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this week’s issue
contents
The Original Screw Tops will perform with The Smillies at Hendershot’s on Friday, Aug. 14 for a night of blues presented by Aubrey Entertainment. For more info, see “Calendar Pick: The Original Screw Tops” online only at flagpole.com.
This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
‘Urban Camping’ Ban Rejected
Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Research Cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Student Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Grub Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Mayoral Candidate Plans
Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fall Concert Preview
Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ARTS & CULTURE: Art Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
UGA’s Dodd Galleries
Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Jonathon Musser, Isabella Williams EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sam Lipkin CITY EDITOR Blake Aued MUSIC EDITOR Sam Lipkin ARTS & CULTURE COORDINATOR Libba Beaucham OFFICE MANAGER & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jennifer Keene CLASSIFIED ADS & CALENDAR COORDINATOR Jennifer Keene AD DESIGNERS Chris McNeal, Cody Robinson CONTRIBUTORS Chris Dowd, Amanda Johnson, Gordon Lamb, Todd L. Pittinsky, Ed Tant CARTOONISTS Missy Kulik, David Mack, Klon Waldrip, Joey Weiser CIRCULATION Gerald Burris, Charles Greenleaf, Joe Rowe EDITORIAL & OFFICE ASSISTANT Mary Beth Bryan EDITORIAL INTERNS Lily Thomas PHOTOGRAPHERS CJ Bartunek, Kat Wood, Jake Zerkel SPECIAL AGENT Pete McCommons
Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Local Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Nihilus
COVER ART by Michael Ash
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news
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‘Urban Camping’ Ban Voted Down PLUS, THE GEORGIA SQUARE MALL REDEVELOPMENT AND MORE LOCAL NEWS
By Blake Aued and Chris Dowd news@flagpole.com Furthermore, Fisher expressed optimism that the problem of homelessness could be solved if Athens’ service providers would only work together more effectively. “Too many people [are] working in silos,” he said. “Why can’t we work together to solve some of these issues? That is not going on, and that’s the truth. Those things are not hap-
BLAKE AUED
Urban camping will remain legal in Athens that are on the streets. We have fear that after dozens of residents packed City Hall the police are going to be coming by sweepto defeat a measure that would have proing people up to take them off to jail,” said hibited sleeping, cooking or using a tent Thomas Sosby, who is currently without a in public spaces for purposes of living home. accommodations. While the vast majority of speakers Homeless service providers, advocates during public comment opposed the campand people with current or past experience ing ban, a few did express their support being unhoused spoke in opposition to the measure for nearly two and a half hours. The proposal was intended to prevent people experiencing homelessness from blocking the doorways of local businesses, especially in the downtown area, but opponents said it would have had negative consequences for both the unhoused and for Athens as a whole. “‘Move along’ orders are inhumane, extremely expensive and, more importantly, do not work,” Michael Bien, executive director of the Athens Homeless Coalition, told ACC commissioners. “People either return to where they were, or they relocate… This doesn’t solve the underlying problem, it shifts it, and each shift makes the person Liminal space at the Georgia Square Mall. harder to reach.” Bien co-authored a study published in the Journal of the American for the proposal. Michael Ruppersburg, an Medical Association that found that conattorney who works in downtown Athens, tinued forced relocation, such as proposed told the commission about a number of with the urban camping ban, can increase unpleasant encounters that he and his the rate of drug overdose and hospitalizacolleagues have had to continually endure. tion among the unhoused. It can even cause “For those of us that work downtown or are premature death. downtown on a regular basis, we encounSeveral politicians and elected officials ter feces and urine… We see people with spoke against the camping ban, including mental illness and substance abuse yelling former mayoral candidate Tim Denson, at and accosting us,” Ruppersburg said. “It is who works with the unhoused as the disquickly turning downtown into a place that charge coordinator for Advantage Behavis not welcome for the entire community.” ioral Health Systems’ Behavioral Health Commissioners tried to address this Crisis Center. Denson mentioned the cost aspect of the homelessness problem in that taxpayers would incur if the ban were January by passing an ordinance making it implemented. “If you arrest a person who is clear that people are not allowed to obstruct homeless, they are still homeless. But now sidewalks or public rights-of-way. Howthey have legal charges, fines to pay [and] a ever, this ordinance “did not fully address court date,” he said. “Housing them in our all instances of right-of-way interference,” jail will cost all of us taxpayers hundreds of according to ACC staff. The current proposal dollars per person.” would have addressed those remaining The ordinance under consideration instances through a blanket ban on all requires that police give a warning before camping in public spaces across Athens. issuing a citation, which would not result in According to the ACC Attorney’s office, siman immediate arrest in any case. However, ilar code language is already in use in cities ACC Manager Robert Cowell admitted that across Georgia, including in Rome, Savanunpaid citations could eventually result in a nah and Atlanta. warrant for a person’s arrest. Some commissioners, including mayor- Former mayoral candidate LaKeisha elect Dexter Fisher, expressed support for Gantt also spoke out against the ban, as the camping ban despite the large number did current state House candidate Suzanna of public comments in opposition. “For our Karatassos and state Senate candidate Ray business owners downtown, we owe them Smith, both Democrats. something,” Fisher said. “Would we want In addition to politicians and service the same type of camping going on in our providers, about a dozen people with perown [neighborhoods]? The answer is probsonal experience being unhoused attended ably no, because you’d end up calling the the meeting to speak out against the ban. police. Why should we expect our business “[This proposal] has bothered a lot of people owners to accept [it]?”
pening. If we really want to do good by our homeless population, let’s work together to help solve some of these issues.” There is a shortage of both shelter beds and longer-term transitional housing in Athens. Until this changes, the homelessness problem will likely continue, regardless of how effectively local service providers operate. Commissioner Melissa Link originally suggested tabling the camping ban until ACC staff develop a plan to build a new low-barrier day shelter, but quickly changed her mind and moved to deny the proposal outright. “It’s useless to pass an ordinance like this when people literally have nowhere to go,” Link said. Commissioner Stephanie Johnson agreed, saying the ordinance was “inhumane.” The camping ban failed in a 6-4 vote, with Commissioners Allison Wright, John Culpepper and Mike Hamby voting along with Fisher to support the proposal. Commissioners also passed a resolution to affirm “Athens-Clarke County’s commitment to advancing coordinated, evidence- based solutions to prevent and reduce homelessness.” The resolution directs Cowell and ACC staff to identify property that could be used for an emergency shelter and additional transitional, supportive or permanent housing. [Chris Dowd]
ADUs Go Down In contrast to last month’s agenda- setting meeting—where public comment was dominated by older, established home-
owners who did not want any potential disruptions to their suburban lifestyle—more young people who are struggling with high housing costs turned out to the Aug. 4 voting meeting in favor of accessory dwelling units. The proposal would have allowed full kitchens with ovens and stoves in basement, backyard or garage apartments, making them suitable for full-time living rather than just guests or short-term renters. Supporters said it would at least slightly add to the city’s housing stock, helping young professionals, couples, adult children and aging parents, as well as homeowners who need extra cash. A commission-defined option (CDO) sought to ease concerns by sending it back to the Athens-Clarke Planning Commission to deal with issues like size limits and parking. However, the commission killed ADUs outright by a 7–3 vote, with only commissioners Melissa Link, Carol Myers and Patrick Davenport in favor of keeping the idea alive. While tiny homes, in a majority of commissioners’ view, are not OK in a backyard, they’re fine if they’re on their own lot. The commission voted unanimously to get rid of the county’s somewhat arbitrary minimum home sizes: 1,000 square feet in most single-family zones, 650 square feet in denser zones and 450 square feet for apartments. Those minimums will be replaced by definitions from the International Property Maintenance Code that set minimum room sizes for the health and safety of the occupant. [Blake Aued]
More Apartments at the Mall? The Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission expressed misgivings about a new zoning proposal to redevelop Georgia Square Mall, worrying that the result would be thousands of apartments without the retail space and amenities included in the previous plan. The planning commission voted Aug. 6 to table developer The Leaven Group’s request for a special overlay district—a zoning district unique to a particular parcel of land, similar to one ACC created for the former Varsity property in 2019. The overlay district would replace a previously approved binding site plan or planned development (PD) that the developer says is not financially viable. The Leaven Group is asking to double the amount of multifamily housing allowed on the 79-acre property from 25 bedrooms per acre to 50. That number could go up to 75 if the developer takes advantage of ACC’s inclusionary zoning ordinance awarding density bonuses for affordable housing or contributions to the county’s housing trust fund. The approved PD allows for 2,057 bedrooms. “The overlay would open the door, using the 50 beds per acre, to 3,970 beds,” Planning Director Bruce Lonnee said. “It is possible to go above the 3,970 by right, the way the overlay is worded.” ➤ continued on next page
A UGU S T 12, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM
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City Dope
sewer problems. Those items will go to the ACC Mayor and Commission for final approval next month. The appointed board also heard, but did not act on, proposals for a 550-bedroom apartment building at 660 W. Broad St. between Pope and Finley streets, currently a strip mall; an affordable housing development on an Atlanta Highway vacant lot that once was a salvage yard; and a small “cottage court” development at Barnett
continued from p. 5
offer government-funded health care to people who fall between the cracks of private insurance and traditional Medicaid. In addition, Republicans in Congress allowed more generous subsidies enacted during the pandemic to expire. Lance Bottoms framed it as an economic development issue, saying nine rural hospitals in Georgia have shut their doors, with more in danger of closing, and it’s difficult to attract employers to an area where there’s no hospital nearby.
BLAKE AUED
Additional requests include a waiver of the ground-floor commercial requirement, except on buildings fronting Atlanta Highway, and raising the maximum building height from 65 feet to 100 feet, with the exception that it would be 45 feet bordering on single-family neighborhoods. “This, to me, is a really big set of apartment buildings, kind of massively high for that area,” planning commissioner Sara Beresford said. “There’s nothing else around there that has that kind of height.” Planning commissioner Jennifer Fleece agreed, speculating that the development would end up being “Zaxby’s and Pep Boys and walls of apartments… If this is going to function as a small town, it needs to be more than just apartments.” On the county’s future land use map, the mall property is designated as an “urban center,” a mixed- use area only slightly less dense than downtown Athens, with housing alongside offices, retail space and restaurants not only for nearby residents, but attracting visitors from across the region. “The promise of an urban center over there was a place where you can go have Rick Jackson (left) and Gov. Brian Kemp walk through the Classic Center. dinner and see a show or whatever, do different activities,” planning commissioner Matthew Hall said. “Expanding Medicaid in this state is Shoals and Forest roads, which is significant The PD that was already approved hinged because opposition from the Green Acres/ extremely important. I would say it’s one of on $186 million in future property tax revthe top issues,” she said. “Our strengths and Crestwood neighborhood defeated seven enue that would be plowed back into the our weaknesses in our health care system previous rezoning attempts. [BA] redevelopment via a tax allocation district, impact everything. There’s not a single or TAD. In exchange for reimbursement, community in this state you can go into The Leaven Group agreed to include “comthat hasn’t been touched by our refusal to Gov. Brian Kemp made his first public munity benefits” like greenspace, below- expand Medicaid.” appearance with Republican gubernatorial market apartments and commercial space, Jackson, who owns a chain of more than nominee Rick Jackson last week, more than 20 health care companies worth $3 billion, senior housing and free space for youth a month after a bruising runoff in which programs. But The Leaven Group could not disagreed. “I don’t think the feds are ever Kemp endorsed Jackson’s opponent, Lt. get financing without up-front government going to solve our health care problem, at Gov. Burt Jones. funding, according to developer Mark Jenleast in my lifetime, but I do have a very Kemp and Jackson jointly met with nings and Jon Williams, president of design good plan that will reduce our health care reporters at The Classic Center on Aug. 5, in costs, and I guarantee you we’ll have the firm W&A Engineering. However, ACC between individual onstage appearances at officials were reluctant to issue bonds for most effective health care plan, because I the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual know how it works inside out, and I know the project and preferred a pay-as-you-go Congressional Luncheon. Democratic nomiarrangement to protect taxpayers in the nee Keisha Lance Bottoms also spoke at the event the project failed. event. The TAD remains in place, but The “Today we have more people working Leaven Group is no longer asking for TAD than ever in the history of this state, and funding, opting for a completely privately I believe that man [Jackson] can keep this funded development instead. The overlay going. That’s why I’m endorsing him,” Kemp district would make it easier to secure said. financing by providing more flexibility than Jackson, in turn, praised Kemp’s hanthe rigid PD, Williams told the planning dling of the economy and the COVID-19 commission. “It’s going to take years to develop, and it’s going to have to be respon- pandemic. “I’m going to try to be at least that good and build off that legacy,” he said. sive to market conditions,” he said. “I’m going to continue what he has done, Planning commissioners said they want and build on that foundation,” Jackson to find a happy medium that provides more continued, by cutting taxes and bringing flexibility than the PD but more certainty investment to rural areas. While interthan the overlay district as currently writviewing Kemp, Georgia Chamber President ten. They told Williams to come back with a and CEO Chris Clark said that 70% of econew proposal. nomic development projects during Kemp’s Williams and Jennings are slated to proadministration went to rural Georgia. Jackvide an update on their plans to the public son also said he would bring more venture at a town hall meeting at the mall, schedcapital funding to Atlanta, in contrast to uled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Lance Bottoms, who said she would estabThe planning commission recommended lish a state office to assist small businesses approval of a 374-bedroom apartment and make technical college free. complex off College Avenue, on the site Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta of a concrete plant that recently moved mayor, emphasized Medicaid expansion. to an industrial area off U.S. Highway 29; The GOP-run state government has long and expansions of the Pine Woods and refused federal subsidies under the Obama Country Corners mobile home parks that administration’s Affordable Care Act to will involve fixing long-standing water and
Candidates for Governor Visit Athens
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F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
what people do to game the system,” he said, without going into details about the plan. Asked about Jackson’s fortune, Lance Bottoms replied, “I’m not mad at him for being a billionaire. God hasn’t seen fit to make me one yet. What I am mad about is that he has a health care company, and he doesn’t want to expand Medicaid in this state.” She went on to accuse Jackson of trying to “buy the election… this election is not for sale.” Jackson said he believes in “intelligent Medicaid expansion,” which in his view involves turning the program into a block grant to states, allowing them to institute work and job-training requirements. That’s a similar approach to what Kemp has taken with the widely maligned Pathways to Coverage program under a waiver from the Trump administration, which a federal audit found was spending twice as much on administrative costs as on actual health care expenses. Another hot-button topic the candidates disagreed on was data centers. Lance Bottoms called for “a pause” on data center construction. Jackson said it should be up to individual communities whether to allow them, but touted their tax benefits for rural counties. One marquee speaker who did not take questions from reporters (or appear with Jackson) was U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican who is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Collins is currently under fire for ties to white nationalists. In an apparent effort to soften the hard-right MAGA image he perpetuated during the primary, Collins gave a brief speech focusing on his ability to reach across the aisle to pass legislation like the Laken Riley Act, which he said has resulted in 20,000 deportations. Ossoff did not attend. Unlike the House, the Senate was still in session seeking an agreement on budget bills to keep the government running, among other issues. [BA] f
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Bye Bye to Boom Boom ‘PALISADES PARK’ SINGER FREDDY CANNON DIES AT 89 By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com He called his work “happy music,” and it was. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon died on July 17 at age 89, leaving behind a legacy of upbeat tunes from his heyday in the late 1950s and early ’60s. Cannon made a long life of music— writing, recording and performing until his death last month. Earlier this year he released his final recording, “All She Wants to Do Is Dance.” The record continued Cannon’s tradition of “happy music” with lyrics and a rockin’ beat reminiscent of Cannon’s hits from decades ago.
A New York Times obituary for the rocker said that Cannon’s personal favorite among his many songs was “Tallahassee Lassie” because that 1959 tune evolved from a poem written by his mother. He originally recorded the song with his band at the time, Freddy Karmon & the Hurricanes. When it was released by Swan Records the company, by accident or design, listed the singer as Freddy Cannon. He didn’t mind, and the name stuck—along with his “Boom Boom” nickname. With its infectious and exuberant lyrics, pounding drums and wailing guitar, “Tallahassee Lassie” quickly climbed its way onto the nation’s hit parade, becoming number 6 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 Chart shortly after its release. Teenagers across America danced to the tune and sang along with its lines: “Well, she comes from Tallahassee/ She got a hi-fi chassis/ Maybe looks a little sassy, but to me she’s real classy/ Yeah, my Tallahassee Lassie down in F-L -A .” Cannon punctuated his song’s delivery with exultant shouts of “Woo!” that became his trademark. The hits just kept on coming for “Boom Boom.” In 1960 he again hit the record charts with his raucous, rockin’ rendition
of “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans,” a tune popularized by entertainer Al Jolson decades earlier during the days of vaudeville. Cannon’s version reminded listeners that, “There is heaven right here on Earth with those beautiful queens/ Way down yonder in New Orleans.” He sang a musical tribute to a city where “Creole babies with flashing eyes softly whisper with tender sighs,” and he meant it when he sang, “You bet your life you’ll linger there.” In 1962, America’s transistor radios and black-and-white televisions were tuned in to Cannon’s signature song, “Palisades Park.” Using circus calliope music and sounds from a roller coaster ride, the song is a celebration of teens finding fun at a famous New Jersey amusement park. Written by Chuck Barris—who later found fame of his own as the zany TV host of the tongue-in-cheek “Gong Show”—“Palisades Park” had the classic line, “You’ll never know how great a kiss can feel/ When you stop at the top of a Ferris wheel.” Cannon blasted away with another catchy chart-climber in 1964 with “Abigail Beecher (My History Teacher).” The song is a salute to a cool, popular and with-it young schoolteacher who “plays guitar and wears blue sunglasses.” Abigail Beecher’s antics wowed her students, but perplexed strait-laced adults: “The PTA was really floored when she walked in with a red surfboard.” With more than 100 appearances on “American Bandstand,” Cannon was a mainstay on that iconic show that was must-see TV for teens in the early days of rock music. His musical success was matched by his marital success. Cannon and his wife, Jeanette, married in 1955 and stayed together until her death in 2024. In 2011 the Rolling Stones released their version of Cannon’s “Tallahassee Lassie” that they had recorded in the 1970s. Cannon was thrilled. “To have influenced that band with a little song I wrote with my mother 50 years ago is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said. Cannon returned the musical compliment in 2012 when he wrote and recorded “Covered by the Rolling Stones”—a song title that parodied the ’70s hit song “On the Cover of the Rolling Stone” by Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show. “I’m a rock ’n’ roll act,” said Freddy Cannon. “I don’t have a great voice, but I’ll tell you something right now: I’ll rock with the best of them out there onstage.” He did, and he was right when he said, “What mattered to me was to sing real, raw rock ’n’ roll.” f
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What’s Next?
RUNNERS-UP FOR MAYOR SHARE THEIR FUTURE PLANS
By Lily Thomas news@flagpole.com
A
fter Athens’ mayoral elections, Flagpole followed up with all the candidates who vied against mayor-elect Dexter Fisher for the position. In the initial race, Tim Denson won a plurality, followed by Dexter Fisher, LaKeisha Gantt, Mara Zuniga and Sharon Miller. However, Fisher defeated Denson in the runoff. TIM DENSON: Following the race, Denson asserted his continued commitment to engage with Athens through community organizing. He cited housing, transportation and homelessness as key issues he is focused on. Further, he will finish his term on the Clarke County School Board and continue working with Athens Area Democratic Socialists of America and Athens-Clarke County Democrats. Denson said he is unsure of whether he will seek public office again. He stated, “I do believe that I am well-suited in working on public policy, but haven’t gotten to a point where I know what my future as a candidate might be.” Denson said he is excited to work on campaigns for Rep. Eric Gisler (D-Watkinsville), Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and other progressive candidates. On lessons learned from this race, Denson said: “There is still a lot of distrust, divisiveness and misinformation in the community. Some of that is from a lack of communication and education in the community… The county government can, and should, do more on that.” He said it’s important to combat falsehoods and to effectively inform and engage the community. “We need to work… to keep outside money and groups like Athens Forward from influencing our local elections,” he said. Sharon Miller Denson said he hopes Fisher moves forward with the Open- Container Entertainment District policy Denson campaigned on. “I hope the best for Mayor-elect Fisher; we need
him to succeed,” Denson said. “I’d encourage him to be proactive and willing to make the hard decisions.” In closing, he said, “Don’t lose hope… I look forward to working and advocating with the community to make an Athens that works for everyone.” LAKEISHA GANTT: Gantt will From left, Mara Zuniga, Tim Denson, Dexter Fisher and LaKeisha Gantt at a November candidate also be finishing her term on the Clarke County School forum. Board. She said she will continue to focus on the Athens community through her “Athens is a beautiful place but has a lot of brokenness work, time and relationships, as she did before she entered and a painful history. But we can make progress together,” politics. “The urgency to help create Gantt said. “This [election] reminded me that often people a city in which all people, regardless with power use politics to manage their insecurities and of status, ability and income can brokenness… We’re in political times that require courage, thrive will continue to drive me,” but also psychological maturity [and] healed, competent she said. Gantt is “uncertain at leaders. I’m hopeful that this election reminded us of that this time” on whether she will seek and that as a community, our leaders embrace the internal elected office in the future. and community work that is ahead.” On lessons learned from this MARA ZUNIGA: Zuniga also intends to continue engaging the race, she pointed to two key takeAthens community, as she did following her run in the aways: “Always ask whose voice 2022 mayoral election. She listed attending political meetis missing,” and, “Leading with ings, discussions with community groups, creating coalicourage is more important than tions and supporting impactful nonprofits as key forms of being popular.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining relation- engagement. Is she interested in a future campaign? “Running for ships despite difficult decisions, and office is the highest form of civic duty for me… I was asked recognizing that the people you see to run by a significant number of fellow citizens, and at meetings only represent one poroffered financial support by everyday people,” she said. “If tion of the community. all of that happens again, I would consider it.” “My advice [for Fisher] would be On lessons learned from this mayoral race, she said that, to build relationships with people “Fear and money are tools that can always be used to sway who have nothing to offer but their misinformed or uninformed voters… It is important that stories and wisdom; to make decithe community be better informed and better educated… sions based on not what can keep Educated and informed citizens create more responsible you in office, but what can make voters, and help protect them from being deceived by those Athens better for our most marwho are desirous of the power of public office rather than ginalized communities—lead with their voices and experithe duty of public service.” ences in mind,” she said.
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Zuniga urged Fisher “to keep in mind that the citizens of Athens should always come first. I’m sure this will be challenging for him, in a town where people of money and power have helped, but a strong backbone is necessary for the sake of the people. “In our local community, it should not be about left vs right… My professional opinion is that some local officials are working with elitists from both sides and bet on Athenians getting caught up in party affiliations,” she continued. “If Athenians want to understand why we have high poverty and injustices, they should look at who is really running the show. Always follow the money.” SHARON MILLER: Miller plans to remain active in the Athens community and local government. On whether she intends to run for office again, Miller said she aspires to “remain strong to just help where I can in Athens, and to find quality ways to help us be better, stronger and unified.” She said she learned during the race “that people are the same at the core of their humanity; they want leaders they trust to get things done, and they want dignity and to have a quality life.” Miller said she wishes all newly and returning elected officials the very best. “It takes all of us giving of ourselves to make our community better… Our community is all of our responsibility; I pledge to do my part that I can best serve,” she said. f
Look Ahead and Get Involved! Although most local elections were decided in May or June, there will still be plenty on the ballot this November, from one of the nation’s highest profile Senate races to more obscure statewide offices. At the top of the ticket, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican whose 10th District includes Athens, is challenging incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican businessman Rick Jackson are vying to replace Gov. Brian Kemp, an Athens native. (All three attended a Georgia Chamber of Commerce event at the Classic Center last week; see p. 6 for more.) In other races of particular interest to Athens voters, retired U.S. Army nurse Pamela Delancy, a Democrat, is running against state Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) for Collins’ seat. That opened up Gaines’ seat, where the candidates are Republican Ward Black and Democrat Suzanna Karatassos. In addition, a state Senate seat opened up when Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) ran unsuccessfully for attorney general; he’ll be replaced by Democrat Ray Smith or Republican Marc McMain. But the marquee legislative race in the region will be for House District 121, where Democrat Eric Gisler of Watkinsville pulled off an upset in a special election last December. Now he’s facing a rematch with Republican Mack “Dutch” Guest IV. Will Democrats maintain their momentum, or will Gisler fall prey to the district’s typically rightward tilt? While Flagpole will be covering these races, you can hear from the candidates yourself by attending a local party meeting. The Athens GOP meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Piedmont Medical Services Center at 243 King Ave. and recently welcomed Guest and Black. Athens- Clarke County Democrats meet at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday at the ACC Library. UGA has chapters of the Young Democrats (@youngdemsuga on Instagram), College Republicans (@ugacrs) and Young Democratic Socialists of America (@ ugaydsa). Their meetings are open to non-students. The presence of UGA often draws statewide candidates—Ossoff attracts large crowds of college students whenever he visits Athens, and Collins and Lance Bottoms have campaigned here as well. Also this November, Athens voters will be asked whether to extend a 1% sales tax for education, and whether to create a new 1% sales tax that would go toward property tax relief. In addition, there will be a special election in District 8 on the Clarke County Board of Education to replace Nicole Hull, who resigned in June. [Blake Aued]
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news
feature
Trump’s Research Cuts ADMINISTRATION GUTS GRANTS AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
By Todd L. Pittinsky news@flagpole.com
M
Slashing Research and Development
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U.S. colleges and universities spend more than $108.8 billion annually on research and development, of which about 55%— roughly $60 billion—comes from federal funding via agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Together, the country’s eight Ivy League schools received approximately $4.6 billion of federal university research and development funding in 2023, or 7.8% of all federal research and development funding allocated to academia. Meanwhile, the University of Washington, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, each received over $1 billion in federal research funds. The Trump administration’s federal research and development funding cuts are largely tied to what are called “indirect costs.” Direct costs fund researcher salaries and lab supplies. Indirect costs support the infrastructure that makes research possible and compliant with federal guidelines: lighting, heating and cooling for labs; high-speed data networks; security; and administrative staff who handle payroll and ensure adherence to federal safety and ethics standards. In 2025, the Trump administration decided to cap indirect costs for grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation at 15% of the total grant. Traditionally,
F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
universities have negotiated their own rates based on documented overhead expenses, with many institutions citing indirect cost rates between 50%–70%. Many aspects of the 15% cap have been paused as they’re being challenged in court. Should these cuts go through, it would be incredibly disruptive for universities that have counted on this funding. However, outside of the battle over indirect costs, many research projects simply lost funding or experienced major delays. Over the past year, thousands of grants have been frozen, terminated or left unfunded. DOROTHY KOZLOWSKI / UGA MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
ost of the media coverage of the federal government’s recent cuts in federal research money for universities has focused on its effects on a handful of elite Ivy League universities, such as Harvard, Columbia and Cornell. “When you take money away from a Columbia or a Harvard or other institutions, you’ve just taken away funds from the best researchers,” Toby Smith, the senior vice president for government relations at the Association of American Universities, told CNN in April 2025. But these schools account for only a small fraction of the nation’s scientific output that federal research money helps generate. In my view, too many policy discussions and debates obsess over what happens on the campuses of elite colleges. Meanwhile, public universities quietly power the nation’s research engine. The Ivies do play a critical role in advanced research. But the nation’s public universities make up the backbone of U.S. innovation—research powerhouses such as the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Institute of Technology and Stony Brook University, where I teach. These places train the overwhelming majority of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates for the U.S. workforce and run the lion’s share of federally funded science and engineering research.
states and draw from a much more economically and racially diverse population. They award the vast majority of engineering degrees in the U.S., with more than 144,701 given out in 2023, or more than 70% of the nation’s total. Purdue University awarded 3,827 engineering degrees that year, with Texas A&M conferring 3,704. By contrast, Cornell University granted just 820 engineering degrees—the most among the Ivies, but just 25th nationally. Elite schools, including the Ivies, have increasingly steered graduates into finance, law or consulting. Just 2.7% of Yale’s 2024 graduating class was employed as engineers six months after graduation. Meanwhile, public universities serve as the top feeder schools for major defense and aerospace firms. Stony Brook University’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences enrolled over 5,600 students in fall 2024, making it one of the top producers of engineering talent in New York. The university manages the Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, which uses advanced tools such as particle colliders to make discoveries in physics, energy, materials and biology. It’s one of a handful of universities that directly operate a national lab.
Collateral Damage
A student tests a water filtration system at UGA’s Engineering Academic Boot Camp.
Ivy League institutions are much better equipped to weather the storm. In 2021, Forbes reported that the collective endowment of the eight Ivies was approximately $192.6 billion, led by Harvard’s $53.2 billion and Yale’s $42.3 billion. Supporters of Trump’s funding cuts have argued that this immense, tax-exempt financial arsenal could significantly subsidize their overhead costs, rather than relying on taxpayers to do so. While endowments don’t serve as a blank check, schools can still pull from them in times of need. In contrast, public universities are far more dependent on federal funds to sustain labs, staff and graduate programs. In 2021, the entire Texas public university system— the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Dallas and Texas Tech— held an endowment of around $40 billion, more than $10 billion less than Harvard’s.
Public Schools are the Training Ground This isn’t to argue that the Ivies should have their research funding cut, while public universities ought to be spared. It’s to shift the focus of the conversation to who stands to lose the most: the public universities that educate the vast majority of the U.S.’s future scientists and fuel most of the nation’s scientific output. The Ivy League’s geographic reach is extremely concentrated, situated across just seven states, all in the Northeast. Public four-year institutions are located in all 50
The Trump administration has argued that federal research funding cuts are necessary because too many dollars have been allocated for social policy goals, whether it’s $349,985 to train engineers to “enable engineering for social justice” or $600,000 to teach aerospace engineering students “critical consciousness and sensitivity to injustices within social systems.” While federal law bars the Department of Education from influencing curriculum, the National Science Foundation faces no such constraint. Too much funding, it claimed, went to research that strayed from the federal agencies’ core scientific mandates and crowded out the kind of critical research that underpins U.S. innovation. While I think fiscal responsibility and mission creep merit attention, cuts that are too dramatic and too indiscriminate risk gutting the high-impact research that is essential to national security and technological leadership, much of which takes place at public institutions. Fields from supercomputing and wireless communications to biothreat countermeasures and health sciences will and have felt the pain of widespread cuts. Federal research funding is not merely academic spending. It is an important national investment that directly fuels local and national economic growth. It supports high-wage jobs and “innovation districts” centered on university and federal laboratories. The future of scientific research funding isn’t a debate over how much government help the privileged Ivies ought to receive. It’s a question of whether public universities will be given the resources to nurture the next generation of scientists, drive bold discoveries and keep America at the forefront of scientific innovation for generations to come. f Todd L. Pittinsky is a professor of technology and society at Stony Brook University in New York. This article originally appeared at The Conversation.
news
feature
Congratulations to
UGA Guidance
Puma Yu’s
August Beautiful Business of the Month!
TIPS FOR FIRST-YEAR DAWGS FROM THEIR OLDER PEERS
By Lily Thomas news@flagpole.com
In
the spirit of the back-to-school season, Flagpole gathered advice from recent graduates and rising seniors at the University of Georgia. Hopefully, these words of wisdom will help new students make the most of their time in Athens. Across majors and hometowns, there is a lesson for everyone.
“Make new friends, but make sure to keep in touch with friends from your hometown.” — Owen White; history and English; Memphis, TN “Find your community on campus, whether that’s with a club or group with a shared interest or even an [intramural] sports team. It can be difficult to make such a large student body feel small, but finding your community on campus can help you create a network that will support you throughout the ups and downs of college.” — Jacob Weiszer; international affairs and management information systems; Athens
counts at the performing arts center to exhibitions at the special collections library to art openings at Lamar Dodd, there is so much celebration of arts and culture at UGA. Being a regular at events like these is a great way to build community and make friends.” — Emma Scott; sculpture; Athens “Make sure to meet lots of new people, but also focus on having a few close friends you can rely on.” — Chris Todorov; mathematics and linguistics; Bishopville, MD “Make an effort to get to know the other students in your classes whenever possible.” — Julia Hartman; Spanish and international affairs; Suwanee
BILLY SHUERMAN / UGA MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
“Just because it’s senior year or you recently graduated doesn’t mean it’s too late to explore new interests. Sure, it’s probably not feasible to change your major or reinvent your career trajectory overnight. But, honestly, it’s never too late to begin new chapters in your life. Take the class, join the club, start the adventure—and don’t worry that you’re starting late or behind; just be happy you’re starting.” — Jack Jarashow; economics and political science; Marlboro, NJ
“Everyone’s got their own timeline. No matter how seemingly put together or far ahead your peers are, know that everything meant for A display at the Tate Center for new student orientation. you comes at its own pace. Keep the faith.” “Get involved with a club or organization — Katie Beth Brewer; biological science; on campus. There’s something for every Eastman niche.” — Cooper Hardy; agricultural communications; Hawkinsville “Write down a five-year plan. Figure out what you need to do to reach the end. As “When I visited UGA senior year of high you learn and gain experience, be willing school, there was a panel at New Dawgs to change your mind. Re-envision your end where a professor gave this advice: ‘UGA goal, and revise the path to get there all the will offer you every door of opportunity time.” — Andy Wyatt; political science and it possibly can and leave it unlocked. It is public relations; Sandy Springs your job to find your doors and open them.’ This advice has been so true, and time and “Join a club your freshman year, whether time again I’ve been reminded of that. it be Model UN or mahjong. It doesn’t have Take advantage of the resources you get as to be something you plan on doing forever, an undergrad in college, and be curious; it but the friends you make during those early really pays off in the long run.” —Sloka months may become some of your most Sudhin; data science and applied mathematimportant.” — Piper Duncan; international ics; Cobb County affairs; Jasper “Don’t stress over feeling that you always need a reason behind your decisions. Everyone understands college is about exploring new ideas and opportunities. Be spontaneous, and explore all UGA has to offer.” — Evan Robey; finance; Henrietta, NY “There is an overwhelming bounty of resources to embrace. From student dis-
“My biggest advice is basic, but still so important: It’s to really enjoy every moment of your experience. It’s very easy to get bogged down with assignments and planning for the future, but time goes by so much quicker than you think. You really only live once, so make the most of it.” — Connor Nipper; pharmaceutical sciences; Eatonton f
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UPCOMING FREE PERFORMANCES FACULTY AND GUEST ARTIST RECITAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 at 7:30 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall
Kenn Wagner, violin (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) returns to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music alongside UGA faculty Michael Heald, violin, Maggie Snyder, viola, and James Kim, cello.
FACULTYARTIST series
PALETARITAS ARE HERE We now have icy Margaritas topped with real paletas, chamoy rims + bold flavors! FLAVORS INCLUDE: Sandíada - Watermelon
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TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall
JAY IVEY baritone
ANDREW VOELKER piano
This event is free but RSVPs are encouraged
FEATURED WORKS: Gustav Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer), Selections inspired by the tales of Don Quixote, and classic pieces from the beloved musical Man of La Mancha. Meet- and-greet reception to follow.University of Georgia music faculty
All Hugh Hodgson School of Music events take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road in Athens unless indicated.
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F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
food & drink
grub notes
Pompeii Dishes Up Dreamy Pizza PLUS, NUANCED SIMPLICITY AT BAR BRUNO
By Amanda Johnson food@flagpole.com POMPEII (427 E. Broad St., @pompeii athens): The brain child of locals Brian Highlander and Daniel Ray replaced another downtown Italian restaurant, Depalma’s, in a seemingly elegant succession. The interior is much the same as its predecessor, with an impressive bar and a private dining room with stained glass accents. There are two sides of the space: one is a long corridor of comfy booths, the other is up front by the kitchen pass, where you can somewhat see into the kitchen. There is even a little fishbowl window that showcases one of the stations. As a chef, I was far too mouthy/vulgar/stoned to ever work in a customer-facing kitchen. I do salute those who can; you’re doing the Lord’s work. The menu was thoughtfully curated in collaboration with chef Matt Palmerlee (The National). You’ll find textbook classic pasta dishes, hearty sandwiches and some tantalizing specialty pizzas. There are plenty of vegetarian menu options. There’s even a vegan broccolini sandwich that piqued my curiosity, but not hard enough for me to pass up the opportunity to eat lots and lots of mortadella. For the uninitiated, mortadella is a cold cut that originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It is bologna studded with pistachios, pepperAMANDA JOHNSON
Pompeii
corns and chunks of pork fat that make a delicious mosaic morsel when sliced thin. I thoroughly appreciate any menu that allows you to enjoy mortadella on a salad, sandwiches and pizza. Pompeii’s mozzarella sticks are made in-house from buffalo mozzarella dredged in a mix of breadcrumbs and za’atar seasoning. If you are yearning for a dramatic cheese pull moment, these are for you. I also ordered the garlic knots, though what came out to the table were more like garlic “nots.” The dough person used some creative license when shaping these. The resulting freeforms, lightly tossed in garlic, were fluffy and fine. The marinara served with both of the above is an uncomplicated concoction of tomatoes, olive oil and salt; the sauce proves that sometimes less really is more. I enjoyed the Italian sandwich served on house-made focaccia with heaps of mortadella, soppressata and capicola (say it with me, “gah-bah-GOOL”). The focaccia is springy, and holds up well to the calabrian chili mayo and spicy mustard.
The mortadella pie was delightful—the interior is thin and crispy with a flavorful and perfectly chewy crust. The execution was deliberate. The pistachios are baked under the cheese to keep them from burning, the ricotta and mozzarella were evenly distributed, and the mortadella and arugula placed atop the pizza after it came out of the oven. All of that effort added up to one dreamy pizza. What distinguishes Pompeii from the myriad other Italian restaurants in town? For me, it’s the seasoned townie staff that provides genuine good service, a killer pizza dough recipe and a lot of heart. Oh, and mortadella, of course. Pompeii is closed on Tuesdays and open Sunday and Monday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. BAR BRUNO (1664 S. Lumpkin St., bar brunoathens.com): My sister Rachael was in town recently, and it was the perfect opportunity to finally check out Bar Bruno. The patio was inviting with lush planters and a neat collection of orange sherbert colored umbrellas with white fringe. Lace lined the front windows, and a bold gold leaf sign shimmered off the glass. Are we in Five Points, or is this the Amalfi coast? Upon entry we were greeted by a man in a green blazer with a gold artichoke pin on the lapel who encouraged us to take a look at the menu, order at the counter and find a table. I am sure the wine is fabulous, but we were feeling cocktails. Our favorite was the saffron sour, which was an ethereal blend of gin, saffron liqueur, lemon and egg white. It took me a while to get here, but I am finally pro-egg white in cocktails. The velvety texture created by the gently denatured egg protein is luxurious and not at all eggy. Food and drink are served on charmingly mismatched vintage floral plates and unique glassware like you might find at your Nonna’s house. The meatballs were classically good, no notes. The ’nduja panino, a baguette slathered in spicy salami spread with lemon aioli and arugula, was simple and satisfying. The best thing we tried was the arancini. The juxtaposition between the crispy fried exterior and the gooey rice center— holy flavor spheres, Batman! The waitstaff is adorable in their matching green artichoke blazers; the uniform really does a lot to elevate the experience. You can even buy your own Bar Bruno blazer if you are so inclined. I settled for a complimentary pen. It says, “Bar Bruno semplicata sfumata,” which translates to “nuanced simplicity.” I’d say that’s pretty accurate. Bar Bruno is open Monday–Thursday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., closed Sundays. f
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F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
arts & culture
calendar picks
ART | THU, AUG. 13
Stephen Humphreys Artist Talk
Lyndon House Arts Center • 5:30 p.m. • FREE!
Over the course of four years, lawyer and photographer Stephen Humphreys made several trips to Ukraine, photographing both the wreckage and the daily life of the war-torn country. Humphreys first felt compelled to travel to Ukraine in 2022, after the Battle of Irpin, to learn how he could be of assistance. He began doing legal work for war crime investigations, volunteered at the territorial defense center, contributed to a study on Russian disinformation, helped
release show by post-hardcore/grunge band Futon and hardcore band Dogism. [MB] MUSIC | SAT, AUG. 15
Athens Face/Off
Athens Face/Off is returning for the first time in seven years to stretch the creative and collaborative skills of local musicians, and give audiences an opportunity to see some of their favorite musicians mixed and matched into new bands. For the event, 60 musicians have been randomly divided into trios and given a month to prepare an original set of material. Some may already know one another, while others may be
establish a joint program between Ukrainian and U.S. universities, and more. During his time in the country, he photographed collapsed infrastructure, buildings turned to rubble and destroyed homes, but also the celebrations, love and work that existed in spite of all the destruction. The dissonance between these two realities—between war and mundanity—reveals how populations endure through hardship and how a state of heightened alertness can settle in with normalcy as time goes on. Humphreys will discuss his time in Ukraine and his photos for this “Excursion in Ukraine” artist talk, and his photos will be on display in the West Gallery through Aug. 29. [Mary Beth Bryan]
total strangers, and their first—and possibly last—sets together as bands will be held on a multi-stage rotation for a night of non-stop new music. Musicians from Alien Funk Academy, Big Trouble, Cannon andtheBoxes, Cicada Rhythm, Crazier, Dragana, Father Werewolf, Good Grief Trio, Honeypuppy, Nihilus, Normaltown Sound Machine, Pilgrim, Rubber Udder, Smoggo, Telemarket, Trvy and the Enemy, Viv and The Things, YumboTron and many more will participate. Hosted by Shadebeat and Ideal Bagel Co., proceeds from Athens Face/ Off will benefit Nuçis Space and the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition. [MB]
MUSIC | THU, AUG. 13
Thou
Dead Beat Club • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $10
In anticipation of its upcoming album, Steel, local alternative ska punk band Parking Garage released a single called “Truly Automatic” on Aug. 10. According to vocalist and bassist Dakota Snow, the song is about seeing yourself as a robot who’s incapable of love, set to instrumentation that’s rhythmically stable but melodically manic. There are gruff vocals, punchy basslines and trumpets that glissando up and down. Snow says that the goal of Steel was to “cram as many hooks as we possibly could in each track” and make every song sound like a potential single. “Truly Automatic” is just a slice of the album’s sonic ambition and overarching themes about “finding love in the most unlikely of circumstances, finding happiness in the midst of self-loathing, and finding peace in the middle of conflict.” Parking Garage will be joined at its single-
threats & promises
Messiah Cartiye’s Abnormal PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com
40 Watt Club • 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show) • $10
Thou
Parking Garage Single-Release Show
music
MUSIC | WED, AUG. 19
The World Famous • 9 p.m. • $10
Influential Louisiana metal band Thou is visiting Athens for a show presented by Most Known Unknown. Thou was founded in 2005, but didn’t release its debut record, Tyrant, until after its current lead singer Bryan Funck joined the band in 2007. Though often classified as Southern sludge or other variants of metal, Thou actually identifies heavily with ’90s grunge icons like Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden; the band even released a compilation album of Nirvana covers in 2020. Over the years, Thou has helped cultivate the DIY attitude of the metal scene while also promoting staunchly anti-fascist, anti- capitalist and anarchist ideals. The band’s most recent record, 2024’s Umbilical, is one of its heaviest yet, with Pitchfork reviewer Patrick Lyons explaining that Thou “make their grunge lineage more explicit while maintaining the intensity of their all- encompassing contempt.” Joining for this show are hardcore band Big Trouble and experimental punk band Bone Bag. [MB] f
STREAM ON: The equally irrepressible and irreverent Nicholas Mallis and The Borealis have just released the collection The Lost Tapes (Songs Regained After Years of Legal Battles). It’s absolutely true these songs were originally released years ago, 2014–15 to be exact, and it remains a deliberately mysterious conceit regarding the band’s battles with corporate entities. The 13 songs here are complete versions of Mallis’ first two records, Golden Age Vanity (2014) and The Hobby Lobbyist (2015). I honestly cannot tell if any of these were rerecorded for this release, because everything sounds exactly like the original recordings. So, let’s revisit. The listener is set up for satisfaction immediately with the power-pop spaghetti western “Moonrise.” Similar, though distinct, aesthetics run throughout “Orange” and “Dance Master.” I myself am quite drawn to the buoyant synths in “Weekends,” “The Director” and “Early Summer,” and Mallis’ storytelling in “Prodigal Children” and the of Montreal- referencing “A Song For Georgie Fruit.” If you’re in the market for pure pop for now people, you could do a lot worse and, in turn, not much better. Find this and the whole catalog over at nicholasmallis.bandcamp.com. 33° 57’ 0.0036’’ N, 83° 22’ 59.9916’’ W.: The first
new music from Futo (aka Patrick Brick) in two-and-a-half years just came out, and the five-song EP is titled Crying on Oglethorpe. As longtime listeners would expect, it’s self-described as “bedroom pop,” and that’s totally true. Brick’s creative use of a slow-tempo opening song, “Rec League Tennis,” is welcome, and creates an anticipatory feeling toward the rest of the record. The song finds its closest relative in Neutral Milk Hotel, but with its own musical and lyrical personality. The sparse but forceful arrangement of “Dog Years” lets its catchiness sneak up instead of announcing itself. The title song is among the most authentically Athenian tunes ever released, but I’m not going to say anymore about it because it’s a joy to find on your own. Closing song “Drawers Of Junk” is both heartbreaking and matter- of-fact, like a lot of his work. But Futo is adept at speaking in universalities, even if perhaps unintentional, through his deeply personal songwriting. Grab it at futo.bandcamp.com.
OPEN 24 HOURS: Athens rockers Parking Garage are certainly pressing the gas on the new single “Truly Automatic,” which came out a few days ago. It starts with a bass riff, and rock-and-roll fans will likely imagine where it’s going but they’d be wrong. Within moments it is elevated
substantially by horns. and these, actually, are where the hooks in this are located. The group releases the video for the song on Saturday, Aug. 15 but will play a single release show at Dead Beat Club Thursday, Aug. 13 with Atlanta bands Futon and Dogism, which are described as “grunge” and “emo-violence” (good Lord!), respectively. The single is from the upcoming album Steel, which comes out Sept. 4. Find it on Spotify and parkinggarage.bandcamp. com, and for more information, please see instagram.com/theparkinggarageband. WHAT’S THE STORY?: Although known for its harder rockin’ material, Athens band KIT has reverted to a smooth pop and R&B style for its newest single “Morning Glory.” It’s as skilled an execution as any of the group’s other material, and its particular brand of blue-eyed soul aligns with that of ’80s hitmakers Simply Red, Paul Young, et al. The song comes out Friday, Aug. 14, and the band plays a release show for it Saturday, Aug. 15 at Flicker Theatre and Bar with Michael Carnes and The Unbelieving Dog. Find the new song, and other KIT material, on major streaming services, and for more information, please see kitmusicathens.com. STAY TUNED IN: Multi-talented (rapping, producing, songwriting) Messiah Cartiye released his 13-song album Abnormal right at the end of last month. This is an incred-
ibly creative, genre-bending collection of homespun hip hop that is both refreshingly current but also part of a lineage of intelligent, artsy hip hop. The bouncy, simple keyboard beat of “Sunny D” makes it totally sing-a-long ready, and the raw garage funk of “Pockets” is an example of the breadth of this release. The aspirational “Gen Z” keeps the record tethered to its homemade roots by listing desires and goals, and album closer “The End” is flamboyant, spacey and a fitting crescendo. Fans of old-school backpack rap or artists like J Dilla, Madlib and Odd Future (as well as some associated side projects/solo works) should really dig this. Find it at mcartiye23.bandcamp.com. f
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live music calendar Tuesday 11
Daily Groceries Co-op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop LEA LEA Athens-based secret bedroom pop. Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. & 9 p.m. FREE! www.deadbeat athens.com KENOSHA KID The brainchild of guitarist Dan Nettles performs two sets of adventurous new music each week from his ever-expanding catalog that exists “somewhere in the Schrödinger’s nexus of jazz, post-rock and improvised music.” Hendershot’s 5–7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com PIANO BAR HAPPY HOUR Enjoy the drink specials and live piano music.
vocals to create simple yet charmingly vulnerable productions. 4DFUNKK Experimental electronic music. CHRISTEE DARLING No info available. TAIL STRIPES Local electronic- based DJ. Georgia Theatre Rooftop 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $26.39. www.georgiatheatre.com LUKE BORCHELT Country singer, songwriter and proud Maryland native whose music tells the story of his roots and influences. RALEY MONTANA Georgia-based country musician who’s been playing songs since her childhood.
VICIOUS DEVIL Project from Curtiss Pernice, Ballard Lesemann and Larry Tenner. Hendershot’s 3 p.m. (doors). FREE! (3 and under), $10. www.hendershotsathens.com THE PG SHOW A campy, creative rock and roll band with songs about topics like veggies and exercise that make kids want to dance. Album release show! Nowhere Bar 7 p.m. (doors), 9:30 p.m. (show). www.instagram.com/nowherebar athensga THE VENUS KINGS American blues and soul group based in Atlanta.
RACHEL O’NEAL Americana singer-songwriter. (9 a.m.) Boutier Winery 7:30 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.boutierwinery.com AUDIO CANDY EXPERIENCE Playing classic and modern rock. Ciné 8 p.m. $12. www.athenscine.com BUCKLEY’S ANGELS Trio composed of William Kissane, Roan O’Reilly and Ethan Houseman performing songs from Jeff Buckley’s sole studio album, Grace. THE DISCIPLINE A fun blend of intricate and angular guitar work and muscular vocals over a bed of melodic bass lines.
hyperpop and familiar pop anthems. Costumes are encouraged. Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). www. hendershotsathens.com WILTING PAGES Musical alias of multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Lander Combs. TATTOO LOGIC Athens-based five piece funk punk band with compositional chops. SOLAR PLEXUS SUPER PUNCH Neo-jazz and indie-rock group from Atlanta. Nowhere Bar 7 p.m. (doors), 9:30 p.m. (show). www.instagram.com/nowherebar athensga
Wednesday 12 Amici at The Falls 6 p.m. www.facebook.com/amiciat thefalls ALEX BOSCOFF Playing covers and originals. Athentic Brewing Co. 7–10 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY Second and fourth Wednesdays. Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket. net FOLIE À QUATRE Playing a mix of French chansons, jazzy tunes and originals by Lavon Smith, accompanied on guitar, accordion and double bass. Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (sign-ups). FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE OPEN MIC Emcees, poets, rappers and freestylers of all styles are invited to perform with the backing band playing the tempo of their choice.
Thursday 13 40 Watt Club Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. bit.ly/AtlantaVice40Watt ATLANTA VICE Live ’80s rewind experience featuring new wave synth-pop and arena rock anthems. Dead Beat Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.deadbeatathens.com PARKING GARAGE Athens-based alternative ska punk band made of 100% steel. “Truly Automatic” single release show! FUTON Post-hardcore/grunge band from Monroe. DOGISM Coolest hardcore band in the dog park if Atlanta was a dog park. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com CAUGHY Artist combining assorted synthesizers, drum machines and
Oak House Distillery 4–6:30 p.m. www.oakhousedistillery. com STRATTON JAMES Rock, pop and more from the 1980s to now. Sandy Creek Park 2–4 p.m. $2 (park admission). www. accgovga.myrec.com SANDY CREEK HOOTENANNY Bring your instrument and play along to campfire classics at this casual open jam session.
Monday 17 Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com BLUE MONDAY De La Luna and DJ Charlieflower spin new wave, post-punk, remixes, goth and Italo disco for this ’80s dance party. Normaltown Brewing Co. 6:30 p.m. (sign-ups), 7–9 p.m. (show). FREE! www.normaltown brewingco.com MONDAY FUNDAY FUNK JAM Will Shine hosts this open jam with a house band made up of rotating local musicians.
Tuesday 18
Heart of Pine will play at Nowhere Bar on Saturday, Aug. 15. 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 7:30–11 p.m. $7 (adv.), $10. www. hendershotsathens.com SABACHA DANCE SOCIAL DJ L.A. Darius leads a Latin dance party with salsa, bachata, merengue and cha-cha-cha. An hour-long lesson is followed by open dancing. Nowhere Bar 7 p.m. (doors), 9:30 p.m. (show). www.instagram.com/nowherebar athensga HOTO Self-described “redneck jazz.”
Friday 14 Amici at The Falls 6 p.m. www.facebook.com/amiciat thefalls CAM NORTON Covers and originals in the vein of rock, folk, bluegrass and country. Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. $7. www.deadbeatathens.com VICTOR CHARLIE Original grunge three-piece grunge rock band that formed in Athens in 2001.
Southern Drawl Bar & Grille 5–10 p.m. www.southerndrawlbarand grille.com KARAOKE Every Friday night. VFW Post 2872 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfw2872 STEVE DYER AND THE JUKEBOX COUNTRY BAND Seasoned musicians playing classic country music. Line dancing during the band breaks.
Saturday 15 40 Watt Club Shadebeast and Ideal Bagel Co. Present. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $10. Benfiting Nuçis Space and the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition. www.40watt.com ATHENS FACE/OFF 60 local musicians randomly divided into trios and given one month to collaborate perform together for the first time. Athentic Brewing Co. Athentic Palooza. 5–7 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com DAVE FORKER & THE CUSTOM CONCERN Originals and covers. Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net
STEPHAN EŪTSLER Athens-based guitarist touring in support of his upcoming record Meditations of the Infinite Mind with a show that combines dynamic high fidelity music with surreal visuals. Dead Beat Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8:30 p.m. (show). $10. www.deadbeatathens.com GREYLOW Genre-blending garage rock. KARMA KAT Local band with sounds of rock, pop and funky jazz. They’ll rock your whiskers off! KYLE LEWIS IS A BORING NAME Ascending from the Atlanta sewers to bring their wacky amalgamation of emo-tinged avant pop to Athens townies (and students, I guess). Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors). $10. www.flicker theatreandbar.com KIT Athens-based kaleidoscopic rock band expanded from the eponymous solo project Catt Malonius. MICHAEL CARNES A blend of pop-punk and indie folk held up by meditative lyrics. THE UNBELIEVING DOG Power pop alt-country songs from Iain Cooke and friends. Georgia Theatre 9:30 p.m. $20.40–23.50. www.georgiatheatre.com KAWAII RAVAE An anime-inspired dance party featuring EDM, K-Pop,
HEART OF PINE Athens Americana group fusing Southern and psychedelic rock with country. The Root 10 p.m. FREE! www.therootathens. com SILENT DISCO Grab a pair of headphones, choose a music channel and dance the night away.
Sunday 16 The Globe 4–7 p.m. www.facebook.com/globe. athens TRADITIONAL IRISH SESSION Easy listening traditional Irish music. Hendershot’s Dizzy Rat Entertainment Presents. 5 p.m. (doors), 6 p.m. (show). $10. www.hendershotsathens.com NATHANAEL SMITH Professional jazz pianist from Atlanta who toured nationally with the Glenn Miller Orchestra after graduating with a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University. Morton Theatre 5 p.m. $35 (adults), $20 (ages 5–12). www.mortontheatre.com BARROW’S BEST GOSPEL SHOWCASE Twelve gospel singers will compete live, judged by a panel of five experts.
Daily Groceries Co-op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop NANCY HEIGES Heartfelt ukulele songs. Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. & 9 p.m. FREE! www.deadbeat athens.com KENOSHA KID The brainchild of guitarist Dan Nettles performs two sets of adventurous new music each week from his ever-expanding catalog that exists “somewhere in the Schrödinger’s nexus of jazz, post-rock and improvised music.” Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.hendershotsathens.com BICHOS VIVOS Local band playing forró, an accordion, zabumba and triangle-driven genre of party music from Brazil. PERRENGUE Ensemble recreating the sounds of a summer night party in Brazil through samba, bossa nova and more. State Botanical Garden of Georgia Sunflower Concert Series. 7 p.m. $12 (ages 5–16), $24. botgarden. uga.edu ABBEY ROAD LIVE! Beloved local tribute band that keeps the crowd rocking to its extensive Beatles cover sets.
Wednesday 19 Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. The World Famous 9 p.m. $10. www.facebook.com/the worldfamousathens THOU Louisiana sludge metal. BIG TROUBLE Hardcore thrash gods. BONE BAG Heavy experimental punk band with post-punk and sludge undertones. f
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Tuesday 11
event calendar
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: 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 BINGO (The Globe) Drop in to play and win prizes. 6:30–8:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/baddogathens GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Paloma Park) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Winghouse Grill Hull) Test your general trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/MellowMushroomAthens 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 GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Magnolias of Athens) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. www. instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco 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.athenslibrary.org/bogart
Wednesday 12 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: French Class (Oconee County Library) Join instructor Emma Auer to learn the basics of the French language. Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee 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 EVENTS: Garden Nights (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Enjoy an after hours tour of the butterfly garden plus beverages, bingo games and more. Ages 18 & up. 6:30 p.m. $10 (members), $25 (non-members). botgarden.uga.edu EVENTS: Craft Night (G H O S T) Drop in after hours to enjoy community crafting, music and more. 7–9 p.m. FREE! www.instagram. com/ghost.athens FILM: Pachinko Pop Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1978 action comedy film Truck Rascals Go to the North. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar. com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Drop in and play Shadowfist. All skill levels. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Bingo (Oconee County Library) Play Bingo to win prizes and books. FREE! 2 p.m. www. athenslibrary.org/oconee
art around town ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) “Erin Johnson: The Measure is Something Else” is the first survey exhibition of work by the artist and filmmaker, exploring ecology, science, nationalism and queer worldmaking through film and installation. Opening reception Aug. 29, 4–6 p.m. Through Mar. 20, 2027. • “Megan Ledbetter: The Field (2022–2026)” features photographs of a historic municipal cemetery in Red Bank, TN that was in operation from 1890–1912. Opening reception Aug. 29, 4–6 p.m. Through Nov. 21. ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LIBRARY (2025 Baxter St.) In the Bogue Gallery, “Earth: Living on and with Our Only Home Planet” features music album covers curated by Ilkka Kauppinen and Olli-Pekka Moisio that are inspired by the earth’s natural environment and span the 1940s to present. Through Sept. 13. ATHICA (675 Pulaski St.) “Ground Zero Athens” features never-before-seen photographs by Barbara McKenzie documenting the early Athens music scene. Opening reception Aug. 20, 6–9 p.m. Through Sept. 27. ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “Piecemeal” features collages by Brian George incorporating pieces of discarded books, including children’s bibles, medical textbooks and frontier history books. Through Aug. 25. AURUM STUDIOS (125 E. Clayton St.) “The Silk Show ’26” features painted silks by Margaret Agner. Through August. BMA STUDIO (1354 South Milledge Ave.) An open studio event will be held on Aug. 20 from 5–7 p.m. featuring abstract and floral works by Sarah Mason. Through August. DODD GALLERIES (270 River Rd.) In the West Gallery, “Runner Up” features multimedia works by Victoria Dugger, recipient of the 2026 Margie E. West Alumni Prize, which examines Black girlhood, disability and the Southern Gothic. Artist talk Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. in room S151. Opening reception Aug. 27, 5–7 p.m. On display Aug. 27–Nov. 20.
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GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Ian. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/ classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Normal Bar) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Wednesdays, 7:06 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Cafe Racer (Oak St.)) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia MEETINGS: Georgia Native Plant Society Meeting (Sandy Creek Nature Center) This month’s presentation features Dr. Jennifer Berry of UGA’s honey bee program and a discussion on how to help stop pollinator decline. 6 p.m. FREE! gnps.org MEETINGS: Crafters Meetup (ACC Library) Bring your crafting work- in-progress and chat with other creative people. 6:30–8 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org
Thursday 13 ART: Artist Talk (Lyndon House Arts Center) Photographer Stephen Humphreys will discuss his works in the exhibition “Excursions in the Ukraine.” 5:30 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/lyndonhouse COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Flying Squid
Comedy) Bring a loose funny bone to some home-grown townie improv. 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (short-form), 8 p.m. (long-form). $5. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com GAMES: Bad Dog BINGO (Amici at The Falls) Play BINGO with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 6 p.m. www. instagram.com/baddogathens GAMES: Adult TTRPG (Bogart Library) All skill levels can join for Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop role playing games. Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Happy Hour Trivia (The Rook and Pawn) Test your trivia knowledge with host Nikolai. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.therookandpawn.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Butt Hutt) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www. instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Athens’ Hardest Trivia Night (Nighthawks Lounge) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www.nighthawkslounge.com KIDSTUFF: YA Horror Book Club & Research Study (ACC Library) Learn more about a research study focusing on understanding how teenagers interpret and respond to YA horror literature, and sign up for a book club participation program. 6 p.m. FREE! ya@athenslibrary.org MEETINGS: Pencil Pushers Drink & Draw (Hendershot’s) Hang out and draw on the paper-covered tables or bring your own sketchbook. 5–7 p.m. FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com 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
DONDEROS’ KITCHEN (590 N. Milledge Ave.) Whimsical artworks by Susan Pelham are on display. Through August. FOYER (135 Park Ave.) “New Faith” features plexiglass and ceramic sculptures by Ethan Snow inspired by medieval art that explore artificial intelligence, technology and devotion. Opening reception Aug. 21, 5–7 p.m. Open by appointment through Oct. 11. GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) On loan from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art are 377 painted ceramic plates from Julie Green’s “The Last Supper” series inspired by death row inmates’ final meal requests. Through Aug. 16. • “Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone” features sculptures by the 19th-century Black and Indigenous artist Edmonia Lewis. Community open house Aug. 22, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Through Jan. 3, 2027. HISTORIC ATHENS WELCOME CENTER (280 E. Dougherty St.) The exhibit “Anne Brumby: Her Life in Athens, Georgia” shares the story of Anne W. Brumby and features a curated selection of antique women’s garments on display in the master bedroom of the c. 1820 Church-Waddel-Brumby House. Through Aug. 17. LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.). “Speaking in Tongues” features multi-media works by local and regional artists inspired by language and text across mediums and eras. Poetry/spoken word event Aug. 27, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Through Aug. 29. • A Pet Portrait Exhibition features works submitted by the public. Through Aug. 29. • “Excursions in Ukraine” features photographs by Stephen Humphreys. Artist talk Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m. Through Aug. 29. • “Son of a Griff” features paintings by self-taught Black and Indigenous American artist Rial Rye that explore race and identity through saturated color and found objects. Through Aug. 29. • “BEE CITY OF NOW” is a 24-foot model community for bees by Swannatopia and Experimental Art Club, installed on the Arts Center’s second-floor outdoor patio. Through May 1, 2027. • “It Came to Me in a Dream” features paintings by self-taught Georgia artist Valton Murray exploring dreamlike landscapes and abstract forms rooted in memory and personal history. Through Oct. 10. • “Interwoven” features paintings and ceramic sculptures by Athens-based artist Jennifer Heynen inspired by the coast, combining
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 THEATER: Antigone (Town & Gown Players) Production of Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy bringing it into the modern day. Aug. 13–15, 8 p.m. Aug. 16, 2 p.m. $20 (adults), $15 (members, seniors and students). www.townandgownplayers.org
Friday 14 COMEDY: Presentation Panic! (Flying Squid Comedy) An evening of surprise presentation improv with Wil Byrum, Joerg Mayer, Ellie Minette, Jeff Montgomery, Kelly Petronis and Jeremy Thao. 8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: Wine Tasting (Tonique Bottle Co.) Drop in to try four different styles of wines from Germany and Austria. 5–7 p.m. $10. www. shoptonique.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Oak House Distillery) Test your general trivia knowledge. Fridays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia 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 PERFORMANCE: Wet Hot Townie Summer (40 Watt Club) Athens Spectacular and Dancefx’s Bombshells present a burlesque show. 7:30 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.40watt.com THEATER: Antigone (Town & Gown Players) Production of Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy bringing it into the modern day. Aug. 13–15, 8 p.m. Aug. 16, 2 p.m. $20 (adults), $15 (members, seniors and students). www.townandgownplayers.org
Saturday 15 ART: Family Saturday Art Workshop (Lyndon House Arts Center) Drop in for hands-on art workshops inspired by current exhibitions. Registration encouraged. 12–2 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/ lyndonhouse 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.athensfarmersmarket.net EVENTS: Comer Community Market (The Perch) Browse flower and vegetable plant starts, baked goods, vegetables, honey, pottery, eggs, mushrooms and handmade items. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. www.theperchcomer. com/farmers-market EVENTS: Marigold Farmers Market (Pittard Park) Vendors offer organic produce, prepared foods, agricultural products and artisanal goods with live music and more. Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. www. marigoldcollectivewinterville.com EVENTS: Abnormal Bazaar (Indie South) This market features vendors selling soaps, jewelry, vintage, vinyl and more. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. www. theindiesouth.com EVENTS: Athentic Palooza (Athentic Brewing Co.) Celebrate the brewery’s six year anniversary with games, contests, a mini market, live music and more. 2–10 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: 11th Annual Bark & Wine (Countryside Manor) The Madison- Oglethorpe Animal Shelter’s largest fundraiser of the year features dinner, dessert, wine, live music, silent auctions and raffles. 5–9 p.m. $60 (adv.), $70. www.moaspets.com/ barkandwine EVENTS: Winterville’s Charter Day (Winterville Cultural Center) Learn
loose brushwork with free-form weaving in yarn, string, wire, beads and sequins. Through Oct. 10. • In the Lobby Case is “Critters,” which features colorful cut-tin figures by Steven Burnley that blend human and animal forms. Through Sept. 26. MADISON-MORGAN CULTURAL CENTER (434 South Main Street, Madison) In celebration of the center’s 50th anniversary, the exhibition “experience and intersection” features works by John Cleaveland and the late Richard Olsen. Through October. OCAF (34 School St. Watkinsville) “Perspectives: Georgia Pottery Invitational” features more than 50 potters and nearly 5,000 functional pieces available for sale. A solo exhibition in the Members Gallery traces the career of founding artist Rebecca Wood. Preview reception Aug. 21, 6–9 p.m. Through Sept. 6. TINY ATH GALLERY (174 Cleveland Ave.) Artist Sarah Pattison will have works on view in the exhibition “A Sense of Place.” Opening reception Aug. 20, 6–9 p.m. Artist talk Aug. 23, 2–5 p.m. Closing reception Aug. 27, 6–9 p.m. Through August. UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “Beyond the ’96 Games: Atlanta’s Olympic Legacy” features an original torch from the opening relay and other authentic memorabilia. Through October. UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (230 River Rd.) In the Lobby Gallery is “Antiques” by Margaret Morrison featuring large canvas works depicting scenes from her visits to Italian antique markets. Opening reception Aug. 27, 5 p.m. Through Jan. 2027. WINTERVILLE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER (371 N. Church St., Winterville) In the Narrow Gallery, “This and That” features collages and wall works by Jack Burk. Through Sept. 15. • In Gallery 1, “Art: Through the Decades” features works by the late artist and folklorist Art Rosenbaum. Through Sept. 15. • In Gallery 2, “Layers” is a juried Members exhibit with works in a variety of mediums. Through Sept. 15. • In the Music Room Gallery, “The Art of Sedition” is on view through Sept. 15. • In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, “Rebellious Art, Treasonous Artists” is on view in Room 103. Through December.
about the City of Winterville and enjoy community activities, music and an ice cream social. Registration required. 7 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/fireflyfarmstop GAMES: Pathfinder Society RPG (Tyche’s Games) Come and adventure with the Pathfinder Society. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Board Games (Bogart Library) Enjoy a variety of board games and card games with friends. 2–4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/bogart GAMES: Plant Bingo (Foxglove Plantbar) Learn more about plants, and win plant prizes. 7 p.m. $20. www.instagram.com/foxgloveplantbar MEETINGS: Atheist Society of Athens (ACC Library) A reality-based, non-prophet organization. 4 p.m. FREE! www.atheistsocietyathens.org THEATER: Antigone (Town & Gown Players) Production of Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy bringing it into the modern day. Aug. 13–15, 8 p.m. Aug. 16, 2 p.m. $20 (adults), $15 (members, seniors and students). www.townandgownplayers.org
Sunday 16 ART: Sunday Afternoon Tour (Georgia Museum of Art) This drop-in public tour features highlights of the permanent collection. 3 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: New Student Beginner Yoga (Shakti Power Yoga) Beginner-friendly class offering a slower- paced introduction to the studio’s yoga. Registration required. 11 a.m. FREE! www.shaktiyogaathens.com COMEDY: Comedy Showcase (The Globe) Athens Comedy hosts themed and general showcases of local and regional comedians. Sundays, 9 p.m. www.athenscomedy.com FILM: Tokusatsu Club (ACC Library) Screening of the 2019 Japanese sci-fi comedy Attack of the Giant Teacher. 3 p.m. FREE! clubtoku@ gmail. GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (The Globe) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Sundays, 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/baddogathens KIDSTUFF: Sit Happens Kids Club (Pet Supplies Plus) Learn how to foster better relationships with dogs through games, activities and play with stuffed dogs. Registration required. 2 p.m. FREE! Find Sit Happens Kids Club on Eventbrite. LECTURES & LIT: Silent Book Club (Foxglove Plantbar) Bring a book and enjoy peaceful reading time with other book lovers. 9:30–11 a.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ silentbookclubathens SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Antigone (Town & Gown Players) Production of Lewis Galantiere’s adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy bringing it into the modern day. Aug. 13–15, 8 p.m. Aug. 16, 2 p.m. $20 (adults), $15 (members, seniors and students). www.townandgownplayers.org
Monday 17 EVENTS: Oconee County Contra Dance (Social Dance Preserve) Community dance night on first and third Mondays. 7 p.m. (beginner lesson), 8–10 p.m. (dance). $10. www.oconeecountycontra.com FILM: Bad Movie Night (Ciné) A woman with an unhealthy amount
of baby fever embarks on a murderous rampage against everyone who’s ever wronged her in Maternal Instincts. 8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/BadMovieNight GAMES: Chess and Community (ACC Library) Drop in for open chess play to learn the game, challenge skills and engage with other enthusiasts. Mondays, 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Fully Loaded Pizza Kitchen (Normaltown)) Test your general trivia knowledge. Mondays, 7 p.m. www. instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Dooley’s Bar and Grill) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.instagram. com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: General Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Mondays, 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Grindhouse Killer Burgers) Test your trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco
Tuesday 18 CLASSES: Online Financial Tools (ACC Library) Learn how to use two free online resources from the library to make more informed financial decisions. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org COMEDY: Take This! Improv (Athentic Brewing Co.) The troupe will perform improv skits featuring suggested back-to-school movies. 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com COMEDY: Open Toad Comedy Night (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Comedy performed by a mix of newcomers and local favorites from Athens and Atlanta. 8:30 p.m. (doors). $7. www.flickertheatreandbar.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: Bad Dog Trivia (Amici at The Falls) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Paloma Park) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Winghouse Grill Hull) Test your general trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Akademia Brewing Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Bingo & Sip (MaiKai Kava Lounge) Play BINGO with a chance to win prizes. Every other Tuesday, 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenskava.com GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www.facebook.com/MellowMushroomAthens 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 GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Magnolias of Athens) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. www. instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco KIDSTUFF: Club Creative (ACC Library) Join other teens for crafty projects. First and third Tuesdays, 4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org KIDSTUFF: Club Creative (ACC Library) Join other teens for crafty
projects. First and third Tuesdays, 4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org LECTURES & LIT: Athentic Book Club (Athentic Brewing Co.) Discuss The Made Wife by Meagan Church with the group. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com 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 19 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 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: Three Star Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1987 action horror film Child of Peach. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com GAMES: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Drop in and play Shadowfist. All skill levels. 11:30 a.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/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Magic The Gathering and Pokemon Meet-Up (Athentic Brewing Co.) Drop in to spend an evening playing games or matches. Third Wednesdays, 6–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Ian. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/ classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Love.Craft Bingo Night (Athentic Brewing Co.) A bingo event benefiting the nonprofit organization Love.Craft Athens. Third Wednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m. $3–5. www.lovecraftathens.org GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Normal Bar) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Wednesdays, 7:06 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Cafe Racer (Oak St.)) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Dungeons and Dragons and Drinks (Athentic Brewing Co.) Meetup for beginners and seasoned players to learn basics or play one- shot games. Third Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Locos Grill and Pub Eastside) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/ shihtzunottrivia LECTURES & LIT: RIP Book Club (Hendershot’s) Casual discussions about horror-themed books, comics and graphic novels with rotating monthly picks. 5:30p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/ripbookclubathens LECTURES & LIT: Third Wednesday Book Club (Oconee County Library) Discuss books chosen by the group. New members welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee f
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bulletin board & classifieds BULLETIN BOARD: Listings from nonprofits, community resources and free opportunities. Print deadline is THURSDAY at 5 p.m. for the following Wednesday issue. Email calendar@flagpole.com. CLASSIFIEDS: Rates are $10/individual * $14/real estate * $16/business. Deadline to place ads is FRIDAY at 10 a.m. for the following Wednesday issue. Email class@flagpole.com or call 706-549-0301.
Classifieds MUSIC (Services) Instant cash is now being paid for good vinyl records & CDs in fine condition. Wuxtry Records at corner of Clayton and College Dwntn. 706-612-4926 NOTICES (Lost & Found) Lost cat ‘Beef’ last seen in the Arches on the Lake neighborhood. $100 reward. Please call 404-623-6539 with any information. NOTICES (Hairdresser Wanted) Rent private salon in normal town. Work in the privacy you deserve in a spacious elegant salon. Contact jujujr0000@gmail.com for more information. NOTICES (Missed Connections) You are the nicest CF female hostess. I said I owe you and you made an odd sound. Are you alright? SERVICES (Consultant) Affordable business and general consulting in Athens, GA. Free initial consultation. Email DrJPThornton@Incandescent.US or call 205-289-8747. SERVICES (Health) JAMES HILTON HYPNOSIS 678-895-4278, www. hiltonhypnosis.org SERVICES (Health) HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING: Integrating herbalism, mindfulness and movement for a whole body approach. 706-343-3576, connect@ corarosewellness.com, www. corarosewellness.com
SERVICES (Home & Garden) Scratching your head with all this poison ivy? We can help! Woman- Run Gardening Services: We offer garden maintenance, invasive plant removal, personalized edible and native gardens for your school, home or business! 706-395-5321 SERVICES (Home & 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 @pablofromseed, email pkozatch@gmail.com or call 631- 903-4365.
Arts ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a free platform to connect creatives with patrons. www.athenscreatives. directory CALL FOR ART (Various Locations) Visit www.flagpole.com/bulletinboard for ongoing open art calls. CALL FOR ENTRIES (ATHICA) Open call for the 2026 National Juried Exhibition. All artists are invited to submit up to five contemporary works in any media by Sept. 14. $500 cash awards. www.athica.org CALL FOR ARTISTS (Winterville Cultural Gallery) Seeking submissions for the 2026 Small Works
juried exhibit. Deadline Aug. 30. Exhibition Oct. 7–Dec. 15. www. wintervillecenter.com/gallery CALL FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS (AthFest Educates) Applications for the 2026-2027 grant cycle are now available. Applicants planning to use music and/or arts as a teaching and learning mechanism for core education are encouraged to apply. Deadline Aug. 26 and grantees announced in September. www. athfesteducates.org/grants/apply- for-a-grant CALL FOR MUSICIANS (Historic Athens Welcome Center) The Historic Athens Welcome Center seeks to hire folk instrument musicians for community events this fall. Contact libba@historicathens.com for details. CALL FOR PERFORMERS (Jam in the Streets) Local band, independent artist and DJs in the Athens or greater Atlanta area and surrounding cities are encouraged to apply. Jam For Cam is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Deadline Oct. 31. www. instagram.com/jamforcam CALL FOR PERFORMERS (Porchfest) Seeking musicians and performers for the 2026 Historic Athens Porchfest. One hour slot pairing in one of the following areas: Boulevard, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown, Pulaski Heights and Reese-Hancock. Also seeking sponsors, hosts
ADOPT ME!
Visit www.accgov.com/257/Available-Pets to view all the cats and dogs available at the shelter
Benyi(58440389)
Meet Benyi! This sweet, handsome boy is as calm as they come. His friends at the shelter say that he enjoys moseying around the interaction pen before relaxing in the shade.
Quinn (61074477)
Quinn is a gorgeous four-year-old girl who has the most striking coloring. She’s looking for a new place to call her furever home, so consider adopting or fostering her from the shelter today.
Abbey(61379472)
Beautiful Abbey is in a bonded pair with her brother, Ace. Abbey’s foster parent says she is a total snugglebug, and that both she and Ace are very well mannered and easy to care for.
These pets and many others are available for adoption or foster at:
Athens-Clarke County Animal Services 125 Buddy Christian Way · 706-613-3540 Call for appointment
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F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
and volunteers. Event held Oct. 18. bit.ly/porchperform26 CALL FOR PHOTOS (Athens, GA) Submit water or nature-themed photos taken in Athens-Clarke County to be considered in the Stormwater Management Program’s annual calendar. www.accgov.com/ stormwater CALL FOR STORYTELLERS (Rabbit Box) Rabbit Box seeks story ideas for upcoming shows. www.rabbitbox.org/tell CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (Athens Homeless Coalition) Seeking submissions for street newspaper. Poetry, short stories, visual art, song lyrics. enagementcoordinator@athenshc.org COMMUNITY TOURS (Georgia Museum of Art) A variety of tours open to the public including “Student Perspectives” which runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout the month. www.georgiamuseum.org LIFE DRAWING (Winterville Cultural Center) Monthly afternoon life drawing sessions, every fourth Tuesday. Models scheduled represent the full spectrum of age, color, race and genders. Artists 18 & up only. Registration and prepayment required. $20. www.drawathens.org. PUBLIC ART SELECTION PANELS (Athens, GA) The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission is seeking community members to participate
in upcoming public art selection panels. www.accgov.com/9656/ Public-Art-Selection-Panels SEEKING PERFORMANCE SUBMISSIONS (The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children’s Advocacy Center) Seeking original written works for new theatrical production “Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Choices.” Open to all ages and backgrounds who identify as women. Monologues, short scenes, poetry, spoken word, songs, musical sketches, personal essays, testimonials and more. Deadline Sept. 15. www.thecottagega.org/ SEEKING ZINE ART & IDEAS (Suburban Vermin) Accepting submissions for art, craft ideas, poetry and more for free local publication. Message @suburban.vermin.zine on Instagram. MERIDIAN WOMEN’S CHORUS OPEN CALL (Holy Cross Lutheran Church) New members invited to join the fall rehearsal season. Schedule vocal assessment to determine voice part. No audition necessary. First performance Sept. 3. www.meridianwomenschorus.org
Auditions A KILLER NIGHT AT CLUB 85 (Jefferson Community Theatre) Seeking individuals ages 18 & up for interactive comedy murder mystery. Auditions held Aug. 23 & 24 at the Jefferson Community Center. Performances Oct. 23–24. jct@ jeffersonga.gov CASTING CALL (Zombie Farms Haunted Trail) An open call for actors and support staff for the 2025 season. No experience required. Ages 18 & up preferred. Aug. 22 & 29 for new or returning cast members from 7–10:30 p.m. at Zombie Farms. Visit www.zombiefarms for more info including roles available and submission forms. OPEN AUDITIONS (Athens Symphony) The Athens Symphony is holding auditions for qualified musicians. www.athenssymphony. org/openings SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL (Athens Creative Theatre) Seeking individuals for this comedy musical based on the classic cartoon. Auditions will include cold readings, a short prepared vocal selection and
a movement section. Auditions held Aug. 26–28 at the Morton Theatre. act@accgov.com STEEL MAGNOLIAS (The Stage Oconee) Seeking women 18 years and older to audition for this comedic drama about six Southern women in a small-town Louisiana beauty salon. Auditions include cold readings and will be held Aug. 22–23. Registration required. www.TheStageOconee.com/steel- magnolias.
Classes A COURSE IN MIRACLES (580 Tallassee Rd.) Heal your psychology and your life using simple instruction of high vibrational thought. Sundays, 10–11:30 a.m. 770-237- 2354, www.unityathens.com ACCENT REDUCTION CLASS (Covenant Presbyterian Church) Improve your American English pronunciation skills. For ages 18 & up. Tuesdays, 12 p.m. marjoriemiller@ gmail.com CLASSES, HIKES & PADDLES (Watson Mill State Park, Comer) The park offers a variety of events including firebuilding classes, various educational hikes including “Bridge History,” “Tree ID,” “Historic Mills” and more. Parking fee/ pass required for all events. www. gastateparks.org/WatsonMillBridge 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 & PROGRAMS (Winterville Cultural Center, Winterville) Flow Yoga & Pilates (Monday), Yoga in the Gallery (Wednesdays), Chair Yoga & Creative Cafe (Thursdays) and more. www.wintervillecenter.com CLASSES, PROGRAMS & TOURS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Various ongoing weekly events including Guided Plant Walk (Tuesdays–Fridays), Porcelain and Decorative Arts Tour (Tuesdays), Free Sketch (Fridays) and more. botgarden.uga.edu CLASSES, PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS (OCAF, Watkinsville) Registration now open for extended
session pottery classes, art instruction and more. www.ocaf.com/ courses CLASSIC CITY ROLLER DERBY SKATE CAMP (Fun Galaxy Athens) Learn to skate with no experience or equipment needed. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. $20 for 5 weeks, Saturdays 9–11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays 6–9 p.m. Runs Aug. 22–Sept. 26. www.ClassicCityRollerDerby.com CUBAN SALSA LESSONS (El Carretonero) SALSAthens offers multiple classes for different skill levels. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. (advanced) and 7:30 p.m. (beginner/intermediate). $10 drop in. www.SALSAthensDancing@gmail.com DANCE CLASSES (The Studio) TIMBAthens & Bachata Conexión host a 9-week workshop series for salsa and bachata dancers of all levels. Through Aug. 9, 4:30 p.m. Registration required. www.timbathens. com/events. DANCE CLASSES (East Athens Educational Dance Center) The center offers classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and more for all ages and skills. www.accgov.com/myrec FALL PROGRAM REGISTRATION (Athens, GA) The Leisure Services Department offers a diverse selection of classes and activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports and holiday events for both adults and children. Registration now open. www.accgov.com/myrec FREE CLASSES (The Athens Free School) Learning network for community centered around compassion, autonomy and playfulness. Visit @athensfreeschool on Instagram.
Help Out ATHENS SKATEPARK PROJECT (Athens Skate Park) Seeking volunteers and community input. Third Sundays. www.athensskateparkproject.org BRAS FOR A CAUSE (Grail Bra Specialists) Seeking donations of gently-used bras for distribution to local shelters, recovery centers and communities in need. 706-850- 0387 or support@grailbras.com COUCH CRASHERS (ACC Animal Services Department) A short-term foster initiative to provide shelter dogs with the chance to experience the comfort of a home environment over weekends and holiday weekends for one to three days. All needed items provided. Opportunities throughout the year. www. accgov.com/couchcrashers DIAPER DONATIONS (Athens Area Diaper Bank) Diaper donations needed for local infants. All sizes and open packs/boxes are accepted. www.athensareadiaperbank.com FIRE PIT RAFFLE (Friends of the Madison County Library) Madison County Library hosts a raffle for an outdoor gas fire pit to benefit various programs. $1 per ticket, unlimited entries. The winning ticket will be drawn in November after the Madison County Harvest Festival. www.athenslibrary.org/madison NOMINATIONS FOR PLACES IN PERIL (Historic Athens) Eligible sites must be 50 years or older, look largely as they did originally, face a current threat to their existence or integrity and have active grassroots support for preserving the structure. Nominees may include historic homes, buildings, structures, cultural landscapes and cemeteries. Submissions close Sept. 30. bit.ly/athensplaces. PET FOOD PANTRY (Animal Services Adoption Center) The Animal
Services community pet food pantry provides pet food support 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. thebiggervisionshelter@gmail.com, www.bvoa.org/boardmember SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Books For Keeps) Seeking new members for its board of directors. Preferred experience includes marketing and financial management. www.instagram.com/bfk_athens, www.booksforkeeps.org 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. momsadoptingmoms@ gmail.com SEEKING 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 706-546-1133, ext 223. SEEKING DONATIONS (Hands of Hope) Local homeless ministry accepting donations of clothing for their free distribution program and fundraising yard sale with proceeds benefiting the program. 706-207- 5172 SEEKING DONATIONS (RIP Book Club) Local book club seeking donations of any genre of old books to stock Little Libraries around town. Email ripbookclubathens@ gmail.com for updated drop off location or to arrange pick up. SEEKING DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERS (Animal Services Adoption Center) Animal service sessions run Monday through Friday; training session required. Seeking donations of gently used bath towels and rags. Donations can be dropped off at the door after hours. www. accgov.com/animalservices SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Books for Keeps) Seeking literacy mentors for local elementary school students. Training provided. No experience needed. bit.ly/BFKLitMentors, storytellers@booksforkeeps.org SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Meals on Wheels) Currently recruiting volunteers to deliver meals, engage in safety checks and more. eschley@ accaging.org SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (PAX Exchange Students) Seeking volunteer families to host global exchange students. www.pax.org, 800-555-6211 SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Marigold Collective, Winterville) Volunteers needed for community food distribution events including weekly food kitchen, meal deliveries and more. Also accepting donations of canned and dry goods. wwwmarigoldcollectivewinterville.com
Kidstuff CLASSES & PROGRAMS (ACC Leisure Services Department) Various ongoing weekly and monthly events including Jumping Gym, 123 Toddler & Me!, Fantastic Friday, Storytime and more. www.accgov. com/myrec CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Oconee Library) Various ongoing weekly events including Kids Yoga and Open Play (Tuesdays), Story Time and Cocoa Club (Wednesdays),
and more. www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee
Word on the Street BROCHURES AND RESOURCES (Historic Athens Welcome Center) The Historic Athens Welcome Center accepts brochures and print materials to promote local businesses and resources. Drop off materials at 280 E. Dougherty St. during normal business hours. CALL FOR VENDORS (Historic Athens Welcome Center) Applications now open for Market Days featuring fresh foods, baked goods and specialty items. Every second Saturday. $25 per market or $80 for the full four-market series. www.athenswelcomecenter.com CALL FOR VENDORS (Living Legacy Outreach Foundation) Seeking local artists, food vendors and business for indoor shopping event. Sept. 19 at the Georgia Square Mall. Vendor proceeds help support Hope for the Holidays, an annual community outreach program that provides assistance, gifts and holiday support to families in need. Call 706- 202-7825 to reserve a space. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (Nuçi’s Space) Direct connections to mental healthcare like counseling and psychiatry, medical care for physical concerns and more. www. nuci.org, 706-227-1515 MINDFUL BREATH SANGHA MEETING (Healing Lodge) In the Zen tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Sundays, 1–2:30 p.m. Newcomers welcome. FREE! www.mindfulbreathsangha.org PEACEFUL PROTEST (Indivisible GA District 10) “Every Monday” weekly protest on the corner of the corner of Alps and Baxter. 12:30–1:30 p.m. www.indivisiblega10.org SEEKING POLL WORKERS (Athens, GA) The Elections Department is seeking residents to serve as poll workers. Advanced voting Oct. 13–30 and Nov. 3 general election. $15.60 per hour. www. accgov.com/10102/Poll-Worker- Information SEVENTH GENERATION (No. 3 Railroad Street, Arnoldsville) Seventh Generation Native American Church hosts various gatherings on Sundays, 11 a.m. 706-340-7134 SUNDAY CELEBRATION & DRUM CIRCLE (Unity Athens Spiritual Center) Sunday Celebration every Sunday 12:30 p.m. Monthly drum circle before service every 3rd Sunday. Visit unityathens.com for more information. VHS DIGITIZATION (Athens, GA) Seeking previously recorded concerts and events on VHS, VHSC, Hi8, MiniDV and DVDs to digitize and archive. www.vhsordie.com VOTER REGISTRATION RESOURCES (ACC Library Atrium) Economic Justice Coalition community volunteers assist Georgia residents with registration, confirm prior registration and update voter registration information as needed. www.economicjusticecoalition.org WEAVER D’S FIRST FRIDAYS (VFW Post 2872) Pop-up from Weaver D’s serving plates for $20 donations in benefit of the VFW. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. www.facebook.com/ vfwpost2872
Community open House August 22 Come celebrate the fall semester special exhibition, “Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone.” Family Day, 10 a.m. – noon Door prizes, drop-in art activities and photo booth, all day Learn more about marble carving with artist Stan Mullins, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tintype photography sessions with Salvage Sparrow ($70), 1 – 6 p.m. Talk by curator Shawnya Harris and musical performance, 3:30 p.m. Reception with Cafe Racer donuts, and wine and snacks by the Lark Winespace, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Free registration for community open house
$15 tickets for reception
Missing Something? MORE LISTINGS (Online) Find the Bulletin Board at www.flagpole. com/bulletinboard for ongoing open art calls, support group information and other resources that are available on a continuous basis. f
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music
feature
arts & culture
art notes
Fall Concert Preview
UGA Dodd Galleries
By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com
By Libba Beaucham arts@flagpole.com
TOURING ACTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
T
here’s no shortage of live music pouring out of the coffee shop and bar venues around Athens year- round, but the largest venues in town wait out the summer to stack their lineups with touring bands and musicians in the fall. Here are a few concerts to look forward to, but be sure to check out the Live Music Calendar in print and online at flagpole.com for a more comprehensive list of shows. AKINS FORD ARENA: (classiccenter.com) Country music fans are in luck when it comes to the arena’s fall schedule. Multi- time American Music Award winner Ella Langley will bring her Dandelion Tour to Athens on Friday, Sept. 18. The young country singer-songwriter will be joined by
JAXON WHITTINGTON
performance, the duo blends electro-beats with trance vocals and traditional Nordic sounds. Tickets are $37.10. Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men will perform on Saturday, Sept. 26. The band has worked to move away from its stadium folk reputation and into new more undefined territory. Tickets are $50.63. New Zealand’s indie rockers The Beths will perform on Monday, Sept. 28. The band’s sound moves from power-pop to punk to jangle rock, using honest and poetic lyrics as a throughline. Tickets are $35.54. Nashville’s emo band Free Throw and Atlanta’s genre-shifting rock band Microwave are co-headlining a show on Saturday, Oct. 10. Carly Cosgrove, alternative emo from Philadelphia, and Flycatcher, emo punk from New Jersey, will be opening. Tickets are $41.58. Los Angeles punk band The Linda Lindas will perform on Saturday, Oct. 17. The tour is part of the band’s upcoming album release, centered on delivering fierce social commentary. Tickets are $33.99. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: (pac.uga.
The Linda Lindas
Kameron Marlowe and Laci Kaye Booth. Tickets range from $109.75–$406. Country roots six-piece Flatland Cavalry will perform on Friday, Sept. 25. The rising country stars will be joined by Georgia musician Corey Smith and Athens’ own Wim Tapley & the Cannons. Tickets range from $48– $101.25. Neotraditional country singer- songwriter Jon Pardi is stopping through for his Gamblin’ Man Tour on Saturday, Oct. 24. Joining him are special guests Alexandra Kay and Sadie Bass. Tickets range from $45.50–$122.75. GEORGIA THEATRE: (georgiatheatre.com) This beloved downtown staple is hosting a lot of variety on its stage. Atlanta’s Penelope Road is co-headlining two nights with South Carolina’s Winyah, two rising indie rock powerhouses. Frank Mastra will support the headliners on Friday, Aug. 28, and Hotel Fiction will return to Athens for the Saturday, Aug. 29 show. Tickets are $39.02 each night or $65.92 for a two-day pass. European duo Eihwar will bring its Viking dance rituals to Athens on Wednesday, Sept. 2. In a theatrical
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edu) The 2026–2027 UGA Presents season of events aims to explore the rich and varied landscape of American music, in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. The season’s opening night features five- time Grammy Award winner and international icon Angélique Kidjo on Thursday, Sept. 10. She’ll be performing uplifting music from her newest album, HOPE!!. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The Buena Vista Orchestra will perform on Friday, Oct. 2. The Cuban music repertory ensemble features a rotating lineup of musicians who represent a rich musical heritage. Tickets range from $53–$97. Multi-genre Scottish band Cantrip will perform on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The group blends pipes, fiddle, guitar and harmonies into an unpredictable performance. Tickets range from $35–$75. Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and bandleader Christian McBride and his group Ursa Major will perform Thursday, Oct. 29. Together these musicians embody the collaborative spirit at the heart of jazz to span musical styles. Tickets range from $65–$97. Modern roots music pioneer Keb’ Mo’ will perform on Thursday, Nov. 12. Over his nearly five-decade career, Keb’ Mo’ has topped charts, collaborated with legends and performed on the world’s biggest stages. Tickets range from $65–$107. f
F L A GP OL E .C OM · A UGU S T 12, 2026
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS THIS SEASON
This fall offers great opportunities to view distance. The exhibition grew from corart exhibitions, including student works and respondence between Knopf and artists professional artists at UGA’s Dodd Galleries. David Frommhold, Hein Henkel and Till For more exhibitions opening in and around Röttjer, who were scattered across the U.S., Athens this fall, check out Flagpole’s Art Iceland, Austria and Germany. Using both Around Town listings in print and online. traditional mail and digital tools to send In the Lupin Foundation Gallery at the materials and messages to one another, the UGA Lamar Dodd School of Art building, resulting works address the friction of dis“Cornucopia: Ties That Bind” features works from private collections by renowned artists of color, including Sam Gilliam, Francisco Amighetti, Manuel Mendive, Kevin Cole, Francisco Loza and others. Works include paintings, printmaking and mixed media inspired by themes of social justice, cultural identity and community resilience. In the Plaza Gallery, “True Conceal” by Katie Gargrave and Meredith Lynn investigates the ways in which nature and the concept of the “outdoorsman” are depicted in the outdoor industry through works created from commercially manufactured camouflage patterns. The pieces displayed in this exhibition “The Measure Is Something Else” by Erin Johnson are part of the multi-media installation series “Bad Outdoorsmen,” which incorporates reality TV tropes of tance, time and technology as part of creatsurvival shows with videos filmed in the ing art and the collaborative process. All of locations documented by naturalist figures the above exhibitions will have an opening like John Audubon, William Bartram and reception on Aug. 27 from 5–7 p.m. and be John Muir. on view through Nov. 6. In the West Gallery, the 2026 recipient At Dodd Galleries’ Athenaeum, located of the Margie E. West Alumni Prize, Vicon Broad Street, “The Measure Is Something toria Dugger, will have her solo exhibition Else” is a mid-career survey of artist Erin “Runner Up” with autobiographical works Johnson’s videos, photographs and objects, inspired by the Southern Gothic tradition, spanning the past 12 years plus a new comBlack girlhood and disability. An artist missioned work. The exhibition documents lecture will be held on Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. in moments that challenge the epistemic room S151. organization and categorization of knowledge within archives, labs, classrooms and even a government containment site. A wandering herd of goats, wild monkeys living in the ruins of a military site, and a scientist’s attempt to save a 100-year-old plant collection in collaboration with drag artists are just a few of the stories captured in the exhibition. An opening reception will be held Aug. 29 from 4–6 p.m. On view through Mar. 20, 2027. In the Athenaeum’s Gallery 2, Megan Ledbetter’s “Through Service We Grow” by Blake Jacobsen “The Field” features photographs of a derelict municIn the Mills Family Gallery, Blake Jacobipal cemetery in Red Bank, TN that was in sen presents his first solo exhibition since operation from 1890–1912. The exhibition joining the Dodd faculty. “Through Service includes historical research and ephemera We Grow” documents Jacobsen’s family’s alongside black-and-white photographs of truck repair business in Southwest Florida burial markers and the landscape to conwith scenes of the shop and portraits of the template the relationship between ecology, mechanics. history and death practices. An opening In the Bridge Gallery, “I hope this finds reception will be held on Aug. 29 from 4–6 you well” is an ongoing collaboration p.m. On view through Nov. 21. organized by MFA candidate Paul Knopf For detailed information and artist biogwhich explores artistic connection across raphies, visit art.uga.edu. f
SUDOKU
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Difficulty: Medium
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Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate
HOW TO SOLVE:
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 38/10/26 by 3 boxes must contain Week - 8/16/26 the numbers 1 to 9.
The Weekly Crossword 1
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8 2 5 6 3 9 7 4 1 31 7 9 4 1 2 8 6 3 5 36 37 6 1 3 4 5 7 9 2 8 42 8 2 40 9 4 6 417 1 3 5 5 3 7 448 6 452 1 9 4 47 1 488 492 9 4 5 3 7 650 51 52 1 53 3 4 7 9 5 8 6 2 57 3 5 1 2 9 584 8 6 7 60 2 6 8 3 7 611 4 5 9
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PLEASURE IS WAITING AROUND THE CORNER
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ACROSS 1 Wrangler's rope 6 Normal beginning? 10 Spew forth 14 Poe's middle name 15 Grandson of Adam 16 Pot starter 17 Monthly bank mailings 19 Familiar with 20 Kachina doll carver 21 Withdrawal to a safe place 23 Proverbial waste-maker 25 Uganda neighbor 26 Straw hat 28 Teakettle emission 30 Blue whales have big ones 32 Sorority letter 36 Small drink 37 Big plot of land 39 50 Cent piece? 40 "Flowers for Algernon" author Daniel 42 Mistaken 44 Carnival attractions
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by Margie E. Burke 9
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Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate
46 Kitchen whistler 47 Pre-euro Portuguese money 50 Close-knit group 51 Collaborator 54 SOS responder 57 Quite often 58 Kitchen surface 60 Yard tool 61 Baxter or Bancroft 62 Historic Tuscan city 63 Historic Scott 64 Arabian and Caspian 65 Brings home DOWN 1 Eyelid fringe 2 Voice below soprano 3 Foolishly giddy 4 Fill to excess 5 Start for step or stop 6 Annoyance 7 Writer Quindlen 8 Drilling grp. 9 Guarantee 10 Siddhartha ___: the Buddha 11 Remove fasteners
12 Ceded a seat 13 Cosmetic dye 18 Like grams and liters 22 Roused from sleep 24 Save for later 26 Luxuriate 27 Sheriff Taylor's son 28 Prophets 29 Russian emperor 31 Locust or larch 33 Sit-in participant 34 Reiser or Rudd 35 Cathedral recess 38 Racing vehicle 41 Blew, as a volcano 43 Tuscany, once 45 Biblical seamstress 47 Digital greeting 48 Kind of panel 49 "You Send Me" singer Sam 50 Road markers 52 Blue-ribbon 53 Sushi selection 55 Mass. neighbor 56 Transcript stats 59 Opposite of WNW
Puzzle answers are available at www.flagpole.com/puzzles
20% off All Anal Products in August Use code AUGUST in-store or online 4100 Lexington Road - ShopStarship.com A UGU S T 12, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM
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ARTS
FRANKLIN FINE AND PERFORMING
26 | 27 SEASON
Embrace the arts. ENRICH YOUR WORLD. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO. 1 SEPTEMBER 9 at 7:30 p.m.
PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA WITH FIVE PIANOS SEPTEMBER 29 at 7:30 p.m.
WIND ENSEMBLE CELEBRATING AMERICAN COMPOSERS OCTOBER 22 at 7:30 p.m.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT NOVEMBER 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. WAYS TO SAVE: PURCHASE A COMPLETE SEASON CREATE A “PICK FIVE” PACKAGE AND PAIR MUSIC WITH DANCE AND THEATRE PERFORMANCES VISIT MUSIC.UGA.EDU FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
CONCERTO WINNERS WITH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JANUARY 28 at 7:30 p.m.
THE ANONYMOUS LOVER UGA OPERA THEATRE FEBRUARY 12 at 7:30 p.m., FEBRUARY 14 at 3 p.m.
LET’S DANCE WIND SYMPHONY AND DEPARTMENT OF DANCE FEBRUARY 16 at 7:30 p.m.
HODGSON SINGERS MARCH 18 at 7:30 p.m.
CONTEMPORARY CHAMBER ENSEMBLE APRIL 1 at 7:30 p.m.
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