CLASSIFIED ADS & CALENDAR COORDINATOR Jennifer Keene
AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson
CONTRIBUTORS Gordon Lamb, Ross Williams
CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip, Joey Weiser
CIRCULATION Jennifer Bray, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe
EDITORIAL & OFFICE INTERN Mary Beth Bryan
PHOTOGRAPHERS Kat Wood, Jake Zerkel
SPECIAL AGENT Pete McCommons
Drí, project of Adriana Thomas, will perform with a full band opening for Little Mae and Mannequin Party at Buvez on June 6. For more music events, see the Live Music Calendar on p. 13.
Presidential Suite
BOULEVARD RESIDENTS AREN’T SWEET ON HOTEL AT PRESIDENT’S HOUSE
By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com
A Gainesville, GA developer is preparing to submit plans for a hotel behind the University of Georgia President’s House on Prince Avenue but first is trying to win over skeptical Boulevard residents who think the project is too big.
Capstone Property Group, a company headed by eye doctor Jeffrey Paine that has built several hotels in Gainesville, holds an option to buy the president’s house, which the University System of Georgia put up for sale in 2023. Capstone is proposing a 106room boutique hotel, and has hired Athens landscape architect Josh Koons and local architectural firm Arcollab to design it. Koons and Arcollab cofounders Lori Bork Newcomer and Joseph Smith gave a presentation to nearby residents late last month.
“The President’s House is a magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture. We are honored to have an opportunity to be part of an adaptive reuse project for this property that will allow its preservation and maintenance for future generations,” Payne said in a statement to Flagpole. “The front and rear gardens will be retained and improved. This upscale hotel project will help provide additional hotel rooms that Athens needs and return millions of dollars to the tax roll [through] property taxes, sales tax and occupancy taxes while having essentially no burden on local services such as schools.”
one said. Another called 100 rooms “an insult.”
“Something this large destroys the character of this block of Prince Avenue,” said Tony Eubanks, a longtime neighborhood activist.
But with the property’s $5 million price tag, something as small as 20 rooms isn’t possible financially, Newcomer responded.
Another concern was traffic. Koons said the hotel would generate almost 1,000 car trips per day. Attendees questioned
“We acknowledge that any reactivation of this property will bring visible change. As many of our members, trustees, partners and supporters have expressed, there are concerns about traffic, neighborhood character, and community fit. We recognize those concerns as real and understandable,” the statement reads in part. “We also recognize that our trustees and supporters include individuals on all sides of this issue. At the same time, we note that conditions can be placed on planned developments to regulate use, hours of operation and noise, offering potential pathways to mitigate community impacts.
“While some of our constituents are involved in opposing the project, others believe it could help return the site to active use in a preservation- sensitive way. Several community members have pointed to benefits such as the potential to bring a historic property back to active use in the commu-
shops and restaurants.”
Historic Athens said the design team has agreed to a town hall meeting in August to present the plans. Capstone is aiming to formally submit plans to the Athens- Clarke County government in July, Newcomer told Flagpole
Budget Talks Continue
With only three commissioners—Carol Myers, Patrick Davenport and Melissa Link—in attendance at a May 22 work session, they were unable to reach an agreement on Athens- Clarke County’s fiscal 2026 budget, and pushed final decisions off until June 5.
The county tax digest grew by $1.2 million more than was anticipated when Mayor Kelly Girtz released his budget proposal in late April, giving the commission a bit of wiggle room. In addition, Myers proposed raising the property tax rate by 0.1 mills ($10 for the average homeowner), which would bring in an additional $760,000, and taking $650,000 from reserves.
According to Classic Center President and CEO Paul Cramer, Athens has a shortage of 400 hotel rooms now that Akins Ford Arena is open. In addition, another developer is planning to turn Hotel Abacus (formerly Graduate Athens and the Foundry Inn) into student housing.
In response to concerns expressed at a previous meeting about noise, traffic and light pollution, Koons, Newcomer and Smith said that the hotel would be pulled forward toward Prince Avenue as far as possible, leaving an 80- foot buffer between it and the property line. The long, narrow five-acre lot stretches almost all the way to Boulevard, bordering homes along that street. Social activity would mostly be confined to an interior courtyard.
The hotel would be connected to the main house by two glass hallways. It would be three stories, not exceeding the height of the 40- foot- tall main house, and largely shielded from view to those passing by on Prince. Parking would be underground, with approximately 208 spaces, more than the 155 required by law, Koons said.
The home’s front facade would be preserved, as would much of the interior. The second floor would serve as a presidential suite, with a bar and parlor open to the public on the first floor and a restaurant in the basement. Two outbuildings—a kitchen and the original house, which had already been relocated—would be moved to the rear of the property.
The proposal was met with hostility by some neighbors. “When they said a boutique hotel, I thought maybe 20 rooms,”
whether this would lead the city to take out the bike lanes installed two years ago and return Prince to a four-lane configuration, despite the current alignment’s safety benefits and popularity with residents along the corridor. Koons said ACC will require a traffic analysis to determine if changes would need to be made to accommodate additional traffic.
However, Lee Epting, a caterer and historic preservation advocate who operates the county-owned Taylor-Grady House nearby as an event venue, praised the proposal because it protects the historic house, built in 1856 by railroad executive John Thomas Grant. He said it’s unlikely that a family or a law firm, as some suggested, would be able or willing to afford the upkeep. The Board of Regents put the property on the market mainly because the house needs $2 million in repairs, including a new HVAC system and electrical upgrades—expenses the university was no longer willing to pay.
Newcomer also raised the possibility that something residents would like even less could be built if the hotel is not approved. Any proposal would require the ACC Commission to approve a rezoning, as the property is currently zoned “government.”
The “commercial neighborhood” category, common along Prince Avenue, would allow a developer to pave over or build on threequarters of the property, with buildings up to five stories high.
The preservation group Historic Athens released a lengthy and somewhat ambiguous statement on the proposal, acknowledging nearby residents’ concerns while also pointing to the Rivet House and Bell Hotel downtown as recent examples of successful adaptive reuse.
nity, additional hotel and property tax revenue, the chance to relieve short- term rental pressure in neighboring historic neighborhoods, and the opportunity for visitors to stay in a place that reflects our history and architectural heritage. The proposal would also open a previously private site to the public through new amenities such as a restaurant, bar, and guest accommodations. Some of our neighboring business owners have shared support for having a hotel within walking distance of Prince Avenue’s
Myers’ proposal would add $1 million to the county’s affordable housing trust fund, created last year with a $5 million investment. A 2023 study recommended adding $5 million to the fund each year, but Girtz’s proposed budget did not include a contribution. In addition, Myers wants to boost funding for library employees’ health care, raise pay for sheriff’s deputies, provide money for the district attorney’s office to hire more investigators, and fund the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, which has lost 18% of its federal funding, among other requests from various departments.
Davenport said he would prefer to raise the millage rate than spend from the county’s fund balance, or rainy day fund. He also proposed cutting the $2 million neighborhood leaders program, which pays individuals to guide their neighbors in applying for social services.
The commission is scheduled to vote on the approximately $200 million budget Tuesday, June 10. f
An Arcollab sketch of the proposed hotel, facing toward the rear of the President’s House.
DOGE Cuts DEI at UGA
By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com
The University of Georgia has lost tens of millions of dollars in federal research grants during the first six months of the Trump administration, according to an analysis by a left-leaning think tank.
Records posted online by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by President Trump and run by tech CEO Elon Musk, are notoriously riddled with errors. But the Center for American Progress was able to cross- check them against other government documents, academic databases and media reports to come up with a (still incomplete) list of grant cuts, then organized the list by congressional district.
“While DOGE’s original purported mission to reduce waste, fraud and abuse was, on its face, commendable, its implementation has led to severe consequences,” the group stated in a report. “Instead of targeted improvements, the initiative has resulted in rolling blackouts of essential government services and the elimination of critical investments in research, education, food programs, public health initiatives, rural health care access, mine safety capacity and even the Social Security system. What began as a well-intended effort has devolved into cruel and indiscriminate cuts that undermine vital public programs.”
CAP reported that DOGE has cut more than 50 grants affecting U.S. Rep. Mike Collins’ 10th District, all of them either statewide or specifically located in Athens. Some of the biggest grants were for foreign aid, while most of the smaller ones had environmental implications or were related to efforts to recruit more women and people of color into traditionally white male-dominated fields like computer science. President Trump has used executive orders to target efforts to stymie climate change, as
well as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI.
The largest cut at UGA was a $12.5 million reduction to a $35 million U.S. Agency for International Development grant that funded the Peanut Research Innovation Lab at UGA, which aims to improve nutrition and food safety by helping peanut farmers in developing countries. Another $5 million USAID grant was cut by $939,000. That one funded a Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources program working to strengthen conservation and forest management in war- torn Liberia.
The UGA Research Foundation also lost a $1.7 million USAID grant to “support humanitarian information management through geographic information systems, data analytics and visualizations.”
The Mary Frances Early College of Education lost a $2.8 million Department of Education grant to train 50 graduate students in the school counseling and school psychology programs to provide mental health services to K-12 schools in rural Georgia—perhaps because the grant application mentioned that services “are inclusive in terms of race/ethnicity, culture, language and sexual self-identity.”
Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians and Native Pacific Islanders,” according to the project description for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
DOGE also cut or rescinded numerous smaller grants to UGA, including:
• a $299,949 grant from the Department of Agriculture for a partnership between historically Black Spelman College and UGA to increase diversity among students pursuing food and agricultural science degrees.
• a $97,460 USDA grant to raise awareness of water and soil conservation.
• a $99,704 USDA grant to conduct outreach to “small, new beginner, historically underserved [and] veteran farmers, ranchers and youth in Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta.”
• a $121,319 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for “building resilient communities and infrastructure.”
• $30,270 from the NEH for the Georgia Newspaper Project, which digitizes and preserves newspapers.
• a $74,971 National Science Foundation grant for a biological sciences “network incubator” to “remove barriers and enhance the success of marginalized students.”
• a $244,095 NSF grant to “examine Black undergraduate women’s academic and career outcomes in the computer sciences field.”
• a $196,799 NSF grant for a partnership among the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, UGA, the U.S. Forestry Service and a STEM research organization to recruit more indigenous people into forest fire management.
• a $30,000 NSF grant for students to attend an engineering conference on the use of machine learning in manufacturing, with priority given to women and underrepresented minority groups.
A $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant canceled by DOGE would have assisted UGA in diversifying the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) workforce. “Particular emphasis is placed on transforming STEM education through innovative recruitment and retention strategies and experiences in support of groups underrepresented in STEM disciplines: African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American
• a $497,220 grant for the UGA Cooperative Extension’s 4-H youth leadership program, along with other Americorps grants of $374,315, $71,253, $269,948 and $40,000 to support other Americorps volunteer national service projects, such as the UGArden.
• a $148,467 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a sociology study entitled, “Dangers and Opportunities of Technology: Perspectives From the Humanities.”
• $346,897 from the NSF to create a “virtual distance learning community” for rural math teachers.
• a $100,000 NSF grant to find solutions for water systems in the Southeast that “are under increasing strain and are failing many of the most vulnerable and underserved populations.”
• a $179,171 NSF grant to research the “assets that [minority] students bring to the engineering design process.”
• a $214,999 NSF grant to study the spread of misinformation online.
• a $147,021 NSF grant for MPOWIR, a program that mentors women in the field of oceanography.
• a $644,642 NSF grant to “make significant contributions to racial equity in STEM by identifying and describing forms of systemic racism inherent in mathematics teacher education programs.”
• a $99,821 NSF grant to “weave [artificial intelligence’s] transformative potential seamlessly with the foundational principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.” f
The DOGE report is available at americanprogress.org.
Elon Musk with Donald Trump as the president shills for Tesla, Musk’s electric car company.
Don’t Blame Me, I Listen to Public Radio
OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP HATING GNATS AND START LOVING HANDEL AND THEM
By Pete McCommons pete@flagpole.com
Author’s Note: I wrote this column Mar. 15, 1995, when the Trump-like speaker of the House, Georgian Newt Gingrich, was threatening to defund public radio. So here we go again. You might have known that when the Trump-like Trump started attacking Harvard, the intellectuals who listen to “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” would be next. That program’s over my head, but in general I would absolutely hate to live without public radio. In that regard, I offer this piece from 30 years ago, still excruciatingly relevant.
I’m blasting down through middle Georgia in a Chevy Chevette. No AC, no tape deck, just sunshine and gnat- filled, cottonpoisoned air and an FM radio with two good speakers blaring German voices singing “The Beautiful Blue Danube.” Singing it, and me not even knowing that sucker had words, and here they are wafting me through the stubbled Georgia fields on a winding two-lane Herman Talmadge road singing their Teutonic hearts out. I was still smiling when I got out of the car to explain to the Georgia State Patrol how I got the
traffic hazard.
Now, look: If listening to public radio makes me by definition a liberal, elite snob, that’s a price I’ll gladly pay. But remember, I didn’t even know they had words to “The Beautiful Blue Danube,” and that’s probably one of about 10 pieces of classical music I even know the title to, and can pronounce. If I’m an elite snob, it was bad radio that turned me into one.
The incredible thing about the Peach State network and South Carolina public radio and all the rest is that you can listen to them wherever you go, more or less. There’s a blank spot between Jefferson and Lawrenceville, for instance, that’ll flat-out remind you of just how much you miss public radio when it’s not there. But generally, you can hear good radio wherever you go.
“ Driving through South Georgia used to be an exercise in aural torture.
And of course that’s not to say that there aren’t some good commercial stations out there, like the ones we have here in Athens. But public radio is a touchstone, where you can always go back when the fake country music gets too sappy and the mattress sales are beginning to make you sleepy.
Chevette up to 70, and he could see that I was in a mood that ought not to be spoiled and only gave me a warning ticket.
That’s what Peach State public radio means to me: deliverance. Not from the state patrol, but from execrable radio. Driving through South Georgia used to be an exercise in aural torture: one radio station after another blaring up only to fade into static as you restlessly roved the dial. And every one of them filled with the worst in ersatz country music or country preachers or country fried chicken steak at the big mattress blowout on the square out in front of Mavis’ House of Mattresses in the next county seat up the road. Awful. Grim. Mindless. Disturbing. A
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I can’t help but think Newt and them are misjudging the public by threatening to gut public radio. Compared to what it costs to keep all those military bases open to protect our Georgia cotton fields from a sneak attack in case the Russians get tired of fighting each other, public radio isn’t even a blip on the chart.
“ Look at it this way: Bad radio made me a liberal.
I think Newt ’n them are making a terrible mistake, even on their own terms. Look at it this way: Bad radio made me a liberal. Force everybody in the state to go back to listening to bad radio, and the current conservative groundswell could evaporate overnight. Keep Georgia safe for Republicans: Support public radio! f
Missing in Action
GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVES REFUSE TO HOLD TOWN HALLS
By Ross Williams news@flagpole.com
Congressman Barry Loudermilk recently walked into an International House of Pancakes in Woodstock for a meeting with constituents. He was the featured speaker for a weekly breakfast meeting series for local conservatives. But Loudermilk said he has no plans to take part in a traditional town hall meeting with constituents.
“We don’t right now,” he said in the IHOP parking lot. “I’m out in the community continuously doing things like this meeting. The town halls we’re doing have been pretty open. So we just haven’t had any of those old traditional town halls because they have not been productive. It’s usually just a chance for people to come in and take over and scream and holler, and so we found it more productive to do more smaller venues such as what I’m doing here.”
Some of Loudermilk’s colleagues have first-hand experience with disruptive town hall participants. A tense Roswell town hall for Republican congressman Rich McCormick of Suwanee helped spur GOP leadership to call on members to tamp down in-person town halls.
a cardboard cutout of Waldo, the hard- tofind world traveler from the Where’s Waldo books, with Loudermilk’s face. Waleska resident Genevieve Hutchings said she’s been trying to get in touch with Loudermilk for months and wants him to host a public town hall. Hutchings was one of a few dozen protesters in downtown Woodstock on a rainy weekend as part of the progressive Indivisible movement, which has hosted larger protests outside Loudermilk’s office.
“That’s divisive for our county and for our country, if that’s his stance, that he’s only going to meet the people that agree with him,” she said. “And how could he possibly govern in a way that’s going to be helpful to all of those constituents if he doesn’t hear from all of them?”
Further down the road, Woodstock resident John Thomas held a one-man counterprotest, holding up a sign with the Trump-Vance logo atop a pair of garden gnomes. Thomas said he expects to see members of Congress host town halls as well. “America was founded on, you know, stump speeches and people standing out there and taking questions and answering questions from all sides.”
Last month, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome went ahead with plans for an Acworth town hall, which turned Jerry Springer-esque when multiple protesters were dragged out, shocked with a Taser and arrested.
Georgia’s Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock faced hecklers at a recent Atlanta town hall, who shouted over him for several minutes in opposition of the senator’s vote to sell weapons for Israel to use in Gaza, and fellow Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff faced civil but tense questioning from fired federal workers who questioned his commitment to fighting for them. Similar scenes have played out across the country. Still, it would be hard to characterize the IHOP get- together as “pretty open.” It was not advertised, and an organizer refused to open the meeting to a reporter.
Earlier this month, Cherokee County Democrats held a mock town hall featuring
arts & culture
PrideFest 2025
APQC COMBINES ANNUAL EVENTS INTO ONE CELEBRATION
By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com
This year the nonprofit Athens Pride & Queer Collective (APQC) is combining the organization’s two popular annual events, the Pride Parade and Fall Festival, into one celebration: PrideFest. The Pride Month event will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 3–10 p.m. with the main festival zone taking over the block at the end of E. Washington Street.
Lineup for the parade takes place on W. Hancock Avenue in front of Creature Comforts Brewing Co., and the parade will begin at 5 p.m. from the starting point at the intersection of Hancock and Pulaski Street. Participants will head south on Pulaski behind the festival main stage, turn left on W. Clayton Street, turn left on College Avenue, then take a final left back onto Hancock.
With most of Georgia’s congressional districts safe for either party, politicians are unlikely to face a real threat from the other side, said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock. That means there’s no real incentive for most politicians to face the heat from constituents on the opposite political wavelength.
“This has been kind of going on for a few years now, and Democrats saw this with Obamacare back in 2010 with Democrat members of Congress being shouted down,” said Kennesaw State University political science professor and former Cobb County GOP Chair Jason Shepherd. “Now we see it with Republicans, and it makes it impossible for actual constituents, because let’s face it, a lot of times the people who show up to town halls and disrupt things don’t even live in the district, can’t even vote for the member of Congress.”
Shepherd said it makes sense for politicians to try to avoid shouty town halls or to replace them with streamed events with pre- screened questions, but doing so is anti-democratic. “This is part of our democracy,” he said. “You’re not only going up in front of voters every two or six years, but these are your bosses. These are the people whose taxes pay your paycheck.” f
This article originally appeared at georgiarecorder. com.
Statesboro Pride.
Several groups and businesses around Athens are hosting Pride-related events this weekend in addition to the festival. Friday night Shameless Sexuality’s One Night Stand event is Pride themed, inviting guests to listen to speaker presentations and share in community with snacks and drinks. One Night Stand is held at Revolution Therapy and Yoga from 6–8 p.m. with a suggested donation of $10–$15. Registration at linktr. ee/shamelesssexuality is encouraged.
The festival zone will feature local queer and affirming resources, arts and business vendors, a sensory station, food trucks and a kids zone from 3–8 p.m. Adult performances will be on the main stage from 8–10 p.m. Wristbands can be purchased for $5 by adults ages 21 and up who wish to drink alcoholic beverages within the festival zone.
The theme of PrideFest is “From Athens With Pride.” APQC President Becky Loccisano noted in a press release that this year’s celebration is particularly important given the amount of uncertainty felt by LGBTQIA+ communities under the current federal and state administrations. In previous years, the Pride Parade has drawn thousands of attendees, and the expectation for this year is no different.
“Our community is under attack, which is evident by the 13 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills discussed this legislative session in Georgia, and by the 500 plus introduced across the country. Folx are anxious, and community has never been more important. PrideFest is a celebration of queer joy and a proclamation that we are here, we are resilient and we’re stronger together. When attending this event, we hope people feel energized knowing that they are not alone, and that they are surrounded by love and support in Athens,” says Loccisano.
APQC was one of this year’s recipients of Atlanta Pride’s “Pride Across the Peach State” grant. Launched last year, the grant funds and supports “festivals and events for LGBTQ+ communities and their allies in Georgia to connect, celebrate diversity, build resilience and promote inclusion,” according to Atlanta Pride’s website. Other grant recipients included Atlanta Black Pride, Carrollton Rainbow, Equality Fest, Macon Pride, Pride Lake, Rome Georgia Pride, Savannah Pride Center, Smyrna Pride, Southern Fried Queer Pride and
Saturday morning you can pre-game for PrideFest with the Athens Welcome Center’s Athens Queer Space Tour led by local guide Rin Gunn. These two-mile walking tours begin at 10:30 a.m. and are taking place every Saturday and Sunday for the month of June. You can register for $20 at athenswelcomecenter.com. Then at 9 p.m. on Saturday night the Athens Showgirl Cabaret is hosting its Drag for All Pride show at Hendershot’s. Admission is $5, and all ages are welcome, but those under 18 require a parent or guardian.
There are two events taking place at Athentic Brewing Co. on Sunday. The Color Me Queer Tie-Dye Party will take place at 2 p.m. with a $5 fee. Bring your own shirt, then get creative with the host’s tie-dye supplies. The UGA chapter of the United College Workers of Georgia is hosting a screening of the 2014 historical comedydrama film Pride at 6 p.m. The film is based on a true story about a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money for victims of the British miners strike in 1984.
Although APQC’s Fall Festival will no longer take place, its other annual anticipated events like Queer Prom and Operation Transformation will continue. Keep an eye out for more information as those dates are finalized for later this year.
For more information about APQC’s events, groups and programs, visit athens pride.org. f
WHAT: PrideFest WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 3–10 p m WHERE: Downtown Athens HOW MUCH: FREE!
JAKE ZERKEL
A man is arrested during an April town hall for Northwest Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Fiery town halls have become the norm, and some lawmakers are opting to avoid them altogether.
Fragmentario
JUANCHO CANO SHARES HERITAGE THROUGH ART
By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com
America once prided itself as a melting pot of people and cultures, although now that sentiment seems isolated to more progressive areas like Athens. Even so, the immigrant experience has always been an isolating one—creating a new life often much different than the old one, and seeking community where language barriers can be frustrating. But where words lack, there is so much that can be shared, human to human, through art and music.
Colombian artist and musician Juancho Cano’s exhibition “FRAGMENTARIO:
Visions in Pieces,” on view at Athentic Brewing Co., features two sets of paintings: one created while living in Colombia and the other created since moving to the United States.
Cano—who was an artist, musician and community worker in Colombia—moved to Athens with his wife, Casa de Amistad Executive Director Hanna O’Connell, and daughter about three years ago. The process of obtaining a visa was a long and difficult one that took five years and periods of separation for the family, but now Cano is opening up and sharing himself with his new community in Athens.
The exhibition as a whole is steeped in representations of the heritage and culture of Pasto, the indigenous and mountainous southern region of Colombia where Cano is from. The pieces reflect the bright colors and unique characters of Pasto’s annual Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, a festival and parade that has been part of the region’s identity since 1546.
These characters and colors have been a part of Cano’s artistic identity for a long time, following him to the United States, where they began to fragment, he says. Through this exhibition, he’s able to visually represent the fragmentation of the part of him that stayed in Colombia and the part that continues on here. However, there are even more elements to Cano’s story that he plans to showcase at an event tied to the exhibition featuring music, stage art and videos on Saturday, June 7. Each element is a compliment to one another.
“My show, which is also scenic in some way, [incorporates] body movement, and this is also complemented by some sculpture elements that are on the stage. So that set of elements is what makes the complete show. My show has a Carnaval essence, but it is not Carnaval music either. Although it is not sad, I cannot say it is party music. It is hip hop that makes you think a little about what is happening in life and in society. It’s a little critical,” says Cano.
Cano’s musical performance will be aided by pre-recorded tracks made with his colleagues and friends Martín Guzmán, Andrés Guerrero and the band BAMBARABANDA in Colombia while he was preparing to move, so that he would not be left alone. Cano and his friends formed BAMBARABANDA 25 years ago. The band explores the music of the region and of Carnaval while adding a fusion of world music elements, like punk, rock, ska and jazz.
threats & promises
Leap Through Poisoned Air
PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com
GATHER ’ROUND: Preorders are open now for the upcoming live album by the nearly incomparable guitarist Shane Parish The six- track album, Solo at Cafe SOTO, was recorded in London in the fall of 2023 while Parish was a member of Bill Orcutt’s (Palilalia Records) Guitar Quartet. Parish, an accomplished composer and improviser, says in the album notes, “This set explores British folk ballads by Anne Briggs and Shirley Collins, American folk ballads by John Jacob Niles, and a song by Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch from the television program ‘Twin Peaks’ called ‘Sycamore Trees.’” This will be available digitally, on vinyl and as a limited edition of autographed test pressings. It is slated for release on July 1. Please see shaneparish.bandcamp.com for more information.
CLEAR THE DECKS: At last, the long-inthe- can album Scroll by Athens band Liberator has now been released. It was recorded in various nontraditional locations between 2016–2018. The band—which blended progressive rock with a healthy dose of well-acknowledged classic rock, blues and psychedelic—has thus far been relegated to local memory banks, but maybe this will raise its profile again. Member Andrew Steck has, of course, made a name for himself as a solo composer in the past five years or so, and founded Arfus Records Scroll arrives courtesy of Arfus. It’s available as we speak, and you can find it over at liberatorusa. bandcamp.com. For more information, please see arfusrecords.com.
when he is inducted on Oct. 16. This month, though, local clubs in the Carrboro- Chapel Hill area will celebrate his life with Dex Fest June 12–15. Participating venues include Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, The Cave and Lapin Bleu. Featured performers include The Reigning Sound, Bass Battery, Lenny Kaye & Friends (featuring Jon Wurster and Ricky Bacchus), Southern Culture on the Skids and many more. Relatedly, the Athens-adjacent Propeller Sound Recording is having a sale on all its Dex and Jets items in celebration of Romweber’s induction.
For more information, please see propeller soundrecordings.com. For more information on Dex Fest, please follow this ridiculous URL, facebook.com/profile.php? id=61575619306941, and for the Hall of Fame, please see northcarolinamusichallof fame.org.
In the Colombian set of paintings, the Andean devil is a prominent element, with one painting in particular illustrating this character. Cano explains this devil is very different from the fearful devil of the Catholic religion; this is a protector figure from folklore that cares for the water sources and the mountains. One of Cano’s more recent works reveals a face made out of different elements of sound. He was thinking about this painting in terms of music and making the viewer feel how sound is translated through the undulations of color and movement through depth.
“It is not a linear representation of Carnaval. It has the essence of Carnaval, but whatever it is, it is a contemporary expression. The first part of the exhibition, which is what I did in Colombia, has a strong heritage of my culture [but] it is a very contemporary representation of how I see my roots. The second part I take this a little further, more definition with a little more marked style, let’s say with a more current vision of this heritage,” says Cano.
“Next to this was all of the work that we did with the community with the band, that was not only a musical group or an artistic collective, but it was a group that also cared a lot about progress in our society, about our identity, about our culture and about work to strengthen the cultural identity of our youth. All of that in some way directly influences my personal show,” says Cano.
This is the first opportunity Cano has had to present his full one-man show featuring all of the artistic and musical elements working together. He says that he’s happy to share these pieces of himself and his heritage with Athens as he continues to introduce himself and find community here. And one day, maybe his own band to add to the rich musical tapestry of Athens. f
WHO: Juancho Cano
WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 7 p m
WHERE: Athentic Brewing Co HOW MUCH: FREE!
ART IN THE DARK: Athens band Johnny Falloon has stretched its artful wings, flown around the sun, and returned with the fabulous new album Tell Hell I’m Not Coming. It’s going to take me a few more spins to unpack all the messages here, but the short version is this is an album that explores, explains and rejects several aspects of modern life. The band manages to squeeze just enough rock traditionalism in its tunes that they’re recognizable as being in the rock and roll paradigm, but that’s all. Drawing on references as diverse as The Minutemen, Sonic Youth and The Locust—each chosen from my own speculation, not the band declaring such—this is a perfect sawhorse- straddlin’ album between the local punk and art-rock scenes, each of which has enjoyed the company of the other for a rather long time. While there are stupendously rockin’ moments on this (“Dog Flesh,” “Circumcision”) I’m also very drawn to its quieter moments, such as album opener “Little Birds.” Find it on major streaming services and johnny falloon.bandcamp.com.
DREAMS DON’T COST A THING: The late Dexter Romweber (Flat Duo- Jets) always enjoyed his dual citizenship between Athens and Raleigh, NC. Now, the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame will officially recognize him
DARK ENTRIES: I have no idea who is behind Boy Gone Girl, but the three demo tracks from the artist’s upcoming album Vampire Lovers reveal an exciting project. The title track is tight, anxious, driving and probably the best song here. The other two, “Velvet” and “Witch For A Wife,” are a doomy acoustic number and another decently propulsive tune, respectively. Honestly, these songs are about as close as possible to what the early goth scene actually sounded like, and I was taken aback by their stark authenticity. Find this at boygonegirl.bandcamp.com.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DREAM: The promised collaborative EP, Leap Through Poisoned Air, between the late Will Cullen Hart (Olivia Tremor Control, Circulatory System) and Andrew Reiger (Elf Power) is now out. By the time you read this, there’s a very good chance the 10-inch vinyl version will be slap sold out, but give it a chance anyway. In any case, you can still secure a digital copy. These four tracks were recorded between 1999–2000, when the pair were roommates. I rarely describe any record as “essential,” but this one very well may be. It’s more than an oddball curiosity. It’s a fascinating portal through which one finds a hidden treasure that’s only just come up for air. Find it and order at orangetwin records.bandcamp.com. f
MAIKAI OPEN MIC Share your music, comedy and poetry every Wednesday. Porterhouse Grill
7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens.
com JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits.
Thursday 5
Earth Fare
2 p.m. www.earthfare.com
RC OUTLAW COWBOY Country and gospel singer with over four decades of experience.
Flicker Theatre & Bar
7 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com
DRUNKEN PRAYER Americana project of Morgan Greer with songs that could emerge from a highly blissed-out biker bar or a swampy ashram.
DOOM SLAYER No info available. The Globe
7:30–10 p.m. www.facebook.com/ globe.athens
MARY & THE HOT HOTTY-HOTS Hot jazz and swing band offering
music from the 1910s, ’20s and ’30s.
Hendershot’s
9 p.m. www.hendershotsathens.com
KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY
Enjoy singing and dancing for all.
Friday 6
Athentic Brewing Co.
6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com
THE HOBOHEMIANS Six-piece acoustic band performing American and European roots music of the 1910s–30s, with a mix of protojazz, blues and folk.
Buvez
8 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/ buvez_athens
LITTLE MAE A sibling duo with soothing, gentle pop harmonies. A leaky pipe that will soften the floorboards of your heart.
DJ Charlieflower in addition to improv and comedy.
Hendershot’s
7 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com
TELEPHONE POLE Solo electric set by Quinn.
ISRA & THE PAISLEYS Atlanta band with a raw Merseybeat sound capturing the essence of the ’60s with a modern twist.
ORCHESTRA Athens very own Middle Eastern inspired outfit that focuses on the musical culture of Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Syria and more.
Tapped Athens Wine Market
7 p.m. www.tappedathens.com
the 1968 Violin Summit concert, a seminal performance in jazz violin history.
Athentic Brewing Co. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com
JUANCHO CANO Singer-songwriter performing music alongside an art exhibition and video art piece. Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net
MARK PLEMMONS Talented local pianist. (8 a.m.)
JIM COOK High-energy solo blues, classic rock and roots music. (10 a.m.)
THE VIOLIN SUMMIT PROJECT Four violinists (Ivan Strunin, Leah Calvert, Adam Poulin, Keiko Ishibashi) along with a rhythm section consisting of Jeff Reilly on drums, Tommy Sauter on bass and Erik Olsen on keys recreate
apocalyptic feelings at times but not without an element of hope.
MARCEL SLETTEN Athens-based electronic music producer, composer and artist whose sound varies from peaceful to intense.
MICROTRAK Musical project of Aidan Jackson and Oliver Domingo. Madison-Morgan Cultural Center Funk on the Lawn. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.mmcc-arts.org
THE ORIGINAL SPLITZ BAND
Part ‘70s funk and disco flavor, a dash of old-school and contemporary R&B, and a guaranteed good time.
Normal Bar Attaboy Tapes Presents. 7 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/normal_bar_ athens
MOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Hunter Morris (Hunter Morris & Blue
SHOWCASE Every second Sunday. Bring a dish to share at the potluck.
Monday 9
Porterhouse Grill
7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com
JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast of familiar faces performing American songbook, bossa nova classics and crossover hits.
Tuesday 10
Normal Bar
8–11 p.m. FREE! booking@rudymontayremusic.com
OPEN MIC All musicians welcome. Every Tuesday. The World Famous 9:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/theworldfamousathens
ZORN Frightening hardcore from Philadelphia.
SACRED BULL Athens post-metal known for its heavy and dark combination of meditative melodies and deliberate cacophony. CRYING FORM New Athens band.
Wednesday 11
Athentic Brewing Co.
7–10 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com
KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY Every Wednesday. Bogart Library
3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart
REBECCA SUNSHINE Fun, interactive music to get everyone singing and dancing. Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com
DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring pop, rock, indie and more. MaiKai Kava Lounge
7:30 p.m. (sign-ups). FREE! www. instagram.com/bulaatmaikai MAIKAI OPEN MIC Share your music, comedy and poetry every Wednesday. Porterhouse Grill 7 p.m. www.porterhousegrillathens. com
JAZZ NIGHT Longest running jazz gig in Athens featuring a rotating cast.
Down the Line
SHANE PARISH Master guitarist and fearless explorer of rhythm and timbre.
JOSEPH KIRAN FERNANDES & FRANKLIN RUSSELL Duo for clarinet and baritone saxophone featuring an Elephant 6 collective musician.
Five Bar
11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.five-bar.com
SWING THEORY Local jazz trio playing brunch every Sunday. The Globe 4–7 p.m. www.facebook.com/globe. athens
TRADITIONAL IRISH SESSION
Easy listening traditional Irish music.
No. 3 Railroad Street
6 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www.3railroad.org
FESTER HAGOOD’S MOJO
CONFESSIONAL SONGWRITER
6/12
Arcocentric (Tapped Athens Wine Market)
6/12 Rick Fowler Acoustic Band (Athentic Brewing Co.)
6/12 Mary & The Hot Hotty-Hots (The Globe)
6/13 Trio Metro with Liz Farrell (Wire Park)
6/13 Wagging, Styrofoam Winos, Zach Ritter and the Eternal Soup, Rowan Newby (Bolo Bolo Athens)
6/13 Eddie King (Tapped Athens Wine Market)
6/13 Serf Lords (Athentic Brewing Co.)
6/13 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall)
6/13 Dead Vibes Ensemble, Spoil, Fireblood (Flicker Theatre & Bar)
6/14 The Rishis, DQE, Burly Ivy (Ciné) f
Drunken Prayer will perform at Flicker Theatre & Bar on Thursday, June 5.
CHRISTA
DE MAYO
event calendar
Tuesday 3
COMEDY: Flying Squid Open Improv Jam (150 Fritz Mar Lane) Improvisors of all skill levels are invited to practice and play together. 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flyingsquidcomedy. com
EVENTS: Tiki Taco Tuesday (Live Wire) Enjoy craft cocktails and a taco pop-up from Don Carne with themed weeks, live music and dancing. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.livewireathens.com
GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com
GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens
GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www. facebook.com/MellowMushroom Athens
GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens
KIDSTUFF: Storytime (Oconee County Library) Drop in and join Ms. Jera for rhymes, songs, movement, a story and a craft. Ages 5 & under. 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.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: Historic Athens History Hour (Lyndon House Arts Center) Learn about the deeprooted history and cultural significance of African-American funeral homes in Athens. 12 p.m. FREE! www.historicathens.com
LECTURES & LIT: Bogart Bookies (Bogart Library) Pick up a copy of This Other Eden by Paul Harding and discuss it with the group. 1 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. info@athenspetanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org
Wednesday 4
ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org
CLASSES: Pétanque Class (Lay Park) Learn the basics of the lawn game pétanque. RSVP required. 10 a.m. FREE! athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play
COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com
EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music at
FILM: Pachinko Pop (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1978 action comedy film Trucker Yaro VII: Another Odyssey of Momojiro 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatre andbar.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: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia
GAMES: Music Bingo (B&B Theatres) Join in to play music bingo. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www.bbtheatres. com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia
KIDSTUFF: Art Truck (Oconee County Library) Join in a community art paint of a playhouse and explore the Brella Studios Art Truck. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee
KIDSTUFF: GYSTC (Bogart Library) Learn what celestial objects are visible in the early June sky including constellations, planets and more. 3 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
LECTURES & LIT: Word of Mouth (The Globe) Athens’ longest-running spoken word open mic, with this month’s featured reader Patty Tacuri. 6 p.m. (sign-ups), 7 p.m. (poetry). FREE! www.facebook.com/ athenswordofmouth
MEETINGS: Greater Athens Libertarian Party (Akademia Brewing Co.) Fellowship with others of likeminded politics. First Wednesdays, 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenslp. square.site
Thursday 5
ART: Opening Reception (Lyndon House Arts Center) The summer series features seven artists across six new exhibitions. 5:30–7:30 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/Lyndon HouseArts
ART: Opening Reception (ACE/ FRANCISCO Gallery) Keith Bennett’s “ORB COMPULSIVE DISORDER” and Mike Landers’s “Black & White Lego” will be on view. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.acefrancisco gallery.com
EVENTS: Ladies Night Out (Boutier Winery & Inn) Enjoy a night of dancing with wine, beer and a buffet. First Thursdays, 6:30–9:30 p.m. $20. www.boutierwinery.com
GAMES: BINGO (VFW Post 2872) The weekly game of bingo has been
canceled for this day. www.facebook.com/vfw2872
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia
GAMES: Thursday Trivia (Johnny’s New York Style Pizza) Test your trivia knowledge with host Todd Henderson. 6:30 p.m. www.johnnys pizza.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 playtime that’s focused on encouraging early literacy and brain building. Ages 5 & under. 10 a.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee
KIDSTUFF: Color Chemistry Magic (ACC Library) Join Dr. Snook as he showcases the magic of colorchanging chemistry science. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
Friday 6
ART: Opening Reception (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens) The exhibition “Slices of My Life” features watercolor paintings by award-winning local artist William Lum. 5–7 p.m. FREE! www. uuathensga.org
EVENTS: Agave Spirits Tasting (Tonique Bottle Co.) Drop in to sample agave spirits two ways. 5–7 p.m. $10. www.shoptonique.com
EVENTS: One Night Stand (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) A monthly edu-taiment event featuring short presentations surrounding the theme pride month. 18 & up. Registration suggested. 6–8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. www.revolution therapyandyoga.com
EVENTS: Thunder Island Yacht Rock Dance Party (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Hosted by Lisa Mende, this benefit for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter features comedy by Lanny Farmer, Levi Crumley, Allen
Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Take This! improv group will create an on-the-spot production of Little Women complete with costumes and props. June 6–7, 7 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ MarigoldAuditorium
Saturday 7
ART: Summer Studio Open House (Nancy Green Ceramics) New ceramic work from Nancy Green, Juana Gnecco, Minsoo Yuh, Sunkoo Yuh and Ron Meyers. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.nancygreen ceramics.com
ART: Athens Clay Trail (Various Locations) Participating potters Lori Breedlove, Maria Dondero, Courtney Hamill, Tom Homann, Shawn Ireland and Mathew Meunier will have open studio hours. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. www.athensclaytrail. com
ART: Artist Reception (Athentic Brewing Co.) Juancho Cano’s exhi-
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, 3–5 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee
KIDSTUFF: Teens Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) Join the volunteer led role-playing adventure where you can fight dragons, join an army, go on a quest in distant lands and more. 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart
LECTURES & LIT: After the End Book Club (ACC Library) Discuss post-apocalyptic fiction with this month’s selection The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org
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
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. info@athenspetanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org
Teems and Miles Bunch; music by Kohoutek, Liz Farrell and DJ Charlieflower; and improv by Flying Squid. 8 p.m. $12 (adv.), $15. www.flickertheatreandbar.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 (Tyche’s Games) Learn how to play a new roleplaying game. 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. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart
KIDSTUFF: Sock Puppet Workshop (Oconee County Library) Greater Athens Puppetry Club leads a class on making your own sock puppet. Supplies provided. Ages 10 & up. Registration required. 2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/oconee
MEETINGS: Lunch and Learn (Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living) Yvonne Davenport will give a presentation about Visually Impaired Specialized Training and Services (VISTAS) Center’s older blind program. 12:30 p.m. FREE! 706-850-4025
PERFORMANCE: Little Women: Improv Movie Parody (Marigold
agricultural products and artisanal goods. MFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. www.marigoldcollectivewinterville. com
EVENTS: UGA Trial Gardens Public Open House (UGA Horticultural Farm) There will be plant sales, garden tours and more. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! ugatrial.hort.uga.edu
EVENTS: Athens Queer Space Tour (UGA Memorial Hall) Local guide Rin Gunn will lead a two-mile walking tour of Athens’ LGBTQ+ history. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. $20. www.athens welcomecenter.com
EVENTS: PrideFest 2025 (Downtown Athens) Athens Pride and Queer Collective’s annual festival features resources, vendors, entertainment, music, food trucks, a parade and more. 3–10 p.m. (festival), 5 p.m. (parade). FREE! www. facebook.com/AthensGAPride
EVENTS: Garden Gala (Flinchums Phoenix) The UGArden hosts its 15th annual farm-to-table dinner spotlighting supporters, community members and local leaders in sustainable agriculture. 6 p.m. $120. ugarden.uga.edu
FILM: Guacamole Yesterdays (Ciné) Screening of the sci-fi romantic dramedy shot in Atlanta followed by a Q&A with its Georgia-based filmmakers. 8 p.m. $12 (general), $20 (VIP). www.athens cine.com
GAMES: Learn to Play Shadowrun RPG (Tyche’s Games) Join others to learn about the science fantasy tabletop role-playing game. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com
LECTURES & LIT: Historic Athens Heritage Walk (Contact for Location) Join Broderick Flanigan for a walk through Hot Corner, the historic heart of Black entrepreneurship and culture in downtown Athens. 2 p.m. $25. www.historic athens.com
bition “Visions In Pieces” will be on display with an accompanying video art piece and live music. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing. com
CLASSES: Indigo Dyeing Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) Textile painter Yanira Vissepó will demonstrate how to make your own indigo-dyed shibori fabrics. Supplied provided. Registration required. 10 a.m. $20. www.acc govega.myrec.com
COMEDY: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are FINE (work.shop) Mike Bryson and Matt House perform scenes inspired by audience suggestions. 8 p.m. FREE! www.hatt mouse.com
EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park) Markets offer locally grown groceries and handmade goods with live music and children’s activities. AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers market.net
EVENTS: Open House Pottery Sale (Farmington Pottery) Geoff and Lisa Pickett will have a selection of pots of all kinds for house and garden, handmade soaps and botanical skincare products for sale. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. www.pickett pottery.com
LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk & Book Signing (ACC Library) Noel Holston will read from her new book OZmosis: The Enduring Appeal and Artistic Influence of The Wizard of Oz and sign copies. 3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
OUTDOORS: Paddle to Protect (Big Dogs on the River) Local paddle guide Oconee Joe will lead the trip and share historic and ecological knowledge about the river, with proceeds benefitting the Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor Initiative. 9 a.m. $95. www.oconee riverlandtrust.kindful.com/e/paddleto-protect-1
OUTDOORS: 5K Trail Fun Run (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Join a park ranger on a fun group run through various areas of the park. Registration required. 10 a.m. FREE! 706-783-5349
PERFORMANCE: Little Women: Improv Movie Parody (Marigold Auditorium for Arts and Culture) The Take This! improv group will create an on-the-spot production of Little Women complete with costumes and props. June 6–7, 7 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/ MarigoldAuditorium
PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Drag For All (Hendershots) Enjoy a fabulous night of open drag fun with a Pride show for all ages. 9 p.m. $5. www.athens showgirlcabaret.com
A screening of Georgia film Guacamole Yesterdays will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A at Ciné on Saturday, June 7. See “Calendar Pick” online at flagpole.com.
Sunday 8
ART: Summer Studio Open House
(Nancy Green Ceramics) New ceramic work from Nancy Green, Juana Gnecco, Minsoo Yuh, Sunkoo Yuh and Ron Meyers. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.nancygreen ceramics.com
ART: Athens Clay Trail (Various Locations) Participating potters Lori Breedlove, Maria Dondero, Courtney Hamill, Tom Homann, Shawn Ireland and Mathew Meunier will have open studio hours. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. www.athensclaytrail.
com
CLASSES: Mah Jongg (Oconee County Library) Adults of all skill levels are invited to learn and play American Mah Jonng. Every Sunday. 2–4 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee
COMEDY: Comedy Open Mic (MaiKai Kava Lounge) Show up and go up with your stand-up material. 6–8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram. com/bulaatmaikai
COMEDY: Off the Clock Comedy (The Globe) Athens Comedy presents a lineup of local and touring comedians. 8:30 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). www.facebook.com/ athenscomedy
EVENTS: Open House Pottery Sale (Farmington Pottery) Geoff and Lisa Pickett will have a selection of pots of all kinds for house and garden, handmade soaps and botanical skincare products for sale. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. www.pickett pottery.com
EVENTS: Athens Queer Space Tour (UGA Memorial Hall) Local guide Rin Gunn will lead a two-mile walking tour of Athens’ LGBTQ+ history. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. $20. www.athens welcomecenter.com
EVENTS: Color Me Queer Tie-Dye Party (Athentic Brewing Co.) Bring a shirt and then get creative with tie-dye as part of the Pride Month events series. 2–5 p.m. $5. www. athenticbrewing.com
EVENTS: Miss Juneteenth Pageant 2025 (Morton Theatre) The second annual pageant with the goal to empower young girls with confidence, positive self-esteem and inner beauty. 5 p.m. $20 (adv.), $25. www.mortontheatre.com
FILM: Pride (Athentic Brewing Co.) Screening of the 2014 historical comedy-drama film based on a true story hosted by UCWGA-UGA. 6 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com
GAMES: Trivia Night (Cheba Hut) Test your trivia knowledge. 7:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/chebahut
LECTURES & LIT: Sew What? Why Fashion Matters (ACC Library) Vintage fashion connoisseur Eva Elarbee will present on the different pieces that make an 1890s silhouette. The Athens Historical Society will collect clothing donations for Project Safe. 3 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org
MEETINGS: NE Georgia Civil War History Roundtable (Oconee County Library) This roundtable hosts guest speakers that discuss topics relating to Civil War history. 3 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 10 a.m. info@athenspetanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org
Monday 9
CLASSES: Vietnamese Class (Oconee County Library) Instructor
Martine Thy Nguyen will lead a class on the basics of Vietnamese. 6–7 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee
EVENTS: Marigold Farmers Market (100 North Church Street) Vendors offer organic produce, prepared foods, agricultural products and artisanal goods. Mondays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. www.marigoldcollectivewinterville.com
EVENTS: Second Monday Line Dancing Lessons (Ciné) Learn two to three line dances. All ages, no experience required. 6:30–7:30 p.m. (beginner lesson), 7:30–9 p.m. (social dancing). $10. www. athenscine.com
KIDSTUFF: Learn to Knit for Teens (Oconee County Library) Stop by to learn the basics of knitting with materials provided. Grades 6–12. 6–7 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee
KIDSTUFF: Monday Funday (Bogart Library) Join Ms. Donna for songs, fingerplays, storytelling and STEAM activities. Ages 3–7 years. Registration suggested. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart
MEETINGS: Classic City Rotary (1430 N Chase St) The local chapter meets weekly. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.classiccityrotary. org
MEETINGS: Pen Pals Writing Group (Oconee County Library) Meet other writers, share your writing experiences and get feedback on your work. Second & fourth Mondays, 5 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/oconee
Tuesday 10
COMEDY: Flying Squid Open Improv Jam (150 Fritz Mar Lane) Improvisors of all skill levels are invited to practice and play together. 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com
EVENTS: Tiki Taco Tuesday (Live Wire) Enjoy craft cocktails and a taco pop-up from Don Carne with themed weeks, live music and dancing. Tuesdays, 5–10 p.m. www.livewireathens.com
FILM: Athentic Movie Night (Athentic Brewing Co.) Screening of the 1993 classic dinosaur film Jurassic Park. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www.athentic brewing.com
GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com
GAMES: Rock ’n Roll Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host The Music Man. Second Tuesdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com
GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/ baddogathens
GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www. facebook.com/MellowMushroom Athens
GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens
KIDSTUFF: Toddler Tuesday: Under the Sea (Georgia Museum of Art) Enjoy art and storytime in the galleries, then complete an art activity. Ages 18 months to 3 years. RSVP by email. 10 a.m. FREE! gmoa-tours@uga.edu
KIDSTUFF: Storytime (Oconee County Library) Drop in and join Ms. Jera for rhymes, songs, movement, a story and a craft. Ages 5 & under. 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.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
MEETINGS: Memoir Writing Group (Bogart Library) During this monthly group, hear memoirs from others and learn tips on how to write your own. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athens library.org/bogart
SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. info@athenspetanque.org, www.athenspetanque.org
Wednesday 11
ART: Tour At Two (Georgia Museum of Art) These drop-in public tours feature highlights of the permanent collection. 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org
CLASSES: Pétanque Class (Lay Park) Learn the basics of the lawn game pétanque. RSVP required. 10 a.m. FREE! athenspetanqueclub@ gmail.com, www.athenspetanque club.wixsite.com/play
COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Buvez) Townie improv that invites you to bring suggestions. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.flying squidcomedy.com
EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music at 6 p.m. AFM double SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www. athensfarmersmarket.net
FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) A woman plagued with psychic visions finds a corpse hidden in a wall and her husband becomes the prime suspect in The Psychic. 7 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/bloodeverywhere.athens
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: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia
GAMES: Trivia Night (B&B Theatres) Test your trivia knowledge on a variety of topics. 7:30 p.m. FREE! www. bbtheatres.com
GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia
MEETINGS: C3 to End Homelessness (Hendershot’s) A roundtable discussion regarding housing and homelessness to educate, identify issue and plan steps to solutions. Second Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. FREE! www.athenshc.org/coc
6/12 Yoga in the Galleries (Georgia Museum of Art)
6/13 Bob Ross Paint-Along (ACC Library)
6/13 Chess Club (Winterville Cultural Center)
6/13 Friday Night Initiative (Tyche’s Games) f
calendar picks arts & culture
ART | THU, JUNE 5
Summer Series
Opening Reception
Lyndon House Arts Center • 5:30 p.m. • FREE! As spring turns to summer, Lyndon House Arts Center is celebrating the opening of six new exhibitions that will be on display through the season. The featured artists/exhibitions include Barbara Mann with “Forging Connections: Metal Art Inspired by the Marine Carbon Cycle,” Yanira Vissepó with “Water Meadows,” “Pendulum” by Jean Gray Mohs, “Controlled Burn” by Tom Schramm, “Peach Fuzz” by Victoria Dugger, and Lindsey Kennedy and Josh Skinner’s collaborative exhibition “Thaw Line.” The works explore a variety of mediums and topics, from the examination of waste and industrial products in Schramm’s work to metal recreations of the biological processes that support life and the natural world in Mann’s work. To accompany their exhibitions, Vissepó will hold a demonstration on dyeing shibori fabrics with indigo on June 7, and Barbara Mann will hold an artist talk and demonstration on June 26. All six shows are on view through Aug 30. [Mary Beth Bryan]
EVENT | SAT, JUNE 7
Hot Corner
Heritage Walk
Hot Corner • 2 p.m. • $25.75
The penultimate tour in Historic Athens’ 2025 Heritage Walk series highlights Hot Corner, which was one of the most prosperous African American business districts in the South during the early- to mid-20th century, and remains a celebrated part of Black history and culture in Athens today. The Heritage Walk series allows participants to explore the places that have shaped Athens, led by historians, artists, residents and community advocates who offer unique perspectives on these locations. Leading the tour of Hot Corner is Broderick Flanigan, a local artist who has been active in preserving the area’s legacy through his contributions to a mural made in its honor and his work as co-producer of a documentary podcast about its history and continuing significance. The final walk of the season will be held on June 14 and will center around Athens’ queer history. [MB]
MUSIC | SAT, JUNE 7
and Adam Poulin also came to mind as Strunin considered the historic quartet, and the four settled on the idea of recreating the seminal performance. With backing from Jeff Reilly on drums, Tommy Sauter on bass and Greg Satterthwaite on keys, the four violinists will put their own spin on “The Violin Summit” and add in some other recognizable tunes. [MB]
ART | JUNE 7–8
Athens Clay Trail
Various Locations • 9 a.m.–5 p.m. • FREE! Six potters from Comer to Watkinsville have come together to form Athens Clay Trail, a tour that opens each artist’s studio to the public for the sale of their functional and sculptural creations. The participating artists are Lori Breedlove, Maria Dondero,
and
Athens Clay Trail is following the model of other pottery sale events like those of Happy Valley Pottery in Watkinsville and the Ron Meyers and Michael Simon sales of years past. Their goal is to continue the work of putting the Athens area on the map for pottery enthusiasts by creating a sense of community and engaging the public in their work. Visit athensclaytrail.com to see a map of the six studios and plan your route. [MB]
In 1966, four great jazz violinists— Stephane Grappelli, Svend Assmussen, Stuff Smith and Jean-Luc Ponty—came together for what would become a historically significant performance that solidified the instrument’s place in the emerging jazz fusion genre. This performance, the recording of which was entitled “The Violin Summit,” came to mind when local musician Ivan Strunin was brainstorming ways to play a gig with fellow violinist Leah Calvert at a party one night. Violinists Keiko Ishibashi
The second annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant is hosted by SLay Pageants, a pageant company with the goal to empower young girls by promoting confidence, positive self-esteem and inner beauty. The company is the project of Shawania Lay, who herself was Miss Black Athens in 1986 and believes in pageants like Miss Juneteenth as safe places and sources of sisterhood and friendship for their young participants. The pageant will be hosted by Shervoski Moreland and feature a special performance from IAMTIKICA, a singer inspired by the legendary soul and R&B acts of the ’60s and ’70s. Audiences will have the opportunity to support each contestant as she performs a special talent, models her evening gown and shows off her personality in a question and answer session. [MB] f
Courtney Hamill, Tom Homann, Shawn Ireland
Mathew Meunier.
The Athens Clay Trail crew
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.
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. Apply online. www.athensarts.org/support
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM (Lyndon House Arts Center) The AIR Program provides participants with a workspace, access and a stipend. Visit www.accgov.com/ lyndonhouse for application and more information.
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. 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. www.accgov.com/9799/ ArtistCurator
CALL FOR ART (Amici at The Falls) Amici is seeking artists to share artwork in monthly exhibitions. Email an introduction and a few examples of work. careywelsh20@gmail.com
CALL FOR ART (Oconee County Library) The library is seeking local artists to share their artwork in monthly exhibitions. Email for information. adial@athenslibrary.org
CALL FOR ART (Winterville Library) Apply to be a featured local artist in the Front Room Gallery. The library accepts all 2D mediums such as watercolor, collage, textile and more. Email swatson@athens library.org
CALL FOR ARTIST (ACCGov) Seeking professional artist to work with stakeholders and government staff to create a mural for Costa Building. Submission deadline June 27. For project details, applications and other information visit website. www.accgov.com/10597/Call-forPublic-Art-Costa-Building CALL FOR ARTISTS (MAGallery) Now accepting artist applications for gallery exhibits. MAGallery is a nonprofit cooperative gallery. Gallery Artists work one day a month and participate on a committee. Visit www.themadisonartistsguild. org/call-for-artists for more information.
CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKER JOKERtv is actively accepting proposals for collaboration from artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can also submit films, skits and ideas to share with a weekly livestream audience. www. jokerjokertv.com/submit
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. shelby.little@accgov.com
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (Athens Homeless Coalition) Seeking submissions for an upcoming street newspaper. Poetry, short stories, visual art, song lyrics and more are welcome. Email enagement coordinator@athenshc.org for more information.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (The Lightroom) The Athens FIlm Festival is seeking submissions from the community for the upcoming Pitchfest. All formats and experience levels of film, docuseries, podcast, branded content or creative projects are welcome. Deadline June 15,
art around town
ACE/FRANCISCO GALLERY (675 Pulaski St., Suite 500) Show of monochromatic works featuring Keith Bennett’s “ORB COMPULSIVE DISORDER” and Mike Landers in the Upper Gallery with “Black & White LEGO.” Opening reception June 5, 6–8 p.m. Through June 19.
AMICI AT THE FALLS (8851 Macon Hwy., Suite 501) Paintings by Abby Boylen that represent a song and her visual experience while listening are on view through June 13.
ARTS + ATHLETICS (130 The Plaza) Paul Leroy’s solo exhibition “Love My Way” presents a series of mixed media paintings that celebrate independent music and zine making. Through June 11.
ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART: ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) “DELUGE” presents the work of four artists in an exhibition that celebrates their resilience—not only in surviving hurricanes, but in navigating the ongoing challenges faced as working artists and women. Through June 8.
ATHENTIC BREWING CO. (108 Park Ave.) Juancho Cano’s “Fragmentario: Visions in Pieces” presents visual work and video art. A live concert will take place June 7, 7 p.m. Through July 23.
ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “Blunders & Wonders” showcases Jeffrey Whittle’s latest drawings that explore nature, fantasy and material experimentation. Through June 25.
BMA AT HOME (1354 S. Milledge Ave. Suite 2) The shop’s first gallery installation features paintings by Megan Roberts Studio. On view through June. Open studio event featuring the artist on June 19, 5–7 p.m.
CREATURE COMFORTS BREWING CO. (271 W. Hancock Ave.) Local artist Samuel Balling’s solo show “It’s Not For You” presents pieces he’s created over the last nine years as a resident of Georgia. Through July 1.
participants notified July 1 and final competition held Aug. 16. One selected winner will win support and opportunity to bring their vision to the screen. Visit www.athensfilm. com/pitchfest for more information and applications.
OPEN AUDITIONS (Athens Symphony) Auditions and membership open to qualified musicians able to attend rehearsals and maintain preparation of music. Current listings can be found online. www. athenssymphony.org/openings
OPEN STUDIOS (Lyndon House Arts Center) Studio members have access to spaces for photography, ceramics and more. Visit website for availability and cost. www. accgov.com/7350/Open-StudioMembership
PUBLIC ART SELECTION PANELS
(Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking community members to participate in upcoming public art selection panels. Panels review, evaluate and select from submitted proposals for ACC-funded public art commissions. www.accgov.com/9656/ Public-Art-Selection-Panels
Auditions
RUMORS (Town & Gown) Auditions for this version of Neil Simon’s classic murder comedy will be held June 16–17. Performances held Aug. 8–17. Email info@townand gownplayers.org for specific roles and requirements.
KONG’S NIGHT OUT (Elbert Theatre, Elberton) Encore Productions will hold drop-in auditions for adults of all skill levels for this PG-13 comedy. June 23–24, 6–8 p.m. Performances held Sept. 19–28. Call 706-213-3109 or email
tking@cityofelberton.net for more information.
Classes
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. www.unityathens.com
ACCENT REDUCTION CLASS (Covenant Presbyterian Church) Improve your American English pronunciation skills. For ages 18 and up. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. marjoriemiller@ gmail.com
CANOPY CLASSES & SCHOLARSHIPS (Canopy Studio) Canopy offers a variety of trapeze and aerial arts classes for children and adults. Scholarships and financial aid are available. outreach@canopystudio. org, www.canopystudio.org/ outreach/scholarships
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS (Athens, GA) The Athens Land Trust hosts a variety of virtual and in-person classes. Topics include “Affordable Housing Info” (June 10 & 25) and “Homebuyer Education Course” (June 28). Visit website for full list. www.athenslandtrust.org/ classes-events
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS (The Lightroom Athens) A variety of programs to help build skills in photography, videography and audio production. Follow @lightroomath on Instagram for the latest updates.
COOKING AND BAKING CLASSES (Athens Cooks) A variety of classes offered for all skill levels. Visit website for full list, prices and registration. www.athenscooks.com
GUIDED GARDEN TOURS (UGA Botanical Garden) Learn about various plants at this guided walk. Available for groups of less than 10. Every Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m. $5 per person. botgarden.uga.edu
UGA COMMUNITY ART SCHOOL (Lamar Dodd School of Art) Summer registration now open for instructor-led classes in a variety
DONDEROS’ KITCHEN (590 N. Milledge Ave.) “One Day the Birds Will Explain Everything,” an exhibition of photos by local poet Mark Bromberg, celebrates the people and places of Athens through moments captured at clubs, festivals and more. Through July.
EARTH FARE (1689 S Lumpkin St.) Multifaceted artist Lance Ash’s acrylic paintings, which portray cartoon art and “ride the line between slop and precision,” are on view through June.
GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Feel the Beat: Rhythm, Music and Movement” features 20 works by artists around the world and explores the connections between dance, music and visual art across cultures, histories and media. Through Aug. 3.
GLASSCUBE@INDIGO (500 College Ave.) Atlanta artist Paul Leroy’s installation “Tree of Life” will begin growing for its six-month exhibition.
JITTERY JOE’S EASTSIDE (1860 S. Barnett Shoals Rd.) Susan Pelham’s collages, oil and wax paintings are on view through June. Her work is inspired by magic realism, myths, songs and children’s literature.
LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.) 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. • “Unbroken Circle: The Musical Threads of Art Rosenbaum” showcases the late artist’s exploration of American vernacular music through his paintings and drawings. Through June 14. • “Pretend,” an exhibition by Anne McInnis, uses delicate layers of washi paper and silk organza to explore the fluidity of identity and the blur between reality and illusion. Artist talk June 12, 5:30 p.m. Through July 12. • The summer series features seven artists across six new exhibitions. Opening reception June 5, 5:30–7:30 p.m. On view through Aug. 30. NANCY GREEN CERAMICS (1500 Tappan Spur Rd.) Summer art show and sale featuring ceramic works by Kyle Carpenter, Juana Gnecco, Nancy Green, Minsoo Yuh and Sunkoo Yuh. June 7–8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. OCONEE LIBRARY (1925 Electric Ave.) Athens Art Association has an art
of mediums. Email CommunityArt School@uga.edu for more information on schedules, cost and availability.
Help Out
ATHENS REPAIR CAFE (Solid Waste Office) The repair cafe is seeking volunteers comfortable fixing a variety of items including: clothing, small appliances, tools and more. Fourth Sunday of every month. reuse@accgov.com, www.accgov. com/RepairCafe
ATHENS SKATEPARK PROJECT (Athens Skate Park) Seeking volunteers and community input. Every third Sunday of the month. Visit www.athensskateparkproject.org for information and opportunities.
BRAS FOR A CAUSE (Grail Bra Specialists) Seeking donations of gently-used bras for distribution to local shelters, recovery centers and communities in need. Contact Athens Area Bra Bank at 706-8500387, support@grailbras.com
MULTIPLE CHOICES VOLUNTEERS
(Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living) Seeking volunteers to assist a nonprofit agency that serves individuals living with disabilities throughout a 10-country area of Northeastern Georgia. Contact Daniel Myers at 706-850-4025 or dmyers@multiplechoices.us
PACK WALKS (Animal Services Adoption Center) Volunteer dog walkers needed for daily interactions with the shelter dogs. Open opportunities every day, 4–5 p.m. Register at www.tidycal.com/ animalservicesvolunteer/pack-walk
PET FOOD PANTRY (Animal Services Adoption Center) The Animal Services community pet food pantry provides pet food to ACC residents at no cost. Donations always welcome. Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sundays, 12–3 p.m. www.accgov.com/adoptioncenter
SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Bigger Vision of Athens) The nonprofit homeless shelter Bigger Vision of Athens, Inc. is seeking new members for its board of directors. The application is available online. the biggervisionshelter@gmail.com, www.bvoa.org/boardmember
SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Moms Adopting Moms) Local nonprofit seeks board members, including
a chair and treasurer, to support foster children and families through mentorship and reunification. moms adoptingmoms@gmail.com
SEEKING FOOD DONATIONS (The Cottage) Seeking donations of single-serving, non-perishable snacks to help children and adults navigating interviews, therapy sessions and court hearings. To arrange a drop-off please call 706546-1133, ext 223.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Athens Farmer Market) Seeking volunteers for the 2025 season to help with weekly markets, special events and more. Submit applications online. www.athensfarmersmarket.net/ volunteer
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (KACCB) Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful has volunteer opportunities that include roadside cleanups, adopta-ramp and more. Visit www.keep athensbeautiful.org for more info.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Local environmental non-profit seeking volunteers for a variety of events including invasive plant removal, plant adoptions and more. Hands-on opportunities to help plant 3000 native varieties are available every first Sunday, 1-3:30 p.m. www.shoalcreeksanctuary.org/ volunteer
TEACHER SUPPLIES (Teacher Reuse Store) Educators can access free creative supplies at the store. Visit accgov.com/trs for hours. TOWELS FOR ANIMALS (Animal Services Adoption Center) Seeking donations of gently used bath towels and hand rags for bathing animals and cleaning kennels. Donations can be dropped off at the door if it’s after hours. www.accgov. com/animalservices
Kidstuff
BRELLA ACTIVITIES (‘Brella Studio) A variety of after-school art lessons available for all ages. Other events and programs include “Art Truck,” art camps, “Mommy & Me” mornings and more. Check website for descriptions and meeting times. www.brellastudio.com/events CAMP PROGRAMS (ACC Leisure Services) Registration for the 2025 Summer season is now open. A variety of programs, classes and
exhibit on view through June 26. Various works are available for purchase. THE OLD PAL (1320 Prince Ave.) Paintings and drawings by Delaney Dusch are on view through mid-June.
THE ROOK & PAWN (294 W. Washington St.) Group exhibition “Dream Journal” will feature 25 local artists. Through June 15. STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA (2450 S. Milledge Ave)
Multidisciplinary artist Robert Clements presents paintings that capture the beauty of Southern landscapes. Through June 22.
STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) Developed in collaboration with the Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton, “Touch Grass: Steffen Thomas, Senora Lynch, Raven Waters” is an environmentally-focused exhibition that explores humanity’s place in the natural world. Through June 28. • Alexandra Huynh presents “From Tears to the Sea and Other Works.” Through June 28. • “The Madness of Clowns” is a collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures that explores humanity’s interest in clowns. Through July 1.
UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOBBY GALLERY (230 River Rd.)
Benjamin Britton, an associate professor at the Lamar Dodd School of Art, presents “surface potential,” a collection of four abstract paintings over 7 feet tall. Through Aug. 8.
UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “From Farms to Fast Fashion: Unraveling the Need for Sustainable Style” explores the rise of fast fashion and who pays for the cost of its convenience. Through July. • “The Golden Age of Broadway” provides a glimpse into Broadway’s Golden Age through musical posters, playbills and artifacts. Through August. • “Captain Planet: The Power Is Yours” explores the origins and impact of the TV series, which inspired young people to care for the environment. Through May 2026.
WILLSON CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES AND ARTS (1260 S Lumpkin St) A new series of landscape photographs by Michael Lachowski, alongside a photo series of clouds, is on view through summer.
camps for all ages are available at local parks and community centers. Visit website for full list of classes, availability and registration. www. accgov.com/myrecs, 706-6133800
CAMP PROGRAMS (Athens Humane Society) “Humane Heroes” and “Junior Vet” summer camps are open for registration. June and July availability but spaces are limited. www.athenshumanesociety.org/ summer-camp
CAMP PROGRAMS (Firefly Homeschool Community) Registration for “Be Wild” Homeschool Summer Camp for students grade K–12 is now open. Programs run through June. Visit fireflyhomeschool community.org for pricing and scheduling.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Merit Music Academy) Registration for a variety of Summer Camp classes is now open. Offering Puppetry, Piano, and Ukulele Camps, with crafts, snacks and performances. Visit MeritMusic Academy.com/summercamp for pricing and scheduling.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Nuçi’s Space) Registration for 2025 camp programs is now open for June and July Camp Amped sessions, Camp Amplify recording/engineering camp, Camp Amped Half Day 1 week sessions and 1 week Sound Check sessions. Visit www.nuci. org/camp for more information.
CAMP PROGRAMS (Sweet Olive Farm) Registration for 2025 camp programs for children ages 6–12 is now open. Activities include animal care, music, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures and more. Programs run June through Aug. Visit www. sweetolivefarm.org for pricing and options.
CAMP PROGRAMS (The Studio) Registration for “Creative Kids Camp” starting in June is now open. Programs are for ages 4–8 with music, art and movement to foster creative expression and imaginative play. www.thestudioath. com
CAMP PROGRAMS (University of Georgia) Registration for a variety of art programs for teens ages 14–17 is now open through July 18. Subjects include metals, printmaking, painting, and photography. Both daytime classes and overnight residential programs available. art. uga.edu/programs/communityprograms/uga-summer-art-camp
CREATIVE CLASSES & SUMMER ART CAMPS (K.A. Artist Shop) Classes include “Art Card Club” for teens and pre-teens. Summer art class camp registration is now open for young artists ages 10–17. Visit Visit www.kaartist.com for schedules, costs and general information.
CREATIVE CLASSES (Treehouse Kid & Craft) Treehouse offers a variety of art-centric activities for children, such as “Art School,” “Saturday Morning Crafts” and more. Summer camp registration is now open. Check website for schedule and details. www.treehousekidandcraft. com
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, maternal mental health and more. Check website for a schedule. www.reblossomathens. com
KIDS CAN COOK! (Athens Cooks)
Mini-chefs can learn a variety of cooking techniques at these 4-day camps. Ages 10–13, June 16. Ages 6–9, June 23. Visit www. athenscooks.com for information including cost and registration requirements.
SUMMER CAMP (First Baptist Church) Registration open for “Compassion Camp” Vacation Bible School is now open. Free for kids PreK through 6th grade. June 9–13. www.firstbaptistathens.org
SUMMER THEATER WORKSHOPS (On Stage Walton) “Agents of Space Encounters” for grades 4–8. June 16–21 with a performance June 21. $95. Scholarships available. Registration and information available online. www.onstage walton.org
YOUTH BLACKSMITHING CLASSES (Metal Shop Fantasy Camp, Watkinsville) Basic classes scheduled weekly for children, teens and homeschool groups. Visit www.metalshopfantasycamp.com for cost, registration and requirements.
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
ADVANCED CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (University Cancer and Blood Center) A support group for those living with advanced/ terminal cancer with the goal to find comfort, encouragement and valuable resources. First Monday of every month. 5:30–7 p.m. www.university cancer.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. www.ga-al-anon. org/meetings
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
has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. First and third Friday of the month, 5:30–7 p.m at Inclusive Recovery Athens. Second Monday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m at Oconee Presbyterian Church, Watkinsville. www.namiga. org
NEW PARENTS AND INFANT FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP (BYL Family Resource Center) Come as you are for community, snacks and feeding advice from professionals. Babies and children of all ages
adaptive equipment, recreational and social opportunities, and advocacy. 706-424-2794, 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 information about resources and opportunities for advocacy. Every third Monday, 4:30–6 p.m. floretta.johnson@stmarysathens.org
NAMI CONNECTION SUPPORT GROUP (Multiple Locations) Peerled support group for any adult who
are welcome. Second and fourth Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. www.byyourleave.org
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS (Multiple Locations) Do you worry about the way you eat? OA may have the answer for you. Meetings held Tuesdays, 12 p.m. at 24th Street, Inc. and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Text 678-736-3697 about Tuesdays or 706-224-4919 about Saturdays. www.oa.org
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
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
PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (Chase Park Warehouses) A peer-led support group of people who understand the depth of love and grief for animal companions. Meets every second and fourth Wednesday, 6:30–8 p.m. www. vibrantbeing.net/grief-support
POLYAMORY SUPPORT GROUP (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) An open support group for adults practicing or considering polyamory or nonmonogamy. Thursdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. $10 donation. www. revolutiontherapyandyoga.com
PREVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN (Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support) Women ages 18–50 who have been diagnosed with a genetic mutation for breast cancer (but not diagnosed with cancer) can gather for peer support and share unique challenges. Third Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. 706465-4900, loransmithcenter@ piedmont.org
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
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
RECOVERY DHARMA (work.shop) A Buddhist-inspired support group for addiction of all kinds. Meetings consist of introductions, a short meditation and book reading, followed by group sharing. Open to all, especially service industry workers. Meets every Monday, 6:30 p.m. www.recoverydharma.org
SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS (Athens, GA) Athens Downtown SAA offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from 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
ATHENS ZEN GROUP (work.shop) Sangha sits every Sunday morning 8:30–10:00 a.m. followed by a discussion of Zen teachings
10:00–10:50 a.m. Newcomers’ orientation is the second Sunday of every month at 11:00 a.m. Other sits are held at various times of the year. Visit www.athenszen.org for schedule and information.
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 CALL FOR STORYTELLERS (Rabbit Box) Rabbit Box presents true short stories shared by community members. Submit story ideas for upcoming shows. www.rabbitbox.org/tell FILM LOCATION DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The Athens Film Office, part of the ACCGov Communications Department, recently launched a new database to showcase potential local sites that could be considered for film, TV or other production projects. www.athensga filmoffice.com
RABBIT HOLE EVENTS (Rabbit Hole Studios) Weekly events include Open Jam (Tuesdays, 8–10 p.m.) and Acoustic Song Circle (Thursdays, 8–10 p.m. & Sundays, 3–5 p.m.). www.rabbitholestudios.org/ calendar
SEEKING VENDORS (Athentic Brewing) Seeking a variety of vendors to participate in the Pride Month Market on June 14. Contact jess@ athenticbrewing.com or visit instagram.com/athenticbrewing for more information.
SEEKING VENDORS (The Foundry) A variety of vendor spots and sponsorships available for pop-up shop event on July 12. Contact tjordan@ hotelabacusathens.com for more information.
SEVENTH GENERATION (Various Locations) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts gatherings on Sundays at 11 a.m. at Feel Free Yoga and Men’s Group on Tuesdays at 6 p.m at St. Gregory’s Church. For information: 706-3407134
SUMMER REGISTRATION OPEN (ACC Leisure Services) A diverse selection of programs for both adults and children are now open for registration. Visit www.accgov. com/myrec to sign up. Scholarships available. www.accgov.com/ scholarship VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA) Seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC, Hi8, MiniDV and DVDs to digitize and archive on YouTube channel, @vhsordie3030, and the Athens GA Live Music channel. bradley. staples88@gmail.com, vhsordie. com f
Keith Bennett’s exhibition “ORB COMPULSION DISORDER” is on view at ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 5 from 6–8 p.m.
REAL ESTATE
HOUSES FOR RENT
3BR/2BA house. Fenced yard, CHAC, W/D. garage, front porch and FP. $1300/ mo. and $1300 sec. dep. Avail. May. No pets. Call 706-254-2936.
House in ARMC. 3BR/2BA. Central HVAC. Furnished. Hwd floors. Washer/dryer. Driveway/on-street parking. No smokers, pets. Calls only! 706-372-1505
Tiny living in the country. 30’ RV camper on small farm 30 miles east of Athens. All utilities furnished, wi-fi, 2 TVs, trash service, private, secure, large covered porch, nice setting. Security deposit and references required. Text 706-4010880.
HOUSES FOR SALE
Looking for a house or a home? Condo or land? Call Daniel Peiken. REALTOR
5Market Realty. Selling in and around Athens for over 20 years. 706-296-2941 Flagpole ♥s our advertisers.
4BR/4BA 2022 sqft, $475k, in town half-acre turnkey homestead in Forest Heights. Updated kitchen/ living area, established fruit trees, greenhouse, chicken coop & massive garden. 515 Forest Heights Dr. — Contact Danielle 857-7196393
FOR SALE
YARD SALES
NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE – 1081 Red Oak Court, Watkinsville. 9a.m.–1:00p.m. Furniture, Household items. Fresh Herbs. Lemonade. Games. Pokemon. Books. Sports Gear. China. No Early Birds.
MUSIC
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! Celebrating 10 years of being your local friendly green cleaners! 706-248-4601, www.peachygreenclean coop.com
Queer-owned cleaning business - windows, pressure washing and gutters. Call/ text 469-428-2490 for a free quote!
HOME AND GARDEN
Hi! I’m Pablo, an expert gardener offering personalized care for your landscape. I specialize in low-maintenance, native gardens that support pollinators and biodiversity. Find me @pablo fromseed, email pkozatch@ gmail.com or call 631-9034365.
PETS
Pamper your pup at Bark Dog Spa, Athens’ premiere dog grooming facility! Book online at barkdogspa.com
JOBS
PART-TIME
Join a diverse, inclusive workplace and get paid to type! 12–40 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
Flagpole ♥s our readers.
NOTICES
LOST AND FOUND
REWARD! Lost dog. Female lab mix, 10 years old, answers to Bootsie. Last seen at the corner of Lavender/Jefferson Road in April. Please call 706-410-5429 with any information.
ORGANIZATIONS
Become a Juvenile Offender Advocate to compassionately and effectively transform the lives of young people in need of mentorship and rehabilitation. juvenileoffenderadvocateinc.org
Follow ACC Solid Waste on Instagram/Facebook @ accsolidwaste for tips and resources for recycling, composting, repairs, and more or visit accgov.com/ solidwaste.
If you are in crisis due to domestic violence, Project Safe is here to help. Call 706-543-3331 or visit project-safe.org.
Flagpole ♥s our donors.
Microfiction Judges & Contestants Wanted One hundred words or fewer. Lokhuza.com/fp Northeast Health District offers free or low-cost services to all people within our area and to promote healthy lifestyles among all members. northeasthealthdistrict. org
VFW Post 2872. Join us for weekly Bingo nights, live music and more at VFW Post 2872 at 835 Sunset Drive in Athens!
Vendor spots and sponsorships available for Pop-Up Shop event at the Foundry on July 12th. Contact tjordan@hotelabacus.com for more information.
Only $65 for six months or $125 for one
Purchase online at www.flagpole.big cartel.com, call 706-549-0301 or email frontdesk@flagpole.com.
