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Nove m be r 2017
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STUFF TO READ 4
MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE
For National Homelessness & Hunger Awareness Month
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WHAT IS ROLLER DERBY? HOMELESSNESS & VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
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The HISTORIC LIBERTY THEATRE OFFERS ACCESS
REDEMPTION INSPIRED
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Music Spotlight
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Trevioli Italian Kitchen
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FICTION
Jontavious Willis
VOICES OF THE VALLEY the LocaL Cocktail Club
Letter S from the Editor
ome lessons stick with you. I remember one summer afternoon in the car with my father and brother. Maybe I was in the 7th grade. Columbus Park Crossing was still new, and I had convinced my father to take me to Barnes & Noble. I left with a few new books and that excitement I still get when I leave any bookstore with something fresh to read. I didn’t notice the three young men walking on the side of the road, but dad did. “You see those guys?” he said. “They’re soldiers from Ft. Benning.” I don’t remember how my brother and I reacted, but I doubt we cared very much. “Obviously I can’t do this today, I have you boys with me,” dad said, “but often times I stop and offer them a ride.” “Why?” I said. “In a lot of ways, they’re still kids. LocaL
They remind me of myself at that age. Eighteen and just out of high school, expected to step up and fight and maybe die.” “Why would they die,” my brother asked. “I hope they don’t, but it’s young men like them who go overseas and fight and risk their lives so that we can spend days going to bookstores.” My father enlisted in the Air Force, twice. His father was wounded on five separate occasions between landing in Normandy and liberating a concentration camp in Germany. My grandmother’s oldest brother was killed in a tank in France. My mother’s father served in the Army, in Germany, after the war. When you’re from Columbus, you’re likely to have a similar family history. Chances are, you know more than a few who currently serve in the Armed Forces. And if you’re reading this, there is a good chance you have served or are currently serving. November is an eventful month. While we look forward to evenings with family around turkey dinners—I certainly do—we are right to also take time to thank members of our Armed Forces, past and present. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. In our calendars this month, you will find many Veterans Day events, and I encourage you to not only attend but also invite friends and family. By reaching out to those around us and inviting them to honor and celebrate the service of our Armed Forces, we reiterate our communal commitment to this nation’s founding principles and continued support of those who, at home and abroad, protect those principles. Also this month is National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week, about which we devote an article on page 4. We are only a community if we work together, and there are important ways that we can all do our part to help those experiencing homelessness. This Thanksgiving, as I look around my family’s table, I will have the luxury of thanking veterans who live comfortable lives surrounded by loved ones. Unfortunately, many veterans will not celebrate the holiday so happily insulated. The hard truth is that many of our nation’s Veterans experience homelessness. This is a serious problem, nationally and locally. I want to encourage all of our readers to commit some effort in two directions. I hope that we will all sound our voices in appreciation for those who serve. I hope that we all take some time out of our busy lives to do something, however small the act, to help ameliorate homelessness in our community. In so doing, I think we will find just how powerfully these two directions complete a circuit that encompasses all that is best in our collective spirit. November is a busy month. It is a month, I think, for family, and it is a month that I have always eagerly anticipated. Let us look forward to what’s good while also working to improve what we can improve, which, I believe, is a whole, whole lot. Thank you for reading, Tom Ingram Editor 3
706 250 7777 What We Are All About. The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues will feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.
publisher
Monica Jones
pu bl i s her @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m ads @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m
editor
Tom Ingram edi t o r @t hel o cal co l u mbu s . co m
layout & design Mat Cornett
CONTRIBUTORS AND CREDITS
Bobbi Yeo Matt Szabo Richard F. Edwards Shae Anderson Christian Ortiz Nove m be r 2017
taking up closet space, a school backpack no one uses, or unused storage bins? Dropping off these items at the Homeless Resource Network can make a big difference in the life of a person experiencing homelessness. In fact, if you take a few minutes to look around your home, you’re likely to find a number of under-used items that can improve another person’s life. Shoes, sneakers and workbooks are always needed, as are winter coats, hats and gloves. As cold weather approaches, donating these items will not only warm your heart but also keep someone else warm through the worst of the upcoming weather. You might not think of office and cleaning supplies when you think of things to donate, but Liz says they need these things, too. After all, organizations like the Homeless Resource Network have to keep an office to continue their good work. More than anything, Liz says, we can always volunteer our time, however much time we have to offer. We also spoke with Daphne Caldwell of the Home for Good, a program of the Chattahoochee Valley United way charged with implementing the city’s ten year plan to end homelessness. Daphne reiterated Liz’s ideas about donation and volunteering. Daphne also stresses the importance of advocacy. Just by talking with friends and family, neighbors and landlords, even local government, individual voices carry weight. For more information about homelessness in our community and ways to get involved, please check out the following organizations:
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-Robert Brault
We all want to make our community a better place. Sometimes, though, finding the time to be involved is the most difficult part of getting involved. Here, we will offer a few simple, impactful ideas for small acts that can make a big difference.
MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE for National Homelessness & Hunger Awareness Month F
ounded in 1975 at Villanova University, National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week (Nov. 11 through 19) offers communities across the country the chance to join together in both dialogue about and action to ameliorate homelessness and hunger. Liz Dillard, of the Homeless Resource Network (2221 Second Avenue, Columbus), spoke with us, to
United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley 1100 5th Avenue, Columbus unitedwayofthecv.org (706) 327-3255 Homeless Resource Network 2221 2nd Avenue, Columbus homelessresourcenetwork.org (706) 571-3399
help clear up some misconceptions about our local homeless population. “Most people experiencing homelessness didn’t think it would happen to them,” Liz says. Of the people her organization aids, some are without a GED, while others have Master’s degrees. Liz stresses that “homelessness is an experience, not all that a person is.” This is important to keep in mind. As Liz points out, there is no place in the 50 states where a person can afford housing on minimum wage, even working full time. The resultant economic insecurity keeps many people at risk of homelessness. The good news is that there are many things we can do, many of them which require only few minutes of effort. First, Liz says, is to partner with organizations already working with the homeless. For example, the Homeless Resource Network provides the invaluable service of offering people a place to store their things, and for this backpacks, suitcases and storage are always in high demand. Have some luggage LocaL
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PAWS HU M AN E They Are Individuals C
opper and Penny, drop-dead gorgeous, one-year old brother and sister bloodhounds, arrived at PAWS North on September 22. True Hurricane Irma dogs, they were picked up by animal control after being left chained in their owner’s yard as he evacuated. Thankfully, the owner signed surrender papers and they were available to be adopted, together, into a loving home. They are both as sweet as they can be and didn’t last long at the shelter. Staff favorite, three-year old Oliver, looks a little like an oversized Beagle. He is a product of the T.A.I.L.S. Program (Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills). This is a partnership between the Florida Department of Corrections/Baker Correctional Institutions and the Pit Sisters. It’s a nine-week program in which each dog is trained by a team of three inmates. Those inmates must know what they’re doing. Oliver knows sit, down, stay, high-five, and speak. He is well mannered but can be dog selective so a meetand-greet is a must. Oliver is a character and anyone would be very lucky to adopt this guy. Dillon, aka Silly Dilly, is a sweet, gentle boy with bright and intelligent eyes. He knows sit, takes treats gently and walks nicely on a lead. He seems happily interested in other dogs. He loves to play with stuffed toys, so be prepared to make this a line item in your monthly budget as he can be a bit hard on them. He is about 7 years old and this gentleman’s best years are ahead of him. Landry is a classic with one brown ear and one white. Under the brown ear is a blue eye and under the white ear is a brown eye. He knows sit and down and will walk nicely on a leash most of the time. He is a toy-aholic so we watch our fingers when we play with him. He is easily amused and will while away his summer afternoons chasing bees. He is best placed in a home without young children. Dave and I already have a full house or I would certainly bring any one of the beautiful animals home. If you’re looking for a dog in your life I highly recommend checking out PAWS Humane located at 4900 Milgen Road – right next to Cooper Creek Park.
WHAT IS ROLLER DERBY? We asked Liz Wise of the Muscogee Roller Girls
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here is a misconception about roller derby. Liz Wise, a skater with the Muscogee Roller Girls, admits that roller derby used to be more entertainment than sport. “Today [roller derby] is pure sport,” Liz says, “and these women are truly athletes, who train and practice year-round.” To skate for the Roller Girls takes work. Flat track roller derby is played on a flat, oval track by two teams, each of which fields five skaters, four blockers and a jammer, who wears a helmet cover with a star on it. Over two thirty-minute periods, play is broken into jams, which can last up to two minutes. During a jam, each jammer starts behind their pack of blockers. The aim is to lap opponents. For each opponent lapped, the jammer’s team earns a point. Lapping opponents isn’t easy. Jammers have to skate through a pack of blockers before they can lap those blockers. In a full-contact sport, making it completely around the track is a battle. Liz Wise compares roller derby’s roughness to rugby, and when you see them compete, you’ll agree. Despite derby’s toughness, Liz stresses that the sport is for everyone. She became involved six years ago, in Texas. “I had just turned 40,” Liz says. “I was bored with 5Ks and decided to try out for the Alamo City Rollergirls. I have been hooked ever since.” Liz is a business owner, and Roller Girls come from all walks of life. Currently, there are about 40 women in the league. There are stay-at-home moms and active-duty military. College professors and bartenders, hairdressers and medical professionals, the Roller Girls are open to all. The Roller Girls make it easy to get involved. Can’t skate? They’ll teach you. Have kids? They have childcare. Don’t feel like you’re in the kind of shape derby demands? They’ll get you into shape. Liz’s favorite objection to joining is when people say that they’re too old for the sport. As a key player at 47-years-old, Liz says, “we take all shapes and sizes, all experience levels.” “As long as you are over 18,” Liz says, “we have a place for you on our league.” This year has been big for the Muscogee Roller Girls. In June, they finished first at the 2017 Savannah Summer Slam Tournament. After they lost their venue three years ago, all of the Roller Girls’ games have been on the road. However, they are currently working on a deal for a new venue, so we expect home games next year. Of course, when that deal is finalized, you can read about it here. by T o m I n g r a m
Check out our website at www.pawshumane.org to see pictures of our available dogs. We may just have the dog of your dreams! Bobbi Yeo lives in Opelika, AL. She is the CEO of PAWS Humane in Columbus, GA, an animal shelter and veterinary clinic offering low-cost spay/neuter and other services to the public. Email her at byeo@pawshumane.org with your comments and story ideas.
Adoption Hours Mon-Fri•10am-6pm, Sat•10am-5pm, Sun•12pm-5pm 4900 Milgen Road Columbus, GA 31907 www.pawshumane.org office@pawshumane.org (706) 565-0035 Vet Clinic phone number (706) 987-8380 LocaL
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Victorian Christmas Open House at Port Columbus
It’s free family fun! Port Columbus offers this open house as a gift to the amazing community it serves. Refreshments are free, and there will be holiday entertainment and programming. Photos with Santa are available for purchase. Dec. 3, 12:30 - 5 p.m., National Civil War Naval Museum, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
HOMELESSNESS & VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
National Infantry Museum Veterans Day Mini Camp
Kids will enjoy crafts, activities and history lessons about our nation during this mini camp. Register soon as spaces are limited. Open to ages 5 to 11. $10 per camper. Call the Education depart at (706) 653-9234 ext. 5849 to register. Nov. 11, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus.
BY THE NUMBERS
Veterans Day at the National History Museum Join the National History Museum for a full day of commemorating those who have served to protect our freedoms. The Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission fee, however a $5 per person donation is requested. The Fife and Drum restaurant will be open. Giant Screen Theater documentaries will be shown through the afternoon, beginning at noon, at regular ticket prices. An 11 a.m. Paver Dedication Ceremony will include guest speaker Christopher Donahue, Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School. Nov. 11, National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus
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ot all the statistical information on homelessness will be flawless—the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty—useful, representative figures are widely available. If you happen along numbers that vary slightly from the ones presented here, this should be of no surprise. Whether a surprise or not, the broader picture of the pervasiveness of homelessness in America should strike all of us as a serious, and solvable, problem. We would also like to stress the overlap between those experiencing homelessness and veterans. The problem is local and national, and one that we can all work together to ameliorate.
Book Signing with Author COL (Ret) Ralph Puckett
Please join the National Infantry Museum on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 from noon to 3 p.m., for a book signing with author Ralph Puckett. He will sign copies of his latest book, “Ranger: A Soldier’s Life” in the NIM lobby. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Nov. 11, noon - 3 p.m., National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus
Smiths Station City Hall Art Galleries, Fall Exhibit
• On any given night, there are nearly 130,000 people experiencing chronic homelessness across the country • Approximately 6.8 million people live “double-up,” meaning that they live with friends, family or other non relatives for economic reasons. • The “doubled-up” population increased by more than 50% between 2005 and 2010 • On any given night, there are nearly 650,000 people experiencing homelessness • Of those experiencing homelessness, 25% suffer from mental illness and 13% are fleeing domestic violence • 12% of those experiencing homelessness are veterans • Veterans experiencing homelessness are on average younger than the total veteran population • One third of veterans experiencing homelessness were stationed in a war zone • On any given night, nearly 40,000 veterans experience homelessness, 12,700 of whom are veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn
Visit Smiths Station City Hall this season for new fine art installations, featuring area fine arts professionals and art students. Artisans Gallery featured artist is Michele West; Art Students Gallery featured artist is Cayssia David. Show runs through Nov. 14 Through Sep 19 – Nov 14, The Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art, 2750 Lee Road, Smiths Station, Al. Coffee & Coloring Club Looking for a relaxing activity to de-stress and create beautiful artwork at the same time? North’s Coffee & Coloring Club is just the thing. All supplies will be provided. Nov. 14, 4 p.m., North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus Fall Into Art Fall Into Art at The Green at Old Town, where you can explore fine art by nearly two dozen artists and artisans. Event is open to the public. Nov. 16, 5 - 8 p.m., 8272 Dream Boat Drive, Columbus Meet a Vet & Third Sunday Tours with the National Infantry Museum Enjoy docent-led tours through key galleries for only $6 per person and meet a veteran. This Saturday’s focus is Introduction to the Infantry. This is a great opportunity to interact and hear firsthand accounts from the soldiers who were there. Enjoy weapons displays, memorabilia and oral history. Nov. 18, 9 a.m. - noon, National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus LocaL
By partnering with existing networks which serve people experiencing homelessness, whether veterans or not, we can make significant improvements in the lives of millions of people. For more information or to Learn how you can help contact: STILL SERVING VETERANS 1206 Broad St., Suite 102 • Phenix City, AL. stillservingveterans.org • (334) 384-91111 6
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city violence, where a police officer’s mother has spoiled her son to keep him out of the fray. For more information and tickets, visit mommasboytheplay.com. Nov. 5, 3 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Sneak Peek Screening
Don’t skip this chance to get a sneak peek at two documentaries that will be featured in the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. The screening will open with “100,000 Beating Hearts,” which tells the story of White Oak Pasture’s evolution from industrial agriculture to sustainable, humane food production, with White Oak’s very own Will Harris as a special guest. The feature film will be “Can You Dig This?” the inspirational journey of four ‘Gangster Gardeners’ in Compton, South Los Angeles who discover what happens when they put their hands in the soil. Tickets are $20 per person and can be obtained by emailing pswift@treescolumbus.org. Nov. 9, 6 - 8 p.m., The Gallery at 1232 Broadway, Columbus
No Shame Theatre
At 10:30 every Friday night, the Springer plays host to No Shame Theatre. No Shame Theatre is an uncensored evening of original performance that allows anyone to explore their creative potential. Signup begins at 10 p.m., and the first 15 to sign up get a five-minute time slot to perform their original material. Admission is $5, including for performers. Every Friday, Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus, (706) 324-5714
Museum Shop Open House
Join The Columbus Museum for great deals on jewelry, kids toys and more at their annual open house. Nov. 9, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., The Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus
"Voices & Visions:" Community Conversation with the Arts - Quilting and Fiber Arts
Featuring: Dawn Williams Boyd, Renee Allen, and Linda Camp. “Voices & Visions” will create a conversation with our community and a panel of arts professionals. This session will feature two artists from “And Still We Rise” and a local quilt maker and historian. During this program, we will explore each panelists’ personal histories with quilts and fiber arts, as well as the stories their works tell and the processes behind them. November 9, 2017 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
"And Still We Rise" Members’ Bus Trip
Join us in discovering the textile art of And Still We Rise through a home studio visit of Atlanta-based fiber artist Dawn Williams Boyd. Dawn will speak about the inspiration for her work, as well as her process. We will also explore the history of the Civil Rights movement through a visit of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Sites. November 11, 2017 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
ELF: The Musical
ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. Buddy is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Don’t miss out on the dinner and a show option. Make reservations by calling the RiverCenter box office at (706) 2563612. Nov. 11, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Listen & Laugh Tour
Undisputed Queen of Comedy, Sommore, and renowned radio personality, Michael Baisden, will set the tone as your center stage MCs for this exclusive entertainment extravaganza. Fellow comedians Earthquake and George Willborn team up with the hosts for this collaborative debut. For tickets, visit rivercenter. org. Nov 3, 7 - 10 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
Priest Tyaire Presents Momma’s Boy Stage Play
Please join Indivisible Columbus at the Columbus Public Library for An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. A decade after an Inconvenient Truth brought climate change into the heart of popular culture comes the riveting and rousing follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy evolution. Nov. 13, 7 - 9 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
What happens when a mother holds on to her son too long? That’s what we’ll find out when this all-star cast unites to tell the story of a young man who takes pride in being macho but is really a momma’s boy. Set against the backdrop of inner LocaL
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Earth’s Dinosaur Zoo
Meet awesome prehistoric creatures, from cute baby dinosaurs to some of the largest carnivores and herbivores that have ever walked the earth. Erth’s dinosaurs are unmistakably ‘alive’ and most friendly in this fun, educational and unique performance that will delight all audiences ages 5 and up. Nov. 14, 7 - 9 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
Disney’s Newsies
Fresh from Broadway, this exhilarating song and dance session from Disney tells the captivating story of the 1899 New York newspaper boy strike. Dec. 1 through 23, Springer Opera House, 103 10th Street, Columbus
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is back! Exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, sensationally sexy dancing, and seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny. Dec. 2, 3 & 8 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
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IN A FI R ST- R ATE F IEL D The HISTORIC LIBERTY THEATRE O FFE R S A CC ES S
Most recently, the CCVB’s ad agency conducted a major overhaul to the community calendar to make it easier for locals and tourists alike to find out about art and cultural events in the city. Stephanie Payne, executive director of Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus, led the efforts to improve the calendar. The end result is outstanding, and it’s completely free to list events on the calendar. The Cultural Alliance and its current chairman, Cameron Beam, not only encourage collaboration and thoughtful programming, but also help to facilitate that by providing program grants to participating organizations who meet the requirements; this annual grant opportunity is funded by the local hotel/motel tax. A key requirement for funding is that programs are advertised aggressively both locally and to cities within a 100 mile radius of Columbus. Paul Pierce, artistic director at The Springer Opera House, is the immediate past Chairman of the Cultural Arts Alliance. One of the stages that is still evolving and working to find its footing again is The Historic Liberty Theatre. It’s no secret that the Liberty has struggled for many, many years to keep the doors open. A struggle many non-profit performing arts organizations across the country experience. Sadly, many have succumbed to the shift in the economy and the decrease in arts funding over the years. The Liberty, however, has managed to keep going in spite of limited operating funds and major facilities challenges. The Liberty’s presence in the community has grown tremendously and progress is being made on many other fronts. However, while the challenges are always looming, they aren’t the “thing.” What’s fabulous about The Liberty Theatre & Cultural Center, Inc. is that it is the epitome of community theatre. It represents everything good and positive about community theatre. The Liberty Theatre is the venue that propels actors and other theatre professionals into greatness. It’s a training ground that gives them not just freedom to hone their craft, but access. What is it that makes the Liberty unique? It’s that one word – access. Directors of the Liberty’s productions have total access to the facility whenever they need it to meet, plan, rehearse, practice and bring visions to life. Veteran playwright/director Mr. E.L. Stiles has directed such shows as Pearl Cleage’s Flying West, The Wiz, Shay Youngblood’s Amen Corner, Dearly Departed, and many others. The knowledge and expertise he brings to the theatre is unmatched; interestingly, he is an outstanding high school math teacher by day and serves as the school’s drama coach. Another super talented veteran actor/singer/director and Liberty anchor, Sheila Green- Williams spent December of 2016 on a 16 city tour with Joe Phillip’s show The Ebenezer Experience that closed to rave reviews. Sheila can be found singing locally at events and venues throughout the city. Much younger directors, actors and musicians are also
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f you’re from Columbus, or if you’ve been around the area for the last 20-25 years, then you’re familiar with the evolution of the city and its performing arts and entertainment scene. The city is home to quite a few performing arts venues: Springer Opera House, River Center for Performing Arts, Family Theatre, Historic Liberty Theatre, CSU’s Dept of Theatre, many schools with thriving arts programs, as well as Rainey McCullers—a brand new performing arts school. It’s a beautiful thing to see a city with such passion for the arts! What makes it even better is that each one has its own unique approach to the arts, making it possible for each to have a comfortable “space” in the city. Aside from being unique in what they do and how they do it, most of the city’s performing arts organizations meet once or twice per month through their membership in the Cultural Arts Alliance—a program under the umbrella of the Columbus Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CCVB; visitcolumbus.com) to share ideas and provide updates on upcoming programs and shows. There are two meetings each month. One brings r e p r e s e n t a t ive s together from each organization for a workshop or mini training and the opportunity to network and discuss upcoming events. The other meeting brings together the directors of these organizations to share good news, brainstorm and discuss challenges faced by the local arts community. CCVB President, Peter Bowden, and his team do a great job of supporting participating organizations and providing resources and guidance on getting the word out about their events and happenings. LocaL
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propelled to their “next level” at The Liberty as well. Ish Harris, a 20 something graduate of Albany State University’s Speech & Theatre program came to the Liberty not long after graduation and hit the ground running. Not only has he had lead roles in several shows, but has also worn other hats and served as Musical Director and/or Artistic Director for Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, Go Tell It on the Mountain (an adaption of Black Nativity), ShoNuff Broadway – an original musical production comprised of hits from Broadway shows such as Rent, The Wiz, Hamilton and Dreamgirls. He and his production company, BB Artistic Productions, which also includes local choreographer Christopher DeAngelo and
but always standing with open arms to welcome them home no matter how brief or how long their stay might be. While the budget is very limited and shows and programs often happen on a shoestring, directors and their teams have full creative control and the freedom to do what they do best. The Liberty also offers access for actors and aspiring actors. Actors of all ages and skill levels are cast in shows, and most shows also cast children, too. Every stage in Columbus has a niche, serves a special purpose, and prides itself on catering to the community at large. Let’s figure out how to preserve all of them and help them continue to thrive. One thing is for sure, The Liberty Theatre will continue to push towards self-sufficiency and work to overcome hurdles, but it will also keep providing access. It will keep being the venue that gives theatre professionals and actors chances they might not get anywhere else until after they’ve graced the stage at the Historic Liberty Theatre. by Shae Anderson
ASU Assistant Professor of Theatre TaVaris Wilson (both ASU graduates), recently produced the Liberty’s first semi-scripted comedy improv show, Laughs & Libations. The access the Liberty has provided for these and many others has helped them to continue to develop their gifts and talents. Most recently, all of the members of BB Artistic Productions landed roles in the Springer’s production of Dreamgirls with Ish Harris landing a leading role as the one and only Curtis Taylor, Jr. Ish Harris also landed roles in the Springer’s productions of Sister Act and Grease. Bryana LaChae, a talented young woman who has also had lead roles in many Liberty shows, and is the niece of long-time Liberty Executive Director and trailblazer Gayle Daniels, also secured a role in Dreamgirls as Lorell Robinson. Bryana comes from an amazingly talented musical family responsible for some of the Liberty’s most memorable shows over the years. To see her spread her wings and land such a powerful role is a true testament to the work being done on small, community stages. The Liberty is much like a proud parent; happy to see it’s beloved actors and directors do new and bigger things, LocaL
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Pangea / Portals
Join The Estate, Columbus’s only DIY venue whose doors are open to one and all, for this all-ages show. $7 at the door. Door at 7 p.m., show at 8. Nov. 16, 7 p.m., The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus
Celebration of Life and Remembrance of Tom Petty, featuring The Breakdowns
Alabama Avenue at Soho
Playing southern rock, classic country and party song favorites, Alabama Avenue brings their soulful southern review show to Soho Bar & Grill, a classic venue in its own right. Come for the music, stay for pool, darts, sing-along and dancing. $5 cover. 10:30 p.m. - 1:45 a.m., Nov. 3, Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus
Nearly Normal String Band
Join musicians Vivia and Neil Araki for a lively performance around the campfire and under a full moon. Listen and sing along to classic bluegrass, Appalachian, Celtic and folk music. Some cement seating available, but it’s a smart move to bring chairs, flashlight and a good marshmallow stick. Event will be held at the Stone Amphitheater next to the Park Office. The event is free, though a $5 parking fee is required. 7 - 8 p.m., Nov. 4, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain, GA
Please join The Loft for an evening to remember and pay tribute to one of the most iconic musicians and songwriters in modern American music. The Breakdowns, a Tom Petty tribute band, will perform music from Mudcrutch, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Traveling Wilburys. Nov. 18, 8 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus
Jontavius Willis
Every generation or so a young bluesman bursts onto the scene, someone who sends a jolt through blues lovers. Someone who has mastered their craft and has the blues deep down in his heart and soul. At age 21, Jontavius Willis might be the one. Don’t miss this rare solo show with a Q&A to follow. Nov. 19, 5:40 - 7:30 p.m., Pure Life Studios, 206 Clark Street, LaGrange, Ga.
Record Store Black Friday
Visit River City Records, Columbus’s destination for all things vinyl, for special sales. Nov. 24, 10 a.m., River City Records, 6600 Flat Rock Road, Midland, Ga. Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
A Celebration of America’s Veterans
Join the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in a Pops concert honoring the contributions and sacrifices America’s military men and women have made to ensure the country’s safety and guarantee our freedom. The program will include popular and patriotic music from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Nov. 9, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Bill Heard Theatre, River Center for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus
The High Divers at Soho
Join indie rock / Americana group The High Divers as they bring their Charleston, South Carolina-based sound to Soho Bar & Grill. Nov. 9, 8 - 11 p.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus
Bermuda / Denihilist / Machinist at The Estate
Join The Estate, Columbus’s only DIY venue whose doors are open to one and all, for this all-ages show. $12 at the door. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8. Nov. 10, 7 p.m., The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus
Erath Old Band at Soho
Alabama-born and now out of Nashville, Erath Old brings his band to Soho Bar & Grill. Nov. 11, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus
Pacifico Everest Tour at Soho
Join the 2017 Everest National Tour, sponsored by PreSonus Audio. To preorder your digital copy or vinyl of Everest, go to Pacificorock.com. Nov. 15, 6 - 11 p.m., Soho Bar & Grill, 5751 Milgen Road, Columbus LocaL
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Columbus Hockey Association: Try Hockey for Free
This event is designed to provide kids, between ages four and nine, a completely free opportunity to try youth hockey. A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow. Our top coaches will be on the ice to assist your child in learning the basics. Your son or daughter does not need any previous skating or hockey experience. Registration information available at tryhockeyforfree.com. Nov. 11, 9 - 10:30 a.m., Columbus Ice Rink, 400 4th Street, Columbus
Activism and Lobbying Class
Guest speakers Dean Sines, Kelley Hammock and Kim Smith are part of two hour-long classes, both open to the public, in which you can learn how to lobby and advocate for marijuana decriminalization and legalization. Refreshments will be served. Hosted by Peachtree NORML of Columbus, Ga. 3 - 5 p.m., Nov. 4, Mildred L. Terry Public Library, 640 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Plug Uglies Party & Open House
The Plug Uglies Wrecking Crew is a punk rock and music social club in Columbus, Ga. This event is an open invitation to anyone who is unsure about what the club is and wants to learn more, or is interested in joining the club and wants to know the next steps. Know about the club, don’t want to join, and still want to party? Come on get rowdy! Nov. 12, 5 p.m. midnight, The Estate, 1231 Midway Drive, Columbus
Word UP Weekly Open Mic
Join CIRCA Craft Cocktails for this weekly open mic event. Whether you have poetry, music or comedy to share, or if you want to enjoy the creative work of others, this chic space is the perfect place to spend a Wednesday evening. Sign-up starts at 7:45 p.m.8 - 10 p.m., Nov. 8, 15, 22 & 29, CIRCA Craft Cocktails, 900 Front Avenue, Columbus
Bicycle Night at Fantasy in Lights
Pedal your way through Fantasy In Lights and experience this light and sound show spectacular by two wheels. This is a family friendly event. All bikes must have a light, and it’s festive to decorate. Young families encouraged to go earlier rather than later. For tickets, call 1-800-898-4868. Nov. 12, 6 - 9 p.m., Callaway Gardens, 4500 South Pine Mountain Drive, Pine Mountain, Ga.
Holiday Hope - Grief Workshop
Join Columbus Hospice of Georgia and Alabama for a free workshop. Topics include integrating grief and loss during the holidays, and reflections on grief, loss and healing. Refreshments provided. RSVP at (706) 569-7992. 3 - 4:30 p.m., Nov. 9, Columbus Hospice of Georgia and Alabama, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus
Open House, Public Tour & Peek In ColumbusMakesIT
Curiosity getting the better of you? Want to visit and see what ColumbusMakesIT is all about? What is a Makerspace, anyway? Join ColumbusMakesIT for their Public Open House night and see what they’re all about. Nov. 13, 6 p.m., ColumbusMakesIT, 710-B Front Avenue, Columbus
Learning to Invest
William Roundtree, of Synovus Securities, discusses the various types of investments and how to set your own financial goals. For information, call the Adult Services Department at (706) 243-2669. Nov. 9, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus
Sugar Bert Boxing Title Belt National Championship
Three days of amateur Olympic style boxing tournament for boxers of all ages. Double elimination tournament. Winners of each weight class division will win a Title Belt and advance to the National Championship, Nov. 18 through 21 in Kissimmee, Fl. at Disney World. Nov. 17 through 20, Columbus Convention and Exhibition Center, 801 Front Avenue, Columbus
American Frontier Days
Meet a trapper, talk to a soldier and throw a tomahawk. See living skills displays from local historians. Walk through time from the mid-1700s to the late 1800s. Donations accepted for admission. Event is located at the baseball field across from the Liberty Bell Pool. Nov. 18 & 19, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain, Ga.
Fountain City Teen Poetry Slam Open Mic
Calling all young artists! Event is open to area youth, ages 13 through 19. Whether you’re a poet, singer, comedian or rapper, all talent is welcomed. Sign-up for the open mic starts at 3:30 p.m.. Nov. 18, 4 - 6 p.m., Fountain City Coffee, 1007 Broadway, Columbus LocaL
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Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser
Join us for a fundraiser supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. The fundraiser is all day, noon until 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in the park, and don’t forget to tell the cashier you are there for the fundraiser. Nov. 22, noon till 8 p.m., Launch Trampoline Park, 7607 Veterans Parkway, Columbus
Chattahoochee Valley Writer’s Club, Authorpreneurship Workshop
Half day workshop to discuss marketing ideas for the new author in today’s changing publishing world. Enjoy lunch while we learn and discuss how to help your book matter the most after it is written. Nov. 25, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weeks Road, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
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I still don’t understand Dr. Price. I had been expelled, and as the principal in charge of sophomores, it was his decision. After a few days at home, we received a phone call from the school. My punishment had been reduced to five days out and five days in-school suspension. In court again, this time for sentencing, I was given six months probation and community service time. Standard stuff. At first, I tried a couple of nursing homes, but this was an affluent town. All of the residents had visitors, and all of the visitors knew why I was there. Sure, the residents were nice enough, but the steady flow of grown children driving BMWs was a stream of condescending looks. Like those asshole never smoked pot. Fuck them. For my last six hours, I asked my dad if he would take me to the homeless shelter. I’d do a full day and be finished. I think my dad was nervous about leaving me there, but I wasn’t nervous to go inside. My friends and I would sometimes go across the street from the school and up the hill. The brush was dense, except for narrow paths cut in that led to small clearings. Some clearings would be empty; in others we would find makeshift campsites. We smoked pot in the clearings. Inside the homeless shelter, it was pretty calm. Men lounging on worn out sofas and watching Judge Whoever on TV. There was a sad buffet toward the back of the room serving canned green beans and tiny, unseasoned chicken breasts. Some men played cards, which reminded me of rotation time in juvenile detention, and others rolled cigarettes out of giant Topps cans. The man behind the desk, on the left as you walked in the room, was enormous. I mean, when he stood to sign me in, he was twice my size. I signed my name and looked up. He was staring at me. I guess it was my Black Sabbath t-shirt. “Play music?” “Bass,” I said. “My son plays guitar in a band,” he said. “Record contract. Do you know how to do laundry?” The man led me to a small room in a kind of basement of the shelter. There were enormous piles of donated clothes and a tired washer and dryer set. They needed a new washer and dryer set more than cast-off cargo shorts. I spent a couple of hours moving laundry from washer to dryer and folding what was finished. Most of that hour I spent waiting. At least in juvenile detention, when we were in our cells, we could throw the checkered blanket on the floor and make checkers pieces from wads of toilet paper. The big man came downstairs and asked, “you know how to rake leaves?” He took me upstairs and through the common room. A man poked at the dried out chicken on the buffet table. Outside, men stood in circles, smoking. There were a couple of tables; more smoking. The big man handed me a rake. “Listen,” he said. “Normally, we could use a volunteer, but this is a slow time for us. No holiday, no food or cloths drive. Nothing going on. I used to be in the Marines. Let me tell you about time management. You have four more hours, and the only thing you have to do is rake this yard.” I looked at the yard. It was about half the size of my backyard, and the leaves hadn’t turned yet. “Time management,” the man repeated. “Get it?” I said I did. I raked as slowly as I knew how, and even at that snail’s pace, I was quickly finishing up the job. Maybe an hour had passed. I heard a voice behind me. It was one of those voices that doesn’t immediately register, like when people are talking and you catch snippets of conversation. But then I heard it again, a little louder. “Do you smoke?” I turned around. A man at one of the tables was looking at me. I walked over. I said I did smoke. “Don’t worry about the cameras,” the man said, indicating the security camera on the awning. The man handed me a Camel. “Just there for fights and shit.” I took the cigarette and a lighter. “Go on, have a seat.” I took an empty chair across from the man. We sat smoking in silence for a moment. Then he spoke again. “You like music?” “Sure.” “You play?” I told him that I played bass. I was in a band. I felt stupid. I remembered the big man’s comment about his son’s recording contract. “I used to play a little,” the man said. “I guess that’s not surprising.” It wasn’t surprising. A lot of people used to play a little, a fact I’ve realized more and more as I’ve gotten older.
This story arrived by mail two months ago as an anonymous submission. We are uncertain whether it is intended as nonfiction, as it flaunts a plot hole as a non-issue, or fiction, given it’s omission of concrete spatial placement. Whatever it is, we initially agreed not to publish it, though we did momentarily consider it for a JOINTREDEMPTION story. As we started to discuss this month’s issue, we were reminded of the story, the way it brings a young protagonist through a homeless shelter and out of some variety of youthful naïvety. On re-read, we also noticed that the homeless shelter manager is a veteran, at which point we decided to run it after all. This is also the first time the LocaL has run FICTION. Please be advised that this piece uses some language not otherwise found in our magazine.
Time Management I thought the whole thing was stupid. Dr. Price, the assistant principal, came to my geometry class. I wasn’t called to the office over the intercom? Something was wrong, and I thought about the chillum in my backpack. Dr. Price smiled at the geometry teacher. I can’t remember her name; she never liked me. And you know how principals are. Dr. Price said, “Ms. So-and-so, can I borrow Mr. Hoistman?” I stood and walked toward Mr. Price at the classroom door. “Don’t forget your backpack, Gram,” he said, smiling. Not that Mr. Price would take any pleasure in what was about to happen. He was the sort to stop you in the hall and ask about Wilco or whatever. I think he smiled because he wanted to make the process seem as normal as possible. He didn’t want to embarrass me in front of the class. Sure, I appreciated the effort, but I don’t think anyone was fooled. Even if they had been, they would know soon enough. Dr. Price escorted me to his office. He talked the entire way, and it was a big high school. He told me about a night he’d spent in Memphis, about how he had too much to drink, way too much to drink. He told me about how he and his friend had found themselves in a dive, a total no-place, when something magical happened. A band was playing that night, and midway through the set a bespectacled white dude slouched onto the stage, draped a battered Strat around his neck, and started to play. “Took me a while,” Dr. Price said. “Man, but when me and my buddy realized who it was—” “—Who was it?” I asked. “Eric Fuckin’ Clapton.” And then we were in his office. Another assistant principal was there. Unlike Dr. Price, who maintained his smile, the other principal was a husk of seething anger. As if I’d burned down the gym while smoking crack or something. When Dr. Price asked if I had any drugs on me, I fessed to the chillum. I didn’t even think about the weed in my shoe. As the Husk searched my bag, he lectured. The evils of drugs. Destroying the school. Ruining the lives of everyone around me. Dr. Price smiled his smile. After the Husk was finished, Dr. Price stood. “You know I have to search you, right?” I knew. Dr. Price gave me a quick pat-down. “I guess it’d be overkill to ask you to take your shoes off,” he said. I don’t know if I said yes or smiled or what. That fucking baggie in my shoe. Whatever I did, it worked. Or maybe it didn’t even occur to Dr. Price—or maybe it did. After his Eric Clapton in Memphis story, it was hard to tell. Hard to tell if that story was real or not. I didn’t have much time to process Dr. Price and the shoe comment. The school resource officer came into the room, took the chillum, and left. I asked Dr. Price—I was ignoring the Husk—if I was going to jail. “Not up to me, Gram.” I was arrested a few minutes later. As the officer handcuffed me, Dr. Price said he would call my parents for me. Thanks. The officer led me through the halls and out to his car about a minute after the lunch bell rang. A few friends said things like, “see ya in a week.” I spent a few nights in juvenile detention before my preadjudication hearing. I was put on house arrest. Judge said that I had been expelled from school. On the drive home, neither of my parents spoke. About the time I closed my bedroom door behind me, there was a knock. My mother asked if I was hungry. LocaL
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“I went to school for music,” he said. “Would you have guessed that?” I wasn’t sure. I shrugged. “You don’t know shit, do you?” I felt embarrassed and a little nervous. I glanced at the security camera. “Hey, chill out,” the man said. “See that guy over there?” The man indicated a small man in glasses working a crossword puzzle. “He was an accountant. Very successful. He’s got a bed tonight. Got a job. Won’t be here long.” “That’s good,” I said. “And what about me?” I shrugged again. “You really don’t know shit,” the man said, but this time he said it as if something poking at him had gone away. “I have a doctorate in music performance. Eastman. You know that school? I was second chair viola in the Boston philharmonic. I can play any instrument you put in my hands. I’ve traveled all over the world playing music. I played for everybody.” His voice had crescendoed to full force. Then it fell. “Busted for smoking pot behind the gym? Piss off your parents?” “Psychologist says I’m depressed.” “That’s serious. Being here won’t help, though.” The big man came out. He called me inside. I thought I was in trouble for smoking. He walked me to the front desk. “Sorry about him,” the big man said. “He can get a little pushy.” “Was he really a musician?” “I’ve already called your ride. You can wait out front.” “And the six hours?” “You’re no good at time management, but you’ll get better.” I started walking toward the front door. “My son took a couple of lessons from him,” the big man said. “My son said he was about the best guitar player he’d ever met.” “I thought he played viola,” I said. “Maybe he does,” the big man said.u
by Frank Etheridge
Born for the Blues
Guitar Prodigy Jontavious Willis Pushes Forward An Old-School Sound “I learned myself,” Jontavious Willis explains of how he learned to play the blues. itting at a table in a break room inside Jordan Hall on Columbus State University’s main campus, Willis wears camo shorts and a black t-shirt from the legendary Washington, D.C. venue the 9:30 club, a gift he received while in the nation’s capital at the prestigious Lincoln Theatre as part of a tour opening for blues masters Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. A senior set to graduate in May, the 21-year-old is a sociology major. “It’s a classical music school, so they would have taught me that everything I was doing was wrong, so I’d have to re-learn everything later,” Willis says of his choice to not earn a degree from CSU’s renowned Schwob School of Music. “I didn’t want to go to school to learn something I already knew how to do anyway.” With a humble demeanor and soft-spoken voice making such
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statements, Willis recalls his first musical memories: singing in church at age three before moving on to piano at eight years old and finally picking up guitar at 14, eventually learning both banjo and harmonica to round out his instrumentation. “The church I grew up going to is real old-timey,” Willis explains. “I’m so rooted in church that the blues just came natural to me. Gospel and blues kind of go hand-in-hand—they’re basically the same thing, you just got to change the words around.” Saying that he likes “old country blues, stuff from the ‘20s to the ‘60s,” Willis plays acoustic blues on his arsenal of guitars, sometimes with a slide. He cites legends such as Muddy Waters, Blind Willie McTell, Robert Johnson and Peg-Leg Howard as some of his influences, “though I listen to everybody.” A big break arrived after Willis’ YouTube video for a cover of “Lucy Mae Blues,” a 1953 R&B smash by Frankie Lee Sims, caught the attention of Taj Mahal. Impressed, the 70s-something musicworld veteran last year invited Willis to come open for him at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. “At that point, I was used to playing for 70 or 80 people,” Willis says, “and there were about 4,000 people there. I wasn’t too much scared of all those people, but more having this two-time Grammy winner that I loved and respected standing right over me, watching what I was doing. I played one song and the people went crazy. “After that, Taj gave me a quote in Living Blues magazine [‘That’s my wonderboy, the wonderkind,’ he said of Willis in the publication] and that was it,” Willis continues, snapping his fingers in quick succession, “I got booked for show after show after show.” Such demand has taken Willis to blues festivals across the country, from Portland, Oregon to Erie, Pennsylvania, in addition to nightclubs such as Northside Tavern in Atlanta. On this just-concluded tour with Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, Willis played an opening slot, solo acoustic, for 30 to 40 minutes in such storied venues as the aforementioned Lincoln Theatre, as well as Nashville’s hallowed Ryman Auditorium. He doesn’t, however, gig in Columbus. “I ask for a professional price and they offer to pay me $50 or $100 and I just don’t have time for that,” he says. “I come back here to retreat—to sleep and go to class.” Adding that in September he only spent four nights in his apartment, Willis says that he’s not money hungry. But he does want control over his music, his career. In July 2016 he recorded his debut album Blues Metamorphosis, an independent effort released in May of this year. He now only has roughly 80 copies left out of initial print run of 2,000. “They’re always calling,” Willis says of music-industry sharks now circling around this budding blues star. “But they know my deal. They’ll offer $10,000 for a two-year contract, which isn’t much money. And that’s a long time—who knows what can happen in two years? As long as I can control my music, I will.” Upon graduation in May, Willis says he plans “to hit the road hard,” with plans for an upcoming tour and album that he can’t yet disclose. He performs both solo as well as in a fourpiece (with piano, drums and harmonica). His shows are a mix of original tunes and covers. “I play covers by artists nobody’s ever heard of,” he says, “so I make sure to say their name so people can go check it out for themselves if they like it. They’re all dead and gone so I like to bring them back into the light.” That such a young talent would be so inspired by the music and musicians of a bye-gone era shouldn’t surprise people, Willis says. “A lot of people that are surprised by that just don’t know history, don’t know the blues,” he explains. “A lot of people my age, they don’t go outside of their norm. I’ve never been a person to do what everybody else was doing.” Jontavious Willis will perform solo at Pure Life Studios in LaGrange on Sunday, Nov. 19. Nove m be r 2017
Best Beginnings Expo
Education and resources for before, during and after pregnancy. Come meet local service providers. Gather resources and information to be ready for your birth and postpartum period. Vendor booths, workshops, demos and speakers will make this an event you do not want to miss. Nov. 12, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., ColumbusMakesIT, 710-B Front Avenue, Columbus
Power of Pranayama
Pranayama is the formal practice of connecting to, extending and controlling the breath, so one can encourage greater energy flow within their mind and body. Pranayama is considered one of the most important aspects of yoga, so learning how to use it and when will absolutely transform your practice and life for the better. $30. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your yoga mat. Nov. 12, 1 - 3 p.m., River Flow Yoga and Wellness, 6801 River Road #403, Columbus
Fitness Fridays Join the North Columbus Public Library’s walking club. Meet in the library’s small conference room at 4:30 p.m. for refreshments and conversation. The walk begins at 5 at Britt David Park. All ages are welcome. Call the branch for more information at (706) 748-2855 Nov. 3, 4:30 - 6 p.m., 5689 Armour Road, Columbus
Wildwood Day Spa’s 10 Year Diamond Anniversary
Sunrise and Coffee with a Ranger
Chat with a Ranger while enjoying a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a doughnut. Learn more about State Parks in Georgia while the sun rises over one of the finest in the system. $3 per person. Event will be held at the Stone Amphitheater next to the Park Office. Nov. 4, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain, GA
Wildwood Day Spa is turning 10 years old! Join us all day for treats and special prizes. Dec. 1, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Wildwood Day Spa, 1817 Garrard Street, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
Deprivation Doomsday
CrossFit Deprivation presents their 5th annual Doomsday, which promises to be the bigger and better than ever—and more challenging. Come for the challenging workouts, amazing atmosphere, and fun for all. Sign up to insure you get the shirt. Two-person, same-gender teams and individual events are all on the same day. Nov. 4, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., CrossFit Deprivation, 9 Price Rd, 36870 Phenix City
Throwdown at The Rock
Characters and Cocktails
This annual disc golf tournament, hosted by the Columbus GA Disc Golf Club is a fun event with nice Innova player’s pack and lunch provided. Two rounds of golf on the Original Layout. For ticket information, visit discgolfscene.com. Nov. 4, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Flat Rock Disc Golf Course, Flat Rock Park, 6106 Warm Springs Road, Columbus
A book club for adults. Join Columbus Public Library Staff to discuss books written by and about interesting, funny and fascinating folks. This week’s book is “White Trash,” Nancy Isenberg’s groundbreaking history of the class system in American. Drawing from colonial times to present, Isenberg takes on our comforting myths about equality and uncovers the crucial legacy of the ever-present and always embarrassing “poor white trash.” Participants are responsible for their own food and drink. Nov. 3 & Dec. 1, 6 - 9 p.m., Sapo’s Mexican Cocina & Bar, 3033 Manchester Expressway, Columbus
Girls Ride Dirty
Join the fun at Flatrock Park Dam Mountain Bike Trail as friends of Ride on Bikes work on basic mountain bike skills, taught by Joanne Cogle, MS, CSCS, 2x Xterra World Championship qualifier and USA Triathalon coach. This is a great cross training activity for fall and winter months, when it’s too chilly to be on your road/tri bike. Don’t have a mountain bike? Don’t worry. Give Ride on Bikes a call and they can help set you up with a bike, free of charge. Bring a snack for after-ride refreshments. Nov. 5, 10 a.m. - noon, Flatrock Park Dam Mountain Bike Trail, Flat Rock Park, 6106 Warm Springs Road, Columbus
On the Table in Uptown Columbus
What would you like to see in Uptown in the next year? What about three years or five years? What is our community missing? What can we do to put our big ideas into action? Join Uptown Columbus with Nonic Bar & Kitchen, and residents of Columbus and the surrounding area for a forum designed to elevate civic conversation, foster new relationships and inspire collaborative action across the region. Share a meal and discuss ways to improve our community. Dinner will be provided, but guests are encouraged to bring an appetizer to share for up to 12 people as well as beverages; non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase. If you’d like to join, visit onthetablechatt.com for more information. 6 - 9 p.m., Nov. 7, 1000 Block of Broadway, Columbus
Liv Women’s Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic
Join The Bike Shop by Arnold’s for this clinic, which will cover basic bike parts, how to perform a safety check, basic day-today maintenance, how to troubleshoot issues road- and trailside, how to change a tire, and how to remove and reinstall a rear wheel. Questions regarding repairs, fit and general cycling practice are welcome. Refreshments and fun swag will be provided. Please leave personal bikes at home. Nov. 9, 6 - 9 p.m., The Bike Shop Columbus, 3554 Hilton Avenue, Columbus LocaL
Kid’s Cooking Classs
Join My Boulánge head chef, Bruno, for a one-on-one experience baking with him. Cost is $15 (cash) per child, and must be paid at the bakery to reserve your spot. No calling to reserve spots. Children 3-10 are welcome. 6 - 9 p.m., Nov. 9, My Boulánge, 111 12th Street, Suit #101, Columbus 16
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Uptown’s Fall Food Truck Festival
Uptown Columbus and Atlanta Street Food Coalition will host the 5th Annual Food Truck Festival in Columbus. Join Uptown Columbus on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as Woodruff Park and Dillingham Bridge transform into a Food Truck Mecca. 25 gourmet food trucks will set up in our backyard with DJ Dave Arwood playing jams all afternoon. Check uptowncolumbusga.com for the full list of trucks, as well as libations in the craft beer garden. Admission is $5 per person, cash only. Children 12 and younger are free. Credit card and cash will be accepted by the vendors. Nov. 11, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus
Elijah’s Fall Harvest Supper
Experience a magical outdoor evening of family-style, farm-to-table fresh cuisine. Created by Bare Roots Farmacy using locally-sourced produce from Elijah’s Farm and meat from Turn Time Farms. This Columbus Food Oasis event benefit’s Elijah’s Farm and Feeding the Valley Food Bank Garden Fund. Tickets are $65 per person; contact Bare Roots Farmacy to purchase tickets at olivia@barerootsfarmacy. com. Nov. 12, 5 p.m. farm tour; 6 p.m. dinner, Cascade Hills Church, 727 54th Street, Columbus
SUDS = StartUp DrinkS for Entrepreneurs
A social club with a StartUp problem. This group of creative minds comes together to socialize and develop entrepreneurship networks. Just like a child, it takes a village to create startups. The group has fun, builds relationships and changes the world, one drink at a time. Also, water is a perfectly acceptable drink, and quite literally the most efficient one our body chemistry and biology was designed to process. Nov. 14, 5:30 - 8 p.m., Nonic Bar & Kitchen, 1239 Broadway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email editor@thelocalcolumbus.com
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Trevioli Italian Kitchen
Brings Fine Italian Eats To Blackmon Road
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here are a few Columbus restaurants that you can mention in any social situation and someone will inevitably nod and intone, sagely, “Oh, yes, I go there all the time.” Remarkably, after first opening in a storage unit on Tower Road, in Oct. 2013, Trevioli quickly rose to that level
sourced seating of the storage unit, though, has been upgraded to wood tables handmade by a Texas craftsman. The space is open, and with dining areas separated by wine bottle walls, which reflect well-placed track lights, the restaurant feels both intimate and alive as the lights glint off the wine bottles and recede into the walls and floors. Almost as soon as the doors opened on a recent Tuesday, both the dining room and
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patio were lively. No surprise, of recognition. Begun, also then, when Trevor says most remarkably, as a takeof the regulars from the out Italian shop featuring previous location make the homemade pasta, it was short trip east to dine. loyal regulars who imposed Whether old customers or dine-in service by bringing new, however inviting the their own chairs and asking Blackmon Road location, the that their food be plated on photo by Christian Ortiz main attraction, of course, is paper tableware. the food. Beginning at the top of the chef’s This original location, even after note-style menu, handwritten by Trevor, we expanding into two adjacent storage units, find a half-dozen classic Italian starters. was cozy. Its chockablock 30 seats often The caprese, with fresh mozzarella and commanded two hour waits, on Wednesdays, basil and locally-grown tomatoes, and a as small air-conditioning units struggled comforting minestrone are obvious choices. against midsummer heat. The restaurant, Mussels in beer and butter is perfect for which owner and chef Trevor Morris built sharing, while the lobster bisque, spiced with start-up proceeds from the sale of with ginger, is an indulgent solo choice. an old Jeep and word-of-mouth buzz, had Of the risotto dishes, the maple cashew outgrown the storage unit format. But duck, served over butternut squash risotto, moves can be dangerous for a restaurant, was particularly fun. The savory smoked duck especially when relocating to a place breast and sweet maple glazed cashews will as remote from its original clientele as have your tablemates envious. The portion is Blackmon Road. generous. Go ahead and share. Trevioli Italian Kitchen, which opened this Though not all of the pasta is house-made Spring at 7466 Blackmon Road, boasts 120 (after all, you can’t get al dente from wet indoor seats and 40 covered patio seats. The pasta), many are. Again, the classics stand interior, is a nod to the original location, out as generous and comforting, including with dark walls and floors. The Craigslistportobello ravioli, three-cheese tortellini LocaL
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Editorial by T o m I n g r a m
in blush sauce, and a linguini alfredo that can be served with chicken, shrimp or lobster. Lobster appears again in a lobster Mac in chardonnay cream and in a spicy shrimp and lobster Mac that perfectly navigates the line between light and filling while also delivering some welcomed heat. Under “Specialties” we found some truly special dishes. The 21-day aged, hand cut Black Angus filet mingon is not to be overlooked, nor is the oven-roasted grouper. The lasagna is accurately described by the menu in Trevor’s hand: “My wife makes this lasagna. It’s awesome.” We agree. For the more adventurous, try the sausage-stuffed quail. The quail comes from Greensboro, Ga., and we saw the sausage being made on a pre-dinner kitchen tour—forget the old adage, at least at Trevioli. Finally, there’s the osso bucco stuffed tortelli. The osso we savored, at 5:30 p.m., had been in the oven since 6:30 a.m. Stuffed in a tortelli and served with butternut squash, peas and bacon, this dish will warm anyone on a chilly evening. The full-service bar eschews overcomplexity in favor of smart, pragmatic choices. The cocktails are mostly classics with clever tweaks, such as Autumn’s Old Fashioned, made with peach bitters, maple syrup and bourbon, and named for the head bartender. The wine list offers enough variety to pair well any dish with any thirsty patron, and the selections prioritize quality over price tag, such as the Triano pinot grigio. Bottled beer includes several obligatory domestics, as well as welcomed Italian staples, Peroni and Moretti. On our visit, we were happy to find two Omaha Brewing Company beers on tap. While Uptown boasts the best quality restaurant density in Columbus, the Blackmon Road area is growing. Trevioli’s Italian Kitchen is not only a unique gem in north east Columbus, but a welcomed and much-needed addition to the Columbus food scene. Trevioli is a destination for quality Italian comfort food and creative culinary delights, with so many excellent and interesting offerings as to make frequent returns mandatory for anyone who appreciates a great meal. If you live in the area, the opening of Trevioli must be exciting. If you don’t live in the area, take it from us: a single trip to Trevioli will have you savoring the ten minute drive on all subsequent returns. We’ll see by T o m I n g r a m you there. LocaL
VOICES OF THE VALLEY s i n g s a so n g th a t to u ch e s a l l o f o u r h e a r ts
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n a recent evening, I visited Chipotle on Macon Road. The food is fine, but it’s certainly not one of my usual stops. I came because a friend told me about a local organization that was having a fundraiser. Half of my purchase would go to benefit an organization called Voices of the Valley Choral Group (VOV). VOV provides children in the Chattahoochee Valley with excellent vocal training and performance opportunities, and currently serves over site children from different cities, counties and schools. What stands out to me is that many of these children either come from schools that do not offer music curriculum, are homeschooled, or come from Title I schools. VOV gives children who would otherwise never have the opportunity vocal training and chances to perform. These young voices enrich our community, and in so doing, enrich their own lives. Currently, VOV is running a very special fundraising campaign. VOV will take its singers to England in July, 2018. As someone who was lucky enough to travel abroad while in school, I can attest to the personal growth that is inherent in international travel, especially when undertaken while still young. When young people venture abroad, they return home with a deeper appreciation for culture, not only of the places they visit but also of their own home. This trip will make these young people better musicians, yes, and also better local citizens. The cost of the trip is more than $3000 per person, an expense that’s more than what many of VOV parents can afford. However, if we rally around this excellent cause, our pooled resources can provide these children with the trip of a lifetime. If you are interested in helping to make dreams come true for talented, hard-working young people, please visit voicesofthevalleychorus.org to find out how you can help. ’Tis the season, ya’ll.
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Pleased To Meet You, Hope You Guessed My Name RUMINATING ABOUT RUM
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pirits fermented from the juice of sugarcane have been consumed throughout history and in all parts of the world. In present day, depending on where it is distilled, this spirit may be called rum, rhume (or rhum agricole), or ron. Another distinction between rum types is the form of sugar used in it’s production. Most styles of rum are made from molasses, but rhum agricole and cachaca are made from fermented sugarcane juice.
RUM STYLES
Light rum, also called silver or white, is probably the most common type, and the style that comes to mind for light or tropical drinks like a pina colada, a daquiri, or a mojito. Examples of “silver” or “white” rum include Bacardi Superior, Cane Run Estate Rum and Flor de Cana. Gold rum is medium bodied but still smooth, and relatively light. Gold rums are often aged in oak casks. This aging contributes to the color and the smooth flavor. This style makes a smooth sipper, or may be used in place of silver rum in darker cocktails. Aged rum is the style of rum with no additives for color or flavor. The unique color and flavor characteristics are achieved by aging in oak barrels. Kirk & Sweeney rums are named for a wooden schooner that smuggled rum into the United States during Prohibition. Kirk & Sweeney rums are distilled in the Dominican Republic and available in 12 yr., 18 yr., and 23 year old varieties. Kirk & Sweeney rums are considered “sipping” rums. Two styles of rum are classified by their alcohol percentage, or proof. Navy strength rum is bottled at 115 proof, and overproof LocaL
rum is anything greater than 115 proof. Popular overproof style rums are Cruzan 151, and Wray and Nephew. Other styles of rum are classified by where they are distilled. Cachaca: This “Brazilian Rum” is, by law, produced only in Brazil. Cachaca is the sweetest rum available, and is best known for being the main ingredient in a Caipirinha, but mixes well in other cocktails. Novo Fogo Cachaca is handcrafted from organic sugarcane. Rhum Agricole: Rhum Agricole must be produced in the French territories, usually on the island of Martinique. It is distilled from fresh-pressed sugarcane juice using a Creole continuous column still. The cane can only be harvested in the dry season and the juice extracted within three days. Clement is considered by many to be the premier Rhum Agricole. The Clement line includes Rhum Vieux Agricole V.S.O.P., which is aged a minimum of four years in a variety of the world’s finest oak barrels, Select Barrel, aged for a minimum of three years in select oak barrels, resulting in a soft vanilla note and balanced sweetness.
CRAFT RUMS
Hailing from Key West, Papa’s Pilar Blonde and dark rums are named after Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, and his yacht “Pilar”.
LOCAL FAVORITES
Within a short drive of Columbus are two distilleries. Award winning Richland rum is distilled in Richland, Georgia. Their current offerings include a limited edition bottle featuring Saint Eom’s Pasaquan Odyssey artwork. John Emerald distillery in Opelika, AL, offers two rum expressions, a barrel aged rum, and Gene’s spiced rum.
b y R i c h a r d E dw a r d s ,
S p i r i t s M a n a g e r & Ch i e f Bo t t l e Wa s h e r O f Uptown Wine & Spirits
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