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SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 · VOL. 40 · NO. 39 · FREE

Atticus Roness On a Rock ‘N’ Roll Hit Parade p. 12

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B I RT H CO NT RO L Made Easy

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

this week’s issue

contents

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706.208.9588 www.painandwonder.com The annual family-friendly UGA Homecoming Parade will take place downtown on Friday, Oct. 2. Although the parade begins at 6 p.m., road closures in the area will start at 3 p.m. More info, including the parade route, can be found at els.uga.edu/homecoming.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Flag Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mall Redevelopment Snafu

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Wraps’ Debut Album

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

ARTS & CULTURE: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Greater Athens Puppetry Club

Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Local Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Good Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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VOLUME 40 ISSUE NUMBER 39

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online exclusive Both Democrats and Republicans running for higher office in Georgia can agree on one thing: It’s time to address the rise of corporate-owned housing. Experts say there are a variety of reasons that housing prices are rising. In Georgia, the role that institutional investors play in the housing market may be a key factor. See “Democrats and Republicans Find Common Ground” at flagpole.com.

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Atticus Roness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

COVER PHOTOGRAPH of Atticus Roness by Linus Ingram (see story on p. 12)

BUY • SELL RENT • HIRE

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

State Legislature Candidates

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES Isabella Williams, Rachel Watkins 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 McClain Baxley, Chris Dowd, Erin France, Gordon Lamb, 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

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S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

news

city dope

Mall Fallout

REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HITS ANOTHER SNAG

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com After developer Mark Jennings and The Leaven Group abandoned plans to use future property revenue to spice up a mixed-used development at Georgia Square Mall, he instead asked for a “special overlay district” giving him the flexibility he said he needed to get financing from Wall Street, as opposed to the rigid, binding site plan already in place. But Athens-Clarke County planning commissioners are worried that the overlay district might provide too much flexibility—with the end result being thousands of apartments and little else, rather than the vibrant, almost downtown-like urban center officials envisioned when they signed off on the binding site plan. They’re also questioning the unusual process by which the ACC mayor and commission, rather than the developer, requested the overlay district via a resolution passed in July. When planning commissioners first heard the request in August, they asked for a series of changes. But when they arrived at their Sept. 3 meeting, waiting for them was a memo from Planning Director Bruce Lonnee presenting the overlay district essentially unchanged from the previous month. Planning commissioner Matthew Hall said he was “frustrated” that staff did not produce any revisions “because the manager’s office, as I understand it, told them not to do that.” He accused the manager’s office of “stonewalling us” and “trying to ram the initial proposal through.” Kristen Morales, who chairs the appointed advisory body, called the process “completely inappropriate” and said that none of planning commissioners’ concerns are being addressed. “We’re just letting somebody develop whatever the heck they want on this property that has so much potential,” she said. “This is the size of downtown Athens, and now we’re just letting it fly in the wind, like, we’ll see what

happens. Nuts.” One of the major concerns is residential density. The Leaven Group is asking to double the number of apartments normally allowed in commercial zones from 25 bedrooms per acre to 50. At 80 acres, that would mean up to 4,000 multifamily bedrooms—more, if they take advantage of the county’s inclusionary zoning ordinance offering higher density in exchange for affordable units or paying into a housing trust fund. “There’s nothing that prevents this from being a sea of apartments. Nothing. That’s still my biggest problem,” said planning commissioner Sara Beresford. Approving the overlay district as-is would be a disaster for the future of the entire Atlanta Highway corridor and stemming its decline, planning commissioner Alex Sams said. “If we fill it full of apartments, that entire area is gonna be so much more worthless than it is today, and it’s trying to climb out,” he said. The “urban center” designation is meant for a development with a mix of residential, retail, restaurants, offices and entertainment options that not only draws people from within Athens, but surrounding areas as well. “As drafted, the [overlay district] doesn’t contemplate anything like an urban center. It could be just row after row of apartments, and so a big public benefit is gone,” Hall said. “Athens deserves what it had [a mall] in a more modern form,” said Sams. Planning commissioners want to require a minimum amount of greenspace and commercial space. Hall pointed to the planning commission’s approval of plans for the vacant Westclox plant, which includes a “trigger” allowing additional residential development once 50,000 square feet of commercial space is completed. They also wanted more information

about why the initial plan failed. Complicating matters, there was no one to ask, because the official applicant is the ACC government, not The Leaven Group. After a lengthy discussion about procedure and rules of order, the planning commission agreed to table the overlay district a second time—against the advice of assistant county attorney Austin Jackson. The following week, Morales told Flagpole that she was dismayed to be called into a meeting with Manager Bob Cowell, Mayor Kelly Girtz and Mayor-elect Dexter Fisher, who essentially told her to pass the overlay district one way or another and send it on to the mayor and commission. “We just want them to tell us what the conditions are and send it over to us,” Girtz told Flagpole last week. “We’re not interested in a series of charrettes or workshops or anything like that.” Girtz told Flagpole that the planning commission’s initial requests went beyond the scope of the resolution that kicked off the process of creating the overlay district.

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However, he said their formal comments at the most recent meeting were more reasonable. “I think everybody’s on the same page,” he said. Girtz compared the process to one used to create an overlay district for the former Varsity property, a proactive effort to address neighborhood residents’ concerns about redevelopment. “This was a collaboration between the developer and the commission, myself, to sort of unlock the logjam,” he said. But it also raises questions about the role of the planning commission. Is it to carefully consider zoning items, improve them and provide a thoughtful recommendation? Or is it merely to rubber-stamp things and expedite them up to the mayor and commission? “We’re doing the mayor and commission a disservice by sending them something we believe to be incomplete,” Beresford said at the Sept. 3 meeting. “Right now it would be crazy for any elected official to say yes to this.” f

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S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

news

feature

Some Assembly Required

ATHENS-AREA CANDIDATES FOR STATE LEGISLATURE FACE THE VOTERS

By Blake Aued news@flagpole.com

ousing costs, homelessness and Flock cameras were among the topics candidates for Athens-area seats in the state legislature debated during a candidate forum last week. Organized by the Oconee Enterprise and retired UGA journalism professor Lee Becker’s news blog Oconee County Observations, the Sept. 24 forum at Oconee Veterans Park featured Democrat Suzanna Karatassos and Republican Ward Black, candidates for House District 120; Democratic incumbent Eric Gisler and Republican Dutch Guest, candidates for House District 121; and Democrat Ray Smith and Republican Marc McMain, candidates for Senate District 46. The Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District, Pamela Delancy, also spoke, although her Republican opponent Houston Gaines did not attend. There is another state Senate district (47) that includes part of Clarke County but not Oconee County, where Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) is running against Democrat Justin Gillespie. However, Gillespie was recently convicted of hitting a child at the Hull daycare facility where he works, and it is unclear whether he will remain on the ballot. In addition, state Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) is facing Republican Carol Hubbard in House District 122, which is wholly contained within Clarke County and about 80% Democratic.

House District 120 It may be a longshot, given the way Republicans have gerrymandered districts, but Democrats are hoping to flip 10 seats this fall to take control of the chamber for the first time in more than two decades. Either way, “It’ll probably be a close number, so we’ll have to work together,” Karatassos said. If Democrats win, “We’re going to do a lot of great things that haven’t been done in 23 years,” she said, such as expand Medicaid, reverse the state’s ban on abortions after six weeks, raise education funding and provide free school lunches statewide. “Regardless of who’s in this seat, I think the state has deep respect for this area,” said Black, a Jackson County farmer and son of former agriculture commissioner Gary Black. He said he would advocate for environmental protections, the district’s universities and property rights no matter which party is in the majority. Karatassos, a social media influencer, said she would “get corporations out of

housing” in order to bring down housing costs. Studies show Georgia has a high rate of single-family rental homes owned by corporations, particularly in metro Atlanta. Black said he would encourage communities to ease zoning regulations like minimum house sizes, although “I don’t like one-size- fits-all solutions from Atlanta.” Regarding reproductive rights, Karatassos said that abortions have actually risen since the Supreme Court overturned

data can be stored. Neither candidate supports a Republican bill to eliminate local property taxes. “I don’t want the state to tell counties how they can and cannot raise revenue,” Black said. Black and Karatassos are seeking the seat currently held by Gaines, who is running for Congress instead this year. It includes portions of Jackson, Barrow, Oconee and Clarke counties.

House District 121 “Being a downtown [Athens] business owner, I certainly see [homelessness],” said Gisler, who resides in Watkinsville. He supports a “housing first” approach, in which homeless individuals are placed in housing, then receive treatment for under-

Ward Black

Eric Gisler

Suzanna Karatassos

Marc McMain

Roe v. Wade, as have infant and maternal mortality rates, and “I don’t think that was the desired effect.” She supports putting the issue up for a statewide referendum. Black said he believes “life begins at conception,” and he supports the existing restrictions on abortion. Black called firearm deaths a mental health issue, and said he would support a screening or certification process to own a gun. Karatassos accused Republicans of cutting funding for mental health care and called for a ban on assault rifles. She said she supports the right to own firearms for protection or hunting, but that “nobody needs an assault rifle or a weapon of war.” On health care, Black said he would rely on the expertise of Rick Jackson, the GOP nominee for governor, who owns a group of health care companies. “He’s made billions off of people being sick,” Karatassos responded. Beyond Medicaid expansion, she said she supports “Medicare for all”- style universal health care in Georgia. Karatassos called the now-ubiquitous Flock license plate readers “Big Brother government overreach.” Recently an Athens- Clarke County police employee was fired and charged with a crime for using the system to stalk his ex, and a UGA police officer was also disciplined for abusing it. Black said that he supports transparency and accountability, like limits on how long

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

lying issues like addiction or mental health. Otherwise, “they end up in jail, which is the worst place to put them, and the most expensive place to put them,” he said. Gisler said he recently advised ACC Mayor-elect Dexter Fisher against passing an ordinance banning urban camping. That’s because the GOP recently passed a state law allowing homeowners to sue local governments for not enforcing such laws. Guest, an Oconee trucking and logistics company owner, said he went on a ride-along with ACCPD, and 60% of the calls were about the homeless. “It’s sad to me that the officers know these people by name,” he said. He touted a new mental health hospital under construction in Dekalb County, as well as a recently passed law banning dropping off unhoused residents in other communities, although “there’s not much teeth in that.” Guest also called for reforming QBE, the state’s education funding formula, which hasn’t been touched since 1985. Gisler accused Republicans of failing to fully fund QBE for 15 years straight, ending in 2018. He also said the state is shifting transportation costs onto local school districts. Overall, Gisler said Gov. Brian Kemp’s tax cuts have blown a $1 billion hole in next year’s budget. Guest said he would eliminate certain tax exemptions, like subsidies for Hollywood films and TV shows.

The Gisler-Guest race is a rematch of a 2025 special election in the right-leaning district that Gisler won in an upset. The district includes southeastern Clarke County and most of Oconee.

Senate District 46 With a mobile home costing $1,600 a month in Oconee County, Democratic nominee Smith said his top issue is that “things are too expensive.” McMain said he is running on affordability and three other issues: law enforcement, education and his top priority, mental health. McMain, a Walton County resident, said he is “acutely aware of the problems in Athens,” because someone is living in the post office in Loganville. Everywhere he goes, people are concerned about mental health, he said. McMain said that he pays his employees at least $15 an hour, but believes the market should set wages. California’s $16.90 minimum wage is “decimating” small businesses, he said, claiming that such government mandates are the reason people are leaving California and New York for red states like Dutch Guest Georgia, and urban cities for suburban communities like Walton and Oconee. McMain also said he is opposed to mandating that businesses provide health care for employees, which would be “crushing for small businesses.” “If we believe [$15] is an appropriate floor, we should be mandating that,” Smith said, noting Ray Smith that one must earn $22 an hour just to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Athens. He called health care “a human right” and said that Kemp’s Pathways to Coverage program has failed, with just 17,000 people enrolled and high overhead costs. Alternatively, he said expanding Medicaid would cover 300,000 Georgians. Failure to expand it has devastated rural hospitals, he said. Asked about transit, Smith said the state should be investing in public transportation rather than building more roads. “We’re decades behind the rest of the world, and frankly it’s embarrassing,” he said. He also praised Athens’ fare-free transit. “Nothing is free,” McMain replied. “Who’s going to pay for it?” He said he would listen to cities about their infrastructure needs. On elections, McMain said that federal agents should get involved “if there is reasonable cause that something nefarious took place.” Smith drew applause when he took the opposite view—that states have the right to run their own elections, and a tiny number of people improperly cast ballots. “It’s frustrating when people talk about fraud and stolen elections,” he said. The district includes all of Oconee County, as well as southern Clarke and parts of Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett. It was previously represented by Athens Republican Bill Cowsert, who left in a failed bid for attorney general. f

news

street scribe

Midterm Meltdown TRUMP CRASHES OUT AS ELECTION APPROACHES

By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com Midterm elections are only weeks away, and already Athens has basked in the glow of the national political spotlight. On Sept. 13, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff campaigned alongside gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms at the historic Georgia Theatre in downtown Athens. Ossoff is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and his speech here brought loud applause and rowdy shouts of enthusiasm from the audience inside the packed venue. Ossoff’s Athens address also garnered coverage from media around this state and across America. SCREENCAP VIA YOUTUBE

grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Now Trump wants his “ego arch” to double as a base for drones and human snipers, and as a storehouse for ammunition. Veterans groups and historic preservationists oppose Trump’s Arlington arch, saying it will spoil the view of the Lincoln Memorial and the cemetery. Trump is also making noises about demolishing the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was built as a living memorial to the slain president. In an effort to save the Kennedy Center from Trump’s wrecking crew, thousands of people rallied outside the center on Sept. 18, forming a human chain that encircled the huge building. Now Trump has started another of his wars against American news media, but like his foray into Iran, his latest vendetta against the press may backfire on him. Like the puerile, pouting and petulant manchild that he is, Trump recently banned journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House grounds. In a much-overdue show of solidarity from national media Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks at a Georgia Theatre rally earlier this month. sites, officials from ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN Writing in The Atlantic on Sept. 18, and even the conservative Fox News all said reporter Elaine Godfrey gave a glowing that their outlets would provide no pool TV account of Ossoff’s appearance onstage in coverage of Trump’s press conferences and Athens. She reported that Ossoff called the public events until his press ban is lifted. ongoing Iran conflict “the quicksand of a Not surprisingly, Trump called critical reckless war.” Ossoff dismissed his Republireporting of his administration “fake news” can opponent, Mike Collins, as “a crumbling and “a threat to our national security.” little bigot,” but he reserved special scorn He fumed that the Oval Office “should be for President Donald Trump, calling him “a treated with Decorum, Respect, and Digbroken old man.” nity, not defiled by Third Rate Clowns.” Too Inside the Georgia Theatre, the atmolate, Mr. President. It is you and your cabal sphere was electric as Ossoff wowed the of clownish cronies who have defiled the crowd. The young senator exuded charisma, Oval Office. No amount of tacky gilding can competence and confidence as he exhorted disguise your callousness, corruption and his audience to cast their ballots in time for chicanery. Gold plating in the Oval Office the Nov. 3 midterm elections. While runcan’t erase the handwriting on the wall as ning for a second senatorial term, Ossoff midterm elections draw closer by the day. is already being touted as a presidential Trump may consider the press “enemies contender for the 2028 general election. of the American people,” but his presidenOssoff says he has no interest in a White tial predecessors from both political parties House run next year, but at the age of just would disagree. In the 1920s Republican 39 he could have a long political future. At President Warren Harding, a former his youthful age, Ossoff would be under 50 newspaperman himself, defended press even if he postponed a presidential camfreedoms “because there is no promise in paign until 2036. repression.” In the 1980s Ronald Reagan Meanwhile, in Washington, President called “a free, strong and independent Trump is indeed showing signs of being press” essential to America. what Sen. Ossoff called “a broken old man.” Though he may want to demolish the After overseeing the ruination of the LinKennedy Center and defang the press, coln Memorial reflecting pool, then trying Trump should consider the truth that to blame the damage on “Antifa vandalPresident Kennedy spoke when he said, ism,” Trump has now upped the ante on “Without debate, without criticism, no his embarrassing “Arc de Trump” that he administration and no country can sucwants to have constructed near the sacred ceed—and no republic can survive.” f

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S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

arts & culture

flag football

arts & culture

Later, Sooners

GEORGIA DOMINATES OKLAHOMA FOR SECOND SEC WIN

By McClain Baxley news@flagpole.com Nearly a decade ago, Georgia and Oklahoma played for the first time and it wound up being one of the best college football games of the century. Playing in the Rose Bowl out in Pasadena, CA with a spot in the national championship game on the line, the two storied programs went blow for blow. Oklahoma’s Heisman-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield was superb, making Georgia’s talented defense look meager. And Bulldog running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb combined for more than 300 yards and five scores.

The Sooner Magic he referenced, for those who are unfamiliar with the team, has given Oklahoma several wins over the years. They’re crazy, odd and otherwise illogical plays or moments in a game that go in favor of the Sooners. That magic did not work between the hedges. In fact, it seemed like there was a Sooner Curse instead. Already down 14-0 midway through the second quarter, Oklahoma started to put together a good offensive drive. Veteran quarterback John Mateer moved the Sooners down the field with a couple of big plays, and had his

calendar picks

MUSIC | THU, OCT. 1

S.G. Goodman

40 Watt Club • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $25 (adv.), $30

UGA ATHLETICS

Kentucky-raised musician S.G. Goodman’s first lessons in music came from the rural Southern Baptist church she grew up in. Goodman found something closer to her own musical voice when she moved to Murray, KY for college in 2007 and became part of the local scene. In 2020 she released her first solo record, Old Time Feeling, co-produced by Jim James (My Morning Jacket). It was met with critical success and captured the attention of artists like Tyler Childers, who even released a cover of “Space and Time” from the record. Goodman’s newest record is the Americana Music S.G. Goodman Award-nominated Planting by the Signs, a collection of 11 songs about love, loss, The band’s rock and Southern soul sound reconciliation and, of course, planting by the signs. The phrase refers to timing things has been compared to acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Meters. Its self-titled debut in accordance with the cycles of the moon, album was released in October 2025, conand it highlights the poetic approach that taining standout tracks like “Honeysuckle Goodman is known for. Her songs have all Hustle” and “PsychoBoogieHoocheeHoo.” of the vulnerability and wit of folk music, [MB] combined with a country sound and a punch of Southern rock. Local Americana THEATER | OCT. 5–6 musician Julia Barfield will open Goodman’s Athens show. [Mary Beth Bryan] MUSIC | FRI, OCT. 2

Cigarettes @ Sunset

Georgia Theatre • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $29.54

It was a long afternoon for Oklahoma and quarterback John Mateer.

Georgia won 54-48 in double overtime to send the Bulldogs to their first national championship appearance in nearly 40 years. It was a thrilling meeting between two of the best teams in the country. Saturday afternoon in Sanford, the two programs played again, and let’s just say it won’t be a game worth remembering after this season. Despite Oklahoma entering the year ranked in the Top 15 of the AP Poll and it being Georgia’s second SEC clash in 2026, it looked awfully similar to the Bulldogs’ beatdowns of Group of Five and FCS competition earlier this month. Georgia improved to 4-0 on the year with a 41-13 win against the Sooners. “We play with consistency,” said head coach Kirby Smart, who is now 59-5 in SEC games. “We don’t take our preparation lightly. And our staff puts a tremendous amount of work into every one of these games. They’re really hard to get ready for. And a lot of sacrifices are made through the staff and the players.” I lived in Oklahoma for nearly two years, and quite a few of the friends I made there were locked in on the game. Some were in Athens covering the Sooners for various media outlets; others wisely opted to watch from home. Earlier in the day, I asked one of my Oklahoma alum friends if he thought the Sooners, who were 14-point underdogs, were going to shock the world in Athens. “Logically, I would say not a chance,” he responded. “But there is that Sooner Magic.”

team at the 2-yard line. On third-and-goal, Mateer rolled to his left and had a wide open teammate in the endzone. The quarterback wound his arm into a throwing motion, and the ball just fell out. Georgia linebacker Chris Cole picked the ball up and sprinted down the sideline for an 85-yard scoop and score. It was one of the goofiest- looking plays I’ve ever seen. Georgia’s offense was in sync again all afternoon, and its defense finally stepped up and looked like the elite defenses from earlier in the decade. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, and kept the Sooners out of the endzone for the first 35 minutes of the game. It was clear that, nine years after that classic in Pasadena, one of these programs is still elite and capable of winning a national championship, and one of them isn’t. Georgia will likely be a double-digit favorite against Vanderbilt for homecoming this week; then their first real test of the season comes the following week at Alabama, a team that the Bulldogs have always struggled with, though they’ve won a couple of big ones against the Crimson Tide. Smart is 4-0 again, and his team has won by an average of more than 40 points. Yet, the man who is always striving for perfection knows they can improve. “We definitely had a lull, and good teams don’t have lulls,” Smart said. “They don’t sleepwalk. Usually when we watch the tape, it’s something we did.” f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

Five-piece North Carolina rock band Cigarettes @ Sunset was founded on DIY principles, growing its fanbase on backyard shows, hundreds of self-booked gigs and a handful of independently-released singles. Following the breakout success of the Cigarette @ Sunset’s song “Pavement,” the band was picked up by Lost Highway Records, releasing its label debut in March of this year. The EP is called Possum Rock, referencing the group’s self-described genre label of “Appalachian possum rock.” Since its release the band has been back on the road, appearing at festivals and joining Rainbow Kitten Surprise on tour, and it will continue touring through the end of the year with headline shows and supporting Dexter and the Moonrocks. For Cigarettes @ Sunset’s stop in Athens, fellow North Carolina band Yesterday’s Clothes and Atlanta band Frigga Five will join. [MB] MUSIC | SAT, OCT. 3

Rock Down South

Georgia Theatre • 4 p.m. • FREE!

Following its broadcast of the UGA football team’s game against Vanderbilt this Saturday, Georgia Theatre will host an afternoon and evening full of live music. The event will begin with an acoustic writers’ round from various Georgia musicians including Hunter Chastain, Mary Kate Farmer, Chase Baker, Daniel Lee, Ellie Jarrell, Sam Carter, Andrew Dixon and Grant Boles. Following this, Athens/Atlanta band Towne Park Drive will take the stage at 7 p.m. The alt-folk group recently released the third and final single off of its upcoming record, Older. Finally, Georgia-based rock and roll band Jet Black Roses will finish out the evening with a set beginning at 8 p.m.

Unmythable

Morton Theatre • Times Vary • $15 (w/ UGA ID), $20–50

The next part of UGA Presents’ “Into the Myths” series is Unmythable, a touring production created by the English theater company Out of Chaos. Unmythable is a physical, irreverent recounting of some of the most famous ancient Greek stories, conveyed to the audience through sketch comedy, clowning, storytelling and song. Just two actors, Paul O’Mahony and Hannah Barrie, take on a myriad of roles, including Jason and the Argonauts, Medusa, Hades and more. The production combines Out of Chaos’ playful storytelling techniques with theatrical prowess, as its cast members are extensively trained in classical theater. Performances of Unmythable will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 and at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 6. This run will serve as the U.S. premiere of the production. [MB] ART | TUE, OCT. 6

‘Rooted’ Opening Reception Lyndon House Arts Center • 5:30 p.m. • FREE!

The theme for the 2026-2027 Clarke County School District Student Art Exhibition explores what it means to be rooted. Through these works, audiences can see how the metaphorical roots of families, relationships and communities mirror the literal roots of plants, connecting, overlapping and growing in unexpected directions. Viewers are invited to think about how ideas connect and spread, be it across the works in the exhibition or into their own ideas and perceptions about what being rooted means. A publication documenting all of the students’ work will accompany the exhibition, and a limited quantity of complimentary copies will be available for visitors. The opening reception will also feature performances by the Cedar Shoals Orchestra and Clarke Central Orchestra. “Rooted” will be on display through Jan. 23. [MB] f

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S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

live music calendar 40 Watt Club Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10 (w/ student ID), $15 (adv.), $20. www.40watt.com THE DREAM SYNDICATE The alternative rock band formed in the early ’80s in LA performs a revolving set of newer material and its classic and mercurial second album Medicine Show. ELF POWER Longtime fixture on the Athens scene playing crisp, melodic psych-pop. Daily Groceries Co-op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop MATT KOVACEVICH Ambient electronic music with prepared guitar. 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.” Flicker Theatre & Bar Attaboy Presents. 8 p.m. $12. www. flickertheatreandbar.com HÉLÈNE BARBIER Montreal- based musician pairing hummable lines with alien tunes conjured in someone else’s psyche across time and space. ARUGULA OGLETHORPE Experimental, avant-garde indie pop musician. EVEY MAY Athens based indie alternative songwriter with post- punk and shoegaze influences. Hendershot’s 5–7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com PIANO BAR HAPPY HOUR Enjoy drink specials and live piano music. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $20. pac. uga.edu PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA Pianistic fireworks featuring UGA’s piano area faculty and students. Five pianos will be on stage and multiple performers will share the same piano. Normal Bar 8–11 p.m. www.instagram.com/ normal_bar_athens OPEN MIC Live music from talented local musicians, hosted on Tuesdays by Rudy Montayre. WUOG Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE! www. wuog.org OKEY Athens transcendent indie folk rock.

Wednesday 30 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $35. www.40watt.com LUCERO Memphis-based alternative country rock band. JOELTON MAYFIELD Hard-hitting alt-country based in Nashville. 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.

Ciné 7 p.m. $10. www.athenscine.com CAROLINE AIKEN Heartfelt folk singer-songwriter who has played Athens since 1978. CAROLINE IN THE GARDEN Indie art-pop singer-songwriter and producer with avant-garde elements. PONDGORL Athens-based artist Laila Li McCleery joins genre-bending friends in a band of beautiful, harmonious DIY glory. Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket. net THE LENDERS Local folk band. (6 p.m.) Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre Rooftop 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20.40. www.georgiatheatre.com JAMMY BUFFET Colorado/Tennessee outfit that breathes new life into Jimmy Buffett’s timeless “Gulf & Western” sound. Locos Grill and Pub Timothy Road 6 p.m. www.facebook.com/locos athens BRANDON SEARS BAND Playing Southern rock jams.

Hotel Indigo Live After Five. 5:30–8 p.m. www. indigoathens.com JIM & JACK Jack Miller and Jim Green will be strumming and singing some classics along with originals. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $3 (w/ UGA ID), $15. pac. uga.edu UGA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Performing Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait in celebration of America250. The Roadhouse 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). www. instagram.com/roadhouseathens JOHNNY FALLOON Concocting something that feels like it might fall apart or ignite at any second through breakneck drum and bass, fervently deranged saxophone lines, and simultaneously poignant and ridiculous lyrical subject matter. Single release show! PROBLEMS Composer-driven, one-person electronic music operation from Chicago. BAYOU PRINCESS Weirdo hyper dance rock with moments of swampy sedation, equal parts silly and dark.

and lo-fi garage influences with his ’70s singer/songwriter and ’90s grunge sensibilities. White Tiger Gourmet 9 p.m. athensdiy.net PETER AND THE SKEETERS Local lo-fi egg punk group. GREMLIN Egg punk band from Cincinnati, OH. HONEYPUPPY Four-piece indie rock band self-described as a “menace to society.” DERBY Premier corporate egg punk affiliates. Bouncy music for business bugs.

Friday 2 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $25 (adv.), $30. www.40watt.com BLACK FLAG Pioneering hardcore punk group formed in California in the 1970s. Playing two sets! Ciné Ashthrone Booking Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10 (adv.), $12. www.athenscine.com SCHMOOZE Alternative rock band from Athens with a sound blending ’90s grunge with modern punk and indie rock influences.

THE WRAPS Alternative rock band based in Athens with a sleek, sparky sound that some might call vintage. Album release show! Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $29.54. www.georgiatheatre.com CIGARETTES @ SUNSET Self- described “Appalachian possum rock” by five best friends from Boone, NC. YESTERDAY’S CLOTHES Fun and genuine alternative rock band from Asheville, NC. FRIGGA FIVE Raucous Atlanta rock band. Hendershot’s Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $12 (adv.), $15. www.hendershotsathens.com RICK FOWLER BAND Steeped in the wealth of experience and known for lyrical maturity that still packs an attitude, musician Rick Fowler brings an original yet familiar appeal to fans of ’60s and ’70s rock. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $53–97 (discount w/ UGA ID). pac.uga.edu BUENA VISTA ORCHESTRA The world’s foremost Cuban music repertory ensemble, featuring a revolv-

the energy of the legendary ’90s H.O.R.D.E. Festivals with songs from Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Blues Traveler, The Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Spin Doctors and more.

The Roadhouse 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). www. instagram.com/roadhouseathens ATTICUS RONESS Atlanta-based power-pop artist known for his stage presence. BAYOU PRINCESS Weirdo hyper dance rock with moments of swampy sedation, equal parts silly and dark. Southern Drawl Bar & Grille 5–10 p.m. www.southerndrawlbarand grille.com KARAOKE Every Friday night.

Saturday 3 40 Watt Club Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $15 (adv.), $20. www.40watt.com COSMIC CHARLIE Grateful Dead cover band that adds its own flair to the classics. Playing two sets! SAM LIPKIN

Tuesday 29

Thursday 1 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $25 (adv.), $30. www.40watt.com S.G. GOODMAN Kentucky-born musician whose vulnerable storytelling is wrapped in the sounds of country, folk and Southern rock. JULIA BARFIELD Americana singer-songwriter sometimes delivering electrified alternative country and sometimes softly picking an acoustic guitar. Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. $10. www.deadbeatathens.com JAZZMYN Four-piece ensemble blending jazz with Chinese influences. SAMURAI TEST DRIVE Five- piece jazz fusion band based out of Athens that takes inspiration from artists like Casiopea, Return to Forever, Lettuce and Jaco Pastorius. TAYLOR ROBERTS Seven-string jazz guitarist, recording artist and educator whose music blends jazz, R&B, soul, pop and contemporary instrumental influences with a deeply personal approach to harmony and improvisation. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com GOTH LOBSTER! A retro goth Halloween beach party. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $26.44. www.georgiatheatre.com MACKENZIE CARPENTER Georgia-born country singer-songwriter whose songs blend humor, heartbreak and sharp storytelling. 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.

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

Caroline Aiken is playing at Ciné on Wednesday, Sept. 30. ORGANICALLY PROGRAMMED Oliver Domingo’s electronic space- themed act, which utilizes primitive drum machines and synthesizers to create disco-pop, jazz and easy listening inspired compositions. State Botanical Garden of Georgia 6:30 p.m. $100. botgarden.uga.edu EMILY NENNI Nashville-based musician with a sound rooted in classic honky-tonk and spiked with serious country, soul and rock and roll fire. MOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Formed in the wake of a series of bands that explored everything from dark, heavy rock to polished, indie twang, Mountain of Youth emerges as a sort of equilibrium state, balancing Hunter Morris’s breezy heartland

VARSITY BLUES Hard rock trio from Auburn, AL combining fast-paced pop punk, aggressive grunge, nuanced alternative and intimate acoustic atmospheres. LAURELWOOD Four-piece band from Gainesville inspired by the emotional punch of 90s alternative and the melodic hooks of modern indie rock. Flicker Theatre & Bar Catalyst Collective Presents. 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. www. flickertheatreandbar.com SEVENTH SON Athens-based alternative rock band. MAUPAS Local three-piece psychedelic soul-rock band drawing from the city’s rich musical roots while carving out a sound uniquely their own.

ing lineup of musicians associated with The Buena Vista Social Club, AfroCuban All Stars, Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés and Willie Colón. Normaltown Brewing Co. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $15. www.normaltownbrewingco.com MCKINLEY JAMES Singer-songwriter and guitarist blending Americana and rock with soul and blues. CHANDLER FLINT Nashville-based country artist with a commanding stage presence. Nowhere Bar Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 9 p.m. $10 (w/ student ID), $15 (adv.), $20. www.instagram.com/nowhere barathensga THE CORE An all-star band of Georgia musicians brings back

Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmers market.net BENNY ST. PEIXE Atlanta-based bass player layering and looping jazz. (9 a.m.) Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $10. www.flickertheatreandbar.com EIGHT PICTURES Like if Pixies took Morrissey’s lunch money. SEABOARD BRIDGE Athens alternative rock trio. TERROIR Post-rock trio from Athens. LA CIGARETTE Four-piece punk band. Front Porch Bookstore 6 p.m. FREE! Find Front Porch Bookstore on Facebook

ALYS WILLMAN Athens singer- songwriter. Georgia Theatre 4 p.m. FREE! www.georgiatheatre.com ROCK DOWN SOUTH A day of music following the UGA game, featuring an acoustic writers’ round with Georgia musicians and performances from local band Towne Park Drive and rock and roll/Southern soul band Jet Black Roses.

Sunday 4 ACC Library Live at the Library. 3 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org ATHENS MIDDLE EAST ORCHESTRA Athens very own Middle Eastern inspired outfit that focuses on the musical culture of Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Syria and more. Boutier Winery Wine Down. 3–5 p.m. www.boutier winery.com DENNY MARTIN Country acoustic guitarist. The Globe 4–7 p.m. www.facebook.com/globe. athens TRADITIONAL IRISH SESSION Easy listening traditional Irish music. Terrapin Beer Co. 3–5 p.m. www.terrapinbeer.com JIM COOK High-energy solo blues, classic rock and roots music.

Monday 5 Flicker Theatre & Bar 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). www. flickertheatreandbar.com FIRST MONDAYS OPEN MIC Hosted by Josey, followed by a musicians social. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu GUEST ARTIST RECITAL Pianist Hannah Roberts performs a program called “Celtic Legends: Unveiling the Forgotten Legacy of Helen Hopekirk.” 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. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu GUEST ARTIST RECITAL Featuring horn player Karl Kramer.

Tuesday 6 Athentic Brewing Co. 6–9 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com OPEN MIC NIGHT First Tuesdays hosted by Katie Collins. Daily Groceries Co-op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop JOE LEONE Acoustic originals with weird tunings and time signatures. Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. $10. www.deadbeatathens.com IAN WHITE Session musician and Jack & Jealous co-founder exploring loss, redemption and belonging in his solo songs. IAIN COOKE Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Athens who writes music that is equal parts confessional, composed and catchy. MASON THOMAS Musician from Alabama playing songs that dance around the spectrum of alt rock, shoegaze, post-punk and power pop.

Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com ZOE LEMON Violinist and songwriter whose music is introspective and full of layered strings, lo-fi drums and warm vocals. SHLOMO FRANKLIN Bare bones troubadour raised in New York and currently based in Nashville, TN. FREEMAN LEVERETT Dreamy, hypnotic and danceable songs with thoughtful lyrics and cosmopolitan influences. Hendershot’s 5–7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com PIANO BAR HAPPY HOUR Enjoy drink specials and live piano music. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA TREBLE CHOIR Perform repertoire for treble voices. GLEE CLUB Performing repertoire for tenor/bass voices. WUOG Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE! www. wuog.org EUCLID Alt rock band drawing heavy inspiration from bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Title Fight, Sonic Youth and The Smashing Pumpkins.

Wednesday 7 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $25 (adv.), $30. www.40watt.com LUNA Indie-rock band formed in 1991 by singer and guitarist Dean Wareham after the breakup of Galaxie 500. SISTER RAY DAVIES Shoegaze/ folk horror duo that’s from Muscle Shoals, AL, though its debut record, Holy Island, is about an ancient religious outpost off the coast of Northern England. 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. Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net DIRE WOLF Grateful Dead tribute band. (6 p.m.) Dancz Center for New Music 3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE The ensemble performs its annual fall concert. Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $36.06–169.83. www.georgia theatre.com THE BROOK & THE BLUFF Indie- folk five-piece that hails from Birmingham, AL and is currently based in Nashville, TN. THE SWAYS Indie trio from the mountains of Northern Arizona, crafting music rooted in friendship, fatherhood and a deep appreciation for the beauty of everyday life. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu FACULTY ARTIST SERIES Featuring trombonist Josh Bynum.

Pink Party Pink Party with a Purpose PinkaParty with Purpose with a Purpose

Join us as we turn Piedmont Athens Regional’s Community Garden Pink! Come raise awareness, celebrate courage, and show support for those Join us as we turnby Piedmont AthensWe Regional’s Garden Pink! impacted breast cancer. will have Community light refreshments, stations, and vendor tables forshow you tosupport enjoy. for those Come raiseactivity awareness, celebrate courage, and

impacted by breast cancer. We will have light refreshments, activity stations, and vendor tables for you to enjoy. Dress comfortably andand wear pink Come raise awareness, celebrate courage, show support for those impacted byOctober breast cancer. We will have light refreshments, Sunday, 4, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. Piedmont Athensactivity Regional Community Gardentables | 285 Talmadge stations, and vendor for you to Drive enjoy.• Athens, Georgia Join us as we turn Piedmont Athens Regional’s Community Garden Pink! Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Dress comfortably and wear pink

Free parking available at the Medical Services Building, 242 King Avenue. Garden is adjacent lot. Piedmont Athens Regional Community Gardento|parking 285 Talmadge Drive • Athens, Georgia

Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 2 to 4 p.m. Dress comfortably and wear pink

Free parking available at the Medical Services Building, 242 King Avenue. The afternoon will also include: Garden is adjacent to parking lot. Piedmont Athens Regional Community Garden | 285 Talmadge Drive • Athens, Georgia 2:30 to 3 p.m. Wellness stroll with Fiona Denham and Katie Free parking available at theDrs. Medical Services Building, 242 Moore King Avenue. The afternoon will also include: Garden is adjacent to parking lot. 3 to 3:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. Tai Chito in3the Park Wellness stroll with Drs. Fiona Denham and Katie Moore The afternoon will also include: 3 to 4 p.m. 32:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tours of the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Griffin-DuBose Healing Lodge, to 3Support, p.m. TaiDrs. ChiFiona in the Park Piedmont AthensWellness Regionalstroll Breast Health Center, and shop the Beautiful with Denham andinKatie Moore You Boutique

to3:30 4 p.m. 33to p.m. TaiCancer Chi in the Park Griffin-DuBose Healing Lodge, Tours of the Loran Smith Center for Support, Please email parcommunityrelations@piedmont.org Piedmont Athens Regional Breast Health Center, and or shop in the Beautiful You Boutique to 4 p.m. 25. call 706.475,7025 to R.S.V.P. by Friday, 3September Tours of the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support, Griffin-DuBose Healing Lodge, Piedmont Athens Regional Breast Health Center, and shop in the Beautiful You Boutique Please email parcommunityrelations@piedmont.org or call 706.475,7025 to R.S.V.P. by Friday, September 25. Please email parcommunityrelations@piedmont.org or call 706.475,7025 to R.S.V.P. by Friday, September 25.

Down the Line 10/08 Reverend Conner Tribble (Hotel Indigo) 10/08 Mary & The Hot Hotty-Hots (The Globe) f

S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

music

feature

Rock ’N’ Roll Hit Parade

ATTICUS RONESS DISCUSSES RELATIONSHIP WITH PRODUCER CALEB HEIPLE

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

LINUS INGRAM

a birth name holds any influence talking,” says Heiple. “I think at the time over one’s destiny, then Atticus we were both so bought in on our separate Roness was fated to be a rockprojects, and then those kind of fell off at star. The Atlanta-based songwriter has built the perfect time for us to focus on this new a strong foundation in Athens, in some thing, which is us together.” part due to his friendship and working relationship with local producer Caleb Heiple. Roness refers to Heiple as the George Martin to his Paul McCartney, and together they’ve now released three albums, the latest of which was Rock ’N’ Roll Hit Parade, released Sept. 5. Roness and Heiple met at the perfect crossroads in their lives: A show that was Roness’ band Corduroy Blue’s last performance together with Heiple’s band The Angelics, which unknowingly was also on one of its last shows. “I felt pretty stuck. I put so much effort and time into that previous band, and life has a way of showing you that you’re not in control. I was in this kind of limbo, like I didn’t know what kind of songs I wanted to do next, but I knew I was going to go solo and didn’t have a producer lined up. He had never done any true production like on a full produced Atticus Roness and Caleb Heiple record. He’d done some demos, but never a full project like that. So he wasn’t even on my radar necesGrowing up in Bethlehem, GA, Heiple sarily, but we were talking about it and got was getting his first experience recording along great,” says Roness. at studios with his band, and it inspired “My first distinct memory is walking him to get on the other side of the mixing into The Eastern rooftop and seeing him board. After connecting with Roness, they with his stage presence, like going crazy… recorded the album Square One in Heiple’s It was a sight to behold. I was like, ‘Wow, mom’s basement. Roness says that being these guys are super cool.’ We just got to the same age and pursuing the same dream

brought a different energy to the project than the more mentor-like relationship he had recording with older producers. “Square One was basically like boot camp for me in terms of taking an artist who’s really good and like how can we condense this? That’s my entire ethos as a producer. I’m not trying to write the song for you or make things happen for you. I just want to take what’s there, and we shape it together,” says Heiple. “I always say, ‘You can’t ever force an opportune door open, but you can definitely make sure that it doesn’t shut on you if it’s the right one.’ And a lot of what Caleb

15TH ANNUAL NATIVE PLANT SALE

• Oct. 8 - Friends preview sale 2-6 p.m. • Oct. 9 - 2-6 p.m. • Oct. 10 - 9 a.m.-noon For more information, visit botgarden.uga.edu.

and I have done, I just felt like opportune doors have been there, and I’ve just made sure we’ve made the most of them,” says Roness. The momentum of the first two albums and touring opened one such door for the creation of Rock ’N’ Roll Hit Parade. Brian Collins of Real 2 Reel Studios, co-owned

EST.

by Collective Soul bassist Will Turpin, in Jonesboro reached out to Roness about recording an album at the studio, and Roness’ one stipulation was that they make room for Heiple in whatever capacity he could still act as producer. Recording at the studio came with really important networking opportunities, including Roness opening for Collective Soul at one of the band’s arena shows. “What I loved about that process with the new record was Will Turpin was very much about the rhythm of what I was playing. He was making sure that I was in time, that I was giving him cool licks and stuff. And Brian was very much the out of the box ideas guy. He was like, ‘Let’s try this.’ What I loved about having Caleb there was these other two guys are trying to make the best record that they can. Caleb is trying to make the best Atticus Roness record that he can because he knows me. He knows my sound. He knows what I like. He fights for me in those moments when he knows there are just things that I don’t budge on,” says Roness. Although the two met through music and the idea of starting a new project, the music has become a backdrop for a strong friendship. Roness says that this partnership is the “secret sauce” to his albums, but also that building meaningful connections with the people you meet and work with along the way is “what life is all about.” Atticus Roness is pulling a double night of shows at The Roadhouse in Athens this weekend as part of his album release tour. On Friday, Oct. 2, he’ll be joined by Bayou Princess. Then on Saturday, Oct. 3, Liam Martin will open the night. More tour dates, his online store, links to music videos and more can be found at linktr.ee/atticusroness. f See the full story online at flagpole.com.

2009

CLIMBING & COMMUNITY Only 1 Mile from the Arch

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Gift Cards available online

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

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music

threats & promises

music

feature

Split Silk’s Be The Divine

Q&A With The Wraps

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

HUMAN INTEREST: Sometimes an album comes out that just grabs me by the throat so immediately I have to ask, “Are you kidding me?” Such is the exact case with the new album Be The Divine by the punk/screamo Split Silk. Right out of the gate it punches through with the urgently confident “Divine,” which has as much classic goth in it as it does heavy post-hardcore. “Rhea” is a furiously aggressive tune akin to Mission Of Burma on speed. The slow buildup of “Digital Cold” accommodates a certain level of anxiety I’m sure was intended but, as a

thens four-piece rock band The Wraps is a mosaic of influences and sounds that has finally brought its carefully curated live experience to record. The 13-track debut album Love on Me will be released Oct. 2. The band features Levi Griffin (guitar and vocals), Zac Mihalko (bass and vocals), Clyburn Nichols (keys and vocals) and Rio Crane (drums and percussion). Mixed by David Barbe and mastered by Jason NeSmith, the album explores the question, “What happened to the way people value each other?” Flagpole spoke with Griffin and Mihalko about how performing more than 150 shows shaped the album, and the local community’s impact on the band.

For more information, please see facebook. com/sunsethonorunit. ALL BUTTONED UP: It took me a few weeks to

get around to this, mainly because Athens is releasing albums at an incredible pace, but the new album by Nice Shirt is named We Deserve Love Too, and it came out on Sept. 13. Who? Well, these dudes are now based out of Brooklyn, NY, but cut their teeth here in Athens with Wieuca, Blanko, Big Morgan, et al. Frenetic album opener “Hello” is jittery indie pop with a touch of

Split Silk

bonus, you get a little of Big Black’s glassy guitar very briefly at the end. “Fawn” has a similar dynamic, but less so. The relatively clean chord-based guitar intro for “Orchard Garden” is an ear-turner, as is album closer “Excess,” which returns the band to the full thrust of the album’s beginning. Look, gloves off, this just rocks so hard. It doesn’t look like there’s an Athens release show planned yet, but Split Silk will play one at Atlanta’s Eyedrum on Friday, Oct. 23 with .22lr, Envilittle and Boycat. Find the album at splitsilk.bandcamp.com, and for more information, please see splitsilk.net. WELL, HOWDY: The new album In The House of the Highest Dead Ends by Sunset Honor Unit comes out this Friday, Oct. 2. Although the band sort of tongue-in-cheek describes itself as a “cowboy pop co-op,” this music is no joke. I was immediately taken by the soft 1960s folk of the opening song “No Complacency, No Complaint.” Equally impactful is the gauzy and sweet ’50s waltz of “Another Man,” the empty street urgency of “Kiss Tutorial” and its well-placed brass, the soft-psych with a dash of Springsteen of “Okalona,” and the scratchy raw acoustic take of “Ghost Piano.” There are a few songs here that make the record feel a little bloated. Namely, these are the jammy/swampy “Emerald Eyes,” the stompy but out of place “Blair Village Pawn,” and the raucous drink-a-long “Blue Lights,” even though it does have a cool Hank Williams reference. Overall, though, this is a fine exhibition with more than its fair share of standout tunes. Find this on major streaming services once released.

cowpunk, but the album really gets going with the second song, “Butterscotch,” and its warm embrace of familiar jangle pop conventions. The sparsely constructed “Do It To Myself” relishes its bass direction and builds itself as it goes along. Other particular highlights are cleverly melodic “Crying For Two Seconds,” The Strokes-ish “Don’t Go,” and a song that somehow falls right between The Minutemen and The B-52s “Sleep Song.” Find it at reallyniceshirt.bandcamp.com. I’LL TAKE IT: The Wraps release their debut album this Friday, Oct. 2. It’s titled Love On Me and runs 13 songs long. Lead single “All It Was” appears second to last on the actual record, but it’s worth waiting for. It hits that super-sweet spot where pub rock started to become punk rock. Indeed, a lot of the album is this way, but nothing here feels necessarily deliberately retro. That said, there’s no denying The Doors inside “Fallen Serenade,” but “I Bet” is exactly the type of thing I was talking about a minute ago. It’s a furiously tuneful attack of a song that’s full of working-class gruffness; fairly evenly split between working-class desperation and suburban restlessness. I’m also partial to the darkly sentimental “To Dance With You” and “Turn It Down,” the proto- new wave “She Got It From Me” and the night-driving cry of “All It Was.” The Wraps celebrate the release with a show at Flicker Theatre and Bar with Maupas and Seventh Son the same night as the release, with doors at 8 p.m. and music at 9 p.m. Find the album on major streaming services once released, and for more information, please see instagram.com/thewrapsofficial. f

BRINGING TOGETHER THE DEBUT ALBUM LOVE ON ME

LG: The sequencing was actually thought about way before the recording process even started. Playing live shows, we tried to make setlists that flow really well and keep you hooked, so naturally the album track list is how we’d do it in real life. FP: The band describes itself as something to dance and cry to. How did you go about inspiring such a complex mix of emotions on this album? JORDAN RAINES

PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

Flagpole: The Wraps have been very active performing live. Has that experience shaped your sound or how the band decided to approach this album? Levi Griffin: There’s a certain sort of magic that comes with playing a song live as a unit. We happened to capture that raw energy on this record. With it being our first one, it tells the true story well, sounding almost exactly as if we were right in front of you. About as real as you can get some places. Also, we did it on reel-to-reel tape, which sounds way better anyways. FP: You also mentioned that you hear pieces of bands that you’ve come up around in your sound. How specifically has the Athens music scene influenced The Wraps? Zac Mihalko: My folks used to come to Athens in the ’90s for live music, so I grew up hearing stories of my uncle’s band Trinket and their friends in the Athens rock scene. I never realized the full scope of this community until moving here myself, hoping to form a band. I always appreciated the indie rock from Athens; however, the DJs and punk rock scene are what truly pulled me in. There are so many talented, hard-working musicians in this town that it produces a healthy level of competition. Meeting David Barbe encouraged me and the guys to keep evolving our songs along with our inspirations. Between showing up at open mic nights at Boar’s Head and starting our own at The Roadhouse, I’ve found joy in supporting the scene and helping it grow. Although we are pinned as blues and pop-rock adjacent, we truly pull from everything going on in Athens. I believe if there is some obscure or niche flavor of music out there in the world, at least someone is doing a variation of it in Athens. FP: Your press release noted that the album’s sequencing was very intentional, so was that something you thought about as you were recording songs, or an afterthought during mixing/mastering?

ZM: My friends and I are writing songs constantly. Some of these album songs developed gradually and without the album in mind, like “All It Was,” while others came out fast and last minute, like “Love On Me.” It’s usually when I get so emotionally frustrated that I manage to sit down and knock out most of a song like “Big Smooch” or “To Dance With You” quickly. Other times Levi might have something great that I add to, which is the case for “She Got It From Me,” and vice versa, like on “Streetwalker Blues.” We might tweak each other’s piece until it’s how we both like it, and boom, there’s a new song. The tricky thing is capturing a scene in a song. As everybody tends to focus on a different moment or theme, we have to be careful and understanding of one another and our audience so as not to dilute the rough and honest feelings we share… Over the past five years, we’ve changed a lot. Balancing work, passions, school, money, love and The Wraps has been an exhilarating challenge that has definitely led to a lot of dancing and a few tears we can at least put to good use. f

WHO: Seventh Son, Maupas, The Wraps WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m. (doors) WHERE: Flicker Theatre and Bar HOW MUCH: $10

S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

Tuesday 29

event calendar

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/baddog athens 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/MellowMushroom Athens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Magnolias of Athens) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. www. instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco

Wednesday 30 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: Mobile Food Pantry (Piedmont Oconee Health Campus) No registration required drive-thru giveaway of grocery boxes. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! 706-475-7025 EVENTS: Understanding Dementia (Jackson EMC) Learn about dementia and its signs, symptoms, impact on individuals and families, and how to find support networks. Registration required. 11 a.m. FREE! www.jcdrc.eventbrite.com EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music at

6 p.m. AFM double SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www. athensfarmersmarket.net FILM: Ghastly Horror Society Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 2022 film Night of the Zodiac. 7 p.m. FREE! www. flickertheatreandbar.com FILM: Survivor Watch Party (Athentic Brewing Co.) Chaotic Good Podcast hosts a weekly watch party for season 51. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Ian. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/ classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Trivia Night (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.indigo athens.com 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 Street) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Dos Palmas) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia 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.ripbookclub.com MEETINGS: Film Athens (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Meet and network

art around town ACC LIBRARY (2025 Baxter St.) In the Bogue Gallery, the exhibition “Hers and His” features paintings and drawings by Cynzia Sanchez and works created with found objects by Edward Toledano. Through Nov. 1. 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. 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. Through Nov. 21. ATHENTIC BREWING CO. (108 Park Ave.) Impressionist paintings inspired by nature by Rachel Ankirskiy are on view. Artist Reception Oct. 8, 6:30–9 p.m. Through November. ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “Coloring Book: It’s All Beautiful Now” features whimsical and surreal paintings and drawings by Joel Cothran derived from his sketchbooks. Through Nov. 25. BMA STUDIO (1354 S. Milledge Ave.) Floral paintings by Caroline Stroud are on display and available for purchase. Through November. 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. Through Nov. 20. • In the Lupin Foundation Gallery, “Cornucopia: Ties That Bind” is a curated collection of works by renowned artists of color. Through Nov. 20. • In the Plaza Gallery, “True Conceal” is an exhibition of new work by collaborators Katie Hargrave and Meredith Lynn from their

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

with others in the filmmaking community (actors, directors, etc.) during happy hour. 5 p.m. FREE! www.facebook.com/FilmAthens MEETINGS: Athens Free School Meetup (Hendershot’s) Learn more about the volunteer-led organization and how to get involved. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com

Thursday 1 ART: Opening Reception (Flicker Theatre & Bar) The annual Halloween exhibition featuring various local artists will be on view. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreandbar.com 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 EVENTS: Opening Reception (Historic Athens Welcome Center) Exhibitions featuring photography of funerary art by Jennifer Keene and Caitlin Short will be on view, with a hands-on floriography workshop (registration required). 4–6 p.m. www.athenswelcomecenter.com EVENTS: Ladies Night Out (Boutier Winery) Enjoy a night of line dancing with wine and a buffet. First Thursdays, 6–9 p.m. $20. www. boutierwinery.com FILM: History Film Series (221 Leconte Hall) Screening of a surprise film that is TBA. 5 p.m. FREE! history.uga.edu GAMES: Bad Dog BINGO (Amici at The Falls) Play BINGO with host TJ Wayt. Thursdays, 6 p.m. www. instagram.com/baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia GAMES: Happy Hour Trivia (The Rook and Pawn) Test your trivia knowledge with host Nikolai. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.therookand pawn.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.nighthawks lounge.com KIDSTUFF: Play Dough Café (Howard Park & Community Center) Little chefs will use colorful play dough to create delicious looking food creations. Registration required. 10 a.m. $3 (ACC residents), $4.50 (non-residents). www.accgov.com/myrec KIDSTUFF: Teen Dungeons & Dragons (Bogart Library) Join a volunteer-run gaming session open to all skill levels. Grades 6–12. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ bogart KIDSTUFF: Dinosaur Dimensions (Madison Morgan Cultural Center) A high-energy, educational dinosaur show with animatronics. 7 p.m. $10 (students), $20 (adults). www. mmcc-arts.org LECTURES & LIT: An Evening of Poetry (Georgia Museum of Art) A panel will have a conversation exploring poetry and literary themes in the exhibition “Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone.” 5:30 p.m. www. georgiamuseum.org LECTURES & LIT: After the End Book Club (ACC Library) Discuss post-apocalyptic fiction with this month’s selection Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut. 7 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org MEETINGS: KnitLits Knitting Group (Bogart Library) Knitters of all levels are invited to have fun, share craft ideas and knit to their hearts’ content. Thursdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/bogart MEETINGS: Oconee Rivers Audubon Monthly Meeting (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Guest speakers present on topics ranging from conservation to paleontology. First Thursdays, 7 p.m. FREE! www. oconeeriversaudubon.org PERFORMANCE: Murder Mystery (Athentic Brewing Co.) This Roaring Twenties themed, fully improvised mystery performance begins with a cocktail hour and small bites. 6

Bad Outdoorsman series. Through Nov. 20. • In the Mills Family Gallery, “Through Service We Grow” is a new body of work by Dodd photography faculty Blake Jacobsen. Through Nov. 20. • In the Bridge Gallery, “I hope this finds you well” explores methods of communicating and working together. Through Nov. 20. FLICKER THEATRE & BAR (263 W. Washington St.) Annual Halloween art show featuring various local artists. Through October. 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. Open by appointment through Oct. 11. GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (90 Carlton St.) “Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone” features sculptures by the 19th--century Black and Indigenous artist Edmonia Lewis. Through Jan. 3, 2027. HENDERSHOT’S (237 Prince Ave.) Works by Susan Pelham featuring surreal landscapes, cats and characters are on display. Through October. LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.). “Rooted” features works by Clarke County School District students inspired by the theme of community. Opening reception Oct. 6, 5:30–7:30 p.m. On view Oct. 1 through Jan. 23, 2027. • In the Lobby Case, “Lotus” features ceramics by Isabell Daniel incorporating the Buddhist mandala and the symbolic lotus flower. On view Oct. 1 through Dec. 5. • “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 loose brushwork with free-form weaving in yarn, string, wire, beads and sequins. Through Oct. 10. • “BEE CITY OF NOW” is a 24-foot model community for bees by Swannatopia and Experimental Art Club, installed on the Arts Center’s

p.m. $20. 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

Friday 2 COMEDY: Improv Athens (UGA Miller Learning Center) UGA’s improv troupe performs a show. Room 248. Fridays, 7:30 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/improv athens COMEDY: Spelling Bee Showdown (Flying Squid Comedy) A team of randomly selected audience members challenge some of the best improv comedian spellers. 8 p.m. $10. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: Coffee & Headshots Pop-Up (Sunroof Coffee) The Lightroom is hosting a professional headshot station. Reservations recommended. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1–3 p.m. $25. www.thelightroom- ath.com EVENTS: Fright on the Firefly (Firefly Trail) Dress up the entire family for a spooky stroll along the trick- or-treat trail. 5:30–7 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/halloween EVENTS: UGA Homecoming Parade (Downtown Athens) The annual family-friendly downtown parade celebrates UGA homecoming with a variety of floats and performances. 6 p.m. FREE! els. uga.edu/homecoming EVENTS: Pumpkin Hunt (Lay Park Community Center) Enjoy fall themed games, crafts, face painting and the annual pumpkin hunt. 6 p.m. $3 (ACC residents), $4.50 (non-residents). www.accgovga. myrec.com GAMES: Euchre Club (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join others to play Euchre. Fridays, 2–4:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Oak House Distillery) Test your general trivia knowledge. Fridays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia

KIDSTUFF: Homeschool Day: Shape and Form (Georgia Museum of Art) Structure your own experience at your own pace with docents, educators and teaching artists available to discuss exhibitions and share activities. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.georgia museum.org LECTURES & LIT: Wash Your Hands After (Rec Room Books) Readings from Athens writers featuring J.R. Barner, J.I. Daniels, Will Donnelly, Dave Fitzgerald, Jordan Rothacker, Ellie Swensson and more. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/recroombooks PERFORMANCE: NPHC Homecoming Step Show (The Classic Center) The Annual National Pan- Hellenic Council hosts a step show with the theme Disney. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $33.75. www.classiccenter.com PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Luv Shak (Dead Beat Club) An evening of Halloween season drag entertainment. Ages 18 & up. 9 p.m.–12 a.m. $5. www. athensshowgirlcabaret.com SPORTS: The Fight Against Suicide (Akins Ford Arena) Night of boxing matches in benefit of mental health resources. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $58.25–93.50. www. classiccenter.com THEATER: The Phantom Tollbooth (Town & Gown Players) Town & Gown presents a production of the fantasy novel brought to the stage featuring a whimsical adventure. $20. Oct. 2–3 & 8–10, 8 p.m. Oct. 4 & 11, 2 p.m. www.townandgown players.org

Saturday 3 ART: Seconds Sale (Southern Star Studio) Discounted pottery with small imperfections or old stock from the studio’s artists. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. www.southernstarstudio athens.com EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park) Markets offer locally grown groceries and handmade goods with live music and

second-floor outdoor patio. Through May 1, 2027. 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) The Georgia Watercolor Society’s 2026 Annual Member Juried Exhibition is on view alongside watercolor pieces by Diana Toma. Through Nov. 6. STEFFEN THOMAS MUSEUM OF ART (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead) “Truth in Art” is a juried exhibition of pieces across a variety of mediums by MFA students. Through Nov. 21. THE OLD PAL (1320 Prince Ave.) “The Cocktail Series” features photography by Christina Howells. Meet the artist Nov. 4, 5–8 p.m. Through Nov. 7. 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. • “Seeking Intrinsic Essence, Whatever Direction: The Photography of Nancy Ellison” features portraits and behind-the-scenes photographs of Hollywood celebrities from the 1970s–1990s. Through Dec. 23. 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. Through January 2027. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP (780 Timothy Rd.) “Mystery Pet Portrait” features portraits of community members’ pets painted by artists from the congregation. Through Nov. 6. WINTERVILLE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER (371 N. Church St., Winterville) In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, “Rebellious Art, Treasonous Artists” is on view in Room 103. Through December.

mroe. 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, kids activities and more. Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. www.marigoldcollectivewinterville.com EVENTS: Harriet Powers & A Community Quilt (ACC Library) In honor of the prominent folk artist, people of all skill levels are invited to work on a community quilt. Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 6, 5–8 p.m. Oct. 10, 2–5 p.m. Oct. 12, 5–8 p.m. www.athenslibrary.com OUTDOORS: Bird Walk (Dudley Park) Join the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society for a guided bird walk. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www. oconeeriversaudubon.org PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Drag For All (Hendershots) Enjoy a fabulous night of open drag fun for all ages. 8–11 p.m. $5. www.athensshowgirl cabaret.com PERFORMANCE: The High Tea Drag Show (Athentic Brewing Co.) Mary Jane hosts a fabulous and hilarious night of drag entertainment. 9 p.m. $5. www.athentic brewing.com SPORTS: UGA vs. Vanderbilt (Sanford Stadium) Cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs football team as they face the Vanderbilt Commodores. 12 p.m. www.georgiadogs.com THEATER: The Phantom Tollbooth (Town & Gown Players) Town & Gown presents a production of the fantasy novel brought to the stage featuring a whimsical adventure. $20. Oct. 2–3 & 8–10, 8 p.m. Oct. 4 & 11, 2 p.m. www.townandgown players.org

Sunday 4 CLASSES: Sewcial Sewing Club (Oconee County Library) An afternoon of simple sewing techniques with all materials provided. Ages 13 & up. 2:30 p.m. FREE! www. athenslibrary.org/oconee CLASSES: Crochet Pumpkin (Athentic Brewing Co.) Join KT Yarn Creations to learn how to make a crochet pumpkin. 2:30 p.m. $15. www.athenticbrewing.com CLASSES: Postpartum Storytelling (ACC Library) In this workshop prompts will lead participants through processing and writing out their postpartum stories. Parents of all kinds welcome. 3–5 p.m. FREE! www.athensparentwellbeing.org CLASSES: Yoga Celebration (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) All ages and all levels of practice are welcome to join the yoga community for 108 Sun Salutations in the garden. 5:30 p.m. $15. botgarden. uga.edu COMEDY: Comedy Showcase (The Globe) Athens Comedy hosts themed and general showcases of local and regional comedians. Sundays, 9 p.m. www.athenscomedy.com EVENTS: Champions of Hope Chili Cook Off (Athentic Brewing Co.) Bring your chili for a tasting competition that benefits the Cancer Foundation. 2–5 p.m. www.athentic brewing.com EVENTS: Pink Party with a Purpose (285 Talmadge Drive) A

community event to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Research featuring vendors, tours, wellness walk, taichi sessions, activity tables and more. RSVP required. 2 p.m. FREE! parcommunityrelations@ piedmont.org EVENTS: 1800s Athens (Historic Athens Welcome Center) This living history event features blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, folk music and more. 2–5 p.m. FREE! www.athenswelcomecenter.com EVENTS: Sunday Tours (Athens Academy) Open tours of the campus. Registration required. 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. FREE! www. athensacademy.org EVENTS: 20–30s Speed Dating (Athentic Brewing Co.) A meet and mingle followed by speed dating sessions for ages 20–30. Registration required. 3:30–7 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com 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 GAMES: General Knowledge Trivia (Normaltown Brewing Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Sundays, 4–6 p.m. www.normaltown brewingco.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 THEATER: The Phantom Tollbooth (Town & Gown Players) Town & Gown presents a production of the fantasy novel brought to the stage featuring a whimsical adventure. $20. Oct. 2–3 & 8–10, 8 p.m. Oct. 4 & 11, 2 p.m. www.townandgown players.org

Monday 5 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 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: Magic the Gathering (The Rook and Pawn) Meet up to play in Commander format. Every other Monday, 6 p.m. FREE! www. therookandpawn.com 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: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Brett’s Backyard) Test your general trivia knowledge. Mondays, 7 p.m. www. instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Grindhouse Killer Burgers) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Mondays, 7:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccity triviaco THEATER: Unmythable (Morton Theatre) Mashup of Greek myths told with a blend of sketch comedy, clowning, stories and songs. Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. $20–50. www.mortontheatre. com

Tuesday 6 ART: Opening Reception (Lyndon House Arts Center) The Clarke County School District student art exhibition “Rooted” will be on view. 5:30–7:30 p.m. FREE! www.accgov. com/lyndonhouse CLASSES: Meet Me at the Garden (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) A therapeutic horticulture program for individuals with early to mid- stage dementia and their care partners. Registration required. 10 a.m. FREE! botgarden.uga.edu CLASSES: Google Slides (ACC Library) Learn the basics of creating and sharing slideshow presentations in Google Slides. 10 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org EVENTS: The Center at ACCA Open House (Athens Community Council on Aging) Tour the space, drop-in for mini classes, learn about travel opportunities, meet ACCA’s team and community partners, and more. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE! accaging.org EVENTS: Harriet Powers & A Community Quilt (ACC Library) In honor of the prominent folk artist, people of all skill levels are invited to work on a community quilt. Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 6, 5–8 p.m. Oct. 10, 2–5 p.m. Oct. 12, 5–8 p.m. www.athenslibrary.com EVENTS: Georgia State Assembly Candidate Forum (ACC Library) Get to know the candidates running for Senate Districts 46 and 47 and House District 121. 5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org FILM: Brews & Boos Movie Series (Athentic Brewing Co.) Screening of the horror comedy What We Do In The Shadows. 7 p.m. www.athentic brewing.com GAMES: Mahjong Night Out (Union Fare) Come solo or reserve a table for four with a basic knowledge of American mahjong, and enjoy raffles, giveaways and a food truck. 6–9 p.m. $20. www.classiccity mahj.com/open-play-events 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/MellowMushroom Athens GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Magnolias of Athens) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Benjamin. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. www. instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco LECTURES & LIT: Historic Athens History Hour (Lyndon House Arts Center) Explore Athens’ death culture with local historians, storytellers and cemetery experts Fred Smith of Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, Doc Eldridge of Oconee Hill Cemetery, author Tracy Adkins of Ghosts of Athens: History and Haunting of Athens, Georgia and others. 12–1 p.m. FREE! www.historicathens.com LECTURES & LIT: Bogart Bookies (Bogart Library) Pick up a copy of

James by Percevel Everrett, and discuss it with the group. 2 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart LECTURES & LIT: Normal Talk (Normal Bar) A discussion about the nature and views of Democratic Socialism in America and how it impacts local community. 7:30–9 p.m. FREE! www.normaltalk.org 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: Unmythable (Morton Theatre) Mashup of Greek myths told with a blend of sketch comedy, clowning, stories and songs. Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. $20–50. www.mortontheatre. com

Wednesday 7 ART: Artful Conversation: “Cosmogony” (Georgia Museum of Art) Mallory Lind, associate curator of community engagement and outreach, will lead a conversation on Irene Zevon’s abstract painting “Cosmogony.” 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: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) After a series of random suicides are attributed to a heatwave, a pathologist suspects a maniac may be responsible in Autopsy. 7 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/bloodeverywhere.athens FILM: Survivor Watch Party (Athentic Brewing Co.) Chaotic Good Podcast hosts a weekly watch party for season 51. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu nottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Ian. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/ classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Trivia Night (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.indigo athens.com 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 Street) Test your trivia knowledge with host TJ Wayt. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/ baddogathens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Dos Palmas) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia 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: Word of Mouth (The Globe) Athens’ longest- running spoken word open mic, with this month’s featured reader is longtime WUGA program host David Oates. 6 p.m. (sign-ups), 7 p.m. (poetry). FREE! www.facebook. com/athenswordofmouth f

♡

s ’ e ol

p g la

S C A RY STO RY C O NTE ST

Length: 750 words Topic: Athens-based Deadline: 2 p.m., Fri. Oct. 9th Prizes: $50 First, $25 Second, $15 Third Must Be At Least 16 Years Old To Enter

Winners published in the Oct. 28th issue of Flagpole Email stories to: editorial@flagpole.com

S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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 HELP WANTED (Full-time) Athens digital marketing agency seeks articulate, energetic, professional Private Equity Sales Associates. More info at: lightmarkmedia. com/job HELP WANTED (Part-time) Daily Groceries Co-Op is now accepting applications for cashiers, deli, stockers, shift leader. Applications available in store from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. 1190 Prince Ave. NOTICES (Missed Connections) When myself told you a blonde hair female CFA hostess myself owes you it meant you’re appreciated by myself and trust in you. 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 REAL ESTATE (House for Rent) 2BD/2BA house for rent during home game weekends. Located in Watkinsville. $500. 2 night minimum. Call 706-286-0138 for more information. 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. 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

Arts ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a platform to connect creatives with patrons. www.athenscreatives.directory CALL FOR ART (Various Locations) Visit www.flagpole.com/bulletin board for ongoing open art calls. CALL FOR ART (OCAF, Watkinsville) Now accepting submissions for the annual Members Exhibition. Open to current, valid members. Deadline Nov. 1. Exhibition Dec. 4–18. www. ocaf.com/exhibitions for rules, regulations and other information. CALL FOR ARTISTS (Ciné) ATHICA seeking visual artists to submit proposals for exhibitions in the ATHICA at Ciné gallery space for the 2027-28 exhibition season. Single, duo or group exhibits, and 2D art. Deadline Nov. 1. $10 entry fee. www.athica.org CALL FOR ARTISTS (Oconee County Bat Festival, Watkinsville) Seeking

artists for festival. Handcrafted items and art with natural themes, earth-inspired elements or representations of the environment, wildlife, and botanical subjects preferred. Event held Oct. 12. Contact Carsen Dean, Oconee County ANR agent at crd72388@uga.edu or 706-542-7078. CALL FOR ARTISTS (Winterville Marigold Festival) Submit artwork to be featured on the 2027 Marigold Festival posters, T-shirts and more. Deadline Jan. 1. www.marigold festival.com CALL FOR PERFORMERS (Jam in the Streets) Local bands, independent artists 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 LIFE DRAWING (Winterville Cultural Center, Winterville) 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. 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.

ADOPT ME!

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

Sassy (61454463)

Sassy is a sweet girl with the cutest floppy ear. She loves learning new tricks and is so proud of herself when she shows them off. The folks at the shelter say that she’s a great friend!

Tabitha (61642885)

Meet Tabitha! This adorable tabby cat is only five months old. She likes living at Entangled Cat Cafe, but would prefer a more permanent home. Consider adopting or fostering her today.

Rover (61485055)

Rover first came to the shelter with his buddy Octo, but now that Octo has been adopted, he’s feeling a little lonely. He’s a gentle and calm boy who would love to find his forever family!

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

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

Auditions BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTRY (Town & Gown) Open auditions for the musical adaptation of the popular romance book and movie of the same name. Oct. 4–5. Performances held Dec. 4–13. www. townandgownplayers.org 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. www.meridianwomens chorus.org

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 & PROGRAMS (ACC Library) Various ongoing weekly events including ESL (Wednesdays) and more. www.athenslibrary.org CLASSES & PROGRAMS (ACCA) Various weekly and monthly events including Center for Active Living Happy Hour (various locations, every first Thursday), Normaltown Poker with Pals (Mondays), Mat Pilates (Mondays) and more. Registration may be required. www. accaging.org CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Athens Land Trust) Various virtual and in-person classes with topics that include Affordable Housing Info and Homebuyer Education Course. www.athenslandtrust.org/classes- events CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Bogart Library) Various ongoing weekly events including ESL (Tuesdays and Thursdays), Knit Lits Knitting (Thursdays) and more. www.athens library.org/bogart CLASSES, PROGRAMS & TOURS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Various ongoing weekly events including Guided Plant Walk (Tuesdays–Fridays), Porcelain and Decorative Arts Tour (Tuesdays & Sundays), 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 CUBAN MUSIC & MOVEMENT (The Studio Athens) TIMBAthens offers Cuban-style salsa classes on Sundays. 3 p.m. for Level 1 Foundations and 4 p.m. for Level 2 & 3 Partner Work and Rueda de Casino. Through Dec. 13 with exception of Oct. 18. Drop-in $10 for first four classes only. Class passes available. www.timbathens.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.SALS AthensDancing@gmail.com IMPROV CLASSES (Grady College) Free improv classes every Wednes-

day in Room 509. 5:30 p.m. More information @ImprovAthens

Help Out ATHENS SKATEPARK PROJECT (Athens Skate Park) Seeking volunteers and community input. Third Sundays. www.athensskatepark project.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 CALL FOR HOSTS (Porchfest) Porches needed for Historic Athens Porchfest. Openings in the following neighborhoods: Boulevard, Buena Vista Heights, Cobbham, Newtown, Normaltown, Pulaski Heights and Reese-Hancock. Also seeking sponsors and volunteers. Event held Oct. 18. bit.ly/porch help26 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE NEEDED (ACCGov) The Landscape Management Division is seeking a privately-owned cedar tree for donation as a public Christmas tree display in front of City Hall. Interested donors call 706-613-3561. 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 HALLOWEEN COSTUME DROP- OFF (Bogart Library, Bogart) Accepting gently used costumes and accessories for all ages and sizes. Donors will receive tokens to redeem for new costumes. Dona-

tions open Sept. 1 through Oct. 1. www.athenslibrary.org/bogart MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children) Free home medical equipment provided to those in need. Athens locations for pickup at Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging and Multiple Choices. Donations also accepted. www.fodac.org MEDICAL EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE (Silver Lace) Open registration for consideration for free mobility and daily living medical items. Donations also accepted. www.silverlace inc.org, info@silverlace.org MICROCHIP SCANNING STATIONS (Multiple Locations) Connect lost pets with their owners. Available 24 hours. Located at ACC Animals Services, Memorial Park Dog Park and Southeast Clarke Park. Instructions provided at each location. www. accgov.com/11669/pet-microchips 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. the biggervisionshelter@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. moms adoptingmoms@gmail.com SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS (Town & Gown) The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations (including self-nominations) for President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary for the 2027 calendar year. Descriptions of these roles can be found in the bylaws. www.town andgownplayers.org/governance 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 (Athens, GA) Local homeless ministry Hands of Hope accepting donations of clothing for their free distribution program and fundraising yard sale with proceeds benefiting the program. 706-207-5172 SEEKING DONATIONS (Athens, GA) Local book club RIP Books seeking donations of any genre of 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 VARIOUS VOLUNTEERS (AthHalf 5K & Half Marathon) AthFest Educates volunteer signup now open. 2026 half marathon and 5K events held Oct. 10 &11. Available roles include runner check-in,

course monitoring, expo registration and post-race hospitality. athhalf volunteers@athfesteducates.org SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Various Locations) Visit www.flagpole. com/bulletinboard for ongoing opportunities with nonprofits and community organizations. SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (ACC Solid Waste Vulture Festival) Seeking volunteers for the 13th annual festival. Set-up, break-down, children’s activities and more. Free t-shirt and meal provided. Oct. 13, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. recycle.intern@accgov.com TEACHER SUPPLIES (Teacher Reuse Store) Educators can access free creative supplies at the store. Please bring credentials. www.acc gov.com/trs VOLUNTEER NETWORK (Community Works, Watkinsville) A nonprofit organization that connects volunteers of all ages to events, resources and training opportunities. CWorksOC@gmail.com

Kidstuff CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Athens, GA) Various ongoing weekly and monthly events including Little Makers, Jumping Gym, Babies and Beasties, 123 Toddler & Me!, Fantastic Friday, Inventors Club, Tiny Trek, Storytime and more. www.acc gov.com/myrec CLASSES & PROGRAMS (ACC Library) Various ongoing weekly events including various storytimes (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Tween/Teen Club Creative (biweekly Tuesdays), Teen Writing Club (biweekly Mondays) and more. www.athenslibrary.org CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Bogart Library) Various ongoing weekly events including LEGO Mania (Wednesdays), Storytime with Miss Harli (Mondays), Sensory Open Play (Tuesdays) and more. www. athenslibrary.org/bogart 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 FARMPLAY (Foxfire Woods & Farm) Monthly nature-based, creativity-filled playgroup for kids ages 11–15. Registration required. $5 suggested donation. www.foxfire woodsandfarm.com

Word on the Street BOOK SALE (Oglethorpe County Public Library, Lexington) Pop-up books sale benefitting the Oglethorpe Friends of the Library. Sept. 30–Oct. 13 during business hours. $5 bag sale every Saturday. Cash or check only. www.athenslibrary.org/ oglethorpe CALL FOR VENDORS (Asian Lunar Festival) Now accepting applications for local artists, performers, food vendors, community organizations and more for the second annual Athens Asian Lunar Festival. Event held Feb. 13. www.instagram. com/taste_asia_st CALL FOR VENDORS (Athens Library Store) Applications now open for Holiday Market. Crafters, makers, authors and more are encouraged to apply. Table fee options $15 & up. Deadline Oct. 9, acceptance notification Oct. 15, and event held Dec. 5. All proceeds benefit the Athens Library. www. friendsofacclibrary.org/market CALL FOR VENDORS (Athens Farmer’s Market) Applications now open for Holiday Market. Seeking artists,

farmers and prepared food vendors. $20 application fee. Deadline Oct. 9, acceptance notification Oct. 16, and event held Nov. 28. www. athensfarmersmarket.net/holiday artistmarket 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.athens welcomecenter.com CALL FOR VENDORS (OCAF, Watkinsville) Applications now open for the OCAF Annual Holiday Market. Artists and makers are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submission is Oct. 15 and the juried event is held Nov. 20–22. www.ocaf.com/ holiday-market CITY TOURS (Historic Athens Welcome Center) A variety of guided tours available including a daily shuttle tour, walking tour of the downtown area and local music tour. Schedule in advance. www. athenswelcomecenter.com FRIDAY EVENTS (Multiplechoices Center for Independent Living) The organization hosts ongoing Friday gatherings. Tech discussions, support groups and more. www. multiplechoices.us/youre-invited 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.mindfulbreath sangha.org PEACEFUL PROTEST (Athens, GA) Indivisible GA District 10 has an “Every Monday” weekly protest on the corner of the corner of Alps and Baxter. 12:30–1:30 p.m. www. indivisiblega10.org SEEKING SEASONAL EMPLOYEES (Athens, GA) AthFest now hiring for two part-time, seasonal positions: Event Coordinator and Musical Talent Booking Agent. Deadline Oct. 15, but applications are subject to closing sooner. More info and submission details at www.athfest.com/ job-opportunities 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. Monthly drum circle before service every 3rd Sunday of the month. Go to www.unityathens.com for our weekly classes. 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

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

S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

arts & culture

feature

food & drink

good growing

Muppets, Monsters and Marionettes

‘Super’ El Niño

By Libba Beaucham arts@flagpole.com

By Erin France editorial@flagpole.com

he Greater Athens Puppetry Club is a group of creative and crafty locals who meet monthly to develop their skills in not only performing puppetry but also creating their own puppets. The club is open to all ages and levels of experience and is led by Julianne Merritt, a music educator who is active in the Athens comedy, theater and music scenes. Merritt always had a love for puppets beginning with her childhood fascination with the 1980s sitcom character ALF. “I would crochet versions of him, and they were so ugly, but Alf was my comfort character,” she said. Merritt also loved the classic puppets of Jim Henson’s “Muppet Show,” “Sesame Street” and “Fraggle Rock.”

Julianne Merritt

Her first professional puppetry projects were for community theater shows. “A lot of my work came from people needing puppets and me having a couple hours to try to figure it out. And then I did that for a theater company in Athens in 2021. They asked for these puppets for a production of Puffs, and I was like, ‘Let me try. I can try.’ And since then, I’ve been obsessed with it,” said Merritt. It was this obsession that led to Merritt co-writing and producing a children’s puppet show and musical with Marius Palmour called The Loneliest Bird, which was performed at Town & Gown in 2025. “When The Loneliest Bird ended, every single person in the show was like, ‘OK, and when is the next puppet thing?’ And so we were like, well, I guess we have to do something about that. And then we started the club,” she said. The club has collaborated with performance groups like a recent The Chronicles of Narnia themed improv comedy show by Take This! Comedy that featured puppet characters created by GAPC members. Town & Gown’s upcoming production of The Phantom Tollbooth, Oct. 2–11, will have a

cast of puppets by the club, too. The show is a great platform for puppetry given its magical and whimsical world of adventure. “I say, it’s like Alice in Wonderland for boys,” said Merritt. “There are these things called the Lethargarians, which are kind of like lazy ghosts. And those are really, really adorable little sleepy baby ghosts that I want to cuddle. I love them. There’s also a Spelling Bee marionette. There’s gonna be miniatures for long travel scenes. There’s gonna be shadow puppets for flashback scenes… One puppet is just a guy with a hat and two severed arms, and the arms are both played by a different person… We’re really combining a million different types of puppet for it. So it’s one of the most varied shows I’ve ever done.” For the cast performing the puppets, there’s a lot to learn in how to manipulate each type of puppet to bring it to life. “The two most important things you have are tension and focus. So as long as you’re pulling the puppet taut, and it looks alive, everyone in the room is gonna believe that it’s alive, especially if the focus is on the puppet. The puppeteer’s looking at it, the other puppets are looking at the puppet that’s moving. That’s how you bring it to life and make it move. And especially different kinds of puppets will help with that. There are some that are just talking heads, which is totally fine, but a lot of Muppet style puppets have legs and arms, and they’re moving all around sets,” she explained. Puppets also invite creative blocking and direction for the stage. “When you block a scene with actors, it’s completely different from how you have to block it with puppets. You have to think about the set-building being different. Like at one point there’s a guy on a platform, but when he has his puppet in his hand, he’s gonna be too tall for the other actors to interact with. So they had to change up the blocking for that. And it’s been really cool to see it come together,” said Merritt. Anyone who’s interested in learning about puppetry is welcome to the club’s monthly meetings held at local libraries and other community spaces. The club is open to collaborating with other creative groups in the future. “We work with whoever needs help, and if they want us to build [puppets], or if they want us to come in and teach puppetry techniques, we do all kinds of stuff like that,” said Merritt. For writers, there will be a call for new puppetry show concepts for Town & Gown’s New Works Festival in 2027 opening soon, so stay tuned for details. The best way to stay up-to-date on the Greater Athens Puppetry Club is to join its Facebook group, follow on Instagram @greaterathenspuppetryclub, or join the group Discord. f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026

A CHANCE TO COLLECT RAINWATER AND PLANT TREES

This winter is shaping up to be a wet one. I’ve read a handful of articles and dozens of headlines mentioning the strength of the developing El Niño and how it could affect weather across the world. Here’s what this weather pattern could mean for our Athens- area gardens this winter and into the future: WHAT’S WITH THIS ‘SUPER’ TITLE? “Super” is a label used by media outlets, not the scientific community, according to a newsletter written by Andrew Freedman, a CNN Weather senior reporter. It’s a plain way of

at the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Consider installing rain barrels or a cistern this fall to claim and contain runoff. If you already have rainfall catchers in place, now is a great time to clean, repair and relocate well before they’re filled with water. Checking on other home infrastructure is a good idea, too, Kirk-Ballard said. “If we have a wet winter, gardeners should check gutters, downspouts and drainage areas to ensure water moves away from buildings and does not pool around plants,” she said. THANOS TZELEPIS

THE GREATER ATHENS PUPPETRY CLUB

indicating the historic nature of the spot in the Pacific Ocean where El Niño forms. This band of water reached temps 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit higher than usual back in June. Scientists have recorded this trend three times before in 1982–83, 1997–98 and 2015–16. Warmer ocean waters swirl around the world’s currents and can create all sorts of severe weather—not just warmer temperatures. “There is a chance this could be the warmest event on record in that time period, because we are getting the El Niño on top of a rapidly warming ocean due to global warming,” said Pam Knox, a University of Georgia climatologist. “However, a very strong El Niño does not mean the impacts will necessarily be record-setting, just that we are more sure that they will actually occur.” WHAT ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE IN THE ATHENS AREA? Most likely, a whole lot of rain. In general, El Niño means a wetter winter in the South. Bigger storms also are more likely, Knox said. “We do know that [El Niño] winters often have more severe weather, so that is something people should keep in mind,” she said. We’ve only had our second flush of False Fall, but it’s best to check flashlight batteries now. Stock up, or check on your current emergency supplies. It’s best to have the non-perishables ready and waiting than last-minute runs to the store for batteries. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY GARDEN? “Winter rainfall also presents a great opportunity for gardeners to capture water for use during dry periods,” said Heather Kirk- Ballard, assistant professor of horticulture

Wet winters also are a great time to establish trees and woody bushes. If you’ve got a few hanging out in buckets waiting to get into the ground, start prepping the sites now. After the first few rains, it won’t be difficult to dig an appropriate home and set your plant up for success with little work on your end. I have a whole passel of native trees I’m eager to get in the ground this fall. Unfortunately, the area’s rainstorms haven’t come east far enough to hit my garden yet. If you plan on growing veggies this winter, you might want to space them farther apart than usual. Wet weather usually spreads diseases, and ensuring more airflow around your plants will help stop the spread of mildew or fungus developing on your plants. WHAT ABOUT SUMMER 2027? “Since El Niño covers such a large part of the globe, it is likely that both 2026 and 2027 will be extremely warm overall for the planet, although of course regions will vary somewhat,” Knox said. I’ve already seen several climate experts predict that 2027 will be one of the warmest years on record. If you can, planting some woody shrubs and trees in the fall will help the landscape absorb heat better when the South’s thermostat ratchets up. I’m planning to add some trees to the west side of my home to help cast a shadow from the long-setting summer sun. Common winter garden chores can also help prep your garden for a hotter-than- average summer. Mulching and composting garden beds will help the landscape absorb excess water in the winter, Kirk-Ballard said. The same mulch will help protect tender roots from crisping if spring temps spike. f

SUDOKU

LET PEIKEN HELP!

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

7 9 6

PRONOUNCED I CAN HELP

3 8 2 9 6 4 2

1 8 2 4

156 LAKE OGLETHORPE DR. 3/2.5 BATH / 2 ACRES LAKE ACCESS $699,000

7 4 5 2 1

Voted one of Athens Favorite Realtors by Flagpole’s readers! 2014-2016, 2018

3 7

Selling In-Town Athens for Over 25 Years UGA Graduate / 706-296-2941

610 WHITEHALL ROAD

0.76 ACRE BUILDING LOT • IN ATHENS, WITH VIEWS OF THE NORTH OCONEE RIVER • $100,000

TRACT 1, HWY 29

8.67 ACRES ON THE HUDSON RIVER WITH BOAT LAUNCH

Daniel Peiken dpeiken@hotmail.com • 5Market Realty 824 South Milledge Ave., Ste 200 • 706.850.4636

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 39/28/26 by 3 boxes must contain Week - 10/4/26 the numbers 1 to 9.

The Weekly Crossword 1

by Margie E. Burke 9

23 to Sudoku: 24 25 Solution

22 26

30 7 289 298 5 4 2 1 3 631 36 9 5 35 1 6 4 3 7 8 2 38 39 5 3 2 1 9 6 7 8 4 41 3 7 1 9 425 4 8 6 2 44 8 5 9 6 452 7 4 1 3 4 2 476 488 3 1 5 749 9 2 524 3 7 8 9 6 51 53 5 1 9 1 7 4 6 5 3 260 861 59 58 9 4 7 6 8 5 2 1 3 63 62 27

37 40 43 46 50 54

ACROSS 1 Top of the line 5 Photo keeper 10 "Fernando" singers 14 Plane measure 15 Jennifer's costar on "The Morning Show" 16 Surrealist Salvador 17 Like unfulfilled orders 19 Mineral salt 20 Think highly of 21 Gentle waves 23 ___-garde 26 Mambo king Puente 27 Woodshop machine 30 "We ____ an impasse" 32 Part of IOU 35 Benefit 36 Browned at the beach 38 Classic board game 39 Bell sound 40 Helpers 41 Castle entry, often 43 Jessica with two Oscars

19 21

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64 67

CELEBRATE PROSTATE AWARENESS

44 It's next to nothing 45 Islamic prayer leaders 46 One of Charlie's trio 47 Cannes showing 49 Arboretum item 51 Took a tally 54 Rocky's girl 58 Guard's command 59 Strictly business 62 Capri, for one 63 Hollywood's Eastwood 64 Makes a scene? 65 IM sign-off 66 Cultural values 67 Speaker's place DOWN 1 Paul Bunyan's ox 2 Historic periods 3 Small faction 4 "Get lost!" 5 Bakery lure 6 Race part 7 Panhandle 8 Ruse anagram 9 Practice Zen 10 Grow accustomed

11 Airborne activity 12 Cookie Monster's hue 13 Draws a bead on 18 Carpenter's tool 22 Fillable bread 24 New Hampshire city 25 Obvious sayings 27 Key in a Bogart film 28 Concerning birds 29 Stylishly 31 Catch, as in a net 33 Caddie's offering 34 Bygone auto 37 Tandoor offering 39 Get started 42 Sword handle 43 Gives praise 48 Chip maker 50 Carries on 51 Promissory note 52 Brewer's kiln 53 Airhead 55 Ancient Andean 56 ___ Spumante 57 1987 Costner role 60 Med. research agcy. 61 Yoko ___

O F F

when you purchase any prostate toys online at ShopStarship.com USE CODE PSPOT

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

S E P T E MB E R 30, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

MUSIC 26 | 27

Monday, October 20

FEATURED PERFORMANCES

PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA with Five Pianos

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 at 7:30 p.m. $20 - Adults $3 UGA students Hodgson Concert Hall plus $3 transaction fee

music.uga.edu 706-542-4400

Wine TasTing Takeover WiTh The Lark

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

AARON COPLAND

October 15__________5 – 7 p.m.

Lincoln Portrait

Inspired by Edmonia Lewis’ connection to Rome, owner and sommelier Krista Slater will guide you through a special tasting of four Italian wines produced by women winemakers. Light snacks. 21+. $38 per person ($28 for Reciprocal-level members).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 at 7:30 p.m. $15 - Adults $3 UGA students Hodgson Concert Hall plus $3 transaction fee

music.uga.edu 706-542-4400

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 at 7:30 p.m. $15 - Adults $3 UGA students Hodgson Concert Hall

Events and Exhibits at UGA Special Collections Libraries

Scary Movie Screening Outdoor Event

Monday, October 20 Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 PM,

Special Collections Lawn Brown Media Archives invites you to a night of fear and fun with an outdoor screening of the 1958 horror classic.

plus $3 transaction fee

music.uga.edu 706-542-4400

The international award-winning Hodgson Singers is UGA’s premiere choral ensemble made up of many of the university’s most talented and dedicated singers.

FREE PERFORMANCES TREBLE CHOIR AND GLEE CLUB TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 at 7:30 p.m. HODGSON CONCERT HALL

FACULTYARTIST series

Free door prizes and popcorn! Picnic blankets and lawn chairs encouraged. Doors open at 6:30pm, trickery starts at 7pm! All humanoids are welcome at this free screening; no scaredy cats allowed!

JOSHUA BYNUM trombone ANATOLY SHELUDYAKOV piano WED. OCT. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall

GALLERIES FREE TO THE PUBLIC

This event is free. Meet-and-greet reception to follow. RSVPs encouraged.

HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8AM-5PM Tuesday, Thursday 8AM-7PM

MORE INFO LIBS.UGA.EDU/SCL

Celebrating America250, this evening includes Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, which is based on the always timely words of Abraham Lincoln and features Mark Mobley as narrator.

HODGSON SINGERS

Bookmark it! “House on Haunted Hill”

Hear pianistic fireworks featuring our piano area faculty and students. With five pianos on stage as well as multiple performers sharing the same piano, you are in for a treat!

All Hugh Hodgson School of Music events take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road in Athens unless indicated. 09_23_HHSOM.indd 1

9/17/26 3:35 PM