Commemorate 40 years since the founding of UGA’s Torrance Center for Creativity with three days of innovative and inspiring discussions on creativity and learning. View schedule of speakers and topics online. Apr. 23–25, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. www.tinyurl. com/2024ideasfest

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 f

The group exhibition “Bedroom Furniture” is currently on view at Tif Sigfrids through May 17.

REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT

2BR garage apartment for rent. Pulaski St. HVAC and W/D. $1100/mon incl. water. Avail. August 1st. Text or call: 706-588-5252.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

2 Spaces avail. in CHASE ST WAREHOUSE. Each space has concrete floors, bathroom, HVAC and own exterior access. 700 sqft @ $1200 per month and 900 sqft @ $1500 per month. If interested call or text 323-304-0720 or email mfp productions@gmail.com.

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

Sell or rent your property in the Flagpole Classifieds. Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com to place your ad.

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS 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.businesswater solutions.com to set up a consultation.

MUSIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nuci’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.

INSTRUCTION

Athens School of Music. Now offering in-person and online instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings, banjo, mandolin and more. From beginner to expert, all styles. Visit www.athens schoolofmusic.com. 706543-5800

MUSIC SERVICES

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

SERVICES CLEANING

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

HEALTH

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

Advertise your service in the Flagpole Classifieds. Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com.

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 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 65+ wpm. Make your own schedule and work independently with no customer interaction. Starts at $13 with automatic increases. www.ctscribes. com

UU Fellowship of Athens seeks Childcare Workers for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Learn more at www.uuathensga. org/employment.

Find employees by advertising in the Flagpole Classifieds. Call 706-549-0301 or email class@flagpole.com to place an ad.

FULL-TIME

F/T Environmental Engineer to prepare site designs like septic, sizing detention ponds, pipe networks, runoff reduction treatments, erosion control & tree mgmt; ensure design specs align to safety standards & gov regs for residences, commercial bldgs, manufacturing plants & institutions; get necessary measurements, dimensions, & other routine calcs for design layouts; provide clients w/ design recs based on budget, bldg site, & recent trends; use CAD software to produce plans for mgmt & client approval; rework & modify designs based on comments & reviews from mgmt & clients. Bach degree in environmental eng. or related field & 2 yrs of exp. as an Environmental or Geodetic Engineer or Technician position w/ same duties. Periodic travel across state within 120 miles of office in Athens, GA. Resumes to Armentrout Matheny Thurmond, Attn: Rachel Hudson 330 Research Dr Suite A-240 Athens, GA 30605 or rhudson@amtathens.com.

NOTICES

MESSAGES

Need old papers for a project? We have plenty here at Flagpole! Call ahead and we’ll have a crate ready for you. Please leave current issues on the stands. 706549-0301

ORGANIZATIONS

Waxing Phoenix Virtual Gallery presents an OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS age 16 & up. Email waxingphoenix gallery@gmail.com for info.

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