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NOVEMBER 11, 2026 · VOL. 40 · NO. 45 · FREE

Johnny Falloon Sophomore Noise Rock Album Esoterrorism p. 14

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 7:30 p.m. RAMSEY CONCERT HALL

XR INTERACTIVE MUSIC CONCERT “SOUND AS ENVIRONMENT//BODY AS INTERFACE”

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 at 7:30 p.m. RAMSEY CONCERT HALL

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

11/5/26 9:01 AM

this week’s issue

contents

SATORU EGUCHI

EST.

2009

CLIMBING & COMMUNITY Only 1 Mile from the Arch

t den Stu culty a s & F count s Di

Gift Cards available online

Follow us @activeclimbing activeclimbing.com

Experimental, anti-fascist rock band Deerhoof will perform with local punk band Regulator at the 40 Watt Club on Thursday, Nov. 12. For more shows, see the “Live Music Calendar” on p. 12.

This Modern World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 NEWS: City Dope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Athens Watches Blue Wave

Street Scribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Trouble in God’s Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Curb Your Appetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

VOTED AN ATHENS’ FAVORITE TATTOO STUDIO

Live Music Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 NEWS: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Georgia Election Results

Johnny Falloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Threats & Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

ARTS & CULTURE: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Art Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

OCAF Screens Local Documentary

Calendar Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

MUSIC: Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Final Athens Unplugged

2011–2020

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Adopt Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Local Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Flag Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alicia Nickles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Larry Tenner ADVERTISING SALES 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, Erin France, Charles Hayslett, Gordon Lamb, Joseph Mazzola, Rebecca McCarthy, Jasmine Milbourne, 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 COVER PHOTOGRAPH of John Edmondson by Michael Cully (see story on p. 14) STREET ADDRESS: 220 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603 EDITORIAL: 706-­549-­9523 · ADVERTISING: 706-­549-­0301 CLASSIFIED ADS: class@flagpole.com ADVERTISING: ads@flagpole.com CALENDAR: calendar@flagpole.com EDITORIAL: editorial@flagpole.com

ARTS & CULTURE: arts@flagpole.com LETTERS: letters@flagpole.com MUSIC: music@flagpole.com NEWS: news@flagpole.com

Flagpole, Inc. publishes Flagpole Magazine weekly and distributes 8,600 copies free at over 275 locations around Athens, Georgia. Subscriptions cost $140 a year, $75 for six months. © 2026 Flagpole, Inc. All rights reserved.

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online exclusive A man whom police described as “suicidal” drove his car into a Broad Street building the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 4, causing it to partially collapse. According to Historic Athens Executive Director Tommy Valentine, building owner Murphy Wolford and Magnolias owner Paul DeGeorge are optimistic that the building can be rebuilt.

We write 50 issues of flagpole a year, so we’re turning the writing over to you for flagpole’s year-end double issue, published on Dec. 23rd. Submit your stories (600 words max), comics (one page), poems, humor, recipes & photos to slackpole@flagpole.com.

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NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

news

city dope

Blue Wave Crests Before Athens HISTORIC VICTORY DOESN’T EXTEND TO GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS

By Blake Aued and Rebecca McCarthy news@flagpole.com

JAKE ZERKEL

Little Kings was so loud, you’d have thought County Democratic Committee, citing ICE, America just won the World Cup. cuts to health care and the Iran war. “People Athens Democrats, gathered at the had enough, and they stood up.” downtown Athens bar for an election Girtz pointed to the Trump administrawatch party, erupted in chants of “USA! tion’s corruption. “This is like nothing post-­ USA!” when cable news network MS Now Watergate,” he said. announced that Democrat Annie Andrews had won the South Carolina Senate race. South Carolina! Minutes later, pundits projected that Democrats would win 244 U.S. House seats to Republicans’ 191, flipping control of both chambers. “Two hundred forty-­four fuckin’ seats,” Mayor Kelly Girtz said. “Run the table.” It would get even better (or worse, depending on your point of view). For a decade, Democrats have been wary of polls that consistently underestimated Donald Trump and MAGA. On Nov. 3, the tables turned—a blue wave turned into a tsunami. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff was predicted to win by a comfortable eight-­or nine-­point margin. He won by 18. The governor’s race was supposed to be a tossup. Keisha Lance Bottoms beat Rick Jackson with 54% of the vote. Democrats in statewide races up and down the ballot won by bigger Sen. Jon Ossoff was there in spirit at Little Kings. margins than Republicans did in 2022, when Sen. Raphael Warnock eked out In almost every county in Georgia and in a victory over Herschel Walker, one the of almost every demographic, voters lurched the worst candidates in the history of polileft in numbers that far exceeded the polls. tics, and Gov. Brian Kemp handily defeated Turnout in reliably blue Clarke County was Stacey Abrams. 59%—10 points higher than the last midThe same scene played out nationwide. term election in 2022. And the 79% of the Races that were supposed to be tight turned vote Ossoff received in Clarke County was into blue bloodbaths. Safe GOP seats sud10 points higher than Kamala Harris won denly weren’t anymore. As of Flagpole’s at the top of the ticket in 2024. Likewise, deadline, Democrats looked likely to pick up deep red Oconee County shifted by about 8 nine seats in the U.S. Senate, including one points. in Mississippi, as well as perhaps 50 seats in The fact that the beatdown by Demothe U.S. House. crats up and down the statewide ballot did “The Trump administration was absonot extend to Athens-­area districts in the lutely catastrophic,” said Shellby Branch, state legislature is a testament to just how the Gen Z chair of the Athens-­Clarke gerrymandered those districts are. Facing a Republican opponent for the first time in over a decade, state Rep. Spencer Frye (D-­Athens) won 84% of the vote. That’s because the GOP long ago packed all the Athens Democrats they could into one dis10th Congressional District trict, splitting the rest among three other HOUSTON GAINES (R): 53.6% House districts consisting mostly of the PAMELA DELANCY (D): 46.4% heavily Republican counties surrounding Partisan shift since 2024: D+9 Athens. Likewise, Republicans split Athens into two state Senate districts to dilute Senate District 46 Democratic votes 20 years ago. Even an MARC MCMAIN (R): 53.6% unprecedented blue wave was not enough RAY SMITH (D): 46.4% to carry Democratic candidates in those disPartisan shift since 2024: D+10 tricts to victory. Ray Smith, the Democrat who ran in House District 120 a district Democrats lost by 26 points in WARD BLACK (R): 51.9% 2024, came within 9 points. A software SUZANNA KARATASSOS (D): 48.1% engineer, he created several models for how Partisan shift since 2024: D+10 the election might play out. For a while, it looked like he might hit his most optimistic House District 121 MACK “DUTCH” GUEST IV (R): 52.5% target of 48–49% of the vote. It didn’t quite ERIC GISLER (D): 47.5% happen, but he sounded confident he could Partisan shift since 2024: D+9 run in two years and finish the job. “We put in a huge amount of work over a whole year,

knocked on tens of thousands of doors, raised more money than a Democrat has ever raised [in the district] by a factor of seven,” he said. Meanwhile, Frye’s interns were tracking the House results. Now that it appears Democrats have taken control of the chamber for the first time in over two decades, the 12-­year veteran stands to gain a leadership role. To maintain its new majority, the party is going to have to follow through on its promises, said Frye, who released a detailed policy plan earlier this year. “I’m pretty excited about the fact that we’re going to be able to do, in the state, policies that will put power back in the

Local Election Results

hands of the people,” he said. “We’ll be able to change some lives.” The results were close enough that District 120 candidate Suzanna Karatassos vowed to fight on. “I am disappointed by tonight’s outcome, but I am not discouraged. We brought this race to the margins, and proved that people who have been overlooked by the political establishment have a voice,” she said in a post-­election statement. “This campaign may be over, but I am not done fighting for a better Georgia for my daughter to grow up in.” State Rep. Gisler (D-­Watkinsville), who won his seat in a fluky special election last December, and Smith attributed their losses to the difference in resources between them and their opponents. Gisler raised $195,000 to Mack “Dutch” Guest IV’s $277,000, 63% of it from corporate PACs. The difference was even more stark in Senate District 46, where Marc McMain raised almost $700,000, more than 10 times as much as Smith. “They were fighting gerrymandering and lack of money,” said Barbara Burt of Indivisible GA District 10. “For example, in CD-­10 Delancy raised less than $100,000 to Gaines’ $2.5 million-­plus.” Contrary to popular belief, Athens’ congressional district is not gerrymandered. A typical Georgia congressional district is about 750,000 people; Athens is a blue dot of 130,000 surrounded on all sides by red counties that inevitably overwhelm Athens voters’ wishes. Yet Pamela Delancy losing to Trump-­endorsed state Rep. Houston Gaines (R-­Athens) by just 9 points after raising essentially no money and running a lackluster campaign may present an opportunity

for a better-­funded candidate to make a run at it. Who knows? [Blake Aued]

Courthouse Bonds Approved The Athens-­Clarke County Commission passed a framework for issuing up to $192 million in bonds to pay for a new judicial center at its Nov. 4 meeting (rescheduled to a Wednesday due to Election Day on Nov. 3). The vote authorizes the debt, but a final vote on actually issuing the bonds is not expected for another nine months or so, according to ACC Manager Bob Cowell. But most commissioners were eager to get on with the long-­delayed project to avoid an even higher price tag, after watching it go from about $80 million in 2019 to more than $200 million. “The reason for increased costs is we delayed it, so we need to get moving on it or costs are going to get even higher,” Commissioner John Culpepper said. $78 million for the judicial center was included on a list of sales tax-­ funded projects voters approved in 2020. Whatever the final amount, the bonds would likely be paid back with revenue from future rounds of SPLOST. If not, the mayor and commission would likely be forced to raise property taxes by almost 3 mills. The vote was 6-­1, with Commissioner Stephanie Johnson voting no, Commissioner Ovita Thornton abstaining and commissioners Patrick Davenport and Dexter Fisher absent. Commissioners held off on a racially charged decision whether to approve a controversial student apartment building on West Broad Street until next month. The development at 660 W. Broad St., currently a small strip mall between Finley and Pope streets, is supported by historic Black Hill First Baptist Church, but opposed by many white residents of the nearby Cobbham and Dearing Street neighborhoods. As community benefits, the Cardinal Group has offered to build a plaza next to Reese and Pope Park commemorating the historic Hancock-­ Reese neighborhood, as well as contribute to the county’s affordable housing trust fund and remediate a piped-­under stream running through the property. However, opponents point to a lack of parking—only one space for every two residents—and are wary of extending extremely dense downtown zoning into neighborhoods past Finley Street when the community just finished the two-­year process of updating the future land use map indicating Finley as the western edge of downtown. After commissioners criticized the proposal at their agenda-­setting meeting last month, Cardinal Group representatives offered to eliminate some townhouses in the plans and replace them with more parking. The commission voted 6–2 last week to send that latest version back to the planning commission for review. Commissioners Mike Hamby and Allison Wright voted against Commissioner Carol Myers’ motion because they wanted to go ahead and vote it down for good that night. The hold was probably the best possible outcome for the development and its supporters. At least five commissioners—Hamby, Wright, Myers, Thornton and Melissa Link—indicated they were at least ➤ continued on next page

NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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City Dope

continued from p. 5

leaning toward voting against it. Rezonings need six votes, not just a majority of those present, and with only eight commissioners in attendance, it was unlikely to clear that hurdle. ACC has an inclusionary zoning policy offering developers incentives to either build below-­market units or contribute to the county trust fund for affordable housing. One argument in favor of the Cardinal Group proposal was that the developer could only contribute if the property was rezoned commercial-­downtown. That changed last Tuesday, though, when the commission voted to extend the policy to other commercial and multifamily zones. Taylor was the sole opponent, saying that she would prefer if developers incorporated affordable housing into their plans rather than simply write a check. The vote also removed an incentive allowing developers to build less parking in areas outside of downtown. Taylor also opposed an otherwise unanimous decision to raise the maximum building height downtown from 100 feet to 130 feet. But commissioners wanted to have a further discussion on taller buildings along other major commercial corridors like Broad Street, Lexington Road and Hawthorne Avenue. [BA]

Milledge Rezone Moves Forward The Athens-­Clarke County Planning Commission approved a request to rezone a parcel at Milledge Avenue and Springdale Street from C-­O (commercial office) to RM-­1 (mixed density residential). If it receives final approval from the county commission, the change would mean that the property owner can build two-­bedroom condominiums on the second and third stories of the building. The first floor will house an office. The current building will be demolished. The rezoning is in keeping with the future land use plan. The commission’s approval is for the zoning only; architect David Matheny will present a site plan in

6

the coming weeks. Since the parcel is within the Milledge Avenue Historic District, the Historic Preservation Commission will need to approve the plan as well. Longtime Springdale Street resident and former ACC commissioner Kathy Hoard objected not to the plan, but to the lack of adequate parking. She wondered where the overflow parking will go, imagining that the condominiums will be bought by football fans who will bring several vehicles on game day. Dorrie Bond, who owns a duplex within spitting distance of the existing office, also said she is concerned about parking. She believes cars will be parked on her property and perhaps blocking her tenants. [Rebecca McCarthy]

Affordable Homes on Hawthorne Five families moved into affordable Athens Land Trust homes Friday, Nov. 6 on Hawthorne Extension in the Brooklyn neighborhood, joining five other homes recently built on Dublin Street in East Athens. The Athens-­Clarke County Commission devoted $2.75 million from the Biden administration’s American Rescue and Recovery Act toward the overall project, with additional support from the ACC Department of Housing and Community Development, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Wells Fargo Bank and First American Bank and Trust, which handled the mortgages for the first-­time homebuyers. “There’s something special that behind each of these doors, a family will make a place of its own,” Kirenna Gallagher, an Athens Land Trust homeowner and vice chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said at a ribbon-­cutting ceremony. Under the land trust model, low-­income homeowners build equity as the home itself appreciates, but the ALT retains ownership of the land underneath, allowing the home to remain affordable in perpetuity. The model also extends to conservation easements to protect farms and natural areas from development while allowing those farms to continue operating. [BA] f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

news

street scribe

Life Comes Back to Life FAMED PHOTOJOURNALISM MAGAZINE RESURRECTED

By Ed Tant news@flagpole.com For decades, Life magazine brought the Magic Mushroom,” an article and photos world into America’s homes with compelthat documented “the discovery of mushling photojournalism that lived up to the rooms that cause strange visions.” Not magazine’s motto, “To see life, to see the long after that feature was printed in Life, world.” publisher Henry Luce and his wife, playLife’s first issue was published 90 years wright and diplomat Clare Booth Luce, took ago this month, on Nov. 23, 1936. The LSD themselves in the late 1950s before it large-­format weekly sold for 10 cents during became illegal. Depression-­era America, equivalent to about $2.50 today. Life was a weekly periodical until 1972. After a hiatus, it switched to monthly publication in 1978 before finally fizzling out in 2000, though special issues are still occasionally published. Now an effort is being made to bring Life back to life, this time in the form of a 250-­page quarterly that will sell for a whopping $45 per issue, a far cry from the weekly Life’s original cover price of 10 cents. Even in its heyday in the 1960s, when Life had a weekly circulation of over 8 million readers, it often struggled to make a profit. A $45 cover price in today’s economy might not breathe new life into the new Life. At its peak, Life was a must-­ read for millions. Soon after wealthy publisher Henry Luce founded Life in 1936, the magaThe cover of Life’s first issue. zine hit a circulation milestone by selling over a million copies a week across America. Circulation figures By the 1960s, Life was covering trips of grew ever higher during World War II and a different nature. The magazine’s coverage during the postwar space race between the of the space flights of America’s astronauts United States and Russia during the 1950s followed their exploits from 15-­minute suband ’60s. orbital missions in 1961 to the first human Though Life published prose, including footprints on the moon in 1969. Here on the first printing of Ernest Hemingway’s Earth, Life photographers showed courage The Old Man and the Sea, photography was by documenting the civil rights protests the magazine’s mainstay. The first issue against the American apartheid of the Jim of Life magazine, published just days after Crow South. Life’s photo coverage of the President Franklin Roosevelt won a second Black freedom struggle caused segregationterm in 1936, featured a dramatic black-­ ist Alabama Gov. George Wallace to grumble and-­white photo of the Fort Peck Dam in in 1963, “Time magazine is for people who Montana, one of Roosevelt’s New Deal proj- can’t think, Life magazine is for people who ects during the Great Depression. The photo can’t read.” was taken by Margaret Bourke-­White, a In 1964 Life defied taboos of the time young camera ace who later documented with a photo feature titled “HomosexualWorld War II as a war correspondent for ity in America.” The piece raised eyebrows the magazine. Her graphic photos of Buchacross “Father Knows Best” whitebread enwald, the Nazi death camp, exposed the America, but it was a journalistic breakhorrors of the Holocaust when they were through that shined a pioneering and prepublished in Life in 1945. scient light on the subject. After the war, America was a marketLife magazine delineated American place for general interest magazines like the culture with decades of articles, advertiseSaturday Evening Post, Collier’s and Look, a ments and especially its iconic photos that commendable competitor with Life magare still etched in the minds of millions who azine. Television was a new medium, and enjoyed the magazine in its glory days. In Americans by the millions read newspapers 1962 a song by Gabriel & The Angels menand magazines. With its low price and eye-­ tioned Life magazine: “What’s tough? Life. catching photography, Life was seen by What’s Life? A magazine. How much does citizens of every class, race and economic it cost? It costs 20 cents. But I only got a status, and it piqued their interest week nickel. Oh well, that’s tough.” after week. At its best, Life magazine showed what In 1957, a decade before the psychepublisher Henry Luce meant when he said, delic revolution of San Francisco’s hippie “I became a journalist to come as close as counterculture, Life published “Seeking the possible to the heart of the world.” f

news

trouble in god’s country

Strengthening those hubs is probably the most efficient way to help the most rural Georgians. • Economic development that reaches rural Georgia: Georgia doesn’t spend millions luring industry. It spends billions. Those deals matter, and the jobs they bring are real. But they almost always land near interstates, ports and metro labor pools. Meanwhile, much of rural Georgia keeps sliding deeper into a socioeconomic abyss. A state By Charles Hayslett news@flagpole.com that can find billions for a handful of big plants can find real money for the places those plants will never go, startEvery county in Georgia moved toward the Democrats this Georgia. Its collapsing hospitals send patients to Atlanta’s ing with the schools, clinics and broadband any commuyear, rural counties included. But they didn’t move equally. emergency rooms. Its failing schools send underprepared nity needs before an employer will even look at it. The exurban counties on Atlanta’s edge and the state’s workers to Atlanta’s job market. And a governor who wants This is where I have to be blunt. Doing right by rural small-​city counties moved half again as much as rural Geor- to be more than a one-​term novelty will need more than Georgia will require decisions that almost certainly won’t gia did. Four years ago, the exurbs voted almost exactly like metro Atlanta behind her. be popular, in rural Georgia or anywhere else. It will mean rural Georgia. Now they vote a lot more like metro Atlanta. Republicans have governed this state for more than two spending money generated in metro Atlanta on places that So the line between the two Georgias—Atlanna and decades on the strength of rural votes, and rural Georgia didn’t vote for her, and explaining that to the voters who Notlanna—isn’t disappearing. It’s moving. The growing, has been in decline for the whole time. Bottoms has a did. diversifying, better-​educated places around Atlanta are chance to make the case that Democrats will actually show It will mean admitting that the state can’t save every drifting into Atlanna’s orbit, politically as well as economiup. county. Georgia has 159 of them, more than any state but cally. Rural Georgia, the part of the state this blog Texas. Many are too small to sustain a hospital, a has focused on for more than 15 years, is being left school system or even a full county government. smaller, older and more isolated than ever. And it Consolidating government services and school sysjust watched a governor get elected without it. tems, and erasing county lines, has long been the Keisha Lance Bottoms will be the first woman third rail of rural Georgia politics. But spreading and the first Black Georgian elected governor. thin resources across 147 counties has been tried She has spent her career in Atlanta. She won by for decades, and it hasn’t worked. running up enormous margins in metro Atlanta It will mean focusing on people as well as places. and the suburbs. Politically, she owes rural Georgia Some rural communities will keep shrinking no very little. matter what Atlanta does. Helping the people who But there’s a story in the Nov. 4 AJC worth live there get educated, get healthy and get to places reading. The day before the election, Bottoms with opportunities should be the priority, not propdrove about 90 miles east of Atlanta to Crawping up the failing towns and counties they live in. fordville, the seat of Taliaferro County, the least That raises a question I’ve thought about for populous county in Georgia. Her great-​great-​ years but never written about: Is a governor’s first grandparents were enslaved there. She spoke to duty to Georgia’s places, or to the Georgians who about 100 people, a far cry from the crowds she’d live in them? When a county can no longer keep a been drawing in Atlanta, and then she knelt at her hospital open, run a decent school system or balgreat-​great-​grandmother’s grave and wept. ance its books, its residents are still Georgia citiTaliaferro County is about as Notlanna as zens, and their kids are still Georgia’s kids. At some Notlanna gets. It’s tiny, it’s poor, and like most of point, the state has to decide whether local control Keisha Lance Bottoms posted this photo on Instagram of visiting the gravesite of her rural Georgia it has been losing people for generis protecting those people or abandoning them, great-​great grandmother, who was born enslaved in Crawfordville, about 50 miles ations. Bottoms’ family left for Atlanta in a horse and whether to step in. I don’t know exactly where southeast of Athens. and buggy. Millions of rural Georgians, Black and that point is. But I’m fairly sure Georgia has passed white, have made some version of that trip since. it in more than a few places. The question is whether she governs like someone who • Health care first: Rural hospitals are the clearest marker of None of that is likely to win votes. All of it is what it remembers that trip. rural decline, and the lack of a full Medicaid expansion is would take to start closing the gap and writing the final Bottoms can read the election night’s results in one of part of why so many have struggled. Expansion needs the chapters of the “Two Georgias” story. two ways: She can conclude that Democrats don’t need legislature’s approval, so she’ll have to fight for it, while Bottoms knelt at a grave in Crawfordville. Her critics will rural Georgia and govern accordingly. Or she can notice putting money behind clinics, emergency care and doctors say it was just another campaign stop. I’d like to think it that rural Georgia moved toward her, too, by about 13 for the places that have already lost their hospitals. was the start of a commitment. f points, and treat that as an opening. • Regional hub cities: Places like Macon, Columbus, Albany Find Hayslett’s blog, Trouble in God’s Country, at charleshayslett.subI’d urge the latter, for reasons that are both moral and and Augusta anchor the rural counties around them. If stack.com. practical. Rural Georgia’s problems don’t stay in rural they keep losing ground, the countryside goes with them.

Lance Bottoms Can Save Rural Georgia SHE WON WITHOUT IT, BUT IT SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY

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NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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news

feature

Georgia Democrats Ride Blue Wave CONCERNS ABOUT TRUMP, COST OF LIVING DROVE VOTERS TO THE POLLS

By Various Authors news@flagpole.com White, who is a Democrat, by nearly 8 points, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s website. “I’m seeing Georgia going more and more Democrat, so I would not be surprised if it does. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but we’ll see what happens when it does. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, then we’ll vote again,” Pirtle said.

Trump Was on the Ballot In the weeks leading up to the election, Trump made stops across the country, including in Georgia, where he held two rallies last month calling on the GOP faithful to vote as if he were on the ballot. His intention was to fire up low propensity voters who support Trump but inconsistently turn out to support other Republican candidates. He may have achieved the opposite. Many Democratic and independent voters who were interviewed at the polls said they were encouraged to get out and vote in opposition to Trump.

Split Tickets Were Not a Factor During the 2022 midterm elections, Georgians chose Kemp, a Republican, and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, during the same election, largely thanks to independent and split-­ticket voters who helped both candidates across the 50% minimum threshold amid tight electoral margins. But this year, split-­ticket voters weren’t the tiebreaking force they had been in 2022, with independents breaking “very hard for the Democrats this election cycle,” Hood said. “There’s hardly any roll off if you go downballot, down the constitutional offices in Georgia. I mean, the margin is almost the same. So it was just people checking the Democratic box all the way down the ballot,” Hood said. Ossoff, who was running as an incumbent, won with nearly 60% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office. Bottoms received more than 54% of the vote, numbers that Gillespie said signal widespread enthusiasm among Democratic base voters and MAYA HOMAN / GEORGIA RECORDER

W

ithin an hour of polls closing Nov. 3, it was clear that Democrats had made a strong showing, and that U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff would be re-­elected by a large margin. What unfolded after that far exceeded what even the most optimistic Georgia Democrat could have imagined. By about 9 p.m., it became apparent that not only would former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms become Georgia’s first Democratic governor since Roy Barnes left office in 2003, but that the entire slate of Democratic statewide candidates would share in the victory, flipping offices like agriculture and insurance commissioners that had been considered relatively safe for Republicans. House Democrats are also poised to take control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in more than two decades. “I’ve been at these elections a lot of times when we went home crying, and so it was hard for me to believe when the results came in as early as they did,” House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, who could be in line to be the chamber’s next speaker, told reporters the day after the election. “I’m like, OK, is that really real? And then they kept coming, kept coming, kept coming. So it was overwhelming. I was so very excited. “We’re excited not only for the Democrats, but for the people of Georgia, because this shows people that elections matter and that your voices can be heard and your votes will matter,” she added. What happened last Tuesday will be discussed by Georgians for years—and shape the state’s future for generations, starting by transforming the state government next year. As the dust settles in the aftermath, here are five of the biggest initial takeaways from a historic election.

Some Republican voters said Trump had no influence on their decisionmaking. “It’s got nothing to do with Trump,” said Brad Baldwin, a 65-­year-­old retiree in Henry County who voted straight Republican. “No, no, no. I vote for a guy I want to vote for. I don’t care if he likes Trump, hates Trump. I can’t wait for Trump to get out of office just so people will shut up about it.”

How Far Did the Blue Wave Reach? Democrats have a lot to celebrate, with victories this year far exceeding the traditionally blue stronghold of metro Atlanta. Bottoms made gains across middle and southwest Georgia, winning over a majority of voters in eight counties where voters picked Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in the 2022 midterms: Burke, Clay, Fayette, Houston, Jefferson, Peach, Sumter and Washington. Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie said that Democratic candidates made strides with many key groups, including independents and white voters in the state. “The national mood was sour, and Democrats were able to ride that wave in places that we didn’t expect,” she said. “But I think it remains to be seen whether or not voters who were dissatisfied with Trump are going to stick with Democrats.” But Georgia Republicans did have one bright spot in all the election news, managing to hold on to their nine seats in the U.S. House even as dozens of congressional seats across the country flipped Democratic. But Gillespie noted that the margins of victory in many House districts were much tighter this year than they normally are, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with GOP leadership. “I think Republicans should heed the margins and recognize that there was discontent in their districts even when they won, and that voters in their districts contributed to the Democratic sweep of the statewide offices,” she said. The energy benefited down-­ballot Democrats, too, bringing a wave of new lawmakers to the legislature and changing the balance of power. Even before the polls closed, some conservative voters said they felt the tide changing. Joel Pirtle, a 50-­year-­old IT manager from Henry County who voted for Collins and Jackson, said that he would not be surprised if Democrats managed to flip his state representative’s seat, which is currently held by Republican state Rep. Noelle Kahaian. Kahaian did end up losing her seat to truck driver Mishael

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

Penny Brown Reynolds delivers her victory speech in the secretary of state’s race, flanked by Roy Barnes, Georgia’s last Democratic governor, who left office in 2003.

Woodstock retiree Judi Smith, who is 74, said she voted for Ossoff and Bottoms because she said she wanted to send a message to the Trump administration. “I just want Trump and all of those people out of office,” she said. “Everything about Trump, all of those people, all of that corruption, it just needs to be over and done with,” she added. “And all of the hatred that they have sown in this country, it’s just horrible.” Voters in Henry County who backed Democrats said that a change of party control was overdue. Keisha Thompson, a 48-­year-­old federal employee who saw many of her former colleagues lose their jobs due to funding cuts from the Trump administration, said she had a simple goal. “We just need to make some change. We need to change it from whatever color it is to blue,” Thompson said. Trey Hood, a political science professor at the University of Georgia, said that Democrats outperformed Republicans because of what he called a “national repudiation of Trump.” He said they tied current economic issues like high gas prices due to the war in Iran to the White House.

gains among demographics that have tilted towards Republicans in recent elections. “The reason why [Democrats] won this time is they were able to get over the hump with white voters in ways that we have not seen them do, even in the elections of Joe Biden, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in previous cycles,” Gillespie said. That’s not to say that every voter cast their ballot along party lines, though. Jordan Fuller, a 36-­year-­old tech support worker in Union City, said he doesn’t vote consistently for either party. He cast his vote for Ossoff and the Republican nominee for governor, Rick Jackson, this year, citing his disapproval of Bottoms’ mayoral record. “I’ve already experienced Keisha,” he said. “She was the mayor of Atlanta, and I’m not much of a fan of how she handled some things.” But other independent voters turned away from Republican candidates altogether. Gillespie said the data shows Democrats overperforming among independent voters in this election cycle.

What’s Next for the Parties? Outgoing Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon said that in the short term, the state party will help Republican state Rep. Mike Cheokas keep his seat in a runoff. In the long term, the plan is to do a thorough review of the election results to develop a platform that better resonates with voters ahead of 2028, when he feels prospects for Republicans will be “very positive.” While Democrats ran on making life more affordable for Americans, McKoon thinks that Democrats will “pursue a far-­left agenda that is totally out of touch with where most Georgians are. “I think there’s going to be a lot of anger with national Democrats by the time 2028 rolls around here at the state level,” McKoon said. He hopes that when 2028 comes around, voters will be ready to “take a fresh look at Republicans and probably realize there is a reason that Republicans have run this state for two decades.” Hugley, who is in line to become the next speaker, said House Democrats plan to stick to the pocketbook issues that she acknowledged are ushering her party into power, at least for now. “What Georgia citizens have told us is affordability is the number one issue. And so you can expect the issues that we put forth in this first legislative session are going to be focused on meeting that challenge of affordability,” Hugley told reporters last week. For his part, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey said he hopes to use the wins in Georgia to boost the state’s importance in the eyes of national Democratic groups and PACs. “We will certainly be making the argument, as we have been for at least as long as I’ve been chair, that we have to expand into the South if we’re going to be a truly national party with a national, governing majority,” Bailey said in a Zoom call with reporters. “We are the ultimate battleground in Georgia, but we’ve got to kind of lock it down here, you know?” To do so, Bailey said Democrats will expand into year-­ round organizing in Georgia for the first time. “That’s going to take a lot of resources, and we’ll be leaning on our partners to send those resources down here, and I’m optimistic we’ll get some takers,” he said. f Maya Homan, Jill Nolin, Alander Rocha and Ross Williams contributed to this report, which first appeared at georgiarecorder.com..

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he Twelfth or T F An Us n

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Steve Bigler, a Gwinnett County voter, said he has voted for candidates of both parties throughout his life, but he went into this year’s election hoping to enact some guardrails against Trump’s policies in the federal government. He supported both Kemp and Warnock in 2022, and would have voted for Kemp again if that was an option. But he said Jackson’s early campaign ads, including one where he warned that immigrants who broke the law would end up “deported or departed,” made him uneasy. “I believe in supporting law enforcement and all that,” Bigler said. “But come on, let’s just get a little humanity into our politics.” Conrad Gill, another Gwinnett County resident, chose Ossoff in the Senate race and voted for Bottoms in the governor’s contest, fearing that Jackson would be too closely tied to Trump and his policies. “I was leaning toward Jackson until the ad came out about his affiliation with Trump and his statements about ‘he’s going to be Trump’s man, he’s going to be Trump’s best friend as a governor’ and all of that,” Gill said. “I didn’t want to vote for him based on that because I don’t think Trump is doing a good job. I don’t think he’s honest. I don’t think he’s fair. I think he’s very corrupt.” But Gillespie said it remains to be seen whether this year’s midterm election results were an outlier or part of a larger political realignment within Georgia. Future support from independent voters, she added, will likely depend on “whether or not [Democrats] are going to deliver on the policy promises that they [made], and whether or not they’re going to look like they can govern effectively. If they don’t govern effectively, then what I suspect is that independent voters could possibly defect.”

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arts & culture

feature

The World’s Smallest Airport AERIAL CIRCUS RETURNS TO THE BIG SCREEN FOR OCAF FUNDRAISER

By Jasmine Milbourne arts@flagpole.com

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F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

rady Thrasher was only 3 years old the first time he flew a plane. “So my dad would take me out to the airport when he was doing all of his flying, and would oftentimes just strap me in the seat there, and I would fly with him,” Thrasher said. “And he came up with the idea of the world’s youngest pilot.” After returning home from World War II as a flight instructor, Thrasher’s father became a pilot in Northeast Georgia. What was once a determination to raise interest in private aviation became a nationwide hit. Strapped into a J-​3 Piper Cub with a Waco biplane trainer, Thrasher’s father— also named Grady—started an aerial show in Athens. He eventually taught his two brothers to fly the plane as well, culminating in a family business. “There were no rules about doing stunt flying or anything,” he said. “And so he would fly the plane just about 20 feet above the ground right by the crowd.” Premiering at a show in Anderson, SC, The World’s Smallest Airport made its way all over the country. Along with his two brothers, Tunis and Bud, Thrasher’s father created an aerial show where the small plane would land on the car and continue flying, even if there was no runway. And thus, the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Show began. The small airport in question was not an airport at all; it was an 8-​by-​20-​foot platform attached to the top of the Thrasher’s family car, a 1946 Ford. “I would be taken to kindergarten in the first grade by my mother in the world’s smallest airport,” he said. The airshow lasted about five years, from 1945–1950, touring the country with the same plane and car. At one point, the airshow was based out of Elberton, at another out of North Carolina, but it always made its way back to Athens—a place the three brothers called home. “I would travel with my dad, and we would do the things that I talk about in the movie,” he said. After his father’s death, Thrasher and his wife, Kathy, found photos, magazine clippings and an eight-​millimeter movie of the airshow business. With some inspiration, they decided to digitize the media and create a documentary about their family legacy. Matt DeGennaro edited the film together, with Grady and Kathy producing. It made its debut in 2012 with the official The World’s Smallest Airport title.

Now, that groundbreaking story about a native Athens family who flew around the country is coming back to screens at the Oconee County Arts Foundation fundraiser for Rocket Hall. “I wanted to show the film because I think it’s an amazing story by this local family,” said Beth Malone, executive director of OCAF. On Thursday, Nov. 12, OCAF will present The World’s Smallest Airport at Rocket Hall with light refreshments from 6–8 p.m. Admission is free, although $20 donations are suggested. “Grady and Kathy will match up to $2,500 in donations, so that hopefully we can raise $5,000 for the sound system,” Malone said.

The donations will go toward upgrading Rocket Hall as a venue. Future projects might include a stage, lighting equipment and a pulley system for curtains. “We’d like to turn it into a space that’s appropriate for theater and dance and performing arts,” she said. OCAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives and communities through the visual and performing arts. It does not receive money from the city or county, so all of its fundraisers are grassroots efforts to raise money for a good cause. “We’re just lucky that it was here, and it happened to be in a family that also wanted to make films and could talk about it and document it,” Malone said. For more information, visit ocaf.com/ film. f

WHAT: The World’s Smallest Airport Screening WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6–8 p.m. WHERE: OCAF’s Rocket Hall HOW MUCH: $20 suggested donation

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NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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live music calendar Tuesday 10

Wednesday 11 40 Watt Club Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20 (adv.), $25. www.40watt.com PETER HOLSAPPLE Musician known for forming jangle pop band The dB’s alongside Chris Stamey in 1978.

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Thursday 12 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $19 (adv.), $21. www.40watt.com DEERHOOF Experimental indie-​ rock outfit that formed in San Francisco, CA in 1994 and became widely influential for its self-​produced albums. REGULATOR Music for mounting up. Athentic Brewing Co. 6–8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com DAVE FORKER & THE CUSTOM CONCERN Local rock band playing covers and originals.

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

The Cotton Press “Making Place” Closing Reception. 6–8 p.m. $15. www.artfulhands.org THE GEORGIA MUDCATS Appalachian string band playing rural folk tunes. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com VICIOUS DEVIL Project from Curtiss Pernice, Ballard Lesemann and Larry Tenner. IMPERIAL FRIEND Born from the ashes of UDDER, the post-punk rhythm section of Sherri Brady Carter and Heather Jones Lotti delivers bittersweet dissonance and heavy hooks. Debut show! Georgia Theatre 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $28.51. www.georgiatheatre.com LAKEVIEW Duo blending their metalcore roots with classic country songwriting.

Nowhere Bar 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/nowhere​ barathensga SOUL MUSIC ENSEMBLE Ensemble founded by music composition graduate student Jordan Askew to perform music from R&B, funk, rap, jazz and even local composers.

Friday 13 40 Watt Club 6 p.m. (doors), 6:30 p.m. (show). $25 (adv.), $30. www.40watt.com THE HEAVY HEAVY Retro rock band from the U.K. making the music the ’60s forgot with bombastic soul and peaceful goals. THE POINT. Austin, TX-​based trio whose music encompasses influences from around the world, including psychedelia, Saharan guitar music and cumbia.

energetic stage presence and proclivity for writing earworms. Georgia Theatre 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $26.44. www.georgiatheatre.com BROASIS Local Oasis tribute band. WILLIAM & THE REALLY NOTHINGS The Smiths tribute band. Hendershot’s 8 p.m. $10. www.hendershotsathens. com ATHENS UNPLUGGED A lineup of Georgia artists including Elli Perry, Rose Hotel and csndra perform stripped down sets in the style of MTV Unplugged. Madison Morgan Cultural Center 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $268.61. www.mmcc-​arts.org CHUCK LEAVELL The rock legend and conservationist will be joined by special guests Randall Bramblett, Nick Johnson, Michael Steele

KOHL ALMIRE

40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $30 (adv.), $35. www.40watt.com THE FAINT New wave revivalists who helped popularize the Saddle Creek label and Omaha, NE music scene. COMA THERAPY Muscular, dark post-​punk influenced by goth and no wave. Athentic Brewing Co. 8 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com CORY GRINDER AND THE PLAYBOY SCOUTS Honky tonk, Western swing and country with a growing rock-​and-​roll edge. Daily Groceries Co-​op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop LITTLE MAE Trio blending indie, pop and shoegaze, drawing from influences such as Samia, Mercury and Alice Phoebe Lou. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $18. www.flickertheatreandbar. com DOGWOOD TALES Five-​piece alt-​ country from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, influenced by the eclectic DIY scene in Harrisonburg. THE UNBELIEVING DOG Power pop alt-​country songs from Iain Cooke and friends. Hendershot’s 5–7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com PIANO BAR HAPPY HOUR Enjoy drink specials and live piano music. Nowhere Bar 7 p.m. (doors), 9:30 p.m. (show). $10. www.instagram.com/nowhere​ barathensga CLAIRE OZMUN Musician from New York whose debut record, Always Living Somewhere, follows her hopping between places of respite in some overarching pursuit of home. MCKENDRICK BEARDEN Athens-​ based alternative-​rock artist whose music depicts the negatives and positives we all experience in life. DIPPER GRANDE Alt-​cosmic music from Athens. Nuçi’s Space UGA MBUS Space Jam. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $5. www. nuci.org THE WRAPS Alternative rock band based in Athens with a sleek, sparky sound that some might call vintage. SPLATTER HOUSE Georgia-​based rock band. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu CHAMBER WINDS University of Georgia Wind Ensemble performs. WUOG Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE! www. wuog.org RACECAR 44 A post-​rock band with heavy shoegaze and noise rock influences, established in January 2024 through the powers of friendship, cinema and pedals.

DON DIXON Musician and producer who was a key figure in the jangle pop movement of the early 1980s, working with bands like R.E.M. and The Smithereens. MURRAY ATTAWAY Singer-​songwriter best known for his work as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the legendary Guadalcanal Diary. Athentic Brewing Co. 7–10 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com KARAOKE WITH DJ GREGORY Second and fourth Wednesdays. Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net 38 STRINGS Multi-​generational acoustic folk music with 38 strings between them. (6 p.m.) Flicker Theatre & Bar 9 p.m. FREE! www.flickertheatreand​ bar.com DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Featuring a large assortment of pop, rock, indie and more. Georgia Theatre 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7:30 p.m. (show). $26.44. www.georgiatheatre.com BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT Los Angeles-​based “renegade pop” and alternative rock band. NO LOVE FOR THE MIDDLE CHILD Producer, songwriter, artist and classically-​trained multi-​instrumentalist based out of Los Angeles. Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (sign-​ups). FREE! www.hendershotsathens.com BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE OPEN MIC Emcees, poets, rappers and freestylers of all styles are invited to perform with the backing band playing the tempo of their choice. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE Ensemble performing folk, classical and contemporary music of China on instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa and yangqin. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu STUDIO RECITAL Conducted by Jack Eaddy. Nowhere Bar 8 p.m. www.instagram.com/nowhere​ barathensga MINKA ’80s-​inspired synth-​funk band from Philadelphia. UGA Tate Student Center A Spotlight on the Arts event. 10 a.m. FREE! arts.uga.edu UGA REDCOAT BAND A pop-​up event featuring some of the band’s famous pep tunes.

She Returns From War will play with Maddie Medley and Big Guy at The World Famous on Monday, Nov. 16. PASSENGERS UNKNOWN East Texas band with a ’90s and ’00s Southern rock-​inspired sound. 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 early 1900s. Hendershot’s 7:30–11 p.m. $7 (adv.), $10. www. hendershotsathens.com SABACHA DANCE SOCIAL DJ L.A. Darius leads a Latin dance party with salsa, bachata, merengue and cha-​cha-​cha. An hour-​long lesson is followed by open dancing. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $15 (w/ UGA ID), $65–107. pac.uga.edu KEB’ MO’ Award-winning driving force in modern roots music with a career spanning nearly five decades. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu BULLDOG BRASS SOCIETY UGA’s premiere graduate brass quintet. Lyndon House Arts Center Music in the House. 6 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse KLEZMER LOCAL 42 Local seven-​ piece klezmer band specializing in Jewish and Romani music.

9:30 p.m. (doors), 10 p.m. (show). $20 (adv.), $25. www.40watt.com J. RODDY WALSTON Wildly-​ delivered, classic-​sounding Southern rock/Americana music. Athentic Brewing Co. Friday the 13th Spooktacular Nuçi’s Space Benefit. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (show). $10. www.athentic​ brewing.com CAMP AMPED Campers show off what they’ve learned. FLEET MACHINE Indie synth-​pop. LIBBALOOPS Electronic musician and looping artist who loves to be silly and get “loopy doopy.” Dancz Center for New Music 6 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu KODACHROME SAX QUARTET Multi award-​winning saxophone quartet founded by graduate students from Arizona State University. Flicker Theatre & Bar Catalyst Collective Presents. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www. flickertheatreandbar.com GUY MAYER Alternative musician with a sound inspired by artists like Malcolm Todd and Dominic Fike. CRIMSON FEVER Free-​spirited indie band that makes danceable music. HOUSEPLANT3000 Local producer also known as 90.5 FM’s DJ HorseStable. ATTICUS RONESS Atlanta-​based power-​pop artist known for his

and Gerry Hansen for a set in benefit of the Conservancy’s work. Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. $10. www.instagram.com/ nowherebarathensga BEAU ANDERSON Atlanta-​based maker of loud noises. EP release show! INTENSION Alternative rock inspired by bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones and Tool. ANDOVIA Hard alternative rock rooted between Atlanta and Athens. Ramsey Hall 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu GUEST ARTIST RECITAL Featuring violinist Laurie Smukler and pianist Qing Jiang. Southern Drawl Bar & Grille 5–10 p.m. www.southerndrawlbarand​ grille.com KARAOKE Every Friday night. VFW Post 2872 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.facebook.com/vfwpost2872 RAMBLIN’ COUNTRY BAND Georgia-​based band playing country, western and rock classics. Line dancing during the band breaks.

Saturday 14 Bishop Park Athens Farmers Market. 8 a.m.–12 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmers​ market.net

THE FLYING V Jam-​oriented project blending improvisational energy with a playful DIY ethos. (9 a.m.) Dead Beat Club 8 p.m. $10. www.deadbeatathens. com NEW ORTHODOX The musical project of Nicholas Merz, whose debut record Bull Market on Corn responds to the American expanse with plain-​spoken thought. ANNIE LEETH Local producer and violinist loops drums, synths and strings. MARCEL SLETTEN California-​born and Athens-​based electronic music producer, composer and artist whose sound varies from peaceful to intense. Flicker Theatre & Bar Attaboy Presents. 8 p.m. $10. www. flickertheatreandbar.com HAWKPROOF NOWHERE Members of local bands Hawk Proof Rooster and Nowhere Road combine forces. THE FOUR O’CLOCKS Hard drivin’ old time music from Atlanta. Hendershot’s 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10. www.hendershotsathens.com MICHAEL CARNES A blend of pop-​punk and indie folk held up by meditative lyrics. THE LITTLE STRONG Singer-​ songwriter who draws from her classically-​trained background to fuse ambient melodies with a folk inspiration. AIDAN HILL Local producer and musician known for his work in Hotel Fiction. No. 3 Railroad Street 10 a.m.–3 p.m. www.3railroad.org ATHENS AREA SHAPE NOTE SINGING Sing from shape note hymnals originally published in the 1800s by Georgia composers: The Social Harp by John G. McCurry of Hart County and The Sacred Harp by B.F. White of Hamilton. Potluck lunch at 12 p.m. 7–9 p.m. www.3railroad.org PAMELA DEMARCHE Jazz and blues singer backed by a band playing danceable swing favorites. Nowhere Bar 9:30 p.m. $15. www.instagram.com/ nowherebarathensga CALEB LEE HUTCHINSON Georgia-​born country singer who was the runner-​up of “American Idol” season 16, touring his new record Long Line of Losers. Union Fare Aubrey Entertainment Presents. 6:30 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $10 (w/ student ID), $12 (adv.), $15. bit.ly/UnionFareNov14 GUARDIANS OF THE JUKEBOX A tribute to MTV’s pop, rock, new wave and new romantic era.

Sunday 15 ACC Library American Music Concert Series. 3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org SLOW PARADE Atlanta-based music collective headed by Matthew Pendrick, who mixes roots, blues and country into his songwriting. Boutier Winery Wine Down. 3–5 p.m. www.boutier​ winery.com CASEY KING Acoustic covers of classic pop and rock hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Monday 16 Dancz Center for New Music 6 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu SOUND AS ENVIRONMENT// BODY AS INTERFACE An XR interactive music concert. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8 p.m. $10. www.flickertheatreandbar. com PENNY LOAFER Local “post-​ college rock” band delivering grunge-​tinged pop with sweet yet sometimes vicious compositions. ABEL Band from Columbus, OH that makes loud guitar music for quiet people. RACECAR 44 A post-​rock band with heavy shoegaze and noise rock influences, established in January 2024 through the powers of friendship, cinema and pedals. CRITTER FRITTER Self-​described “idiot noise space sludge punk rock” that just released its debut record, sidecarkiddiepool. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $15 (w/ UGA ID), $65–107. pac.uga.edu HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD French pianist renowned for her poetic intensity and commanding technical control. Hugh Hodgson School of Music Edge Hall. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music. uga.edu TRUMPET STUDIO Ensemble performs a recital. 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. Nuçi’s Space 7–10 p.m. www.nuci.org MONDAY MIXTAPE OPEN MIC Take the stage, share your music and vibe out with the Nuçi’s community. The crowd favorite wins two free hours of Amplify Studio time. Every third Monday on the month. The World Famous 8:30 p.m. (doors), 9 p.m. (show). $15. www.facebook.com/theworld​ famousathens SHE RETURNS FROM WAR Cosmic Americana project of Charleston, SC singer-​songwriter Hunter Park.

MADDIE MEDLEY Indie folk singer-​songwriter telling stories from a place of self-​discovery. BIG GUY & THE VERY LARGE MEN Queer country from Nashville.

Tuesday 17 Daily Groceries Co-​op Tuesday Tunes. 6–7:30 p.m. www. instagram.com/dailycoop ANDY BROWNE Singer-​songwriter with a grit and punk edge, but with a sense of loss, heartache and self-​ punishment as well. Hendershot’s 5–7 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com PIANO BAR HAPPY HOUR Enjoy drink specials and live piano music. Nuçi’s Space UGA MBUS Space Jam. 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $5. www. nuci.org FLORENCE CARDIGAN Local group mixing funk, punk and jazz-​ inspired indie rock. SCHMOOZE Alternative rock band from Athens with a sound blending ’90s grunge with modern punk and indie rock influences. SEVENTH SON Athens-​based alternative rock band. Ramsey Hall 3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu GUITAR STUDIO ENSEMBLES CONCERT Performances from UGA Guitar Studio student ensembles. 7:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu PAUL BASLER AND JAMES NAIGUS This concert features works for the horn by University of Florida Professor of Horn Paul Basler and UGA Associate Professor of Horn James Naigus. WUOG Live in the Lobby. 8 p.m. FREE! www. wuog.org TUNNELS Experimental noise rock band.

Wednesday 18 40 Watt Club 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show). $20 (adv.), $25. www.40watt.com TOBACCO ROAD Blue-​rock band from East Nashville that’s equal parts modern and soulful. WIM TAPLEY & THE CANNONS Local alternative, folk-​pop songwriter and his band rooted in Americana and neo soul sounds. ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery New Town Revue. 6 p.m. (doors), 6:30 p.m. (show). FREE! www. acefranciscogallery.com JOE ROWE Drummer, musician and fixture in the Athens music scene known as a member of Fourth Mansions, Blue Stars and The Glands. Creature Comforts Brewery Athens Farmers Market. 5–8 p.m. FREE! www.athensfarmersmarket.net RED OAK STRING BAND Local band playing a feel-​good blend of bluegrass, blues, folk, rock and classic country. (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. Ramsey Hall 3:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu GUITAR STUDIO SOLOS CONCERT Performances from UGA Guitar Studio students. 5:30 p.m. FREE! music.uga.edu UGA TROMBONE CHOIR Studio members and non-​majors perform a repertoire that ranges from original literature to transcriptions of classical and popular music. f

flagpole.com thinks you’re pretty neat.

Creature Comforts Brewery Crow Market. 1–5 p.m. www.creature​ comforts.co CAT LITTLEPAGE Singer-​songwriter and multi-​instrumentalist. PONDGORL Athens-​based artist Laila Li McCleery joins genre-​bending friends in a band of beautiful, harmonious DIY glory. The Globe 4–7 p.m. www.facebook.com/globe. athens TRADITIONAL IRISH SESSION Easy listening traditional Irish music. Oak House Distillery 4–6:30 p.m. www.oakhousedistillery. com STRATTON JAMES Rock, pop and more from the 1980s to now. RSVP for Location 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/attaboy​ tapes SHAM Asheville, NC freak folk by Shane Justice McCord in collaboration with friends. Sandy Creek Park 2–4 p.m. $2 (park admission). www. accgovga.myrec.com SANDY CREEK HOOTENANNY Bring your instrument and play along to campfire classics at this casual open jam session.

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Both Kelley and Hunlo ended up as permanent additions to the band after being invited on stage with the initial Johnny Falloon trio to improv on a live set. Greer says that he would have thought that five members in Johnny Falloon would be “too many cooks in the kitchen,” especially with the

refined and almost pop-­ish in the sense of it’s a fleshed-out production that has bells and whistles and glitter around it… I generally am a bit of a maximalist, but I think it’s just interesting to have these songs be like, here’s the three-­minute version of this thing where everything is right in its spot, and then you see it live and it still feels as intense, but because these people are going crazy on stage,” he says. “… I was listening to Pink Pantheress’ new record that she did. I was like, ‘Man, I love how compressed this is.’ So I think I was probably shooting for that a little bit.” For the first record, Kelley dropped in to record overdubs, but this time he was an active part of the writing of the record,

intensity of opinions that the original trio held, but it feels very natural and organic with this lineup. Coming from such diverse backgrounds, the band’s commitment to holding space for experimenting has been its defining core. Greer, who produced Esoterrorism and Johnny Falloon’s first record, Tell Hell I’m Not Coming, further explains how the band has approached the separation of its live and recorded sound. “I’m really interested in one side of these songs being very

which he says changed everything. “I’m another set of ears. I’m another person to consider. Even if I don’t say anything, I’m just standing there, they’re like, ‘Well, we need to slot this sound in. How are we going to do that?’ So it’s going to change a lot because of that,” says Kelley. “‘California,’ the single we released off this album, is a great example of Scott having the centerpiece, like his melody on the sax is what drives a lot of that. Matthew takes a step back in that song, and he

Johnny Falloon

ESOTERRORISM CREATES SPACE FOR ENERGETIC RELEASE

By Sam Lipkin editorial@flagpole.com

W

ELLEN ARDEN

hen noise-­influenced post-­punk band Johnny Falloon took the stage at 1 a.m. on Halloween night for Athens’ annual Wild Rumpus festival, the members tried to set aside concerns about the rain’s impact on their gear to put on a worthy end-­of-­the-­night performance—and the crowd erupted. Vocalist John Edmondson’s phone got smashed by an audience member, and another attendee stage dove straight into an open space of concrete. “I’ve never been around anything that was that degenerate,” says noise-­ player and most recent member of Johnny Falloon, Toni Hunlo. Of course not all of the band’s shows turn into that degree of chaos, but the urgency of emotions and release that its members channel through their music are irresistibly compelling. Each show leans into the band’s experimental ethos, delivering something that can only be experienced in the moment, but the refined Johnny Falloon sound can be enjoyed on record. The recent sophomore album release, Esoterrorism, features Edmonson on vocals, Joseph Clementi on drums, Matthew Greer on bass and synth, and Scott Kelley on tenor saxophone. Since recording this album at the end of last year, the ever-­ evolving band has added Hunlo to its steady lineup. “I think we are always, me especially, trying to make one another uncomfortable musically when playing and not ever trying to stay doing one thing. When something feels comfortable, it gets really boring for me, which has led us to do things like bringing people on stage or doing full improv sets or writing a song in 11/8,” says Clementi.

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provides kind of synth blast sounds with his bass, and it’s more atmospheric. That’s why it’s been nice to expand. We take every opportunity we can get to find something cool,” says Edmondson. At the heart of Johnny Falloon’s songs are Edmondson’s thoughtfully crafted and well-­written lyrics that pour out raw truths from the world and people around him. He says he has found more of a voice for his writing in the band, and this record in particular is a lot more personal. “There’s real things that have happened to me or people I love, and that’s where I’ve gotten better, I think, because there was a point where I felt like I was a sci-­fi writer or something with some of Falloon’s material. We have a song called ‘Circumcision,’ which is like a ridiculous song, and it’s mostly just funny. It’s a body horror story, and I feel the ability to combine both… I think I figured out a tone and a way to do that,” says Greer. Johnny Falloon will celebrate its album release with a show in Atlanta at The Earl on Thursday, Nov. 19. The band will be supported by Muelas, Monsoon and Gunga. Then in December, Johnny Falloon will be the featured band for Classic City Wrestling’s event at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday, Dec. 12. There’s an underlying connection between what attendees might experience at a traditional Johnny Falloon show and a Classic City Wrestling event. And it all lies in having a safe space for communal catharsis. “I don’t like violence, but I think in the right context, whether that’s on the page, in the sound or at a show, violence as expression is cathartic. People aren’t actually being harmed, whether that’s mentally or physically. I think exploration of violence is something that is cathartic by nature, and I feel like wrestling is a great example of that,” says Edmondson. “That’s definitely something we think about and feel. It can feel kind of ludicrous or over the top with our music, but I think living in America, what we write about and the way our music feels is to me what it feels like to be in this culture right now.” f

music

threats & promises

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Spitehound’s Black Oil

Athens Unplugged

By Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com

By Joseph Mazzola music@flagpole.com

OH, LITTLE TOWN: The first instance of the Piedmont Stomp, a new two-­day event happening in Good Hope, occurs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21–22. The venue is a restored circa-­1868 country church that sits on 60 acres alongside the Apalachee River. Now named The Portico, the venue will host two stages. The “Portico stage” will host full bands, and general admission is standing room only; the “Chapel stage” hosts solo and duo performances, and has church pews available on a first-­come, first-­served basis. The whole event is a benefit for Nuçi’s Space, and is produced and presented by Piedmont Sound. Saturday features Pony Bradshaw, T. Hardy Morris, Rachel Baiman, Julia Barfield, Tyler Key

thens Unplugged has been bringing that’s what inspired us to keep doing it as live acoustic sets of local artists to a semesterly event rather than just be one-​ Hendershot’s for the last two years, and-​done for a project.” and like most artistic projects, it started Dawson also said the duo learned from with two people bouncing ideas off of each their mistakes after every iteration, but other. always managed to focus on the event that Laura Duncan and Megan Dawson was in front of them—“just rolling with became friends while on the executive the punches,” as she put it. The series had board of the University of Georgia’s stuits fair share of hiccups along the way: dent-​run radio station, WUOG, and later artists dropping last minute, managers became classmates in UGA’s Music Business not communicating timelines, locking Certificate program. A required part of the down an Unplugged date the same night program is a “microcosm project,” which as other high-​turnout shows in town— Dawson describes though none were as as “the brainchild of interesting as Will David Barbe.” StuIngram of Wieuca dents develop somegetting a double thing that shows boot on his car in what they want Atlanta the day of to do in the music his solo set. Dawson industry. Projects recalls, “I went up range from recording to Laura when we and releasing music, were actively doing creating music blogs sound check, and I or, like Dawson and was like, ‘Hey, don’t Duncan, setting up want to freak you live music events. out… Will did get Per their respecdouble-​booted. He’s tive interests, probably fine, but we Dawson leaned more might want to reach towards promotions out just to confirm Megan Dawson and Laura Duncan and marketing, he’s still able to and Duncan, who make it. Worst case had interned at Hendershot’s in Novemscenario, I will drive to Atlanta and go pick ber 2024 and became the venue’s talent him up.’” buyer the next month, focused on booking Ingram did eventually make it to Athens and talent relations. The idea of doing an for the set, and Duncan cited this set as acoustic set came from watching MTV’s an example of what makes a stripped back “Unplugged,” specifically Nirvana’s legendperformance special. “It’s always really ary set. “It was so interesting to see a band interesting to see bands [that] normally that is normally very hardcore and loud do have four-​plus members break down into this super intimate, stripped-​down set,” a solo set, because you get to see what Duncan said. The pair wanted to bring that elements of songs mean to that one speintrigue to Athens musicians, and Athens cific band member. It’s so personal to the Unplugged was born. artist because they are choosing what to Duncan had been booking for Hendertake away and then what they feel is still shot’s for several months at this point, important to keep, and then share with the so securing a location was not difficult. audience.” Securing artists was a different story. The If Athens Unplugged is meant to do one booking process was tricky because, accordthing, it is forcing artists to reimagine their ing to Duncan, “The goal was to have bands songs, and encouraging listeners to change that you weren’t gonna have normally in perceptions of songs. It’s not enough to that stripped down set. We wanted bands simply remove everything but guitar and that weren’t your typical singer-​songwriter turn it acoustic—the series asks, what acoustic sound already,” which is why they can a song distill down to? What can be booked Starpower—now rebranded as added? And most importantly, does this Crazier—first, since before 2025, Crazier work? These are difficult questions for any frontwoman Eli Raps had led all her bands artists trying out alternate arrangements, with an electric guitar. For the first Athens especially for artists with electronic-​heavy Unplugged in March 2025, Dawson and production like csndra, one of the performDuncan experienced the struggles lots of ers of this month’s Athens Unplugged. She, people who book shows do: acts dropping along with Rose Hotel and Eli Perry, will out, the struggle to find replacements, and confront this challenge on Friday, Nov. 13, shifting the event as artists come in at the bringing one of Athens’ most personal and last minute. raw concert series to a close. f “I remember being really stressed about the success of it,” Dawson says. “But I think as it was happening, I was just able to sit WHO: csndra, Rose Hotel, Eli Perry and listen to this music, and I was like, WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m. ‘Oh my God, we put this together, and this WHERE: Hendershot’s is so incredible to me!’ I could see other HOW MUCH: $10 (adv.), $13 people enjoying it, and I was like, ‘Wow! We did this, that’s so incredible.’ And I think

PLUS, MORE MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP

and Reverend Hylton. Sunday’s lineup is Cicada Rhythm, Spencer Thomas, Will Stewart, Eliot Bronson, Grayson Jenkins and Milkweed. Individual, one-­day admission starts at $65.46 (inclusive of fees), and two-­day passes start at $102.59 (inclusive of fees). VIP access will run you a lot more. For more information and to purchase tickets, please see piedmontsoundcompany. com/piedmontstomp. HOWODY, NEIGHBOR: Cam Norton (Cam & His Dam Jam Band) got in touch to tip me to the new EP from Peach Ice Cream Bluegrass named Butter On Both Sides. These are all original songs recorded at Norton’s home studio with the exception, as he notes, of washboard tracks and some backing vocals recorded in Asheville, NC. Opening track “Momentum” is a classic sounding traveling tune à la C. W. McCall. “Rocky Mountain Blues” is exactly what it sounds like—dude’s in the Rocky Mountains missing his lady. The group kicks up the pace substantially on the minor keyed “Chasing Trains,” which is basically a bluegrass gangster tale. It ends with the whimsical “Fresh Fried Fish.” Find it on all major streaming services. HIT PARADE: The North Georgia Folk Festival has set its new date and location. Presented by the Athens Folk Music & Dance Society, the previously scheduled event was cancelled due to weather. It’ll now

BY SIGHT AND SPEED: Spitehound, easily among the best project names in town, has returned with a new five-­track EP named Black Oil. Everything here was written, performed and recorded by man at the helm Brandon Steinhauer. It opens with the subtly ’70s “Surefooted,” which exists in that dreamy, dusky space one occupies when hearing a long-­lost tune for the first time. “Satan Jones” is a lot more upfront, and navigates itself as a straightforward singer-­ songwriter-­styled acoustic tune. This approach is made much more intimate on the tender “Cardinal.” The heavy shoegaze of the slowly paced “Defensive Eater” might be missed, but it’s there even if it’s not blasting away at you. Find this at spitehound.bandcamp.com. SYRUP ON THE STACK: It’s been a spell since we heard from remixer Killa Cabbi, but now the artist is back with a new mix, Screwy Chopper vol.6. For the uninitiated, the technique is in the title. This release featured chopped-­and-­screwed takes on tracks by Glorilla, Doja Cat, Remi Wolf, Sexyy Red and others. Particular highlights on the very easy to listen to record include the remixes of “Ride With Me,” “Act Up,” “Buzz Me In” and “Crystal” (ft. Wiz Khalifa). Find this at echobassrecords.bandcamp.com. WE LEFT LIGHT ON FOR YOU: Before decamping to Savannah about 14 years ago, Coy Campbell was a known quantity on the Athens scene. During his time with our coastal friends, he reports he was working steadily as a bassist and songwriter. He’s been back in Athens for nearly a year now, and has reconfigured his previously minimally distributed album Bell Rope as an EP containing six songs. Campbell’s aesthetic has always leaned toward the darker side of things, and he’s worked near the intersection of gothic folk and Americana, not unlike Don Chambers. He kicks it off with the windswept melody of “Sideways In The Sheets,” then recedes slightly with the Radiohead-­ish “Mob Surgeon.” The melody of “Fire’s Arms” is only very slightly more uplifting, but mainly lives with its lyrical content in a world of melancholy. He’s also released a stand alone single, “Family Bullet,” which is from his upcoming full-­ length Silk Hope. Relatively speaking, this is an aggressive song that builds slowly but observably and hinges, essentially, on the sentiment “God said no.” Find all this stuff at coycampbell.bandcamp.com. f

A

SYDNEY ANNIS

Spitehound’s Black Oil

happen Sunday, Dec. 13 at VFW Post 2872 (835 Sunset Drive). Appearing on the main stage are Beto Cacao, Athens Cowboy Choir, The Four O’Clocks and Scott Low. Of course, the usual gang of folk art vendors and food trucks will be on site for your shopping and dining. Advance tickets are $19.41 (inclusive of fees), and they’re $25.25 day of show. For tickets and more information, please see northgeorgiafolkfestival.org.

ACOUSTIC CONCERT SERIES COMES TO A CLOSE

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Tuesday 10

event calendar

ART: Art History Faculty Lecture (Lamar Dodd School of Art) Associate Professor Nell Andrew will present “The Puppet in the Avant-​​ Garde Imagination.” A Spotlight on the Arts event. 5:30 p.m. FREE! arts.uga.edu CLASSES: Dinner for Five: Chili & Cornbread (Howard Park & Community Center) Learn how to prepare a meal on a budget. 5:30 p.m. $10 (ACC resident), $15 (non-​​resident). www.accgov.com/ myrec CLASSES: Rain Barrel Workshop (3500 Mitchell Bridge Rd.) Learn simple techniques to manage rainwater in your yard and build your own rain barrel to take home. Supplies provided. Registration required. 6 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com GAMES: Rock ’n Roll Trivia (Athentic Brewing Co.) Test your trivia knowledge with host The Music Man. Second Tuesdays, 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Paloma Park) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/bad​ dog​athens GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Winghouse Grill Hull) Test your general trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunot​ trivia GAMES: Bingo & Sip (MaiKai Kava Lounge) Play BINGO with a chance to win prizes. Every other Tuesday, 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenskava.com GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www. facebook.com/MellowMushroom​ Athens GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens KIDSTUFF: Jumping Gym (Howard Park & Community Center) Explore a bouncy wonderland with big jumps and soft landings. Ages 5 & under. 10 a.m. FREE! www.acc​gov​ ga.myrec.com KIDSTUFF: Toddler Tuesday: Art in Nature (Georgia Museum of Art) Enjoy art and storytime in the galleries, then complete an art activity. Ages 18 months to 3 years. RSVP by email. 10 a.m. FREE! gmoa-​​ tours@uga.edu LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (UGA Special Collections Library) Author Jon Boorstin will discuss his book The American: The Hidden History of Daniel J. Boorstin and His Twentieth Century. 6 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Mystic Pizza (The Classic Center) Based on the 1988 romcom, this musical features three working-​​class girls navigating love, life and their job at the local pizza joint. Nov. 10–11, 7:30 p.m. $34–94. www.classiccenter.com

16

Wednesday 11

ART: Artful Conversation: Minnehaha (Georgia Museum of Art) Callan Steinmann, director of learning and engagement, will lead a conversation on Edmonia Lewis’ small sculpture “Minnehaha.” 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum.org CLASSES: French Class (Oconee County Library) Join instructor Emma Auer to learn the basics of the French language. Ages 18 & up. 6 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee EVENTS: Open House and Anniversary Celebration (St. Mary’s Auxiliary Upscale Thrift Store) There will be special sales and door prizes with refreshments. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. www.stmarys-​​ health.org

Shadowfist. All skill levels. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Bingo (Oconee County Library) Play Bingo to win prizes and books. FREE! 2 p.m. www. athenslibrary.org/oconee GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia 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

LECTURES & LIT: Word of Mouth (The Globe) Athens’ longest-​​running spoken word open mic, with this month’s featured reader J.R. Barner. 6 p.m. (sign-​​ups), 7 p.m. (poetry). FREE! www.facebook.com/ athenswordofmouth OUTDOORS: Stargazing (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Bring a blanket or chair and telescope or binoculars to stargaze. 5:30–9:30 p.m. FREE! www.shoalcreeksanctuary.org PERFORMANCE: Throughline (UGA New Dance Theatre) UGA Dance presents original works choreographed and produced by students in a variety of genres. A Spotlight on the Arts event. Nov. 11–13, 7:30 p.m. $15. dance.uga.edu THEATER: Mystic Pizza (The Classic Center) Based on the 1988 romcom, this musical features three working-​​class girls navigating

would like to draw, write or simply listen to music by Klezmer Local 42. 6 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/ lyndonhouse COMEDY: Gorgeous George’s Improv League (Flying Squid Comedy) Bring a loose funny bone to some home-​​grown townie improv. 6:30 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (short-​​form), 8 p.m. (long-​​form). $5. www.flyingsquidcomedy.com EVENTS: Driven Toward the Future (ACC Multimodal Center) Celebrate ACC Transit’s 50th anniversary with family-​​friendly activities, safety demonstrations, trivia, giveaways, live music and more. 3–6 p.m. FREE! www.accgov.com/transit EVENTS: Winter WonderLights Season Premiere (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) A kickoff event to the seasonal light display featuring VIP parking, entry to the show,

Performances of the musical Mystic Pizza will take place at The Classic Center on Nov. 10–11. EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music at 6 p.m. AFM double SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www. athensfarmersmarket.net FILM: Blood Everywhere (Flicker Theatre & Bar) A superstitious village is plagued by a maniac murdering their children and everyone seems to be a suspect in Don’t Torture A Duckling. 7 p.m. FREE! www. instagram.com/bloodeverywhere. athens FILM: Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse (Ciné) Screening of the documentary about the life and career of a cartoonist whose Pulitzer Prize-​​winning graphic novel told the story of his parents’ survival of the Holocaust. 7:45 p.m. FREE! www. athenscine.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: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Drop in and play

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

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 KIDSTUFF: Teen Art Club (OCAF) Club leaders will provide ideas or teens can work on their own project. Ages 13–18. Registration required. Second Wednesdays, 4–6 p.m. $5. www.ocaf.com KIDSTUFF: Skulls & Pelts (Oconee County Library) Join Hard Labor Creek naturalist Auggie Smith to learn about animal skulls and skins. 4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee LECTURES & LIT: Talking About Books (ACC Library) Discuss The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa with the group. 10:30 a.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org

love, life and their job at the local pizza joint. Nov. 10–11, 7:30 p.m. $34–94. www.classiccenter.com

Thursday 12 ART: Photo Artwork Adventure Pop-​​Up (Rivet House) A showcase of different collections of artwork and various fashion and advertising campaigns will be on view. 4–9 p.m. www.tommycrow.com ART: Opening Reception (Willson Center for Humanities and Arts) Athens artist Don Chambers’ exhibition “How to Vanish” will be on view with a conversation between Chambers and writer/musician Alan Flurry. A Spotlight on the Arts event. 5:30 p.m. FREE! arts.uga.edu ART: Closing Reception (The Cotton Press) “Making Place” features hand-​​forged iron works by Patrick G. Blount and various pottery from regional collections, and there will be live music and a food truck. 6–8 p.m. $15. www.artfulhands.org ART: Music in the House (Lyndon House Arts Center) Easels and tables will be set up for anyone who

a s’mores kit and more. 6–9 p.m. $75. botgarden.uga.edu FILM: Athens, GA: Inside/Out (UGA Special Collections Library) Screening of the iconic documentary about the Athens music scene in celebration of the 40th anniversary restoration. 4:30 p.m. FREE! libs.uga.edu FILM: Mulholland Drive (Ciné) Screening of the 2001 thriller film with a live film history podcast hosted by Aaron Strand of Behind the Slate. 8 p.m. $15. www.athens​ cine.com GAMES: ’90s Pop Culture Trivia (Creature Comforts Brewery) Test your knowledge of 1990s TV, music, movies and celebrities. 6–8 p.m. www.creaturecomfortsbeer. com 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 (Terrapin Beer Co.) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu​ nottrivia GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Butt Hutt) Test your general trivia knowledge. Thursdays, 7 p.m. www. instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Athens’ Hardest Trivia Night (Nighthawks Lounge) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www.nighthawkslounge.com KIDSTUFF: Open House (Athens Academy) Learn more about Athens Academy with campus tours and panel discussions. Registration required. 8 a.m. FREE! www.athens​ academy.org KIDSTUFF: Graphic Novel Book Club (Oconee County Library) Discuss this month’s selection Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith and enjoy crafts, activities and more. 4 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee LECTURES & LIT: Literary Pop-​​Up (UGA Miller Learning Center) Three Ph.D. students from UGA’s creative writing program will read their poems and talk about the creative writing process. A Spotlight on the Arts event. 11 a.m. FREE! arts. uga.edu LECTURES & LIT: UGA Three Minute Thesis (Morton Theatre) A fast-​​paced competition requiring contestants to explain their thesis or dissertation topic and its significance in three minutes or less. 7 p.m. FREE! grad.uga.edu 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 PERFORMANCE: Throughline (UGA New Dance Theatre) UGA Dance presents original works choreographed and produced by students in a variety of genres. A Spotlight on the Arts event. Nov. 11–13, 7:30 p.m. $15. dance.uga.edu SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org THEATER: Guys & Dolls (UGA Fine Arts Building) UGA Theatre presents the production about gamblers, showgirls and missionaries in Prohibition-​​era New York. Nov. 12–13, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 2 p.m. $20, $7 (w/ UGA ID). www.ugatheatre.com

Friday 13 ART: The Neighborhood Block Party (Lyndon House Arts Center) Join the community to hand-​​quilt a collaborative piece that will be auctioned in benefit of Project Safe. Registration required. Nov. 13 & 21, 1–3 p.m. Nov. 19, 5:30–7:30 p.m. www.accgov.com/lyndon​ house CLASSES: Before the Rush (Revolution Therapy and Yoga) An immersive sound bath with a focus on calm and connection before the start of the busy holiday season. 6 p.m. $30. www.revolutiontherapy​ andyoga.com COMEDY: Improv Athens (UGA Miller Learning Center) UGA’s improv troupe performs a show.

Saturday 14 EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Bishop Park) Markets offer locally grown groceries and handmade goods with live music and children’s activities. AFM doubles SNAP dollars spent. Saturdays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. www.athensfarmers​ market.net EVENTS: 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.marigoldcollective​ winterville.com EVENTS: Fall Festival (Winterville Animal Clinic) Enjoy pet-​​friendly activities, browse goods from local vendors and more. 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. FREE! www.wintervilleanimal​ clinic.com EVENTS: Marigold Fiber Fest (Winterville Cultural Center) A family-​​friendly festival with art exhibits, workshops, vendors, demonstrations and short films. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. FREE! www.marigold-​​ fiber-​​fest.square.site EVENTS: Athens Montessori School Fall Festival (Athens Montessori School) A day of fun with craft vendors, live music and children’s events including a bounce house, slime making, face painting and more. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. FREE! www.amsfallfestival.com EVENTS: The Ultimate Game Day Tailgate Experience (Akins Ford Arena) The all-​​day experience features a watch party, family-​​friendly entertainment, on-​​field competitions and more. 11 a.m. FREE! www.classiccenter.com EVENTS: Really, Really Free Market (Reese and Pope Park) Just like a yard sale, but everything is free. Bring what you can, take what you need. Second Saturday of every month. 12–1:30 p.m. reallyreally​ freemarketathens@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/RRFMAthens EVENTS: Fall Renaissance Faire (Athentic Brewing Co.) Browse a variety of vendors and enjoy old world demonstrations and activities, music and more. 12–8 p.m. www. athenticbrewing.com EVENTS: Not Your Mom’s Mum Show (Comer, GA) Celebrate mum season with displays of award-​​

winning chrysanthemums, favorite flower voting, tunes by DJ Alyssa DeHayes and more. 3–6 p.m. FREE! www.3porchfarm.com FILM: Gonzoriffic Underground Movie Show (Ciné) The local cult film collective will screen a selection of horror short films. Nov. 13–14, 10:30 p.m. $11, $9 (students), $8 (members). www. facebook.com/gonzorifficfilms KIDSTUFF: Pokémon Club (ACC Library) Trade Pokémon cards or learn to play the game. Ages 5–12. 12 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org KIDSTUFF: Critter Tales (Sandy Creek Nature Center) Listen to a story about nature and then meet a featured animal or take a nature walk. 12:30 p.m. FREE! www. accgov.com/sandycreeknature​ center

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.athenticbrewing.com

Sunday 15 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: Abnormal Bazaar (Indie South) This market features vendors selling soaps, jewelry, vintage, vinyl and more. 12–4 p.m. www. theindiesouth.com EVENTS: Holiday Open House (Lexington Vintage) Enjoy refreshments,

COURTESY OF THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART

Room 248. Fridays, 7:30 p.m. FREE! www.instagram.com/improv​ athens EVENTS: Africa in Athens Holiday Shop (Mbare Home + Gift) Browse a rotating selection of objects handcrafted by African artisans, including baskets, sculptures, stocking stuffers, linens and more. Fridays, 1–6 p.m. www.mbare.com FILM: Gonzoriffic Underground Movie Show (Ciné) The local cult film collective will screen a selection of horror short films. Nov. 13–14, 10:30 p.m. $11, $9 (students), $8 (members). www. facebook.com/gonzorifficfilms GAMES: Day of Board Game Demostrations (Tyche’s Games) Drop-​​ in and try new games. 12 p.m. FREE! www.tychegames.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/shihtzunot​ trivia OUTDOORS: Fall Sunset Paddle (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Enjoy a ranger-​​led paddle on the river. Registration required. 4:30 p.m. $15/person, $10 parking pass/ vehicle. www.gastateparks.org/ WatsonMillBridge PERFORMANCE: Throughline (UGA New Dance Theatre) UGA Dance presents original works choreographed and produced by students in a variety of genres. A Spotlight on the Arts event. Nov. 11–13, 7:30 p.m. $15. dance.uga.edu PERFORMANCE: Athens Showgirl Cabaret Luv Shak (Dead Beat Club) An evening of drag entertainment celebrating the birthdays of Miss Kellie Divine and Jenn Sparx. Ages 18 & up. 9 p.m.–12 a.m. $5. www.athensshowgirlcabaret.com SPORTS: UGA Ice Dawgs vs. University of South Carolina (Akins Ford Arena) Cheer on the home team in this hockey match. 6 p.m. (doors), 7 p.m. (game). $8–34. www.classiccenter.com THEATER: Guys & Dolls (UGA Fine Arts Building) UGA Theatre presents the production about gamblers, showgirls and missionaries in Prohibition-​​era New York. Nov. 12–13, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 2 p.m. $20, $7 (w/ UGA ID). www.ugatheatre.com

art around town ACC LIBRARY (2025 Baxter St.) Abstract paintings by Dana Johns are on view through November. ATHENAEUM (287 W. Broad St.) “Megan Ledbetter: The Field (2022–2026)” features photographs of a historic municipal cemetery in Red Bank, TN that was in operation from 1890–1912. Closing reception Nov. 21, 4-​6 p.m. • “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. ATHENS COTTON PRESS (149 Oneta St.) “Making Place,” presented by Artful Hands, features pottery including six works by 19th-​century enslaved potter David Drake, as well as iron works by blacksmith Patrick G. Blount. On view daily 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. through Nov. 12. ATHENTIC BREWING CO. (108 Park Ave.) Impressionist paintings inspired by nature by Rachel Ankirskiy are on view through November. ATHICA (675 Pulaski St., Suite 1200) “Everything” is a National Juried Exhibition featuring works made from unexpected materials and juried by Philip McClure. Through Nov. 22. ATHICA@CINÉ GALLERY (234 W. Hancock Ave.) “The Material is the Message” features drawing, sculpture and fiber works by Leah Smith. Through Dec. 25. AURUM STUDIOS (125 E. Clayton St.) “Botanicals and Animals” features paintings by Judy Hammond. Through December. BMA STUDIO (1354 S. Milledge Ave.) Floral paintings by Caroline Stroud are on display and available for purchase. Open studio event Nov. 19, 5–7 p.m. 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

Cultural preservationist Dwayne Tomah will discuss lasting implications for Native Americans at the Georgia Museum of Art on Tuesday, Nov. 17. MEETINGS: CD Swap (Hendershot’s) Swap for keeps or borrow CD albums, mixes and playlists. 2–4 p.m. www.hendershotsathens. com OUTDOORS: Reflections of Fall Paddle (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Enjoy a ranger-​​led beginner-​​friendly paddle on the river. Registration required. 10 a.m. $15/ person, $10 parking pass/vehicle. www.gastateparks.org/WatsonMill​ Bridge OUTDOORS: Fall Sunset Paddle (Watson Mill Bridge State Park) Enjoy a ranger-​​led paddle on the river. Registration required. 4:30 p.m. $15/person, $10 parking pass/ vehicle. www.gastateparks.org/ Watson​MillBridge

enter raffles for various prizes and shop for the holidays. 1–8 p.m. www.lexingtonvintage.com EVENTS: Beermuda Triangle (Various Locations) Start your nautical journey at Creature Comforts with excursions to Normaltown Brewing Co. and ending at Athentic Brewing Co. 1–5 p.m. www.athenticbrewing. com EVENTS: Crow Market: Friendship Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Browse items from local artisans and vendors, enjoy a trinket trade and bring a canned good item for a local charity. 1–5 p.m. www. creaturecomforts.co EVENTS: 2026 International Day for Tolerance March & Rally (College Square Plaza) Join the

Alumni Prize, which examines Black girlhood, disability and the Southern Gothic. Through Nov. 20. • The BFA Fall 2026 Capstone Exhibition showcases work by graduating students. Opening reception Nov. 20, 5–7 p.m. Through Dec. 4. GEORGIA CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION (1197 S. Lumpkin St.) In the Dogwood Lobby, “Of Timber and Titanium” features photography by Michael Marshall of landscapes and industries along the Altamaha River. Through Nov. 30. 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.) “Transitions & Constructs” features works by Susan Pelham, Ella & Belle, Juancho Cano, and Marisa Leilani Mustard of surreal landscapes and whimsical animal characters. Through December. LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER (211 Hoyt St.). In the Lobby Case, “Lotus” features ceramics by Isabell Daniel incorporating the Buddhist mandala and the symbolic lotus flower. Through Dec. 5. • Solo exhibition by Francie Carson. Through Jan. 2, 2027. • In the Lukasiewicz Gallery, “Refusal of the Call” pairs Sarah Flinn’s large-​scale landscape paintings with Eleanor Foy’s ceramic animal sculptures. Artist talk with Flinn Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m. Through Jan. 2, 2027. • “Rooted” features works by Clarke County School District students inspired by the theme of community. Through Jan. 13, 2027. • “BEE CITY OF NOW” is a 24-​foot model community for bees by Swannatopia and Experimental Art Club, installed on the Arts Center’s second-​floor outdoor patio. Through May 1, 2027. SOUTHERN MILL (355 Oneta St.) “A Photo Artwork Adventure” is a two-​ day pop-​up exhibit of photography by Tommy Crow Studios on view Nov. 12–13, 4–9 p.m. 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.

Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition of Athens and the Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens for a march and speeches. 4:30 p.m. 706-​​589-​​5568 FILM: Tokusatsu Club (ACC Library) Screening of the 1971 Japanese monster movie Godzilla vs Hedorah. 3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org 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 KIDSTUFF: Sit Happens Kids Club (Pet Supplies Plus) Learn how to foster better relationships with dogs through games, activities and play with stuffed dogs. Registration required. 2 p.m. FREE! calendly. com/sithappens/kids-​​club LECTURES & LIT: Build A Ghost Workshop (Normaltown Brewing Co.) Join William Sterling and DC Phillips to learn about ghost stories, how to brainstorm your own writing and more. 1 p.m. $5 suggested donation. www.instagram.com/ athensfol LECTURES & LIT: Author Talk (ACC Library) Award-​​winning journalist, critic and author Noel Holston will discuss his newest book POPSTAND. 3 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org OUTDOORS: An Afternoon with Trees (Lake Herrick Pavillion) Learn about trees and wildlife with expert-​guided walks, tree demonstrations, kids’ activities, games and more. 2–5 p.m. FREE! warnell. uga.edu SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org SPORTS: UGA Women’s Hockey vs. Wesleyan College (Akins Ford Arena) Cheer on the home team in this hockey match. 4 p.m. FREE! www.classiccenter.com THEATER: Guys & Dolls (UGA Fine Arts Building) UGA Theatre presents the production about gamblers, showgirls and missionaries in Prohibition-​​era New York. Nov. 12–13, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 2 p.m. $20, $7 (w/ UGA ID). www.ugatheatre.com

Monday 16 ART: 4’33” Contest (Atheneum) This contest highlights University of Georgia student research in the arts. A Spotlight on the Arts event. 1:30–3:30 p.m. FREE! arts.uga.edu EVENTS: UGA Press Dirty Book Sale (UGA Main Library) Browse deeply discounted titles, learn more about the UGA Press and find out about new initiatives. A Spotlight on the Arts event. Nov. 16–18, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. www.ugapress.org FILM: Bad Movie Night (Ciné) Shana’s father has a Navy-​​funded mind control room and she must drop everything when her entire family is killed in the impenetrable Mind Trap. 8 p.m. FREE! www.instagram. com/BadMovieNight GAMES: Chess and Community (ACC Library) Drop in for open chess play to learn the game, challenge skills and engage with other enthusiasts. Mondays, 3:30–5:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org GAMES: 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 KIDSTUFF: The Big Bad, Little Red, Pig Show (Bogart Library) Enjoy an all-​​ages puppet show by The Puppet Guy featuring tales about a familiar fable. 1 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/bogart ➤ continued on next page

UGA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIES (300 S. Hull St.) “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. • “Game. Set. Match: The History of UGA Women’s Tennis” shares the 100-​year history of women’s tennis at UGA. Through April 2027. 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.) In the Clements Gallery, “Nature Escapes” features watercolors by Jackie Dorsey. Opening reception Nov. 20, 4–6 p.m. WILLSON CENTER FOR HUMANITIES AND ARTS (1260 S. Lumpkin St.) “How to Vanish” features new paintings, drawings, sculpture and collage by Athens artist and musician Don Chambers as part of UGA’s Spotlight on the Arts. Reception and artist talk Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. WINTERVILLE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER (371 N. Church St., Winterville) In Gallery 1, “UGA MFA Invitational 2026” exhibits works curated by Yu-​Kai Lin with selected works by current MFA students. Through Dec. 15. • In Gallery 2, “Small Works: 2026 National Juried Competition” returns with small scale contemporary works selected by juror Yu-​Kai Lin. Through Dec. 15. • In the Garden Gallery Case, ceramic pieces by Lindsay Swan are on display. Through Dec. 15. • In the Long Gallery, “In a Moon Age Daydream” features paintings by Katie Brick. Through Dec. 15. • In the Music Room Gallery, “From Pasture to Piece” showcases winners of the Fiber Arts Competition. Through Dec. 15. • In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary, “Rebellious Art, Treasonous Artists” is on view in Room 103. Through December. WINTERVILLE LIBRARY (115 Marigold Lane, Winterville) “More Tales & Tombstones: Funerary Art of the Southeast” features new photography by Jennifer Keene. Through Jan. 5, 2027.

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Event Calendar OUTDOORS: Astronomy Night (Oconee County Library) Join the Athens Astronomy Society for an viewing of the night sky. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee

AT ON ON ICE ICE ATATHENS ATHENS $300 TREE SPONSOR TREE SPONSOR

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ART: Creative Aging Art Workshop (Georgia Museum of Art) Join INCLUDES: teaching artist Toni Carlucci to MONDAY, NOV. 16 discuss art in the galleries and to StandClose and set-up of business make art in the studio classroom. tree's All skill levels welcome. Ages 55 & Decorating will take place Logo Nov.on 21your - Dec. 1 sign up. Registration required. 10 a.m. Decorating will takeStand placeand Nov.set-up 21 - Dec. 1 FREE! gmoa-​​tours@uga.edu Logo on your tree's sign SCAN TO RESERVE YOUR TREE COMEDY: Take This! Improv QUESTIONS? ATHENSAREAWIC@GMAIL.COM Decorating will take place Nov. 21 - Dec. 1(Athentic Brewing Co.) The troupe will perform comedic improv with a shout-​​out to courtroom TV icons. 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com QUESTIONS? ATHENSAREAWIC@GMAIL.COM COMEDY: Open Toad Comedy Night (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Comedy performed by a mix of newcomers and local favorites from Athens and Atlanta. 8:30 p.m. (doors). $7. www.flickertheatreandbar.com nd set-up EVENTS: UGA Press Dirty Book $300 d set-up Sale (UGA Main Library) Browse ur tree's sign deeply discounted titles, learn more INCLUDES: r tree's sign about the UGA Press and find out Stand and set-up about new initiatives. A Spotlight on the Arts event. Nov. 16–18, 9 Logo on your tree's sign a.m.–3 p.m. www.ugapress.org Decorating will take place Nov. 21 - Dec. 1 GAMES: Lunch & Learn (Tyche’s Games) Bring your lunch and learn new games. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www. tychesgames.com GAMES: Bad Dog Trivia (Paloma Park) Test your trivia knowledge with host Miles Bunch. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Condoms are always FREE! www.instagram.com/baddogathens QUESTIONS? ATHENSAREAWIC@GMAIL.COM GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Winghouse Grill Hull) Test your general trivia knowledge. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: UnPhiltered Trivia (Mellow Mushroom) Test your trivia knowledge with host Phil. 7 p.m. www. facebook.com/MellowMushroom​ Athens GAMES: Singo! (Beef O’Brady’s) Win gift certificates and prizes at this music bingo night. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. www.beefobradys.com/athens KIDSTUFF: LGBTeens (ACC Library) A monthly club for queer teens to read books, make crafts, play games and more. Ages 12–18. 5 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org LECTURES & LIT: The Doctrine of Discovery (Georgia Museum of Art) Cultural preservationist Dwayne Tomah will discuss Native American tribal sovereignty and reservations. 4:30 p.m. FREE! www. georgiamuseum.org LECTURES & LIT: Mystery Book Club (Bogart Library) Discuss Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie with the group. 5:30​​–6:30 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary.org/ NortheastHealthDistrict.org bogart SPORTS: Classic City Pétanque Club (Lay Park) New players welcome. Scheduled days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. info@athenspetanque. org, www.athenspetanque.org

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Wednesday 18

ATHENS AREA HEALTH DEPARTMENTS 18

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

ART: Curator Talk (Georgia Museum of Art) Shawnya Harris will give a gallery talk about the exhibition “Edmonia Lews: Said in Stone.” 2 p.m. FREE! www.georgiamuseum. org EVENTS: UGA Press Dirty Book Sale (UGA Main Library) Browse deeply discounted titles, learn more about the UGA Press and find out about new initiatives. A Spotlight

continued from p. 5

on the Arts event. Nov. 16–18, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. www.ugapress.org EVENTS: 12th Annual Holiday Market (Athens Academy) Browse over 85 vendors selling artisanal foods, handmade jewelry, ceramics, fine arts and various crafts. Nov. 18, 4–7 p.m. Nov. 19, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. www.athensacademy.org/ community EVENTS: The Athens Farmers Market (Creature Comforts Brewery) Markets offer fresh produce, flowers, eggs, meats, prepared foods, arts and crafts. Live music at 6 p.m. AFM double SNAP dollars spent. Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. www. athensfarmersmarket.net EVENTS: New Town Revue (ACE/ FRANCISCO Gallery) Featuring readings of poems by Patrick Bishop, prose by Asna Nusrat and music by Joe Rowe. 6:30 p.m. FREE! www.acefranciscogallery.com FILM: Pachinko Pop Cinema (Flicker Theatre & Bar) Screening of the 1976 Japanese martial arts film Which Is Stronger, Karate or the Tiger?. 7 p.m. FREE! www.flicker​ theatreandbar.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: Shadowfist Power Lunch (Tyche’s Games) Drop in and play Shadowfist. All skill levels. 11:30 a.m. FREE! www.tychesgames.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (South Main Brewing) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzu​ nottrivia GAMES: Magic The Gathering and Pokemon Meet-​​Up (Athentic Brewing Co.) Drop in to spend an evening playing games or matches. Third Wednesdays, 6–9 p.m. FREE! www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Trivia Night (Hotel Indigo) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. www.indigo​ athens.com GAMES: Love.Craft Bingo Night (Athentic Brewing Co.) A bingo event benefiting the nonprofit organization Love.Craft Athens. Third Wednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m. $3–5. www.lovecraftathens.org GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (Normal Bar) Test your general trivia knowledge. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.instagram.com/shihtzunottrivia GAMES: Classic City Trivia (The Local 706) Test your general trivia knowledge with host Garrett. Wednesdays, 7:06 p.m. www.instagram.com/classiccitytriviaco GAMES: Dungeons and Dragons and Drinks (Athentic Brewing Co.) Meetup for beginners and seasoned players to learn basics or play one-​​ shot games. Third Wednesdays, 7 p.m. www.athenticbrewing.com GAMES: Shih Tzu Not Trivia (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. 5:30​​p.m. FREE! www.ripbookclub.com LECTURES & LIT: Third Wednesday Book Club (Oconee County Library) Discuss books chosen by the group. New members welcome. 7 p.m. FREE! www.athenslibrary. org/oconee f

calendar picks

EVENT | THU, NOV. 12

ACC Transit 50th Anniversary Celebration

Multimodal Transportation Center • 3–6 p.m. • FREE!

ACC Transit has provided safe, reliable and accessible public transportation since 1976 and is celebrating its 50th year of service with a family-­friendly community event. ACC Transit is calling this event “Driven Toward the Future,” as it not only recognizes the decades of work connecting Athens residents to jobs, education, health care and community, but also looks ahead to the future of transit in the city. The celebration will include transit trivia, free food and giveaways, a dedicated kids’ zone, a photobooth, music provided by a DJ, demonstrations on transit safety and paratransit services, and more. At 4 p.m. there will be a formal presentation recognizing ACC Transit’s milestone. Department Director Victor Pope says, “ACC Transit looks forward to continuous service enhancements to ensure we move the way Athenians live their lives and support our community in accessing a world of opportunities.” [MB]

“Radio’s Not Dead” benefit show in March. The organization is bringing the event back this week featuring a new lineup of musicians. The first of these acts is alternative singer-­songwriter Guy Mayer, who recently released his five-­song debut EP, Candy Apple Red. Next is Savannah-­and Athens-­based indie band Crimson Fever. Atticus Roness will be bringing his rock and roll and power pop songs in from Atlanta. WUOG’s own houseplant3000, who can be heard on 90.5 FM as DJ HorseStable, will round out the bill. The event is presented by Catalyst Collective, a booking and promotion group created by students at the beginning of this year to support student and local artists in Athens. [MB] FILM | NOV. 13–14

Gonzoriffic Underground Movie Show Ciné • 10 p.m. • $11, $9 (students), $8 (members)

The feminist and queer-­centric experimental film collective Gonzoriffic is screening its 18th annual Underground Movie Show program at Ciné this weekend. In addition, this year also marks the collective’s 25th year of making movies in Athens. In that time, ART | THU, NOV. 12 Gonzoriffic has brought more than 200 cinematic visions to life, and the annual movie show is a chance for local creators to share and celebrate with the wider community. Willson Center for Humanities & Arts • “Ciné’s ongoing commitment to 5:30 p.m. • FREE! providing a venue for Athens filmLocal musician and visual artist makers is more than just an opporDon Chambers’ upcoming exhibitunity,” said Gonzoriffic founder tion is a collection of new works Andrew Shearer. “It has given called “How to Vanish.” Chambers, countless local artists confidence, who has lived in Athens since 1988, purpose and a sense of value.” earned his MFA in painting and This year’s screening features new printmaking from UGA in 1991, movies directed by Ebony Delight, and has had works featured in over Hallai Ferrer, Sophia Perkins, Glynis Artwork by Don Chambers a dozen exhibitions since then. He Prawns, Celeste Stilson, Kat Wood works across multiple disciplines and more. [Sam Lipkin] including painting, drawing, sculpture and collage to produce both abstract and representational pieces, and his pro- LITERATURE | SUN, NOV. 15 cess is heavily influenced by chance and coincidence. This exhibition will primarily feature painted works on canvas. ACC Library • 3 p.m. • FREE! The opening reception for “How to Vanish,” which is part of Award-­winning journalist and critic Noel Holston has UGA’s annual Spotlight on the Arts Festival, will include a released a book, POP STAND, that recollects dozens of stoconversation between Chambers and writer and musician ries from his more than four-­decade career covering pop Alan Flurry. [Mary Beth Bryan] culture. Within its pages are profiles of celebrities, such as MUSIC | THU, NOV. 12 Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as reviews of shows, poignant obituaries, topical commentary and more. The three-­time Pulitzer Prize nomHodgson Concert Hall • 7:30 p.m. • $15 (w/ UGA ID), $65–107 inee will discuss his latest work and read from POP STAND Blues musician Kevin Moore was born and raised in at the Athens-­Clarke County library. Other works Holston Compton, CA, where he started his career as a guitarist, has written include two memoirs, Life After Deaf (2019) and songwriter and arranger after landing a gig with Jefferson As I Die Laughing (2023), and OZmosis (2025). [SL] Airplane violinist Papa John Creach. After two decades PERFORMANCE | WED, NOV. 18 working behind the scenes in the music industry, he released his self-­titled debut record under the name Keb’ Mo’ in 1994, with his followup record Just Like You earning ACE/FRANCISCO Gallery • 6 p.m. (doors), 6:30 p.m. (show) • him his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues FREE! Album. His achievements since then have been abundant. New Town Revue was started in 2011 by Al Dixon, Beth He’s performed at prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall Hall Thrasher and Deirdre Sugiuchi to celebrate Athens’ to the White House, collaborated with artists like Willie rich literary and musical scene. The event is returning Nelson and Bonnie Raitt, released signature guitars this month to showcase the poetry of Patrick Bishop, the with Gibson and Martin, composed music for television, fiction writing of Asna Nusrat and the music of Joe Rowe. appeared in Martin Scorsese’s documentary series The Blues and much more. His most recent record, The Breakdown, was Aside from being a writer and poet, Bishop is also an actor, director, dancer and choreographer. Nusrat, who writes recorded at his home studio outside Nashville and features fiction and nonfiction and translates works across English stripped-­back acoustic performances shaped by recent perand Urdu, is originally from Pakistan, but earned her MFA sonal losses and major life changes. Like much of his music, from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a the album displays great sonic versatility, shaped by American roots traditions, jazz, soul and contemporary folk. [MB] PhD in creative writing from UGA. Her novel-­in-­progress delves into feminine joy, women’s interiority and the comMUSIC | FRI, NOV. 13 pany of objects. Joe Rowe is a longtime Athens musician known for his work in Fourth Mansions, Blue Stars and The Glands. Admission to New Town Revue is free, but Flicker Theatre & Bar • 7 p.m. (doors), 8 p.m. (show) • $10 to reserve a seat you can send $5 to @ThrasherPhoto on In its mission to replace its transmitter and other equip- Venmo with “First/Last Name” and “Nov NTR” in the mesment, UGA’s student-­run radio station, WUOG, hosted a sage. [MB] f

Don Chambers Opening Reception

Author Talk & Reading

Keb’ Mo’

The New Town Revue

WUOG Benefit Show

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NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

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bulletin board & classifieds BULLETIN BOARD: Listings from nonprofits, community resources and free opportunities. Print deadline is THURSDAY at 5 p.m. for the following Wednesday issue. Email calendar@flagpole.com. CLASSIFIEDS: Rates are $10/individual * $14/real estate * $16/business. Deadline to place ads is FRIDAY at 10 a.m. for the following Wednesday issue. Email class@flagpole.com or call 706-549-0301.

Classifieds MUSIC (Services) Instant cash is now being paid for good vinyl records & CDs in fine condition. Wuxtry Records at corner of Clayton and College Dwntn. 706-​612-​4926 NOTICES (Messages) Happy Happy Happy Birthday Stephen. We love you! Jen & the Critters SERVICES (Home & Garden) Fall is here! Woman-​Run Gardening Services: We offer garden maintenance, invasive plant removal, personalized edible and native gardens for your school, home or business! 706-​395-​5321 SERVICES (Home & Garden) Hi! I’m Pablo, an expert gardener offering personalized care for your landscape. I specialize in low-​ maintenance, native gardens that support pollinators and biodiversity. Find me @pablofromseed, email pkozatch@gmail.com or call 631-​ 903-​4365.

Arts ATHENS CREATIVE DIRECTORY (Athens, GA) The ACD is a free platform to connect creatives with patrons. www.athenscreatives. directory BEGINNING FIGURE DRAWING (OCAF) All-​day workshop Jan. 16,

2027 for artists of all levels to learn nude figure drawing. Experienced UGA instructor and female professional art model teach small class. Registration is $99 with additional $15 model fee. www.drawathens.org CALL FOR ART (Donderos’) Seeking new artists to exhibit works. contact​ @donderoskitchen.com CALL FOR ART (Oconee County Library) Seeking local artists to share their artwork in monthly exhibitions. watkinsville@athens​ library.org CALL FOR ART (Winterville Library) Apply to be a featured local artist in the Front Room Gallery. The library accepts all 2D mediums. swatson​ @​​athenslibrary.org CALL FOR ARTISTS (ATHICA) Seeking submissions for the 6x6 Challenge fundraiser. Artists should create artwork from a 6x6” canvas for donation in exchange for free attendance to event and chance to win prizes. Submission is free. Drop off deadline is Dec. 2. Fundraising event held Dec. 6, 6–9 p.m. www. instagram.com/ath_ica CALL FOR ARTISTS (MAGallery) Now accepting artist applications. MAGallery is a nonprofit cooperative gallery. Gallery Artists work one day a month and participate on a committee. www.themadisonartists​ guild.org/call-​for-​artists CALL FOR ARTISTS (Online) JOKER​ JOKERtv is accepting proposals

from artists and curators living in Athens. Artists worldwide can submit ideas. www.jokerjokertv. com/submit CALL FOR ARTISTS (ATHICA) Seeking artist submissions for the SOMA exhibition. $10 for up to three submissions. Deadline Nov. 20. Show runs Dec. 12 through Jan. 10, 2027. www.instagram. com/ath_ica 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 STORYTELLERS (Rabbit Box) Rabbit Box seeks story ideas for upcoming shows. www.rabbit​ box.org/tell CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (Athens Homeless Coalition) Seeking submissions for street newspaper. Poetry, short stories, visual art, song lyrics. enagementcoordinator​ @athenshc.org COMMUNITY TOURS (Georgia Museum of Art) A variety of tours open to the public including “Student Perspectives” which runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout the month. www.georgia​ museum.org HOLIDAY MARKET (MAGallery, Madison) Browse the works of local artists at the 8th Annual Holiday Market. Monday–Saturday, 11

ADOPT ME!

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

Loyalty (61907200)

It took a while for Loyalty to come out of her shell at the shelter, but now that she’s more comfortable, it’s clear what a great pup she is. She’s hoping to find someone to share her love with!

Frogger (61084050)

Meet Frogger! This adorable seven-month-old boy lives at Entangled Cat Cafe at the moment, but he’d love to find his furever home. You can adopt or foster little Frogger today!

Bolt (61898195)

Bolt is dressed up in his best fall attire! This cutie loves to hang around while enjoying some pets and treats, but he also enjoys going for walks and gets very excited to meet fellow dogs.

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

20

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

a.m.–5 p.m. through Dec. 31. www. themadisonartistsguild.org 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.

Auditions ATHENS CRUSH DANCE TEAM (Dancefx Dance Studio) The new Indoor Football League franchise has announced auditions for the team’s inaugural Athens Crush Dance Team. Performances at eight games March–July 2027. Auditions held Nov. 14, 1–4 p.m. $35 with pre-​registration, $50 for same-​day registration. www.athenscrush.com/ dance-​team CRIMES OF THE HEART (ACT Theatre) Seeking cast members for dark comedy about the lives of a trio of Southern sisters. Auditions held Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2027. Times TBA. www.instagram.com/myartscenter

OPEN AUDITIONS (Athens Master Chorale) Seeking new members in all voice parts including high sopranos, tenors and basses. Scheduled auditions held at St. Gregory the Great Church. athmcdirector@ gmail.com OPEN AUDITIONS (Athens Symphony) The Athens Symphony is holding auditions for qualified musicians. www.athenssymphony. org/openings

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 Conversation Circle (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) and more. www. athenslibrary.org/bogart CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Canopy Studio) Canopy offers a variety of

trapeze and aerial arts classes for children and adults. Scholarships and financial aid are available. outreach@canopystudio.org, www.canopystudio.org/outreach/ scholarships CLASSES & PROGRAMS (DanceFx Dance Studio) DanceFx offers a variety of dance classes for all skill levels. Work for class, scholarships and other financial aid programs are available. www.dancefx.org/ athens-​tuition CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Oconee Library) Various ongoing weekly events including Drop-​In Painting (2nd & 4th Tuesdays), Writers of Oconee (2nd & 4th Mondays), Bingo (2nd Wednesdays), Open Chess Play (Saturdays), Mixed Media Meetup (Mondays) and more. www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Winterville Cultural Center, Winterville) Flow Yoga & Pilates (Monday), Yoga in the Gallery (Wednesdays), Chair Yoga & Creative Cafe (Thursdays) and more. www.winterville​ center.com CLASSES, PROGRAMS & TOURS (State Botanical Garden of Georgia) Various ongoing weekly events including Guided Plant Walk (Tuesdays–Fridays), Porcelain and Decorative Arts Tour (Tuesdays & 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. Drop-​in $10 for first four classes only. Class passes available. www.timb​ athens.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 DANCE CLASSES (East Athens Educational Dance Center) The center offers classes in ballet, hip hop,

jazz, modern and more for all ages and skills. www.accgov.com/myrec FREE SCHOOL CLASSES (Various Locations) Learning network for community centered around compassion, autonomy and playfulness. Visit @athensfreeschool on Instagram. IMPROV CLASSES (Grady College) Free improv classes every Wednesday in Room 509. 5:30 p.m. More information @ImprovAthens OPEN ICE SKATING (Akins Ford Arena) Athens GA Figure Skating Club offers open ice skating for all skill levels every Monday through Thursday, 4–5 p.m. $10 students, $15 general admission. RSVP required. Athensgafigureskating@ gmail.com

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 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.acc​ gov.com/couchcrashers DIAPER DONATIONS (Athens Area Diaper Bank) Diaper donations needed for local infants. All sizes and open packs/boxes are accepted. www.athensareadiaper​ bank.com 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. momsadoptingmoms@ gmail.com SEEKING DONATIONS (The Cottage) Seeking donations of single-​serving, non-​perishable snacks to help children and adults navigating interviews, therapy sessions and court hearings. To arrange a drop-​off please call 706-​546-​1133, ext 223. SEEKING DONATIONS (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. www.accgov.com/animal​ services SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Hardigree Wildlife Sanctuary, Watkinsville) Volunteers needed for a variety of positions including outdoor maintenance, program support, and conservation efforts. www.hardigreewildlifesanctuary.org/volunteer SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Lydia’s Place, Watkinsville) Mentors, advocates and volunteers needed for a program that provides basic care for young adults who have experienced foster care or housing insecurity. Also seeking donations of clothing and household goods. www.lydiasplace.com/volunteer SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Marigold Collective, Winterville) Volunteers needed for community food distribution events including weekly food kitchen, meal deliveries and more. Also accepting donations of canned and dry goods. wwwmarigold​ collective​winterville.com SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Various Locations) Visit www.flagpole. com/bulletinboard for ongoing opportunities with nonprofits and community organizations. SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (Shoal Creek Sanctuary) Volunteers needed for variety of events including invasive plant removal, plant adoptions and more. Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 4:15–6:15 p.m and first Sundays, 1–3:30 p.m. www. shoalcreeksanctuary.org/volunteer SEEKING VOLUNTEERS (The Center at ACCA) Seeking volunteers for the Give Thanks 8K & Kids Fun Run. Event held Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. www.accaging.org 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. accgov.com/myrec

CLASSES & PROGRAMS (ACC Library) Various ongoing weekly events including various storytimes, LEGO Club, Tween/Teen Club Creative, Teen Writing Club and more. www.athenslibrary.org CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Bogart Library) Various ongoing weekly events including LEGO Mania, Storytime with Miss Harli, Sensory Open Play and more. www.athens​ library.org/bogart CLASSES & PROGRAMS (Oconee Library) Various ongoing weekly events including Children’s Lego Builder’s Challenge, Children’s Crafternoon, Story Time and much more. www.athenslibrary.org/ oconee

Word on the Street BOOK SALE (Front Porch Bookstore) $10 bag sale every Saturday benefiting the Winterville Friends of the Library. Cash, check or Venmo only. www.cityofwinterville.com/ front-​porch-​bookstore 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 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 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

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flag football

food & drink

good growing

Georgia Trashes Ole Miss

Marigold Fiber Festival

By McClain Baxley news@flagpole.com

By Erin France editorial@flagpole.com

THE BULLDOGS ARE NOW NO. 1 IN THE COUNTRY

Midway through the second quarter, the Ole Miss student section was fed up. Maybe it was the fact that their state had elected a Black Democrat to the Senate. Or maybe they were unhappy that the weather turned cold in Mississippi before they got all of the use out of their $100 Peter Millar polos. The most likely reason the fans in Vaught-​Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, MS resorted to throwing trash on their own field was that the Georgia Bulldogs were, to put it kindly, kicking their ass. Another top 10 matchup for the Bulldogs, another fairly comfortable win for Georgia, 42-​7. Georgia

offensive yards, two touchdowns, just 146 yards allowed, a forced fumble and a touchdown with most of the stadium already emptied out to go do whatever one does in Mississippi on a Saturday night when your favorite football team just got blown out on national television. (Editor’s note: Get drunk on the Square.) From the start, the offense was consistent and made scoring in a hostile environment look easy. Quarterback Gunner Stockton made play after play as he finished with four passing touchdowns, three of them to sophomore Talyn Taylor.

UGA ATHLETICS

Talyn Taylor celebrates a touchdown.

is now 8-​1 on the 2026 season and No. 1 in the country again. Watching the game reminded me of Georgia’s 2022 win against Tennessee: Both teams entered ranked highly, the game was highly anticipated nationally, and Georgia scored early and made it not fun to watch for the rest of the night. Whenever it looked like Ole Miss might have some momentum, a Georgia defender killed it or the offense would score again. I can’t imagine the No. 2 vs No. 10 matchup between two programs that delivered two high scoring classics a year ago was an enjoyable watch for anyone not wearing red and black. Kirby Smart’s team, like they did a week ago against Florida, just buries teams early and makes it nearly impossible to dig out. Georgia is now 84-​0 when they have a 20-​point lead under Smart, a stat that when it popped up on ESPN’s screen likely resulted in a channel flip from much of the country. “The score has no bearing on what we do,” Smart said. “We’re trying to physically stomp people out, and that score has nothing to do with that. Now, I can’t say that we have done that consistently because at halftime, I talked about games we’ve had leads on, and we came out and didn’t play real well. I was a little disappointed. There was a little lull in there that we didn’t, you know, we didn’t play real well, and it got sloppy, but they fought through it.” The sloppiness in the second half? 183

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Getting off to a fast start was key for the Bulldogs, who lost to Ole Miss last season in the Sugar Bowl. They were dominant in stopping Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who Smart has called one of the best quarterbacks he’s had to prepare for. The sixth-​year senior and former Heisman favorite was 18-​for-​34 for 170 yards and an interception. He also lost 12 yards in the run game while fumbling the ball in the second half. “It’s frustrating not being able to execute, and the plays we had drawn up and schemed up for them didn’t work as well as we thought,” Chambliss said. “We expected a lot of the looks we got tonight, some of them come a little differently based on how they disguise them. They’re coached very well with Kirby Smart and [defensive coordinator Glenn] Schumann over there on the defensive side of the ball.” Saturday night was the clearest indicator that Georgia is ready for another national championship win. While they played a near perfect game, Ohio State, BYU and LSU all took themselves out of playoff contention, and Miami lost its first game of the season as Notre Dame controlled most of that game. The Bulldogs are legit, and have just three regular season games left before a likely rematch with the Alabama Crimson Tide in Atlanta. There will be less trash thrown on the field that game, regardless of the outcome. f

F L A GP OL E .C OM · NO V E MB E R 11, 2026

SUSTAINING THE ART OF FIBER MAKING AND CREATING

Ready to feel cozy this fall? Find inspiration fiber animals on display. If you can’t make for your fall fiber crafts at Winterville’s first it this Saturday, you can still get a taste of Marigold Fiber Festival. the local fiber community through the art The festival, Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 exhibit on display at the Winterville Cula.m.–5 p.m. at the Winterville Cultural tural Center through November. Center, will feature workshops, demonWhether you’re a fiber fanatic, looking strations, vendors and videos all about the for community, or someone just interested agriculture and art of fiber making and in learning more about what goes into creation. making thread and cloth, I’d encourage you “We’re starting something that’s pretty to go take a peak. Athens has lost a lot in unique,” said Joanne Maki, owner of Georterms of the fiber and fabric community gia Rustic Wool and one of the festival’s during the last few years. As a quilter and board members. She has a herd of Gulf amateur seamstress myself, the shutdowns Coast native sheep in Colbert, and wool of Athens’ Hancock’s and then Joann’s from her farm will be available for purchase. stores made buying fabric much harder. Maki is the past president of the Georgia I, and many others, also were sad at the Sheep and Wool Growers Association. She closing of local yarn store Revival Yarns last hopes the event will help spread knowledge year. It served as a regular meeting spot for about clothing made from natural fibers, fabric aficionados and beginners alike. I had giving people an option other than the only just started my second pair of knitted pervasive petroleum-​based products, and socks—made with yarn from its store— that it will help teach folks about local fiber when it closed. agriculture. There’s a wide array of people in the Athens area who raise animals or harvest plants for fiber, or know how to card, spin, quilt, crochet, knit and weave. This festival is a way to invite these people— and interested beginners—to gather and learn in the same place at the same time, said Sarah Hovater, president of the Marigold Fiber Fest’s nonprofit board. “We all kind of run in these circles of these amazing people, and there’s so much institutional knowledge that we don’t want to lose collecParticipating vendor Knit Antics tively,” said Hovater. The idea for a fiber arts festival has been kicking around for Keeping a space open for learning about a while, she said. Hovater is a shepherdfabric and fiber is a big part of what the ess and owner of 40 Thistle Farm, as well festival aims to do, Hovater said. Even the as the executive director of the Marigold board members are eyeing classes they’d Collective. She’d heard about past “sheep like to attend. Maki would love to check out to shawl” local events, and attended an the peg looming, specifically because she Athens-​area homesteading group whose wants to learn how to make rugs. Hovater ranks included other small fiber producers. might not have time to check out the wool She and several other fiber-​minded folks dyeing class this year, she said, but hopes to decided to take the leap and organize the attend in future years after this inaugural first festival this year. event and see the festival expand. People will need to register for work“We don’t want to see [the knowledge] shops ahead of time at marigold-​fiber-​fest. die,” Hovater said. “We just want to consquare.site. Topics include using kitchen tinue to make a pathway for the next generingredients to dye yarn, needle felting, ation to stay connected.” f dyeing silk scarves, how to use a drop spindle, beaded knitting and iris leaf basket weaving. A class on beginning tapestry has WHAT: Marigold Fiber Festival already sold out. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For folks who don’t want to jump into WHERE: Winterville Cultural Center hands-​on learning, there will be demonHOW MUCH: Workshop prices vary strations offered, as well as vendors selling their wares, a children’s area and some

BUNNY HARPER

arts & culture

SUDOKU

LET DANIEL PEIKEN HELP!

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

7 4

PRONOUNCED I CAN HELP

9 5

Selling Athens and the surrounding areas for over 25 years

8 9 9 2

5

1 7

7 1

9

7 3 5 1 6

UGA Graduate / 706-296-2941

Voted one of Athens Favorite Realtors 2014-16, 2018

4 8 7

5 6

3

RE PRDU IC CE E D

6

156 LAKE OGLETHORPE DR. 3/2.5 BATH / 2 ACRES LAKE ACCESS $689,000

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8.67 ACRES ON THE HUDSON RIVER WITH BOAT LAUNCH $200,000

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

4

Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Week of 11/9/26 - 11/15/26

The Weekly Crossword 1

2

3

4

5

7

8

9

10

15

14

12

13

30

31

32

53

54

19

Solution to Sudoku:

22

21

2 6 231 7 3 9 5 4 824 25 5 263 7 4 272 8 628 129 9 33 8 9 4 346 5 1 2 7 3 36 9 2 3 5 1 6 437 8 7 6 1 8 2 4 7 40 9 3 5 39 7 4 5 8 439 3 1 2 6 42 1 8 9 453 6 4 7 5 2 4 497 502 9 8 5 3 651 152 48 3 5 6 1 7 2 856 9 4 55

35 38 41 44 46

47

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

ACROSS 1 Leveling device 5 Touches down 10 Soak up the sun 14 Top-notch 15 Type of acid 16 NY canal 17 ___ Hari 18 All the words you know 20 Do some cardio, e.g. 22 Certain payoffs 23 Puppeteer pioneer Tony 24 Shopper's aid 25 To the rear 27 Tendency 33 Like summer heat, maybe 35 ROFL relative 36 Some wedding guests 37 NYC to RI direction 38 Pragmatic believer 39 Rating unit 40 Not real-world 42 "The Queen" Oscar winner

11

16

18

17 20

6

by Margie E. Burke

WE‘RE THANKFUL FOR YOU

Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate

44 Combustion residue 45 Back-to-school mo. 46 Widespread 48 Back-talker 51 Sports no-no's 55 Unintentional 57 Farm young 58 Tandoori bread 59 Pasta topper 60 Prefix with China 61 Bumper blemish 62 Church council 63 Rush order? DOWN 1 "Likewise" 2 Bigfoot photo, e.g. 3 Type of flu 4 Ben Stiller's mom Anne 5 "Girlfriend" singer Avril 6 "Famous" cookie maker 7 Congenial 8 Genetic letters 9 In tears 10 Puts down

11 Kuwaiti, e.g. 12 Paddock papa 13 Things on rings 19 Celestial bear 21 Raters, briefly 24 Kind of equation 25 Put to shame 26 Marching band instrument 28 Charging need 29 Eyelid cosmetic 30 Knockoffs 31 Welcome desert sight 32 Gunslinger's mark 34 Freaking out 38 Iraqi money 40 Dazzle 41 Brought down 43 Urgent want 47 Actress Vergara 48 Ocean liner? 49 Berry in some smoothies 50 Read a bar code 51 Flabbergast 52 Mexican fare 53 Bit of baby talk 54 Sow chow 56 Vote of dissent

Use Code

GRATEFUL GRATEFUL fo % Off O Be e e r 15 ur st

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ShopStarship.com

4100 Lexington Road

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

NO V E MB E R 11, 2026 · F L A GP OL E .C OM

23

ARTS

FRANKLIN FINE AND PERFORMING

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS 2026

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY CONCERT “THROUGHLINE” NOVEMBER 11 - 13 at 7:30 p.m.

UGA Dance Theatre | 263 W. Green Street, Athen GA Featuring original works choreographed and produced by students, with faculty and staff providing guidance and mentorship, highlighting a variety of music genres and styles of dance. $15 - Adults | $7 - UGA Students | $7 - Seniors Scan QR code | dance.uga.edu | 706-542-4400

FALL MUSICAL “GUYS & DOLLS” NOV. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. | NOV. 15 at 2 p.m.

UGA Fine Arts Theatre | 255 Baldwin St, Athens GA Guys and Dolls is a dazzling celebration of Broadway at its most iconic — a bold, joyful musical spectacle filled with high-stakes gamblers, glamorous nightlife, and unforgettable romance. $20 - Adults | $7 - UGA Students Scan QR code | ugatheatre.com | 706-542-4400

UGA ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT NOVEMBER 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. Charles and Lynne Knapp Performing Arts Center | 230 River Road, Athens, GA This Athens tradition is the best way to start the holiday season! Before tuning into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, join us for a cornucopia of seasonal joy through music presented by a wide variety of our student and faculty ensembles. $25 - Adults | $10 - UGA Students Scan QR code | music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400

BFA FALL 2026 CAPSTONE EXHIBITION OPERNING RECEPTION NOVEMBER 20 from 5-7 p.m.

The Lamar Dodd School of Art proudly presents the BFA Fall 2026 Capstone Exhibition. The opening reception will be held Friday, November 20, from 5 to 7 pm in the Dodd Galleries of the school’s Main Art Building on East Campus. The exhibition will be on view through December 4th. Lamar Dodd School of Art | 270 River Road, Athens, GA

Embrace the arts. ENRICH YOUR WORLD.